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Even though Gu Jiao had figured some things out, and she believed that with his intelligence, he couldn't possibly fail to see that she had figured them out, he just wouldn’t mention it, therefore she also didn't poke the last layer of window paper.
However, she still needed to explain why she appeared on Zhuque Street.
"Yesterday, I removed stitches for a scholar surnamed Xu. He asked me to treat his classmate’s mother’s illness and paid the consultation fee. But I went to the wrong place and accidentally entered Princess Xinyang's courtyard, mistaking Princess Xinyang for the classmate’s mother..."
Gu Jiao briefly recounted the process of switching the medicine, but didn't mention the incident where Long Yi asked her to break charcoal pencils, nor Princess Xinyang misunderstanding that she had ulterior motives and almost using the imperial golden whip to spank her.
It was a bit embarrassing.
"Princess Xinyang took the medicine I gave her, and it worked well. That's why Long Yi brought me here, to treat her!"
She spoke casually, omitting all the melodramatic misunderstandings and details.
But how could Xiao Liulang, who had been with Princess Xinyang for over a decade, not understand her temperament?
Perhaps in the past, he couldn't see through it, but now, upon reflection, many details were different from his impression.
Princess Xinyang was never a simple woman.
If she truly wanted to seek medical treatment, she would have sent a sedan chair in a grand manner. The fact that Long Yi had brought Gu Jiao over was probably due to her suspicion.
Fortunately, it was all a misunderstanding.
He couldn't stop Gu Jiao from seeing Princess Xinyang because he couldn't.
It wasn't something Gu Jiao could avoid just by not seeing her. If Princess Xinyang commanded it, even if it meant digging three feet under the ends of the earth, Long Yi would find her.
But Long Yi wouldn't allow anyone to harm her, would he?
Just as he had never allowed anyone to harm him back then.
When they got home, the pancakes had already gone cold. Gu Jiao sighed, they were delicious pancakes, what a pity.
It was late at night, and everyone in the household went to sleep after freshening up and returning to their respective rooms.
Little Jing Kong lay sprawled on the bed, snoring blissfully.
Xiao Liulang looked at him and somehow thought of his childhood self and the former princess mansion.
Memories flashed through Xiao Liulang's mind like frames of a movie. Memories that he thought had long been forgotten suddenly became so vivid in the night.
Xiao Liulang closed his eyes, trying to push these memories out of his mind, but he found that the harder he tried, the more forcefully the memories surged.
"Mom~"
Little Jing Kong, who was beside him, suddenly mumbled in his half-asleep state.
Did the little guy dream that he had a mother?
Xiao Liulang's train of thought was interrupted. He pulled Little Jing Kong's clothes down and covered back his little belly.
Little Jing Kong rolled over and snuggled into Xiao Liulang's arms, babbling in his sleep, saying who knew what.
Xiao Liulang used his slender, jade-like fingertips to push his little head aside.
Little Jing Kong rolled away, only to roll back a while later.
Xiao Liulang poked him again.
He rolled away again.
In the end, he stopped trying to snuggle into Xiao Liulang's arms. Instead, his little foot kicked out, landing directly on Xiao Liulang's face!
Xiao Liulang: "..."
After being tossed around by Little Jing Kong like that, Xiao Liulang had no more capacity to think about anything else. The strange and peculiar memories in his mind dissipated, and in the second half of the night, he slept well.
The next morning, before dawn, he went to the Hanlin Academy.
He arrived earlier than even the Hanlin Clerk. The Hanlin Clerk gave him a strange look and said, "Senior Compiler Xiao, did you... not go back last night?"
"I did." Xiao Liulang replied.
After reporting his name, Xiao Liulang went to his own office.
The Hanlin Clerk muttered to himself, "So early... Did he have a fight with his wife and get kicked out..."
The results of the six departments examination were out, and a large number of officials entered the ranks of those who needed to retake the exams. The Hanlin Academy took on the responsibility of teaching these retaker officials.
A significant portion of the officials who needed to retake the exams were not from the imperial examination system but were hereditary officials, meaning they obtained their positions through the achievements of their ancestors. It went without saying that the examination skills of this group of people could be imagined.
It wasn’t to say that there were no well-educated individuals among the hereditary officials. However, if someone had solid knowledge and abilities, they didn't need the backing of a hereditary appointment to become an official. For example, the late Young Chief and the current Junior Compiler Zhuang.
Those who knew they could rely on hereditary appointments and still worked hard in their studies were a minority.
The flaws of the hereditary official system were evident, but it had been in place for a long time. During the reign of the late Emperor, he attempted to abolish the system but faced strong opposition from the civil and military officials. The late Emperor was stubborn and refused to back down, which strained the relationship between the monarch and his subjects. While his loyalists remained devoted to him, they also hoped he would rescind his decision.
After Empress Dowager Zhuang assumed the regency, she reinstated the hereditary official system, providing a way out for both civil and military officials. However, she also set a condition— the establishment of the Six Departments Examination.
The examination took place every three years, and those who failed could retake it. If someone failed twice in the retake, they would be demoted. After two demotions, their official position would be revoked.
It was worth mentioning that those who had a demerit in their records had to participate in the next round of the examination regardless of whether or not their name was drawn in the selection process.
The brilliance of this system lay in its buffer periods. Those who failed had the opportunity to retake the exam, and even if they failed the retake, they still had another chance to take the examination three years later. It didn't result in an immediate loss of their official position.
Furthermore, Empress Dowager Zhuang stated, "A tiger's cubs cannot be dogs. Each of you is talented and intelligent, and you are the pillars of our State of Zhao. Could it be that all the children you give birth to are worthless?"
By complimenting and provoking them, she left the court officials wordless.
Thus, the Six Departments Examination system was accepted.
Although this system did not completely eliminate the flaws of the hereditary official system, it minimized the negative consequences.
Hanlin officials were assigned to give lectures at the examination compound. Today, it was Xiao Liulang’s turn, and the examination compound arranged a carriage to pick him up.
While waiting for the carriage, Xiao Liulang went to the backyard to fetch water with a water jug.
Coincidentally, Ning Zhiyuan went to the ink pool to clean his brushes and saw Xiao Liulang. He greeted him with a smile, saying, "Liulang! You’re so early!"
"You're early as well." Xiao Liulang replied.
Ning Zhiyuan sighed, "I didn't want to be late, so I left home early. On the other hand, your house is not far from here."
As they chatted, Chancellor Han arrived.
Ning Zhiyuan was surprised, "Whoa, I didn't expect Chancellor Han to be here so early."
Both of them paid their respects to Chancellor Han.
Chancellor Han nodded and looked at Xiao Liulang, saying, "Are you going to give a lecture at the examination compound today?"
"Yes." Xiao Liulang answered.
"You don't need to go there." Chancellor Han said. "Follow me to the Literary Splendor Pavilion."
Xiao Liulang's fingertips twitched.
The Literary Splendor Pavilion was a book repository built by Princess Xinyang.
Chancellor Han had given Xiao Liulang this opportunity because he valued him. Seeing that Xiao Liulang remained silent, he took it as his agreement.
But just as he took a step forward, Xiao Liulang spoke up, "Chancellor Han, I’d rather give lectures at the examination compound."
What did he mean he would rather give lectures at the examination compound?
Was this how you bargained with your superior?
Chancellor Han turned back to look at him and said sternly, "Do you know what the Literary Splendor Pavilion is and what kind of opportunity this is?"
"I want to give lectures at the examination compound." Xiao Liulang said, enunciating each word.
Chancellor Han furrowed his brow.
Xiao Liulang glanced at Ning Zhiyuan and said, "Let Junior Compiler Ning go to the Literary Splendor Pavilion instead. I really want to give lectures at the examination compound."
He mentioned wanting to give lectures at the examination compound three times. No matter how much Chancellor Han thought highly of him, he wouldn’t give him another opportunity like this.
"Follow me." Chancellor Han said to Ning Zhiyuan.
Ning Zhiyuan followed Chancellor Han, making exaggerated gestures to Xiao Liulang as he walked along and silently mouthing— Are you really giving me such a good opportunity?
"What are you doing?" Chancellor Han stopped and turned to look at him.
Ning Zhiyuan quickly resumed a normal posture and said, "Nothing, just stretching my back."
Chancellor Han led Ning Zhiyuan out of the Hanlin Academy.
Xiao Liulang waited for another half an hour before the personnel from the examination compound arrived. But just as he was about to board the carriage, the coachman from the Hanlin Academy drove over, his face flushed with urgency, "Bad news, Senior Compiler Xiao! Junior Compiler Ning is in trouble! Hurry and go to the Literary Splendor Pavilion to see!"
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