While Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingtong were busy in Wangjia Village with the construction of their house, Wang Qingchen, over in the provincial capital, was enduring agony within his examination cell.

After the first session concluded, Wang Qingchen felt significantly more exhausted than he had after the initial county-level examination. The realization that this was only the first round caused his spirits to sink; if this one test had drained him so thoroughly, he dreaded what the remaining two rounds would bring.

Stepping out of the Gongyuan gates, Wang Qingchen spotted Qi Jintang waiting not far away. This was their prearranged meeting spot: after the first session, they were to gather at the entrance and return together.

“Qingchen, how did you feel about this first round?” Qi Jintang asked as Wang Qingchen emerged.

Wang Qingchen shook his head weakly, his voice flat. “I didn’t really have any strong feelings about the questions themselves, just an overwhelming tiredness. I just want to go back and sleep for a long time.”

“I had inquired about the Provincial Examination beforehand, and people warned me about how exhausted one gets afterward. I didn’t truly grasp what they meant until I’d gone through one session myself,” Qi Jintang remarked with a sigh.

Wang Qingchen merely nodded in response, lacking the energy even to speak. Qi Jintang noticed this immediately and said no more, instead standing beside Wang Qingchen, scanning the exit for the others.

Before long, the rest of the group trickled out. Wang Qingchen observed that their condition mirrored his own—every face was etched with fatigue. Once everyone had assembled, they exchanged few words, silently making their way back to their rented lodging.

Madam Huang knew today was the end of the first examination, so she had been bustling about since early morning. A magnificent feast was now laid out, waiting for Wang Qingchen and the others to return. Madam Huang kept glancing toward the door, growing anxious as the expected arrival was delayed.

Fortunately, just as Madam Huang considered heading to the Gongyuan herself, Wang Qingchen and the others returned, their steps heavy.

Hearing the noise, Madam Huang knew they were back and rushed to the doorway. Seeing their state, her heart ached. The Provincial Examination truly wore people out; look at how utterly spent these young men appeared.

Madam Huang quickly fetched water for washing, urging them to clean up, then ushered them to the table for dinner. After they had devoured their meal ravenously, Madam Huang immediately set about preparing baths, insisting they soak away the grime and stagnation of three days spent confined within the cramped examination cells.

Wang Qingchen and the others deeply appreciated Madam Huang’s thoughtful service, expressing profound gratitude. Madam Huang simply offered a smile in return, considering it nothing.

After a thorough cleaning, Wang Qingchen and his companions collapsed into their beds and fell into deep, unrestrained sleep. Those three days had nearly killed them.

Wang Qingchen slept straight through until the next morning, missing even the previous night’s supper. Realizing this, he quickly got out of bed, only to find the others in a similar state of profound exhaustion. In fact, Liu Hao was still sound asleep.

By the time they awoke, Madam Huang had long since prepared breakfast. Seeing them stir, she called them over.

“Hurry and eat your breakfast! None of you woke up last night. Seeing how tired you were, I didn’t have the heart to rouse you. You must be starving by now!” Madam Huang murmured solicitously.

They all nodded and sat down to eat. Indeed, they were desperately hungry.

After breakfast, they took little time to rest, immediately beginning preparations for the second session of the Provincial Examination. After all, they had only completed the first part; the ordeal was far from over.

Liu Hao slept until noon. When he finally woke, he immediately started complaining loudly about being hungry. Fortunately, Madam Huang pitied their arduous examination efforts and was determined to provide lavish meals while they were home. Soon, Liu Hao’s cries of hunger were replaced by the sounds of furious chewing.

Once satiated, Liu Hao began to reflect dramatically, “Ah, this Provincial Examination is truly agonizing! It’s so much harder than the preliminary Tongzi Examination. I’m utterly worn out!”

Wang Qingchen and the others found Liu Hao’s mock lamentations amusing; their lingering fatigue momentarily vanished.

“Enough, you dramatist. Complaining after sleeping this long!” Li Yuntai chuckled.

“That’s because I exerted so much energy in the first session, that’s why I’m so tired! Even though I slept longer than you all, I’m still exhausted. Oh dear, no, I need to go rest a little more!” With that, Liu Hao hurried back to his room, leaving the others shaking their heads between laughter and exasperation.

While Wang Qingchen and the others were simply amused by Liu Hao’s antics, Madam Huang grew genuinely concerned about their well-being. “You all are still tired, too. Perhaps you shouldn’t look at your books yet; rest for a while first!”

Zhao Cheng looked at Madam Huang and replied, “Mother, it’s alright. None of us feel that tired. Don’t worry!”

Madam Huang studied their complexions; they were indeed better than the day before, and only then did she relax.

Thanks to Liu Hao’s outburst, Wang Qingchen’s own mindset calmed considerably; the intense tension had eased. Later, back in his own room, he calmly returned to his studies.

Mirroring their experience, in the capital city, Xia Wentao and Fu Lan were equally spent after completing the first session of their Provincial Examination. Fortunately, both families maintained servants. Upon exiting the Gongyuan, they were immediately assisted into waiting carriages by household staff and conveyed back to their respective manors.

Lord Xia and Madam Xia looked at their exhausted son with concern. Lord Xia was somewhat calmer, having undergone the Provincial Examination himself; his own condition afterward had been worse than his son’s, which offered him a degree of relief. Madam Xia, however, was distraught. Seeing her son so utterly drained, she was beside herself with worry. Thankfully, Lord Xia finally ordered servants to bring food and attend to their son’s bathing arrangements, instructing them to ensure he rested well.

Hearing Lord Xia’s decisive instructions, Madam Xia realized her momentary panic had been undignified. Once the servants departed to carry out their orders, she apologized quietly to her husband. “My Lord, it’s a blessing to have you. In my haste and worry, I failed to remember that our son needed rest first.”

Lord Xia was pleased to hear his wife defer to him for a change, feigning nonchalance. “It’s nothing, my dear. After all, your husband went through the exact same ordeal. It’s understandable that you didn’t think of it.”

Madam Xia nodded and then inquired, “My Lord, must Tao’er endure this intensity for the remaining two sessions as well?”

Lord Xia affirmed this with a nod. “That is the custom. But do not fret, Madam. This is how the Provincial Examination is endured; your son is not alone in this. Have faith, Tao’er is healthy and strong; nothing serious will befall him.”

Madam Xia finally nodded softly. “That puts my mind at ease.”

The Fu residence experienced a similar scene, with Lord Fu and Madam Fu attending tenderly to their fatigued son.

Fu Lan was touched by his parents’ heartfelt concern and sought to reassure them. “Father, Mother, please don't worry about me. I feel quite fine.”

“Fine? Look how worn out you are! You must be starving. Come, eat something quickly!” Madam Fu urged.

Fu Lan agreed and sat down to consume the provisions Madam Fu had already prepared.

Madam Fu watched her son devour his food and lamented tenderly, “This Provincial Examination is so arduous. I regret letting you participate at all; I fear you’ll ruin your health.”

Lord Fu, who had initially been worried, bristled at his wife’s words and chastised her sharply. “Nonsense, woman! Do you think the Provincial Examination is optional? Countless people yearn for the chance to sit for it but lack the qualification! Furthermore, if he can’t even pass this, how can he ever amount to anything? If others can endure this suffering, why would my son be unable to?”

Madam Fu felt deeply wronged by Lord Fu’s outburst. Hadn’t she only spoken out of concern for their exhausted son? Why the harsh reprimand? She hadn’t been wrong; even without the imperial examinations, their son would never want for comfort or sustenance. However, Madam Fu dared only mutter her complaints inwardly, keeping them silent.

Fu Lan, seeing his mother’s distress, felt a pang of sympathy. “Mother, please don’t worry. I’m fine, just a little tired. I’ll be better after a short rest.”

Hearing her son’s soothing words, Madam Fu felt comforted that he knew how to console his mother, unlike Lord Fu who only knew how to roar.

“Yes, Mother understands now. After you’ve eaten, go take a bath, and then get a good night’s sleep. I’ll go arrange for hot water right away.” Madam Fu then bustled off to make the necessary arrangements.

Once his wife had left, Lord Fu turned to his son, who was still eating. “How did you feel about the first session? Are you confident?”

Fu Lan met his father’s gaze confidently. “Father, you need not worry. I felt quite good about it. I believe there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“That’s good, that’s very good. I only wonder how Wentao fared; I can’t tell which of you has the edge!” Lord Fu mumbled to himself.

Fu Lan replied, “Father, I believe I managed to gain a slight advantage over him.”

Lord Fu did not look particularly elated upon hearing this. Instead, he studied his son for a long moment before saying, “Eat well, and then rest properly.” With that, Lord Fu retreated to his study.