In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1235 - 1147: Ten Spots Short

Chapter 1235: Chapter 1147: Ten Spots Short

In another tavern, the same discussion continued.

"Among the ten participants in the retest, Li Wen Li undoubtedly boasts the most robust calligraphy, while Lu Da and Feng Jiu clearly lack some prowess. Plus, with Li Wen Li’s photographic memory, he is sure to catch His Majesty’s special attention!"

The chatter around him only made Li Wen Li’s pride swell even further, as he held his head high and puffed out his chest.

"But you all are seeing just one side of things."

Another new scholar threw cold water on Li Wen Li’s pride, "Li Wen Li’s calligraphy might be good, but in my opinion, Lu Da’s writing is full and profound. His Majesty will definitely prefer it. Therefore, I believe Lu Da is the hot favorite for top scholar."

At those words, the proud look on Li Wen Li’s face froze and he glared back at the speaker before huffing loudly.

In contrast, Lu Da next to them stayed quiet, not even lifting his head.

The crowd’s debate about the two became more intense but mentioned Feng Jiu, who was in third place, only sparingly. Even when brought up, it was only in passing; clearly, they did not hold him in high regard.

Amidst the bustling discussions, another message came from the Imperial Palace.

Although over a hundred additional candidates were recorded this year, the Han Lin Imperial Academy was choosing ten fewer people than in previous years. Additionally, the long-standing Ministry of Personnel Chongshi Examination might be postponed.

This news sent the crowd into an uproar!

Considering the increased number of Tribute Scholars admitted this year, everyone had assumed that the slots for the Han Lin Imperial Academy would also increase. So when they heard such news now, it was no wonder they all looked worried and talked anxiously amongst themselves.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, passing the Jinshi Scholar exam didn’t guarantee an official position; it only meant you were qualified to be an official.

After becoming a Jinshi Scholar, one still had to pass the Ministry of Personnel Examination. The Examination selected individuals based on "personality, expression, calligraphy, and judgment."

Personality meant a tall and imposing stature; expression referred to clear and correct speech; calligraphy to beautiful handwriting; and judgment to superior understanding of literature and reasoning. Only those excellent in all four aspects could be selected for appointment, and most of them were placed as compilers in the Han Lin Academy.

"This Examination is already extremely challenging, and now with so many qualified Jinshi Scholars and ten fewer spots, aren’t they trying to drive us all mad?" they said loudly, with anxious hearts.

After attaining the honor of Jinshi, Tribute Scholars could proceed with the Examination.

This Examination was, in fact, about selectively choosing individuals with specialized skills that aligned with the required positions and then appointing them to the relevant official posts.

It wasn’t that you were simply given an official position because of your achievements. The Examination was notoriously difficult and without guidance, one might not pass even after decades. Many impoverished students who became Jinshi Scholars found themselves struggling in Shengjing for years, unable to advance further due to this very obstacle.

Of course, if you had connections or were favored by someone of high status, exceptions could be made for your appointment.

And often, those from humble backgrounds, lacking so-called "connections," would spend their lives stuck at this one hurdle or, for a livelihood, be relegated to a minor official post in some remote and harsh location, hastily moving their family far from home.

"There were already too few spots, and now they are being reduced further; are they forcing us to find another way out?"

"If we can’t enter the Han Lin Academy, does that not cut off our path to becoming Ministers? It blocks our opportunity to serve the Imperial Court; what are we supposed to do now!"

"The Emperor spoke of generously opening the Beneficent Examination to select many new scholars, only to leave everyone stranded in Shengjing? Then what’s the point of holding the Beneficent Examination? Might as well tear up the dossier and be done with it..."

Various intense opinions continued to ferment.

A group of people kept making noise, their voices growing louder. They had originally gathered together to await the release of the examination results, to share information and prematurely congratulate each other. But unexpectedly, instead of good news, they received this disheartening update.

But soon, the reason behind the reduction of spots circulated; it was said to be because suddenly, after the palace examination, over ten participants were missing.

The palace examination generally wouldn’t reduce the number of candidates, which is to say, unless someone had made a grave error, no one would arbitrarily cut down the number of prospective Jinshi Scholars—let alone by as many as a dozen or more!

The clamor of the crowd subsided.

Su Ke listened quietly to the discussion around him, not saying a word.

Xue Qian even sneakily nudged him with his elbow, asking in a volume audible only to the two of them, "Su brother, you’re really not a good friend, not to inform your naive brother about such a major issue in advance and catching me totally off guard, are you?"

"Do you believe me if I say that I just found out about this myself?"

Su Ke was caught between laughter and tears.

He was merely an imperial uncle, after all! An imperial uncle, with a title that sounded grand and an impressive ring to it but was an empty honor, with not a shred of real power to his name. Besides having a nice ring to it, what practical use did it have?

"I naturally don’t believe you!" Xue Qian shot him a look.

Yet in his eyes flashed a glimmer that seemed to say ’I thought as much.’

"And what about your father, the Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Imperial Academy? How come you don’t know?"

Su Ke retorted.

Compared to him, an imperial uncle with no actual power, Lord Xue’s position as a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Imperial Academy and the Prince Taishi was a genuine position with real responsibilities.

"About him..."

As soon as the conversation turned to his father, the joy on Xue Qian’s face faded instantly, and he gave Su Ke a bitter smile, "You know how strict my father is with me. If I say two words he doesn’t like, I’m invited to have Stir-fried Pork with Bamboo Shoots. When I see him, I’m like a mouse seeing a cat, I have no choice but to scurry away and hide. How could I dare to willingly go and ask for trouble?"

In contrast to the discussions in the taverns and inns, Su Pan’er in the Imperial Palace was also inquiring about the rankings for the examination results.

"Jiu Lan, go and check again, have the people we sent out brought back any news?"

"Yes, Empress."

Jiu Lan hesitated for a moment but still responded and headed out. Qingwen had just gone to investigate, and she hadn’t returned yet. The Empress had ordered her to find out, so she couldn’t disobey, but thinking about His Majesty’s command not to leave the Empress alone, she felt somewhat caught in a dilemma.

While she was conflicted, Qin Shuan’er arrived.

"Jiu Lan pays respects to County Princess Qin..."

But before Jiu Lan could kneel, Qin Shuan’er had already waved her hand and entered the loft.

"Third auntie..."

Seeing Su Pan’er, the tension on Qin Shuan’er’s face finally eased a bit as she came forward to greet her, "Shuang’er pays respects to the Empress."

"Shuang’er, you’ve arrived at just the right time, come and talk with your third auntie."

Su Pan’er motioned for her to come over.

"Third auntie..."

Qin Shuan’er got up and sat down beside Su Pan’er, letting her hold onto her hand.

"Ah! Ke’er is so stubborn! I originally thought about having His Majesty directly arrange a job for him. I didn’t hope for him to excel, just for him to manage without fault or favor. But that boy was determined to work hard and carve out a career for himself. As his elder sister, I couldn’t persuade him, so I had to indulge his wish. It’s just this palace examination, I have no idea how he’s done, and my heart is unsettled. You coming here was timely."