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

Upon hearing this, Sheng Rulan shook her head and asked, "Does Linxi Pavilion have these knee pads?"

From childhood to adulthood, the inner courtyard was constantly rife with infighting.

Wang Ruofu and Lin Qinshuang competed, and Sheng Rulan was also used to competing with Sheng Molan.

Therefore, when someone sent knee pads, Sheng Rulan paid her first attention to Linxi Pavilion.

“Yes, we have them all,” Mrs. Liu replied quickly.

“Ming’er is so thoughtful and considerate in her words and actions, no wonder the old lady likes her so much.” Wang Ruofu took the knee pads and, who always valued her children’s education, couldn’t help but say, “Why don’t you learn from her?”

"Ah!"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Rulan immediately felt displeased.

The three sisters are all about the same age.

Generally speaking, she was competing with Mo Lan for the emperor's favor.

However, with the support of the old lady, Minglan has recently gained control of the household.

That was bad enough, but her mother even used Minglan to lecture her!

This is undoubtedly quite unpleasant.

Sheng Rulan touched the knee pads a couple of times and commented indifferently, "She's playing the good guy to both sides."

Wang Ruofu glanced at her daughter and said irritably, "When your own brother went to take the exam, Minglan at least gave him knee pads, but you did nothing and even made sarcastic remarks."

Embroidered knee pads, at least they're a token of goodwill.

Sheng Rulan intertwined her fingers and said nothing.

Making sarcastic remarks is indeed not a good thing.

Linqi Pavilion.

The maid Zhou Xueniang presented the knee pads.

Lin Qinshuang touched it and couldn't help but shake her head.

The knee pads are embroidered in a decent but not particularly high-quality way.

As a favored concubine, she rarely used this kind of fabric.

Besides, what's the point of knee pads for scientific expeditions?

"Changfeng," Lin Qinshuang called out.

Sheng Changfeng was warming himself by the fire when he heard this, so he went over and picked up his knee pads.

"ah!"

"I almost forgot, I also need knee pads!"

Sheng Changfeng smiled and picked up the knee pads.

Actually, from an aesthetic point of view, this knee brace is rather ugly.

In the past, he would never have wanted these knee pads.

However, a few years ago, when my brother-in-law visited, he talked about what things one needs to prepare for a scientific expedition.

Knee pads are one of them.

The weather was chilly, and my knees were icy cold; it was an indescribable discomfort.

Some candidates who did not have knee pads, or who did not know the importance of knee pads, could only use their clothes as knee pads, wrapping them around their legs.

Of course, compared to knee pads, wrapping clothes around your neck is definitely less convenient for writing.

Lin Qinshuang was startled.

Since women are not allowed to take scientific exams, and she usually only thinks about vying for favor, she really doesn't have time to pay attention to knee pads.

"My son."

Now that she had knee pads, Lin Qinshuang stopped worrying and instead urged, "You must study hard for the imperial examinations and try to become a Jinshi. With your brother-in-law's support, you'll definitely have a bright future. Then your mother will have someone to rely on."

As a favored concubine, Lin Qinshuang acted as if she relied on Sheng Hong in every move, but in reality, she did not particularly rely on him.

The main issue is that she's getting old and her looks have faded.

Everyone gets old one day.

Compared to Sheng Hong, sons and daughters are more reliable.

Changfeng passed the imperial examination and obtained the support of the young Grand Secretary, ensuring his future as an official.

Mo Lan married a powerful and wealthy man and tried every means to win his favor, so she was never short of wealth.

In this way, she finally had someone to rely on.

With every move made, one gains genuine confidence.

Sheng Molan also looked at her brother.

If her brother passed the imperial examination, she would have more confidence to climb the social ladder.

If her brother couldn't do it, she would have no choice but to use some of her own unique methods.

Her family fell into poverty, and she was reduced to a maid. But she rose from humble beginnings and managed to live a respectable and prosperous life.

What about her?

She was not only the daughter of a fifth-rank official, but also the sister-in-law of a minor Grand Secretary!

With such a starting point, marrying a marquis or a duke wouldn't be out of the question, would it?

Sheng Changfeng nodded emphatically.

He was very confident in his talents!

Imperial Examination Hall.

People come and go, bustling.

"I wish my second brother success in the imperial examination and a bright future."

"May my second brother leap over the dragon gate and pluck the laurel in the moon palace."

"I wish you two brothers plenty of water and a good rest during the exam."

Led by Sheng Hong, he brought his three daughters, Mo Lan, Ming Lan, and Ru Lan, to escort them to the examination.

About a hundred paces away from the three women, the Duke of Qi and the Princess of Pingning were also seeing them off to the exam.

"Once you enter the examination hall, remember to calm your mind and do not let your thoughts become chaotic," the Duke of Qi instructed.

As a spoiled second-generation rich kid, he had never actually taken the imperial examinations.

However, some basic common sense still applies.

Qi Heng bowed, displaying an elegant and gentle demeanor, and a graceful bearing.

Princess Pingning, holding a round fan, sat upright in the carriage and nodded slightly.

She had already given those instructions countless times.

With his parents having given him instructions, Qi Heng picked up his bag and strode towards the crowd.

During this time, he couldn't help but glance at the Sheng family's side and focus on a woman dressed in a light green traditional Chinese dress.

Princess Pingning looked at everything, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Is that the illegitimate daughter of the Sheng family?" Princess Pingning asked, waving her fan.

Qi Heng's pageboy, Buwei, who was standing nearby, hesitated slightly before answering, "The sixth young lady of the Sheng family."

"Hmph!" Princess Pingning shook her head.

If it weren't for the fact that the eldest daughter of the Sheng family had married into the family of a minor Grand Secretary, given her temperament, she would have definitely said, "They come from a humble family."

However, even if she couldn't be described as "from a humble family," it didn't stop her from looking down on illegitimate daughters.

If Heng'er's heart is set on the legitimate daughter Rulan, then that would be the best choice.

In fact, if she could really become brothers-in-law with the young Grand Secretary, she would definitely go to great lengths to facilitate the marriage.

After all, once Heng'er becomes brothers-in-law with the young Grand Secretary, he will definitely receive the young Grand Secretary's support.

Sheng Rulan and Sheng Hualan are siblings from the same mother, so their relationship as brothers-in-law must be very close.

But, a concubine's daughter?

A concubine's daughter.

Although they are brothers-in-law, their wives are not from the same mother, which means they are worlds apart.

How could the next Duke of Qi have a wife who is an illegitimate daughter?

She was the illegitimate daughter of a minor official of the fifth rank!

"Let's go."

Princess Pingning remained expressionless.

She could never agree to this marriage!

Chapter 119 Jiang Zhao Enters the Capital!

Bianjing (Kaifeng)

East Water Gate.

As a water gate on the lower reaches of the Bian River, it was frequently used by ships, serving as a vital link in the Bian River's navigation.

The Imperial Guards stood solemnly, guns at their sides.

A dozen paces away from the Imperial Guards, there were special officials responsible for verifying the travel permits and household registrations of the people on board the boats.

Bustling crowds come and go, an endless stream.

"How are you two doing?"

A lean-faced general in armor, carrying two cups of tea, slowly walked toward two officials in green robes who occasionally glanced around.

"Thank you."

The two officials in green robes bowed and took the tea.

One of them was thin and looked to be around fifty years old.

The other one had a beard about a foot long on his chin and was around forty years old.

"We haven't spotted Lord Jiang's ships yet." The long-bearded official stroked his beard and shook his head. "Judging from the date of the report, it should be within the next day or two. In that case, we have no choice but to keep watch."

General Zhuojia nodded slowly: "In that case, if the two officials need anything, whether it's to relieve themselves or to relieve themselves, or if they are thirsty, just let me know and I will have someone come and take their place."

The two officials in blue robes quickly expressed their gratitude.

The so-called "memorial official" was an official in charge of transmitting, supervising, and coordinating government affairs, and was responsible for maintaining stability between the imperial court and local areas.

The officials appointed as Jinzouguan were mostly county officials of the eighth or ninth rank who had entered the capital. They were subordinate to the Jinzouyuan and under the jurisdiction of the fourth-rank officials of the Menxia Province.

Its main responsibilities are threefold: document delivery, information communication, and government affairs processing.

Official document transmission refers to the process by which government orders concerning local affairs are collected by the reporting official and transmitted to the local area.

Information communication, which means keeping the imperial court informed of local conditions and vice versa, often involves the interaction between the local government and the imperial court.

Government affairs processing, which concerns the submission of taxes along the route, requires notification to the imperial court.

Of course, the Jinzouin could also be given a more appropriate name.

Beijing Liaison Office!

The official in charge of reporting to the emperor was also known as the official stationed in the capital.

Generally speaking, the Jinzou-in (进奏院) has its own dedicated Jinzou-officer.

That is, a certain official in charge of reporting to the emperor is solely responsible for matters concerning a particular route.

For example, the officials in charge of reporting to the emperor in Xihe Road, Hedong Road, and Hexi Road were all separate positions, held by different people.

The matter of high-ranking officials entering the capital involves the issue of "interaction between local authorities and the imperial court".