Li Fengsheng frowned. He had just said it in passing, but why did the Emperor really give the task to Qin Yun?
"Your Majesty, perhaps... you might reconsider?" Li Fengsheng was unwilling!
Xie Qianmo did not speak, merely gave Li Fengsheng a cold look. Li Fengsheng had no choice but to obediently lower his head!
This was a golden opportunity for him to earn merit, yet it had turned into Qin Yun's!
It was all his fault for his loose tongue! Li Fengsheng slapped himself hard!
The next day!
Qin Yun had recovered most of her strength and attended the morning court on time!
Coupled with what Xie Qianmo had revealed to her yesterday, confessing the truth of the matter!
Therefore, Qin Yun truly took Xie Qianmo's admiration for her as a test!
After a night of rest and recuperation, she was even more radiant today!
She had slept soundly last night!
In the great hall!
The civil and military officials stood neatly in two long columns!
Xie Qianmo directly announced two major matters for the day!
"I have heard that a batch of disaster victims has arrived in the northern part of the city. I have decided to hand this matter over to Qin Yun! As the newly appointed top scholar, this will also serve as a test for her!"
As soon as these words were spoken, many officials below the hall objected one after another!
"Your Majesty, Scholar Qin is but a green recruit, and may not be able to shoulder such a great responsibility. This matter is of great importance, I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!" said the Assistant Minister of the Left of the Ministry of Rites, stepping forward!
"Regarding the disaster victims, it would be more appropriate to assign it to Minister Li. Minister Li has been an old official by Your Majesty's side, and Your Majesty has witnessed his efficiency firsthand!" said the Assistant Minister of the Right of the Ministry of Rites, stepping forward!
"Being able to compose poetry does not mean one can also handle disaster relief and aid. This official believes that Scholar Qin is not competent for this task!" said the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, stepping forward!
Hearing everyone's objections, Qin Yun snorted coldly. "Since His Majesty has approved this matter, why do you old bones object!"
"Moreover, this official has not even started working on this matter yet, and you all, one by one, say I'm not capable. If you are so capable, you haven't achieved any great accomplishments! You just know how to huff and puff every day!"
As Qin Yun's voice fell!
"Pfft!"
Wei Xiaochang, standing behind her, couldn't help but let out a laugh!
He quickly stifled his laughter and said sternly, "This official applauds Scholar Qin's words. How can we say someone is not capable without trying! Everything has a beginning! This minister believes... Scholar Qin can give it a try!"
Qin Yun turned to look at Wei Xiaochang and was very pleased with his response!
Wei Xiaochang also winked at Qin Yun!
Xie Qianmo noticed their interaction!
Xie Qianmo instantly became restless!
His mind started to wander again... Could it be that the little bun was not Ouyang Siqing, but Wei Xiaochang?
And Wei Xiaochang was the youngest among them!
Xie Qianmo frowned slightly!
No!
No matter who the little bun was! He had to ensure that the remaining few married and took concubines soon! Otherwise, he really wouldn't be at ease!
"I have heard most of what my beloved ministers have said, but Minister Li had already explained the situation to me yesterday! It was also Minister Li who voluntarily handed the task over to Qin Yun!"
Xie Qianmo looked at Li Fengsheng, who remained silent, and asked coldly, "Am I correct, Minister Li?"
Li Fengsheng dared not slacken. He quickly stepped out of the ranks, lowered his head, and said, "Yes, this official handed over the matter of disaster relief and aid to Scholar Qin!"
Li Fengsheng was very unconvinced, but since the Emperor had spoken, he could only grudgingly admit it!
Xie Qianmo nodded with satisfaction!
Looking at everyone in the hall, "My beloved ministers, do you have any other opinions?"
This...?
Everyone looked at each other!
Even Li Fengsheng himself had said so, would they still dare to raise any objections?
Qin Yun also felt a surge of satisfaction!
It seemed the Emperor was going to heavily rely on her!
After the numerous tests and difficulties of the past few days!
Had she passed the assessment?
It seemed that in the future, she would also become a favored official by the Emperor's side!
Qin Yun's happiness lasted for less than three seconds!
Then she heard Xie Qianmo say, "Furthermore, I have a piece of happy news to announce!"
"The Left Prime Minister's granddaughter, Shan Xiaoyu, and Ouyang Siqing are deeply in love, and I plan to arrange their marriage!" As Xie Qianmo said this, he watched Qin Yun's every move with his peripheral vision!
As expected!
Upon hearing that Ouyang Siqing was to be engaged, the smile on Qin Yun's face instantly turned cold!
Ouyang Siqing, who stood still in place, felt some internal conflict!
He had heard his grandfather discuss the matter with Shan Xiaoyu yesterday!
His grandfather seemed very pleased with this marriage proposal, and moreover, the other party was only marrying into the household as a secondary wife. For him, marrying the Left Prime Minister's granddaughter as a secondary wife was indeed a good thing! At least, on the surface, it was!
Just like in the future, no matter what happened in court, he would have the protection of the Left Prime Minister!
But he didn't know why!
Even though it was good news, he couldn't feel happy!
He had met Shan Xiaoyu twice. She was beautiful and her demeanor was learned and well-behaved!
Such an outstanding woman, to only be his secondary wife, he naturally had nothing to say!
But at this moment, he couldn't help but look in Qin Yun's direction!
Looking at Qin Yun's upright back, he had a moment of daze. If he agreed to this marriage, it seemed he would lose something very important!
Perhaps this something would make him regret it for the rest of his life!
He shook his head!
Ouyang Siqing was in a dilemma!
Why did he have such a strange feeling!
Marrying a wife and taking concubines was one of the greatest joys in a man's life!
He should be happy, after all, the woman was so gentle, skillful, and knowledgeable!
But... but his heart was somewhat flustered at this moment!
It felt as if something was getting further and further away, so far that he could barely grasp it!
"Ouyang Siqing, what do you think of Shan Xiaoyu? Are you satisfied with this marriage?" Just as Ouyang Siqing was in a dilemma, Xie Qianmo's voice suddenly came!
"This minister... this minister...?" Ouyang Siqing stammered. For a moment, he suddenly wanted to refuse, to defy the imperial edict!
Qin Yun stood there blankly! Her face was expressionless!
The Emperor had decreed the marriage? Would Siqing agree or refuse?
Qin Yun's hands tightly clutched the sides of her robes!
Her nervousness was no less than Ouyang Siqing's!
She hoped Ouyang Siqing would refuse!
But if he refused, he would definitely offend the Emperor, and also offend the Left Prime Minister! Moreover, Tutor Ouyang would also be disappointed in Siqing!
But if he did not refuse!
Then her good fantasies about Siqing would ultimately be shattered, and they would be completely over!
"Ouyang Siqing? What are you hesitating about? Are you not satisfied with Shan Xiaoyu?" Xie Qianmo narrowed his eyes!
His gaze was as if he could devour someone!
If Ouyang Siqing dared to say a single 'no,' it seemed he would be torn to shreds the next second!
Left Prime Minister Shan Qingyun, seeing Ouyang Siqing hesitate, was slightly displeased!
He turned around!
With a displeased expression, he looked at the hesitant Ouyang Siqing!
"Scholar Tan Hua? Do you look down on my granddaughter?" Shan Qingyun's deep voice rang out!
If he didn't know his granddaughter's feelings, the moment he saw this young man hesitate, he would have immediately refused this marriage!
But his precious granddaughter had long liked this Ouyang Siqing! Yesterday, upon learning of the imperial decree, she was so happy she didn't sleep all night!
Even as a secondary wife, she was willing to marry into the Ouyang household!
He hadn't expected that at the crucial moment, this young man would still hesitate!
It was simply as if he didn't even consider his Left Prime Minister's mansion!
"Scholar Tan Hua, will you marry my beloved granddaughter or not? Say something!" Shan Qingyun asked coldly.