flstandardbreds Chapter 385 I didn't expect to see me here
Chapter 385 I didn't expect to see me here
Since Emperor Xiao has agreed to select female officials for the palace, we need to quickly finalize all matters and spread the news quickly.
When Empress Shi learned about this task, she did not delay but set some relaxed registration standards according to Emperor Xiao's order.
The only troublesome point is the determination of the rank of female officials.
In the Beiyang harem, eunuchs of various ranks were in charge of all inner court affairs, from the inner treasury to the purchases for the imperial kitchen.
As for the palace maids and housekeepers, although they were responsible for a wide range of affairs, from food and clothing to etiquette and daily life, they did not have specific ranks.
Since female officials are to be appointed, they will naturally be different from the palace maids and nannies, and there must be rules for setting their ranks.
After the female officials are selected, there must also be a conclusion on what specific areas they will be responsible for.
After Empress Shi thought about it, she came up with some preliminary ideas, and then went to see Emperor Xiao to discuss and make a decision.
Since the selection of female officials is being carried out because of the celebration and competition, the female officials selected this time will be mainly responsible for teaching scriptures, paper and pens, and preparing banquets and rewards.
As for the rank, Emperor Xiao was not very concerned about the selection of female officials this time. He only told Empress Shi that the highest rank should not exceed the sixth rank. As for the final number of people selected and how to determine the rank, it was all decided by Empress Shi.
After these were decided, Empress Shi asked her subordinates to set some specific assessment standards based on the content of the female officials' responsibilities. However, in order to avoid any gossip, she added a separate item in addition to those assessment standards, saying that those with outstanding abilities or skills could be selected as exceptions.
Before the envoys from several countries left, the news of the female official's registration spread.
Since the news came from the palace and Emperor Xiao personally issued an edict to allow it, many of the noble ladies from aristocratic families signed up, whether they really wanted to sign up or were following their family's wishes to save the emperor and empress's face.
As for the news about the founding of the nation a few days ago, and the so-called discussion about Beiyang Kingdom not respecting other countries, they were completely suppressed in front of the selection of female officials, and all attention was drawn to this matter.
Although Jiang Suining was not from a noble family, she met the registration requirements because of what she had done before and the praise she had received from the emperor.
The registration process lasted for five days, and after all the envoys had left the imperial city, the deadline finally arrived.
On the second day, according to the notification, all applicants had to gather at the west gate of the palace and enter the palace together to listen to the content and rules of the next assessment.
The weather was fine and the sunlight was shining in front of the palace gate.
When Jiang Suining arrived at the west gate of the palace in a carriage, many women were already waiting there.
Among them were some who were familiar with Jiang Suining, and they greeted each other.
Although it is only the registration stage, some people are already speculating who will be the favorite for this female official selection.
Among them, the one mentioned most frequently was Lu Yan, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Lu.
Ever since she broke off her engagement with Li Zheng, news about Lu Yan gradually became less and less frequent. She stayed at home every day, reading, playing the piano, and cultivating her character.
Grand Tutor Lu also mentioned that he wanted to arrange another marriage for her, but Lu Yan refused, saying that she wanted to stay at home and spend more time with her family.
Master Lu thought that she was discouraged because of her previous marriage, so he didn't rush her and waited for her to adjust her mood.
After hearing about the selection of female officials, Lu Yan immediately found Master Lu and expressed her desire to participate. Master Lu had always been very confident in his granddaughter's talent and agreed immediately, and even personally asked someone to sign up for Lu Yan.
The noble ladies were discussing excitedly. As the popular candidate in their eyes, Lu Yan looked calm and modest. She just smiled in response to the compliments and said that she did not deserve them.
Jiang Suining and Lu Yan were not very familiar with each other, so when their eyes met, Jiang Suining just nodded and didn't say much.
Instead, Lu Yan took the initiative to walk to Jiang Suining's side.
"Meet Miss Jiang."
"You're welcome, Miss Lu." Jiang Suining bowed in return.
"Ms. Jiang, I'm very happy to see you here." Lu Yan looked at Jiang Suining with a smile.
"Why?" Jiang Suining chuckled, "Please forgive me, Miss Lu, I don't seem to be very familiar with you."
"Although we are not familiar with each other, I have heard a lot about you." Lu Yan looked at the many noble ladies around her, "Although there are many people here today, I think many of them are here just to join in the fun. Although there are some who are willing to participate in this selection sincerely, they are not many. But I believe Miss Jiang must be one of them."
"Ms. Lu, you are too kind. I am glad to hear you say that. Of course, I also hope that more people sincerely want to participate in the selection."
Jiang Suining and Lu Yan smiled at each other, and neither of them tried to explain why, although they were clearly competitors, they hoped that there would be as many people who truly wanted to compete with them as possible.
Because they all knew in their hearts that this selection of female officials was a rare and good opportunity. If the participating women performed well, there would be a second or third chance. Otherwise, it would only be a flash in the pan, and the chance for the women to finally step out of the rear house would disappear again.
Soon, it was time to enter the palace. Jiang Suining and the others followed the nanny who was in charge of leading the way, entered the palace from the west gate, and went to meet Queen Shi.
The meeting place was set in the plum grove south of the Imperial Garden.
Although most of the people present were not entering the palace for the first time, many of them were still nervous as they followed the nanny and dared not even breathe.
When we arrived at the entrance of the plum forest, the head maid said, "Ladies, the queen has not arrived yet. Please wait in the plum forest. Remember not to move around. There are palace maids waiting inside. If you need anything, you can talk to them."
"Thank you, Ma'am." Everyone responded in unison.
After the head nanny left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and started walking towards Merlin.
After entering, I saw several palace maids waiting there, but in addition to the palace maids, there was another person.
The other person had her back to the entrance, and judging by her clothes, she was obviously not a palace maid, but rather a member of an official's family.
Someone was curious and was about to say hello or ask something when he heard a noise behind him. The woman turned around with a look of obvious pride on her face.
"Yang Manman!"
Someone made a sound in surprise.
Although the person in front of them was no longer wearing men's clothes today, but was instead wearing women's clothes, everyone still recognized her at a glance.
Wasn’t Yang Manman imprisoned for making a mistake? How come she is here!
Amid the surprised gazes of the crowd, Yang Manman looked straight at Jiang Suining, hatred quickly welling up in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and continued to smile triumphantly.
"Jiang Suining, you didn't expect to see me here."