"What? The Emperor has appointed me as the Vice Minister of War, a third-rank official?"
Kui Ruo stood there stunned. Throughout history, there had never been a precedent of directly appointing the top scholar as a third-rank official.
The Ministry of War has always been a highly coveted position for officials, and those who could secure a place there were all close advisors to the emperor.
"Ruo'er, it took me decades of scheming to reach the position of Minister, while your starting point in officialdom is Vice Minister." Zhong Wuyi's eyes burned with fervor. The saying that "when one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven" was not without merit. He couldn't imagine what a bright future the Zhong family would have if Wei Ruo entered the court with such momentum!
"I will need to ask my godfather to give me more guidance in the future."
Kui Ruo quickly composed herself. Looking at the humble Kui Ruo, Zhong Wuyi's smile widened even more. "You are also my child, and naturally I hope you will get better and better."
"Thank you, godfather."
After Zhong Wuyi left, Wei Ruo put away the smile on her face.
“Brother Wei Ruo”.
Zhong Qi'er's voice rang out, "Congratulations on becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination."
Thank you.
Kui Ruo paused for a moment, then quickly walked into the house, leaving Zhong Qi'er standing there somewhat at a loss. Not long after, Zhong Min, the eldest son of the Zhong family, also arrived.
"Brother, he seems to blame me."
Zhong Qi'er's guilty look made Zhong Min shake her head. "Back then, Dad and I repeatedly told you not to make things difficult for Wei Ruo, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened."
“Brother…” Zhong Qi’er lowered her head, knowing that Zhong Min couldn’t stand seeing her like this.
"Alright, alright, I'll go talk to Wei Ruo for you." Zhong Min took the apology gift from Zhong Qi'er, her voice full of helplessness.
Zhong Qi'er nodded and watched eagerly as Zhong Min walked into Wei Ruo's room.
“Miss, the master said that if the second young master does not accept your apology gift, you are not allowed to leave the Zhong residence.”
"Hmph!" Zhong Qi'er sneered, "Father only cares about Wei Ruo being the top scholar in the imperial examination; he is not the second young master of the Zhong family."
"Miss......"
The maid wanted to speak again to persuade her, but Zhong Qi'er stopped her with a look. "I am the legitimate daughter of the Zhong family. From childhood to adulthood, have you ever seen my father really put me in solitary confinement?"
Zhong Qi'er turned and left. She had liked Wei Ruo very much from the first time she saw her.
However, Kui Ruo always had a cold and aloof demeanor. Everyone in the Zhong family treated her like a treasure, but in Kui Ruo's heart, Zhong Qi'er was just an adopted sister.
How can this be?
"Did any matchmakers come today?"
"Miss, there aren't any more."
Zhong Qi'er raised the corners of her mouth slightly. It was good that no matchmaker came.
Inside the room, Zhong Min looked at Wei Ruo in front of her and finally spoke up to plead for Zhong Qi'er: "Second brother, Qi'er is ignorant, please don't hold it against her. This is a congratulatory gift she specially prepared for you."
"Brother, you're joking. When have I ever been angry with Qi'er?" Wei Ruo smiled. "I've always regarded Qi'er as my younger sister."
Zhong Min suddenly didn't know how to start the conversation. He knew his sister's personality perfectly well, and the reason he kept making things difficult for Wei Ruo was simply because he wanted Wei Ruo to spoil her like he did.
But what is Wei Ruo's current reaction...?
Zhong Min sighed almost imperceptibly, "My older brother hasn't had a chance to congratulate you yet, to congratulate you on passing the high school entrance exam."
"Thank you, brother."
It was still a familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar, sense of alienation.
"Brother, I remember you were quite familiar with Miss Bai before, and you even had a meal at the Bai family's house." Zhong Min asked tentatively, also curious about the relationship between Wei Ruo and Bai Qian.
Miss Bai and I are very good friends.
For the first time, Zhong Min heard the word "very" from Wei Ruo's mouth.
“Yes, Dad often tells me to take you out to make some friends.” Zhong Min replied somewhat awkwardly. After saying a few words, Zhong Min took her leave.
The next day, Qin Wei personally left the palace to convey Gu Qingyan's oral decree, requesting to see Kui Ruo.
This once again raised everyone's expectations of Wei Ruo's importance.
......
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Gu Qingyan looked at Wei Ruo kneeling in the main hall and said with a smile, "Get up quickly. Last time it was supposed to be your grand ceremony for the imperial examination, but Fan Feng messed it up."
"I am already deeply grateful to His Majesty for appointing me as the top scholar, and I will repay him with my life."
"Your promotion to Vice Minister of War this time was at the Empress Dowager's behest." Gu Qingyan stared at Wei Ruo, his eyes gleaming, momentarily speechless.
Wait a minute, the Empress Dowager only said that she had saved Wei Ruo before, and based on his own observations, he felt that Wei Ruo would be loyal to him and the Empress Dowager.
However, Wei Ruo's reaction was somewhat strange.
"Your Majesty, I thank you."
"I only know that you have a past relationship with the Empress Dowager, but she has not told me the details. My dear minister, tell me about it."
Seeing how Kui Ruoyi talked incessantly about her mother, Gu Qingyan felt a huge weight lift from his heart. It seemed that he had done something that would drive his father crazy.
"I see."
The smile in Gu Qingyan's eyes gradually disappeared. "From now on, I will hand over the Ministry of War to you, my dear minister. I hope you can manage my army well."
"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your trust."
Until she left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Wei Ruo hadn't realized the subtle change in Gu Qingyan's attitude.
As the sun set, Gu Qingyan, who was reviewing memorials in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, paused and put down his vermilion brush.
"Father."
"You seem to value this new top scholar quite a bit?" Gu Lin casually sat down in the chair. The tormenting of the Fan family in the past few days had clearly made Gu Lin extremely happy. He even picked up the tea that Gu Qingyan had ordered to be prepared in advance on the table.
"His 'Strategies for Governing the Country' is a critique of current problems, and he is a capable person."
Gu Qingyan's tone became noticeably weaker, and he kept glancing at Gu Lin's expression.
"Since you think he can be used, you should make the most of him." Gu Lin put down his cup. "Just one thing: don't let this person have too much contact with your mother."
"Otherwise, I can't guarantee whether you, a useful talent, will still be alive."
"Father..."
Gu Qingyan ultimately didn't dare to say it aloud, "When my mother described Kui Ruo to me, she was just an old friend with whom I had a long-standing relationship."
In other words, Father, please don't be jealous, lest you inadvertently harm the minister I've chosen.
"Did Ayu mention Kui Ruo in front of you?"
Gu Lin stood up abruptly and then disappeared from Gu Qingyan's sight in an instant. Gu Qingyan stared blankly in the direction outside the palace. Could he have tricked his mother?
Zhaoning Palace.
Jiang Yu was reading in the courtyard when a gust of wind blew by, and the next second she was embraced tightly.
Gu Lin, looking as wronged as a loyal dog, buried his head in Jiang Yu's neck, taking shamelessness to the extreme, and asked, "Yu, don't you want me anymore?"
Jiang Yu:? ? ?
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