northernbook Chapter 387 That kick was just a return of favor
Chapter 387 That kick was just a return of favor
"what!"
Jiang Suining used enough force in this kick that Yang Manman screamed in pain.
This shout startled many people present. A woman who was just standing up was so frightened that she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, the person next to her was quick to help her up.
After standing firm, the woman looked at Yang Manman angrily.
"Yang Manman, what are you doing? You dare to yell and scream in front of the Queen!"
Yang Manman felt severe pain in the instep of her foot. She took a breath and pointed at Jiang Suining angrily and was about to speak, but the latter took the opportunity to support her and said apologetically.
"Ms. Yang, I'm so sorry. I didn't stand firmly just now. I didn't expect you to be so close to me. I'm really sorry."
"Stop pretending, you obviously did it on purpose!" Yang Manman gritted her teeth and pushed Jiang Suining away. The pain in her instep made it difficult for her to stand.
The kick just now was so powerful, she didn't believe that Jiang Suining didn't do it on purpose!
"Miss Yang, you misunderstood. Before the queen arrived, you were clearly quite a distance away from me. How could I have known that when I turned around to salute, you were behind me, and so close to me."
"I also remember that you were quite far away from Miss Jiang just now. Why did you come closer when you saluted?" Lu Yan asked suspiciously.
She was busy performing the greetings just now and did not see whether Yang Manman came closer to her on purpose, but thinking of her character, she almost instinctively suspected that Yang Manman did it on purpose.
A flash of guilt flashed across Yang Manman's face, and then she spoke righteously: "Who said that I can't stand behind Jiang Suining and salute? It's obvious that she hurt people in front of the Queen. She simply doesn't take the Queen seriously!"
"Your Majesty, Jiang Suining is so hateful that he stepped on me and injured me. I hope you will seek justice for me!" Yang Manman said to Queen Shi again.
"Your Majesty, I really didn't mean to do that. When I stood up just now, I suddenly lost my balance for some reason. I definitely didn't mean to cause trouble or disrespect you."
Jiang Suining paused for a moment and spoke again before Yang Manman spoke.
"But since it was me who stepped on Miss Yang and injured her, I am willing to take all the responsibility. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Queen Shi looked at Jiang Suining. Although he was half bent over, his manners and words were appropriate. What was even more rare was his temperament. He was calm and unperturbed, and seemed to be unperturbed by fame or disgrace. Queen Shi liked him more.
In contrast, it was Yang Manman who was shouting and refusing to give in, which made Queen Shi frown.
The purpose of gathering all the registered women in Merlin today is to inform them of the subsequent rules, not to deal with any trivial conflicts here.
"Since it was an accident, Miss Jiang will apologize to Miss Yang again."
"Your Majesty, is this just an apology? My feet hurt so much, I..."
"What else do you want?" Empress Shi frowned. "I am in charge of the selection of female officials under the order of the Emperor. Do you want me to deal with the candidates on the first day?"
She actually didn't have much interest in the affairs of the female officials, but since the emperor had given it to her, she had to arrange it well. If she made a fuss over such a trivial matter when summoning the women to participate in the selection for the first time, it would damage her reputation as the person in charge.
Yang Manman's heart tightened when she saw the look in Queen Shi's eyes. She dared not object anymore and finally could only reluctantly accept Jiang Suining's apology.
As for the subsequent selection of female officials, the assessment content is divided into three categories.
The first step is naturally to test one’s talent and learning.
All registered women must take part in the assessment, complete the answer sheet, and finally be evaluated based on the quality of their answer sheets. Only the top 20 will enter the second round.
The second round of assessment is divided into two categories: organizing palace documents and arranging a simulated banquet. You can freely choose whichever one you want.
As for the third stage, Queen Shi kept it a secret and did not tell the answer immediately.
"I will give you three days to prepare. After three days, you will enter the palace to take the first round of examination. The examination questions will be drawn up by the Imperial Academy and may be somewhat difficult. However, since you have chosen to enter the palace as female officials, you must have real talents and knowledge. Do you understand?"
"Your Majesty, we understand." Everyone said in unison.
The rules had been made clear, and Queen Shi did not say anything more. Soon the head nanny took them back out of the Plum Garden.
On the way out of the palace, everyone was obviously much more relaxed than when they entered the palace. Those who had good relationships with each other walked together and talked in low voices about the assessment three days later.
Yang Manman's instep hurt, and she walked slowly and fell behind. She stared at Jiang Suining in front of her, her eyes wishing she could pierce a hole in her.
Lu Yan walked beside Jiang Suining, glanced back, and met Yang Manman's eyes. She retracted her gaze and spoke to Jiang Suining in a low voice.
"Miss Jiang, when we were saluting just now, did Yang Manman do something first?"
Jiang Suining whispered, "She stepped on my dress while everyone was bowing. She probably wanted to make a fool of herself when I stood up."
Although she was also bowing at the time, she still felt it when Yang Manman came behind her, and she also noticed when the other party stepped on her skirt.
That kick was just a return gift to Yang Manman.
"Sure enough!" Lu Yan felt even more disgusted with Yang Manman, but the next moment, she spoke to Jiang Suining again.
"Although it was Yang Manman who caused the trouble first, it happened in front of the Queen after all. Your kick made me a little nervous. Fortunately, the Queen did not blame me."
After saying that, seeing that Jiang Suining still had a smile on his face, Lu Yan thought about it and smiled.
"It seems that you have calculated that the Queen will take the selection of female officials into consideration and will not pursue such a trivial matter."
"I guess so." Jiang Suining's eyes were clear and he smiled again, "And since the Queen had decided on the location in advance, there probably is nothing that can be hidden from the Queen."
On the other side, in Merlin.
Queen Shi did not leave immediately, but sat there drinking tea and listening to the palace maid who was arranged in Merlin in advance reporting the news.
"So, it was Yang Manman who stepped on Jiang Suining's dress on purpose?"
"Your Highness, yes, I saw it clearly at the time. It was indeed Miss Yang who deliberately approached her and stepped on the hem of Miss Jiang's dress while she was standing up to pay her respects. And it didn't look like she did it accidentally, it looked like she did it on purpose."
"Did Jiang Suining notice it?" asked Queen Shi.
"I'm not sure about this, but during the whole process, Miss Jiang didn't even look back."
Queen Shi thought about it and chuckled.
"Forget it. Whether it was intentional or not, it was Yang Manman who provoked them first. Be more careful from now on and don't let them cause any trouble in the palace."
"Yes, slaves obey."