Normally, one is promoted one rank at a time.
But this time, Xia Jingfeng made a significant contribution.
It was a special approval from the Emperor, plus Minister of Revenue Zhang Yan specifically requested him, giving him a vacancy at the sixth rank.
Therefore, Xia Jingfeng was promoted two levels at once this time.
He bypassed the sixth-grade position, becoming a principal in the Ministry of Revenue of the sixth rank.
Although this official position is inconspicuous among the Six Ministries.
But Jingfeng is just eighteen, his life and his career in the court have just begun.
He has plenty of time and doesn’t need to rush at all.
Moreover.
Everyone knows.
The best way to nurture someone into a towering tree is never to force it to grow.
Instead, provide it with rich soil, allowing it to take root slowly.
Only in this way can he truly stand alone, like a tree reaching the sky.
And what Jingfeng is doing now is taking one solid step at a time, establishing roots in the land.
The news of Xia Jingfeng’s promotion reached the palace.
Xia Ruqing was very happy, though she didn’t understand much about officialdom.
She only knew.
"From now on, Jingfeng will be serving in the Capital City! Perhaps with the Emperor’s grace, I might see him often!"
The girl residing in her heart rejoiced, and her mood inexplicably brightened.
Zi Yue and Zi Su both congratulated her.
"In the future, the Second Young Master is sure to have a promising career ahead, congratulations to Your Highness!"
Xia Ruqing quickly waved her hand.
"It’s too early to congratulate, he’s still young and needs more experience in the future!"
Speaking like this, her heart was still overjoyed.
In this feudal ancient times.
Women could only rely on their husbands, brothers, parents, and family.
Though now her parents and family couldn’t be relied upon, her brothers could.
If her brothers succeed, it’s just the same.
A woman with successful maternal brothers, plus a loving husband, should not be underestimated.
Even if the day comes when she becomes the Emperor’s primary wife.
She would be steadily secure, earning everyone’s sincere respect.
While being the primary wife, her children would be the most honorable!
No one would dare to bully them.
Even being a bit willful could be acceptable.
Xia Ruqing didn’t understand grand principles.
She could only clumsily, in her own way, provide more armor for her children.
Allowing them to protect themselves well in this feudal world.
If someone is destined to be oppressed and bullied, it’s better for them to be the oppressors.
Exactly.
As a mother, she was selfish like this.
...
The news of Xia Jingfeng’s promotion wasn’t much of a secret.
Half a month later, under Old Master Xia’s intentional inquiries, the news was relayed back to Anzhou.
After all, Old Master Xia still had some expectations for this eldest legitimate son.
Since the turn of the year, he had been sending people to inquire.
Upon hearing that his eldest legitimate son received full marks and was already appointed to the Ministry of Revenue.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
That night, he went to the ancestral hall, knelt, and offered incense.
"To my ancestors, little Jingfeng finally didn’t disgrace you all!"
"Ultimately, it was the fault of the unfilial son and grandson, listening to that wicked woman’s slander back then, almost delaying this child’s studies!"
Ever since he heard what Cai Yang said.
He understood how miserably he was deceived by Lady Yao back then.
The offspring from concubines weren’t important, but it’s different.
But Ruqing and Jingfeng were born to his first wife, one as the legitimate eldest daughter, the other as the legitimate son.
How could he not take them seriously?
If he really delayed them, how would he face his wife?
Old Master Xia regretted more and more as he thought.
"I’m sorry, Wanning, I failed to take good care of our children!"
Lady Xu Wanning was his first wife, who died in childbirth with Jingfeng.
Back then, their relationship was excellent.
The year she died in childbirth, he was utterly grieving.
When she was dying, she unwillingly held his hand, repeatedly pleading for him to take good care of their children, and he firmly promised.
Initially, he did take good care of them.
But later... he married Lady Yao.
The woman who was extremely beautiful, lively, and charming.
When she married him, she was only sixteen, and he already had a legitimate son.
This meant that no matter how many sons Lady Yao gave birth to, she couldn’t touch the Xia family’s estate.
He liked her, but he also felt guilty in his heart.
And she never complained, but instead, gave birth to a pair of twins for him in one go.
In his heart, with joy, his first wife was forgotten.
How muddle-headed.
Muddled for so many years, finally clearing up as he grew old.
Lady Yao.
She was just a woman beautiful on the outside but sinister inside.
How could she compare to Wanning?
Wanning was also a wife who was married to him at sixteen, giving him a son and a daughter!
The more Old Master Xia thought about it, the more heartbroken he became.
In the middle of the night, he knelt in the ancestral hall, weeping bitterly before the portrait of his first wife.
News of the promising future of his eldest legitimate son spread shortly thereafter.
The Ministry of Personnel also sent over an Imperial Censor and delivered a transfer decree.