After the Qionglin banquet, the Ministry of Appointments began to allocate roles to the batch of successful candidates. Xiao Yuan was so busy running around that he didn't have any free time until the middle of the third month.
Because of the small disturbance of the third rank candidate offering the flower, the court's memorial to the emperor about selecting a crown prince stopped. Who knew what Emperor Hong Zheng was thinking. He had the Fourth Prince Jing Yu take charge of the Ministry of Justice, while all duties related to foreign countries and their tribute payments were given to Marquis Wen Yuan. Although these foreign people only came a few times a year, in any case, Mu Hanzhang now had a real set of responsibilities.
If the second grade and third grade successful candidates wanted good official positions, they had to pass another exam, but the first grade candidates directly received official posts.
"The second rank candidate went to the Imperial Hanlin Academy for editing, and third rank scholar Ma went to the Ministry of Rites." Xiao Yuan sipped his tea; the work of the Ministry of Appointments had come to an end. Last year, there was a big inspection of the Ministry of Rites. This year, when he was transferred to the Ministry of Appointments, there were the results of the imperial examination. Work truly didn't stop for a day. Looking at the two very leisurely people sitting across from him, Assistant Xiao suddenly felt that the heavens were unfair.
"We have been fighting for more than half a year, so naturally, we should have a rest," Jing Shao said self-righteously, as if he hadn't seen the aggrieved expression in Xiao Yuan's eyes.
"Where did the first rank go?" Zhou Jin came over with a plate of pancakes. Seeing Xiao Yuan's fuming appearance, he asked the question with a smile.
"The Fourth Prince wanted him in the Ministry of Justice, but the man himself asked to just be a normal unaffiliated official posted outside the capital." When the discussion turned to Qin Zhaoran, a strange expression appeared on Xiao Yuan's face. Usually, the top candidates from the exams would be eager to stay in the capital, but this man was interesting, and actually requested the opposite.
Jing Shao sneered. The Rui Wang appreciated Ma Zhuo's quick reaction at the Qionglin banquet, and because it just so happened that the Ministry of Rites needed someone who could talk really well, he had gone to request Emperor Hong Zheng to place the third rank scholar there. Jing Yu, that fool, went straight to the top scorer, as if afraid that no one would know what his intentions were.
"With the current situation, it's better to be an official posted outside the capital than within," Mu Hanzhang said slowly. Given Qin Zhaoran's temperament, he probably didn't want to participate in the fight between these princes. If the Fourth Prince went to try to rope him in, it would only push him further away.
"Jing Yu has always liked to compete with his brothers since he was a child. When he was given an official name, he insisted on it including the word 'jade'," Jing Shao said disdainfully. Jing Yu always acted as if he were the eldest son of the empress, and deserved to be on the same level as Jing Chen.
Mu Hanzhang couldn't help laughing. This name wasn't chosen by the Fourth Prince, but Jing Shao was still blaming that on him too.
* * * * *
Qin Zhaoran stood in front of the gate of the prince's residence, looking at the imposing and magnificent entrance. It was much more intimidating than the North Marquis's residence which he had gone to when he was young. The six words "Cheng Wang Marquis Wen Yuan's residence" written on the plaque next to the door looked strange, but it was exactly this lame title that revealed all the unknown emotions and intimacy between the two to outsiders.
"Young master, is something the matter?" Steward Yun, who was going out to do business, saw the young man standing in a daze at the entrance. Seeing his refined appearance, he had to be a visitor, so Steward Yun asked the question.
