Chapter 2798

Yun Xi understood. How could he not know his brothers' personalities? He merely offered a gentle reminder.

"Ni Zi has already been tested and shown Book Qi. Which school do you plan to attend?" Yun Zhongzheng asked.

"Originally, it would be at age seven. But I plan to take the provincial examination after the New Year. If I pass, I intend to go to the capital for the metropolitan examination in the second half of the year. We will settle in the capital then, and I will look for a girls' school there," Yun Xi said.

Although Yun Jian remained the head of the third branch of the Yun family, Yun Xi’s status was special. Moreover, Yun Jian and the others trusted Yun Xi, so Yun Xi basically made the decisions for family matters.

"That is good too." Yun Zhongzheng nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face. "Seeing you three brothers each have your own small families, and such harmony, I am at ease."

The eldest son of the Yun family’s first branch also had low-grade Book Qi, though no Book Qi was found in the daughters. The second branch already had two daughters showing Book Qi. Thus, neither the first nor the second branch needed to worry about their futures. Of course, among the three Yun brothers, the third branch was the most promising. Of their five children, three had Book Qi, excluding the two who had not yet been tested.

Even if the remaining two did not have Book Qi, it did not matter. The Yun family’s third branch was already secure.

"Father, we must thank you. Without you, there would be no us," Yun Jian said with a smile.

Yun Zhongzheng spoke seriously. "Since that is so, there is something I must tell you. When your mother and I gave birth to the third child, there was actually another girl. We named her Kang'er. Originally, we named our four children Ping, An, Jian, Kang, meaning peace and health. When the third child was born, there were bandits that year, so we hid in the mountains. She was born in the wilds on the mountain. We could not find a midwife, so we asked a fleeing auntie to help. Unexpectedly, she stole the fourth child, Kang'er, while we were not paying attention. If you have the chance in the future, please help look for her. Your mother and I’s only wish now is for this younger sister of yours."

"Father, we will certainly ask people to look. But do we know any features of our sister?" Yun Jian asked.

"Your sister has three red moles on her wrist, arranged in a triangle," Yun Zhongzheng said.

"We have remembered," Yun Jian nodded.

Everyone knew that so many years had passed, and it was unlikely the child had survived. But as long as there was a sliver of hope, they would strive to find her.

Yun Zhongzheng did not want to take this secret to his grave. He knew his daughter might not be found, but he wanted to leave some hope.

After New Year’s Eve, starting from the first day of the lunar new year, Yun Jian took Yun Xi to visit several elders in the clan. On the fourth day, they returned to the county. Yun Xi then visited the teachers at the county school and began preparing for departure.

Li Gang was also going this year. Over the past three years, Yun Xi and Li Gang had formed a bond of revolutionary friendship. Although there was an age gap, their friendship was solid.

After the Lantern Festival, Yun Xi and Li Gang prepared to go to the provincial capital. Yun Xu accompanied them as an assistant.

Although Yun Xi had Yang Xue’en and did not need to worry, letting Yun Xu go was mainly to let him see the provincial capital.

On the morning of the sixteenth, Yun Xi and Li Gang set off with their people. They traveled by carriage.

One could also take a boat to the provincial capital, but Yun Xi and Li Gang felt the carriage was more convenient. After their travels, they both realized that saving time on the road was best.

Time should not be wasted on unnecessary matters, such as choosing between a boat and a carriage.

Moreover, Yun Xi and Li Gang had decided that when they went to the capital, they would naturally take a boat. Therefore, traveling from home to the provincial capital by carriage was better.

It took only five days by carriage to reach the provincial capital.

The provincial examination was in March, and it was still January. Since Yun Xi and the others arrived early, they could naturally find good rental housing.

Knowing they were students taking the provincial examination, the landlords were very willing to rent to them.

Yun Xi and the others found a courtyard with two courtyards, front and back, totaling five or six rooms. Thus, they settled in.

While the other students had not yet arrived, Yun Xi and Li Gang took Yun Xu to tour the provincial capital for a few days. Starting from mid-February, students from various counties in Jingyang Province arrived in the provincial capital for the provincial examination, and the streets became increasingly crowded.

Yun Xi and Li Gang stopped going out.

More people meant more trouble. They had even heard that some students were competing in knowledge at a certain tavern in the provincial capital, so they were even less willing to go.

It was not about being low-key, but they thought such gatherings were truly boring.

Yun Xi and Li Gang stayed in their courtyard and began discussing exam questions.

These were questions from previous provincial examinations.

Since the current emperor ascended the throne, in just ten years, the admitted students were mostly practical. Therefore, many questions in the current provincial examination were also practical.

"Brother Qingyang, do you remember the flood disaster we encountered in Shanyang back then?" Yun Xi suddenly said.

Qingyang was Li Gang’s courtesy name.

Li Gang nodded slightly. "Does Wangzhi mean this topic might be tested this year?"

"Look, we did not take the provincial examination back then, but the examination included questions related to floods. Look at these." Yun Xi said. "Over the past three years, our area has been relatively calm, but a massive flood occurred in Nanjiang Province. Moreover, floods have been a concern for our Great Scholars for years. Therefore, I think flood-related questions may appear again. Besides floods, other disaster-related questions might also appear. We should have a clear idea in our minds."

Li Gang listened and said seriously. "Wangzhi, you are right. I will think about it carefully when I return. If I encounter these questions, how should I answer?"

On the third day of the third lunar month, this year’s provincial examination began. Yun Xi and Li Yang and the others entered on the first day and stayed inside for a day. The actual examination lasted five days, from the second to the sixth day. They were released on the seventh day.

The provincial examination lasted seven days, while the metropolitan examination lasted nine days.

During the seven days of the provincial examination, Yun Xi ate, drank, and relieved herself in her own examination cell. Each person had one cell. Of course, for waste, the chamber pot was placed at the door of the cell every night at midnight, and someone would come to change it.

March was still cold. Staying in the examination cell for six nights could easily cause illness for those with poor health.