ebookland Chapter 241 A Female-Dominated World (13)
Chapter 241 A Female-Dominated World (13)
"Have you thought it through? You're the top scholar in the provincial examination, and you're guaranteed a place in the top three of the palace examination in a few days. Entering the Hanlin Academy is a sure thing, and you can even enter the Grand Secretariat in the future." Liu Xiang was a little anxious.
“I went to see the beheading at the market that day. Many people cried, crying that their revenge had finally been achieved, but the deceased could never see it again. So, I wanted to go and see it, and I wanted to be a good official.”
"But life in the southwest is really tough!"
“The people there have survived generation after generation, and I feel that they need me, and I can achieve my goals there.” Wangyou smiled, her eyes full of confidence.
Wenrou and Liu Xiang exchanged a glance. They saw determination in Wangyou's eyes, which meant that she had made up her mind and could not be persuaded. But this also made them feel passionate.
After leaving Wangyou's house, the two found a place to talk privately for a while. Sure enough, they both had the same idea, and now all that was left was to confront their families.
Before they knew it, the day of the palace examination arrived, and Wangyou actually wore a scholar's robe for once.
During the palace examination, Wangyou's insights were unique and she was able to draw inferences from one instance to another, which pleased the Empress so much that she immediately decided to appoint Wangyou as the third-ranked scholar, since the third-ranked scholar has always been the most handsome.
"Your Majesty, is it that my talent is unworthy of the top scholar position?" Upon hearing the Empress's decision, Wangyou boldly asked.
"Of course, that's enough!" The Queen was in a good mood.
"Then why can't I be the top scholar, but the third-place scholar?"
"Naturally, it's because you're the most beautiful. Historically, the third-place winner has always been chosen based on looks."
"It's not my fault that I'm good-looking, but that shouldn't make me third. I'm going to be number one, not number three."
“Your Majesty, Xie Wangyou is right. Her talent is worthy of the top scholar title,” Minister Wen said, stepping forward.
"I also think Xie Wangyou is worthy of being the top scholar," said Liu Xiang's mother, Grand Secretary Liu. The two of them greatly appreciated the insights Wangyou had put forward when answering the questions, especially in the areas of water conservancy and artificial intelligence. It was indeed a waste of talent for him to be the third-ranked scholar.
"Your Majesty, Xie Wangyou is certainly talented, but he is far too young!"
"Her young age only shows that she has unlimited potential!"
"Your Majesty, Xie Wangyou is not even fifteen years old this year. If she becomes the top scholar, she will be the youngest top scholar in our Tianfeng Dynasty. This is unprecedented!" Minister Wen added fuel to the fire.
After a moment of contemplation, the Empress wrote down the top three scholars: Xie Wangyou, Nangong Yanwei, and Song Changwei. As for the original female lead, she seemed to be only a fellow Jinshi.
The top three scholars in the imperial examination were to be paraded through the streets on horseback. The messenger who brought the good news arrived at the Xie residence early in the morning. Xie San Niang was so happy that she gave the messenger a large sum of money as a reward, and firecrackers were set off as if they were free.
The three people who paraded through the streets received an unprecedented welcome. There were crowds of people on both sides of the street. Wangyou felt quite novel about it, after all, it was her first time.
Before Wangyou could even finish marveling at the novelty, countless sachets and flowers came flying at her. She immediately used her inner strength to deflect them, causing all the flower sachets, filled with good wishes and expectations, to fall to the ground and eventually be trampled under the horse's hooves.
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone shake all the purses and flowers to the ground during a parade. Having inner strength is just being willful." Wenrou and Liu Xiang also found an attic to watch their best friend's parade. They were both annoyed and amused by what they saw.
Forget-Me-Not Spirit remained intact throughout the journey, and she dared not accept any of the purses or flowers offered, lest she be entangled in a dispute.
After the parade ended, we went home.
Wenrou and Liu Xiang, on the other hand, were busy discussing with their families about going to the southwest with Wangyou. After all, they were not young anymore and it was time for them to get married. Their families might not let them leave, so they had to negotiate.
Wangyou, on the other hand, was discussing the matter with her family.
"Mother, I plan to go to the southwest. You can stay here with my father, younger brother and sister. Don't worry about money or anything, I will have someone deliver it regularly. Also, this is the admission notice for the Imperial Academy. If you want to go, you can fill in your name."
“The conditions in the Southwest are harsh. I know you won’t change your mind once you’ve made up your mind. Be careful in everything you do. Your father and I are waiting for you to come home!” Xie San Niang took the thin admission notice and couldn’t help but burst into tears.
Having convinced his family, Wangyou submitted his application to the Ministry of Personnel. The officials there had already received His Majesty's instructions to place him in the Hanlin Academy, but they were surprised that he wanted to go to the southwest, so they quickly reported it.
The Empress was puzzled, so she summoned Wangyou to the palace to ask her in detail.
"I have already decided to send you to the Hanlin Academy, why do you want to go to the southwest?"
"Your Majesty, I want to be a good official, an official who understands the people's livelihood. The southwest region has a hot and humid climate, and there are many poisonous insects, snakes and ants, but it is also a natural treasure trove. Your Majesty, give me three years, and I will show you a different southwest." Wangyou said, using a smokescreen to deceive the Empress.
"You're so confident. You should know that the Southwest is a major problem that many people haven't been able to solve, and countless officials have died there. If you leave, your future may be ruined." The Empress was reluctant to let go of such a talented person, but the three years she mentioned really appealed to her.
"Please grant me permission, Your Majesty. I am confident that I can change that place." Wangyou's eyes were full of confidence and determination.
"Very well, I will issue the decree now, and I will recall you in three years." Perhaps moved by Wangyou's sincerity, or perhaps thinking that young people should experience hardship, His Majesty agreed.
Wangyou is very happy. As for being transferred back in three years, that depends on Your Majesty's memory!
After the Empress finished writing the imperial edict, Wangyou opened it and glanced at it. It was pretty much as she had guessed: a county magistrate, except that this county was a bit large, similar to a province in modern society.
The imperial edict stated that they would depart in three days, so Wangyou didn't dawdle and left the palace with the edict in hand.
After saying goodbye to her family members, Wangyou left behind a falcon to facilitate the transmission of messages. Wangyou took half of the people from Tingyulou with her.
"Wangyou, wait for us!" The voice came from behind as soon as we left the city gate.
"You two are here to see me off?"
“We’ve made up our minds. We’ll go to the southwest with you. Best friends should stay together forever.”
"How did you convince your mother?" Wangyou asked, very curious.
"I told you that I'd be successful if I followed you," Wenrou said after a long pause, though she couldn't give any specifics.
Liu Xiang had the same expression, while Wang You was somewhat moved. She thought that after leaving, they would never cross paths again, but Wang You was actually willing to follow her to that harsh place.
"I won't ask for details, but since you've come along, don't worry, as long as I'm alive, I'll never let anything happen to you." Wangyou patted the two on the shoulders, everything was understood without words.
The three sisters set off together. At first, things were fine, but once they entered the southwest region, the area became desolate and uninhabited. Wangyou had insect-repelling sachets distributed to everyone. Wearing these sachets, poisonous insects and snakes dared not approach.
After another three days of travel, we finally arrived at Funan County, where Wangyou had taken office as magistrate. There weren't many people on the streets. To be honest, if it weren't for the sign hanging at the city gate, we would have thought it was just a small village.
Upon arriving at the county government office, they found only an old, senile clerk; there were no servants or anything like that.