Chapter 111: Red Lady

At Chunhui Prefecture in Jizhou, the site of the provincial civil service examination, a group of candidates, some brimming with confidence and others slowly overcome with anxiety, waited outside.

The Gongyuan was a special examination venue used for all levels of the imperial examinations, varying in scale according to the level. Candidates who qualified in the county and prefectural examinations would proceed to the provincial capital for the provincial examination, which in Jizhou was held at Chunhui Prefecture.

The Chunhui Prefecture Gongyuan was a grand, enclosed building with high eaves and deep roofs, covering a substantial area. Inside, wooden doors and screens divided the space into simple individual cubicles, where all candidates were required to complete their essays in isolation.

This was the tense period just before the examination, the most anxious time for everyone. A long double line of scholars and candidates, including Yin Zhaoxian, had already formed outside the Gongyuan. They occasionally whispered to each other or reviewed their books.

Unlike Ji Yuan's previous life, most candidates waiting here were adults. Although Yin Zhaoxian self-deprecatingly claimed he was no longer a young scholar, his age was not actually considered old among the examinees; the queue even included candidates with graying hair.

Yin Zhaoxian wasn't cramming at the last minute; he simply gazed at the Gongyuan with a sense of emotion.

He remembered his younger self, a spirited scholar who easily topped the county examination and ranked in the first class for the prefectural examination. However, in the provincial examination, he missed the first class by just three places, losing his qualification to proceed to the capital prefecture.

His failure in the imperial examination left Yin Zhaoxian somewhat disheartened. Coupled with the death of an elder in his family and his wife and children needing financial support and care, he settled down in Ning'an County.

Some scholars could rely on their wives' support to continue their rigorous studies and repeatedly take examinations. However, Yin Zhaoxian was not such a person; he didn't want his wife to endure too much hardship. Given his knowledge, many wealthy households in the county were eager to hire him as a tutor.

While a comfortable life was good, it could sometimes dull one's ambition. Even when his family's life improved and they had savings, Yin Zhaoxian had no intention of taking the imperial examination again. This changed only three years ago when Ji Yuan left him a letter that helped him clarify his aspirations.

At that moment, a provincial official emerged from the Gongyuan after inspecting the examination hall, nodding to the constables who were maintaining order nearby.

A constable, his chest expanding with inner energy, shouted loudly:

"The provincial examination now begins! Candidates may bring their brushes, ink, inkstones, and lunchboxes. Paper and water will be provided by the Gongyuan. Before entering, please have your registration letters and official documents ready, and be prepared for a body search by the constables. Entry begins now!"

There were hundreds of candidates for this examination, most of whom had bravely fought their way through various prefectures and counties of Jizhou based on their talent and learning. The ears of some candidates at the front of the queue were ringing from the constable's shouts.

Several martial arts-trained constables conducted individual body searches and inspected personal belongings. They even used chopsticks to poke through the food in the candidates' lunchboxes, checking for anything hidden.

Meanwhile, four officials seated nearby meticulously checked each candidate's official documents to confirm their identity.

The entire process, apart from the absence of cameras and occasional connections, was in fact more stringent than modern-day student examinations.

Yin Zhaoxian carried his examination kit, which contained writing implements and a "candidate's meal" purchased from a restaurant near the Gongyuan. While he was being searched, a provincial official checking documents nearby suddenly asked him:

"Are you Yin Zhaoxian?"

Yin Zhaoxian paused, then bowed to him.

"Indeed, sir. Do you recognize me?"

"Not personally, but when I visited Huafeng Academy, I saw the student editions of 'Treatise on Birds' and 'Night Ramblings'—they were quite interesting."

Yin Zhaoxian quickly bowed again.

"My humble works are unworthy of your praise, sir!"

"Very well, you may go in. I hope you achieve a first-class ranking."

"I will certainly do my best, sir!"

The official then checked Yin Zhaoxian's name in the register, handed him his tag number, and signaled to the constable to let him through.

After watching Yin Zhaoxian enter the Gongyuan, the official stroked his beard before continuing to examine the next candidate.

Inside the Gongyuan, the cubicles had some subtle differences from how he remembered them. Yin Zhaoxian checked his tag number and found his designated cubicle, "D-27."

After about half an hour, once all the students had entered and found their places, examiners went around to check official documents and tag numbers, ensuring no one was seated incorrectly.

At the front of the examination hall, an examiner stood firmly and announced loudly:

"Today's examination will last for two *shichen*. When the time is up, the 'collection incense' will be lit immediately. Papers must be submitted before it burns out, or they will be void! Now, reveal the examination questions!"

As his voice fell silent, constables in all four corners of the examination hall hung up large white-cloth signs displaying the examination content.

There were two questions: "Policy Discussion: Drought Management" and "A Poem Praising Autumn."

Unlike the county and prefectural examinations, the provincial examination no longer heavily emphasized basic skills like rote memorization of texts, but began to focus on practical ability. It was exceptionally rare for a policy discussion question to appear in the provincial examination this year, leading to much discussion among the candidates.

"Silence!"

A constable, using his inner energy, roared.

"The examination begins! The water clock is set, strike the gong!"

A nearby constable gripped a wooden mallet, striking the bronze gong with force.

"Dong!"

The sound resonated, as if striking the heart of every candidate. Everyone quickly settled down and focused; some pondered deeply, while others had already begun to write.

Poetry was unlikely to stump most talented individuals, but the policy discussion was challenging. Yin Zhaoxian, however, had clear ideas. While a hundred people might write generic responses on drought management, few scholars could genuinely produce something useful. Yin Zhaoxian was one such exception.

'Drought is not merely a single calamity. As the saying goes, "people take food as their heaven." Drought brings man-made disasters, which lead to epidemics. Poor governance stirs resentment, and hostility can then breed miasma, leading to peril...'

His brush moved as if divinely guided, ink flowing continuously. Yin Zhaoxian's opening was coherent and well-structured. Not only were his thoughts clear, but his calligraphy had also greatly improved from constantly practicing Ji Yuan's calligraphy models.

***

After the examination, the papers entered the tense grading period, with many provincial officials participating.

Yin Zhaoxian's essay on drought management was eventually read even by the Prefect and Governor. Although Jizhou rarely experienced droughts and typically enjoyed favorable weather year after year, officials were not confined to one region; many had encountered droughts in other provinces and understood the depth of Yin Zhaoxian's comprehensive analysis.

Governor Li Hou even commented: "Although his essay contains some slight conceptual ambiguities, its strength lies in its comprehensive detail. Even officials with limited talent and power could use this strategy to manage droughts!"

This was considered extremely high praise.

***

As the provincial examination in Dazhen was often held in autumn, the results were usually announced when Osmanthus flowers were in full bloom, earning the examination roster the name "Osmanthus Roll."

Half a month later, the Osmanthus Roll was unveiled outside the Chunhui Prefecture Gongyuan.

Yin Zhaoxian didn't frantically push to the front like others to see the list. The results were already decided, and no amount of pushing would change them.

However, some positions on the list could be clearly seen from the outer edges without having to crowd too close.

The names at the top of the Jizhou Osmanthus Roll were the largest, with the first column boldly written:

First Class, *Jieyuan*: Yin Zhaoxian. "Who is Yin Zhaoxian?" "He's the *Jieyuan*?"

"Does anyone know Yin Zhaoxian?" "No idea..."

The numerous discussions from the front gradually reached the back. Although Yin Zhaoxian had expected to achieve a first-class ranking, he had never dared to dream of being the *Jieyuan*. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly rubbed his chest.

From the provincial examination onward, through the metropolitan and palace examinations, the top-ranked candidate was designated with the character "Yuan," becoming the *Jieyuan*, *Huiyuan*, and *Zhuangyuan* respectively. Each of these was an achievement that brought great honor to one's ancestors.

From then on, people would likely respectfully address Yin Zhaoxian as "Jieyuan Yin."

With the final results revealed, it was customary to congratulate those who had passed, whether genuinely or not. Yin Zhaoxian naturally became the center of attention.

That night, the provincial government hosted a Deer Cry Banquet to celebrate the successful candidates and the examination officials. Even though Yin Zhaoxian knew he had a low tolerance for alcohol, it was impossible for him not to drink in such a setting.

By the end, he was practically unconscious and had to be helped back to the inn by constables.

In the middle of the night, a faint red silhouette drifted from outside Chunhui Prefecture, approaching the city wall. It then seemed to casually stroll onto the wall and enter the city.

Few lights were still burning in the city. The red silhouette glided through the streets like a wisp of smoke or a dream. Suddenly, it spotted an underworld patrol passing by and giggled as it darted behind a street corner.

"Heheheh..."

After the two patrols passed, bringing a chill wind with them, the red silhouette chuckled and continued on its way.

It moved incredibly fast through streets and neighborhoods, as if with a specific destination, soon arriving outside the Gui Xiang Inn near the Gongyuan.

Looking up at the inn, the red silhouette slipped into the second floor like a red ribbon.

Inside the inn, occasional hoarse groans of pain could be heard.

"Hoh..." "Uh-hoh..."

A moment later, the red silhouette finally located Yin Zhaoxian's room.

"Click~ creak~~"

The door automatically unlocked and opened. The red silhouette entered, and the door closed behind it on its own.

Its gaze swept over the table, where the official document designating the *Jieyuan* of the first class was visible.

"Heheheh... Jieyuan Yin..."

The red silhouette glided to the bedside. A slender, pale hand with long, red-painted nails stroked Yin Zhaoxian's chest. Yin Zhaoxian's inherent righteous energy reacted, manifesting as an aura of imposing grandeur.

The red silhouette recoiled, its arm unexpectedly pushed away. At that moment, Yin Zhaoxian immediately regained consciousness.

Seeing a woman suddenly appear in his room, Master Yin instinctively flinched, looking somewhat panicked. Encountering a strange woman in his room was more terrifying than encountering other monsters.

"You-you-you... who are you? Entering a man's room at night, what indecency!"

"Heheheh... Jieyuan Yin, you may call me Lady Hong. It's been many years since I've encountered a scholar like you. Don't you think I'm beautiful?"

The woman sat on the edge of the bed, veiled in light gauze, turning her profile to glance back at Yin Zhaoxian.

Originally, she had only intended to absorb some of his vital essence and longevity, but now, a chilling malevolence glinted deep in her eyes.

However, Yin Zhaoxian's scalp was now tingling, and his limbs were cold. Under the stimulus of his righteous energy, for a fleeting moment, he seemed to see a red skeleton...

'This is a demon...!'