Nianzu got ready for the examination. Chuntao handed him the cloth bag in which she had put two brushes, two bamboo holders for ink, a few ink sticks, and a handkerchief. 

"Chun, I will be relaxed if you accompany me to the examination ground," Nianzu expressed his desire. 

"Are you scared that something might happen to me if I stay alone?" Chuntao asked. 

"Yes," Nianzu answered. "I will then be fully concentrated on the exam. You can wait for me," Nianzu stated as he held Chuntao's hands. 

"Okay," Chuntao passed him a smile. Internally, she did not feel good. Because of her, Nianzu was undergoing so much pain. Last night, she heard the conversation between Nianzu and Huo Jin, which she was not supposed to hear. 

She heard how Nianzu was stressed for her safety. It made her wonder again if she did wrong by marrying him. If she had not accepted those feelings, Nianzu would not have had to leave his own family. And then, the Empress had not plotted against the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. 

The Emperor was right when she met him. 'A commoner is not made for a Prince.' When Nianzu used to come home tired, her heart ached seeing how much he worked. It felt to her that she had become a burden to Nianzu. However, despite all this, instead of running away from Nianzu's life, Chuntao decided something that could help Nianzu and have that old life. 

Chuntao decided to write a letter to the Crown Prince where she requested Sheng Li– A request to dissolve the decree made by the Emperor. She knew that Nianzu did not like the Palace life, but she also knew that he was internally suffering. 

Amidst all these thoughts, Chuntao hugged Nianzu and rested her one side face on his chest. Nianzu smiled and put his hand on her arm. "Nianzu, you are a great person. I have full faith that you will qualify for this exam with a good rank. My all wishes are with you," Chuntao wished him. 

Nianzu caressed her back and thanked her. "Thank you, Chun," He caressed her arm and kissed the top of her head. They pulled away after a few seconds and came out of the room. Chuntao locked the rooms and the two left for the examination ground. 

While walking, Chuntao noticed the shoe Nianzu had worn, torn out. She knitted her brows and then glanced at Nianzu, who was not bothered by that all. "Chun, you are not tired, right? The examination ground is situated in the middle of the market, so we need to walk a little fast," Nianzu asserted and held her hand. 

"No, I am not tired," Chuntao stated. 

Nianzu hummed, and the two hastened towards the market. After twenty minutes of walking, they reached the market. Many people, mostly, upper-classmen, were heading towards the ground. 

Ye Fang and Quan Bo were waiting at the entrance of the examination ground for Nianzu. Seeing him and his wife, they went towards them and greeted them. Nianzu was glad to see them. "You brought Sister Chuntao!" Ye Fang astonishingly said. 

"Hmm. I cannot let Chuntao stay alone in the house," Nianzu replied. 

"Sister Chuntao can stay in the bookshop till the time you are done with the exam," Quan Bo suggested to Nianzu, who liked it. 

"Do your best. Yesterday, I heard about the big announcement for this year's Civil Services. It is a great opportunity for you to get into the Imperial Court," Ye Fang boosted the confidence of Nianzu. 

Nianzu nodded his head. 

"It would be great if you get such a position then you can help the people in a better way," Quan Bo stated. 

"Get aside. Clear the way for the Young Master," they heard the voice of a Royal Guard. The people who had surrounded the gate got aside. Nianzu grasped the hand of Chuntao and gently pulled her back. 

A litter was stopped, and Fei Jing stepped down from it. A few people lowered their eyes after seeing them. Fei Jing halted in front of Nianzu and turned his head to look at Nianzu. 

"So, Copyist Nianzu has also come to take the examination. I did not expect that you would come to give the exam," Fei Jing asserted. 

Nianzu lowered his eyes while Chuntao confusedly looked at them. "I thought to try for the last time, Young Master," Nianzu answered politely. Chuntao felt bad how Nianzu had to lower his gaze despite being a born Prince. 

The people whispered among each other. 

"Great! I think a Copyist can give me competition in this exam," Fei Jing affirmed. Nianzu lifted his head but then lowered it again. 

With a smile, Nianzu said, "How can a commoner be the competition of a person who is from an upper-class family?" 

"Your knowledge is enough to beat this upper-classman's son. However, I will try my best to qualify for this exam on my first attempt. All the best," Fei Jing stated and walked ahead. He glanced at Chuntao before walking away, who got a little intimidated. 

"What was that?" Quan Bo muttered. 

"I am thinking the same. It seems Young Master Fei has taken Nianzu as his competitor," Ye Fang said. Nianzu did not say anything.

Ah-Lian Hong had also come to the examination ground. He glanced at Nianzu and passed him a smile. Nianzu smiled back at him. "You shall go in," Quan Bo told Nianzu, who hummed. He let go of Chuntao's hand. 

"I will see you in the bookshop," Nianzu told Chuntao, who nodded her head. 

"Do not take stress," Chuntao told him. She took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the sweat from Nianzu's forehead. "Here's the water," Chuntao handed him the copper bottle that she had carried with her earlier. 

Nianzu thanked her and drank the water. Chuntao wiped his lips and again gave him best wishes for the exam. Nianzu told Quan Bo and Ye Fang to take care of his wife. 

"Do not worry. Sister Chuntao will enjoy her time in the bookshop," Ye Fang assured Nianzu. He waved at them and stepped inside the gate. Soon, he vanished from sight. 

"Sister Chun, come with us. Now, we need to come after three hours," Ye Fang said. Chuntao nodded and left with them. 

Nianzu submitted his identification card at the counter at one end of the ground. The man on the table handed a token to Nianzu. "Your seat number is 75," the man informed him. Nianzu thanked him and looked at the token. 

He went to the allocated seat. On the ground some hundred tables were put on the large mat, covering a large part of the ground. 

Nianzu sat down on the 75th table and took off his bag from the shoulder. He placed his things on the table and waited for the seat distribution. 

Fei Jing, who was beside Nianzu, observed his expressions. "Fei Jing, what are you looking at?" His friend asked him and looked towards Nianzu. 

"Nothing," Fei Jing answered and looked at the brushes on the table. 

The announcement was made regarding the beginning of the exam. Ten invigilators came to the ground with white sheets in their hands. "If anyone is found cheating during the exam, he will be disqualified permanently from the exam," one of the invigilators announced, and the exam started. 

~~~~~

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