After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Jiang Wenqing was extremely anxious, like an ant on a hot pan, and discussed the matter with Mr. Sun for half the night.

In the end, I decided to write a letter to both my eldest and second sons-in-law, though I couldn't be too blunt.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong with the letter halfway through, it will be difficult to handle.

Even the Hanlin Academy, far away in the capital, was not at peace at this time.

Everyone had been vying for the position of Imperial Diarist for over a month, only to be met with a sudden imperial edict that dampened their enthusiasm.

Why should they? They're just newcomers. In terms of seniority and talent, how can they compare to those who have honed their skills for years?

The old scholars were just watching the show; the ones who were truly indignant were those in their thirties and forties who had the opportunity to compete for the positions.

However, after the imperial edict was issued, these people were filled with astonishment, jealousy, and confusion.

The newly appointed top scholar and the newly appointed third-ranked scholar were both transferred to the position of Imperial Diarist. What kind of operation is this?

What have they been doing all this time? Nothing!

I didn't do anything for this position, nor did I contribute anything for it.

They just gave them all away like that, all fresh and clean?!

No! Why are there two positions for the Imperial Diarist? Wasn't there only one?

Unlike the many old scholars who were puzzled and jealous, the second-place finisher felt more embarrassed.

Why were the top three in the same category chosen, and why was the champion and third-place winner chosen instead of him, the runner-up?

Is it simply because I'm older and not as handsome and energetic as those two?!

These days, everything is judged by looks! It's unfair! It's unfair!

The entire Hanlin Academy is probably laughing at me now; I'm afraid I've become a laughing stock in both the newly appointed scholars and the Hanlin Academy circles.

Wu Zengxian, the runner-up, clenched his fist, as if he could swing it at any moment to beat up someone who was in his way.

But the reality was that he didn't dare. He had no connections or background, and he was just a minor scholar of the seventh rank. He was the most successful member of his entire clan.

He was also the only one in the entire Wu family to become an official. He couldn't rely on anyone else, and the whole family had to rely on him!

Wu Zengxian took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his anger.

He knew he couldn't act rashly at this moment; Li Haisheng and Xue Xu must have connections and influence in the court.

He couldn't openly offend either of them, because if they were petty and retaliated against him, his life would only become more difficult.

Not only should you not oppose the two of them, you should also try to maintain good relations with them.

Previously, I didn't know their backgrounds and thought they were both from farming or merchant families, and that neither of them was more noble than the other.

Now it seems that only I am truly from a poor family. No, I don't even qualify as a poor family, since none of my ancestors have ever held an official position.

He was a true farmer, with no connections, no background, and no one to rely on.

Meanwhile, the two people who received the imperial edict also looked incredulous.

What's happening here?

After receiving the imperial decree and expressing their gratitude, the two smoothly took out their purses and handed them to the eunuch who delivered the decree. Only after seeing the eunuch off did they read the imperial decree again.

Emperors typically had three to four attendants who took turns recording the emperor's words, actions, and daily life.

It can be said that everything, big or small, was recorded in detail, whether it was a private or official matter, as long as it involved the emperor.

If an emperor is morally flawed, then being his personal attendant is not only difficult, but also carries the risk of losing one's head.

The emperor did something unethical and doesn't want you to record it in his daily records. If you don't record it, you're considered unprofessional; if you record it truthfully, you'll offend your boss, the emperor.

Whether Emperor Zhao Yong of the Great Zhou Dynasty was morally flawed was currently unknown to Li Haisheng and Xue Xu.

But they knew a little about how the previous Imperial Diarist had died.

Originally, there was only a shortage of one Imperial Diarist, and the colleagues in the Hanlin Academy were fighting tooth and nail for it. Now, suddenly there are two...

That must mean another person was dismissed, which made room for another position.

As for the reason for his dismissal, their information was really just hearsay.

It is said that he offended the emperor's new favorite, who said that the court attendant had a ferocious appearance and was not suitable to walk in the palace.

With just a few casual words, a person's promising future was ruined.

It will be difficult to regain important positions; he will likely have to take another one or two decades of detours.

Li Haisheng and Xue Xu sized each other up and both felt that neither of them would be dismissed because of their fierce appearance.

Perhaps it was because they were not "fierce-looking" that they both received the position of Imperial Diarist.

Sigh, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse...

As soon as the two received the imperial decree, many colleagues came to curry favor with them.

There was none of the sarcastic and mocking attitude he had shown a few days ago. Everyone says that civil officials are upright and the Hanlin Academy is noble, but heh, they're nothing special.

The two patiently exchanged a few perfunctory words, then packed their personal belongings and waited to finish their shift and go home.

They will no longer be working at the Hanlin Academy. After handing over their work tomorrow, they will have to report to their new location.

Before you're familiar with the new environment, it's best not to leave too many personal belongings there, since you don't know if you'll be able to stay for long.

Once things are settled, I'll buy myself some gadgets to improve my work efficiency and help me slack off.

My brother-in-law sent us quite a few of these little gadgets.

Don't blame them for thinking about slacking off before they've even started working; it's true, writing stories is quite lucrative.

Of course, I wouldn't openly use public resources for personal work during the day, but that doesn't stop me from studying the story structure and organizing the outline.

They are all very brief words; who could tell that they are the outline of a storybook?

To the uninitiated, it would seem as if the two of them were researching some new field of knowledge; it's quite a deceptive side hustle.

The brother-in-law's suggestion was good. When they were in the Hanlin Academy, they would relax by writing short stories when they got tired of compiling history books.

The new office environment may not be as convenient as before, but once you get used to it, you'll always find opportunities.

The two handsome court attendants, upon taking office, were not thinking about flattering His Majesty the Emperor or advancing their careers, but rather how to slack off without being discovered.

Well, you could say it's quite unconventional.

The two men, each carrying a large wooden box, left the Hanlin Academy amidst the envious, jealous, or resentful gazes of their colleagues.

The coachmen were already waiting outside the palace. Seeing their master carrying heavy loads, they all threw down their whips and rushed forward to help.

"Master, let me do it! You should rest!"

Li Haisheng is a martial artist, not a weakling. Xue Xu is in better health now, but he really can't handle such a long journey.

He handed the large box directly to his coachman, panting as he leaned against the carriage to catch his breath.

Li Haisheng didn't make any jokes; he simply put the box into the carriage without the coachman's help.

"My lord, your father-in-law has sent a letter. Your wife has kept it for you and is waiting for you to return so we can read it together."

"Oh? A letter from my father-in-law?"

Li Haisheng glanced at Xue Xu's side again; it must be a letter reporting that she was safe. He was sure his third sister's husband had one too.