Chapter 30 – Local School
Although Yu Tang knew that it wasn’t her fault, but whenever she thought about it, she couldn’t help but feel sad.
Ah Cam, who accompanied her, was extremely upset at his words and said angrily, “Miss, I’ll go and drag him back. That kid, how could he say such things? Something happened to his family and he still wants to push the blame on us?”
Yu Tang held him back and shook her head, “He lost his elder brother at such a young age, his heart must be in pain as well. It’s understandable why he spoke such harsh and cutting words. Let’s not kick up a fuss over this matter, lest the elders of both families be sad when they come to hear of this.”
In her previous life, after her parents’ death, she also felt bitter towards a lot of people; she even harbored resentment against the Pei family, thinking that if it wasn’t for the Pei family’s inadequate inspections, how could a fire have broken out on Changxing Street? However, such nightly patrol duties were not the responsibility of the Pei family at all. It was only because most of the stores located on Changxing Street belonged to the Pei Family, so they kindly offered to keep an eye on their stores as well. After something happened to their stores, didn’t she too blamed the Pei family in her heart?
Ah cam didn’t leave to find Wei Xiaochuan but he clearly felt unhappy as he continued muttering under his breath.
Suddenly a man’s surprised voice rang out. “Lady Yu?”
Yu Tang looked towards where the voice came from and saw that it was Li Jun.
He wore a royal-blue cloud patterned straight jacket, his jet-black hair was pulled back with an ivory white jade hairpin revealing his fair forehead and clear, bright eyes. He was dressed more maturely than the previous time they met.
“It really is you!” Li Jun was overjoyed and said eagerly, “I saw you from afar and thought it looked like you and couldn’t believe my eyes for a while. What are you doing here at the local school? Is there anything I can help with?”
Yu Tang smiled politely and said, “It’s nothing important. I just came to see my relative’s child.”
At the corner of her eyes there were still traces of her tears.
Li Jun wanted to say something but hesitated.
Yu Tang bid farewell to him.
Li Jun hurriedly called out to stop her and said with utmost sincerity, “Lady Yu, if there’s anything troubling you, please feel free to speak to me about it. I usually study with my brother at the imperial college. However, one of the teachers here is Mr. Shen Shanyan, Shen Fang’s maternal uncle. He is a third-ranked imperial scholar in the year of Jimao and was once a professor in Hanlin Academy and is well-versed in history. Later, he grew tired of the politics in the imperial court and accepted the Pei family’s invitation to come to Lin’an City and be an ordinary teacher. He is well-learned man and is my brother’s mentor. If it’s something I can’t help you with, I can still ask my elder brother to ask Mr. Shen on your behalf.”
Yu Tang was taken aback.
In her two lives, she didn’t know that their little local school in Lin’an City had such an examplary figure and hid such talents.
Li Jun excitedly spoke, “Lady Yu, I accompanied my elder brother here. Did you know? Zhou Zi Jin also came to Lin’an! Probably you might not have heard of him before. Master Zhou is the first-ranked imperial scholar in the year of Renwu, a Di son of the Zhou family in Nantong. His grandfather was the emperor’s tutor, his father was the senior grand secretary, his eldest brother is the current Minister of Civil Appointments and he also has an uncle who is a judge in the supreme court. He himself also served in the sixth cabinet under the department of Civil Appointments. Their whole family is exceptionally powerful. He came to Lin’an City to visit Third Master Pei. You must know Third Master Pei, Pei Xia Guang – Pei Yan. Master Zhou knew that Mr. Shen teaches in our local school, so he specially came to pay a visit to Mr. Shen along with Third Master Pei. This is something that nobody knows yet. As my father and Second Master Pei were fellow imperial scholars in the same year, so my elder brother often goes to seek help from Second Master Pei when he has difficulty in his studies. This was how he got to know that they were coming to the local school and deliberately brought me along to introduce me to them ……”
He was like a peacock with an open plumage, desperately trying to attract Yu Tang’s interest.
When Yu Tang heard that Li Duan was also here, she felt extremely uncomfortable as if her whole body had worms crawling all over her.
She interrupted Li Jun’s words and said, “Second young master Li is thinking too much, I’m perfectly fine. My elders at home are still waiting for me to return, so I’ll take my leave first.” After saying that, she looked towards Ah Cam and turned away, preparing to leave.
Li Jun was caught momentarily in a daze. Only when Yu Tang was about ten steps away, did he come back to his senses and hurriedly called out to stop Yu Tang again.
Yu Tong turned around in confusion.
Li Jun stood there, blushing hard and stammering like he didn’t know what to say.
How could Yutang not understand?
In her previous life, Li Jun never met her, but Madam Lin said that he fell in love with her at first sight. Because of that lie, she tolerated Madam Lin for so many years. In this life, coincidentally fates would have it that after Li Jun met her, it caused Madam Lin’s lie in her previous life to come true – Li Jun was really attracted to her at first sight.
Unfortunately, she disliked the Li family so much that she did not want anything to do with them, no matter how good or how sincere Li Jun treated her.
Yu Tong said coldly: “Next time Young Master Li should think clearly about what he wants to say to me before asking me to stop!”
If she wanted Li Jun’s feelings for her to die out, she couldn’t be nice to him.
After hearing her words, Li Jun looked embarrassed.
Yu Tang took Ah Cam and walked away.
Li Jun gritted his teeth and chased after them.
“Lady Yu!” He stepped in front of her, blocking her way and stammered, “Lady Yu, that, that Madam Tang, my mother said that she has been to your house several times, and your family …… wants to get a son-in-law for your family. Don’t be anxious, just wait a few more days, my father should send a letter back in the next few days …… I, I am willing ……”
Before he could finish his words, he saw Yu Tang’s face quickly turn pale and stiff.
What’s wrong?
Li Jun muttered in his heart and spoke even more confidently, as if to show his determination, “Lady Yu, don’t worry, our family has two sons, I know your family wants a son-in-law at home, so I will make my father agree no matter what, just wait!”
“Li Jun, what nonsense are you saying!” A man angrily interrupted him, “Come over here now!”
This familiar voice ……
Li Jun turned around in surprise and saw his brother’s handsome but cold face. And behind his brother, there stood Third Master Pei, Pei Yan, who had an inscrutable expression, First-ranked Imperial Scholar Zhou, who seemed rather gleeful at his plight, and Mr. Shen, who looked dumbfounded.
“Brother!” Li Jun shifted his shoulders and nervously called out to Li Duan.
Li Duan really wanted to hit this brainless brother of his to death.
Today was such a great opportunity! A first-ranked imperial scholar, a third-ranked imperial scholar, and double honor imperial scholar.1 Others were dying to have the chance to speak to them and foster friendships, but his idiot brother actually ran here to flirt with some young lady, and even shamelessly wanting to marry into her family as son-in-law – absolutely disgraceful!
The thought flashed across his mind and his heart jolted
Son-in-law?
Could it be that this young lady was Lady Yu?
Li Duan could not help but glance at the lady facing his brother.
Just one glance, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
The young lady was average in height, her figure wasn’t stick-thin as per the current trend, but rather her long legs and tiny waist showed off the beauty of her curves. She wore an ordinary white cloth jacket, with a scarlet embroidered pleated skirt with folded flowers, her hair was done in a double-bun style with jasmine flowers interwoven. Her small silver lilac earrings shone in the sunlight, which was a beautiful contrast with the slight redness at the corner of her eyes, adding a pop of color and brightness and further enhancing her refined beauty.
No wonder the Fu family also went to ask for marriage.
She was really beautiful.
Li Duan was struck with awe by her beauty for a long time.
First-rank imperial scholar Zhou looked from the side and laughed. He unfolded the black lacquered gold trimmed fan in his hand and broke the momentary silence. “One is blushing and the other one is like a pear blossom drenched in the rain, a damsel in distress.” After saying this, he hid a smile and glanced at Li Duan, “Alright. What is the matter now? Say it for us to hear and we will obtain justice for you.”
He said this as if Li Duan was the evil Empress Dowager that ruined a happy marriage.
“Zi Jin!” Shen Shanyan sternly warned First ranked Imperial scholar Zhou, calling him by his ‘Zi’ name and said, “This isn’t the capital, so behave yourself and don’t bring the same attitude you have in the capital to Lin’an City.”
Shen Shanyan was a man in his fifties, tall and thin, with white hair and a serious face, wearing a indigo-dyed coarse robe. He didn’t look like a third-ranked imperial scholar, but rather like a scholar that always failed to pass the imperial exam.
First ranked Imperial scholar Zhou seemed to be a little afraid of him. Seeing his displeasure, he chuckled a few times and looked towards Pei Yan.
Pei Yan, however, was looking at Yu Tang.
He met this girl again.
He still remembered that time when he saw her at Zhaoming Temple.
She wore a coral red silk embroidered flower skirt with her hair in a double-bun style. As she walked, the soft silk hung tightly to her curves, her waist was as slender like a willow branch, and the gilded-silver and pearl-encrusted hairpin swayed with her movements like a gentle swing against her snow-white complexion.
Those young boys under the Wudao Pine made a beeline towards her, trying desperately to show off their their charms.
However now …… her eyes were red and her face was cold and unfriendly like onyx, with her gaze fixed at Li Duan.
Pei Yan could not help but look towards Li Duan.
Perhaps because he was coming to meet them, he was dressed very formally. He wore a deep red silk straight jacket, his hair was pinned with a lotus-colored hairpin, on his waist hung a jade pendant, a fragrance pouch, golden three things. His skin was fair and he possessed strikingly handsome features, with an upright body posture, quietly standing there, like exquisitely fine jade that anyone would sigh over and heap praises.
However, his expression at this time looked a little strange.
His eyes stared straight at the young lady of the Yu family, without even blinking once ……
Did this eldest young master of the Li family and Lady Yu also have a backstory?
Pei Yan curled his lips in disdain. Suddenly, Zhou Zi Jin threw his arm over Pei Yan’s shoulder, almost causing him to stumble.
Zhou Zi Jin whispered in his ear. “Hey, what’s with that look in your eyes? You know this young lady too, don’t you? What’s the situation here? It’s not easy to get a young man to agree to be her family’s son-in-law! Tell me about it, I’ll definitely keep it a secret!”
Pei Yan frowned and irritatedly knocked his arm off his shoulder, saying, “Stop causing trouble.”
Zhou Zi jin’s mouth was slightly open, as if he had something further to say. Shen Shanyan felt uneasy. Fearing that he would say something inappropriate again, he started coughing loudly a few times.
In the end, Li Duan maintained his rationality and came back to his senses.
He was a bit embarrassed.
In his ten years of arduous and painstaking studying, he had never looked at another lady with interest. Yet this young lady standing in front of him, caused his heart to itch, and he couldn’t help but look with interest.
He quickly organized his thoughts and said to Li Jun, “Go and pay respects to your elders, have you already forgotten all the teachings you’ve learnt?”
Li Jun went forward with a red face and bowed to them.
Pei Yan casually raised his hand, indicating for Li Jun cease with the formalities, and then turned to Zhou Zi Jin and asked with an indifferent expression, “Are you leaving? If not, then I’ll go off first.”
TL notes: Ohohoho~ And the misunderstanding between them deepens! huehuehs…
1. Just FYI only for those who are curious as to the education system in ancient china. Basing on how well you scored and the examinations passed, determines how far you can go career-wise, especially if you want to serve as an official/minister.
type of examinations:
order from lowest(1) to highest(6)
1. 县试 (xianshi)
2. 府试 (fushi)
these 2 were considered as preliminary examinations, once you passed both you will called 童生 (Tongsheng) – ‘scholar candidate’. e.g. Gentleman Zhou / Li Jun and his companions
Only after passing these 2 will you have the qualifications to sit for the official imperial examinations starting with:
3. 院试(yuanshi) school exam – after passing, qualified to be 秀才(xiucai) – scholar (e.g. like Yuwen or Mr Ma – Ma xiuniang’s father)
People at this level were already seen in society as being extremely well-educated somewhat like today’s university bachelor’s degree
4. 乡试(xiangshi) provincial exam – after passing, qualified to be 举人(juren) – provincial scholar (e.g Li Duan)
Only after passing this level will you then be qualified to serve as an official/minister
5. 会试(huishi) national exam – after passing, qualified to be 贡士(gongshi) – national scholar
6. 殿试(dianshi) imperial/palace exam – after passing, qualified to be 进士(jinshi) – imperial scholar
trivia from chapter 15 and 17 -> Third Master Pei actually passed this exam when he was only 21! That’s seriously exceptional. Most people take years to reach this stage.
Basing on how well you did in the 殿试(dianshi) imperial/palace exam:
3rd place/rank 探花 (tanhua) e.g. Mr. Shen
2nd place/rank 榜眼 (bangyan)
1st place/rank 状元 (zhuangyuan) e.g. Third Master Pei and Master Zhou
Side note: 两榜进士(shuang bang jinshi) Double honor imperial scholar: Those that passed 会试(huishi) national exam and 殿试(dianshi) imperial/palace exam.
Because provincial scholars can skip the national exam and directly take the final imperial/palace exam. But they will not get the ‘Double honor imperial scholar’ title.
Hope you understood my simplified explanations lol
Chapter 30 – Local School
Although Yu Tang knew that it wasn’t her fault, but whenever she thought about it, she couldn’t help but feel sad.
Ah Cam, who accompanied her, was extremely upset at his words and said angrily, “Miss, I’ll go and drag him back. That kid, how could he say such things? Something happened to his family and he still wants to push the blame on us?”
Yu Tang held him back and shook her head, “He lost his elder brother at such a young age, his heart must be in pain as well. It’s understandable why he spoke such harsh and cutting words. Let’s not kick up a fuss over this matter, lest the elders of both families be sad when they come to hear of this.”
In her previous life, after her parents’ death, she also felt bitter towards a lot of people; she even harbored resentment against the Pei family, thinking that if it wasn’t for the Pei family’s inadequate inspections, how could a fire have broken out on Changxing Street? However, such nightly patrol duties were not the responsibility of the Pei family at all. It was only because most of the stores located on Changxing Street belonged to the Pei Family, so they kindly offered to keep an eye on their stores as well. After something happened to their stores, didn’t she too blamed the Pei family in her heart?
Ah cam didn’t leave to find Wei Xiaochuan but he clearly felt unhappy as he continued muttering under his breath.
Suddenly a man’s surprised voice rang out. “Lady Yu?”
Yu Tang looked towards where the voice came from and saw that it was Li Jun.
He wore a royal-blue cloud patterned straight jacket, his jet-black hair was pulled back with an ivory white jade hairpin revealing his fair forehead and clear, bright eyes. He was dressed more maturely than the previous time they met.
“It really is you!” Li Jun was overjoyed and said eagerly, “I saw you from afar and thought it looked like you and couldn’t believe my eyes for a while. What are you doing here at the local school? Is there anything I can help with?”
Yu Tang smiled politely and said, “It’s nothing important. I just came to see my relative’s child.”
At the corner of her eyes there were still traces of her tears.
Li Jun wanted to say something but hesitated.
Yu Tang bid farewell to him.
Li Jun hurriedly called out to stop her and said with utmost sincerity, “Lady Yu, if there’s anything troubling you, please feel free to speak to me about it. I usually study with my brother at the imperial college. However, one of the teachers here is Mr. Shen Shanyan, Shen Fang’s maternal uncle. He is a third-ranked imperial scholar in the year of Jimao and was once a professor in Hanlin Academy and is well-versed in history. Later, he grew tired of the politics in the imperial court and accepted the Pei family’s invitation to come to Lin’an City and be an ordinary teacher. He is well-learned man and is my brother’s mentor. If it’s something I can’t help you with, I can still ask my elder brother to ask Mr. Shen on your behalf.”
Yu Tang was taken aback.
In her two lives, she didn’t know that their little local school in Lin’an City had such an examplary figure and hid such talents.
Li Jun excitedly spoke, “Lady Yu, I accompanied my elder brother here. Did you know? Zhou Zi Jin also came to Lin’an! Probably you might not have heard of him before. Master Zhou is the first-ranked imperial scholar in the year of Renwu, a Di son of the Zhou family in Nantong. His grandfather was the emperor’s tutor, his father was the senior grand secretary, his eldest brother is the current Minister of Civil Appointments and he also has an uncle who is a judge in the supreme court. He himself also served in the sixth cabinet under the department of Civil Appointments. Their whole family is exceptionally powerful. He came to Lin’an City to visit Third Master Pei. You must know Third Master Pei, Pei Xia Guang – Pei Yan. Master Zhou knew that Mr. Shen teaches in our local school, so he specially came to pay a visit to Mr. Shen along with Third Master Pei. This is something that nobody knows yet. As my father and Second Master Pei were fellow imperial scholars in the same year, so my elder brother often goes to seek help from Second Master Pei when he has difficulty in his studies. This was how he got to know that they were coming to the local school and deliberately brought me along to introduce me to them ……”
He was like a peacock with an open plumage, desperately trying to attract Yu Tang’s interest.
When Yu Tang heard that Li Duan was also here, she felt extremely uncomfortable as if her whole body had worms crawling all over her.
She interrupted Li Jun’s words and said, “Second young master Li is thinking too much, I’m perfectly fine. My elders at home are still waiting for me to return, so I’ll take my leave first.” After saying that, she looked towards Ah Cam and turned away, preparing to leave.
Li Jun was caught momentarily in a daze. Only when Yu Tang was about ten steps away, did he come back to his senses and hurriedly called out to stop Yu Tang again.
Yu Tong turned around in confusion.
Li Jun stood there, blushing hard and stammering like he didn’t know what to say.
How could Yutang not understand?
In her previous life, Li Jun never met her, but Madam Lin said that he fell in love with her at first sight. Because of that lie, she tolerated Madam Lin for so many years. In this life, coincidentally fates would have it that after Li Jun met her, it caused Madam Lin’s lie in her previous life to come true – Li Jun was really attracted to her at first sight.
Unfortunately, she disliked the Li family so much that she did not want anything to do with them, no matter how good or how sincere Li Jun treated her.
Yu Tong said coldly: “Next time Young Master Li should think clearly about what he wants to say to me before asking me to stop!”
If she wanted Li Jun’s feelings for her to die out, she couldn’t be nice to him.
After hearing her words, Li Jun looked embarrassed.
Yu Tang took Ah Cam and walked away.
Li Jun gritted his teeth and chased after them.
“Lady Yu!” He stepped in front of her, blocking her way and stammered, “Lady Yu, that, that Madam Tang, my mother said that she has been to your house several times, and your family …… wants to get a son-in-law for your family. Don’t be anxious, just wait a few more days, my father should send a letter back in the next few days …… I, I am willing ……”
Before he could finish his words, he saw Yu Tang’s face quickly turn pale and stiff.
What’s wrong?
Li Jun muttered in his heart and spoke even more confidently, as if to show his determination, “Lady Yu, don’t worry, our family has two sons, I know your family wants a son-in-law at home, so I will make my father agree no matter what, just wait!”
“Li Jun, what nonsense are you saying!” A man angrily interrupted him, “Come over here now!”
This familiar voice ……
Li Jun turned around in surprise and saw his brother’s handsome but cold face. And behind his brother, there stood Third Master Pei, Pei Yan, who had an inscrutable expression, First-ranked Imperial Scholar Zhou, who seemed rather gleeful at his plight, and Mr. Shen, who looked dumbfounded.
“Brother!” Li Jun shifted his shoulders and nervously called out to Li Duan.
Li Duan really wanted to hit this brainless brother of his to death.
Today was such a great opportunity! A first-ranked imperial scholar, a third-ranked imperial scholar, and double honor imperial scholar.1 Others were dying to have the chance to speak to them and foster friendships, but his idiot brother actually ran here to flirt with some young lady, and even shamelessly wanting to marry into her family as son-in-law – absolutely disgraceful!
The thought flashed across his mind and his heart jolted
Son-in-law?
Could it be that this young lady was Lady Yu?
Li Duan could not help but glance at the lady facing his brother.
Just one glance, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
The young lady was average in height, her figure wasn’t stick-thin as per the current trend, but rather her long legs and tiny waist showed off the beauty of her curves. She wore an ordinary white cloth jacket, with a scarlet embroidered pleated skirt with folded flowers, her hair was done in a double-bun style with jasmine flowers interwoven. Her small silver lilac earrings shone in the sunlight, which was a beautiful contrast with the slight redness at the corner of her eyes, adding a pop of color and brightness and further enhancing her refined beauty.
No wonder the Fu family also went to ask for marriage.
She was really beautiful.
Li Duan was struck with awe by her beauty for a long time.
First-rank imperial scholar Zhou looked from the side and laughed. He unfolded the black lacquered gold trimmed fan in his hand and broke the momentary silence. “One is blushing and the other one is like a pear blossom drenched in the rain, a damsel in distress.” After saying this, he hid a smile and glanced at Li Duan, “Alright. What is the matter now? Say it for us to hear and we will obtain justice for you.”
He said this as if Li Duan was the evil Empress Dowager that ruined a happy marriage.
“Zi Jin!” Shen Shanyan sternly warned First ranked Imperial scholar Zhou, calling him by his ‘Zi’ name and said, “This isn’t the capital, so behave yourself and don’t bring the same attitude you have in the capital to Lin’an City.”
Shen Shanyan was a man in his fifties, tall and thin, with white hair and a serious face, wearing a indigo-dyed coarse robe. He didn’t look like a third-ranked imperial scholar, but rather like a scholar that always failed to pass the imperial exam.
First ranked Imperial scholar Zhou seemed to be a little afraid of him. Seeing his displeasure, he chuckled a few times and looked towards Pei Yan.
Pei Yan, however, was looking at Yu Tang.
He met this girl again.
He still remembered that time when he saw her at Zhaoming Temple.
She wore a coral red silk embroidered flower skirt with her hair in a double-bun style. As she walked, the soft silk hung tightly to her curves, her waist was as slender like a willow branch, and the gilded-silver and pearl-encrusted hairpin swayed with her movements like a gentle swing against her snow-white complexion.
Those young boys under the Wudao Pine made a beeline towards her, trying desperately to show off their their charms.
However now …… her eyes were red and her face was cold and unfriendly like onyx, with her gaze fixed at Li Duan.
Pei Yan could not help but look towards Li Duan.
Perhaps because he was coming to meet them, he was dressed very formally. He wore a deep red silk straight jacket, his hair was pinned with a lotus-colored hairpin, on his waist hung a jade pendant, a fragrance pouch, golden three things. His skin was fair and he possessed strikingly handsome features, with an upright body posture, quietly standing there, like exquisitely fine jade that anyone would sigh over and heap praises.
However, his expression at this time looked a little strange.
His eyes stared straight at the young lady of the Yu family, without even blinking once ……
Did this eldest young master of the Li family and Lady Yu also have a backstory?
Pei Yan curled his lips in disdain. Suddenly, Zhou Zi Jin threw his arm over Pei Yan’s shoulder, almost causing him to stumble.
Zhou Zi Jin whispered in his ear. “Hey, what’s with that look in your eyes? You know this young lady too, don’t you? What’s the situation here? It’s not easy to get a young man to agree to be her family’s son-in-law! Tell me about it, I’ll definitely keep it a secret!”
Pei Yan frowned and irritatedly knocked his arm off his shoulder, saying, “Stop causing trouble.”
Zhou Zi jin’s mouth was slightly open, as if he had something further to say. Shen Shanyan felt uneasy. Fearing that he would say something inappropriate again, he started coughing loudly a few times.
In the end, Li Duan maintained his rationality and came back to his senses.
He was a bit embarrassed.
In his ten years of arduous and painstaking studying, he had never looked at another lady with interest. Yet this young lady standing in front of him, caused his heart to itch, and he couldn’t help but look with interest.
He quickly organized his thoughts and said to Li Jun, “Go and pay respects to your elders, have you already forgotten all the teachings you’ve learnt?”
Li Jun went forward with a red face and bowed to them.
Pei Yan casually raised his hand, indicating for Li Jun cease with the formalities, and then turned to Zhou Zi Jin and asked with an indifferent expression, “Are you leaving? If not, then I’ll go off first.”
TL notes: Ohohoho~ And the misunderstanding between them deepens! huehuehs…
1. Just FYI only for those who are curious as to the education system in ancient china. Basing on how well you scored and the examinations passed, determines how far you can go career-wise, especially if you want to serve as an official/minister.
type of examinations:
order from lowest(1) to highest(6)
1. 县试 (xianshi)
2. 府试 (fushi)
these 2 were considered as preliminary examinations, once you passed both you will called 童生 (Tongsheng) – ‘scholar candidate’. e.g. Gentleman Zhou / Li Jun and his companions
Only after passing these 2 will you have the qualifications to sit for the official imperial examinations starting with:
3. 院试(yuanshi) school exam – after passing, qualified to be 秀才(xiucai) – scholar (e.g. like Yuwen or Mr Ma – Ma xiuniang’s father)
People at this level were already seen in society as being extremely well-educated somewhat like today’s university bachelor’s degree
4. 乡试(xiangshi) provincial exam – after passing, qualified to be 举人(juren) – provincial scholar (e.g Li Duan)
Only after passing this level will you then be qualified to serve as an official/minister
5. 会试(huishi) national exam – after passing, qualified to be 贡士(gongshi) – national scholar
6. 殿试(dianshi) imperial/palace exam – after passing, qualified to be 进士(jinshi) – imperial scholar
trivia from chapter 15 and 17 -> Third Master Pei actually passed this exam when he was only 21! That’s seriously exceptional. Most people take years to reach this stage.
Basing on how well you did in the 殿试(dianshi) imperial/palace exam:
3rd place/rank 探花 (tanhua) e.g. Mr. Shen
2nd place/rank 榜眼 (bangyan)
1st place/rank 状元 (zhuangyuan) e.g. Third Master Pei and Master Zhou
Side note: 两榜进士(shuang bang jinshi) Double honor imperial scholar: Those that passed 会试(huishi) national exam and 殿试(dianshi) imperial/palace exam.
Because provincial scholars can skip the national exam and directly take the final imperial/palace exam. But they will not get the ‘Double honor imperial scholar’ title.
Hope you understood my simplified explanations lol
