The examination, held every three years in the capital, was also known as the Spring Examination because it took place in the spring. It was administered by the Ministry of Rites.
"Your Highness, today is the first day of the imperial examination!" Bilian ran in excitedly from outside, looking at Guan Zhiyue who was still at her desk, writing and drawing something.
Guan Zhiyue looked up at Bilian and asked, "Do you have any relatives taking the exam?"
"No."
"Then what are you so excited about?"
"Oh my, Your Highness, I've also heard that scholars from all over the country have gathered in the capital today; the scene is truly magnificent!"
Guan Zhiyue ignored Bilian's words and kept her head down, diligently writing her Persian textbook!
There are also some other languages.
She later went to see Lord Li of the Court of State Ceremonial, and the two discussed it for a long time.
Finally, we determined which countries were the largest overseas, and which were relatively close to them. After consulting a large number of books, we finally decided which foreign languages could be taught.
The first one is Goryeo (Korea).
Goryeo, located northeast of Namjeong, was a typical country surrounded by sea on three sides, with a land area of 99,600 square kilometers and a population of approximately 70 million.
The second one is Japan.
Japan, located northeast of Namjeong, is an island nation in the vast ocean, separated from Goryeo and Namjeong by sea.
The third is the Persian Kingdom.
The Persian Kingdom was located in the southwest of the Southern Kingdom, 1,180 kilometers away.
The fourth is the United States.
The United States is located in the eastern hemisphere of the Southern Kingdom, and also to the east of the Southern Kingdom.
So it was finally decided that the languages taught by the professors in the Foreign Languages Institute would be these four languages, which was quite challenging for Guan Zhiyue.
After all, she wasn't fluent in every language. It could only be said that before formal teaching could begin, she needed to cram with Lord Li from the Court of State Ceremonial.
Other officials in the Court of State Ceremonial should also start to work hard to improve their language skills if they have any. Otherwise, what will happen if she is the only teacher?
Teaching?! What a load of crap!
"Bilian, have someone find me some more Xuan paper. I'm almost out of paper in my study. Also, take this Persian book that I've already drafted to the Honglu Temple and find Lord Li to review it. See if it's suitable as a textbook for the foreign language college. If it is, have it printed as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Bilian stepped forward and picked up the book from Guan Zhiyue's desk. The cover read "Elementary Persian".
Bilian held the book in her hand and flipped through it as she walked. Inside were exquisite illustrations, scene dialogues, and translations of Persian and their Nanding language.
There were even various little annotations at the bottom of the book, which Bilian found very helpful. Although she couldn't understand Persian, she could understand the Nanding language below.
"Wow, Her Majesty is really amazing!" Bilian said to herself as she walked.
"Bilian, where are you going?"
Bilian was engrossed in reading when she suddenly heard someone calling her. Startled, she quickly looked up and saw that it was a group of people.
The one who came was Consort Xian, also known as He Jiao, who had come to the Cold Palace to find Guan Zhiyue.
"This servant greets Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort! May Your Highness be blessed!" Upon recognizing the person who had arrived, Bilian quickly knelt down on the ground with a thud.
He Jiao laughed and said, "What are you doing, you impulsive girl?"
"Your Majesty, this servant will deliver the books to Lord Li of the Court of State Ceremonial."
He Jiao didn't like reading, she only liked eating, so she waved her hand and asked, "Is the Empress in the palace?"
"Your Majesty, the Empress is in the palace."
Hearing Bilian's words, He Jiao said with a smile, "Hehe, that's good. You go and do your thing! I'll go find my sister myself."
"Yes, Your Highness, this servant respectfully sees you off!" Bilian knelt on the ground and waited for He Jiao and her entourage to leave before getting up. This time, she dared not look at the book anymore. Just because this Consort Xian was good did not mean that the other consorts in the palace were good, so it was best to focus on walking.
"Empress, I'm here!" He Jiao shouted without any regard for her image when she arrived at the gate of the Cold Palace. Guan Zhiyue heard this voice from her study.
I looked up at the window, then down at the books in front of me. I put down my brush, twisted my wrist – this was really tiring!
"Greetings, Your Highness! May Your Highness be blessed!" The servants in the Cold Palace knelt down in unison, speaking with great respect.
Guan Zhiyue stood up from her desk and walked towards the door. He Jiao and her entourage immediately knelt down and sang loudly, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
"Yes, get up, everyone!"
"Sister Xianfei, what brings you to my Cold Palace today?" Guan Zhiyue asked.
He Jiao, ever the outgoing one, stepped forward and took Guan Zhiyue's arm, then whispered with a grin in Guan Zhiyue's ear, "Little sister, I heard there's something delicious here, hehe~~"
"Hehe~ I wonder if you, sister, could spare some for me to try too? I know you're not very ambitious, you just love to eat."
As He Jiao helped Guan Zhiyue walk into the hall, she whispered something in her ear.
This is a huge taboo! If someone finds out what you love to eat and what you like to eat, you can never touch that food again. It's like a matter of life and death for you.
"Oh, right, I just ran into Bilian. She was talking about going to the Honglu Temple. My father is at the Honglu Temple too. Did you get any books?"
He Jiao suddenly realized something, and then looked at Guan Zhiyue with a look of surprise and said, "Ah, sister, you wouldn't happen to be, you know, would you!"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Guan Zhiyue was completely dumbfounded, wondering what kind of nonsense this little girl was going to say this time.
"Oh, that's the one, the Foreign Languages Institute? Oh my! Sister, you have no idea! Ever since the Emperor issued the decree to establish the Foreign Languages Institute a few days ago, all the women in our harem have been so jealous, but what can they do about it!"
"It's their fault for not knowing any foreign languages! Humph, they should be envious and jealous."
Guan Zhiyue looked He Jiao up and down, and that look made He Jiao shrink back a little. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Your Majesty, what kind of look is that? I'm not jealous of you, and besides, I don't have that ability!"
"Little sister, you're overthinking it. I want to ask you, where did you hear all this gossip from?"
Hearing Guan Zhiyue say this, He Jiao breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want to go against the Empress; she just wanted to be a couch potato.
"I heard this at a gathering of my girlfriends, so..."
Guan Zhiyue understood and didn't say anything more. She then changed the subject and started talking about various foods.
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