Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 487 - 323: The Newly Drafted List

"Hua Lian beseeches you, Master, please take me in! I can do any kind of work, all I ask is for a place to settle down. As a mere woman, even if I had Silver, I couldn’t survive! I’m afraid I wouldn’t even make it out of the Capital before being robbed, only to meet a tragic end. I beg the Master to keep me!"

Hua Lian knelt in supplication, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, her frail shoulders trembling, her silent sobs making her truly pitiable.

Gu Chengyu sighed, acknowledging the truth in Hua Lian’s words. In these times, life was hard enough for women, and for someone like Hua Lian, alone on her own, survival was even tougher.

Lichun did not come out from the main room; she was in Gu Chengyu’s bedroom, listening to the conversation in the study. When she heard Hua Lian’s plea to stay, her hand, which was folding clothes, paused. This Hua Lian is not naive, she thought; she plans to latch onto the young Master?

Gu Chengyu also had no good solutions. "Get up quickly; for the time being, you may stay in the residence. If you ever wish to leave, just let me know."

Gu Chengyu was also thinking that since Hua Lian was already fourteen, in another two years, she should be seeking a husband. Next time he could inquire among those around him to see if there was a suitable match. Maybe he could even introduce Hua Lian to a good marriage prospect. It would be her fortune, after all, and having one more person eating in the household wouldn’t make much difference.

Hua Lian was overjoyed to see Gu Chengyu actually allowing her to stay. However, her identity here was neither fitting nor understood, making her feel somewhat awkward staying.

"Let me be a maid for you, Master! I see you don’t have many people around to tend to your daily needs."

Upon hearing this, Lichun inside the room became displeased. If Hua Lian stayed as a maid, then what about her? She planned to go out and argue, but Gu Chengyu responded before she could.

"No need, I already have Lichun and Ming Mo, and enough people to serve me. Rest easy and settle down here."

Hua Lian wanted to say more, but saw Gu Chengyu had already picked up a book and sipped his tea, signaling a desire to end the discussion. Hua Lian had no choice but to stand and take her leave.

"Then I will thank you now, Master. Please take care of yourself." Hua Lian did not linger; there would be plenty of time ahead. She believed she could eventually win over Mr. Gu; she didn’t think his heart was made of iron.

Inside, Lichun breathed a sigh of relief. But thinking about having to deal with Hua Lian in the future gave her a headache. How was she supposed to address her, as a mistress?

"Sir! You’ve already reviewed this list, are there any issues?" A man in a grape-purple straight robe glanced at the elder sitting at the head of the table, asking nervously.

"Tong Shudu, look here, the top examinee is named Gu Chengyu. I heard recently he has questionable morals, roaming brothels in the Capital, competing with commoners for the girls. It’s truly disgraceful. Selecting such a candidate as the top scholar would bring shame to the court’s integrity!"

The man wore a crow-blue crossed-collar Daoist robe, with a green jade crown on his head, slightly droopy double eyelids, but still a sharp gaze. Judging by his age, he should be around fifty, yet still vigorous, as he stroked his goatee in disdain.

Who else could this be but Grand Secretary Xia Qing?

Hanlin Academy Assistant Reader Tong Zhouyi was one of the examiners grading this round of the imperial examination. The list he presented to Xia Qing was the revised ranking list.

"This?" Tong Shudu knew Xia Qing’s intent, but this is the first place candidate, and the Emperor had already reviewed the original list. To pull down the first place choice would be quite improper, wouldn’t it? It seemed too blatant.

Besides, the Emperor might not even agree with the revised list.

"The Emperor has been unwell recently, with little energy to bother with such trifles. Just detail the candidates with questionable morals, and present it to the Emperor." Xia Qing didn’t deem it a significant issue. As long as it’s not excessive, the Emperor would turn a blind eye.

He’d reviewed the list and hadn’t crossed off many. Those he did were mostly poor students, who would be helpless even if they knew the truth.

Tong Shudu felt a chill in his heart; this was a grand event in the examination world, yet to the Grand Secretary’s mouth, it was a minor issue? He was indeed worried about altering the list; the emperor’s mood had been terrible lately. If he took out his anger over this matter on him, what could he do?

But he also felt a sense of helplessness. Since he had already attached himself to Chief Minister Xia’s faction, he couldn’t escape this matter. Chief Minister Xia was adept at manipulating court officials from behind the scenes and had his own ways of punishing those who didn’t obey.

"Sir, but Gu Chengyu is the top candidate, already conspicuous. If he gets pulled down and the Emperor blames me, I couldn’t bear it!"

Tong Shudu’s face was bitter; this truly put him in a difficult position. He was just an official of the Secondary Fifth Rank. Gu Chengyu wasn’t without foundations; even though his teacher had left the court, his influence hadn’t vanished entirely.

If Liang Zhirui petitioned other officials for Gu Chengyu’s sake, those who had benefited from him surely wouldn’t disregard it? Moreover, Gu Chengyu had three senior brothers all holding positions in court, with not insignificant ranks, making them hard to offend!

Tong Shudu pondered it; he couldn’t bear this alone!

"Tong Shudu, you’d better think it through. You’ve been at the Hanlin Academy for many years now. Do you know why you’re still holding the Secondary Fifth Rank?"

Seeing Tong Zhouyi so panic-stricken, Xia Qing felt a bit disdainful. Tong Zhouyi was indeed timid. Although he had sought allegiance with him, so far, he hadn’t accomplished anything on his behalf. Now, Xia Qing sought to test Tong Zhouyi, to see if his allegiance was genuine or if he was just riding on his influence in the court for an easy life.

Xia Qing’s reputation wasn’t easily borrowed; if Tong Zhouyi couldn’t manage this task, what use was he to him?

Tong Zhouyi certainly understood the reason; wasn’t it due to having no connections in the court? That’s why he sought Chief Minister Xia’s patronage, hoping to finally move his long-stagnant position! However, he had to outwardly satisfy Xia Qing’s pride, displaying his own foolishness while thinking this inwardly.

"Please enlighten me, Sir!" Tong Zhouyi stood up, making a deep bow, as if sincerely seeking guidance.

Seeing Tong Zhouyi’s pretentious act, Xia Qing didn’t expose him, satisfied with his attitude.

"It’s because you always want to maintain a low profile! Tong Shudu, sometimes, opportunities and risks go hand in hand, and you must seize them! Previously, you might have thought no one in the court appreciated you, but now that you are under my command, of course, I have to consider your future. If you want to become my right-hand man, you must show your sincerity to me."

Tong Zhouyi understood this was Xia Qing using this matter to see his commitment to allegiance. Since he couldn’t avoid it, he naturally had to seek benefits for himself.

"Sir, it’s not that this task is impossible. The only thing is, as you know, I am still of the Secondary Fifth Rank. Even if I wanted to serve you in the court, I’m not up to the task!"