Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 11 Stable as a mountain
They've lost all sense of shame in their pursuit of promotion and wealth!

Paiyou (a comedic actor, similar to a clown)!

A jester who tries to attract attention but ends up making a fool of himself!

After this incident, everyone in the hall had already secretly formed their opinion of Yan Maoqing.

His sneezing just now had already startled the Emperor, which was enough to end his career. Now, he is also confused about his own status and is making irresponsible and attention-seeking remarks.

Both of these incidents were breaches of etiquette and both touched the emperor's third major taboo. Could it be a good thing that he has attracted the emperor's attention because of this?

Many courtiers even secretly cursed in their hearts:
"If this scoundrel manages to rise in the officialdom in the future, I'll cut off his head and use it as a chamber pot!"

Xia Yan, Yan Song, Wang Tingxiang, and other examiners shook their heads upon seeing this.

Yan Maoqing's reckless behavior was initially unexpected, but upon closer examination, it seemed entirely reasonable.

After all, his imperial examination paper followed the same pattern, attempting to attract attention but actually ruining his future, making him a prime example of being both stupid and wicked.

Could this person's mind be different from that of ordinary people?

On another note, could he be trying to emulate Dongfang Shuo, the court jester and minister of the Western Han Dynasty?

But he seemed to have forgotten one thing: the current emperor was not Emperor Wu of Han.

If Dongfang Shuo had been born and served as an official in this dynasty, I'm afraid not only would the grass on his grave have grown to a height of three zhang by now, but there wouldn't even be any descendants left to pay their respects.

Even Duke Guo Xun of Yiguo began to lose confidence.

Unexpectedly, Yan Maoqing ranked last among the top three in the examination, and now he has made such a breach of etiquette during the announcement ceremony. Is it really okay to be associated with this person?

really.

"?"

Behind the gauze curtain, Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Houcong, still made no statement, but his brows were noticeably furrowed even more.

Huang Jin, standing to the side, felt a tremor in his heart. He silently lowered his head, but his hesitation had subsided.

It's highly likely that the matter of Yan Song secretly instructing Yan Maoqing to be selected as a probationary official in the subsequent selection process will no longer need to proceed.

However, we cannot presume to know the Emperor's will. We should confirm with the Emperor again... even if it's pointless, we still have to do it.

After all, this was the master's order. If a servant like her dared not to do it diligently before the master personally revoked it, it would be a matter of attitude and loyalty, which would be a very serious matter.

Since the Jiajing Emperor made no indication, the ceremony of issuing decrees could not be interrupted.

The official, who was already pale with fright, only reacted after being given several glares by his superior from the Court of State Ceremonial. He quickly grabbed Yan Maoqing and dragged him back to the column to await orders.

It's no wonder that the steward was cowardly, nor is it any wonder that he hated Yan Maoqing.

After all, as the official who explained the rules and regulations of the imperial examination to these scholars, he would likely be implicated if the emperor investigated.

However, Yan Maoqing was quite pleased with the murderous look in the eyes of the steward and the increasingly gloating gazes of the court officials and the newly appointed scholars.

This was undoubtedly an affirmation for him, proving that he had just done the right thing and had taken another big step closer to his goal of retiring and returning to his hometown!

This time it's definitely secure, as secure as Mount Tai!

Yan Maoqing, feeling momentarily smug, couldn't help but hum a tune from later generations in his mind:
Nothing can stop me from yearning for retirement, from a life of boundless imagination, from having no worries in my heart~~~

……

With the end of the name-calling ceremony, the announcement of names also drew to a close.

Soon after, the Emperor Xianping's memorial was played, and all the officials and scholars performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony. Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Houcong, then set off to return to the palace. The Minister of Rites stepped forward to carry the list, which was placed on a cloud-shaped tray. A yellow umbrella led the way, and the list was displayed outside the Taihe Gate and the Meridian Gate, and then posted outside the East Chang'an Gate.

The ceremony of transmitting the imperial edicts was thus completed.

Apart from the newly appointed top scholar, who was escorted back to his residence by officials carrying yellow umbrellas and leading a ceremonial procession to demonstrate the emperor's boundless grace, the other officials and newly appointed scholars were allowed to leave the palace.

At this moment, Yan Song finally felt relieved and breathed a long sigh of relief.

The imperial examinations were traditionally handled exclusively by the Ministry of Rites. The ceremony of announcing the succession of candidates was also part of the imperial examinations, and it was a crucial part that the emperor had to attend in person. If anything went wrong, he, as the Minister of Rites, would naturally be held responsible.

Fortunately, although the announcement of the imperial examinations today had a bizarre twist involving Yan Maoqing, it went relatively smoothly overall, and the Emperor did not publicly reprimand him for it, so this hurdle was cleared up...

However, just as he breathed a sigh of relief...

"Minister Yan, please wait."

Suddenly, a slightly high-pitched voice came to my ear.

Yan Song's heart, which had been at ease, jumped again instantly. He quickly turned around and saw that the person who had called out to him was Huang Jin. He immediately bowed in respect.
"Greetings, Eunuch Huang."

Although Huang Jin has not yet taken charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial or the Eastern Depot, and only holds the title of Director of the Directorate of Palace Attendants, few people in the court dare to offend him easily simply because of Emperor Jiajing's title of "Huang Jin".

"May I speak to you in private? I have something to ask you."

"I am unworthy of such praise. I am honored by Eunuch Huang's high regard and will certainly speak frankly and without reservation."

Yan Song adopted a humble posture and quickly followed behind Huang Jin.

This is because, in the Ming Dynasty, eunuchs were a political force that could not be ignored.

His power struggle with Grand Secretary Xia Yan is currently at its most critical moment.

However, Xia Yan was very arrogant and not only disdained to associate with eunuchs, but also often submitted memorials to the emperor, citing the example of Liu Jin, the powerful eunuch of the previous dynasty, to advise him to limit the power of eunuchs. Naturally, this displeased the eunuchs.

The more Xia Yan acted this way, the more Yan Song wanted to do the opposite.

They seized the opportunity to win over this political force and strengthen themselves for their grand plans, even at the cost of some self-degradation.

In his mind, this was not bowing down to the eunuchs, but bowing down to power.

To humble oneself now is also for the sake of self-respect and dignity when one holds power in the future, so as not to be ashamed.

It is still unknown why Huang Jin suddenly came to see him. Could it be that the Emperor is still dissatisfied with today's imperial examination ceremony?
While talking.

The two had reached a secluded spot when Huang Jin finally stopped. He then took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to the anxious Yan Song, saying with a smile:

"Minister Yan, your memorials always win the Emperor's favor, which suggests you are a man of great wisdom. Therefore, I thought I'd ask you to help me understand the meaning of the prophecy the Emperor received in his dream a few days ago."

In fact, Huang Jin also has many doubts in his heart.

The question wasn't about the meaning of the "prophecy" on the slip of paper, but rather about what the master he had served for nearly thirty years was thinking and why he had suddenly changed his ways.

Just now, when Emperor Jiajing was returning to the palace, he finally found an opportunity and dared to step forward to ask if he still needed to pass on a message to Yan Song.

Although in his heart, there was no need to ask about this matter anymore...

Unexpectedly, the Jiajing Emperor simply asked him a question in return:
Why not pass it on?

Huang Jin was completely taken aback by the question.

Then, despite not understanding why his master was so unusually lenient towards Yan Maoqing, he still hurriedly kowtowed and apologized, running over to deliver the message as fast as his feet touched the ground.

(End of this chapter)