Jing Cheng has always been a little cloudy and foggy when he speaks, but this time it was Xu Wen who didn't ask.

He had a vague sense that there was something huge behind these words—something he couldn't afford right now.

He sat down on the steps under the eaves and looked up at the moon as well.

The cold breath of the stone seeped through his skin, he didn't speak, and neither did Jing Cheng, and the two of them went up and down, each thinking about their own things.

The old and ancient atmosphere of the Xu Mansion filled their surroundings, and this territory that seemed to be located outside of time was perhaps more mysterious and far-reaching than Xu Wen imagined.

That night, Xu Wen hadn't slept, and Qiuqiu hadn't played around, it was at his feet, and its soft fur gently pressed against his ankles. The touch of the soft fur seemed to be an anchor point in his rambling thoughts, making him feel extra reassuring and stable.

The next day, Xu Wen returned to the Banmen World.

Lian Tianqing was right, no matter how familiar the Eighteen Skillful Exercises were, it was just the basics, and he still needed to experience more, more things.

There is still more than a month before the apprenticeship test, and after the farce of the birthday ceremony, Sun Boran has not looked for them again, and it seems that he has no intention of doing so.

Xu Wen felt that this was very good, and he spent most of his time running outside every day, except for watching Lu Cheng's study progress at a fixed time and giving him some guidance.

They lived in the backyard of Yue Mu Xuan, with a shop in front of them, and he spent half of his time in the shop.

This time, he wasn't looking at the furniture that had just been made and put there for sale, but at the people who came to buy it.

The housekeepers of large families rarely come over to buy furniture directly, and most of the time they are custom-made. But occasionally they will encounter some urgent matters and need to buy finished furniture, and they look at those furniture with perfunctory and contemptuous eyes, and they do not take it very seriously.

In contrast, small families are very different.

They tend to stay here for a long time, carefully comparing all kinds of wood, all kinds of workmanship, and touching the furniture carefully, as if they were afraid of breaking them.

The needs for furniture are different, and the types and styles of purchases will be very different.

After purchase, they will become the owners of the furniture that will leave all sorts of traces because of them.

Later generations, in turn, can glimpse some things from the style of furniture and the traces left behind, from which they can learn about their living habits and customs.

The long river of time is because these "things" serve as a connection and a proof of their own existence.

In the other half of the time, Xu Wen will also leave Yuemuxuan and go outside for a walk.

He sometimes sat in the shadows outside the temple, and sometimes walked through the streets and alleys, observing the people around him and everything that existed.

By this time, his mentality had unconsciously changed a little.

When he first arrived, he was at odds with it, curious and a little reluctant.

Gradually, as he became more and more familiar with this place, he had a feeling of integration, and sometimes he even felt that he was originally a person here, except for some superfluous memories, there was no difference from the people here.

But at this moment, he seems to be both integrated into it and detached from it.

He was in it, but he looked around him with an observant eye, at the world and all the people in it.

One day, he went back to the courtyard from outside and met Master Yao, who lived next door.

Master Yao is in good health these days, and his face is a lot ruddy. He asked Xu with a smile: "The county test is about to start the day after tomorrow, and the government test will be in half a month, how are you prepared?"

Xu Wen was stunned for a moment, only to realize that time had passed so quickly.

What he had learned and seen during this time passed through his mind at a very fast speed, and he looked up at Master Yao, nodded with a smile, and said, "Well, it's ready." ”

The annual apprenticeship test and the 100 work test are combined, which lasts for a total of three months.

The apprenticeship test county test starts first, the exam takes three days, and the list is released fifteen days after the exam.

Five days after the release of the results, the government examination began, and it also lasted eighteen days to get the results, and then five days later it was the hospital examination.

Theoretically, within five days after the release of each exam, a temporary registration will be opened, and candidates who pass can immediately apply for the next exam.

But in reality, very few people do.

In addition to the fact that the test range of each exam is too different, it is difficult for candidates to adapt so quickly, and the intensity of each exam is also very large, and it is difficult for candidates to have enough physical strength to continue to participate in the next test after three days of exhaustion and dedication.

Tonghe Mansion also has a county test center, Lu Cheng didn't go back, and directly reported here.

The apprentices who didn't pass the old wood yard last year are still all in the water county exam, and those who passed will come here to take the prefectural exam recently.

At the beginning of the county exam, Xu Wen and Master Yao sent Lu Cheng to the examination room.

This year's examination system has undergone some changes compared to last year.

Last year's county test consisted of three trials over three days. After the test every day, the candidates go back to their homes to find their mothers.

But this year is different, the exam is three consecutive days, candidates need to bring some daily necessities into the exam room, and they can only come out after the test.

This kind of examination system is closer to the ordinary imperial examination, but such a big change has taken place in such a short period of time, and it is obvious that the imperial court is also crossing the river by feeling the stones, and has not yet found the best way to implement this new policy.

Lu Cheng carried the examination basket on his shoulder, and after being touched all over his body by the officials to find the entrainment, he walked into the examination room.

Master Yao looked at his back from afar, and asked Xu with some concern: "There are more people who refer to him this year, this kid ......"

"Don't worry, there are more people who refer to it, but this year's Lu Cheng is not the same as last year. Xu Wen interrupted Master Yao and said very firmly.

After a few things, Master Yao's trust in Xu Wen now is far from being comparable to before.

When Xu Wen said this, he was really relieved, let Xu Wen help him back, and then for the next three days, he didn't even ask Lu Cheng a word.

Three days later, Xu Wen and Master Yao went together to pick up Lu Cheng again.

It was a hot summer now, and after three days of heavy physical work in the examination room without taking a bath, Lu Cheng was directly rancid. As soon as they got closer, a thick smell of sweat and sourness came to their faces, and Master Yao and Xu Wen covered their noses together.

Lu Cheng laughed twice, sniffed himself, and said, "Is it so stinky? I can't smell it myself." ”

However, his spirit was very good, and after hesitating for a moment, he looked at Xu Wen and asked seriously: "Senior Brother Xu, in your opinion, if I pass the exam this time, can I immediately report to the government for the exam?"

His eyes were burning, and there was some apprehension in his confidence.

Xu Wen stared at him for a while, then asked with a smile, "What do you think of yourself?"

"I feel like I can. Lu Cheng hesitated again and nodded.

"Then report. Xu Wen only said three words.