Chapter 366 [Don't Give Up]
Even Emperor Qingning had heard about the fierce conflict between the He family in the capital and the Jinxiao Chamber of Commerce.
In order to compete for business, the two restaurants and dim sum shops have come up with a "flash delivery errands" service. It has become so popular that even the errand boys who deliver food can repair doors, touch up paint, trim flower branches...all kinds of trivial matters can be handled in one stop.
The more Emperor Qingning thought about it, the more excited he became. He wished he could start packing up the He family and the Jinxiao Chamber of Commerce and send them to the northwest to watch them fight crickets.
“Okay, okay!”
Restraining his anxiety and excitement, Emperor Qingning said three "good" words in a row.
Emperor Qingning's praise echoed in the hall.
The other candidates were extremely surprised. They had heard that the emperor never showed his emotions, but now he was praising Xue Wei like this.
When Xue Wei returned to his original position and the next candidate was examined by Emperor Qingning, everyone was still thinking about Xue Wei's countermeasures.
With Xue Wei as a role model, the answers of the candidates who followed him looked pale in comparison.
However, there are so many smart people among the candidates for the palace examination, and some of them are clever. Although they cannot come up with a stunning plan like Xue Wei, they can at least add icing on the cake.
The quick-thinking candidates used Xue Wei's countermeasures as an outline, and combined their own views to elaborate and supplement them, which also made Emperor Qingning's eyes light up.
However, their answers indirectly confirmed Xue Wei's countermeasures.
After this round of questioning in the palace examination, it is obvious who performs the best.
After the palace examination, Emperor Qingning even asked Xue Wei to stay and have a detailed discussion with him.
After a day or two, rumors spread in the capital that His Majesty was preparing to issue a decree to provide relief to merchants in the five northwestern cities and to cooperate with merchants to revitalize the northwest.
This was obviously a move by Emperor Qingning to test the reactions of the wealthy businessmen in the capital towards the expansion into the northwest, to see if these people were interested.
He Lin and Hou Xiaoxiao naturally went with the flow and each of them approached their own connections in the court to inquire about the matter, indirectly sending a positive signal to Emperor Qingning.
The results of the palace examination came out very quickly. The examination was held on April 21st, and the ceremony of announcing the results was held on the 25th.
At the ceremony of announcing the results of the palace examination, Emperor Qingning would personally announce the results and grant official positions to the successful candidates.
During these four days, the Xue residence was packed with people, nearly breaking down the doorway with those who came to congratulate or discuss marriage. Xue Wei's impressive performance in the palace examination had spread throughout the capital, and his proficiency in writing essays was already well known. Now, with another stunning performance in the palace examination, his top spot was a foregone conclusion.
"Son, I didn't expect you to have such profound insights into the plight of the Northwest! It must have been so hard for you to hide it from your father!"
In the study, the Grand Tutor took a leisurely sip of tea and finally breathed a sigh of relief. His second son had performed so well in the palace examination and was even kept by the emperor to talk. His career must be bright. The emperor would definitely not be willing to let his second son waste a few more years as the consort of a short-lived princess.
Grand Tutor Xue personally poured a pot of tea for his precious son and pushed the celadon teacup in front of Xue Wei. "Here, this is the jasmine snow buds I've kept privately for a long time. I used my connections to have someone order them from the Li family's tea shop in Linzhou for a large sum of money. It took me half a month to get them. I couldn't even bear to drink it myself."
"We also asked the Yuelai Escort Agency to expedite delivery."
Xue Wei glanced at the cup of precious Jasmine Snow Buds, a hint of helplessness flashed across his brows. He couldn't bear to tell his father that this tea was just ordinary tea leaves fried with sugar and jasmine essence.
Li Xiaoguan, that black-hearted guy, specializes in speculating on these beautifully packaged high-end goods to make money from wealthy families.
As for Yuelai Escort Agency, there is no need to mention it. Guan Yue’s business... it seems that the people in their class are doing business to cut leeks, and even their own people cannot escape the clutches.
Xue Wei did not appear to be too close to the He family or Hou Xiaoxiao's Jinxiao Chamber of Commerce. The Grand Tutor did not know that his second son was hiding several cards behind his back.
Xue Wei said earnestly, "Dad, don't buy these things in the future. We can just use the old ones for food, clothing, and other expenses. Don't waste money on new things."
The helpless tone is exactly the same as when advising the elderly at home not to buy health supplements.
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Xue looked at Xue Wei with a hint of affection. His second son was now a hot commodity in the capital, with a promising future, yet he was actually thinking of saving money for himself and the expenses of the mansion on such a small matter. Grand Tutor was both moved and sad. It seemed that he had thought that the second son was a waste in the past, and put all his energy on the eldest son, neglecting the second son too much.
Grand Tutor Xue's voice choked with sobs: "Wei'er, if you have anything you want to do in the future, just tell me. I will do my best to support you."
Xue Wei got goosebumps when his father suddenly showed a look of deep fatherly love. What was his father imagining?
He then asked, "Did Princess Roujia's residence send anyone to deliver gifts this time?"
"No." Master Xue shook his head. He had been worried these days, fearing that the princess would do something strange, but tomorrow was the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates, and he could finally put his mind at ease.
Master Xue picked up a teacup and took a sip of the jasmine snow buds that he had been dreaming about: "Good tea! Good tea!"
However, before he had taken a few sips of tea, he heard the butler's announcement from outside.
"Master! Someone has come from Princess Roujia's residence to deliver a gift!"
The butler hurriedly pulled up a brocade box.
"Princess Roujia sent a pair of luminous jade mandarin ducks."
The father and son's hearts began to beat fast just by hearing the name.
"Also... many people know about the ninety-nine Blue Roses I ordered from the He Family Flower Shop."
Princess Roujia was very arrogant in giving gifts. When the Xue family received the princess's gifts, they had to hide them and dared not leak any news, for fear of being associated with the princess.
What’s the difference between this and teasing Xue Wei?
Looking at the gorgeous blue roses that the housekeeper had brought in, Master Xue's face flushed red. The scholar hesitated for a long time before angrily saying, "The princess is really going too far!"
No other noble ladies in the capital dare to compete with the man the princess likes. Wouldn't this delay the second son's lifelong event?
On the other hand, Xue Wei, seeing the "Jin Xiao Chamber of Commerce" pattern on the gift box and then looking at the most expensive Blue Rose sold by He Lin, felt relieved immediately. This wave of leeks was well harvested!
He had no way to target Princess Roujia, but the two profiteers in their team indirectly gave him a way to vent his anger.
Xue Wei spun his teacup in thought, "What is Princess Roujia trying to do by sending such a grand gift on the eve of the imperial examination?"
Grand Tutor Xue became uneasy: "Son, there will be a grand ceremony tomorrow, so you must be extremely careful."
Xue Wei nodded: "Don't worry, Dad."
*
The next day, at 9:00 a.m., it was an auspicious time calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, and the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates was held as scheduled.
Civil and military officials dressed in court robes stood solemnly in the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony according to their rank.
Emperor Qingning, wearing a dragon robe and surrounded by his ministers, slowly walked into the Hall of Supreme Harmony to accept their worship.
The newly-appointed Jinshi scholars wore dark blue Jinshi robes and waited anxiously for the ceremonial officer to announce the names and rankings of the successful Jinshi scholars.
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