The Double
Chapter 125 - 125 80 Old Tricks_2

125: Chapter 80 Old Tricks_2 125: Chapter 80 Old Tricks_2 She had not yet made up her mind when Liu Xu gently tugged at Jiang Li’s sleeve and said, “The palace banquet is about to start.”

The palace banquet was about to begin, and everyone had to take their respective seats.

Jiang Li was to sit with the ladies of the Jiang family, so she parted ways with Liu Xu.

When she sat down, Jiang Youyao was on one side of her, and Jiang Yue was on the other.

The smile Jiang Youyao squeezed out was filled with malice; it was almost unbearable for Jiang Li to look at her.

If you don’t want to smile, then don’t—why force yourself under everyone’s watchful eyes?

Emperor Hongxiao had not yet taken his seat.

The Empress stood by his side, with Consort Li slightly behind, but still by Emperor Hongxiao’s side.

Jiang Li’s gaze flickered; the emperor’s favor towards Consort Li was even greater than she had imagined.

Emperor Hongxiao said, “I have heard that this year’s official school’s red list has been announced, and the heads of the Imperial College and Mingyi Hall are both present in this hall.

Who are they?

Come forward, so I can see what such fine young men and women look like.”

Jiang Li and Ye Shijie both stood up simultaneously.

Jiang Youyao’s hand under the table clenched her handkerchief tightly while Jiang Yue watched Jiang Li stand with barely concealed jealousy flashing in her eyes.

Ye Shijie rose to walk toward the center of the hall, and Jiang Li quickly followed suit.

Perhaps because it was his first time in the emperor’s presence, Ye Shijie tried hard to remain calm, but still couldn’t help revealing a hint of nervousness, making his steps slightly rigid.

However, no one would comment on his nerves here; anyone who could achieve the top rank in the Imperial College’s examination was worthy of respect no matter what.

What was unexpected was Jiang Li; contrasted with Ye Shijie, her demeanor was even more composed and tranquil as if she was in the presence not of the supreme ruler, but of an ordinary family member.

Emperor Hongxiao’s gaze showed a hint of amusement.

The Commander of Light Chariots, Kong Liu, was also present today, seated next to Jih Heng.

Dressed in his familiar armored clothing, he said to Jih Heng in a low voice, “The girl shows no signs of timidity, quite spirited.”

Jih Heng glanced at him and replied with a light smile, “Nonsense.”

After Jiang Li and Ye Shijie performed their salutations, Emperor Hongxiao instructed them to rise and first looked toward Ye Shijie, asking, “Are you Ye Shijie?”

“In response to Your Majesty, that is indeed this commoner,” Ye Shijie said respectfully.

“I’ve heard that you come from a family of merchants and yet possess such scholarship to emerge as the top scorer in the Imperial College’s examination, quite remarkable,” Emperor Hongxiao said with a smile.

“I value your ambition highly, and I must reward you accordingly.

There is a vacancy in the Ministry of Revenue recently, so I will appoint you as the Assistant Minister of Revenue; you can assume office after the palace banquet!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Shijie was both shocked and delighted; he hurriedly expressed his gratitude, “Your subject accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your profound grace!”

Jiang Li, too, was surprised.

She had never anticipated that Emperor Hongxiao would directly appoint Ye Shijie as Assistant Minister of Revenue.

It was a position that, while seemingly unremarkable, many in Yanjing City would vie for.

First, it was a capital official position, and many young men from the Imperial College were usually sent to outlying regions in their first year; however, Ye Shijie would get to stay in Yanjing City.

Second, the official rank was fifth-grade.

Given that Jiang Yuanxing of the third branch of the Jiang family had relied on the family’s reputation for years in his career, he had barely achieved the rank of a seventh-grade Scrivener.

Ye Shijie had surpassed many others at the very start of his official career!

Li Lian’s hand holding the cup trembled slightly.

He had long recognized the potential in Ye Shijie’s career and had plans to bring him over to his side; everything was progressing smoothly until somehow Ye Shijie began to keep his distance.

Now, as Li Lian had predicted, Ye Shijie had started his official career with excellent achievements, but his relationship with Ye Shijie was far from what he’d initially hoped, which complicated matters.

At the men’s seating area, Jiang Yuanxing’s mouth turned bitter.

A young man just starting his career had already achieved a higher official rank than himself; the prospect of going home and facing yet another tirade from Lady Yang was almost certain.

Jiang Yuanping and Jiang Yuanbai exchanged glances, both understanding the implications in each other’s eyes.

Speaking of which, Ye Shijie was also related to the main Jiang family, and those who had risen to certain ranks in their careers always favored their relatives.

If Ye Shijie proved to be a person of great potential, promoting him more could pay off in the long run.

Ji Shuran slightly frowned.

Ye Shijie’s sudden elevation to Assistant Minister of Revenue was unexpected.

Naturally, she didn’t want the Ye Family to thrive; it was best if they remained in decline so that no one would remember Ye Zhenzhen, and she would remain the sole Madam Chief Minister.

However, thinking about what was going to happen that night, Ji Shuran’s frown relaxed; no matter what happened with Ye Shijie or Jiang Li, after tonight, the lucrative position of Assistant Minister of Revenue wouldn’t be something Ye Shijie could enjoy any longer.

Two people with tarnished reputations might not even survive this summer, so why worry about the current discomfort?