The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 987

Chapter 987: 464 Promotion (Third Watch)

Xiao Hen went to the Hanlin Academy, and Ning Zhiyuan had been waiting for him in his office early on.

Seeing him approach, Ning Zhiyuan sprang to his feet and hurried toward him. Seizing Xiao Hen’s arms, he looked him over and said, "Are you alright? I heard you were kidnapped by assassins! Who could be so vile?!"

The emperor had originally planned to announce the crime of Prince Ning abducting Xiao Liulang, but it was stopped by the Empress and Princess Xinyang.

Although Princess Xinyang did not reveal the entire truth to the Empress, the Empress also understood that once the news of Prince Ning’s attempt to assassinate Xiao Liulang leaked out, Xiao Hen’s identity could no longer be concealed.

After all, from any perspective, Prince Ning truly had no reason to kill Xiao Liulang, unless Xiao Liulang’s identity had some hidden aspect.

Xiao Hen said, "I’m fine. It was a sect from the Jianghu. They kidnapped me hoping to extort some silver, but they’ve been dealt with."

The Twin Saber Sect was not innocent, as they had been completely wiped out by the imperial guards.

"Are you really okay?" Ning Zhiyuan looked at him skeptically, "I also heard that your hand was injured, let me see it."

Two grown men looking at this... to be honest, it was somewhat...

Insistent, Ning Zhiyuan persisted, and Xiao Hen unwillingly extended his hand.

His wounds were mainly on the back of his hand and wrist. The palm had already healed without a trace, but Ning Zhiyuan, seeing the intertwining fierce scars on that pristine hand, couldn’t help but click his tongue and shake his head, "What a shame for this hand. Can you still write?"

"I can." Xiao Hen said.

Only upon hearing this did Ning Zhiyuan finally feel relieved, "Ah, I was scared to death those days you were abducted. I thought maybe you, kid, got promoted too fast and got in the way of some people’s interests. I even suspected Zhuang Yuheng! But I met him several times, and he didn’t seem guilty at all, so I dismissed my suspicions. What Jianghu Sect doesn’t have any brains? What silver could a poor country boy like you have? Oh! Did your sister-in-law strike it rich? I’ve heard that Miaoshou Hall’s business is booming lately. You should be careful with more silver attracting attention. It’s best to hire a few bodyguards with martial arts skills."

"Hmm." Xiao Hen responded perfunctorily.

The two sat down on opposite sides of the desk.

Ning Zhiyuan suddenly laughed and said, "Though, kid, you also had a stroke of luck this time, not having to participate in the end-of-the-month assessment. Wang Xiuzhuan really messed up in this exam and got a severe scolding from Director Han, and was nearly demoted to Compiler."

"And you?" Xiao Hen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan said with considerable pride, "Me? Just average, third place, with Zhuang Yuheng first."

It wasn’t just the newly appointed Hanlin officials being assessed, but the veteran officials as well, except for Director Han and the lecturers, who were in charge of setting and grading the papers.

It was no surprise that Ning Zhiyuan and Zhuang Yuheng ranked at the top; they had just gone through the autumn provincial and spring court Imperial examinations, with their test-taking skills at their peak.

Those Hanlin officials ranked after them were not necessarily lesser in actual knowledge and capability; they simply were not as proficient at taking exams.

"It’s a pity though," Ning Zhiyuan suddenly furrowed his brows.

"What happened?" Xiao Hen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan replied, "Didn’t Director Yang leave? His position is now open, and there’s talk of promoting someone to fill it. Now, Zhuang Yuheng is receiving high praise for the role."

Zhuang Yuheng, the legitimate grandson of Grand Tutor Zhuang, was the second-highest ranked examinee this session and also took first place in the assessment. His only shortcoming was his lack of experience, but apart from that, he was nearly flawless.

He had even once taken the place of the crown prince to stay as a hostage in Chen Country, making him a hero to the state of Zhan Country.

In the afternoon, the Hanlin Academy indeed announced the good news of someone being promoted to Reader.

It wasn’t Zhuang Yuheng, but Xiao Liulang.

"Look at you!" Ning Zhiyuan excitedly patted Xiao Hen on the shoulder.

Xiao Hen, too, did not understand how the position of Reader had ended up falling to him. Though he had indeed intended to vie for it, he had feigned disappearance for half a month due to his injuries, and then recuperated at home for ten days, even missing one assessment.

He had guessed then that the position of Reader would not fall to him this time.

"Liulang, congratulations!" Ning Zhiyuan said sincerely.

Xiao Hen replied, "Congratulations to you, too."

Ning Zhiyuan had also been promoted, from Edited of the Sixth-rank to Compiler of the proper Sixth-rank, coincidentally taking Xiao Liulang’s job.

Ning Zhiyuan cleared his throat, "Ahem, I’ve taken over your official post, but as for your office, well, I won’t be accepting that."

It was too close to the latrine, and come warm weather, he would be suffocated!

He’d rather stay in his own office!

Xiao Hen moved to the Reader’s office, where Director Yang had previously stayed. However, his tenure had been short, and due to his unbearable and hasty departure, anything worth cleaning up had been taken away.

It was a clean, unoccupied room.

After becoming a Reader, besides the change in office, the salary increased from five to eight taels a month, which was the official salary. On top of that, there were yearly gifts of ten bolts of cloth, ten stones of grain, and once in the summer, an ice allowance, and once in the winter, a coal allowance. These could be taken as goods or converted into silver.

On the whole, the Hanlin Academy was considered a clean yamen without the rich income of the Six Ministries. However, having experience in the Hanlin Academy was highly regarded elsewhere.