Chapter 260 The Imperial Examination
While Xiao Tong was still hesitating, An Ziqing said, "Just go ahead and investigate, just remember not to let Huo Ran find out."
"Yes," the boy replied and left.
An Ziqing stroked his chin, revealing a thought-provoking expression.
Jiang Mi was unaware that someone was watching her. After composing herself, she continued to look at the shops. Apart from the largest soap shop, the other shops were all pretty much the same.
Jiang Mi took a liking to a shop that was currently available for rent. She felt that since she was new to the area and didn't know anything, buying it directly might not be a good idea. The location of the shop wasn't the best either, but if she could manage the shop well, the location wouldn't be an issue.
After Jiang Mi took a liking to something, she only talked to the shopkeeper and didn't make a decision right away. Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan were about to take their exams, and she didn't want them to be distracted and worry about her.
"My brothers will be taking the imperial examination tomorrow. I don't know how it will go. I just hope they will do well." That night, Jiang Mi, for the first time ever, prayed to the gods for Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan.
Siqin chimed in from the side, "Definitely. The two young masters study so diligently, and I've heard they're quite outstanding. I think it's a sure thing."
Mo Hua also said, "Yes, Miss, you don't need to worry too much. Just wait for good news. I heard that there is another person in the academy who is also very good at studying. I wonder who will be the top scholar in the end."
Jiang Mi had also heard about it. After all, this was the capital city, where talented people from all over the country would gather. There are always people more capable than you.
"Whatever. Even if things aren't going well in the capital, I can always go back to my hometown, Shushan County. I have family and work to do, so I can make a good living no matter what."
This was the first time Jiang Mi had considered leaving the capital. No matter what had happened before, she had never considered leaving. Could it be that she was also influenced by Huo Ran? After Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan finished their exams, she planned to go and talk to Huo Ran to clear things up.
Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan didn't care about going home at this time and studied all night. When the day of the exam arrived, Jiang Mi waited nervously outside, watching people go in one after another. She was almost anxious to see them go in.
"Miss, I see a lot of people have come out. Why don't I see the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master?" Siqin muttered. She also hoped that her master could rise to prominence, so that they, as servants, could also rise to the top.
Jiang Mi didn't know either; perhaps it was a good thing? She saw the person who came out sighing and looking quite dissatisfied.
Mo Hua comforted her from the side, "Miss, don't worry. The two young masters are so outstanding, the Emperor will definitely like them. You know, this is the palace examination. The Emperor will personally ask them questions about their studies, so they naturally have to answer carefully."
Siqin looked at her curiously: "You seem to know a lot about this?"
Mo Hua proudly raised her head: "Yes, someone in my family also studied and took exams before. They even passed the palace examination, but they were too nervous and didn't get good results."
Siqin exclaimed in surprise, "That's such a pity! In that case, you should at least be able to get a minor official position, why did you come to be a maid?"
Mentioning this, Mo Hua said with a hint of sadness, "He's just a distant cousin of mine, not very close to our family. Besides, he never became an official; I think he became a tutor in the countryside, and he didn't even earn enough to support his family."
So that's how it is... Siqin felt embarrassed to ask any more questions. After all, it was someone else's family matter, and asking too many questions would make her seem tactless.
Jiang Mi had investigated their backgrounds before using them and knew them very well. She also knew what Mo Hua was talking about, so she wasn't very surprised.
After a while, several more people came out, but Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan were still nowhere to be seen.
Siqin breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that the two young masters aren't here. The longer we stay inside, the better our chances become."
Jiang Mi, annoyed by the strong sun outside, was about to return to the carriage when Huo Ran and An Ziqing rode up on horseback. Upon seeing Jiang Mi, An Ziqing showed a look of surprise and delight.
"Oh, isn't this the little beauty? What a coincidence, she's here."
We met.
Huo Ran just stared at Jiang Mi as if he hadn't seen her for eight hundred years. He missed her very much and wanted to talk to her.
Jiang Mi didn't know what to say for a moment, and she didn't know An Ziqing's identity. She just nodded politely and turned to get into the carriage.
Only after the person disappeared did An Ziqing turn his gaze away. He nudged Huo Ran with his elbow: "Why don't you say anything? I felt you valued him before, but now you're acting like enemies."
Huo Ran lowered his eyes slightly. He also wanted to talk to Jiang Mi, but he was afraid of upsetting her.
"Stop talking, let's go inside quickly, we have urgent business to attend to."
After saying that, Huo Ran dismounted and entered the palace. The guards at the palace gate greeted Huo Ran warmly and invited him in. An Ziqing followed behind him, looking nonchalant.
Mo Hua lowered the curtain and asked in confusion, "This Young Master Huo can come and go from the palace so freely, could he be of very high status?"
Siqin glanced at Jiang Mi and said in a low voice, "Perhaps. The guards didn't stop him when they saw him, so he must be of high status. Miss, would you like some water?"
Since it wasn't convenient to use the restroom here, Jiang Mi decided not to drink any water. She closed her eyes to rest and didn't go out to wait any longer.
After a long while, Jiang Mi finally woke up to Siqin's delighted voice: "Miss, Miss, the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master are out!"
Jiang Mi had just woken up when she groggily glanced outside and saw several people standing at the palace gate, two of whom were Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan.
She was now fully awake and hurriedly got off the carriage. Only then did she realize that everyone who had been waiting like her had left, and now she was the only one in the carriage outside the palace gate.
"Where are the others?"
Mo Hua explained, "They've all already picked up their guests and left, leaving only us. It seems the two young masters' grades must be quite good; perhaps one of them will become the top scholar."
Jiang Mi whispered a rebuke: "Don't talk nonsense. The palace hasn't announced it yet. These words can't be overheard by others."
Mo Hua quickly agreed, not daring to say another word.
After a while, Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan walked over. Jiang Mi then realized that the other person looked very familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
"Honey, have you been waiting for a long time?" Jiang Zhixing walked over excitedly. Although he looked tired, you could tell he was in a good mood.
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