BXBX NOVEL Chapter 1152: Promotion
Lixia and the others nodded with smiles as they shared the dishes and settled around the small kitchen table for their meal. The room they used as a dining area was empty except for Qiao Xuan, who couldn’t find her appetite due to thoughts of Shao Yunduan. She managed to eat a few mouthfuls of rice and drank half a bowl of mutton soup before sitting down on the kang, waiting for Songshi to come in so she could talk to him.
Songshi had been with them for a long time and was well aware of the close relationship between everyone in the house. Old Master’s mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Madame ever since she had left the capital. He didn’t mention it explicitly, but it was evident. Even though he was busy with Crown Prince’s affairs, he made sure to return home first to greet Madame.
Madame, in turn, cared deeply for Old Master. As soon as she arrived home, she asked about him. When she couldn’t find him immediately, she became anxious.
Songshi knew he shouldn’t keep Madame waiting for too long, so he quickly finished his food and informed her about Old Master. This earned him some playful teasing from Lixia and Liqiu, who said he hadn’t eaten so fast in a long time. Songshi grinned and didn’t argue, finishing his bowl in a few bites before leaving.
It didn’t take long before Songshi returned to meet with Qiao Xuan. She was pleased with his promptness – the boy was becoming more intelligent and reliable!
“Alright, let’s drop the formalities. Bring a stool and sit down. Tell me everything from the beginning!” Qiao Xuan instructed.
“Okay, Madame!” Songshi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Madame Qiao, you know that our Old Master is no longer the editor of the Hanlin Academy. He is now the Minister Counsellor of the Ministry of Revenue, holding the fifth rank. Our Old Master has been promoted, hehe!”
Qiao Xuan was astonished. “What did you say?”
Moving from the seventh grade to the fifth grade in the Ministry of Revenue was an impressive and rapid promotion!
Songshi began, “Yes, Old Master was indeed working at the Hanlin Academy. One day, the Emperor ordered someone to discuss the ‘Secretary of State’ matter in the palace and invited Old Master to participate. But later…”
In the palace, there were regular banquets held to discuss sutras, and those who played a role in these discussions were selected from the Hanlins of the Hanlin Academy.
It was a tremendous opportunity to showcase one’s talents in front of the Emperor. Only two people at a time, three times a year, had this chance, and every time, the entire Hanlin Academy would fiercely compete for it.
However, young scholars like Old Master didn’t have the opportunity to participate, as it was reserved for the senior scholars who had not yet been given their share.
As per the rules set by the Hanlin Academy, unless they had influential connections, they had to wait at the academy for five or six years before they could have the chance to discuss sutras in front of the Emperor.
For instance, Qiao Hongxi had been eagerly anticipating this opportunity. He counted the years, believing that when he became qualified enough to participate in the sutra discussions, he would make a name for himself and catch the Emperor’s attention.
At that time, they would all envy his knowledge, and no one would hinder him from rising to fame.
Of course, dwelling on such thoughts was futile. A man without any official rank would not be deemed qualified.
Normally, Shao Yunduan would have nothing to do with the sutra lectures, as it was never his turn to participate.
But unexpectedly, due to a series of events and Emperor Xuan’s high regard for him, Shao Yunduan was summoned to speak on sutras in the court.
And just like that, one of the two coveted spots was decided!
Nobody would dare challenge the Emperor’s decision.
The envy among others was palpable.
Could it be that the Primus was truly a celestial being, sent from the heavens? Was he some kind of divine being?
Otherwise, how else could he explain such extraordinary luck?