Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"She has studied 'Admonitions for Women,' 'Instructions for Women,' 'The Analects,' and 'Mencius,' as well as poetry, books, the Four Arts and Ten Refined Arts. She is also skilled in weaving, embroidery, and clothing making. In her spare time, she also learns to manage farmland and shops." The girl spoke softly and gently, like a flowing stream.

As she spoke, Sheng Hualan quietly looked up, only to find that Jiang Zhao was also looking at her. She hurriedly lowered her head, her cheeks flushed.

"Won't it be boring?" Jiang Zhao asked again.

“It wasn’t boring either,” Sheng Hualan replied softly.

"Oh?" Jiang Zhao smiled gently: "I consider myself to have some talent for reading, but if I really read for a long time, it can get boring!"

Sheng Hualan was somewhat surprised: "Young Master Jiang is so accomplished, yet he finds reading uninteresting?"

"A promising talent?" Jiang Zhao smiled, looked at the dignified young woman, and said, "I am certainly promising."

In feudal society, when discussing marriage, one must not speak frivolously or improperly. Jiang Zhao could only try to liven up the atmosphere to a limited extent.

"Huh?" Sheng Hualan looked up in confusion. Wasn't this a compliment? Who would say they've accomplished something?

She looked up and saw the young man with a mocking expression.

After asking the two questions and looking up at him, Sheng Hualan realized that the young man was not difficult to get along with, and her tension eased considerably.

"Young master, you have traveled the world since you were young, and your reputation has spread throughout the two capitals and thirteen provinces. You are definitely a first-rate talent."

The woman was reserved and virtuous, but she couldn't allow the conversation to drag on for too long. Sheng Hualan carefully chose her words and asked softly, "Will you be going to the capital for the imperial examinations in February, young master?"

“Of course I will.” Jiang Zhao nodded.

Sheng Hualan lowered her head slightly: "Then this humble woman wishes you success in the imperial examination and all the best in everything."

Before he finished speaking, Wang Ruofu's personal maid stepped forward with a plate, gently placed it next to Jiang Zhao, and then respectfully withdrew.

"despair!"

The soft sound of the plate hitting the ground made the girl lower her head even further, her neck and the roots of her ears blushing even more, her fair hands reaching into her sleeves, tightly gripping her clothes.

She had calmed down a bit, but the sight of the jade hairpin and plate made her tense up again.

Chapter 14 Engagement!

The main event is here!

Jiang Zhao glanced at the plate; it was a kingfisher feather hairpin with intertwined branches.

Perfectly, Sheng Hualan's hair was only tied up with a ribbon. If a kingfisher feather hairpin were inserted upright, it could be styled as a "chui tiao fen xiao" (a type of traditional Chinese hairstyle).

Jiang Zhao got up, picked up the hairpin, and walked over slowly.

The soft, gentle footsteps made the girl feel as if she could hardly breathe, and she dared not move at all.

Jiang Zhao approached, bowed slightly, and inserted the hairpin.

A dignified and elegant hairstyle with the hair tied in a bun was formed. Jiang Zhao took a step back and said, "Then I'll take your kind words, Miss!"

Sheng Hualan lowered her head, too nervous to move.

At this moment, Sheng Changbai walked into the hall and said with a smile, "Oh! Big sister, brother Zichuan, lunch is ready, please go to the main hall for lunch!"

After saying this, he hurriedly bowed and walked out without leading the way.

"Miss Sheng, shall we go together?" Jiang Zhao asked politely.

“Okay!” Sheng Hualan nodded slightly, her ears turning red as she stood up, not daring to look at Jiang Zhao.

"Young Master Jiang, please."

The two went together to the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, there were three seats on each side. Sheng Hong, Jiang Zhong, and their entourage were already seated, and even Sheng Changbai, who had just been responsible for announcing the arrival, had already taken his seat.

Only two adjacent positions remain.

As the two sat down, Sheng Hong, Jiang Zhong, and the others couldn't help but smile when they saw the hairpin on Sheng Hualan's head.

Become!

Several adults were staring at them, all with meaningful smiles on their faces, which inevitably created a sense of pressure.

Jiang Zhao had seen the world and was confident in his actions. He was composed and showed no fear. Sheng Hualan, a young lady from a secluded family, no matter how dignified and poised she was taught, was still shy and dared not make any rash moves.

Fortunately, the adults knew their limits and didn't mention the matter of arranging marriages by wearing hairpins.

The two younger generations will not need to worry about the future marriage process.

The terms for betrothal, asking the name, accepting auspicious gifts, presenting betrothal gifts, setting a wedding date, and welcoming the bride are all related to the traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.

The process can be completed in four to five months!

Linqi Pavilion.

This is the courtyard where Sheng Hong's concubine, Lin, lived.

Lin Qinshuang, dressed in a pink shirt and holding a purple-blue round fan, leaned weakly into Sheng Hong's arms, her face full of admiration: "Hong Lang is really capable, to have found such a good marriage for the young lady."

"Ha ha!"

Which man can resist a woman's admiring gaze?

Even Sheng Hong, who was always cautious and meticulous, couldn't help but feel delighted.

"Honglang." Lin Qinshuang said with a sweet expression, "Shuang'er knew before that Honglang was exceptionally capable, but who would have thought that Honglang would find the eldest son of the Jiang family of Huaizuo for the eldest daughter, the famous Young Master Jiang. If the eldest daughter marries into that family, she will become a matriarch and will never have to worry about wealth and status!"

Sheng Hong embraced the beauty, feeling quite pleased: "My efforts were worthwhile, and I have not let down the ancestors of the Sheng family."

Yes, the Jiang family was the first to show some interest in this matter, but can you guarantee that my efforts, Master Sheng Hong, have been worthwhile without any merit or hard work?

If my lord Sheng Hong hadn't gone to great lengths to get promoted to Yangzhou, this wonderful marriage would have fallen into Hua'er's hands.

"Honglang, when Mo'er grows up, shouldn't we find a son of a prominent family in a prosperous place?" Lin Qinshuang asked tentatively.

"Hmm?" Sheng Hong's hand trembled, and his eyes cleared up considerably. He quickly stopped his hand and said, "What are you thinking? Let alone the fact that Mo'er is still young and far from the age of marriage, even if she were to reach that age, the eldest son of a prominent family in a prosperous place is not necessarily inferior to the eldest son of a fallen earl's family. Is that something Mo'er dares to dream of?"

Sheng Hong shook his head repeatedly. Even the eldest daughter, Hua Lan, had managed to marry into a fallen earl's family. How could Mo'er, a concubine's daughter, possibly marry the legitimate son of a powerful family in a prosperous place?

It wasn't that he looked down on those born out of wedlock; he himself was born out of wedlock.

But because of this, he became increasingly aware of just how difficult it was to be born out of wedlock.

For men, it was better, as they still had the path of studying and taking the imperial examinations. If they succeeded in their studies, the family's resources would automatically accrue to them. There were many cases where illegitimate sons were more successful than legitimate sons.

That's a real problem with the woman.

Such is the state of the world, what can be done?

“But Mo’er’s teaching is also quite good!” Lin Qinshuang tried to say.

Sheng Hong sighed. Is this a matter of good or bad teaching?

“You should teach Mo’er well. When the time is right, I will find some talented scholars with good character and potential. Mo’er can marry one of them, and the couple can rise and fall together from humble beginnings. Once that scholar passes the imperial examination, I, as his father-in-law, will give him some help. Mo’er’s life will not necessarily be bad.” Sheng Hong revealed his plan.

Sheng Hong had a clear plan for his children and had long been preparing for their future.

Both the eldest son and the eldest daughter tend to marry into political alliances. The eldest daughter marries into a higher social class to stabilize the overall situation, while the eldest son marries into a higher social class to raise the bar.

With their older siblings supporting them, the remaining children married into families where they could live happily and comfortably.

The second son, Changfeng, is not steady enough. Marrying him a sensible woman will allow him to focus on the imperial examinations and eventually become a scholar or even a jinshi. With the help of the eldest son, Changbai, he will certainly not lack wealth and status.

Of the three daughters, Mo Lan, Ru Lan, and Ming Lan, Ru Lan is the legitimate daughter, so she can try to marry into a higher social class, but if that doesn't work out, it won't be forced.

Mo Lan and Ming Lan married some accomplished young scholars. With the couple working together and their families providing some support, even if one of them only became a seventh-rank county magistrate, he would still have considerable power and wealth.

After explaining his plan, Sheng Hong looked at his beloved concubine.

Given his habits and personality, he almost never speaks out about things that are still uncertain.

After all, the goal is to find promising young scholars, but promising young scholars are in high demand and not so easy to find.

Even if they did find one or two, the family might not be willing to marry a concubine's daughter from a minor official family of the fifth or sixth rank.

This time, it was only because he was in a good mood and his beloved concubine asked a question that he broke the precedent.

Otherwise, he would never have revealed these plans.

To Sheng Hong's surprise, Lin Qinshuang shook her head.

“But this will be hard work!” Lin Qinshuang shook her head and said with surprise, “What if that scholar is not successful and remains a scholar for life, or has an unsuccessful career as an official? Mo’er will have to suffer for decades.”

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong's pleasant mood vanished completely.

"If you can't even endure this little hardship, how can you expect to enjoy a life of comfort? Do you think you can just find a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)?" Sheng Hong said with a dark face.

"Honglang?" Lin Qinshuang realized she had misspoke.

"Honglang, don't be angry. Shuang'er just doesn't want Mo'er to suffer." Lin Qinshuang held Sheng Hong's hand and quickly said, "Mo'er and Shuang'er are different. Shuang'er suffered a lot in her early years, and her family was wiped out. Fortunately, Honglang saved her, and that's how she got a good life. But Mo'er is different. Mo'er has never suffered. Shuang'er is worried that Mo'er will not be able to adapt to a life of hardship, so she hopes that Honglang will find her a wealthy husband."

Sheng Hong's expression softened considerably. He put his arm around the beauty and patted her hand.

"Shuang'er."

Everything is left unsaid.

Chapter 15 The Imperial Examination!

With the new year over, it was already the end of the first year of the Jiayou era.

Along the riverbank, groups of students gathered together, chatting and laughing, talking about everything under the sun.

In addition, many relatives and friends were also saying goodbye.

Many of the students are already in their fifties, and their demeanor reveals a touch of world-weariness.

Some are in their forties or thirties, and they are much more confident in their demeanor, walking around frequently, seemingly with a wide network of connections.

Some of the students are in their early twenties. Perhaps due to years of studying, they have less worldly airs and more scholarly elegance.

At a glance, there were two or three hundred students.

These students were all successful candidates in the imperial examinations and had the potential to become officials.

Therefore, it was not uncommon to see officials in their official robes walking around, chatting and talking amicably.

Even the three local officials—the prefect, the assistant prefect, and the sub-prefect—were dressed in their official robes, looking encouraging.

Such a scene is truly rare.

The reason is simple.

With the triennial spring imperial examination approaching, these candidates are all those who will go to the capital to take the exam. Some, favored by heaven and erudite, will pass the exam and obtain the title of Jinshi, thus leaping over the dragon gate and soaring freely into the sky, embarking on an official career and governing a region.

Even more so, if one is lucky enough to pass the "Guan Ge Shi" (a type of examination for scholars in the Hanlin Academy) and become a Shujishi (a junior scholar in the Hanlin Academy), and then pass the "San Guan Shi" (another type of examination for scholars in the Hanlin Academy), one can be considered a Hanlin scholar, which is truly astonishing.

It should be noted that since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, only those who passed the imperial examinations could enter the Hanlin Academy, and only those who passed the Hanlin Academy could enter the Grand Secretariat.

In a single spring imperial examination, only about thirty successful candidates were selected as probationary officials.

More than thirty probationary scholars entered the Hanlin Academy for three years of advanced study. After three years, they would take the "final examination" to graduate. Usually, only 30% to 40% of the probationary scholars could pass the examination and be appointed as officials by the Hanlin Academy. They could be called Hanlin graduates.

In other words, the triennial spring imperial examination selects about ten scholars who can be considered to have entered the Hanlin Academy.

Once a member of the Hanlin Academy is appointed to an official position, they will have the opportunity to draft imperial edicts and explain classic texts. They will often see the emperor, which usually means a smooth career and a bright future.

While Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) are common, Hanlin (members of the Hanlin Academy) are rare.

It's no wonder that these seasoned officials made connections in advance.

It's better to be a little tired than to slack off.

Jiang Zhao was one of the hundreds of candidates, and the most special one, without exception.

At eighteen, he was already famous throughout the world, and had not yet reached adulthood!

Whether it was a tacit understanding or not, the officers all chose to encourage Jiang Zhao last.

On the riverbank, Jiang Zhao was chatting and laughing with Chen Fu and Zhang Ci.

Five years later, Jiang Zhao is eighteen years old, Chen Fu is twenty-two years old, and Zhang Ci is a thin young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

As one gets older, there are many more topics to discuss.

However, the focus was mainly on the imperial examination system.

Chen Fu and Zhang Ci were both geniuses in the imperial examinations, and both passed the examinations and became Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) at around the age of twenty.

Chen Fu passed the imperial examination last year, while Zhang Ci passed it four years ago and even went to the capital to participate in the spring imperial examination.