Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 267 Wen Ting: Trick Master
……

Jia Rong laughed and said, "I just placed two bets on the imperial examination, but I didn't expect to win."

Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up: "Examination? Could it be the dealer who bet on the first place?"

Jia Rong: "You know that too?"

Xiao Xiao said shyly, "It looked interesting that day, and my name happened to be on it, so... I also bet fifty taels, and I just went to exchange it."

Jia Rong: “…”

He is also a little money-grubber.

……

After the imperial examination, Wen Ting, the chief examiner, immediately brought the top ten test papers to Emperor Anping to report the good news.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. This joint examination has come to a successful conclusion. A total of 7,100 candidates from across the country participated, the highest number in history. Among them, 300 candidates were selected as tribute scholars for their profound knowledge and outstanding writing skills, also the highest number in history. It can be seen that the flourishing literary style of our Great Xia has far surpassed that of the Tang and Song dynasties. This is the grace of Your Majesty and the blessing of all the people in the world..."

Wen Ting sang endless praises below, and Emperor Anping nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

Who doesn't like being flattered?

"This is also the credit of you dear ministers. Can you bring me the best test papers?"

Wen Ting had been prepared, and hurriedly presented the examination papers, saying with a smile: "These are the first ten examination papers, please have a look, Your Majesty."

Emperor Anping took the test paper and saw that the one at the top was Jia Rong, the top winner!

Emperor Anping was naturally familiar with Jia Rong.

The grandson of Lord Jia, the top scorer in the provincial examination.

It seems that he really has real talent and knowledge.

but……

Emperor Anping felt a little unhappy.

Lord Jia already has great power in the court, and if he has a talented grandson, what will happen?

Moreover, Jia Rong is still so young, and there is a possibility that he will become another powerful Lord Jia in the future!
Wen Ting, who was already old and experienced, naturally noticed the look in Emperor Anping's eyes and felt a little confused.

Logically speaking, this is the most typical case of a grandson inheriting his family business. Lord Jia has a successor, and three generations of grandparents and grandchildren have served the country. The emperor should be happy.

How could...

Could it be that the Emperor was already wary of Jia Jing? If I nominated Jia Rong as the first place winner, wouldn't the Emperor mistakenly think that I was in cahoots with Jia Jing?
Wen Ting secretly groaned in his heart.

Before the ranking is determined, the test papers are all covered with names. Even the chief examiner dares not violate this rule in the slightest, otherwise he would be drowned by the spit of scholars all over the world.

Master!
Wen Ting secretly swore in his heart that he must stay away from this cheap student of his.

Emperor Anping naturally didn't know that his slight glance had already revealed most of his thoughts. He smiled as he finished reading all the test papers, nodded and said, "Yes, they are all good candidates, especially the grandson of Lord Jia. It is rumored that he is the most talented person in Kyoto. He really lives up to his reputation. I can't wait to meet him."

Wen Ting smiled calmly and said, "The palace examination will be held soon. Then the emperor will be able to see the outstanding candidates. There are several young talents who are comparable to Jia Shunzhi, and Zhou Yanru is one of them."

"Well, I know!"

Emperor Anping nodded and said, "Mr. Wen, you have worked hard. I will allow you to take a half-month leave. Go home and rest and recuperate. The court cannot do without pillars of the country like Mr. Wen."

Wen Ting hurriedly said with great trepidation: "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. This is all my duty."

After a while, Wen Ting returned home. He first asked the housekeeper to set a table with good wine and food in the hall, and then called out several dancers who were hidden in his golden house.

For a moment, the hall was filled with the sounds of stringed instruments and enchanting dances.

Wen Ting ate his wine and said with emotion: "This is life!"

He had nothing to do for the next half month. This was not Emperor Anping's sympathy for his court officials, but a regular practice.

The examiners who presided over the joint examinations could not interfere with the palace examinations, and could only wait for the Qionglin Banquet to drink and accept students...

Thinking about accepting students, Wen Ting's head started to hurt again.

It’s not right to accept the money I ordered, nor is it right not to accept it.

Uncomfortable! ...

When Jia Rong returned home, the guests had already left. There was no need to hold a big banquet for those who passed the imperial examination, because there would be the palace examination to follow.

If you do not fail the palace examination, you are sure to pass. The examination is held half a month after the announcement of the results of the joint examination. Due to the tight time, most candidates relax for a day or two before plunging into intensive study again.

Jia Rong did not continue reading the Four Books and Five Classics, which he had memorized by heart, but instead arranged them neatly on the top of the bookshelf.

It doesn't mean to put them on the shelf, but to put them in high positions as a sign of respect. After all, it was them who opened the door to the upper class.

From now on, when you go out, you will be accompanied by a carriage and horses, and when you come in, you will be invited to sit in the upper seat.

If one entered Jia Jing's study, the staff and guests had to stand up to greet him, and their seats had to be second only to Jia Jing.

As for Master Zhen, even if he stood up now, it would be useless. He didn't even have the right to beat Jia Rong.

"Master, this was sent by Miss Lin's Zijuan and Miss Baoqin's Xiaoluo. You were not at home this afternoon, so I put it away first."

Ping'er took out two big red purses of similar style, with the words "Top Scholar" embroidered on them in gold thread, which looked very festive.

Has this been agreed upon? Are we sending the same thing?
Jia Rong put it away and said with a smile, "Excuse me, go and make an appointment for me."

Ping Er covered her mouth and sneered, "It's an appointment, but which girl do you want to invite? Or both of them?"

Jia Rong said seriously, "Let's make an appointment some other day. Today, let's go and make an appointment with Miss Baoqin."

Miss Lin just made an appointment yesterday.

Make an appointment with my second concubine today.

Can't leave anyone out.

Ping Er smiled and said, "But if you ask Miss Baoqin to come with you, there may be an extra girl. You should think about how to deal with it."

Jia Rong laughed and said, "Why don't you just get hold of one?"

Ping Er: "What's the benefit?"

Jia Rong: "Come to me at night and I'll tell you in secret."

Ping Er: "Humph... No way, I only know how to bully people!"

As he spoke, he went outside to invite someone.

……

Lixiangyuan.

Aunt Xue was sighing: "The eldest girl found a good family. I heard that the second son of the Nan'an Palace is very talented and famous."

Baochai nodded absentmindedly.

Are you very talented?
In front of Rong Ge'er, any talent and fame would pale in comparison.

Aunt Xue saw her daughter's indifferent expression and could only sigh helplessly: "Mom knows your feelings, but your sister has already..."

You can't steal a man from your sister, right?

If this gets out, where will the Xue family's eldest wife's reputation be?

"Mom, what are you talking about! I didn't mean that!" Baochai interrupted her mother with a red face.

"What do you mean? You knew it before I even said anything." Aunt Xue teased her daughter.

Baochai was so embarrassed that she went into Aunt Xue's arms and said, "Mom, since I can't be with you to show my filial piety, I will always be with you and take care of you in your old age."

Aunt Xue thought of Xue Pan who was still in the northwest, and she immediately lost the desire to tease her daughter and sighed, "Your brother wrote to me last time saying that there will be another war over there. I don't know if it's true or not, and whether your brother will suffer."

Baochai comforted her, "Don't worry, mother. Brother has already started a family there, and the girl is also a wealthy family there, so she won't suffer. As for the war, the court just won a victory, and Britain won't fight again. Brother just wants to use this as an excuse to ask for some money to go over."

……

(End of this chapter)