Chapter 61 Part 1: School Examination
A period of ten days, to say it’s fast, it’s not that fast. To say it’s slow, it’s not that slow. It’s actually a big matter to the people of Yanjing. First, it’s the day of the Imperial College’s examination, the moment when the talented and handsome youngsters revealed their outstanding talents. Second, it’s also Ming Yi Hall’s examination, where each official daughter revealed their remarkable ability.
This event happens every year, however this year, apart from this, there’s also a bigger amus.e.m.e.nt. It’s precisely the bet between the chief a.s.sistant’s n.o.ble daughter, Jiang second miss and Chengxuan envoy’s di daughter, Miss Meng. Whoever loses, whoever needs to kneel down in public and apologizes. For many years, the capital had never come across this kind of thing before, it’s not a bit matter to watch the excitement, thus, from the official down to the commoners, everyone waited to see the excitement.
The majority of the crowd of people watching the excitement was inclined towards Meng Hong Jin. The cause was nothing else but whoever had any brain and eyes would not choose Jiang Li. Previously, Miss Meng’s grades in Ming Yi Hall could be said to be exceptional. Also, Jiang second miss’s sentence was unpleasant to hear, which was almost like a child that had just received instructions. Then what did she use to argue with people?
There were also people going against the tide and insisted on supporting Jiang second miss. Everyone asked the cause and that person touched his chin and exposed a vulgar smile: “If Jiang second miss obtained the top position, Miss Meng has to take off her outer garment and kneel to apologize at the door of the Imperial College. That Miss Meng is also someone from a n.o.ble family, able to see her taking off her outer garment is a treat to the eyes. By comparison, of course it’s more worthwhile if Jiang second miss won. I’ll pick Jiang second miss!”
This reason was simply too low-cla.s.s and everyone readily spat, no longer taking any notice of him.
Meng Hong Jing’s carriage was steadily pa.s.sing through the street and the comments made of her by the people could be heard. She was extremely angry, but even more resentful at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li’s three bets, especially the last bet, were enthusiastically discussed by people. But unexpectedly, what was discussed in the mouths of the people was whether she, the honorable daughter, would take off her outer garment or not. Obviously it was something that would hurt the reputation. Old Master Meng was angry due to this and reprimanded her. When had Meng Hong Jing ever eaten such a big loss? The examination had not begun and she was already at a disadvantage.
“This time I must make her reputation hit rock bottom!” she swore.
On the other side, Jiang family’s carriage was also on the road towards Ming Yi Hall.
This time around, for the first time, Jiang You Yao actually waited for Jiang Li. Although she still didn’t ride on the same carriage together with Jiang Li, the two carriages were one after another. In the end, they left the residence together.
Jiang Yuan Bai probably thought, what the eye didn’t see, the heart didn’t grieve over, he didn’t even send them away. On the contrary, old madam Jiang sent a servant girl over to relay a few words to Jiang Li, telling Jiang Li to do their best and did not need to take things too heart, making Jiang Li somewhat astonished.
Jiang Jing You and Jing Jing Rui would also be partic.i.p.ating in the Imperial College’s examination and had left the door early in the morning. Jiang Jing You and Jiang Li couldn’t be said to be familiar with each other. With the style of Jiang Jing Rui, Jiang Li reckoned he merely went to the Imperial College’s examination to show up and get the next position in the ranking.
Jiang Li sat inside the carriage and thought of the kind of ranking Ye Shijie would achieve in this examination. If Ye shijie performed brilliantly, after the Imperial College’s examination, it was possible that he would be promoted to a government official without needing to wait for next year’s civil service examination. While being the top scorer was admittedly something to be proud of, however, going through the Imperial College’s examination’s path was even more steady. After all, in the past there were a lot of top scorers entering the court as officials, their careers were not necessarily broad.
Except for Shen Yurong, he reaching his status today was not necessarily without the support of Princess Yongning.
Thinking of Shen Yurong, Jiang Li’s eyes turned somewhat gloomy.
Tong’er thought that Jiang Li was worried about today’s examination and took out a block of honey dates with a flower pattern from inside the pastry box, broke it and handed it to Jiang Li. She consoled: “Miss no need to worry, old madam already said not to take this time’s examination seriously. What’s more, old master will definitely arrange everything well. Remember, miss is the di daughter of the Jiang family, the honorable daughter of the chief a.s.sistant. n.o.body dares to pressure you.”
In other words, even if Jiang Li lost, she could refuse to acknowledge that she had lost and did not need to fulfill her part of the bet.