Tianliangyuan

Chapter 97 An Incompetent Son-in-Law

Mai Dong didn't have to do much to get Jiang Wenchong to agree to their conditions.

They only need Jiang Wenchong to occasionally help send out some messages, and he won't do anything else immoral. After the imperial examination is over, they will find a way to arrange a job for Jiang Wenchong, and it will definitely be a proper official position with a rank.

Jiang Wenchong dreamed of having something to do so that he could have a monthly salary and wouldn't have to stay at home listening to people nagging him every day about how good he was.

“My master knows that you have had a hard time in the Jiang family. I heard that your aunt has been saving every penny to try and secure a future for you. Here is ten strings of cash. Take it and use it. At least make yourself look like a healthy and capable person.”

"Thank you."

Jiang Wenchong's feelings at this moment were complicated.

He was grateful that the other party was thinking of him, but he also hated the Jiang family for their inhuman behavior!

Of course, he wasn't stupid; he knew that people were just using him. So, although he felt grateful, it wasn't much, and it probably only lasted for less than fifteen minutes before the gratitude disappeared.

Xu Zhaozhao refrained from causing trouble for the time being. Now that her second brother and her second uncle's fourth brother were going to take the imperial examination, it was better to avoid trouble.

If Xu Junqing and Xu Junting pass the imperial examination, it will naturally be a joyous occasion for the Marquis's family. If they fail, they are still young, and waiting another three years is not too late.

After the imperial examination ended, Xu Junqing found an excuse to move out.

The main problem was that there were too many people coming to the banquet, and he simply couldn't handle it all.

Xu Junqing was self-aware; so many people had come to invite him to a poetry banquet, not for him, but for the Marquis's residence.

Xu Zhaozhao also intentionally avoided the situation, so the brother and sister simply went to stay at Baiguoyuan for a while. Wang Wenxiu also came along.

As a result, less than an hour after the three arrived at the Hundred Fruit Garden, Xu Junting caught up with them on horseback.

"You lot are so disloyal! You left me alone in the manor to deal with them, while you all ran away so fast!"

Xu Zhaozhao laughed and said, "Second brother, didn't you come along too? If we really wanted to avoid you, we would naturally find a place you can't find us. Why did we have to come here?"

Xu Junting raised his chin: "Hmph! You're the most heartless girl. Don't try to fool me with words like that. I missed out on the Peach Blossom Wine last year, but this time I'm going to drink my fill!"

Dingxiang brought in tea and snacks, and said with a smile, "Young Master, you've come at an inopportune time. The Peach Blossom Wine hasn't been brewed yet, so you'll have to wait a while."

Xu Junqing was only a few months younger than Xu Junting, and the two were the same age, but Xu Junting still had to call him Third Brother.

"Although we won't be able to drink peach blossom wine, since I suggested coming here, how could we be unprepared? By the way, Princess Leyang and Miss Xie Yun will also be coming tomorrow. You two men should be careful about your behavior then."

"What are they doing here?" Xu Junting asked casually. Although he was familiar with the two, they hadn't actually exchanged many words.

"Of course we're here for leisure. Now that spring is here and the flowers are in bloom, we can go hunting in the mountains, ride horses in the wasteland over there, and enjoy the flowers."

Xu Junqing was somewhat surprised: "Hunting is possible in spring?"

"There are some free-range poultry on this mountain, as well as some wild animals that we later collected from various places. They are all relatively docile. Of course, others are not allowed to hunt at this time, but we are our own people, and we are just having some fun. It's not wrong to do anything about it."

In the warm spring of March, when the grass grows and the orioles fly, it is the perfect time to enjoy the spring scenery and have fun.

Xu Zhaozhao actually intended to matchmake her third brother and Xie Yun, but unfortunately, her third brother was oblivious, or perhaps he simply didn't like Xie Yun. In that case, she could only let nature take its course.

The results of the imperial examination caused an uproar throughout the capital.

Xu Junqing was not too disappointed when he failed the exam. He said it was within his expectations, since he had just passed the provincial examination half a year ago. He would settle down and study hard for a few more years before taking the imperial examination again.

Xu Junting made the list, and his ranking was quite good, placing twenty-second.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

Xu Han didn't have high expectations for Xu Junting. He just wanted him to pass the exam. The Hou family was wealthy and powerful, and even if the third son failed, Xu Han could still secure a future for his son with his abilities.

Now that the provincial examination is over, the next step is the palace examination.

On the day Xu Junting participated in the palace examination, the brothers Xu Han and Xu Wen summoned Sun Huaizhi to the Marquis's residence.

"There are two vacancies you can fill right now. One is the Assistant Magistrate of Wannian County, a position of the seventh rank with real power, which can also give you experience. The other is the Assistant Magistrate of the East Market Office, a position of the eighth rank. What do you think?"

Previously, Xu Han had chosen a county magistrate position for Sun Huaizhi, which was 300 miles away, but Xu Lin was unhappy and cried. Xu Han was helpless. She was his own sister, and the old lady was protecting her. What could he do?

So, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask someone to find him a job closer to the capital.

"Wannian County made great contributions to the disaster relief efforts before the New Year and was valued by the officials of the Ministry of Personnel. They have been transferred to the Dali Temple in the capital. The current magistrate of Wannian County is the former county magistrate, who was also a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). You only have the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial imperial examinations), so working under him is not a bad thing for you."

Sun Huaizhi was actually dissatisfied.

He thought that even if he worked in a county government office under Youzhou Prefecture, he would at least be a county magistrate, and that would make him the boss of the area, with no one to dictate terms.

But to my surprise, it turned out to be just a county magistrate's position.

However, if one becomes the Assistant Director of the Eastern Market, the rank is lower, but the advantage is that one can stay in the capital, and there will be opportunities to curry favor with other powerful figures in the future, so the chances of promotion are naturally greater.

Sun Huaizhi felt that he couldn't rely entirely on his two uncles, and he also had to find ways to cultivate connections.

Moreover, the West Market is wealthy and the East Market is prestigious. If he could take this opportunity to climb the social ladder and become a member of the imperial family, his future would be secure. He was originally a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, so his career was sure to be successful.

Xu Han and Xu Wen called him to their study to discuss the matter, but in reality, they just wanted to see what their nephew would choose.

If he were to choose the position of Assistant Magistrate of Wannian County, he would likely be promoted one rank within three years at most, and it would be a legitimate promotion, so he wouldn't be criticized in the future.

But unexpectedly, he chose the position of Assistant Director of the Eastern Market.

This position involves dealing with not only merchants and commoners, but also stewards and servants of powerful and wealthy families. Sun Huai's purpose in choosing this position is self-evident.

Xu Han asked with a serious face, "Are you sure you want to be selected as the Assistant Magistrate of the East Market?"

"Replying to my uncle, both of these jobs are actually very good, but my mother doesn't want me to leave the capital. Moreover, my grandmother's health is not good these days, and my younger sister can't be with her right now. So I have no choice but to go along with my grandmother and mother for now."

Xu Han remained noncommittal, while Xu Wen said directly, "Only if your future is secure can your elders at home feel at ease."

"My second uncle is right."

Sun Huaizhi completely ignored Xu Wen's advice, and Xu Han's lips curled up slightly, his eyes full of mockery.

What's the use of saying anything more to a hopeless case like Liu Shan?