Chapter 996: Guest

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Qiao Xuan harbored doubts about her ability to navigate the gathering.

Hanlin Academy held significant governmental authority, and many officials within were financially struggling. Some frequented pawnshops numerous times in a year.

However, such positions held great value.

To achieve fame and become an exemplary figure among scholars worldwide was to etch one’s name into the annals of history.

Moreover, the imperial court relied on Hanlin Academy scholars to compile official records, a prestigious duty that filled scholars with pride.

Additionally, Hanlin Academy offered an alternative path.

The six ministries, particularly the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Revenue, were staffed by individuals transferred from Hanlin Academy. To ascend to higher positions within the government and become heads of departments, one needed to undergo training at Hanlin Academy.

Throughout the history of the Qin Dynasty, every minister without exception hailed from the six ministries of Hanlin Academy, proceeding through the Ministry of Personnel before entering higher echelons of power.

Though the odds of becoming a court leader were slim, admission to Hanlin Academy undoubtedly presented an opportunity, right?

And due to this slim chance, officials within the six ministries were cautious about offending those from Hanlin Academy.

After all, one could never predict the future. What if the person they offended today became the prime minister tomorrow?

Or what if someone with whom they maintained good relations rose to the position of First Secretary?

Unless it was a matter of life and death, there was no need to stir up trouble unnecessarily.

Hence, Hanlin Academy held a unique and significant position within the entire bureaucratic structure of the capital.

Lin Hanlin, currently a sixth-ranked Servant, held a rank higher than Shao Yunduan and exhibited commendable performance. He had promising prospects, potentially advancing to become a fifth-ranked Servant or even joining the esteemed six tribes for further training.

Madame Lin took great pride in her husband’s accomplishments and held a prominent position among the wives of the officials at Hanlin Academy.

Officer Lin, originally not from the capital, had dedicated ten years of service at Hanlin Academy. Due to limited income, he had been unable to afford a house for a long time. In the earlier years, he faced significant hardships. However, two years ago, he received a substantial reward, allowing him to rent a decent living space.

The banquet was hosted in this modest courtyard.

Qiao Xuan arrived at an opportune moment.

As the wife of the Primus, she no longer carried the same audacity she had possessed when she assumed the role of Primus. She now identified herself simply as Mrs. Editor.

Qiao Xuan understood her place very well. Upon her arrival at the Lin household, she presented the gifts and greeted everyone with politeness.

By this point, Qiao Xuan had already discerned that the banquet might not unfold favorably.

The gifts she brought included two pieces of fine Hangzhou silk, two pieces of inkstone of equal quality, and two boxes of renowned Yanxiang’s pastries from the capital. The pastries encompassed a total of eight varieties, accompanied by two boxes of high-quality preserves, each consisting of eight different kinds.

This present was very generous among the women from the Hanlin Academy. The silk alone cost 5 liang.

The Lin Family was not a rich family, and Qiao Xuan should have been very happy to receive such a generous gift from them, as if she were visiting a Senior. Madame Lin should have treated her well too.

But Qiao Xuan observed carefully – Madame Lin was very happy, and she smiled brightly when she saw the presents.