The First Auxiliary Road from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1103 Arrangement

Ge Qingyu and the girls sat in the reception room waiting for a long time, but Sheng Yuan did not come out.

Ge Qingyu had seen the world and was able to keep her composure, but the other little girls couldn't help themselves and started whispering.

"Why hasn't Minister Sheng come yet? Could it be... a test for us?!"

"A test? Not really! Maybe something important has held you back?"

"In my opinion, everyone should wait a little longer. If Governor Sheng cannot come, the banquet will naturally be cancelled, but no one has come to tell us to go home yet."

"That makes sense. The two quarters of an hour that Miss Xiaoyao mentioned is not here yet. Let's wait a little longer."

"Ahem." Ge Qingyu waited until all the girls had spoken before clearing his cough twice to remind everyone to be quiet.

She took the lid of the tea and skimmed the tea leaves without drinking. She just looked at the tea needles rising and falling in the clear tea soup and reminded, "The teas in the post house are all very good, and there are many specialties from Kyoto. Why don't you taste them carefully?"

When she spoke, the girls who were originally in high spirits fell silent immediately.

Just then, the hall door was pushed open from the outside.

……

"Master Sheng!"

"Governor Sheng!"

"Minister Sheng!"

"..."

Sheng Yuan, dressed in official uniform, appeared in front of everyone. Everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed to greet him.

"Hello, everyone." The gentle court ladies of Shengyuan nodded in return.

When she didn't show up before, the girls were waiting anxiously; but when she sat in the upper seat, the girls became very reserved.

Seeing the girls getting nervous, Ge Qingyu chuckled and looked at Sheng Yuan: "Before, Your Excellency was wearing casual clothes, and your whole demeanor was enough to make the fifth class look up to you. I didn't expect to see Your Excellency in his official uniform today. For a moment, we were overwhelmed with awe and we were speechless."

Sheng Yuan smiled and waved his hands when he heard this: "Mrs. Ge is exaggerating. I don't have that kind of momentum!"

After being modest, she got back to the point: "I am wearing my official uniform today out of respect for the heroes present. Our conversation today is not a conversation between girls, but a conversation between an official of the imperial court and the future talent of the Great Chu."

She paused, and glanced at the girls. Seeing that they all showed excitement and expectation when hearing this, she continued to ask, "I have already reported your meritorious service to the court. I think everyone will receive awards... But I am a little curious. Do you girls have any ideas for future plans?"

"This..." Everyone looked at each other in surprise when they heard this.

It seems that everyone does not quite understand what Shengyuan is planning.

Seeing that everyone was suddenly quiet, Ge Qingyu didn't want to let Sheng Yuan's words fall on deaf ears, so she smiled and continued, "I'm stupid, I just don't know what Master Sheng meant by planning? I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. Although we can read and write, we can only read and write to understand reason and feelings. If we want to compete with the heroes in the examination hall with that little knowledge, I'm afraid..."

She chuckled and shook her head, saying, "I'm afraid we're just here to add some popularity to the examination room. Even if our work doesn't piss off the examiner, it will be laughed at if it gets out to the public."

"When I was studying abroad, I once heard the saying 'knowledge is valuable, but loyalty is more valuable'. I didn't take it seriously at first, but now I think it is true. No matter how talented a person is, if he doesn't have a loyal heart for the welfare of the country and the people, he is useless to the country and the family."

Even though Ge Qingyu was always calm, she couldn't help but get a little excited when she heard Sheng Yuan's words. Sheng Yuan stopped talking about this and turned to other things: "Zezhou Prefecture is peaceful, and the people will soon return to their homes. Seeing that the prefecture has returned to order, it is time for me to leave... In the previous assessment, many girls were on the list. These girls are talented. If they were to be minor officials, it would be a bit of a waste of their talents. Fortunately, both the prefect Luo and his wife value talents and are willing to hire them as subordinate officials.

Of course, the government office has a limited staff, and they may be transferred to the prefectures and counties below after the trial. If any of you perform well in the future and are recommended by the local government to participate in the recruitment examination organized by the Ministry of Personnel, you will also wear official uniforms and serve the people in the future. "

She showed the way forward for those who were ambitious, and the girls present breathed a little heavier.

“Of course, since I became an official, I have also seen many talented women who were famous in the imperial list, and who retired to the inner palace after achieving success... Well, how can I put it? Everyone has their own aspirations!

I think there are some ladies here who seek stability and peace... It's normal. In fact, it's even more admirable that such ladies didn't choose to protect themselves during the recent turmoil."

Sheng Yuan smiled and looked at everyone: "I am particularly touched by this, so I also make a promise to these girls. If you return home and have a rift with your family brothers because of the past, you can write to me if you have any difficulties. I will definitely help you then!"

Her promise was well-intentioned, but it also pointed out the girls' hidden concerns.

Sisters He Xiangrong and He Xiangyi were especially worried.

"Eh? Why do you all look so sad?" Sheng Yuan saw that the atmosphere was a little depressed, and couldn't help but jokingly said, "If you really have difficulties, just come to me for help! If you are really not tolerated by the family, at worst I can help you to start your own business. With the talents of the girls and the help of the government, you may be able to establish a bigger business, and then you may even be able to return to the family and take charge of the surname!"

Although she said this in a joking tone, it sounded like thunder that broke through the fog to the girls, causing them great shock.

Speaking of this, it was almost time for the banquet to begin.

When Sheng Yuan heard the maid's reminder, she could not help but seize the time and reminded Ge Qingyu: "There are also a group of girls who have made contributions that day. Although they have not passed my examination, they are not willing to spend their days in the inner house... Madam, you must make arrangements for these people and make sure that everyone's talents are put to good use. Don't let the pearls be tarnished!"

Upon hearing this, Ge Qingyu nodded repeatedly.

……

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Sheng Yuan looked at the girl who was immersed in the opera and music. He suddenly turned his head and asked Ge Qingyu beside him in a very light but serious manner: "Madam Ge, can I trust you?"

……

"Miss, are we leaving just like this?!" It was just daybreak. Xiaoyao and Sheng Yuan, who had been riding a hundred miles at full speed with a team of guards, pulled the reins, stopped on a high ground and looked back. Zezhou Prefecture was no longer in their sight.

"What do you mean 'left like that'? Isn't Minister Yang still in the Zezhou Prefecture Inn?" Sheng Yuan stroked the horse's mane and smiled briskly, "With him here, there won't be any big waves in Zezhou Prefecture!"

"Can he do it?" Xiaoyao wanted to curl her lips when she thought of how Minister Yang jumped up and down without any mannerism of a senior official when they were about to leave.

"Can he do it? Don't forget, he was on a tour of the South before your lady and I! Although he disappeared for a while, the court didn't remove him as governor. Since he didn't remove him, he can continue to be the governor. Besides, there is still Brother Lu and Ge Qingyu and Luo Buyan!"

Sheng Yuan was not worried about Yang Wennong at all. That guy was extremely strong in will, face and mentality. He could still control the mere Zezhou Prefecture.

However, I don’t know what kind of situation they will face after returning to Beijing.

"Forget it, there's no point in thinking too much, let's hurry up!" Sheng Yuan took a breath, waved his whip and pointed to the distant Kyoto, "Let's go!"

"Yes!" Xiaoyao and a group of people responded in unison.

In an instant, dozens of horses galloped forward in the dust, and the figures of the crowd rushed towards Kyoto in the sunshine and mist.