252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_5
In the afternoon, they studied manners and ceremonial rules before the Emperor. To tell the truth, among the two hundred and ten scholars, there weren't many from humble families. It's not that these scholars were not diligent enough, but that their educational resources and systems were vastly inferior to those of the nobility.
For a family to cultivate a successful scholar often required great effort. For example, the scions of the Yuan Family and the Zhuang Family had eminent scholars such as Yuan Shoufu and Zhuang Taifu as teachers. Even a casual remark from them could greatly benefit their family's scholars.
If not, they could be like Wang Yuan, a talented scholar from Jiangnan who came from a family of scholars. His family had produced two successful scholars, and they were able to provide him with excellent guidance.
It was hard for children of humble families to stand out.