Jiang Yankun, with his roguish logic, left the ministers speechless, including General Ye who had led the commotion.
On his way back from court, the Xuanwu Emperor couldn't help but laugh, saying to Wang Dequan, "This Minister Jiang is truly a delightful character. No wonder he raised such a mischievous and clever daughter as Concubine Zhen."
Sharp-tongued indeed, wasn't she?
Even the Emperor was no match for Concubine Zhen, so naturally, General Ye was no match for Minister Jiang.
It was a pity that Minister Jiang was no longer an official in the Ministry of Rites. If he were still in charge of hosting this year's New Year's banquet, the Emperor would have Concubine Zhen give him the hot pot recipe, allowing him to shine once more and providing an opportunity for a promotion.
"Hmm—"
The Xuanwu Emperor pondered, "Minister Jiang's elder cousin, the one who reported his superior for corruption and bribery, what was his name again?"
"In response to Your Majesty, his name is Jiang Yanxi."
"Is he in the capital now?"
The Emperor had suddenly thought of Jiang Yanxi, and since he asked, Wang Dequan could only answer truthfully: "He wasn't before, but now that Minister Jiang has been promoted, the Jiang family sent several young scholars to prepare for the imperial examinations. Since this year's exams were postponed, Minister Jiang probably didn't want to affect their state of mind, so he didn't let them participate. He's having them prepare well for next year's Autumn Imperial Examination instead!"
The Autumn Imperial Examination was the provincial exam, and those who passed became Juren (recommended scholars). The following year's metropolitan examination would allow all Juren scholars to participate. After the palace examination, the top three ranks of Top Scholar, Second-ranked Scholar, and Third-ranked Scholar would be determined, along with the second-tier Metropolitan Graduates and third-tier Associate Metropolitan Graduates, all of whom would be eligible for official positions at court.
"Jiang Yanxi arrived at Minister Jiang's residence two months ago with some young men, and they should still be there."
The Jiang family's main lineage now had to rely on Jiang Yankun, and it was clear without saying that the clan leader would likely be replaced.
Who would it be replaced with?
Naturally, it would be the most capable one.
Only a capable clan leader could lead the clan to prosperity.
"If I remember correctly, after Minister Jiang was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, the Deputy Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites took over Minister Jiang's position as the head of the Ministry of Rites?"
Wang Dequan replied again, "That's correct. Recently, Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites recommended a scholar for the position of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but Your Majesty rejected it, saying to wait until after this year's Spring Imperial Examination."
This year's Spring Imperial Examination included both the metropolitan and palace examinations. It was said that Concubine Zhen's elder brother and younger brother would both be participating, so Wang Dequan guessed that the Emperor was paving the way for Concubine Zhen's family.
"Minister Jiang's eldest son, I've read his essays. He's a mediocre talent who might not even pass the metropolitan examination, let alone the palace examination. Young Junze is quite promising, but he's too young. His views on practical matters are still too naive. Entering officialdom too early would only harm him; he needs a few years of tempering before he can be of use."
Just as Jiang Xinyue herself had said, trying again in three years when Jiang Junze would be only twelve years old – for someone his age to have already passed the provincial examination was already extraordinary. There was no need to rush; it was best to consolidate his knowledge and gain more understanding of the people's conditions.
The Xuanwu Emperor hadn't even realized that he now loved Concubine Zhen so much that he was extending his affection to her family, already making plans for her younger brother.
As for the Jiang family—
Jiang Yanxi was so elated he could barely speak coherently: "The Concubine didn't lie to me, she really didn't lie... Brother Kun... this daughter of yours, you've raised her well, truly well!"
Jiang Yanxi had also brought his two legitimate daughters to the capital this time, precisely because he saw how favored Jiang Xinyue was, and he wanted to seek good marriages for them.
Jiang Yunxia and her younger sister Jiang Yuncai each brought a cup of hot tea, offering them respectively to the brothers Jiang Yankun and Jiang Yanxi.
"Father, what good news is there?"
Since arriving in the capital, they had never seen their father so happy. Could it be that their cousin Xinyue in the palace had secured an official position for their father?
Jiang Yanxi drank the tea his precious daughter had brought him, his smile deepening: "Your father is now a fifth-rank Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites."
Jiang Yunxia and Jiang Yuncai's eyes sparkled with joy, the sisters holding hands as they stood together: "Father, are we and little sister dreaming?"
Jiang Yanxi was already in his thirties, which in this era where fifteen-year-olds could become Top Scholars, was indeed not considered young.
People generally had short lifespans in those times, with those over sixty already considered very long-lived.
Half of Jiang Yanxi's life had already passed, and he had only now reached the fifth rank thanks to his niece's favor in the palace. How could he not be overjoyed?
The two Jiang sisters were also extremely happy. They had been in the capital for over two months and had attended several banquets, large and small, but they always sat in the cold seats, with no one willing to socialize with them.
Madam Zhou treated them like poor relatives from the countryside, looking down on the two sisters. Jiang Yulin even held her nose high, treating them like servants.
Madam Ruan was a very amiable person, and both Miss Yan and Young Master Ze were polite, gentle, and lovable.
But Madam Ruan herself was of humble origins, even low-born. It was only after cousin Xinyue gained favor in the palace that Madam Ruan was elevated from favored concubine to equal wife.
Those official ladies outside might not say anything to her face, but privately they looked down on Madam Ruan, feeling that her status was not worthy of dining at the same table with them.
Even so, Jiang Yunxia and Jiang Yuncai still preferred to attend banquets with Madam Ruan.
Because there were always some official ladies with similar temperaments to Madam Ruan who didn't care about status and treated them sincerely. Moreover, the daughters of those ladies who were friends with Miss Yan would also give them some face and include them in their activities.
Unlike Jiang Yulin, who brought them along just so her little friends could humiliate them.
Jiang Yankun proudly chuckled a few times: "Cousin can first buy a residence. After the New Year, renovate it before moving in. After all, you're now a capital official. Living with me might invite gossip. It's not easy for Xinyue in the palace, we shouldn't cause her any trouble."
"Yes, yes..."
Upon hearing that it might affect Jiang Xinyue, Jiang Yanxi nodded repeatedly: "I heard that previously, a daughter of an official from the Ministry of Personnel committed an offense in the palace and had her hand and foot tendons cut. The whole family fled the capital, and that residence is still empty. How about I buy that residence?"
"What is your father thinking?" Lady Zhou was throwing a tantrum in the room. "When has the Jiang family's main lineage ever helped us? The position of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites should have been kept for his own son, but instead, he gave it to an outsider from the Jiang family's main line? Why does he always favor outsiders?"
Jiang Yulin was listless...
The fiancée of the Prince of Ruyang's heir had already been decided as Pei Xiang, the granddaughter of Minister Pei of the Privy Council. She couldn't even get close to the opportunity.
She had no interest in anything now and didn't respond to Lady Zhou.
Sitting below Lady Zhou, the eldest son of the Jiang family, Jiang Tianyi, lowered his eyes: "Mother, it's because I'm not capable enough. I definitely won't place in this Spring Imperial Examination. Can I not take it?"
His cautious demeanor angered Lady Zhou: "Look at your cowardly appearance! That cheap woman's son has already passed the provincial examination at just nine years old. Look at you, how many times have you taken it? You're already twenty-three, and you're telling me you can't pass?"
If he couldn't pass this time, there would be no more chances.
