Chapter 1249: 23 Things About the Fake Emperor and the Powerful Officials
Xie Qingyun knelt on the ground, seemingly not in a hurry to hear Shi Li's answer, and continued to talk about her advantages.
"The Xie family no longer has any close descendants, so there will be no more external relatives interfering in government affairs. I also don't have any selfish motives. I only wish to inherit my grandfather's will and share your worries so that you can have more energy to manage state affairs."
From their daily interactions, Shi Li could tell that Xie Qingyun was different from other girls. She didn't care about her clothes, and didn't like to dress up in a flashy way. She was too calm to be a girl. Sometimes, Shen Yun was indeed very similar to Old Xie.
But, isn’t she going to marry Yuan Chizhi in the future?
Shi Li was a little confused, but seeing Xie Qingyun's determined look, he could only say helplessly: "Let me think about it, this is not a small matter."
This was certainly no small matter, and Xie Qingyun did not expect Shi Li to agree just by saying so. She just stood up slowly and then retreated respectfully.
After she left, Shi Li came to his senses and arranged for the young palace maid in the cold palace to be sent out of the palace. He also specially asked his confidant to send her to the Cui family in a carriage.
She didn't need to say anything to the Cui family. Just send the person over. The Cui family would naturally understand that this was a warning to them.
As for the suggestion made by Xie Qingyun, Shi Li was somewhat tempted, but still needed to think about it again.
On the last day of marking the papers for the special examination, Yuan Chizhi brought Zhang Dongcai directly to the study to ask for a meeting with Shi Li.
Before the two of them came in, Shi Li had already guessed what it was for.
I secretly complained that Zhang Dong was the one who had not made any progress. After following Yuan Chizhi for so long, he still couldn't tell the difference between good and bad.
But Yuan Chizhi did not educate him directly. Instead, he sent the person to her. Was he trying to increase her prestige?
Shi Li couldn't guess Yuan Chizhi's thoughts, so she just called the two of them in.
Yuan Chizhi was still handsome and calm as usual when he walked in front. But Zhang Dong, who was following closely behind him, was different. Shi Li glanced at him and almost spit out her tea.
It was really unbearable to watch such a good young man being so angry that his face turned red and his neck became thick, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
"Your Majesty decides!"
Without waiting for Shi Li to speak, Zhang Dong knelt down in front of Shi Li with a copy of the examinee's papers in his hand. "I really can't bear to bury such a talented person, but Lord Yuan and Lord Cui insist that this person is useless!"
His behavior made Shi Li think of a primary school student who went to the teacher to complain at a very inappropriate time.
Shi Li twitched her lips, but did not directly take over the article. She asked in a persuasive manner, "Didn't Master Yuan and Master Cui tell you their reasons?"
"What do they mean by flashy and empty? This article is obviously very well written!" Zhang Dongcai said in a loud voice, obviously not feeling that he had done anything wrong.
Shi Li sighed silently in her heart and looked helplessly at Yuan Chizhi who was standing next to her. He even had a smile on his face, looking like he was just watching the fun.
Shi Li: ...
Seeing Zhang Dongcai's behavior, Shi Li didn't know how to teach him a lesson directly. She just took the article that he praised so much and read it on the spot.
"What does your majesty think?" Zhang Dongcai asked anxiously.
Shi Li glanced at him with an indescribable look.
Before, I just thought that this person was quite straightforward, but now he acts like a fool.
Complaints aside, Shi Li remembered that Zhang Dongcai did have some talent, so she didn't speak to him in a harsh tone, but instead used inspiring questioning methods.
"So what do you think you gained from reading this article?"
"This article quotes classics, and the parallel sentences in it..."
"What benefits do the views of the article and policy essay bring to the state and the people?"
"On state affairs..."
Zhang Dongcai was speechless.
When he read the article, he thought it was catchy and brilliant, but when Shi Li asked him this question, he was at a loss for words.
"Answer me, what will the talents selected by the special examination do in the future?" Shi Li saw that his question was effective and continued to ask while the iron was hot.
Zhang Dong was silent for a while and his face turned even redder.
Sometimes people are not stupid, but just blinded by one leaf. Especially for someone like Zhang Dongcai, who comes from a poor family, he will naturally have a subconscious admiration for articles with gorgeous words.
But after Shi Li broke through that thin layer of window paper, he suddenly realized that he had been on the wrong path from the beginning to the end.
"Sir Yuan, I was wrong!" Zhang Dongcai bowed to Yuan Chizhi again, this time with a sincere heart.
This is also his redeeming quality, he can admit his mistakes and correct them, and will never whitewash the truth.
"So, can the list of people who will be on the Enko list this time be finalized?"
Shi Li felt relieved when she saw Zhang Dong finally come to his senses.
Zhang Dongcai said "yes" repeatedly and retreated in a hurry, but Yuan Chizhi did not leave with him.
He stood there, looking at Shi Li, and actually felt a sense of relief that "my son has grown up".
"Your Majesty is now able to stand on his own."
Why does this sound so much like a father praising his son?
Shi Li shook his head vigorously at his absurd idea.