Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Chapter 1182 Subsidies for Students from Impoverished Families

With a quarter of an hour to go before dawn, golden rays of light had already clung to the branches.

As the examinees looked at the gates of the examination hall, they couldn't help but recall that night when they were drenched by a torrential downpour.

The ginger soup was very hot and had a slightly sweet taste, probably because sugar was added; the cotton quilt was very warm, and even today, it seems as if the scent of cotton resin still lingers around their noses.

For some reason, they began to miss that night when the rain was pouring down.

If the imperial examinations could be conducted as smoothly as they were on that day, they would no longer fear the exams, nor would they toss and turn in the examination hall, unable to sleep all night.

Before the awards ceremony officially began, Shen Zheng emphasized the "student aid subsidy for students from poor families" to the candidates, and also "casually" mentioned "student grants" and "free schools". Many candidates understood the gist of it.

"So, it means... if our family is truly in dire straits, we can get a 'poverty certificate' from the county government, and then... receive a living allowance based on that certificate?"

“That’s what it means.” One of the candidates who had consulted the government office in advance said, “I went to the government office a few days ago and asked the head of the household office. He said that… the village head and ten neighbors from different clans need to act as guarantors. After the county government verifies the information, it will be reported to the government office. The government office will then allocate the subsidy to the county government. We just need to go to the county government office to collect it.”

These words moved many students.

The government office really thought this through; they didn't even have to make them travel such a long distance...

"Brother, have you asked about the specific subsidies?" someone else asked, intrigued.

The man nodded: "We have food, writing materials, and other daily necessities. If we need to leave the mansion to take the exam, we can apply for extra travel expenses."

Even the travel expenses are covered...

The test takers felt like they were dreaming.

Such a great thing...shouldn't they also apply and give it a try?

"Don't let anyone try to take advantage of the government office."

At some point, a carefree young man joined the students' chat, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "If it's a 'poverty subsidy,' then the person receiving it must truly be poor. If someone is so audacious as to collude with their neighbors to fraudulently claim the subsidy... hmph."

The boy chuckled twice and clenched his fist: "The government will definitely use severe torture on us. Losing our official titles is the least of our worries; they might even be beheaded."

Chop, behead?

Such blunt words made many test takers turn pale.

The young man, still feeling it wasn't enough, added on his own: "In short, my family is wealthy, and I will leave this subsidy for those who truly need it. I'm sure you all feel the same way, right?"

After saying that, he made no attempt to conceal his scrutiny of the candidates' attire.

A few people blushed slightly and chuckled awkwardly in agreement: "Brother, you're right. We were just curious, asking around..."

"Oh—" the boy drawled, nodding in satisfaction, "That's good, you can definitely ask."

After he finished speaking, no one answered, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

"Xin Ji?"

Suddenly, a shout came from the side, and the candidates turned their heads as if they had been rescued.

The person who came was an "acquaintance".

Then the "second to last" student strode over with the "first in line," looking at the mocking young man with a face full of surprise: "Didn't you go back to Fuzhou after watching the show? Why are you back again?"

Upon hearing this, many candidates turned red and then pale, pointing at Xin Ji and asking, "You're not from Liuyang Prefecture? Are you one of the observers?!"

They felt they had been tricked by Sin Ji.

Xin Ji turned her head to avoid Fang Ziyan's gaze and replied confidently, "Yes, I'm from the capital, so what?"

So, what happened?

"...Then why did you say you wouldn't accept the subsidy and wanted to save it for those who needed it?"

"That's right!" Xin Ji's voice was even louder than theirs: "You're all telling me, did I not claim it?"

The candidates were so angry they almost shouted themselves hoarse: "You have to actually be able to receive it first!"

"My family is rich, why would I need to collect anything!"

"..." The candidates were so angry they almost fell over, raising and lowering their fingers several times before finally managing to utter, "Utterly unreasonable!"

Xin Ji chuckled and gestured towards the podium: "Your Lord Shen is looking over here."

The candidates were startled and dispersed.

When gathered, they are a blazing fire; when scattered, they are countless stars.

Xin Ji's "shameless behavior" was widely publicized among the candidates.

Fang Ziyan grabbed Xin Ji, who was trying to slip away, and repeated his previous question: "Xin Ji, why did you go back to Liuyang Prefecture again?"

Xin Ji looked at the fat hand that was tightly gripping her sleeve and felt extremely embarrassed.

He was too embarrassed to say that he hadn't left at all and had been tinkering with the microscopic mirror in the courtyard for seven days. Today was the first time he had gone out, so he could only say, "I just came from Fuzhou and wanted to see what the top of the case looks like and join in the fun."

Fang Ziyan took this lame excuse seriously and proudly pulled Pei Zhaoqi over: "He looks like this!"

Xin Ji: "?"

After a moment's pause, he finally understood the meaning behind Fang Ziyan's words.

"You mean..." He pointed at Pei Zhaoqi, his face clearly saying, "Are you kidding me?", "He's the top scorer in the re-examination?"

Fang Ziyan nodded: "That's right. Zhao Qi was also the top scholar in the last prefectural examination. Didn't you hear us talking about him at the banquet that night? Zhao Qi is a great talent from our Tong'an County."

“…” Xin Ji racked his brains to recall that night.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly found it hard to accept this fact.

This world must be crazy.

I casually met a fat guy, and it turns out that his friends are either the granddaughter of an earl or the niece of a minister. And now, a top scorer in the re-examination has even appeared.

Thinking about the exam paper he hadn't finished, Xin Ji stumbled.

"Well... Fatty, I have something to do, so I'll be going now."

This time, he really wanted to escape back to Fuzhou Prefecture.

His family background, which he was so proud of, was nothing in Liuyang Prefecture...

"Watch it before you leave!" Fang Ziyan, thinking about Pei Zhaoqi's upcoming award ceremony, wouldn't let Xin Ji leave. "It's almost Chenshi (7-9 AM), Sister Shen is going to present the award to Zhaoqi. Xin Ji, Zhaoqi should be considered half a friend of yours, right?"

hehe......

Xin Ji and Pei Zhaoqi exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We don't deserve it."

"We deserve it, we deserve it." Fang Ziyan tucked one of them under each arm, squeezing them towards the stage while muttering, "Why haven't Nan Shu and the others arrived yet...? They must have gone shopping again on the way. If they miss Zhao Qi's big day, I'll definitely scold them..."

Xin Ji wanted to escape but couldn't, or rather, deep down he actually wanted to stay.

He prayed in his heart that Cui Jinyin and Yu Nanshu would not come, so that he could be more at ease.

But Cui Jinyin and Yu Nanshu came with Chen Shi.

"It's Chen Shi (7-9 AM)!"

On the awards stage, Jiang Zhiming changed into a brand-new official robe, his face beaming with smiles.