Chapter 961: Chapter 797: Additional Imperial Examination Session
"What? Returning to the court? Is the news true?" Mrs. Ningâs face was full of joy, feeling incredulous.
"Of course, the Emperor personally told Jinyu, so how could it be false?" Liang Zhirui looked at the surprise on his old wifeâs face, and his mood improved somewhat.
"What official position is it?" Mrs. Ning, though from an official family, was after all a woman and not very knowledgeable about court affairs.
Now that her husband is returning to officialdom, this made her inevitably ecstatic.
Once her husband has status, their granddaughter and Jinyu wouldnât have such a hard time.
"Crown Princeâs Master!" Speaking of this, Liang Zhiruiâs expression slightly darkened.
"Isnât that a nominal position?" Although she didnât know much about court affairs, Mrs. Ning was naturally familiar with official positions.
Seeing Liang Zhiruiâs expression become heavy, Mrs. Ning immediately realized she had misspoken.
The position of Crown Princeâs Master was already an unimaginably high rank, considering her husbandâs age and his years away from the court; how could he possibly manage the intricate and scheming political scene?
That the Emperor could still remember her husband was truly remarkable and showed goodwill.
"However, youâve been retired for years, unused to court affairs. Staying out of state affairs is also good. The position of Crown Princeâs Master is prestigious, a Junior First Rank official position. Even if itâs nominal, it requires someone of great virtue and respect."
Mrs. Ning smiled, expressing her satisfaction.
"So, you are now the Crown Princeâs teacher, no wonder you and Jinyu could invite the Crown Princess Consortâs mother. It seems the Emperor still holds you in some regard, whether itâs about the arranged marriage or your return to the court, it shows the Emperor hasnât forgotten your years of meritorious service."
Only now did Mrs. Ning realize this, feeling enlightened and then somewhat grateful to the Emperor.
Liang Zhiruiâs face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, "Hmph! Havenât forgotten my meritorious service? From ancient times, emperors are often ungrateful; do you think the Emperor really remembered me? Itâs all because of Jinyu!"
He suddenly turned to stare at Mrs. Ning, making her feel uncomfortable and involuntarily guilty.
Regarding the matter of the arranged marriage, she naturally knew the truth, and indeed, she was embellishing the truth for her own pride!
Mrs. Ningâs smile gradually faded, "We have indeed wronged Jinyu regarding the arranged marriage, but thatâs all in the past. Why cling to it? Wasnât Xian a good match? Itâs not like Jinyu is aggrieved, right? You canât possibly say this official position was obtained by Jinyu for you, can you? This is a Junior First Rank."
Mrs. Ning spoke somewhat agitatedly, for how could a Secondary Fifth Rank official obtain a Junior First Rank position? Itâs simply absurd.
She could only understand it as the Emperor remembering past affection and acknowledging her husbandâs contributions.
"The Emperor truly gave me this position for his sake, and whatever dealings were made, I wonât explain to you further. Just remember, Jinyu has done a great favor for us! Over the years, you know in your heart how Jinyu has treated us."
Liang Zhirui warned his old wife with a glance, feeling that some things needed to be explicitly stated to prevent his wife from being too arrogant and self-important.
The day after tomorrow, they must discuss the engagement with Jinyuâs parents. If his wife acts superior in front of the other side, how will he face Jinyu?
Because Jinyu obtained such a high official position and still got their granddaughter involved with them, now they act self-important, how would Jinyu and his parents see him?
It makes him anxious just thinking about it!
"I naturally know how Jinyu treats us, otherwise I wouldnât agree for you to offer Xian to him. Havenât we treated him well enough in the past? Iâve been sincerely good to him, isnât that enough?"
Mrs. Ning, too, was provoked to anger, her tone of voice becoming much harsher than before.
"Then put away your arrogant facade, donât always think youâre superior. You may be good to Jinyu, but can you honestly say you never feel a ridiculous pride when facing him? Isnât it just that you think Jinyu is from a farming family with no foundation, and thatâs why you posture?"
Liang Zhirui snorted coldly, leaving Mrs. Ning speechless.
She instinctively wanted to refute but suddenly didnât know where to start.
She carefully recalled her attitude when interacting with Jinyu, and it seemed to completely align with what her husband said.
Because of Jinyuâs background, she often unconsciously exuded the air of an aristocratic lady when facing him. Looking back, she was indeed in the wrong.
She hadnât realized this before, but whether intentional or unintentional, she did act this way.
"Then... I wonder if Jinyu might secretly feel I look down on him. If he has any misunderstanding or dissatisfaction with us, what should we do?" Mrs. Ning murmured.
"Since you have recognized your mistake, then it must be corrected in the future. We are now genuinely family, we canât let Jinyu harbor any grudges."
Liang Zhirui felt comforted that his wife could heed advice.
"Jinyu is naturally broad-minded, and he genuinely respects us. In the future, you must be mindful of your words and actions, and donât let Jinyu lose heart in the end."
Liang Zhirui deliberately spoke more seriously so his wife would treat Gu Chengyu even better, to assuage his own feelings of guilt.
The next day, the Emperor attended Taihe Palace to receive civil and military officialsâ congratulations for establishing the Crown Prince, and issued an edict to the whole country.
Including the Emperorâs benevolence granted to the people, such as a general amnesty, tax reductions, and more.
What intrigued Gu Chengyu most was that the Emperor wanted to hold an Enlightenment Examination.
Gu Chengyu couldnât help but show a hint of joy; with the Enlightenment Examination held, wouldnât Sun Xian have another opportunity?
He must ask Sun Xian when he returns; previously, Sun Xian failed the provincial examination. Although Sun Xian wasnât regretful, believing his knowledge insufficient.
But Gu Chengyu knew that in his heart, Sun Xian was ultimately concerned.
He was already a Secondary Fifth Rank official, and Sun Xian was certainly anxious. To take the provincial examination again would mean waiting another three years.
This time, the Emperor holding an Enlightenment Examination is a great opportunity; if Sun Xian is fortunate enough to participate, it wonât be necessary to waste another three years.
Because with Enlightenment Examination, thereâs a high chance of passing, only the ranking varies.
Gu Chengyu recalled the conditions for candidates to qualify for the Enlightenment Examination; those who participated in the provincial examination failing fifteen times, or the Imperial Examination ten times are considered âqualifiedâ.
But itâs not without other spots, depending on the ranking of last timeâs failed candidates.
Sun Xian failed the provincial examination; if his ranking was high among the failed candidates, in the top twenty, heâd have a chance.
But what was Sun Xianâs rank back then? He couldnât remember, deciding to ask when he returned. Sun Xianâs studies were solid; perhaps he was indeed within the top twenty?
Previously, for the provincial examination three years later, Gu Chengyu gave Sun Xian all his former study books.
These contained many of his notes, and Sun Xian was diligent daily, his knowledge should be more solid than before.
This is a sure pass; isnât it like falling pie from the sky?