Chapter 228 Chess Pieces
On the palace road, Qiao Jibai, the second son of the second branch of the Qiao family, and several colleagues were returning home after a break.
"Brother Qiao is truly admirable. The Imperial Scholar is always a strict person, but he still praises Brother Qiao highly, which shows that Brother Qiao is an excellent person."
"Yes. It has been a long time since we had a newcomer in the Imperial Academy. Now, a new number one scholar has arrived!"
Qiao Jibai smiled lightly, "You two adults are too kind. I am a newcomer and still have many shortcomings. The scholar's praise is just because he sees that I am a newcomer and his tone is a little kinder. I still have a lot to learn from you two adults in the future."
In this year's palace examination, Qiao Jibai's writing skills were inferior to Xu Shujian's. He himself felt that he had no chance of winning the first prize, but he never thought that such a good thing would happen to him.
At the palace gate, Qiao Jibai politely watched the two people get on the carriage and leave before turning around to get on his own carriage and return home.
At that time, a palace servant came over quickly and said, "Master Qiao, the emperor summons you to the imperial study."
Qiao Jibai was a little stunned. Although he had already entered the court as an official, he had only met the emperor once, during the palace examination, and he just glanced at him secretly.
Although I am the new top scholar, I am just an insignificant minister. Why would the emperor call me over?
In the imperial study, the emperor was playing with a talking parrot.
The palace servant outside the hall reported, and Qiao Jibai walked in respectfully, bowed and greeted.
"Get up."
Qiao Jibai stood up in response. The emperor did not look at him and continued to play with the parrot with his hand.
"Your Majesty, Hello, Your Majesty..."
The emperor listened to the parrot's voice and smiled, "I called you here today to ask you, what is your ambition as the new number one scholar?"
A strange look flashed in Qiao Ji's eyes. He looked at the emperor's back in thought for a moment, then spoke in a clear voice.
"I am honored to be able to enter the officialdom by Your Majesty's grace. I only hope that I can be someone who can help the people solve their problems and relieve Your Majesty's worries."
"I, your humble servant, only want to be like the spring rain that moistens everything silently, and quietly contribute the knowledge I have learned."
The emperor turned and looked at him. "Hypocrisy."
Qiao Jibai immediately knelt on the ground.
Emperor: "I have heard many nice words in my life, but I have never seen anyone who can really do it. Even if there is, their hearts will change because of the environment before the end. You are a smart person, you should know why Xu Shujian is the third place in the imperial examination even though he is more knowledgeable than you."
Qiao Jibai was silent for a moment, "I just want to be your Majesty's subject."
The emperor suddenly laughed and said, "I said you are a smart man."
"You were born in the Qiao family, but you are a transparent bastard. You have been the top scholar for more than ten years. I believe that the entire Qiao family never thought that you would be so successful."
Because of his low status and the humiliation he endured, no one in the Qiao family took the second young master seriously.
However, those who can endure are those who can accomplish great things.
Most importantly, he is different from Xu Shujian, who is a student carefully cultivated by Qiao Rushi. Although Qiao Jibai is a member of the Qiao family, he has never been in Qiao Rushi's eyes.
Now that he has risen to prominence, it would be wise for him to know to whom he should be loyal.
The emperor walked to the table and sat down, picking up a black chess piece. "This is the Hetian jade chess piece presented by Minister Qiao. Come and take a look at its texture."
Qiao Jibai walked over and took the black chess piece from the emperor with both hands.
The chess pieces are hard and smooth, and even have a ruby green hue under the light. They are made of the finest jade. Holding them in your hand, they keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.
Qiao Jibai placed the black chess piece on the chessboard and knelt on the ground slowly. "I, your humble servant, am willing to be the emperor's chess piece."
The emperor looked at him, and a faint arc slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Although Qiao Rushi was a third-rank official, as the head of a prominent family, his colleagues and people who relied on him were numerous in the court.
When it comes to major events, many people will rely on Qiao Rushi's decision.
The court needs a fresh batch of blood.
"Minister Qiao is your great uncle. Now that you are an official in the court, you should learn more from your great uncle."
Qiao Jibai nodded, "I know."
After returning from the palace, Qiao Jibai was not in a hurry to go to the Shangshu Mansion to pay a visit to his uncle.
Because he was sure that people would come to him on their own.
As soon as Qiao Jibai returned to the mansion, he saw Qiao Congshan with a weird look on his face, "Oh, our new number one scholar is back."
"Brother." Qiao Jibai greeted as if he didn't hear the voice.
Qiao Congshan snorted coldly, "Don't think you're great just because you've become the new number one scholar. You're a newcomer in the court and have no one to protect you. Sooner or later, you'll be taken advantage of! Unlike me, I'll be adopted by my uncle and become the head of the Qiao family. I'll have connections and status that you'll never get in your lifetime!"
Since my uncle has no son, he must adopt one.
As the eldest son of the second wife, I would naturally be the one to be chosen.
In the future, Qiao Jibai will still have to make a living under his protection.
"My brother taught me that."
Qiao Congshan snorted coldly, and the anger in his heart dissipated a little during this period.
What great things can you achieve if you are timid and cowardly?
Scholars are just stubborn!
Outside the door, a man dressed as a servant walked in. "It's best that the Second Young Master is here, so I don't have to go look for him. The master knows that the Second Young Master will have a day off tomorrow, so he specially sent me to invite him to have a meal at his house tomorrow. I wonder if he will be free tomorrow?"
Qiao Congshan's face turned pale, "Uncle only called him? Did you make a mistake? I am the eldest son of the second wife!"
The servant smiled and said, "I may be stupid, but I still made these words clear."
Qiao Jibai nodded, "Of course I have time. How dare I refuse my uncle's kindness? Thank you for making this special trip."
The servant smiled and said, "Second Master, you are too polite. Now that the message has been delivered, I will go back first."
Qiao Congshan was so angry that he glared at Qiao Jibai fiercely, snorted coldly, and turned away.
Qiao Chuxia has been watching the fun from the side. "Oh, you have become a successful person now. You are really capable. Now when I go out, everyone talks about me having a brother who has just won the first place in the imperial examination. It makes me very proud."
Qiao Jibai smiled but said nothing.
Qiao Chuxia walked closer and said, "Although Qiao Congshan is my biological brother, I don't think a useless brother like me can achieve anything great. You are from our second branch, I hope you don't forget your roots and work hard to contribute to our second branch."
Qiao Jibai: "Sister, you are joking. This is what I should do."
Qiao Chuxia smiled and said, "That would be the best. You work hard to climb up, but while you're climbing, don't forget to find a man who is worthy of me."
Qiao Jibai sneered in his heart, so this was the reason.
He deliberately waited until Qiao Congshan left before saying this. He didn't want to offend either side, but wanted to rely on both sides.
"I'll pay more attention to it." He responded perfunctorily and left first, making the excuse of going back to rest.
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