The next day, Nian Jiaojiao returned to the Gongyuan, and a woman in a grey scholar's robe walked towards her.
The woman appeared to be in her early twenties, with a hint of heroic competence in her eyes and brows.
"You are Nian Jiaojiao?"
The woman stopped in front of Nian Jiaojiao and asked.
Nian Jiaojiao replied, puzzled:
"If no one else shares my name, then Nian Jiaojiao is indeed me."
The woman nodded indifferently and said:
"My name is Shangguan Xi. You must have heard of me, right?"
Nian Jiaojiao had naturally heard of her; after all, she was the one who had secured the first place in the Jinshi examination.
But since the other party had already taken first place, why did she still look at her with such displeasure?
If anyone was to find trouble, it should be her, the second place, seeking out the first place.
Shangguan Xi continued at this moment:
"I heard you went to the Prince of Duan's manor yesterday."
Although Nian Jiaojiao couldn't quite follow the other woman's train of thought, she still nodded.
It wasn't a big deal, and there was no need for her to hide it.
However, as soon as she nodded, she was met with an expression of extreme disdain and disgust from the other woman.
"I can't believe that, as a scholar, you would try to curry favor with the powerful."
Nian Jiaojiao frowned. Another idealist.
She retorted:
"You didn't go?"
Shangguan Xi proudly raised her head, "Naturally."
Nian Jiaojiao: "Oh, I see."
Shangguan Xi: "See what?"
Nian Jiaojiao: "Since you didn't go, it's because you're already taken. Is it the First Prince? The Second Prince?"
Shangguan Xi interrupted Nian Jiaojiao.
"What do you mean 'taken'? That's loyalty. The Second Prince is wise and powerful; he is the people's choice."
Nian Jiaojiao was utterly speechless upon hearing this.
So, she was a hypocritical idealist.
"Isn't it also currying favor with the powerful for you to pledge allegiance to the Second Prince?"
In response to Nian Jiaojiao's question, Shangguan Xi nodded matter-of-factly:
"Of course not. Are the Third Prince and the Second Prince comparable?"
After speaking, she sized Nian Jiaojiao up and down, continuing:
"Given that we are from the same cohort, I can recommend you to the Second Prince. Perhaps the Second Prince can grant you a status similar to mine in the future."
Nian Jiaojiao let out a cold laugh. She didn't even glance at the other woman again, turning and walking directly into the courtyard.
She didn't speak to fools.
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao leave, Shangguan Xi's expression shifted, finally settling into a triumphant smile.
She wondered what the Second Prince saw in Nian Jiaojiao to even ask her to persuade the other woman to join the Prince of Ying's faction.
Was this a joke?
She was the one who took first place.
However, she also knew that because the Second Prince couldn't be certain if she would ultimately win the title of Zhuangyuan, he wanted to broaden his investment.
If the first, second, and third place scholars in the Jinshi examination were all under the Prince of Ying's banner, then wouldn't the talent for the Zhuangyuan position inevitably come from the Prince of Ying's faction?
While she understood this, Shangguan Xi didn't want anyone to steal the Prince of Ying's attention. Therefore, she deliberately used this tone to make the other woman join.
If the other woman refused on her own, then it would be none of her concern.
A sharp glint flashed in Shangguan Xi's eyes, and she turned and walked in the direction of the Prince of Ying's manor.
She was going to report to the Prince of Ying.
Nian Jiaojiao was unwilling to pledge allegiance to the Prince of Ying's faction.
…
After Nian Jiaojiao arrived at the courtyard belonging to the miscellaneous studies faction, a familiar figure immediately rushed towards her.
"Student Nian, you've finally come to the Gongyuan!"
Nian Jiaojiao's mouth twitched.
The way she said that. https:/
"Instructor, do you need something from me?"
The person who had assigned her tasks and given her rewards was the instructor.
"How long has it been since you took on any tasks? Come, quickly look and see if there's any task that suits your fancy?"
Nian Jiaojiao: …
Others went to pick up tasks, but hers came looking for her.
However, because the rewards no longer held much allure for her, she refused without hesitation.
"I don't need any for now. Thank you, instructor."
The instructor retracted the task scroll with some disappointment, still saying unyieldingly:
"Take more tasks to gain experience; it will be beneficial for your palace examination later on."
Nian Jiaojiao's heart stirred, and she asked curiously:
"Beneficial for the palace examination? How so?"
The instructor explained:
"Isn't there a new policy now? The palace examination will directly be a competition using cultivators' abilities. The higher the cultivation, the more adept one is at using energy, and naturally, the more likely they are to defeat opponents.
See, many scholars who were previously studying in isolation have now taken on tasks and gone out into the world, all to consolidate their cultivation and strive for further progress before the palace examination."
Nian Jiaojiao exclaimed inwardly.
Amazing, amazing.
This new policy was changing daily.
She could barely keep up with the flow of information.
However, this method of examination suited her perfectly.
…
Nian Jiaojiao spent the entire day in the library of the miscellaneous studies faction's courtyard. By the time she came to her senses and hurried out, it was already pitch black outside.
It was better not to read these books, but once she became engrossed, time flew by.
When Nian Jiaojiao returned home, she saw her five husbands still waiting for her at the dining table.
"I'm sorry, I got carried away reading and kept everyone waiting."
Nian Jiaojiao sat down and apologized.
But no one responded after she finished speaking. Everyone's expressions were a bit strange, making Nian Jiaojiao feel uneasy.
"What's wrong? Are you angry?"
At this moment, Xingyun said with a solemn expression:
"Wife, we have something to tell you."
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at him:
"Speak."
Xingyun opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He looked pleadingly at Xuan Yi beside him and said:
"Brother, you say it."
Xuan Yi nodded and was about to speak when Xingyun interrupted him.
"No, no, no, I'll say it, I'll say it."
Nian Jiaojiao: …
However, Xingyun opened his mouth, and after saying "Wife" twice, he turned to Nan Qing and said:
"Second Brother, you say it."
Nan Qing didn't fall for it and gave a "Are you sure?" look. Xingyun said sheepishly:
"I'll say it, I'll say it."
Nian Jiaojiao's mouth twitched.
Does he want to drive his wife to death so he can inherit that vast fortune?
She pointed at Xingyun and said:
"No, don't say it. I don't want to hear it. Chuan'er, you say it."
Upon hearing Nian Jiaojiao's words, Xingyun didn't get angry. Instead, he nodded in agreement:
"That's right, Brother Chuan should say it himself. So, Brother Chuan, you say it."
Yu Chuan: …
Yu Chuan looked at Nian Jiaojiao gently and said:
"Wife, I..."
"Brother Yu Chuan is pregnant, I'm going to be a dead father, Wife, I'm so happy, are you happy, Wife?"
Xingyun said excitedly, speaking rapidly.
Yu Chuan: …
Nian Jiaojiao: …
However, Nian Jiaojiao's attention immediately fell on Yu Chuan's stomach, and she said disbelievingly:
"Chuan'er, you're pregnant?"
Yu Chuan touched his stomach and nodded happily.
Nian Jiaojiao also placed her hand over his.
A little life was growing here, a life connected to her by blood…