Chapter 613: The Examination List Proves the Heart

Love Shenjing, Qingyu Fang, Xia Prefecture.

Mistress Xia heard her daughter's sharp and reckless words, and the veins on her forehead were about to burst.

She frowned and said, "That Jia Cong is young and successful, famous throughout the world. Who in the Love Shenjing doesn't know his benefits? Do you think only you can see it?

Daughter, Mother has told you many times that a figure like him is not something our family can hope for.

If his father hadn't died last year, he would have been betrothed by the palace long ago. Even the Jia old lady cannot make the decision for his marriage. You are still daydreaming there; you are truly muddled.

It is all because I, as a mother, have spoiled you too much, raising you with such a willful and arrogant temperament. The truth is hard to hear, but Mother still has to tell you.

You will never be able to count on him in this life. Give up this idea as soon as possible!"

Xia Gu Niang heard her mother's words, as if she had been stabbed by someone. She stood up and threw the objects in the room everywhere, her pretty face covered in tears, her expression very sorrowful.

Mistress Xia felt heartache when she saw this, but she let her daughter throw things to vent, as if she hadn't seen it at all, but her words didn't soften at all.

She said, "A family like ours can be betrothed to a noble son like Baoyu, letting you marry into a Duke's household—such an opportunity will not happen again.

Although it is 'the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers,' Mother won't force you. If you are not willing to have this marriage, that is fine.

Mother can only help you find a marriage that is well-matched in social status, find a merchant family that is well-matched with our family, and you will marry as a merchant's wife just like Mother, and you can live your life just the same."

Xia Gu Niang had originally been full of disappointment and despair, throwing things in the room to vent, but hearing this sentence from Mistress Xia, she was stunned, and her face turned pale.

Mistress Xia saw her daughter's expression and knew that her sentence had truly poked into the depths of her daughter's heart.

She knew her daughter's temperament best, as she had raised her herself...

Although the Xia family had no official background, Xia Gu Niang was the only daughter of the Xia family and was the golden and jade-precious young lady in the Xia family.

Although the social status of the Xia family and the Jia family could not be mentioned in the same breath, the life Xia Gu Niang had lived since she was a child was even more luxurious and expensive than that of young ladies like Yingchun and Seeing Tan Chun of the Rongguo Prefecture.

Mistress Xia knew that her daughter was used to a good life, was always sharp and proud, and had eyes higher than the top.

For many years, Mistress Xia had relied on the connections left by her late husband, and although she had some dealings with high-ranking officials and powerful people like Prince Zhao,

those were just dealings of money and profit, with no closeness or friendship, and they were clearly distinguished from each other.

Because in the eyes of those powerful people, the Xia family was just a lowly merchant household. The Xia family was a tool for them to earn money, and they gave the Xia family some protection, nothing more.

Therefore, the relatives and friends that Mistress Xia interacted with closely were all merchant households of the same kind. The peers that Xia Gu Niang could come into contact with were also children of merchant families.

Her daughter's appearance and family wealth were naturally outstanding and high above among these peers. Over time, she developed a proud and domineering temperament.

However, ever since she took her daughter to the Jia Prefecture to discuss marriage, although the marriage between the Xia family and the Xue family didn't happen,

it let her daughter see the style of a noble family for the first time. The impact and envy on her daughter, who was only used to a life of gold and silver wealth, were extraordinary.

Not to mention that she had seen noble sons like Baoyu and Jia Cong, especially that Jia Cong, who made her daughter almost obsessed...

She had seen those figures, and in her daughter's eyes, the children of merchant families she used to interact with had long become "chickens and dogs."

Now, if she were to marry into an ordinary merchant family and become a mediocre merchant's wife, with her daughter's temperament, she would rather die than be willing.

Mistress Xia saw through her daughter's thoughts, which was why she said those words, gambling on her daughter's mind—flesh and blood desires versus glory and prestige; she could only choose one.

Mistress Xia saw that her daughter, hearing her words, no longer cried or threw things, but just sat on the floor and shed tears.

Although she felt heartache, she didn't step forward to comfort her, so as to force her daughter to think clearly.

Mistress Xia walked out of the room and saw the maid Seeing Seeing Baochan standing outside the door, shrinking her head and peeking into the room.

Mistress Xia frowned slightly and said, "You have been guarding the Miss day and night for these two days. If there is any mistake, I will peel your skin!"

Seeing Seeing Baochan saw Mistress Xia's fierce words and thought that her mood must be very bad. She couldn't help but shiver. Thinking of the good deed she had done in the Jia family today, her legs felt a bit weak.

She hurriedly said, "Mistress, don't worry. I will definitely watch the Miss well."

Mistress Xia glanced at Seeing Seeing Baochan. She didn't know what was wrong today; she always felt this maid was a bit strange, but couldn't see any flaws.

She was too lazy to spend any effort on a maid. The most important thing now was the marriage between the Xia family and the Jia family.

She hoped her daughter wouldn't make a mistake and ruin her future and prestige for unreliable love.

Seeing Seeing Baochan walked into the room tremblingly, seeing fragments of broken objects all over the floor.

Her own Miss was sitting on the edge of the bed in a daze, tears ruining her makeup, the exposed skin still young, tender, and fair.

The Miss's eyes were red, her expression frustrated and withered, losing her usual beauty and dignity, and even looking a bit ridiculous. But Seeing Seeing Baochan didn't dare to laugh even if she had two more guts.

Seeing Seeing Baochan felt a bit unconvinced. Jia Cong was just better-looking, but Baoyu wasn't bad either.

And Baoyu's mouth was so sweet, making people so happy, and his romantic methods were even more...

Seeing Seeing Baochan thought of the heart-pounding manipulation Baoyu had done in the Jia family study and couldn't help but feel a bit hot all over.

The Miss was also a stubborn person, with all her thoughts on that Jia Cong. If only she would look at Baoyu a few more times, she would definitely know his benefits.

Seeing Seeing Baochan had fooled around with Baoyu today and was even more devoted to him. She hoped that Xia Gu Niang would agree to the marriage, perhaps even more urgently than Mistress Xia...

"Miss, you should think it over. What Mistress said just now sounds quite reasonable."

Xia Gu Niang was still in a daze, but hearing this dead maid actually dare to help her mother speak, she was instantly furious and shouted, "Who asked you to talk too much? Get out!"

Seeing Seeing Baochan saw Xia Gu Niang get angry and shivered, but she still didn't give up, wanting to say something to persuade her Miss to change her mind.

Xia Gu Niang saw Seeing Seeing Baochan still dawdling in the room and scolded, "Are you still not getting out? Are you waiting for family law?"

Seeing Seeing Baochan blurted out, "I don't dare to persuade the Miss; I just ask the Miss to listen to me for a few words, and these words are related to the Earl of Weiyuan."

Xia Gu Niang saw that her maid suddenly became bold and didn't listen to her when she told her to get out of the room. She was so angry that she stood up abruptly, preparing to slap this little hoof hard to let her learn a lesson.

She had just stood up when, hearing Seeing Seeing Baochan's sentence, she stopped her steps.

The name Jia Cong was like a curse to Xia Gu Niang, which could turn all her sharpness and willfulness into nothingness...

Seeing Seeing Baochan saw her Miss coming over angrily and retreated several steps in fear.

She had served Xia Gu Niang since she was a child. Although Xia Gu Niang wouldn't deliberately mistreat her, if she made the Miss angry, a slap would come, and there would be no face at all.

Just now, as soon as her words fell, her Miss stopped her steps, and the fierceness on her face almost instantly softened.

Seeing Seeing Baochan spat in her heart: What kind of thing is that Jia Cong? It's truly seeing a ghost. Could it be that he cast a spell on the Miss?

As long as his name is mentioned, the Miss, who is so fierce, can soften up by herself. It's even more effective than Bao Er Ye's sweet talk to me...

Xia Gu Niang was a bit impatient and said fiercely to Seeing Seeing Baochan, "Speak if you have something to say. Are you looking for a beating by dawdling?"

Seeing Seeing Baochan swallowed again. Thinking of the romantic play with Baoyu today, her heart beat faster. She was truly unwilling to break off the relationship from now on.

She gathered her courage and said, "I heard people say that Jia Cong's birth mother was a 'Qingguan' (courtesan) in a brothel, and her status was very low.

Because she was beautiful, she was taken in by the Jia family's eldest master, and that's how she gave birth to Jia Cong. Because Jia Cong was born of a prostitute, his status in the Jia family was low, and he was abused and mistreated by his father since he was a child."

Xia Gu Niang heard this and was instantly furious, stepping forward and giving Seeing Seeing Baochan a slap. The sound was crisp, and the strength was quite strong.

She roared, "Shut up! Believe it or not, I'll tear your mouth apart? You dare to say his mother is a brothel woman? Even if he was raised by a brothel woman, he is a hundred times more noble than that Baoyu!"

Seeing Seeing Baochan covered her burning cheek and said aggrievedly, "Miss, don't be angry. I'm not trying to scold Jia Cong. My words haven't been finished yet."

Xia Gu Niang said angrily, "If you dare to insult him again, I will peel your skin!" Seeing Seeing Baochan was afraid. If it weren't for wanting to have a result with Baoyu in the future, she wouldn't have said these scattered words to step on her Miss's tail.

She continued, "Because Jia Cong's background was not good, his father and legitimate mother abused him. I heard that he was often beaten until he was covered in blood..."

Xia Gu Niang couldn't help but curse, "His parents are truly not things! Fortunately, his father met his retribution and died early. I heard his legitimate mother is still alive, but she hasn't died yet!"

Seeing Seeing Baochan heard her own Miss's words, although she felt it was unreasonable, she didn't dare to say more, and continued, "The old lady of his family was worried that he would be killed by his father, and the whole family would lose face.

So Jia Cong was taken to the Rongguo main prefecture at the age of ten and raised in the Jia family's secondary branch. Because Jia Cong was very good at reading since he was a child, he was very favored by the Jia family's second master.

People outside all say that the Jia second master treats Jia Cong even more preciously than his own son Baoyu, and Jia Cong also treats the Jia second master as his own father, with deep gratitude and loyalty."

As long as Xia Gu Niang heard stories about Jia Cong, and good ones at that, she felt satisfied in her heart.

She interrupted, "That second master, I have seen him too. He is a decent person. The other elders of the Jia family don't have the appearance of elders; most of them are fools who eat dirt!

But his second master treats him well, what does it have to do with me? My mother still wants me to marry Baoyu. You little maid, your words are dragging things in, what do you mean?"

!

Seeing Seeing Baochan saw her Miss becoming irritable again and was afraid, not daring to sell the pass anymore.

She hurriedly said, "Miss, think about it. Jia Cong and the Jia family's second master are like father and son. Then are he and Baoyu still ordinary cousins? That is the affection of legitimate brothers.

Jia Cong is the master of the Jia family's title, and both Jia family prefectures are decided by him. Since he treats the second master as his own father, do you think he can treat Baoyu badly? He will definitely protect him with all his heart.

I heard outside that Jia Cong is going to take the Spring Examination this time and will definitely become a 'Jinshi' (presented scholar). Maybe he can even become the 'Zhuangyuan' (top scholar) and become a high official soon.

If he succeeds, he will definitely promote Baoyu, this brother, and be his backer to repay the second master's affection.

Jia Cong's prestige is too great. Although you can't marry him, if you marry Baoyu, Jia Cong will become your great backer.

Although you can't be husband and wife with him, he will protect you for the rest of your life. This is also an extremely good thing. Miss, think about it carefully. This marriage is actually not bad."

Seeing Seeing Baochan, in order to hook up with Baoyu and have a romantic encounter in the future, hearing him call her "Sister" a few times, had racked her brains to think of these words, which was quite difficult...

She saw her Miss listening to her flowery words and becoming different, actually becoming dazed and infatuated.

She even muttered with a trace of obsession and joy: "He wants to be my great backer, and will protect me for the rest of my life..."

Seeing Seeing Baochan heard her Miss muttering to herself, her expression strange, and felt a bit of hair-raising in her heart.

Xia Gu Niang suddenly seemed to wake up and shouted at Seeing Seeing Baochan, "Where did you think of these words? Did my mother teach you to persuade me to agree to this marriage? See if I don't beat you to death!"

Seeing Seeing Baochan saw her Miss being so fickle, suddenly turning her face, and wanting to chase and discipline her. She couldn't help but scream and run away in the room to hide.

She still said, "Miss, don't be anxious. The old stories I told about Jia Cong are not secrets; many people outside say so.

If the Miss doesn't believe it, just spend some silver and call a few people to ask. If you compare their words, you will know the truth of these things.

Seeing Seeing Baochan is the Miss's personal maid and only listens to the Miss. Everything I say is true. If there is half a lie to deceive the Miss, I will have my intestines pierced and die a horrible death!"

Xia Gu Niang heard Seeing Seeing Baochan swear, and only then did she stop her steps. She thought that Jia Cong's fame was so great, his affairs were not hard to inquire about, and she wasn't afraid of this maid lying.

She suddenly thought of something, and her beautiful eyes flashed with hot and infatuated expression, saying, "You said he will soon become a 'Jinshi', and can even become the 'Zhuangyuan' and become a high official?"

Seeing Seeing Baochan saw her Miss stop her steps and no longer come to move roughly with her, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

She hurriedly said, "Miss, how can this be fake? Last month, the tribute courtyard was taking the Spring Examination, and the streets and alleys were full of discussions about this.

Now, it has been almost half a month since the Spring Examination ended, and the list will be posted soon. Jia Cong has always been famous for his reading. Outside, everyone says he will definitely be a 'Jinshi', and maybe even the 'Zhuangyuan'.

As soon as the gold list is posted, the Miss can send an attendant to take a look, and you will know clearly. How can the Miss miss such a great backer..."

Xia Gu Niang didn't know if she had heard the words behind Seeing Seeing Baochan, but her face was excited, and she muttered to herself: "He is truly amazing, actually being able to be the first in everything!"

Love Shenjing, Ministry of Rites, Reading Hall.

The reading of the three sessions of the Spring Examination this year, after many days of evaluation, screening, and discussion by the eighteen room examiners, was finally completed, and the quality of the candidates' essays was determined.

Each room then referred to the results of the previous two sessions of evaluation and finally determined the top twenty-five candidates for each room.

The three chief examiners' offices were originally connected, only separated by curtains.

Now all the curtains had been removed to facilitate the three chief examiners to discuss and determine the ranking of the list.

In the center of the three connected offices, a huge long desk was placed, on which were stacked eighteen piles of examination papers.

Each pile of papers was divided into three sessions, which were the papers of the candidates selected by each room.

The three chief examiners of this year's Spring Examination were Grand Secretary Wang Shilun, Minister of Personnel Chen Mo, and Right Vice Minister of Revenue Xu Liangxiong.

Looking at the stacked papers on the desk, although they were all pillars of the court who had experienced the sea of officialdom, their moods could not be calm when facing these top-ranking papers.

The expressions revealed in their eyes were also different, or solemn, or hesitant, or burning...

Standing around the desk were eighteen room examiners. Looking at the papers carefully selected by each room, they were also agitated, all hoping that the papers selected by their own room would finally dominate.

Each of the eighteen rooms selected papers for this Spring Examination, calculated at twenty-five people per room, totaling more than four hundred people.

After the final round of elimination and selection, the final list would have about three hundred people. These people were the final winners of this year's Spring Examination.

The three chief examiners would become the teachers of these successful candidates. Among these three hundred successful candidates, there must be many with excellent talent.

These rising stars of the scholarly world would definitely become the followers and helpers of the three chief examiners in their future official careers.

Among the three chief examiners, Wang Shilun was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and had reached the peak of civil officials.

Even if his city was deep and outsiders couldn't see through it easily, how could he have no desire in his heart? Facing the talents on the desk, could he really be indifferent?

Minister of Personnel Chen Mo, although he was sixty years old, according to common sense, he would retire in a few years.

During the reign of the Retired Emperor, he was the top scholar who led the world, with world-shaking talent and fame. Before his temples were gray, he also had great ambitions.

It was only because he experienced the dynastic changes and imperial family disasters that his official career was frustrated. From then on, he kept a low profile, acted smoothly, and protected himself. Was his heart really withered?

Among the three chief examiners, Left Vice Minister of Revenue Xu Liangxiong had the shallowest qualifications, but he was also a leader in the imperial examinations. In his prime, he already held a high position, only one step away from the head of the six ministries.

Originally, he had no fate with the position of chief examiner, but at the last moment before the Spring Examination, due to a coincidence, he unexpectedly became one of the three chief examiners.

This was a rare opportunity in his official career, and perhaps this was the only opportunity for him to become a chief examiner in his life...

His official career was also more immature than Wang Shilun and Chen Mo, and it was also longer and full of uncertain variables.

Therefore, the successful candidates of this Spring Examination would accumulate the most important reputation and help for his official career.

Compared to Wang Shilun and Chen Mo, he had more significant reasons to be full of burning desire and expectation for the release of this Spring Examination list...

As the head of the three chief examiners, Wang Shilun seemed to walk leisurely around the huge desk, looking at the four hundred-plus papers with a smile on his face.

When he walked to the ninth room examiner's neatly stacked papers, he picked up the one placed on the very top, which was the first-place paper of the ninth room's three sessions.

He picked up the paper seemingly unintentionally, opened the first page, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, thinking to himself, the ninth room examiner really had some vision.

Because the paper ranked first in the three sessions of the ninth room had the code "Yi-Hai 97" on the corner. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 614 =====