Finally, the annual exam season arrived, and Hongling was about to enter the exam hall.
Before, her cousin Wang Lianqi would come every few days, bringing some ingredients he had gathered from unknown places, such as spring crabs, river fish, and small chickens, big fat geese, wild rabbits, along with dishes made by their aunt and sister-in-law like February beans, Qingming eggs, salted eggs, and fragrant toon buds with tender shepherd's purse.
The day before Hongling was to enter the exam hall, Wang Lianqi came again, bringing a basket of sweet melons, honey peaches, and two big roosters.
It is said that the majestic roosters symbolize a victory without fighting.
The two-day exam happened to be on Saturday and Sunday. Ling Chengyan decided to give the boys who had been overworked for half a month two days off. She herself concentrated on accompanying the exams.
