20demayo Chapter 379: 9 Exits and 3 Returns?
Chapter 379: 9 Exits and 3 Returns?
Chapter 379 Nine Departures and Thirteen Returns?
"It's actually the Asian Yuan...?" Zhao Hongsheng's eyes were unreadable.
"Once we get to the palace examination, we can try our luck for the top scholar position. Actually... the third-place finisher isn't bad either, don't you think, Xiao Dezi?"
"Well... in terms of both talent and appearance, he certainly deserves to be the third-ranked scholar."
Xiao Dezi answered tentatively, not knowing whether his master hoped that Young Master Jiang would be the top scholar or the second or third scholar. Logically speaking, wouldn't it be better to be the top scholar?
Even a eunuch like him knew that only the top scholar could directly become a sixth-rank official. Although the second and third-ranked scholars could also be directly appointed to official positions, they were still seventh-rank officials, which was a difference in rank.
When it comes to becoming an official, starting from a high position isn't the most important thing, but being able to start a little higher gives you a head start over others.
After all, not everyone can get promoted based on merit; many officials simply accumulate seniority.
Zhao Hongsheng's expression didn't change after hearing Xiao Dezi's words, as if it were just a casual question.
"Alright, it's getting late. You should go and rest. Didn't the Imperial Household Department send some new palace servants? Find two well-behaved ones and have them come and serve you."
"Yes, I will make arrangements now."
Xiao Dezi was indeed exhausted. He had to sit on a footstool to keep watch at night, and during the day he had to help the people from the inner palace move things around. Now his whole body ached.
After Xiao Dezi left, Zhao Hongsheng stood alone by the window, playing with a jade pendant in his hand.
Before long, two eunuchs came and bowed respectfully.
Zhao Hongsheng glanced at the two men, casually pointed to one of them for night watch, and from then on, the two of them would take turns, with Xiao Dezi serving during the day.
The eunuch who was pointed at felt a chill on his shoulders, while another person took the initiative to go out and prepare hot water for Zhao Hongsheng's bath.
Jiang Residence —
After the results of the provincial examination are released, there are still more than twenty days to prepare for the palace examination.
It wasn't summer yet, and the temperature was quite pleasant. Taking the exam in the palace hall meant that as long as you weren't nervous, you wouldn't sweat too much.
Of course, there would be no sweat smell causing the candidates to lose their decorum in front of the palace. It must be said that the examination time arrangement for the palace examination was quite humane.
The Jiang family members who failed the imperial examination were not in a hurry to go back. They thought that after the results of the palace examination were announced, they could go back together to pay respects to their ancestors and take care of each other.
After all, it's not a short distance, and hiring bodyguards for the round trip would be quite an expense.
The group refused to let Landlord Jiang pay for their meals, as the money was enough for the four of them to live comfortably in the capital for a year.
Besides, staying and eating at the Jiang family's house for over twenty days wouldn't cost them much food, and would even save them some money for escorting goods.
Landlord Jiang naturally had no objections. In fact, he quite liked his house to be lively and bustling. His house had a large courtyard, and there were several empty rooms in each of the guest courtyards.
Jiang Wenhai and Jiang Wenhan returned to their residence in the capital, but during the day they would still come to Jiang Xiaoqi's study to prepare for the imperial examination with everyone.
Not only the eight who passed the exam, but the four who failed also did not go out to eat, drink, and have fun; they continued to follow the same routine as everyone else.
Jiang Xiaoqi nodded secretly, certain that her family would pass the next imperial examination.
"I'd be letting everyone down if I didn't make more copies of the documents," Jiang Xiaoqi said, and the system's printer was practically sparking.
In order to earn more points and upgrade further, the system is going all out, starting overtime mode.
The last time I upgraded the blind box opening, I didn't get any physical items. This time, the upgrade requires double the points, and I'm still far from getting them.
Fortunately, I've found a generous host. Many of the other systems that came out at the same time as me are still in their primitive forms.
Oh no! That's so tragic! Hahahaha!
That's why it's so incredibly lucky to have a host who's hardworking, generous, and not stingy at all. It's a life without regrets! Haha.
Are you laughing?
Forehead!
"No, host, you misheard. I'm busy, I don't have time to laugh~" What's going on? How can the host hear me laughing?
"When did I say I heard it? What are you feeling guilty about?"
"No~ really no, hehe."
"Why haven't the points from the supplementary examination paper king system arrived yet? Are you...?"
"No! Absolutely not! Host, I am innocent!"
The system quickly explained that it was worried that if the points that had been deducted were deducted again, it would take even longer to upgrade.
"Then tell me, why hasn't the money arrived yet? Don't give me any nonsense like network delays, bad signal, or too many people and they're still counting them!"
Uh oh no! All three excuses I just came up with have been spilled by the host, leaving me speechless! Wait! Could it be that the host has awakened mind-reading abilities!?
Jiang Xiaoqi sensed the faint fluctuation and knew that she had guessed the system's little scheme.
The system felt that if it had a physical body, it would definitely be trembling with fear and drenched in sweat at this moment.
What should I do if I suddenly don't feel like upgrading anymore?
"Hehe, um, host, I'm just borrowing it temporarily, for five days! At most five days, I'll pay you back with interest!"
"Good, good, good! It really is you. I knew it. You've been keeping quiet these past few days because you've been causing trouble."
Tell me, what did you do with the misappropriated public points? Think it through before you speak, or don't bother with lies.
"Well, well... actually, I didn't do anything much, just lent out a little money at exorbitant interest rates."
Huh? Loan sharks?!
Jiang Xiaoqi felt that his own system might not be a good system, and he didn't want it to drag him down as its host one day.
"What kind of usury?! The interest rate of the points bank is already high enough, and you're still playing that 'nine out, thirteen back' trick!"
"Host, I just want to earn enough points to level up quickly," the system said, sounding aggrieved.
"You're so eager to level up? I'll let you accumulate the points, and you'll have enough soon. Why are you so impatient? Take them back, and we'll waive the interest."
"Huh? But it will be ready in five days..."
"Now, immediately!"
"Yes, I understand~"
Points banks are legitimate places in the system for earning interest, and they have remained stable and secure for a long time.
This so-called usury loan is obviously something the system makes privately; it's unreliable.
The system acted quickly; in less than half an hour, Jiang Xiaoqi found that he had 40,000 more points in his points account.
This includes 5,000 points for each of the seven tribute students from the Jiang family, as well as an additional reward for Jiang Xiaoqi for winning second place in the Asian Cup.
Wang Jue is not bound to the affiliated online system, so Wang Jue's status as a tribute student cannot bring Jiang Xiaoqi any points rewards.
As usual, Jiang Xiaoqi deposited 40,000 points into the points bank and withdrew one-tenth of the interest accrued from last month and transferred it to the system.
"Here you go. Calculate how many points you need to upgrade. I'll allow you to take out a loan from me, but of course, there will be interest!"
The system happily accepted the points, but after some thought, it refused to use them for upgrades. For some reason, it suddenly wasn't so excited about the upgraded physical appearance anymore.
I'm even a little worried that once I have a physical form, my host will treat me like a pendant, hanging me on their waistband...