The political situation in the imperial court is unpredictable, and ordinary people are unaware of the complexities involved, continuing to live their own lives.
Jiang Yue had already received countless invitations from wives of officials of all ranks, inviting her to various autumn banquets, chrysanthemum appreciation parties, and more...
Anyway, to put it bluntly, it's probably about arranging marriages for their children.
Jiang Yue wasn't afraid of offending anyone, and politely declined all offers citing her physical limitations.
As for Qingyun's marriage, she had no interest in it.
Fate is a mysterious thing; as long as it's not Shangguan Xian'er, he can do whatever he wants.
Qingyun himself had no particular interest in marriage, but in any case, his future wife would be chosen based on his mother's approval.
On the day of the imperial examination, Qingyun and Changjun put on the uniforms issued to them as Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), bid farewell to their families, and boarded the carriage specially sent by the palace to pick them up.
"Da da da~"
After the carriage left, the family returned home amidst many envious glances, locked the door, and prevented anyone from peeping.
"Grandma, can Uncle San and Uncle be appointed to high-ranking official positions?"
"Grandma doesn't know."
"Wan'er, don't bother your grandmother with these kinds of questions. Be careful not to bring trouble to the family."
"Okay, Mom~"
"Alright, go play with your brother."
After coaxing her daughter away, Da Xue, heavily pregnant, felt a bit tired and couldn't help but yawn.
"Qingshan, help Daxue back to the house to rest. She can get up again when it's time for lunch."
"Why."
Qingshan responded, explaining that his wife had suffered from leg cramps last night and hadn't slept much, talking to him for half the night, and he was also exhausted.
"Qingsong, Fangfang, you two come with me to draft the guest list. Before we leave, there are some people we still need to entertain."
Jiang Yue rubbed her temples. How could she sleep when Qingyun and Changjun were almost implicated in a cheating scandal?
Fortunately, the emperor was wise and had planned everything in advance with the crown prince.
Otherwise, it's hard to say what things would be like now.
She was fed up with Jinling. Once everything settled down, she would take the children and leave...
Those who remain hope to use the banquet to speak frankly and avoid leaving any potential problems for the remaining guests.
"Okay, I'll grind the ink for Mother."
With a grin, Qingsong and his wife, one on each side, helped their mother into the simple study.
Well, he's a businessman; it's good enough that he can read. He wouldn't have a collection of books or a special study.
Jiang Yue didn't say anything. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. What kind of life they choose is their own business. As long as they don't risk their lives or drag the family down, it's fine!
As the imperial examination began, all the prominent families in Jinling were watching closely to see who would be the champion this year.
If it is a young man, then he should marry the eldest daughter of the family to her, which will not only bring about a happy event, but also consolidate the interests of the family.
If the man is older, then marrying off the concubine's daughter will have a less than satisfactory result, but it's better than nothing!
Soon, the palace examination ended, and the top three were determined!
Then, ten scholars with both talent and good character were selected. After discussion by the six ministers, the list was submitted to the emperor. After the emperor nodded in approval, official positions were bestowed upon them according to their ranking.
Wu Qingyun ranked very high and was the youngest Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) among this batch of people who entered the main hall.
In fact, Grand Tutor Xu later compared the papers of the top ten candidates repeatedly and finally discovered that it wasn't that this young man was inferior to his predecessors, but rather a problem with the examination cell, which resulted in the paper having been marked with stamps...
Poor kid.
However, the fact that he was able to remain calm and persevere under those circumstances and achieve a high ranking shows that his strength is far greater than his current ranking!
He naturally wouldn't hesitate to take such a person as his disciple!
Changjun was also lucky, ranking third in the palace examination and becoming the ninth Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). Like Qingyun, he entered the tutelage of Grand Tutor Xu.
Anyone with eyes to see can see that Grand Tutor Xu is a trusted confidant chosen by His Majesty for the Crown Prince. The fact that he has caught His Majesty's eye is enough to prove...
For a time, the two young men were more popular than the top three!
After the court session, the top three scholars of this imperial examination, the first, second, and third place winners, dressed in court robes bestowed by the emperor, rode fine horses and paraded through the streets.
The young women who lined the street to welcome him all backed away when they saw him in person...
It's one thing that the top two scholars were too old, but why didn't they choose a good-looking one for the third-ranked scholar?
The anticipated scene of sachets and handkerchiefs being trendy never materialized; neither the applause nor the lively son-in-law selection took place.
This is really embarrassing...
The young ladies from well-to-do families breathed a sigh of relief upon learning the situation.
In this way, the family will not allow their legitimate daughters to marry into a lower-class family!
As for the illegitimate daughters, crying won't help. This is the price they have to pay for enjoying wealth and luxury for more than ten years!
The eldest daughter is chosen to prepare the family for consolidating its power and ensuring its prosperity.
A concubine's daughter, that means contributing her meager strength to the family...
Shangguan Mansion —
Wutong Courtyard.
Upon hearing the news, Shangguan Feng'er burst into laughter in the room.
Haha~
"Miss, please mind your manners!"
"Demeanor? I'm in a good mood today, and all the maids in the courtyard have been rewarded!"
"This servant thanks you for the reward, Miss!"
"By the way, Zhui'er, send someone to investigate Sixth Sister's courtyard. If they are unaware of this matter..."
"This servant understands and will certainly convey this message to avenge Miss."
"Okay, go ahead."
"This servant takes her leave."
......
Begonia Garden —
The location is somewhat remote. When the Shangguan family moved here, only the sixth young lady took the initiative to come to this courtyard. Therefore, in recent years, only the sixth young lady has lived here, and no one else has set foot here.
Shan'er brought in hot tea with a furrowed brow, placed it on the round table, and said worriedly:
"Miss, news has arrived. The top three in this year's examination are all slightly older, of average appearance, and all have wives at home. I'm afraid that next, Madam will..."
"What's there to be afraid of? It's not like my wife has been unhappy with me for just one day. I feel sorry for her; she's been suffering for years."
A slender woman sat in front of the dressing mirror on the windowsill. Not only was she delicate, but her eyebrows and eyes were also exquisite.
As she turned and raised her eyes, she was incredibly alluring.
"Shan'er, look at my lip rouge, isn't the color too dark?"
"Miss, your beauty is so striking that any color of lip rouge would only enhance it."
The speaker was another of Shangguan Xian'er's trusted maids, named Caixia. She was skilled in martial arts and good at disguise. She was saved by Shangguan Xian'er three years ago and had been with her ever since.
"Caixia, I was asking Shan'er, why are you being so nosy?"
Shangguan Xian'er's smile didn't reach her eyes. She preferred honest and dutiful maids to overly clever ones!
"Caixia was too talkative, please forgive her, Sister Shan'er."
Caixia quickly apologized, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that her mistress's brows had relaxed.
"It's alright."
Shan'er didn't take it to heart; what she was worried about was only her mistress's situation.
Shh, there are outsiders here.
......
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