Strange to say, the weather is so unpredictable. The sky was clear just a moment ago, and the sun was shining warmly on the bluestone road.

The next moment, dark clouds quickly occupied the sky like ink, and the howling wind blew up the fallen leaves on the street corners, dancing wildly in the air.

Pedestrians quickened their pace, with looks of panic on their faces.

Deep in the alley, a solitary lamp swayed in the wind, emitting a faint but firm light.

An old man sat on the stone steps in front of the door, resting with his eyes closed, seemingly unaffected by the sudden change in weather. His clothes fluttered gently in the wind, like a still painting.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the old man's face. The corners of his mouth raised slightly, as if he was conversing with the unpredictable weather.

The students who were taking the exams stopped one after another. Some had already packed their bags and were ready to go home, but when they heard the news of the additional test, they stopped again, with a hint of unwillingness and determination in their eyes. They still wanted to try again.

As the night deepened, the lights on the street flickered, and the heavy rain illuminated the bustling crowd. Students rushing to the hotel like a tide, hoping to find a place to stay.

However, due to the large number of people and limited rooms, a long queue had already formed in front of the hotel.

"Oh, how can I afford this!" A student looked at the high price notice posted in front of the hotel and shook his head with a wry smile. People around him also started to talk about it, some looked embarrassed, while others gritted their teeth and decided to spend the money.

"Five times? This is simply taking advantage of someone's misfortune!" said a scholar in a blue shirt indignantly.

His companion beside him consoled him, "Forget it, we have to find a place to rest for the extra test."

Most of them are children from poor families. They don’t have much money to begin with, and now even eating has become a problem.

At the end of the alley, a simple restaurant was lit up with dim lights. Several students were sitting around a shabby table, sharing only a few steamed buns and pickles.

Their faces were filled with fatigue and helplessness, but their eyes were shining with determination.

"Oh, these days are so hard." A thin student sighed and took a bite of the steamed bun, but seemed unable to taste the flavor.

"Yes, but think about those days of hard study, what is this little difficulty?" His companion raised his head, with a determined light flashing in his eyes, as if to cheer himself up.

The light cast a warm shadow on the students who were preparing for the exam. Their faces looked even more resolute under the dim light, and the fire of unyieldingness burned in everyone's eyes.

A student stood up. He was tall and his eyes were shining with determination. He raised the teacup in his hand and said loudly, "Everyone, we are all here for our dreams. These difficulties are only temporary. One day, we will walk out of this muddy place and no longer suffer!"

His words echoed in the wind and rain, as if giving everyone strength. The students stood up one after another, holding up their books to celebrate, and everyone had a determined smile on their face.

In the night, a faint light flickers in the distance, like a guiding beacon in the darkness.

"Let's go. I heard that there are people there who provide financial support for candidates and also provide accommodation." He said to the other companions.

Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up, as if they saw the dawn of hope.

They all stood up, packed their bags, and walked slowly towards the light against the wind and rain.

As they got closer, the light became clearer, warmer and brighter.

I saw him standing in front of the door, holding an oil lamp in his hand and a kind smile on his face.

"Dear candidates, you must have had a hard journey. Although my place is simple, I still have a house for you to rest, and I also have some wine and tea. I hope you will prepare for the exam with peace of mind." The voice was warm and powerful, and it was particularly clear in the wind and rain.

When the students heard this, a trace of gratitude flashed in their eyes, and they stepped forward and bowed deeply to the light.

In the wind and rain, their figures appear particularly upright, as if they are challenging fate and declaring war on difficulties.

"Sir, please accept our greetings!" the students said in unison, their voices echoing in the night sky, full of determination and gratitude.

He smiled and nodded, his eyes revealing his admiration and encouragement for this group of young people.

"No need to be polite, I hope you all have a bright future and live up to this trip."

The students raised their heads one after another, with determination shining in their eyes, as if they had seen the hope and light of the future.

"Come in quickly, there is hot water inside, it's raining too hard outside."

They stepped over the threshold and walked into the simple but warm house.

Inside the house, the fire was burning brightly, and the warm yellow flames danced on the walls, dispelling the coldness of the rainy night.

There were already several students studying hard at the wooden table, their figures looking particularly determined in the firelight.

In the corner, there was an old wooden barrel filled with hot water, with steam rising up, bringing a hint of warmth.

The students took off their wet coats, hung them by the stove to dry, then scooped up hot water to wash away the fatigue and dust on their faces.

Inside the house, a long table was filled with steaming food. Although simple, it seemed particularly precious on this stormy night.

"There is plenty of rice and porridge, just take it yourself." The old man's gentle voice rang out in the house. The students gathered around him, with long-lost smiles on their faces.

On the table, the white rice was distinct and gave off an alluring aroma. The porridge on the side was thick and had a faint rice aroma in the heat. The students couldn't wait to get their food and gobble it up, as if they wanted to swallow all their fatigue.

The room was brightly lit, and the warm yellow firelight reflected on everyone's face, making it look particularly warm. The students sat together, eating hot meals and chatting about their exam preparations. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

As the night deepened, Fugui and Zhenzhu were busy preparing for the upcoming candidates. Although the shop was remote, it was spacious and bright enough to accommodate more than a hundred people. Fugui stood at the door, looking into the distance, his heart full of expectations.

Despite the wind and rain, their enthusiasm for learning was not dampened at all.

Fugui turned around and said to Zhenzhu, "Your Majesty is really far-sighted. Fortunately, the store is large enough to accommodate more than a hundred people. This arrangement solves the urgent needs of the candidates."

Pearl smiled and nodded. She looked at the candidates who arrived one after another, her eyes full of satisfaction, "Yes, although our store is far away, it is large enough to provide them with a shelter from the wind and rain. It can be considered that we have done a good deed."

Fugui stood at the door, looking at the endless stream of students coming to take the exam, feeling very worried.

"Brother, the house is almost full." Pearl walked out of the store and said softly, with a bit of fatigue on her face.

Fugui nodded and glanced at the students who were sitting or lying down. Their faces were full of fatigue, but their eyes were shining with expectations for the future.

"Well, you go and have a rest, I 'll watch over here ." Fugui said, turning and walking towards the backyard.

In the backyard, several wooden boards and poles were ready. Fugui began to build a simple shed. His movements were skillful and quick. After a while, a shed that could accommodate more than ten people was built.

As the night deepened, Fugui looked at the newly built simple shed, his heart filled with relief.

He thought, if I can help one more person, I'll help one more person.

In the wind and rain, the students who come from afar need a warm haven, and this shed is their temporary home.

Fugui walked into the shed and checked to make sure nothing was missed.

He patted the wooden board gently. Although the shed was simple, it was enough to shelter from the wind and rain and provide a place to rest for the tired students.

At this time, footsteps were heard in the distance. Fugui looked up and saw several students walking towards him in the wind and rain. Their faces were full of fatigue, but their eyes were shining with determination.

Fugui hurried over and led them into the shed.

It was already midnight. Fugui saw that there were still a few people who had not rested yet, so he walked over and asked, "Brothers, why are you still not sleeping? Rest early so that you will be energetic tomorrow."

I saw several students sitting together, studying the books in their hands under the dim light, their faces full of concentration and determination.

One of them looked up at Fugui and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, brother. We really dare not slack off. It is not easy to have the opportunity to participate in the imperial examination. The more we remember, the better. If we have the opportunity to be on the list, it will be worth our trip."

Fugui was moved when he heard this. He looked at the students.

Life is so difficult these days. I have studied hard for decades just to pass the imperial examination and change the fate of myself and my family.

Fugui looked at those students and couldn't help but feel deeply moved. He remembered that he had had such a dream when he was young, but his fate was unfortunate and he didn't realize it in the end. In fact, the main reason was that he had no money!

When he sees these young students now, he seems to see himself back then. Their thirst for knowledge and their vision for the future deeply touched him.

The room was brightly lit. Students were either studying hard or discussing with each other. Their figures appeared particularly firm under the lights.

Fugui stood at the door and looked at them quietly, his heart full of respect and blessings.

…

Caiwei opened the door gently and walked in, with a hint of joy on her face.

"Mother, everything is going according to plan outside." She said softly, with a bit of excitement in her voice.

Shen Nianshu raised her head, a trace of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." She said softly, her voice full of tenderness.

The emperor has been ill these past few days , so he did not go to court.

Shen Nianshu sat under the lamp, playing with an exquisite teacup in her hand.

Caiwei 's voice fell, a smile appeared on the corner of Shen Nianshu's lips.

"Mr. Qin's proposal has been approved. This is really good news." She said softly, her voice full of relief.

Shen Nianshu stood up, walked to the window, opened the window, and felt a breath of fresh air.

"In this way, those students will have more hope." She whispered, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes.

Shen Nianshu was immersed in her thoughts when suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence in the house.

The sound of "tuk-tuk-tuk" sounded particularly clear in the silent night, as if it was a bit urgent and uneasy. Both Shen Nianshu and Caiwei were startled by the sudden knock on the door. They looked at each other with a trace of confusion in their eyes.

He walked quickly to the door and gently opened the latch. The light from outside the door came in and reflected on his face, making him look a little pale.

"Who?" she asked cautiously, with a hint of vigilance in her voice.

The person outside the door seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then whispered, "It's me."

Hearing this familiar voice, Caiwei breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door.

Bai Nanyi was seen standing outside the door. His figure looked a little hazy, but his deep eyes shone with determination.

He was wearing a plain white robe, the hem of which fluttered gently in the wind, as if he were an immortal walking out of the moon palace.

Shen Nianshu was slightly startled, with a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. She never expected that Bai Nanyi would appear here at this time.

The rules of the harem are strict and men are not allowed to enter easily. Bai Nanyi's move undoubtedly took a huge risk.

"Bai Nanyi, this is the harem, why are you here?" Shen Nianshu asked in a low voice, with a bit of reproach in her tone.

Bai Nanyi smiled slightly and walked forward, "Of course there is something important!"

Seeing Bai Nanyi's solemn expression, Shen Nianshu couldn't help but feel nervous. She turned around and said to Caiwei, " Caiwei , please step back first."

Caiwei was stunned for a moment, but then she understood what Shen Nianshu meant. She nodded, turned and left the room.

The door closed gently, and only Shen Nianshu and Bai Nanyi were left in the room .

Shen Nianshu looked at Bai Nanyi, full of doubts in her heart. She knew that Bai Nanyi would not take the risk of coming to the harem easily. Since he is here, there must be something important.

Bai Nanyi walked to Shen Nianshu, his eyes fell on her face, and a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, and then whispered, "Mr. Qin is from the emperor."

When Shen Nianshu heard this, her expression suddenly changed. She suddenly raised her head and looked at Bai Nanyi, her eyes full of shock and disbelief.

"What did you say?" she asked tremblingly, her voice trembling.

Bai Nanyi looked at her, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. He repeated again, "Mr. Qin, he is from the emperor."

Shen Nianshu felt a roar in her mind, as if something collapsed in an instant. She took a few steps back and leaned against the wall, her face as pale as paper.

She never expected that Mr. Qin turned out to be from the emperor. This news was like a bolt from the blue to her.

Bai Nanyi looked at Shen Nianshu, knowing that the news was a big blow to her. But he did not stop and continued, "Mr. Qin has been secretly controlling the direction of the imperial examination. His purpose is to maintain the emperor's rule."

Shen Nianshu felt cold all over her body, as if she was in an ice cellar. She trembled with trembling hands and held the skirt of her chest tightly, trying to find a trace of warmth.

"This...how is this possible?" She murmured to herself, her voice full of despair and helplessness.

If that's the case, even losing ten heads wouldn't be enough!