"We dare not! It was all because of our ignorance that we angered the princess. We ask them to apologize to her. We hope that the princess will be magnanimous and forgive their ignorance!"
The ministers wanted to use moral blackmail against Gao Zhijun again, hoping that she would forgive their daughter. If she refused to forgive, it would show that she was petty and jealous, and it was a problem with her character.
"Well, you are indeed young and ignorant. You are already of marriageable age, but you are still ignorant. I really put you in a difficult position. You have devoted your lives to Daliang, but in the end you have not been able to raise your children well. It is Daliang that has harmed you. Since you cannot balance work and family, for the sake of your children, this princess will report to the emperor and ask you to return home and raise your children properly."
Aren't you trying to blackmail me? I'll grant your wish.
If you think I'm magnanimous, I will show you how magnanimous I am. Not only do I not blame your daughter, I am even thinking about her.
If you want to use your youth and ignorance as an excuse, I will praise you highly, commend your nobility, and then use your excuses to pull you down.
"It's our fault. We took advantage of our age and seniority. Please forgive us, Princess!"
Those ministers were terrified, fearing that Princess Xiangyun would really advise the emperor that they couldn't even manage their own families and were not fit to be officials.
"Forget it, this princess will forgive you just this once. This princess tells you, if you are an official and don't serve the people, you might as well go home and plant sweet potatoes! If you are not doing this for the good of the people and want to use your power to coerce others, I advise you to retire and go home to plant sweet potatoes, so as not to bring about a fatal disaster later!"
Seeing that they admitted their mistakes, Gao Zhijun didn't want to embarrass them anymore, but just kindly reminded them how to be an official.
"Your servants will follow the princess' instructions!"
When the ministers heard that the princess would not pursue the matter, they breathed a sigh of relief and immediately spoke.
"You guys go back!"
When Gao Zhijun heard them say this, she didn't say anything.
Anyway, I've already reminded them, whether they listen or not is their business. As for getting into trouble in the future, that's a matter for the future.
Those ministers hurriedly left with their wives and daughters, fearing that the princess would report them. The emperor would then ask them to resign and return home to farm.
Two young ladies looked at Huo Jinqian greedily and were reluctantly pulled away by their mother.
It is really the word "appearance" that harms people, making them want to possess it for themselves.
"Keep parading!"
Gao Zhijun said to the officers and soldiers who were beating drums and gongs in front.
"Yes, Princess!"
After the officers and soldiers finished speaking, they began to beat gongs and drums, and the place instantly became lively again.
"Zhijun, you've seen it too. They're the ones who want to snatch me away. But I disagree. You're the only one in my heart!"
When Huo Jinqian saw Gao Zhijun was about to leave, he immediately explained.
"We can talk about it when we get back, now let's keep moving forward!"
Gao Zhijun didn't want to listen to his explanation at this time. What happened between them shouldn't be spread widely. They should go home and talk it out behind closed doors.
The second and third place winners looked at the little girl in front of them. They had seen clearly how she dealt with those ministers just now, and they both admired her courage and determination.
Xu Bangyan came from a poor family and had a hard time getting second place in the imperial examination. He actually had a wife in the countryside who had always worked to support his studies. He remembered this and vowed never to let her down.
Just now, when he saw those rich young ladies trying to compete for the top spot in the imperial examination, he was afraid that they would notice him and he didn't dare to look up.
In fact, he knew a little about the saying that during the parade, there would be rich and powerful ladies trying to snatch his husband away. That was why he kept his head down, fearing that those ladies would see his appearance and snatch him back by force.
He couldn't defeat the powerful, but he didn't want to let his wife down, so he had no choice but to hide his appearance.
Tanhua was not from a poor family. He was born in the capital and was the son of a wealthy businessman.
When he was studying, his father told him to make friends with the powerful and influential so that his family's business could last. Moreover, his family wanted to become imperial merchants, so he had to study hard, stand out, and make friends with the powerful and influential.
Just now, when those young ladies were competing for the top spot, he had been showing off his beauty, but unfortunately no one saw it.
As soon as Zhuang Tanhua saw Gao Zhijun, he decided to marry Princess Xiangyun. Not only was she young and beautiful, but she was also incredibly intelligent and deeply favored by the Emperor. Her status and position would definitely be helpful to him if he could marry her. She also had lucrative businesses like a clinic and a rouge shop.
Zhuang Tanhua decided to meet her by chance to win her favor.
His looks were comparable to Huo Jinqian's, and he knew how to please women. He had two maids who slept with him, three concubines, and only one wife.
Therefore, he understands women very well and knows what to do to make her happy.
Gao Zhijun didn't know that she was being targeted. She just felt that there was a pair of eyes that made her very uncomfortable and seemed to see through her.
The team continued walking until they reached the palace, where Huo Jinqian, Xu Zhenzong, and Zhuang Peichen went to the clothing bureau to change into their clothes in preparation for the banquet.
The banquet was scheduled for 3 p.m., and after they changed their clothes, the banquet began soon.
Ministers from the court also attended the banquet, the purpose of which was to allow everyone to get to know each other and facilitate future work.
The top three candidates were the most handsome among all the candidates in this year.
Everyone knew who the number one scholar was. Murong Yuanbo and Murong Shuo, father and son, were eyeing Huo Jinqian covetously, and the other ministers did not dare to set their sights on the number one scholar.
They set their sights on Xu Bangyan and Zhuang Tanhua, frightening Xu Bangyan so much that he declared he was already married and would not abandon his wife.
The ministers gave up the idea, after all, the emperor was here.
Since the top two beauties were already taken, they had no choice but to try to find the third one.
If the third place winner had not fallen in love with Gao Zhijun, he would definitely be happy to be the son-in-law of those ministers.
He doesn't want to do that now, he just wants to be a prince consort.
Therefore, he also made an excuse, saying that his family had arranged a marriage for him.
Those ministers had no choice but to set their sights on the talented young men behind them, and they actually helped many of the candidates succeed.
The banquet lasted until the evening.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
