Playing bad and eating melons: The whole court is laughing? No, no

Chapter 257 Do I act like I love money?

"I think it should be ranked 40th." The Minister of Personnel was the first to express his opinion.

"I think we can have two more people." said the left prime minister.

The Right Prime Minister snorted lightly, "I have seen her previous grades and the essays in the palace examination. She barely ranked forty-third."

Emperor Yuan looked at Kong Jijiu and asked with a smile, "Lord Kong, where do you think Li Qinghuan should be ranked?"

"Your Majesty is wrong. It's not about where I think she should be ranked, but how her grades should be ranked."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuan showed no emotion, but cursed in his heart.

"Then where do you think she should rank based on her grades?"

"Taking all things into consideration, her paper should be ranked 39th."

"Then let's do as Mr. Kong said. It's settled."

The right prime minister wanted to say something else, but Emperor Yuan waved his hand with an air of authority and asked them to leave.

The only one present bowed and left Huaqing Palace.

The Right Prime Minister tried to hold back, but couldn't help asking, "What do you think His Majesty means? Does he really intend to appoint women as officials?"

"Does the right wing still oppose this matter?"

"Not really, it's just that being a woman in an official position is still very inconvenient. They always have to get married, have children, and take care of the affairs of the inner chambers, making it difficult for them to devote themselves to the affairs of the court."

The Left Prime Minister smiled faintly and said, "Right Prime Minister, you are wrong. Men serving as officials also have families. Can they guarantee that they will completely ignore family affairs and serve the country wholeheartedly?"

The Minister of Personnel nodded in agreement, "The Left Prime Minister is right. Furthermore, Li Qinghuan is exceptionally talented. It would be a loss to the court if we discard him simply because of his gender."

The Right Prime Minister sighed, "Forget it, forget it. I hope Li Qinghuan won't disappoint His Majesty."

At this time, Kong Jijiu slowly spoke, "Could it be that the Right Prime Minister has forgotten the Second Young Master? If he were to enter the court as an official, his path would not be easy."

Hearing this, the Right Prime Minister looked up at the sky.

Yes... the road he will take in the future may be much more difficult than the one Li Qinghuan has taken.

Elsewhere, Jiang Yueyang finished her work and continued to work on the poetry collection she had finished yesterday. She wanted to finish it quickly so she could go home and lie down.

Just when she was at a loss for what to do with a broken poem with only a title, Xu Zheng sneaked in.

Jiang Yueyang heard footsteps and raised her eyelids to take a look. Seeing that it was Xu Zheng, she lowered her eyes again and pondered the broken poem in front of her.

Xu Zheng walked to the table and asked quietly, "Master Xiao Jiang, I heard that Kong Jijiu wants to take you to Moxiangzhai to participate in a poetry gathering?"

"Who did you listen to?"

"I just heard it." Xu Zheng hesitated, "Is it true?"

"Yeah." Jiang Yueyang raised his hand and rubbed his brow, "But I probably won't be able to attend that day due to some irresistible factors."

"Force majeure?"

"Cold, fever, headache, diarrhea, and leg and foot problems are all possible."

Xu Zheng: “…”

In order to avoid attending the poetry reading, Lord Xiao Jiang was really cruel to himself!

The inconvenience of legs and feet has been corrected.

Jiang Yueyang: I didn’t say that I had difficulty walking.

Kong Jijiu: Could it be me?

Xu Zheng asked, "Master Xiao Jiang, why don't you want to attend the poetry gathering? That's a poetry gathering hosted by the Saint of Literature and the Saint of Painting!"

"Saint of Literature? Saint of Painting? What is that?"

"They are not things, they are two people, two very powerful people."

Xu Zheng explained to her, "The calligraphy and poetry of the sage are unparalleled. Scholars and students throughout Daxia all hope to exchange ideas with him or receive his advice.

The paintings of the Saint of Painting are unparalleled and priceless. Many people want to get a painting from the Saint of Painting but cannot.

At this poetry gathering, the Saint of Literature and the Saint of Painting will bring their disciples to the event and comment on everyone's poems. It will be a great honor to receive their praise.

Furthermore, the Master of Literature and the Master of Painting will each present a piece of their own work as a prize for this poetry gathering!"

Hearing Xu Zheng's lengthy praise for the Saint of Literature and the Saint of Painting, Jiang Yueyang held her cheek in thought.

"So, their works are very valuable, right?"

Xu Zheng: “…”

After all I've said, you only understand the word "valuable"?

"Lord Xiao Jiang, aren't you very rich? Why are you so...money-loving?" Xu Zheng asked.

Jiang Yueyang tilted her head in confusion, "Am I acting like I love money?"

"It doesn't look like it, but if you ask..."

"Hey! You've said so much, and this is the only thing that can attract me!"

"Master Xiao Jiang, aren't you curious about how good the calligraphy of the Saint of Literature is, and how wonderful the paintings of the Saint of Painting are?" Xu Zheng asked a little excitedly.

"I'm not curious. I'm just curious whether their works can really be sold for a huge sum of money."

Xu Zheng: “…”

"I've decided. I'm going to attend the poetry reading."

"Take me one."

Hearing this, Jiang Yueyang curled the corners of her mouth and said meaningfully, "So this is why you came to see me."

Xu Zheng scratched his head embarrassedly.

"But I was also taken there by Kong Jijiu. How could I bring someone else there?"

"I've asked Kong Jijiu before, and he said that as long as Lord Xiao Jiang wants to take me with him, he doesn't mind taking one more person."

That being said, the actual situation was that Kong Jijiu was certain that Jiang Yueyang would sneak away at that time, so he asked Xu Zheng to persuade her to attend the poetry meeting.

The reward is taking him along.

Jiang Yueyang suddenly thought of her brother. "It seems that all the scholars want to go to that poetry gathering. My brother..."

"I've considered this as well. Lord Kong said Young Master Jiang is on the invitation list for the poetry gathering."

"OK then."

"Thank you, Master Xiao Jiang."

***

Two days later, at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall, the rankings of the palace examination were slowly posted under the gaze of all the candidates.

Jiang Yueyang unfolded the scroll and said loudly, "Everyone, please listen carefully. I will now announce the top three candidates."

"Tanhua—Fang Yu'an."

"Second place—Wen Jinnian."

"Number one scholar..." Jiang Yueyang paused a little longer this time, and unconsciously raised her voice a few decibels, "Jiang Xun!"

As soon as the words fell, the scene became bustling with noise.

Jiang Xun and the other two were surrounded by a group of students. In addition to congratulations, they were also asked whether they were ready to take the Ministry of Personnel examination?

Which department do you prefer?

Or should you consider going abroad?

Li Qinghuan walked up to Jiang Yueyang and bowed solemnly, "Sir, Qinghuan will definitely be a fair and honest official!"

Jiang Yueyang smiled slightly, "Yeah."

***

In a blink of an eye, another day has passed.

Jiang Yueyang led Qingzhi and the other two to the Duke of Suguo's mansion with gifts, and there was a constant stream of guests in front of the door.

The Duke's housekeeper personally led her to her seat, which was very close to the front.

In order to make it easier for Qiao Yuanyuan to meet everyone, men and women were not entertained separately at the banquet. They just sat on each side.

Not long after Jiang Yueyang sat down, seven or eight people walked in from outside. They looked like they were from the same family.

The butler led them to a slightly remote location, which angered one of the men.

"My mother is the Duke's wife's biological sister! You want us to sit in a place like this? Quickly change us to another place!"

"My dear cousin, the seats for today's banquet have been arranged and cannot be changed casually."

"I don't care, I'm going to sit in the front." The man yelled and walked towards the front seat.

"Cousin..."

Jiang Yueyang watched with great interest, "Sure enough, even a harmonious family like Duke Su's can't be without a few troublesome relatives!"

【Host. 】

【what? 】

The system chuckled, "There's a melon."