After the Lantern Festival, Xie Ronghui left Beijing with Sanshun and two attendants.
This Lantern Festival was somewhat boring.
Because Cheng Jingzhou had to prepare for the exam, and now that they were grown up, the two of them had to be careful to avoid suspicion. It was naturally impossible to imagine holding hands and playing outside together when they were children.
In previous years, when Cheng Jingzhou was away, several brothers would accompany her, and there were also good sisters like Zhao Ying and Wang Yinuo to play with.
But this year, precisely because Cheng Jingzhou was here, Xie Rongzhao didn't want to go outside anymore.
When she thought of Cheng Jingzhou having to prepare for the exam at home, she felt that it would be a bit unkind if she went out to have fun.
In a blink of an eye, it’s already time for the February exam.
At this time, the weather is still a bit cold, and it is a period of warm and cold weather.
During the time he came to the capital, Cheng Jingzhou basically didn't go out much. Most of the people he met were the same old friends from before. By the way, there was also a Fifth Highness now.
Xie Rongzhao was more nervous than anyone else when the exam results were released, fearing that if his brother Jingzhou failed to pass the exam again, he would be so disappointed.
On the other hand, Cheng Jingzhou was very calm, and Xie Xiuwen only asked him about some articles and answer ideas the day after he finished the exam, and then stopped paying attention.
Naturally, the imperial court's Ministry of Etiquette was responsible for such a major examination.
Any officials who involve their relatives participating in the joint examination will take the initiative to avoid suspicion.
Xie Xiuwen also had to avoid suspicion.
Papers for the general examination are generally not sent to the Holy Sage, but if the Holy Sage wants to see them, he can naturally do so.
"Back to the Emperor, the top three students in the examination have been judged. Do you want to see the answer sheets of these three students?"
Emperor Jingwen raised his hand and soon three test papers were presented.
Because the ranking has already been determined, there is no confusion about the name.
"Cheng Jingzhou is Huiyuan?"
"Back to Your Majesty, this student Cheng's approach to solving the problem is ingenious and his writing is very profound. Several ministers think that his article is the most wonderful, and they also asked Your Majesty to review it."
Emperor Jingwen actually had no intention of interfering with the ranking. After reading the test paper, he felt that Cheng Jingzhou's article was quite similar to Xie Xiuwen's style back then.
He is worthy of being the young son-in-law who has been with him for many years, and he is truly loved by his family.
"Cheng Jingzhou also came from Mingshan Academy, right?"
"Exactly. Mr. Xu Shanzhang is now old and basically no longer teaches. He only gives public lectures once or twice a month. This Cheng Jingzhou was originally intended by Mr. Xu to be a closed disciple, but in this generation, It’s not suitable, so I have to reluctantly give up.”
Emperor Jingwen thought of Xie Xiuwen and his daughter and couldn't help laughing.
Xie Xiuwen was called to the Imperial Study Room for questioning after all the officials from the Ministry of Rites had withdrawn.
"The Department of Civil Service Examination has been working hard in the past few years. Some of the newly appointed foreign officials this time are unfamiliar to me. Some of them can't even remember where they came from. Alas, I am getting old. "
Xie Xiuwen hurriedly said respectfully: "Your Majesty is in his prime, but these external officials are mainly because they have been released for too long. There are so many officials in the imperial court. Even if your Majesty is busy with everything, he can't write them down one by one. . Sixty percent of the officials promoted this time came from poor families. It’s rare that this year, no one came out to point at me and scold me again.”
Emperor Jingwen also chuckled.
Xie Xiuwen served as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs for two years and was scolded frequently.
Especially last year, during the external official assessment, Xie Xiuwen rejected most of the children of the aristocratic families, but he offended those people quite a lot.
This year is obviously better.
"I heard that you intend to recommend Xie Lin to the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
"Returning to the Holy Spirit, Xie Lin is a man of great talent. He has been working hard in office in the past few years and has achieved outstanding achievements. Wei Chen thinks that even if he takes Wei Chen's position, he should be the one."
Emperor Jingwen was a little curious: "Oh? You have a high opinion of Xie Lin."
"I dare not deceive the Holy Lord. Wei Chen and he are in the same department. Before the examination that year, Wei Chen had interacted with him twice. Wei Chen still recognized his character. As for his ability, I believe it. The Holy One also has his own judgment.”
"You are right. Xie Lin's ability is indeed beyond doubt. Well, tomorrow will be the trial release of the results. Just prepare a banquet in your Xie Mansion."
This is already the first news to be revealed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Jingwen was in a good mood. Xie Xiuwen was able to teach several children so well. In addition to the students' own talents, his painstaking guidance was naturally indispensable.
Xie Xiuwen didn't have many nephews, but even so, he was able to distract some of his relatives, even relatives from his wife's clan, to teach them to be scholars. He obviously had real abilities.
"Call Xiao Wu over. I have something to ask him."
Li Huan felt uneasy, so he had to be more careful when answering in front of the Holy Spirit.
"My son, I would like to send my regards to my father."
"Come on, I heard that you have been running to Xie Mansion very frequently these past few months?"
"Back to my father, Master Xie lived in Cheng Jieyuan's house. He was very knowledgeable. After I got to know him last year, I realized my shortcomings, so I often went to ask for advice from him. As my father said, There are mountain high mountain."
"Yes, my son has grown up. So what do you think of him compared to Mr. Xie?"
Li Huan frowned and thought seriously: "Back to my father, this is not a comparison. Mr. Xie's knowledge is naturally very good, but when he teaches his children, he does not teach like an ordinary teacher, but always uses some allusions to teach. Explaining to children can help them understand more deeply and remember them better. Senior Brother Cheng is sharp in his writing, and sometimes his words are too sharp. The teacher often said that Senior Brother Cheng is still young and full of energy, and he should hone himself more in the future. .”
Emperor Jingwen was really surprised.
Unexpectedly, Li Huan had already called Cheng Jingzhou his senior brother.
What's more, I didn't expect that Xie Xiuwen could have such a clear understanding of Cheng Jingzhou despite his high opinion.
"Yes, take advantage of others' strengths to make up for your own shortcomings. Xie Aiqing also wants you to understand that no matter how talented a student is, he will definitely have shortcomings."
"Yes, I have remembered it."
Xie Xiuwen returned home calmly. Only when he was sitting in the carriage did he smile especially happily.
Your Majesty can remind you intentionally that you must be ranked higher. Looking at the smile in His Majesty's eyes, and considering the contact between Zheng Jingzhou and His Highness Fifth Prince during this period, it is not impossible to pass the membership examination.
Of course, he still had to hide this news.
At night, Liu Ruolan helped him change his clothes, and Xie Xiuwen sighed: "After the examination, some families will celebrate and hold a banquet. Our family is not in a hurry. We will celebrate together after the palace examination."
Liu Ruolan said yes, and after she put Xie Xiuwen's clothes away, she realized something was wrong, and said with a look of surprise: "So Jing Zhou has been hit?"
