Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 131: Junior

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Junior

The examination system of Nanzheng State had been implemented three years ago, its regulation growing stricter with each passing year. When the unified examination was first introduced, most of Nanzheng, from high to low, viewed it with skepticism, with a faction of the aristocracy secretly deriding the initiative. Zheng Congyuan did not enforce the system with a heavy hand but rather implemented it gradually, like nurturing drizzle.

The unified examination did not consider the candidate’s aristocratic background or rely on elder recommendations. Any male from Nanzheng State, aged between thirteen to sixty, could enter into the government through this examination.

The first group of officials who had passed the unified examination had now permeated the bureaucracy. Three years was neither too long nor too short a time, yet it was sufficient for something once disfavored to slowly gain acceptance and even develop into a deeply rooted and growing force.

Ju Nanyi was among the first group of officials to rise through the unified examination. Although the aristocracy still saw such positions as marginal and inconsequential, significant seats of power remained in the hands of the major aristocratic coalitions. However, it was undeniable that over these three years, more and more new faces had emerged within the government, infiltrating almost every aspect.

This year’s examination was even larger, attracting many commoners eager to prove their worth. The first batch had just been appointed to seemingly insignificant positions, yet they still represented the fresh blood and future of Nanzheng State.

Yanjindu was the second largest city in Nanzheng State, adjacent to the Zheng Capital. In Linping Town near the outskirts of Yanjindu, where an ancestor had once been a high official, the thirteen surrounding villages greatly valued education. Any family with some means would strive to send their children to study.

Ju Nanyi had emerged from here, the first to pass the unified examination. Since then, Linping Town’s momentum had surged, with high officials in the past and now Ju Nanyi, who was highly regarded by the Crown Prince, causing the young talents of Linping Town to eagerly anticipate their own chances.

Luh Xingze followed Ju Nanyi by two years, and the town’s scholars often spoke of their proud disciple, Ju Nanyi. The primary agenda for Luh Xingze after passing the first round of the examination was to visit this fellow townsman who was his senior.

In Linping Town, his mother was very close to Ju Nanyi’s mother. Father Ju had passed away early, and Luh Xingze’s mother had taken great care of Ju Nanyi and his mother.

Before leaving for Zheng Capital, his mother had repeatedly instructed him to visit if he had the chance.

Luh Xingze had Ju Nanyi’s address, but once he arrived, he still spent a long time navigating the convoluted alleys. Groups of playful children frequently darted around him, their cheerful laughter and the sounds of barking dogs and crowing chickens filling the air, intensifying the deeper he went into the neighborhood.

Luh Xingze thought to himself that in another two years, he too could have his own courtyard in the Zheng Capital, just like Senior Ju. How wonderful that would be. The houses here were also exquisite, the irregular slices of sky visible between the rows of courtyard walls truly captured the essence of the Capital City.

"Excuse me, where does Scholar Ju Nanyi live?" Luh Xingze finally asked at a dumpling stall.

"Scholar Ju, you say? Just up ahead in the third row, the one with a crooked-neck jujube tree at the entrance."

"Thank you, Auntie—" Luh Xingze briskly acknowledged with a bow and quickly strode toward the mentioned tree, quickly finding the crooked-neck jujube.

"Auntie Ju—" Mother Ju came out from the courtyard at the sound, pausing momentarily before recognizing the visitor.

"Lin Zi, what brings you here? You’ve grown so tall! Your auntie almost didn’t recognize you," Mother Ju hurriedly ushered him inside. "Lin Zi, how is your mother’s health? Is your father still working on the farm?"

"All is well, Auntie Ju, this house is nice." Luh Xingze looked around the tidy small courtyard equipped with some weaving tools, the three main rooms equally tidy and clean, and the two wing rooms on either side were more impressive than those in the noble families’ homes back in town.

"Oh, what’s nice about it? In Zheng Capital, it’s nothing much," Auntie Ju said, though her face was already blooming with joy as she efficiently led him inside, where the house was also neatly kept.

Although the household employed an older maid to help with chores, Auntie Ju, diligent and skilled, began to spin and weave herself.

"Lin Zi, are you here to take part in the unified examination?" Mother Ju did not understand much about these things but was aware of the examination. She brought out some snacks and poured tea, her able face unable to suppress her smile.

"Yes, I’ve already passed the first round, and my mother asked me to look for Brother Nanyi. Has Brother Nanyi not returned yet?" Luh Xingze glanced outside, noting the sky was swiftly darkening, which meant it was time to leave the office.

"Soon, soon, just wait a bit, I’ll go make two dishes. You and Nanyi can have a good time together. Don’t leave tonight, just stay with us."

"Auntie Ju, I can’t today. I still have things to handle tonight. Once everything is settled, I’ll come here every day." Luh Xingze helped himself to some snacks without hesitation.

Ju Nanyi stepped into the courtyard, catching the last gleam of the sun. His maroon official robe was impeccably pressed, and despite his young age, he possessed a demeanor more mature and an aura that seemed out of this world.

After Luh Xingze warmly called out the first greeting, he recoiled slightly upon seeing Ju Nanyi stride in. The man in front of him was vastly different from the youth clad in a green linen robe from his memories. This feeling resembled his first venture into the Zheng Capital and his initial encounter with the children of nobility.

"Xingze, congratulations. I was thinking of looking for you after you were free these two days, but you came first," Ju Nanyi said, patting Luh Xingze on the shoulder.

Now that the first round was past, it was an official entry into the competition, awaiting further assignments. However, despite not expecting the best position, staying in Zheng Capital was considerably fortunate.

"I thought it would take another two days to be free, but today an imperial decree arrived, stating it’s the Empress Dowager’s birthday. They’ve assigned me, Qingfeng, Yuan Mu, and a newcomer, Lin Xu, to go to the Youchun Workshop first to transcribe the Life-Sustaining Scripture for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager," Luh Xingze reported, feigning a punch northward; he never anticipated such good fortune.

Ju Nanyi was slightly startled when Luh Xingze mentioned these names; he grew puzzled.

The Empress Dowager’s birthday had many eager to flatter and pay homage. Logically, such a task should not fall to these individuals, as they were nobodies in Zheng Capital.

Moreover, with current vacancies in positions, although the Youchun Workshop was a minor role, it was highly desirable, and traditionally, it wouldn’t fall to people like Luh Xingze.

Ju Nanyi faintly recalled that someone had accessed these people’s files today. Perhaps someone from the Crown Prince’s camp? In Ju Nanyi’s view, these four indeed represented remarkable young talents.

The Crown Prince now taking an interest in them? But he would not act rashly and instead, aimed to conserve strength and muddy the waters.

"Brother Nanyi, is transcribing scriptures for the Empress Dowager considered a good assignment?" They all congratulated him, their eyes showing genuine envy.

"It is indeed a good assignment. The Crown Prince values you all highly; you must take your duties seriously."

"Definitely."

The Youchun Workshop was under Prince Duan,so why had the Crown Prince suddenly entrusted these four individuals to Prince Duan’s care? Ju Nanyi pondered over these individuals’ figures and was briefly stunned before a realization struck him.

Ju Nanyi turned to look at Luh Xingze.

"Xingze, you’ve grown a lot taller." The Luh Xingze in front of him had a handsome face and a slender figure, youthful yet brimming with vitality.

Prince Duan was evidently making preparations.

Ju Nanyi suddenly had his answer.