Chapter 759 A Dream of Youth 291
Some people were indignant, but most were convinced and amazed by Xie Ning's talent, bowing deeply to her.
Xie Ning was the first female official to enter the imperial court. As she rose step by step to the top, her name spread throughout the country, and women all over the land secretly took her as their role model.
She did many good things for women, but she also did many good things for the people. As one of the common people, they should respect her.
Xie Ning's character and talent are evident to all, but no one expected her talent to be so high, leaving the candidates who had studied hard for many years with mixed feelings.
Looking at the excited or disappointed faces in front of the list, Xie Ning raised his hand in return, "I congratulate all the young men and women who made the list, and I also wish those who did not make the list this time will succeed in the next spring."
These words were like a gentle spring breeze, easing everyone's anxiety. Xie Ning glanced at the corner, and immediately a servant brought over plum soup for them to drink.
Although it is already autumn, it is still very hot.
After greeting everyone here, Xie Ning turned to look at the woman and girl waiting outside, and whispered for Xie Qi to go upstairs first. Then she led the group over.
At this moment, someone was also talking to the woman. She seemed to be a candidate as well, and she looked excited. When she saw Xie Ning coming over, she took a step back to make room for the two of them.
"Madam Yuan." Xie Ning didn't recognize the other woman; she had only seen her name on the list. However, that didn't stop her from inviting her to a teahouse for a chat.
The girl with her hair styled in double buns stared excitedly at Xie Ning with her almond-shaped eyes, only stopping when Madam Yuan patted her.
Looking at Xie Ning, whose face was as white as jade, Madam Yuan had some guesses when she saw Xie Ning in the examination hall, but she never expected that this person was really Xie Ning.
Her ability to come here to take the imperial examination was largely influenced by Xie Ning.
Yuan was born into a family of scholars. Her father was a great Confucian scholar, and her husband was also a famous scholar. However, her husband died early, and she raised her children alone. Even her granddaughter is already ten years old.
Her children didn't understand why she would take the imperial examination at such an old age; they thought it would be a joke.
But she was determined to do so. Even if she were to die tomorrow, she wanted to see her name on the list of successful candidates. Now that they had the opportunity, and she was knowledgeable, she didn't have to "hate that her clothes concealed her poetry, and look up in vain to envy the names on the list." Why not give it a shot?
She was a virtuous wife for nearly fifty years, a well-educated and reasonable daughter to her father, a virtuous and capable wife to her husband, and a gentle and considerate mother to her children.
But she is also Yuan Can.
Her gender cannot bind her, nor can her age.
Looking at Xie Ning, who was only slightly older than her granddaughter, Yuan Can felt as if she had met a kindred spirit and poured out all the thoughts in her heart that she could not share with outsiders. She did not think she was wrong.
Even Xie Ning rejected her.
But Xie Ning wouldn't deny her.
"In fact, whether you are a man or a woman, the most important thing is to be yourself, or to recognize your own value. Everyone is a bright star, illuminating others in the night. It is not because you want to illuminate others that you shine, but because you are already shining."
Yuan Can held back her tears, and subconsciously grasped Xie Ning's hand. She never cried, but this time she felt a rare pang of sadness.
When the carriage arrived at the teahouse entrance, Xie Ning helped Yuan Can down from the carriage, and then reached out to help the little girl down as well. The child didn't look too well.
The girl was so engrossed in her own thoughts after listening to her grandmother's conversation with Xie Ning that she couldn't help but miss her step when getting off the bus. Fortunately, Xie Ning caught her, preventing her from making a fool of herself.
"I'm...I'm sorry."
"It's alright. You don't look too well. I'll have the waiter bring you a cup of jujube tea later. Drinking some might make you feel better."
"Mmm!" The girl was still a little shy around unfamiliar people, showing none of the liveliness she had displayed in front of the leaderboard just now.
Besides Yuan Can and others, the people in the teahouse also included two other successful candidates invited by Xie Ning. As for the female candidates who did not make the list, she sent them a small gift to encourage them to try again next year.
The reason for gathering these people together now is for the palace examination in February next year. Xie Ning hopes that they can all pass the exam. There are about two hundred people to be selected in the palace examination, or maybe more.
Except for Yuan Can, their rankings in the provincial examination were not very high, so Xie Ning thought she would give them some extra help before the palace examination, and she herself would also study hard in her spare time.
Although one can flatter the emperor when writing the exam, one still needs to have real talent and knowledge. I just don't know what kind of questions the emperor will ask.
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