At almost the same time, Qin Ke'er and Sun Shu also showed surprised expressions upon hearing Jiang Yu's words.
"The imperial examination?"
Jiang Yu's expression changed slightly upon seeing this. "Da Yu is not like aristocratic families. There are many promising young men in these families, enough to manage a region. Da Yu needs to use the imperial examination to select talents."
"Is the Empress Dowager implying that my aristocratic family is autocratic?" Sun Shu's expression immediately became wary. "We are indeed different from Dayu, but we will not let our people go hungry. They all live in peace and prosperity."
“Miss Sun, I don’t want to argue with you about whether Dayu is better or the aristocratic families are better.” Jiang Yu’s voice was calm and unhurried, leaving Sun Shu with nowhere to vent her anger. “I just want you to participate in this spring’s imperial examination as well.”
The words that had been spoken to Qin Zheng and Sun Cai a few days ago were repeated verbatim to Qin Ke'er and Sun Shu. Qin Ke'er remained silent for a long time upon hearing this.
Could women also take the imperial examinations?
"That's all for today. Whether you two ladies wish to participate or not is up to you to decide."
Jiang Yu left decisively, leaving Qin Ke'er and Sun Shu standing there blankly for a long time.
"Sister Shu, can women from Dayu also take the imperial examinations?" Jiang Yu's words were incredibly tempting to Qin Ke'er. She had been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, and knew the Four Books and Five Classics by heart, but none of it had any effect.
No matter how much her father and brother doted on her, they would never let her manage the Qin family. She could only wait to get married, have children, and live the life that many women would live.
“She has no reason to lie to us about these things.”
Qin Ke'er lowered her head upon hearing this. "Sister Shu, when I learned that the young master of the Pei family was a woman, I secretly cried in my room. She was the first woman to become the young master in hundreds of years. I really envied Pei Zhi."
But she could only stay at home obediently, waiting for her father and brothers to choose a suitable husband for her.
"And Yun Hui, how could she be so lucky as to become the head of the Yun family directly, and now..." As she spoke, Qin Ke'er's eyes welled up with tears. She admitted that she was somewhat tempted by Jiang Yu's words...
"Ke'er, you want to participate in the scientific expedition, right?"
“Sister Shu, instead of being locked up here and unable to sleep day and night, why not compete with the women of Dayu? No, I mean compete with all the examinees of Dayu, regardless of gender.”
"I also want to know how much talent I've been boasting about all these years really is."
"In that case, let's give it a try."
A barely perceptible sigh escaped her lips, and Sun Shu's hands fell heavily to her sides. She had the same thoughts as Qin Ke'er.
Zhaoning Palace.
"Your Majesty, the two young ladies have quieted down, and the tutors we invited over haven't been turned away."
"knew."
Jiang Yu nestled in the recliner, glancing at Gu Lin beside her with a hint of smugness in her eyes. "The imperial examinations are like this: if you don't pass in one year, it's another three. Once you've had the idea of taking the exams, you'll always feel resentful if you don't pass."
"Does Ayu want to stay in Dayu for a long time?"
“From now on, they will all be citizens of Dayu, so how can they be called Changliu?” Gu Lin was amused by Jiang Yu’s appearance. “Ayu, how did you come up with such a method?”
Even he was amazed by this method.
"You really want to know?"
Jiang Yu's smile widened, her eyes darting around, "I'm not telling you!"
"Your Majesty, please do me the honor and tell me."
......
In the days that followed, Qin Ke'er, Sun Shu, Qin Zheng, and Sun Cai seemed to have gone mad, focusing all their attention on the imperial examinations and even becoming somewhat indifferent to the affairs of the aristocratic families.
Qin Ke'er and Sun Shu, in particular, were filled with energy after learning about the women of Lingyun Garden, and even their health improved considerably.
"People really do need to keep busy."
Inside Zhaoning Palace, Bai Qian took a sip of tea, somewhat bored. Outside, Jiang Yao's laughter drifted in from time to time. Jiang Yu looked at Bai Qian with amusement.
"What, you're not happy about staying at home peacefully?"
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager knows me well enough; I'd be happier to be thrown into the military camp." Bai Qian chuckled. "Why don't you see if there's anywhere else Your Majesty needs me?"
"What will happen to my brother and Yaoyao now that you're gone?" Jiang Yu said irritably. "I stayed in Ju County for a few months before the New Year and didn't come back until almost the end of the year. I've only been at home for a short time and I can't stay still."
"By the way, the Zhong family hasn't been behaving themselves lately."
Bai Qian changed the subject, "Speaking of which, the Zhong family is really interesting. They gave up on their daughter whom they doted on since she was a child, and now they have another illegitimate daughter."
"A concubine's daughter?"
Upon hearing Bai Qian's words, Jiang Yu's pupils constricted sharply. "When did the Zhong family have a concubine's daughter?"
“I find it strange too!” Bai Qian said casually. “Lord Zhong has only had one son and one daughter all these years. It’s really rare for such a big illegitimate daughter to suddenly appear.”
"Axi, how did you find out?"
"It's all thanks to Yao Yao. She's been craving pastries from the south of the city lately, and the Marquis and I couldn't refuse her, so we took her to buy some. That's when we ran into Lord Zhong's servant." Bai Qian slowly said, "The Marquis felt something was amiss, so he sent someone to follow us secretly."
"A concubine's daughter?"
"I heard the servant call the woman in the courtyard 'Miss'."
"That's really strange." Jiang Yu was also a little puzzled. How could the Zhong family have an illegitimate daughter?
“I will send someone to investigate this matter.” Jiang Yu straightened her expression. “There must be something fishy going on here. How could Zhong Wuyi suddenly have such a grown daughter out of thin air?”
Seeing that she had achieved her goal of entering the palace, Bai Qian stayed for a while longer before leaving Zhaoning Palace with Jiang Yao.
"Wanji."
Jiang Yu's face immediately turned cold. "Go and investigate the location that General Bai just mentioned. Find out the woman's true identity. I don't believe in any nonsense about a concubine's daughter."
"This servant will take care of it immediately."
As she spoke, another movement came from her abdomen, and the chill around Jiang Yu dissipated considerably. She reached out and stroked her belly, saying, "Alright, Mother isn't angry anymore."
"Who made Ayu angry again?"
Gu Lin's voice rang out, recalling the scene of brushing past Bai Qian just now, "Could it be Bai Qian? I'll find her and have a match with her right now."
Jiang Yu was thoroughly amused by Gu Lin's words, "Alright, everyone knows you're most afraid of competing with A-Qian."
“Bai Qian’s martial arts skills are getting stronger and stronger. Maybe one day I really won’t be able to beat her!” Gu Lin stopped behind Jiang Yu and reached out to massage her shoulders and neck. “What happened just now, A Yu? Tell me.”
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