Chapter 961: Chapter 797: Additional Imperial Examination Session

"What? Returning to the court? Is the news true?" Mrs. Ning’s 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 wife’s 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 wouldn’t have such a hard time.

"Crown Prince’s Master!" Speaking of this, Liang Zhirui’s expression slightly darkened.

"Isn’t that a nominal position?" Although she didn’t know much about court affairs, Mrs. Ning was naturally familiar with official positions.

Seeing Liang Zhirui’s expression become heavy, Mrs. Ning immediately realized she had misspoken.

The position of Crown Prince’s Master was already an unimaginably high rank, considering her husband’s 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, you’ve been retired for years, unused to court affairs. Staying out of state affairs is also good. The position of Crown Prince’s Master is prestigious, a Junior First Rank official position. Even if it’s nominal, it requires someone of great virtue and respect."

Mrs. Ning smiled, expressing her satisfaction. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"So, you are now the Crown Prince’s teacher, no wonder you and Jinyu could invite the Crown Princess Consort’s mother. It seems the Emperor still holds you in some regard, whether it’s about the arranged marriage or your return to the court, it shows the Emperor hasn’t forgotten your years of meritorious service."

Only now did Mrs. Ning realize this, feeling enlightened and then somewhat grateful to the Emperor.

Liang Zhirui’s face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, "Hmph! Haven’t forgotten my meritorious service? From ancient times, emperors are often ungrateful; do you think the Emperor really remembered me? It’s 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. Ning’s smile gradually faded, "We have indeed wronged Jinyu regarding the arranged marriage, but that’s all in the past. Why cling to it? Wasn’t Xian a good match? It’s not like Jinyu is aggrieved, right? You can’t 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? It’s simply absurd.

She could only understand it as the Emperor remembering past affection and acknowledging her husband’s contributions.

"The Emperor truly gave me this position for his sake, and whatever dealings were made, I won’t 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 Jinyu’s 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 wouldn’t agree for you to offer Xian to him. Haven’t we treated him well enough in the past? I’ve been sincerely good to him, isn’t that enough?"

Mrs. Ning, too, was provoked to anger, her tone of voice becoming much harsher than before.

"Then put away your arrogant facade, don’t always think you’re superior. You may be good to Jinyu, but can you honestly say you never feel a ridiculous pride when facing him? Isn’t it just that you think Jinyu is from a farming family with no foundation, and that’s why you posture?"

Liang Zhirui snorted coldly, leaving Mrs. Ning speechless.

She instinctively wanted to refute but suddenly didn’t 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 Jinyu’s background, she often unconsciously exuded the air of an aristocratic lady when facing him. Looking back, she was indeed in the wrong.

She hadn’t 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 can’t 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 don’t 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 officials’ congratulations for establishing the Crown Prince, and issued an edict to the whole country.

Including the Emperor’s 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 couldn’t help but show a hint of joy; with the Enlightenment Examination held, wouldn’t Sun Xian have another opportunity?

He must ask Sun Xian when he returns; previously, Sun Xian failed the provincial examination. Although Sun Xian wasn’t 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 won’t be necessary to waste another three years.

Because with Enlightenment Examination, there’s 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 ’qualified’.

But it’s not without other spots, depending on the ranking of last time’s failed candidates.

Sun Xian failed the provincial examination; if his ranking was high among the failed candidates, in the top twenty, he’d have a chance.

But what was Sun Xian’s rank back then? He couldn’t remember, deciding to ask when he returned. Sun Xian’s 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; isn’t it like falling pie from the sky?