Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 306 - 303: The Gold List_1

Chapter 306: Chapter 303: The Gold List_1

"Just now when the old servant returned, I happened to meet Nanny Luo, who had just sent the Second Girl back to the Qin Mansion. Nanny Luo told the old servant that... on the way back to the mansion, the Second Girl ran into the Second Madam of the Shoushan Earl’s Mansion..."

"The Second Girl pretended to be furious and said that our housemaid Chun Xing had climbed up the social ladder and was about to become a concubine in the Minister of Revenue’s mansion. But she stole the late Empress’ belongings, intending to use them as her own dowry. She also mentioned going back to the mansion to check whether any of the servants and maids arranged by the Bai family had any relation to Chun Xing, and if so, they shouldn’t be used."

Nanny Tong laughed after she finished speaking. "The Second Girl is worried that Chun Xing might do something disgraceful in the future, and others would blame the Eldest Girl. She is preemptively clearing the Eldest Girl’s name. The Second Girl is truly considerate!"

Bai Qingyan curled her lips into a smile. "Chun Xing... won’t be able to become a concubine in the Minister of Revenue’s mansion."

Nanny Tong didn’t ask why Chun Xing couldn’t become a concubine. Since their Eldest Girl said Chun Xing couldn’t, then Chun Xing definitely couldn’t.

For some reason, Nanny Tong thought of Chun Xing’s protective mother. If Chun Xing’s mother knew that Chun Xing couldn’t marry into the Minister of Revenue’s mansion and had also lost her position as the chief maid beside the Commandery Princess, and no noble family would dare to use Chun Xing’s family in the future, how would Chun Xing’s mother treat Chun Xing?

Today Bai Qingyan had mentioned it once in front of the Emperor and again in front of the Crown Prince and the Minister of Revenue, Chu Zhongxing. No matter what Chu Zhongxing and Li Mao wanted to do with Chun Xing, Chun Xing was now a useless pawn.

If calculated realistically, Chun Xing hadn’t done anything to wrong her. But Bai Qingyan couldn’t put the safety of the entire family at risk. Knowing that Li Mao and Chu Zhongxing might use Chun Xing to harm the Bai family or herself, she couldn’t spare Chun Xing.

It was just like when her grandfather had shown a bit of mercy and spared Lu Tianzhuo. Yet Lu Tianzhuo wanted her and her younger brother’s lives.

Therefore, mercy and kindness are reserved only for the absolutely strong and the sage gentlemen. She was still a small insect in the current situation, unable to afford much compassion for others. She’d rather save it for herself and her family.

Although the crisis with Chun Xing was resolved, if Li Mao and Chu Zhongxing truly wanted to harm her, just eliminating Chun Xing wouldn’t hurt them fundamentally. Who knows what more might be waiting for her?

Behind her stood the orphans and widows of the Bai family. If she left Dadu and Li Mao and Chu Zhongxing caused trouble again, she would be powerless to stop them.

"Nanny, have Uncle Ping send a few trustworthy people to the inns where the candidates for this imperial exam are staying. Check if there are any highly talented candidates who are well-respected but still failed this exam." Bai Qingyan turned to Nanny Tong and slowly instructed, "See if any of them had grievances and felt that someone did not deserve their ranking."

Every spring exam, there are always proud candidates who are dissatisfied. Every spring exam, there is corruption and bribery. But no one is willing to risk being the whistleblower. If there were any who did, they’d either disappear inexplicably or bow to wealth and power.

In these recent years, noble families repeatedly bribed the examiners in the imperial exams. Consequently, fewer and fewer children from poor families succeeded.

In the past, the imperial examination corruption by noble families went unchecked. This year will likely be even worse. It would be incredibly difficult for children from poor families to stand out.

Although Bai Qingyan was starting the preparations a bit late, it was still not too late.

If corruption was exposed in this imperial examination, the chief examiner, the Hanlin scholar Wen Zhenkang, would certainly not be protected by the Left Prime Minister. Without Wen Zhenkang’s influence at court, it would be like the Left Prime Minister losing an arm.

Bai Qingyan’s eyes were deep and calm. Since Li Mao’s reach extended to her side, she wanted Li Mao to experience the pain of losing a hand.

"Also, send someone to secretly monitor the noble and official families in Dadu whose descendants are participating in the imperial examination this time. See if anyone is purchasing red paper and firecrackers or preparing banquets in anticipation." Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and added, "Also check who is stockpiling rice to prepare congee before the end of the imperial exam."

In the past, noble families with descendants reaching the palace exam would prepare red-paper-wrapped rewards, firecrackers, and banquets at home. When the descendants finished the exam and expected to rank highly, they would immediately buy large amounts of rice to celebrate and distribute congee on the day the results were posted. If ranked among the top candidates, they would celebrate joyfully.

If they fell in the third rank, they would distribute some symbolic joy money.

Over the years, noble families became increasingly blatant in bribing during the imperial exams. With no one daring to stand up against it, they prepared all the celebratory measures before the results were posted to avoid being caught unprepared. This way, they wouldn’t be criticized for lacking grandeur.

Therefore, observing the purchasing trends of these noble families could roughly predict who might be in the top ten.

Nanny Tong nodded. "The old servant understands."

The next day was the palace examination. After Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang left, the Second Madam, Mrs. Liu, went straight into the small Buddha hall with the Fourth Madam, Mrs. Wang, to pray together.

At dinner time, everyone gathered lively at the Eldest Princess’s place for dinner. Third Madam, Mrs. Li, mentioned this to the Eldest Princess. Second Madam, Mrs. Liu, only said that she was praying for peace of mind.

That night, even Mrs. Dong prayed to the gods for the protection of Dong Changyuan and Qin Lang.

Mrs. Liu couldn’t sleep all night. The next day, she sent several people to inquire about the situation. Finally, when Bai Jinxiu’s maid, Cuibi, replied, Mrs. Liu felt relieved.

The palace exam was much more comfortable than the previous tests since it was conducted in the presence of the Emperor.

The Emperor presented the questions and sat on the high platform dragon throne, holding a tea cup and drinking tea. He looked at the talented young men sitting at the front of the hall and vaguely felt old.

Maybe feeling a sudden bittersweet emotion, the Emperor didn’t bother to follow the usual practice of walking around. He waved his hand for the Crown Prince to take his place.

Since Qin Lang was Bai Qingyan’s brother-in-law, the Crown Prince lingered beside him for a while. He didn’t seriously look at what Qin Lang was writing, only noting that Qin Lang’s handwriting was very neat and clean.

After the palace exam was over, Mrs. Liu sent people to inquire. Qin Lang said he didn’t know what ranking he would get but felt he had done his best. This palace exam was full of talent, and getting a good ranking depended on fate.

Bai Qingyan, however, believed that Qin Lang’s ranking wouldn’t be low.

Qin Lang was specifically praised by the Emperor as a model for the aristocratic children. The chief examiner would naturally comply with the Emperor’s wishes.

After two days, the Golden Board would be posted.

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