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

"Changbai has an upright character."

Jiang Zhao asserted, "If they don't mind the Hai clan's rules, it would be a good marriage for both sides."

"The Hai family has been a distinguished family for generations." Before Sheng Hong could say anything, Sheng Changbai interjected, "Changbai certainly doesn't mind the Hai family's rules."

Jiang Zhao nodded slightly.

"In that case, I will send a letter to him, telling him about Changbai's character. Whether it succeeds or not, we'll leave it to fate."

"Thank you, brother-in-law." Sheng Changbai quickly bowed in gratitude.

I bowed three times in gratitude, even before the incense stick had burned for a full time; I truly owe them an immense debt of gratitude.

It's not over yet!

"Thank you for your trouble, son-in-law." Sheng Hong quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

Jiang Zhao's letter is of great significance.

It can be said that once a letter is sent, the marriage is at least 90% secured.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

He's not the type to randomly matchmake people.

Sheng Changbai is indeed a first-rate husband.

Hai Chaoyun is also a first-rate wife.

I wrote 7,000 words today, and I'm feeling completely drained!

Chapter 127 Qi Heng, Shouldn't He Have Taken the Path of a Civil Official?

Shou'an Hall.

The hall is spacious and the furnishings are sparse.

Below the main seat, to the left and right of each seat, there is a small wooden table on which fresh fruit, pastries, and tea are placed.

Grandma Sheng, Wang Ruofu, Sheng Hualan, Sheng Molan, Sheng Rulan, Sheng Minglan, Jiang Huaijin, and Jiang Xun all gathered together.

Seven-year-old Jiang Huaijin, with shallow dimples, looked like a little adult, yet still retained a childlike innocence. She addressed others as "Auntie," "Grandmother," and "Great-Grandmother," which was quite endearing and often elicited smiles from the women in the family.

In particular, the three girls, Sheng Molan, Sheng Rulan, and Sheng Minglan, who were inexperienced in such matters, found it quite amusing to be addressed as "Auntie" by a seven or eight-year-old child.

Holding a brocade handkerchief, Sheng Hualan would occasionally gossip about the wives and daughters of officials and noblewomen, often surprising the women in the hall.

Wang Ruofu held her little grandson Jiang Xun in her arms, teasing him gently and showing him great love and affection.

A short while later, Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hong, Sheng Changbai, and Sheng Changfeng entered the hall.

Sheng Molan, Sheng Rulan, Sheng Minglan, and the other girls quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Brother-in-law."

Jiang Zhao smiled gently and waved his hand, saying, "No need for formalities."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhao bowed to Old Madam Sheng and said, "Grandmother."

"Zhao-ge'er is very polite. Please have a seat." Old Madam Sheng nodded with a slight smile.

Grandson-in-law, a high-ranking official of the third rank!

Even at the peak of the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion, it might not have been as glorious as the young Grand Secretary's.

After all, he was a 27-year-old third-rank civil official!

Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hong, Sheng Changbai, and Sheng Changfeng took their seats in succession.

"Alas! What a pity, Young Master Qi, with his elegant demeanor, failed the exam."

Sheng Rulan, being straightforward and outspoken, continued the conversation that the other women had been discussing.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhao immediately knew what the girls were talking about.

It's nothing more than a matter of scientific research.

"The imperial examination selects the three or four hundred most outstanding scholars in the country. Among them are many elderly candidates in their fifties or sixties. Anyone who can pass the examination in their thirties or forties is already a first-rate scholar." Jiang Zhao shook his head and smiled, interjecting, "It is quite normal to fail once."

Qi Heng certainly has a talent for studying.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Upon closer examination, his talent even surpasses that of Sheng Changfeng.

However, ever since he met Sheng Minglan, his heart has been elsewhere from studying.

It's not surprising that someone who is distracted will fail in a competition.

"But didn't my eldest brother-in-law and second brother both pass the exam on their first try?"

Sheng Rulan said regretfully, "I thought the young master would also pass the exam!"

Compared to the women who received their early education through reading, Qi Heng's talent as a scholar was undoubtedly a game-changer.

With talent, good looks, and a privileged family background, Qi Heng can be described as a near-perfect person.

Of course, judging from Sheng Rulan's behavior, she was not saddened by it.

Or rather, she did not admire Young Master Qi.

Instead, Sheng Minglan held a handkerchief and lowered her head slightly.

Sheng Molan glanced at it, then remained silent.

These two women, one being approached and courted by Qi Heng, and the other admiring Qi Heng's family background, were naturally saddened by his passing.

“It’s normal to fail once; your eldest brother-in-law and second brother are the exceptions.” Sheng Hong smiled and shook his head.

Jiang Zhao smiled faintly: "Speaking of which, it is indeed rare for the only son of a duke to enter officialdom."

In fact, given Qi Heng's family background, even if he passed the imperial examination, his future prospects wouldn't be very bright.

A duke is a duke; he comes from a military background.

Even if one were to don the skin of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), it would be utterly impossible for them to be recognized by civil officials.

If the sons of noble families passed the imperial examination and became Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), they would naturally become "Confucian generals," and would be respected and recognized by civil officials.

When the sons of noble families pass the imperial examinations and become civil officials, they encroach on the fertile ground for civil officials' livelihoods and are destined to be hated by them.

Not to mention, it seems that Qi Heng is still pursuing the path of an imperial censor?

The Qingliu censors were primarily responsible for impeaching people.

In this profession, anyone who isn't a seasoned veteran of the political arena is very likely to offend people.

Coincidentally, Qi Heng was stubborn and most adept at speaking frankly and offering advice.

Furthermore, Qi Heng was also a member of the Empress Dowager's faction!

Despite being a neighbor of the Empress Dowager, Grand Secretary Pang Ji was still ostracized by civil officials, and his actual power ranked last among the six Grand Secretaries.

Qi Heng?

Military generals, upright officials, and those who rise through the ranks – their buffs are fully stacked!

All of this determined Qi Heng's upper limit.

At best, he'd be a fifth-rank censor!

Sheng Rulan was unaware of the rules of officialdom and her brother-in-law's underlying intentions. She simply agreed, saying, "Young Master is talented in both literature and literature, so he must become an official!"

Born into a family of civil officials, she believed that entering officialdom through the imperial examinations was the only proper path.

Sheng Hong, Sheng Changbai, and Sheng Changfeng seemed to be deep in thought.

It is indeed rare for the only son of a duke to enter officialdom!

Of course, it's not entirely incomprehensible.

Generally speaking, if one lacks connections in the military, the only way out is indeed to study and enter officialdom.

However, this applies to the other impoverished sons of dukes.

For Young Master Qi, it's different!

His mother was Princess Pingning, who was raised by the Empress.

Even though the Duke of Qi's mansion no longer had a military foundation, this identity did not prevent Qi Heng from pursuing a military career.

Ultimately, what military generals need most is the emperor's trust, and they follow the path of "favoritism" to advance their careers.

There are quite a few military generals who rose to prominence overnight.

As the son of Princess Pingning, he naturally enjoyed the emperor's trust.

In particular, Qi Heng was exceptionally talented in literature and had the opportunity to become a "scholar-general".

Relying on the emperor's trust, and taking the path of a Confucian general, he can rebuild the foundation of the Duke's mansion and perhaps even revitalize it.

Even if he couldn't compare to the first Duke, he could at least wield some real power.

Especially in the border regions, there has been no shortage of achievements in recent years. If the young master could find a way to get the Empress's help and lead troops in the border region, even if he couldn't compare to Gu Tingye, he could at least gain influence and be a promising young man.

However, he unexpectedly chose the path of a civil servant.

Military officers can be promoted by chance, but civil officials cannot.

In this way, the advantage of "the emperor's trust" naturally becomes useless.

“Young Master has been studying literature since childhood and is spoiled. He is not good at military affairs, and he may not be able to command troops in a way that commands respect,” Sheng Changbai remarked.

For the average person, without special training, leading troops and gaining the respect of the masses is no easy task.

Qi Heng was raised in a literary family and was pampered from a young age, so he certainly had no experience in leading troops.

Of course, even if he wanted to learn, he might not have the connections.

From the first Duke of Qi onwards, three consecutive Dukes of Qi's family were incompetent, and it's uncertain whether the lineage still exists.

What is certain is that this generation of Duke Qi certainly did not know how to lead troops.

Therefore, it was impossible for him to teach his son Qi Heng.

Furthermore, Princess Pingning dotes on her son and would certainly not allow him to learn martial arts, nor would she allow her only son to go to the frontier.

After all, he only has one son!

Jiang Zhao nodded slowly: "That makes sense."

However, being afraid of everything and lacking any courage will inevitably make it difficult to achieve great things.

It will be difficult for the Duke of Qi's mansion to revive!

After a few words, Wang Ruofu's personal maid, Liu Mama, stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully, "Madam, Master, Mistress, Son-in-law, Young Master, Young Lady, the meal has been prepared in the main hall. Please go and have your meal."

"what!"

Sheng Hong stroked his beard, stood up and said, "My dear son-in-law, let's go and have a simple meal together."

“Father-in-law, Changbai, please!” Jiang Zhao stretched out his hand.

The main reason for this visit is to celebrate Sheng Changbai's passing the imperial examination.

"Brother-in-law, please." Sheng Changbai bowed.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

So the group headed straight for the main hall.

Chapter 128 Little Qin!

Ningyuan Hou Mansion.

The setting sun sinks in the west, and twilight descends.

The stream babbles, and carp swim in the shallows.

On the stream bank, Xiao Qinshi held a handful of boiled broad beans in her hand. With a gentle toss, she attracted many fish to swim around and scramble for the bait.

"The second son has become a useful person."

"Judging from his behavior these past few days, it seems he intends to compete with the eldest son for the title," said Madam Qin calmly, her expression unreadable.

Beside her, the personal maid echoed her mother, "The eldest young master is in poor health and has often targeted the second young master since childhood. Now that the second young master has achieved success at a young age and made contributions in expanding territory, it is only natural that he wants to compete for the title."