RPAGF Chapter 356 Talent Selection
Chapter 356 Talent Selection
Shi Wanxia hurriedly turned her face away and winked at Shuyun behind her.
Shuyun understood immediately. Her moon-white dress swept across the blue bricks, and the silver hairpin at her temple jingled softly as she bowed: "Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will go and fetch the ladies."
Once Shuyun's figure disappeared outside the hanging flower gate, the front hall fell into a subtle silence.
Shen Yanzhou picked up his teacup and took a sip, Cui Zhihao fiddled with the jade pendant at his waist, and several scholars from the Hanlin Academy whispered among themselves.
Shi Wanxia looked at the students present, listened to the dripping of the water clock, and her palms gradually became sweaty.
Half an incense stick later, the tinkling of jade pendants grew louder as they approached. Cui Yashu led the way, followed by several noble ladies who gracefully entered.
Their brocade gowns were woven with golden peonies, and the pearls and jade ornaments in their hair trembled slightly with their steps. The scent of incense mixed with the smell of rouge wafted over the air.
Cui Yashu, who was at the head of the procession, walked to the foot of the steps, her wide sleeves brushing the ground: "This humble woman greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Shen Yanzhou raised her hand to signal everyone to stand up, her gaze sweeping over the crowd: "I've heard that you are all talented women from the capital, and I've come today specifically to learn from you."
Before he could finish speaking, Cui Yashu had already taken the answers she had written overnight from the maid: "These are the test questions His Highness sent yesterday. I have dared to answer them, and I humbly request His Highness's guidance on any shortcomings."
On the unfolded Xuan paper, delicate small regular script with intricate brushstrokes is displayed.
Just as Shi Wanxia was about to speak, Cui Zhihao suddenly stepped forward: "Miss Cui is a woman of great talent and is known as a talented woman in the capital. However, many of your answers are too superficial and do not capture the true meaning."
Cui Yashu's expression changed drastically, and the silk handkerchief in her hand trembled slightly.
Seeing this, Shi Wanxia quickly picked up an account book from the desk: "Your Highness, this is Miss Cui's calculation of the Ministry of Works' expenditures and loopholes last year."
"I believe that Miss Cui is intelligent and virtuous, and truly outstanding in poetry, literature, etiquette, and arithmetic."
The copper bells under the eaves swayed gently in the breeze, making a clear and melodious sound.
Shi Wanxia wore a moon-white dress with dark cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, and a red belt around her waist, making her look dignified yet elegant.
Holding a scroll of selection regulations, she stood calmly on the stone steps in front of the hall, her eyes sharp and her expression serene, listening to the students and scholars participating in the selection.
The Crown Prince, dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe with a geometric pattern, sat upright in a specially set chair. Several students stood beside him, their gazes also sweeping over the crowd below.
The selection of officials was personally ordered by His Majesty and entrusted to Shi Wanxia, which shows His Majesty's trust and high regard for her.
Shi Wanxia's gaze swept over the crowd. Suddenly, she noticed that among the scholars and literati brought by His Highness the Crown Prince, several were looking at her with disdain.
Her eyes held disdain and arrogance, as if to say, how could a woman bear such a heavy responsibility, and how could she judge the talents of these well-read men?
Shi Wanxia felt a slight unease, her heart sinking a little.
She knew all too well that in this patriarchal society, it was already difficult for women to hold official positions, and they often faced criticism and contempt.
But since His Majesty trusts her and has entrusted her with such an important selection, it is a great taboo for these scholars to underestimate their opponents.
It must be understood that throughout history, it has been no easy feat for scholars to become officials by simply studying diligently for a little over ten years, hoping to pass the imperial examinations in one fell swoop, gain the emperor's favor, and be granted official titles and rewards.
Now, with her recommendation, these people can be spared the arduous process of selection.
Otherwise, the preliminary examination, the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination are all more difficult than the last, and many people spend their entire lives trying to cross that dragon gate.
Just then, a path parted in the crowd, and Xie Nanzhou, from the Xie clan of Chenjun, wearing a dark blue long robe, tall and handsome, walked slowly with his sister Xie Yutang.
Xie Nanzhou held a scroll in his hands, his expression respectful and composed.
"His Royal Highness,"
Xie Nanzhou walked up to the Crown Prince, bowed slightly, and spoke in a clear and firm voice.
"What Lord Shi said makes sense. The Cui family of Qinghe is unparalleled. Although Miss Cui is a woman, she is already famous throughout the capital."
As he spoke, he presented the dossier in his hand to the Crown Prince. The ink on the dossier was still wet, indicating that it had been written overnight.
Xie Yutang followed behind her brother, wearing a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with delicate begonia flowers embroidered on the hem, like a beautiful flower blooming in spring.
She bowed slightly, and said in a gentle, sweet voice, "The daughter of the Xie family of Chenjun greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Those clear eyes, filled with sincerity and expectation, instantly won the hearts of all who looked at them.
"Your Highness, I have loved reading all kinds of poems and articles since I was a child, and I have also been taught arithmetic occasionally."
As Xie Yutang spoke, she looked firmly at the Crown Prince.
"This humble woman dares to recommend herself!"
After saying that, she turned to face Shi Wanxia and gave a dignified bow.
“Lord Shi, my daughter has loved all kinds of books since she was a child and has some experience. I heard that you are also looking for books, so I am taking the liberty of recommending myself.”
"I hope that you can give my daughter a chance to show what she has learned."
Shi Wanxia looked at the brother and sister in front of her and nodded to herself.
Xie Nanzhou's words were reasonable, well-founded, humble, and polite.
Although Xie Yutang was a woman, she was poised, confident, and composed, a stark contrast to the disdainful students from before.
"In that case, leave your files here for me to review carefully."
Shi Wanxia spoke calmly, her voice neither loud nor soft, yet exuding an undeniable authority.
Xie Nanzhou and Xie Yutang bowed again and stepped aside.
At this moment, those scholars and literati who had just looked at Shi Wanxia with disdain began to have doubts when they saw how much Xie Nanzhou and his sister respected Shi Wanxia.
They began to secretly wonder what abilities this seemingly weak woman possessed that made a prestigious family like the Xie clan of Chenjun value her so highly.
As time went on, the selection process officially began.
Shi Wanxia sat in the examination seat, watching intently as the students stepped forward one by one to demonstrate their talents.
Her questions were tricky yet incisive, ranging from the principles of governing a country to the charm of poetry and songs.
From policies addressing people's hardships to the study of astronomy and geography, everything tests the students' true abilities and knowledge.
Those students who initially looked down on Shi Wanxia stammered and gave irrelevant answers when faced with her questions;
Some could manage to cope, but they couldn't hide their inner panic.
However, Xie Nanzhou and his sister, Cui Yashu, and Fan Sitong performed exceptionally well.
Xie Nanzhou answered fluently and offered unique insights. His analysis of the strategies for governing the country drew nods of approval from the ministers present.
Xie Yutang amazed the audience with an impromptu poem, which combined the gentle beauty of a woman with a deep concern for her country and people, creating a profound and meaningful poem.
Shi Wanxia observed the situation on the field and had already formed a judgment in her mind.
She knew that this selection was not only to select talents for the court, but also to break down societal prejudices against women and prove that women could also achieve great things in the court.
The appearance of Xie Nanzhou and his sister undoubtedly added to her confidence in achieving this goal.
However, the selection process was not without its challenges.
As the selection process progressed, some hidden forces began to stir.
Those who were jealous of the Xie siblings' talents, and those conservatives who were unwilling to see women make their mark in the court, began to secretly sabotage them.