Long Live the Empress

Chapter 227 Controlling the Spring Examination

I don’t know if Kong Linan came too hastily or for some other reason, but there was a slight blush on his handsome face.

"Mr. Kong." Yue Jinghao greeted Kong Linan, and then asked Manou to lead Kong Linan to sit down.

As smart as Su Hongfu is, her peach blossom eyes kept looking at Yue Jinghao and Kong Linan.

"An'er, please chat with the young lady. I'll go get some things!" After saying this, Kong's mother went out with a smile.

Kong Linan seemed a little embarrassed, his slender hands opening and closing constantly.

"Mr. Kong, I came here today actually to tell you something." Yue Jinghao's words broke the silence in the room.

"Miss, please speak." Seeing Yue Jinghao's serious look, Kong Linan also listened carefully.

"The Spring Examination will be held in another month. Not only are the students eagerly waiting for it, but it's also a time when some people can't wait any longer. Often, some students feel that the world is unfair and are trying to fight against a rock with an egg... I hope that Mr. Kong will not pay attention to outside interference and just focus on the exam." Yue Jinghao's expression was extremely serious. She didn't want Kong Lin'an to be instigated by others at the last minute and lose his future.

"Miss, what you mean is that someone will take advantage of this Spring Examination to make a profit?" Kong Lin'an didn't react much. The news of using the Spring Examination as a bet had already spread throughout the capital, attracting countless people to sign up and place bets, but no one knew who was the person controlling it behind the scenes.

Yue Jinghao shook her head. Kong Linan was still a little naive at this time, so she could only say frankly, "Those are just trivial matters. What I am afraid of is that someone will manipulate the Spring Examination and let some truly talented students be overlooked."

Kong Linan was getting a little impatient. "I have studied hard for decades just to serve the imperial court. But if this happens, won't I and those poor students be left with nowhere to turn to?"

"You see, my girl is just talking casually, but Mr. Kong can't sit still. If this really happened, wouldn't Mr. Kong take to the streets to protest?" This was originally Yue Jing's joke, but it made Kong Linan blush.

Yue Jinghao just reminded him not to be disturbed by the outside world, but now he can't hold back anymore...

“I…I…” Kong Lin’an didn’t know what to say, so he just shut up.

"Do you know what the consequences of these things are, Master Kong? First, talented poor students will fail the exam and protest. The court will definitely send people to suppress them and kill the leaders to serve as a warning to others! Second, some people with ulterior motives will enter the court and form factions to form their own camp..."

Yue Jinghao's words hit Kong Lin'an's heart like a heavy punch, and also made him feel the darkness of the officialdom in advance. "Is there no way to solve it?"

"I will make my own arrangements! I hope Mr. Kong can remember my words and not lose his life and future because of a momentary grievance!"

Yue Jinghao's words couldn't be clearer, and Kong Lin'an nodded heavily, "Miss, don't worry, I know what to do!"

Yue Jinghao chatted with Kong Linan for a while and then stood up to leave.

Kong Linan wanted to keep Yuejing for a simple meal, but before he could open his mouth, Kong's mother came in with a bundle.

"Miss, this is the sole that I made. It is made of the strongest and most comfortable fabric. This one is from Miss Agate and Lao Ding... I wanted to make a pair of shoes for you, but I really don't have any good uppers at home... Can you take a look?"

When Manao heard that there was also a pair for herself, she quickly opened the bundle, which contained more than a dozen pairs of soles of different sizes. Yue Jinghao picked up a pair and looked through them carefully. The fabrics used to make the shoes were carefully selected by Kong's mother, and the stitches were also very dense. "Very good! I'll have someone make the uppers when I get home! Thank you, old lady!"

Kong's mother was originally worried that Yue Jinghao would dislike it, but now that she sees how much Yue Jinghao likes it, she is relieved. "If the young lady wears it well, I will cover the soles of your shoes in the future!"

"Madam, you can just mend shoe soles in the future, but don't wash clothes for others anymore. If you get sick again, Mr. Kong won't be able to concentrate on the exam!" Agate said to Kong's mother while tying the bundle.

"Okay, okay!" Kong's mother agreed with a smile on her face, but her rough old hands wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

In the end, Yue Jinghao left in the carriage despite the Kong mother and son's attempts to keep her.

Kong Lin'an looked at the green-roofed carriage going away, his thoughts racing.

It is said that no one knows a son better than his mother. How could Kong Linan’s mother not know what he was thinking?

"An'er, Miss Yue's kindness to us may never be repaid in our next life. You must pass the exam this time and don't let Miss Yue down! Okay?"

What Kong's mother said was exactly what Kong Lin'an was thinking. So Kong Lin'an said yes, and he didn't help Kong's mother back until he could no longer see Yue Jinghao's carriage.