Dòu Zhāo was stunned, with a faint feeling of overkill - who is Ji Yōng, does he need people's sympathy? A moment of silence...

  "In that case, you can take your time figuring it out." She turned her head and left, "I have something else to do, I'll leave first."

  "Hey, hey, hey!" Ji Yong pulled her sleeve, "What's wrong with your temper? I just said one sentence, you didn't even listen to the end and turned around to leave!" She immediately regained her energetic and lively demeanor.

  Dong Zhao's face turned red with anger, and he flung his sleeves, saying: "Aren't you calculating accounts? Am I not disturbing you by standing here..."

  "No, no!" Ji Yong hastily said, releasing his hand and inviting Dou Zhao to sit beside him. "I was just thinking of discussing something with you."

  Dong Zhao saw that he was fine, and didn't have the mood to listen to his nonsense, so she said: "Whatever it is can be said when we get back, Second Madam is hosting a dinner for female guests, I'll go join in on the fun."

  "Oh!" Ji Yong nodded like a garlic press, "Then you go quickly, we'll discuss this matter thoroughly tonight."

  He has always been very measured in these matters.

  Dòu Zhāo turned around and left.

  A half-face with a dimly lit complexion is exposed behind the Taihu stone fake mountain.

  In the evening, Dou Shao and Ji Yong met in the garden.

  The bright red lantern light shone on Ji Yong's face, making his eyebrows and eyes even more handsome.

  He counted on his fingers: "I'm 16 this year, next year I'll be a scholar at 17; three years of miscellaneous studies, 20 years old; then go to the six ministries to observe politics, three years later mix up a seventh-grade right giver or something like that, and it's already 23 years old; another three years, promoted to seventh grade... Calculating like this, I want to promote to the second grade, at least 53 years old!" He said, shivering with cold, "Too scary, too scary... Taking the imperial examination is not worth it! If I had known, I should have participated in the spring exam immediately after passing the provincial exam. At least I can save a few years, and by the time I'm 50, I'll be a second-grade official."

  Dòu Zhāo really is both infuriating and laughable, I don't know what to say to him. Irritated, I asked him: "Then what do you plan to do?"

  In his previous life, he was a Round Master who became a Shilang of the Ministry of Rites before the age of thirty and held a third-grade official position.

  "I'm also struggling," said Ji Yong, who looked troubled but had sparkling eyes that didn't show any signs of trouble. "Do you think there's a shortcut to accumulating experience without having to go through so much hardship?"

  Yes!

  Become a monk!

  An idea flashed through her mind, and Du Zhao's eyes widened in surprise.

  Could it be that in his previous life, Ji Yong became a monk because of this?

  It would also require sufficient luck to encounter an emperor who, due to his confinement of his own father and the killing of his own brother in a bid for the throne, is daily plagued by anxiety and insomnia, and thus begins to especially believe in Buddhism.

  .

  If only I knew when he left home in his previous life!

  Dong Zhao took out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead and said, "I heard that Liang Qing entered the cabinet at the age of 43, Sun Huai entered the cabinet at the age of 44, Wang Ji entered the cabinet at the age of 46..."

  She can't just watch this guy continue to become a monk!

  Every time the sixth aunt mentions him, she is overjoyed and proud! It's as if he is the hope of the Ji family, their future. She must coax him into taking the imperial examination to become a scholar-official or something like that.

  "I knew this could only be said to you!" Ji Yong exclaimed, excitedly slapping a palm on Du Zhao's shoulder, causing his body to sink and his shoulder to ache with a burning sensation.

  "She drank with a scowl: 'If you have something to say, just say it, what's with all the hand gestures?'"

  "I'm too happy, too happy!" Ji Yong apologized repeatedly. He bent down and pulled out a large roll of paper from under the stone table.

  He unfolded the paper and pointed to the dense names on it: "I've listed out the resumes of nearly a hundred years' worth of Imperial University scholars. Take a look!"

  The light is dim, and Su Zhao can't see clearly. But if she didn't accompany Ji Yong to madness, who knows who Ji Yong would harm? At least she won't be easily deceived by Ji Yong.

  She ordered Su Lan to light the lamp.

  Su Lan left at the sound of her name being called.

  "… Liang Qing was promoted to Minister of Rites because he had been a tutor to Emperor Renzong, and when the emperor ascended to the throne, he promoted him from a fourth-rank official in the Imperial Censorate to a second-rank official as Minister of Rites. The emperor has six sons, and even the youngest is already thirteen years old this year... I'm thinking of getting some credit for being part of the imperial court, but it's a bit late for that... This won't do! Sun Huai was appointed Minister of Justice because Emperor Xianzong wanted to clean up the bureaucracy, and he had a reputation for being upright and incorruptible. But before that, he spent twelve years as a county magistrate in Qingzhou - I don't want to go all the way to Qingzhou just to become a minister... This won't do either! Wang Ji was promoted to Minister of Personnel because when Emperor Renzong was still a prince, Wang Ji had defended him against his father Emperor Taizong's attempt to depose him. When Renzong became emperor, he promoted Wang Ji to Minister of Personnel..." He stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "Wang Ji's approach might be worth trying - although the current emperor is somewhat prone to mood swings, overall he's a benevolent ruler who can tolerate criticism from officials... but if we want to create discord between the emperor and the crown prince, that's a bit of a tough task..."

  Dou Zhao was already sweating profusely.

  Is there such an official?

  Isn't he being too arrogant?

  Thinking he's number one in the world, everything has to be done according to his wishes!

  "Are you just seeking fame? Or wanting to be an official?" she asked Ji Yong, "Or is it to give your family a sense of pride?"

  "What's the difference?" Ji Yong spread his hands and said, "If I want to make a name for myself, I naturally have to become an official. Once I'm an official, it'll also be a way of giving my family some reassurance. I've been thinking that if I can manage to become a Minister before I turn 40, then I'll still have 30 years left to do what I want to do, and others won't think me strange for being unconventional..."

  Dong Zhaoren couldn't help but ask, looking at him sideways: "Are you sure you can live to be seventy years old?"

  "Seventy years of life is rare since ancient times." Ji Yong said with a big tone, "I should at least live for about that!" He also said, "However, I think I can at least live to eighty-one."

  Dong Zhao felt that he and Cao Cao were wasting their breath in anger, and said: "These are all things to be considered later. For now, you should think about how to get into the top three scholars. If you can't even pass the imperial examination, then everything you've said is just empty talk."

  "I think so too." Ji Yong nodded very seriously, "But compared to planning how to become a second-grade official as soon as possible, passing the imperial examination is just a small matter."

  Dong Zhao burst out laughing and said: "Well, you can be a sycophant or a treacherous minister then!"

  "This is also a way!" Ji Yan said seriously. "I really didn't think of this. It seems that having one more person to discuss with will indeed lead to one more path..."

  Dòu Zhāo yǔ níng.

  Translation:

  Dou Zhao's words were stern.

  Ji Yong burst out laughing, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes.

  Dong Zhao gazed at this poem and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

  "Fourth sister, don't be angry, I know you're doing it for my own good, afraid that I'll do something reckless. But the things in this world are really too boring, if I don't find some interesting things for myself, I'm afraid I'll suffocate." By the end of his words, there was a hint of melancholy.

  "So they say 'all men wish their children to be intelligent, but I was misled by intelligence all my life'!"

  "Not bad, not bad!" Ji Yong raised his hand and patted Dou Zhao's shoulder, then suddenly seemed to remember something and withdrew his hand. He said loudly, "Just for Fourth Sister's one sentence, I should toast a big cup of wine." Then he also said with some regret, "Why are you a girl? It would be great if you were a young man!"

  Dong Zhao was too lazy to bother with him anymore.

  A commotion came from the south of the garden.

  Ji Yong stood up.

  Dō Shiyā also has some weirdness.

  Su Lan went to fetch a lamp, how come it took so long?

  Two people were there, looking around. Then they saw Duan Ming holding his grandmother's hand, walking over with a large group of maids and daughters-in-law surrounding them. Duan Ming's personal maid Ji Hong and Hong Gu held lanterns in front, while Su Lan carried a palace lantern, following behind her grandmother with a humble air.

  Dong Zhaoleng coldly smiled.

  Ji Yong's forehead was bulging with anger, and he gritted his teeth as he said to Du Zhao in a low voice: "Last time I let it slide because she's your sister, but this time don't blame me for not giving you face!"

  Dong Zhao did not make a sound.

  A large pile of papers with writing on them on the table provided Ji Yong with an excuse: "…ask Fourth Sister, are there any biographies of these people?"

  Grandma nodded kindly and said: "Whatever you have to say can be said during the day. It's too late now. The night wind is strong, be careful not to burn the lamp."

  The two of them nodded in unison.

  Under Duan Ming's triumphant gaze, Grandma let Duan Zhao support her back to the house.

  Just as soon as they entered the door. Before Du Zhao could speak, her grandmother said: "I know that although Ji Gongzi likes to make trouble, he is a kind-hearted person, and you are always careful with your words. You two will not do anything that would worry the adults. Since Ming sister has found me, she can find someone else too. You should avoid suspicion after all. If there's anything in the future, just come to my room to talk."

  Grandma's trust made Du Zhao's eyes slightly moist.

  She respectfully complied and served her grandmother until she fell asleep before leaving.

  Dòu Míng was waiting for her outside all along.

  Seeing Du Zhao come out, she smiled and greeted her with a warm "Sister", saying: "You said, should I also tell the second lady about it tomorrow?"

  "Speak up!" Duan Zhao smiled and said, "Just now, Ji Shu's brother told me that last time he didn't bother with you because of my face, but this time, he won't care about anyone's face."

  Dong Ming's face turned slightly pale, and he said sternly, "Does he dare to turn the tables on me?"

  Dong Zhaoming smiled slightly and brushed past her.

  The next few days, Yu Zhao was called by her grandmother to do needlework, Ji Yong obediently stayed in the Crane Longevity Hall reading books, Du Ming followed Wan Niang to learn to play the pipa, as if nothing had happened.

  Su Lan couldn't help but mutter: "What exactly is Ji Gongzi planning?" With an expression that seemed to wish for chaos in the world.

  "Suzi warned her: 'This is Miss's and Ji Gongzi's business, don't get involved in it.'"

  Su Lan nodded absent-mindedly, taking advantage of the change in weather to volunteer to go and exchange thick quilts for Ji Yong, quietly sizing up Ji Yong.

  Pretend you didn't see it.

  Su Lan grasped her ears and scratched her cheeks, finally she could only dejectedly give Ji Yong a knee salute, preparing to retreat.

  "Rest assured, I'm thinking of something that will make the five young ladies regret it for the rest of their lives!"

  ※

  Brothers and sisters, today's extra update!

  To be on the safe side, let's take a look again tomorrow!

  However, I saw the dawn of normal adjustment and updating.

  ~~~~(_

  P.S. Also, I need help with something else: a friend's child has been diagnosed with "Lupus Nephritis Syndrome". If any of you know of a renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor who specializes in treating this disease, please leave a message in the comments section.

  Thank you everyone!

  ※