Chapter 363: Chief Examiner

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

When Song Que was injured last time, the military doctor treated him. He asked the doctor about this matter and was told that he was suffering from oligospermia.

He had always known how much his wife wanted to give birth to a child for him, but in the end, he was probably unable to fulfill her wishes.

At the same time, this matter also made him feel depressed.

He had wanted to tell his wife all along, but he didn’t dare to.

He was afraid that his wife would be disappointed and that he would be despised.

“What do you mean by it’s very difficult to have an offspring?” Qin Xiaoyao asked.

The look of internal struggle on Song Que’s face became even more obvious.

“The military doctor diagnosed that I’m… suffering from oligospermia,” he finally revealed.

After saying that, he did not quite dare to look at Qin Xiaoyao.

When Qin Xiaoyao heard this, she was stunned.

Then, she muttered, “Oligo… spermia.”

Then, the doubts in her heart were quickly cleared up.

No wonder after they had tried for so long, she still didn’t get pregnant. Previously, Doctor Li had said that she was in good health and could get pregnant easily…

So, it was really her husband’s problem?

It would be a lie to say that she was not disappointed, but Qin Xiaoyao quickly adjusted her state of mind.

She reached out and grabbed Song Que’s hand.

“Very difficult to have offspring doesn’t mean there is absolutely no chance of having an offspring. It’s difficult for you, but it’s easy for me, isn’t it? Let’s try more often and I will get pregnant sooner or later,” she said.

“It’s not that easy. The doctor said that with my condition, there’s a high chance that…” Song Que didn’t continue.

He also wanted a miracle to happen, but the chances were too small.

He did not want his wife to be too hopeful.

Qin Xiaoyao’s expression froze again.

She took one look at Song Que’s dejected expression and sighed.

“If I really can’t get pregnant, then so be it.

“If it really doesn’t work out, we can always adopt a child. Or, we can always spend the rest of our lives with just the two of us alone.”

It was a pity that she couldn’t have a child, but she felt that being with her husband was probably enough.

Only then did Song Que look at Qin Xiaoyao.

When he saw the sincerity in her eyes, he pulled her into his arms.

“I’ve made you suffer, my dear,” he said with some heartache. At the same time, he hated his own body. Why couldn’t the heavens treat him better…

“Hehe! What’s there to suffer?

“I want children because I want to see the continuation of our love. But that has to be our child. Without you, no matter how many children I have, it’s meaningless,” Qin Xiaoyao consoled him.

Song Que hugged Qin Xiaoyao tightly and didn’t say anything else. He was deeply moved.

He was wrong. The heavens treated him well enough after all.

He only hoped that the heavens would let this woman accompany him forever. He wouldn’t ask for anything else…

The next day, Qin Xiaoyao answered the summon and followed Princess Xiangyang into the palace to meet Empress Jia.

Before she went there, Princess Xiangyang had specifically asked the kitchen of the Marquis’s residence to prepare some breakfast items as well as century egg and lean meat porridge from the porridge shop for her to bring along.

They arrived at the Empress’s inner chamber.

After the Empress had met the two of them and learned that Princess Xiangyang had brought porridge and breakfast items for her, she immediately asked the palace maids to serve the food.

As she ate the delicacies, Empress Jia’s mood was indescribably good.

“The porridge and breakfast items from the residence of my beloved official are really unique. It makes people crave more,” Empress Jia said to Qin Xiaoyao as she ate the porridge with century egg and lean meat.

Qin Xiaoyao cupped her hands.

“Your Royal Highness, you praise me too much. If Your Royal Highness likes it, your lowly subject can teach the cooking method to the palace maids serving Your Royal Highness. At that point, Your Royal Highness will be able to eat at any time.”

Empress Jia’s eyes lit up at once.

However, after thinking for a while, she rejected the idea.

“Forget it.

“These breakfast items may be good, but they’re a little greasy. My body is not strong. It’s okay to try them occasionally, but it’s better not to eat these things too often.

“But this century egg and lean meat porridge is nutritious and nourishing. It is really to my liking.”

As she spoke, Empress Jia looked at her youngest daughter.

“With Xiangyang regularly sending century eggs to me, I can’t stop eating this delicious porridge.”

Qin Xiaoyao also glanced at Xiangyang, and the corners of her mouth curled up.

“Princess is so full of filial piety. Your Royal Highness is so blessed.”

“Haha…” Empress Jia was pleased by these words.

She smiled and replied, “This child is indeed filial.”

“You’re her master and also her elder. She has to be more filial to you in the future.” As she spoke, she looked at Princess Xiangyang with a smile.

Princess Xiangyang smiled shyly.

When she saw Qin Xiaoyao looking at her, Princess Xiangyang chimed in, “Yes, Xiangyang will also be filial to Master in the future!”

Pfft! Qin Xiaoyao was so amused she almost burst out in laughter.

The atmosphere around the three of them instantly became much more intimate.

Empress Jia quickly started chatting with Qin Xiaoyao.

They chatted for a long time.

It wasn’t until noon that they got down to business.

“I have already discussed this with the Emperor. I’ll put you in charge of the martial arts talent recruitment examination.

“If there are no problems on your side, I will issue an edict to settle this matter during the morning court session tomorrow.”

When she saw Qin Xiaoyao’s surprised expression, Empress Jia continued, “The talent recruitment examination is designed to allow the Imperial Court to recruit talents. Those who pass the examination will be quickly entrusted with important posts by the Imperial Court. It is of great significance.

“On the warriors’ side, the only one who is qualified to manage the talent recruitment examination and worthy of my trust is you, my beloved official.” At this point, Empress Jia’s eyes darkened somewhat.

Qin Xiaoyao was stunned.

“I know that you have a close relationship with Prince Huaiyin, but the talent recruitment examination is related to the fate of the Imperial Court.

“I have no other requests. I only hope that when you are presiding over the examination, you can enforce the rules impartially and select truly capable warriors for the Imperial Court. This way, you won’t let down me or His Majesty down,” Empress Jia said with a grave expression.

Qin Xiaoyao’s expression also turned solemn.

“Yes, Your Royal Highness!” She stood up and bowed to Empress Jia.

It was a good thing that she was put in charge of the talent recruitment examination.

Notwithstanding the fact that she would be able to help Prince Huaiyin, at the same time, she could even help many of her subordinates.

Many of the soldiers under her had signed up for the talent recruitment examination.

In fact, she even asked her big brother to participate.

It would definitely be a good thing if she could become the chief examiner.

Only then did Empress Jia smile.

“Mm-hmm!” She nodded in satisfaction.

At noon, Empress Jia retained Qin Xiaoyao and Princess Xiangyang for lunch in the palace.

After that, she sent someone to send the two out of the palace.

On the way back, Princess Xiangyang was even more excited than Qin Xiaoyao.

“Congratulations, Master! You are going to be the chief examiner of the martial arts examination!”

“Empress Mother actually recommended Master to Emperor Father. She really treats you as part of our own family!” Princess Xiangyang smiled brightly.

In her eyes, her master was family. Of course, her understanding of “family” was somewhat different from her mother’s understanding.

Qin Xiaoyao was taken aback momentarily.

“What family? The Empress said to let me choose talents for the country. As her daughter, don’t misinterpret your mother’s thoughts and tarnish her reputation,” she admonished.

Empress Jia recommending her was indeed somewhat unexpected, but it was also within reason.

After all, in the capital, the only people who were most qualified to take charge of the martial arts examination were her and Prince Huaiyin.

Empress Jia was not on good terms with Prince Huaiyin, so she naturally could not let Prince Huaiyin become the chief examiner. In this case, it was not strange for the Empress to recommend Qin Xiaoyao.

At the same time, she could also do Qin Xiaoyao a favor and try to win her over.

When Empress Jia asked her to select talents for the country, this was the bare minimum request and also the most basic request..