As Bai Qingzhou recalled everything from the past, her jade-like face paled slightly.
Fortunately, it's not noticeable under the lights.
"At first, I had a tutor, but he only taught me for half a year before leaving. Later, when I encountered words I didn't know, I would ask my mother, and she would answer."
Shen Mianmian keenly noticed the boy's stiffness and guessed that he didn't want to talk about these past events, so she didn't press him further.
After all, she came to Qingfeng Courtyard not to get closer to Fengchu's heart, but for another purpose.
"Let's go back to the study."
"good."
The two returned to the study, and Chen Mianmian pulled a book from the bookshelf. "Have you read all of these books?"
Bai Qingzhou chuckled, "If you don't believe me, you can test me."
"No, no, there are many characters on it that I don't recognize." In addition to traditional Chinese characters, there are also some variant characters that are different from modern Chinese.
Chen Mianmian put down her book, took the boy's hand, and her watery eyes held a sharp glint in them. "Young Master, I'm not afraid to admit it, but I'm not very knowledgeable. I don't understand many things about officialdom. Could you explain them to me?"
It wasn't that she was unfamiliar with ancient common sense, but rather that there were so many dynasties in ancient China, each with its own system. Moreover, the country in this novel was called the Southern Chu Kingdom, a fictional era, and she didn't know which Chinese dynasty it should be compared to.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, it's best to ask first.
Bai Qingzhou said helplessly, "How could I laugh at you? Let's sit down and talk."
As he spoke, he turned around and looked for a seat.
But they discovered that the huge study contained only a table and a chair, in addition to a vast collection of books.
Yes, this study was originally his "shell" for escaping reality. He never intended to entertain outsiders, and he couldn't even stay long while watching the water, so he didn't put any extra chairs in it.
But Guan Shui and Han Rong have already gone back to rest. Should we ask the servants in the courtyard to bring chairs?
Chen Mianmian blinked. "Your Highness, please sit down. I have a place to sit."
Bai Qingzhou guessed where the woman would sit. Bai Yu's face flushed slightly. He then sat down on the chair, pulled the woman onto his lap with his long arm.
"???" Chen Mianmian—no, she originally wanted to sit at the table.
Never mind, these things aren't important.
Finding a comfortable spot on the boy's lap without any hesitation, Chen Mianmian asked, "Can you tell me how to become an official? Is it by following in one's father's footsteps, waiting for the imperial court's selection, or taking the imperial examination?"
Hearing the woman's questions, Bai Qingzhou seemed to understand why she was asking them.
It must be related to the time at dinner when he asked her to help him think of a solution.
"You want me to become an official?"
"Don't ask questions yet, answer my question first."
Bai Qingzhou could only reply, "All three of those you mentioned exist, but our dynasty stipulates: without official rank, one cannot become an official. In other words, whether one is directly selected by the court or inherits the position from one's father, one must have a certain level of official rank, at least a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations at the county level)."
This was already considered a form of preferential treatment for the sons of the powerful and wealthy. For commoners, only those who passed the imperial examinations at the provincial level or above were qualified to become officials. Moreover, simply passing the provincial examinations didn't guarantee a good position; some even had to wait several years for a single official post. The higher the examination rank and the better the results, the better the official position one would receive.
Chen Mianmian nodded in surprise—this Southern Chu Kingdom is fair, after all.
It both won over the powerful and wealthy to consolidate its rule and set up barriers to ensure accountability to the common people and other ordinary students.
Of course, this fairness is relative, compared to some dynasties in ancient China.
It is incomparable to modern times in the slightest.
Chen Mianmian continued, "Did you ever think about taking the imperial examination before?"
Bai Qingzhou lowered her eyes and pursed her lips, "...I passed the exam."
"???" Shen Mianmian exclaimed in surprise, "You took the imperial examination?! No, didn't you say you'd never had a tutor or gone to school? How could you take the imperial examination?"
Bai Qingzhou was even more embarrassed, "...the exam was for martial arts..."
"..."
Chen Mianmian tried hard not to let her expression betray her disdain—you? A martial arts exam candidate?
But on second thought, it's understandable.
The Bai family made military achievements when they were conquering the Southern Chu Kingdom, so they were granted a noble title when the kingdom was established and its people were enfeoffed.
Bai Qingzhou was the only son of Marquis Anding. According to the rules of the Southern Chu Kingdom, a son needed to achieve official rank to inherit his father's business. Therefore, if Bai Qingzhou wanted to inherit the business, he had to take the military examination.
Shen Mianmian secretly glanced at Fengchu, whose fair skin and delicate features made him look like a young girl, and couldn't imagine what he would be like if he took the martial arts examination.
It must be hilarious.
Bai Qingzhou looked at the woman's expression and sighed, "Laugh if you want to."
"Cough...no, why would I laugh?" She hadn't intended to laugh, but Fengchu's words made her want to. She quickly coughed a few times to cover her embarrassment. "I have a question. If you take the civil service exam and obtain a degree, will you be able to inherit the Marquis's position?"
"cannot."
"...Oh." That's really terrible.
Bai Qingzhou hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said nothing more.
Shen Mianmian could sense the boy's frustration and despair. To comfort him, she rubbed against him affectionately, "Young Master, don't be sad. What's the point of inheriting the position of a lowly military officer? The Marquis can only come home twice a month. The rest of the time he's stuck in that miserable, dilapidated barracks. Can't he go home to take care of his wife and children? Do you think he's happy? Who doesn't want a wife, children, and a warm bed? Only those who suffer know the bitterness."
Of course, putting aside the hardship, just consider leaving a beautiful wife in the capital, spending years alone in her empty chamber. Who knows when she might become lonely and have an affair? And what if they have a child, and it's not even certain who the father will be.
Bai Qingzhou's expression changed drastically. "Don't talk nonsense!"
Chen Mianmian rolled her eyes. "Who's talking nonsense? I'm talking about human nature. There are only two things in this world that you can't look directly at: the sun and human nature!"
If Your Highness is kind enough to believe in humanity, then pretend I said nothing. Anyway, I'm just a skinny pawn, sold and used as a plaything; I don't believe in humanity.
Bai Qingzhou felt pity for the woman when he thought of her plight, and said in a low voice, "I... don't really believe it either."
Chen Mianmian smiled and said, "That's right. You shouldn't have the heart to harm others, but you can't be without the heart to guard against them. It's better to be a little harsh and believe that human nature is inherently evil than to be a naive and innocent person. Our lady is a good woman who keeps to her duty, but not all women can be loyal and faithful."
Perhaps one of those women couldn't bear being alone in her empty chambers and had an affair? Her military commander toiled away, earning money only to bring home a child that wasn't his own—how disgusting would that be?
"..."
Bai Qingzhou had mixed feelings, unsure whether to be relieved or to say the woman was exaggerating. "What about you? If I'm not around often, would you have an affair?"
"Ah, this..." Shen Mianmian scratched her nose awkwardly, "This servant would never do that, this servant loves the prince so much."
Bai Qingzhou, however, thought that this girl might actually have an affair.
He recalled that scene, and anger surged within him. "You are not allowed to have any other men besides me!"
"Absolutely, absolutely, I belong to the young master alone." To coax Fengchu, Chen Mianmian hurriedly leaned close to the young man's cheek and kissed him.
These smooth, tender little faces taste so good.
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