Chapter 245: The Beginning of the White Lotus

Chapter 245: The Beginning of the White Lotus

The mood of the top scholar (first place in the provincial exam) was already heavy, and the candidates with lower rankings were even more disheartened.

Luo Xiaoquan was the one Bei Jingchu had her eye on, a specialist in certain subjects, his ranking boosted solely by his policy essays.

No one came to visit him. Luo Xiaoquan was frantically practicing calligraphy, poetry, and abacus.

After days of practice, his wrists were sore, but nothing seemed to go well.

His teacher had said that passing the provincial exam was already a stroke of luck, given his abilities, having encountered an examiner who appreciated his policy essays.

But passing the imperial exam would be difficult.

He was even advised not to come to the Capital City, wasting money on travel.

Without improving his other skills, he would remain a provincial graduate forever.

When he was invited to the Rain Pavilion and heard that Princess Tianwu wanted to recruit him, he thought he was seeing things.

"Can Your Highness assist me in passing the imperial exam? Otherwise, I’m just a provincial graduate, unlikely to secure an official position, perhaps idle for a lifetime, and of no use to Your Highness at all."

He couldn't help but frown.

Although this was beneficial to him, scholars also had a strong aversion to cheating.

So the officialdom was so corrupt, with just a word from the princess, he could become a jinshi.

Then other nobles could easily do the same...

As he was lost in thought, cursing the corrupt court.

The young lady said with disdain, "What are you thinking?"

"Provincial graduates can become officials, but promotion is difficult."

"But since you’ve caught Her Highness’s attention, why worry about future opportunities?"

"As long as you’re capable, your rank doesn’t matter, okay?"

Luo Xiaoquan: ...Sorry, he had thought wrong.

This one was even easier to persuade.

But apart from a few clear-headed ones, Haoyue’s efforts weren’t going well.

Haoyue, who had left confidently, returned dejected.

"Your Highness, they were so mean."

Seeing her so beaten down, Bei Jingchu found it amusing: "What's wrong? Didn't recruit anyone?"

Haoyue shook her head, aggrieved: "No, Your Highness made a long list, casting a wide net, so we could catch a few."

"It's just some scoundrels who have prejudices against Your Highness. As soon as they heard it was Your Highness recruiting, they cursed that women shouldn’t take men’s roles."

"Some said women have the most venomous hearts."

"Some said only women and petty men are hard to deal with."

"I didn't dare make too big a scene, so I had them all taken away, which only made your reputation even worse."

Haoyue spoke indignantly, but Bei Jingchu remained unmoved.

"It's kind of boring~"

"It's always the same old words, nothing new?"

"The scholars' wordplay skills are lacking."

"Wait, apparently, there are also poems cursing me."

"Some of them are actually quite well-written."

But she didn't let any disappointment show on her face and joined in the scolding: "This is just too much!"

Haoyue fell silent.

She didn't feel like talking to the princess anymore.

Turning around, she saw that the young Marquis, who had a heavier task than her, had already given up.

"Marquis, have you finished rounding up people?"

Beiqin lounged leisurely on a recliner, mocking Haoyue: "I'm not like you, holding back my anger and wasting time trying to reason with those fools."

"If anyone shows even a hint of disrespect to my cousin, I kick them out on the spot."

"Prejudices aren't so easily changed."

Bei Jingchu silently agreed in her heart: "Yeah, Haoyue is a bit naive."

"But she's my little maid, so I'll put up with her."

Bei Jingchu kept a gentle expression, but Haoyue couldn't hold back and started crying.

Bei Jingchu was baffled: ???

"What's up with this kid?"

"I didn't even yell at her!"

Two years ago, during the crackdown on corrupt officials, many positions were left vacant.

Bei Jingchu seized the opportunity and placed all those who had pledged allegiance to her in the appropriate positions.

With her reputation at rock bottom, it was time to fight back.

Her method was simple: throw money at the problem.

Actors, storytellers, scriptwriters—anything related to entertainment was enlisted to sing her praises.

Those who tried to smear her reputation didn't dare mention Princess Tianwu by name, instead creating a fictional princess and then linking her to Bei Jingchu.

But Bei Jingchu had no such concerns.

She used her real name and praised herself to the skies, exaggerating as much as she could.

Money makes the ghost grind.

The silver earned from the Tan family's businesses and the land taxes paid by Tianwu have made Bei Jing's private treasury quite full.

Indeed, plus her usual frugality.

It’s called opening up sources of income and cutting expenses; her wealth requires a dedicated manor to store it.

The effect of spending money is immediate.

The third day of the third month, Shangsi Festival, is a good day for cleansing impurities and expelling evil spirits.

The officials and citizens of Capital City would come to the Qujiang Pool to dip water.

On this day, sacrifices are also held by the pool.

It is a day of joy shared by officials and commoners alike.

For those with ulterior motives, it is also a day to socialize with people they don’t usually see.

Bei Jing also came to the poolside, fingering a string of smooth, plump sandalwood beads, looking very composed.

Changyan teased her: "Has Your Highness been influenced by the Empress Dowager and started believing in Buddhism recently?"

"But I haven’t seen you recite scriptures or pray. Why do you always hold these prayer beads?"

Bei Jing asked mysteriously: "Do you know about the Buddhist disciples in the Capital Circle?"

Changyan: ?

"She just carries the prayer beads around, not abstaining from food, lust, or sin."

"It just... seems very profound."

"Prayer beads are perfect for showing off!"

The little princess twirled the prayer beads in one hand, her eyes lowered.

If one didn't know her true nature, she could really fool people.

The young girl murmured something, resembling a chant, radiating a compassionate vibe. Only the nearby maids and guards could hear her say: "Still, the male lead's role is the best for showing off."

"From today onwards, I am the Buddhist prodigy of the capital circle, Bei Jingchu!"

Changyan: ...I don’t get what Her Highness is saying, but it just seems so annoying.

Qujiang Pool was packed, and an old woman was pushed to the ground in front.

Bei Jingchu told someone to help her up and fetch a physician.

Once helped up, the old woman thanked them but declined to see the physician.

"Miss, I'll go by myself in a moment."

"What matters most in the ritual is sincerity. I want to pray for blessings for Princess Tianwu."

Hearing her own name, Bei Jingchu's ears perked up.

"The princess has endured too much hardship."

"It was originally a good deed to punish corrupt officials and seek benefits for the people, but she was wronged for two years."

"The tales all say that the princess was betrayed by the people and was deeply saddened."

"She grew thinner each day, crying constantly, with no appetite for food or drink."

"Even though the people treated her harshly, she still responded with kindness."

"Truly, she is like a white lotus, pure and unstained by the mud around her."