Chapter 134
Words:1844Update:22/06/28 10:11:44
This matter started two years after Jiang Suzhou's ascension to the throne.
The new imperial court had not been established for long, and there were always places where there were shortages of people. After layers of screening, the list of people who had entered the palace was finally sent to Jiang Suzhou's desk.
He browsed through it and was surprised to find a name. He immediately handed the list to Huo Wujiu.
"Take a look, who's at the top?" Jiang Suzhou asked.
Huo Wujiu's gaze swept up and down, but he did not see anything different.
"Who is it?" Huo Wujiu looked at Jiang Suzhou in confusion.
"Here." Jiang Suzhou pointed to a name.
"Nie Cong." Huo Wujiu read. "Who's Nie Cong?"
Jiang Suzhou knew that Huo Wujiu had never cared about these things.
"Do you remember the scholar who was saved by Miss Lou?" Jiang Suzhou said. "The one in Lin 'an, the one who was forced away by Huo Yuyan."
"Oh, him?" Huo Wujiu's interest was piqued.
"I didn't expect him to have such ability." Jiang Suzhou held the list and said. "Several officials who marked the exam papers circled his paper, saying that he had high attainments and was a useful talent."
"That's good." Huo Wujiu sat aside and said. "After we select him as a Jinshi, we can bestow him a marriage."
Jiang Suzhou was puzzled. "Bestow a marriage? What marriage? "
"Lou Yue has urged me several times." Huo Wujiu said. "He also blamed me. He said that once his daughter became an official, she couldn't control herself. He asked me to help her find a marriage."
"Don't mess around." Jiang Suzhou disagreed. "You can't randomly match a couple like this."
"It's not a mess." Huo Wujiu said. "There must be something between the two of them."
Jiang Suzhou glanced at him.
"Are you afraid that Lou Yue will nag at you again?" he asked.
Huo Wujiu was immediately displeased.
"Who said that?" He sat up and continued to press forward. "I'm afraid of him? Why should I be afraid of him? He has already forgotten how happy he was when his daughter became an official! "
Jiang Suzhou couldn't help but laugh. "Then why are you in such a hurry?"
"I'm not in a hurry!" Huo Wujiu gritted his teeth.
— —
The marriage was put on hold, but Nie Cong was still selected as the top scorer in Jiang Suzhou.
Jiang Suizhou did not deliberately favor Nie Cong. It was just that he had read Nie Cong's articles. He was indeed a crane in a flock of chickens. Nie Cong's answers were also fluent in the golden palace. He was a rare talent.
Nie Cong's position as the zhuangyuan was well deserved. When he rode his horse down the long street, he was in the limelight again. Jiang Suzhou heard from the palace that the zhuangyuan was full of handkerchiefs and fruits from the maidens.
That afternoon, Lou Yue hurried into the palace.
"I shouldn't disturb Your Majesty with private matters." Lou Yue said. "However, I ask for Your Majesty's pity. Wanjun is really old."
"He's only in his early twenties." Jiang Suzhou was puzzled.
"How can other maidens be unmarried at such an old age?" Lou Yue said.
Jiang Suzhou did not think much of it. Lou Wanjun was in the limelight in the imperial court. Some ministers were even eager to send their daughters who were proficient in literature to be female officials. Because of this, there were even ministers who occasionally wrote letters suggesting that the rules of the imperial examinations should be relaxed so that women could enter the imperial examinations.
However, before Jiang Suzhou could refute, Lou Yue knelt down.
"There's no need to trouble Your Majesty. I've already decided." Lou Yue chuckled.
"I think that the zhuangyuan personally appointed by Your Majesty is not bad."
— —
After Lou Yue's coaxing and pestering, Jiang Suzhou had no choice but to call Lou Wanjun into the palace and tell her about the matter.
"Is my father rushing you again?" Lou Wanjun was not surprised at all. She looked up and said with a lack of interest. "I won't hide it from you. Calluses are growing on my ears."
Jiang Suzhou sighed.
"Although your father is anxious, he still has to ask for your opinion on this matter." He said. "These days, after the results of the court examinations were released, your father set his sights on …"
"Anyone is fine." Lou Wanjun said.
"What?" Jiang Suzhou was taken aback.
Lou Wanjun stood up.
"I'm also annoyed by him. I don't have much to pick from. I'll just follow his wishes and marry anyone." Lou Wanjun said. "Please help me check. Don't find those old pedants who force women to stay at home to take care of their husbands and children. Anyone else is fine. Please help me pick a good-looking one."
After speaking, she cupped her hands and turned to leave.
Jiang Suzhou did not know what to do.
This … Nie Cong met all the requirements. However, she could not be so hasty when it came to bestowing a marriage. Otherwise, it would become a resentful couple. In the end, it would be her fault.
Jiang Suzhou thought about it and could only summon Nie Cong into the palace.
Nie Cong did not change much compared to two years ago. The only difference was that his temperament had become more mature. It was a temperament that had been tempered by time.
Jiang Suzhou watched as Nie Cong calmly bowed in front of him. He raised his hand and had Nie Cong rise.
"We have summoned you today for a private matter." Jiang Suzhou said. "Do you have a wife now?"
Nie Cong paused and bowed. "Your Majesty, this humble subject does not have a wife yet."
"Then if we wanted to bestow a marriage upon you, would you be willing?" Jiang Suzhou asked.
Nie Cong did not even think about it. He said indifferently, "Your Majesty, this humble subject does not have a disrespectful heart. However, I'm afraid that I will have to reject Your Majesty's good intentions. This humble subject believes that marriage requires both parties to be in love with each other. This humble subject already has a girl in his heart and does not wish to delay the marriage of others. "
Hearing this, Jiang Suzhou could not force him.
He sighed and said, "Then forget it. We will tell General Lou the truth and find someone else for his daughter."
Nie Cong was stunned. He raised his head and looked at Jiang Suzhou.
It was a great disrespect to look directly at the Emperor. However, Jiang Suzhou did not take it to heart. He only asked, "What's wrong?"
"General Lou?" Nie Cong repeated. "May I ask Your Majesty, is this General Lou Yue?"
"That is correct." Jiang Suzhou said. "We have heard from the Empress that you have met the Lou family's daughter several times?"
Jiang Suzhou was just casually exchanging pleasantries. However, Nie Cong fell silent and did not speak.
After a while, he saw Nie Cong kneel down.
"Your Majesty, please forgive this humble subject for being disrespectful. This humble subject would like to answer the Emperor's question again." Nie Cong said.
"What is it?" Jiang Suzhou asked.
"Your Majesty wishes to bestow a marriage. This humble subject does not dare to disobey." Nie Cong said.
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