The Emperor decreed…
Unlike the reactions of those farmer's sons, the several officials present were all shocked and frightened.
No matter how great her achievements, the special appointment of a woman as an official meant favor in the Emperor's heart.
They were truly foolish, only now realizing this fact.
No wonder Lord Zhang, a third-ranking official, actually fell half a step behind An Jing at the time; so that was the reason...
After their shock, Master Zhou, Zhao, Qian, and Sun were all filled with trepidation. They felt that the previous wager had put them at odds with An Jing and feared she might harm them.
Li Jifan didn't feel that he had offended An Jing in any way, so he wasn't frightened. However, because An Jing was favored by the Emperor, he was even less likely to reveal his feelings of admiration for her.
Simply because, even if he lost face, he would not dare.