The next day, before the sun had even risen, all of the officials were gathered in the Hall of Constabulary. They sipped on their morning tea as they waited for the morning court session to begin.
"Everyone, please disperse. The Emperor cannot attend court today." A clear voice rang out in the hall. Then, a man dressed in palace attire walked in.
"He cannot attend court?"
"Eunuch Wei, do you know what is going on?"
All of the officials were shocked to hear Eunuch Wei's words.
Ever since Emperor Lin Mubai ascended to the throne, he had rarely been unable to attend court. This caused all of the officials to wonder if something big was about to happen.
"I do not know." Eunuch Wei shook his head. He had no intention of leaving immediately.
"Eunuch Wei is someone who follows the Emperor all the time. Even if you do not know what is going on, you should know where the Emperor is. Can you tell us a thing or two? " Seeing that Eunuch Wei hadn't left, one of the officials immediately walked up and asked softly, "What's wrong with you?
"Since Lord Li has asked, I will tell you the truth. The Emperor stayed in the Imperial Decree Hall for an entire night and is still there. As for why he can't come to court, I really don't know."
"I see. Thank you Eunuch Wei!" Official Li shook Eunuch Wei's hand as he spoke. A silver ingot slipped into Eunuch Wei's sleeves.
"Official Li, you are welcome. The Emperor still needs to stay by his side. I will take my leave first." Eunuch Wei bowed to the officials and left the Hall of Constabulary.
Very quickly, the Hall of Constabulary became rowdy.
"The Emperor is in the Imperial Decree Hall?"
"But, this is not the time for the memorial service. Why is the Emperor in the Imperial Decree Hall?"
"Could he be in the Imperial Decree Hall reading the documents for the court examinations? After all, the Emperor did not ask us to read the documents for him. "
"Official Sun is right. However, why is the Emperor reading the documents in the Imperial Decree Hall and not in the Imperial Study?"
"I think the Emperor has placed more importance on this court examination than we had guessed. He is personally reading 200 documents. "
"What does Minister Yu think of this matter?"
After the officials finished their discussion, they all turned to look at Yu Yiping, who was sitting at the side without saying a word. He was dressed in a red court robe.
"Guessing the Emperor's will is not something that we, the officials, should do. The results will be announced in four days. According to tradition, the Emperor will meet the 10 candidates before the results are announced. All we need to do is wait. "Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping sipped his tea. He said indifferently.
"Prime Minister Yu is right!"
"Since that's the case, let's disperse."
"Sir Wang, I heard that you recently obtained a piece of Exquisite Blood Jade. It's sparkling and translucent, and under the sunlight, there seems to be blood flowing through it. Can you allow us to take a look?"
"This Exquisite Blood Jade is a rare treasure among jades. It's hard to come by in a hundred years. Lord Wang, you can't be too stingy."
"Hahaha … I obtained this Exquisite Blood Jade by chance. It is my good fortune to be able to receive the appreciation of Lord Qin and the other lords. Tonight, I will prepare some sake in the residence. Lord Qin and the other lords are welcome to have a drink at the residence. "
"Since Official Wang is so kind, we will definitely be there."
"Hahaha …"
The civil and military officials chatted in groups of three to five as they quickly walked out of the Hall of Magistrate.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping stood up at this point. He looked at the Imperial Decree Hall and frowned. "Imperial Decree Hall?"
…
Autumn was approaching and winter was approaching. The city seemed to be covered in a layer of golden armor as the leaves fell to the ground. The ground was soft to the touch.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Three days later, there was only one day left until the results of the court examinations were announced. The discussions and guesses of the court examinations had reached a climax.
Flame Capital City. The prosperity of the world was gathered in one place, and the merchants and goods came and went in one city. There were all kinds of merchants shuttling back and forth, and there was no lack of smoke and fire in the secular world.
There was a saying that went, it was a waste to be a playboy.
The younger one was, the more playboy they were.
The reputation of being a distinguished scholar had always been a compliment to those scholars who mingled in the mortal world. Furthermore, it was a very compliment!
Wen Dabao's sense of smell was very sharp. Unfortunately, he only had the first two words in the word 'distinguished scholar'. The latter two words were not fated for him.
However, this did not mean that he did not have a positive heart.
As such, he decided to find a scholar. With his playboy reputation and the company of a scholar, he would be able to live up to the title.
This scholar was none other than Fang Zhengzhi.
Because, other than Fang Zhengzhi, Wen Dabao almost couldn't find a second reputable scholar who was willing to "cheat" with him.
Fang Zhengzhi had been bored for the past few days. He had tasted almost all the delicacies in Flame Capital City. He had also enjoyed all the beautiful scenery around him.
Life was about eating, drinking, playing, and having fun.
Fang Zhengzhi felt that he had grasped the essence of the first three words. All that was left was to have fun. He had read that the fireworks of the past and the fireworks of the present were two completely different concepts.
In the Ming Dynasty, the Qinhuai River was separated by two banks. On one side was the Jiangnan Academy for the examinations. On the other side was the place of fame.
The Eight Beauties of Qinhuai were famous throughout the ages.
Selling one's skills and not one's body was the essence of the fireworks of the past.
As a childish child, he had the awareness and self-discipline of a childish child. He would never do something as vulgar as simply having sex. All he wanted was to reward. As such, when he saw Wen Dabao's expression of anticipation, he probed Yan Xiu, who was sipping his tea, by his side.
What surprised him was that Yan Xiu didn't even think about it before he agreed.
Indeed, one could not judge a book by its cover. In other words, the way of thinking in this world was very different from the way it was in the past.
"Watching the fireworks? How can I be left out? "Ping Yang appeared just in time, just as Fang Zhengzhi walked out of the inn.
"This... this is not the fireworks that I know!" Fang Zhengzhi blushed. Looking at the pair of eyes in front of him that were as clear as water, he felt as though he was caught red-handed in bed.
"Of course I know you are going to drink and listen to music. Do you think I have never been there before? I'm more familiar with the fireworks than you are! " Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi with disdain. She raised her head slightly, as if to say that she had been there before.
"You've been there before?!" Fang Zhengzhi felt as though his worldview was crumbling. How old was Ping Yang? She had not even matured yet.
How could she say that she was more familiar with the fireworks than he was?
How old was she?!
Who was the one who brought her there?!
"Of course. Ever since I was six years old, I've been listening to music with Grandpa Wang every day." Ping Yang said proudly.
"Grandpa Wang?"
"That's King Liqin. Didn't you see him the last time? "
"It's him?" Fang Zhengzhi finally remembered. Wasn't this the old man with cloudy eyes who wanted to see the sword in his hand back in the throne room? He did not expect that old man to be so filthy. He would not even let a six-year-old girl go!
Damn it.
The four of them headed straight for the fireworks.
Wen Dabao was overjoyed. He did not feel anything was wrong with Ping Yang's participation. Yan Xiu's expression was calm.
Only Fang Zhengzhi felt that something was amiss. Bringing a princess to a brothel?
What would the Emperor think if he knew about this?
...
The Qinhuai River was not as grand as it was in the capital.
However, there was a magnificent scene of eight miles of red lights, red silk, and bright lights. Furthermore, it was different from the scene that Fang Zhengzhi had imagined, where there would be a row of red dresses and green shirts at the entrance.
The decorations here were simple yet elegant. Each pavilion was filled with all kinds of paintings and paintings, and melodious music could be heard coming from the pavilions.
There was a guqin, a pipa, a flute...
"I heard that there will be a literary conference today!" Ping Yang was excited to see this.
"Your highness is indeed resourceful. Nothing can be hidden from you. The court examination results will be announced tomorrow. I believe that many people will be here tonight." Wen Dabao said flatteringly after hearing Ping Yang's words.
Fang Zhengzhi blinked and thought to himself. Are these two related?
After Wen Dabao was done fawning over Ping Yang, he turned to look at Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu. He began to introduce the place to them.
"There are fireworks here. The most famous one is the 'Intellectual Loft'. As the saying goes, a little ink and you can touch! There will always be a literary conference the night before the announcement of the court examination results. This conference will always be held in the Intellectual Loft. The purpose is to discuss policies! "
"Discuss policies?" Fang Zhengzhi had a rough idea of what was going on.
This policy discussion should be similar to the answers given after the exams in his previous life. Everyone would agree with the answer, and that way, they would have more confidence in themselves.
Just as he was thinking about this, they finally arrived at the Intellectual Loft.
It was a three storey loft. There were eight red lanterns hanging at the entrance, illuminating eight golden couplets. Each couplet was written in a different handwriting. It looked like they were written by eight different people.
In the middle of the loft were three large words. Intellectual Loft. If one did not have some cursive skills, one would not be able to tell what these three words were.
"Congratulations Young Master Wu, congratulations Young Master Wu! This time, His Majesty has issued an edict to summon Young Master Wu to see you. Young Master Wu is definitely in the top ten. I think with Young Master Wu's ability, it is possible for you to take first place in the Lower Prefectural Rankings. "
"Yes yes, I heard that Fang Zhengzhi has been eating and drinking these few days. He did not receive the Emperor's summons. I'm afraid he is not in the top 10."
"I wonder if Nangong Hao received the summons!"
"Do you even need to think about it?"
"That's true. However, ever since Nangong Hao finished the theory examinations, it was as if he had evaporated into thin air."
Just as he was about to enter the Intellectual Loft, he heard a burst of laughter. Amidst the laughter was the sound of a zither.
Just as the zither was playing, the clear sound of a flute also rang out, fusing with the melodious sound of the zither. It was like the wind in the bamboo, gently dancing and swaying.
"Hahaha... the nomination for the Golden Roll. Young Master Wu's song is going to be a legend!"
"Yes, yes. Young Master Wu, why don't you tell us more about the direction of your policy theory? Let us learn from it."
Moments later, the zither and flute stopped at the same time.
A series of cheers immediately rang out.
"What an idiot. The Emperor's summons is a secret. Unless you say it out loud, how can you let them know? Don't you think so, Lord Fang? "Wen Dabao's face was filled with righteous indignation.
"The Emperor's summons?" Fang Zhengzhi was confused.
He did remember that in his previous world, there was a term called "minor summons" and "major summons". The so-called minor summons referred to the individual being summoned by the Emperor before the court examination results were announced. Then, he would ask a few questions to determine the top three on the Golden Roll.
However, this world was not the same as his previous world. Fang Zhengzhi did not know if there was such a thing. As such, he did not take it to heart.
"Official Fang... don't scare me. Did you really not receive it? The Emperor's summons is for the top 10 in the theory examinations. You didn't receive it? " Wen Dabao's expression changed when he saw Fang Zhengzhi's confusion. He looked at Fang Zhengzhi in disbelief.
Wen Dabao did not participate in the court examinations.
As such, he did not know what had happened during the court examinations. However, he had already assumed that Fang Zhengzhi would make it into the top 10 of the theory examinations.
In fact, he might even be in the top three.
Even though Nangong Hao would definitely top the examinations, that did not mean anything.
After all, he was up against Nangong Hao.
When Fang Zhengzhi heard Wen Dabao's words, he turned to look at Yan Xiu and Ping Yang questioningly.
"I heard that the Emperor was in the Imperial Decree Hall a few days ago, and he was personally reviewing the documents. As such, I thought that there was no Imperial Decree this time." When Yan Xiu heard this, his expression finally changed.
"You thought there was no Emperor's summons? Did... did Young Master Yan not receive the summons? "Wen Dabao's jaw dropped in shock.
"Yes, I did not receive it." Yan Xiu nodded.
"Official Fang did not receive it. Neither did Young Master Yan. How is that possible? One of you is the double roll champion, the other is the second in the imperial examinations. Isn't it too much of a coincidence that neither of you received the summons? Could this Wu Feng be … a liar? "When Wen Dabao heard this, a trace of anger rose on his face.
"No, Wu Feng would not joke about the Emperor's summons." Yan Xiu shook his head as he looked at the dancing lights in the Intellectual Loft. He tightened his grip on his Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan.
"Oh... Fang Zhengzhi, you did not receive the summons. Are you going to fail this time? But, it's a pity for Yan Xiu... did you mislead Yan Xiu? "Ping Yang's voice rang out.
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