After a while, Chen Feihua looked through the entire palace once more. She finally retracted her gaze, stretched her arms slightly, and turned to walk down the palace walls.
"Inform Vice Domain Chief Bai that he will be on duty tonight!"
"Yes!" A royal guard who was guarding the palace walls immediately obeyed the order. At the same time, he quickly ran into the distance.
As for Chen Feihua, she slowly walked into the palace. After walking for a quarter of an hour, she arrived in front of an antique pavilion.
A few palace maids who were guarding the attic saw Chen Feihua and bowed in unison. Then, they carefully opened the door.
Chen Feihua walked in.
The palace maids closed the door and helped Chen Feihua take off her armor and dress. Then, they placed a pot of freshly brewed tea and an ancient scroll in front of Chen Feihua.
"Your Highness, are you not on duty tonight?" One of the palace maids stood at the side and asked softly.
"No." Chen Feihua shook her head.
"Then do you want me to inform Eunuch Wei and ask the Emperor to come over tonight?" The palace maid nodded and asked softly.
"No need, you can leave first. Without my orders, don't let anyone in to disturb me." Chen Feihua shook her head again.
"Yes!" The palace maids immediately retreated.
Chen Feihua's gaze did not leave the ancient scroll in her hands. Her jade-like fingers gently flipped the ancient scroll.
This was Chen Feihua. In this palace filled with all kinds of conflicts, she did her duty and did her own thing, just like an outsider.
…
Inside the Imperial Academy.
It had been a while since the start of the Imperial Examinations. Countless candidates stared at the examination papers on their desks and buried their heads in their writing. This time, the Imperial Examinations also had six sets of examination papers.
This caused the examinees to furrow their brows.
"It's too difficult!"
"I heard that in the previous examination, Fang Zhengzhi actually finished all six sets of examination papers in four hours. I wonder how he did it!"
"This is unbelievable!"
After personally experiencing the difficulty of the six sets of examination papers, the examinees all had a different view of the Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examinations, Fang Zhengzhi.
In the past, their opinions of Fang Zhengzhi were mostly based on hearsay.
For example, he had an extremely shameless personality. Or, he came from a lowly background, was a villager from the mountains, and behaved rudely. He had never entered a Hall of Dao or an academy since he was young.
But now …
Looking at the six scripts in front of them, they finally realized that it was a person like this who had achieved what they could never have done. It was also a person like this who had become the Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examinations, the Chief Imperial Messenger of the Imperial Academy, and the teacher of all the scholars in the world at the age of 18.
Boom!
The gong sounded, signifying the handing in of the exam papers.
The examinees were all shocked. Looking at the half-empty exam papers in front of them, they all felt a sense of despair and disappointment.
It was too difficult and impossible to finish. Moreover, there was only a total of four hours. It would be extremely difficult to finish all the questions.
Not to mention revising and seriously examining the questions.
Do I really have to hand in my paper like this?
After ten years of hard work, he had made a name for himself in the imperial examinations.
However, if he didn't even finish the exam paper when he handed it in, how could he be on the roll? How could he achieve success and become an official in one go?
"Three circles!"
Almost at the same time, these three words rang in the minds of all the examinees who had left their exam papers blank. As long as they could draw three circles on the exam paper, they would have the chance to be number one in the imperial examinations.
But, how should they draw these three circles?
Where should they draw them?
This was a difficult problem!
"Let's do it!"
"No matter what, I am a talented painter. Drawing three circles is such a simple thing, how could it be a problem for me?"
"I want to draw three magnificent circles!"
As the examinees made up their minds, circles were slowly drawn on the exam papers. Following which, the gong sounded, signifying the handing in of the exam papers.
Phew!
The examinees heaved a sigh of relief. Satisfied, they checked the various circles on the exam papers. Looking at the time, it was almost noon.
Handing in and keeping the exam papers did not take too long.
As the examinees handed in their papers and sealed their names, the thick stacks of exam papers were also kept by the invigilators. Following which, they carefully brought them to a sealed room in the Imperial Academy.
More than ten invigilators were already sitting in front of their tables. Looking at the thick stacks of exam papers, they rubbed their palms together, ready to show off their years of hard work.
Above them sat Fang Zhengzhi, Ping Yang, and Yan Xiu.
Normally, the busiest part of the examination papers would begin the moment the imperial examinations ended. After all, the date of the release of the results was too close. The day after tomorrow would be the day of release. This meant that they had to finish examining the hundreds of exam papers one by one before the sun set the next day.
In terms of time, it could be said that they were pressed for time.
"Official Fang, shall we start examining the papers now?" One of the invigilators looked at the stacks of exam papers and asked Fang Zhengzhi, who was sitting in front of him.
"There's no rush, let's eat first." Fang Zhengzhi had been sitting in this room for a long time. Even his butt was starting to hurt. It was basically impossible for him to immediately examine the papers.
"This … Official Fang, the examination papers of the previous Imperial Examinations have always been very urgent. If we deliberately make time to eat, I'm afraid that in terms of time …" The invigilator wanted to say something but stopped.
In the previous years, the work of examining the examination papers was done day and night. Not to mention eating, even sleeping time was only a short four hours.
But Fang Zhengzhi actually said that he wanted to eat first …
This undoubtedly worried the invigilators. After all, they were not Fang Zhengzhi and could not go against the Emperor's orders. If they really did not examine the papers in time, they would be the ones suffering.
"Don't worry, we have plenty of time." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head, not worried at all.
"This …" The invigilators looked at each other and wanted to say something. However, looking at Fang Zhengzhi's expression, they did not say anything.
As for Ping Yang …
At this moment, she also looked like she could not sit still.
This time, she accompanied Fang Zhengzhi to the Imperial Academy just to experience what it was like to be an invigilator. As for examining papers, she had no interest.
"Yan Xiu, I am also a little hungry. Where shall we go for lunch?" Ping Yang rubbed her stomach and looked at the cold Yan Xiu beside her.
"Unlocking Tower." Yan Xiu did not refuse and directly told her the place.
"Unlocking Tower? Hmm, not bad. Even though it is a little far, but the Red Braised Meat at Unlocking Tower suits my taste. Let's go to Unlocking Tower for lunch. My treat! " When Ping Yang heard this, she nodded her head in satisfaction. Following which, she waved at the invigilators below her with a generous expression.
"Then let's all go to Unlocking Tower for lunch." When Fang Zhengzhi heard this, he also expressed his agreement. Following which, he stood up and walked towards the door.
The group of invigilators looked at Fang Zhengzhi, Ping Yang, and Yan Xiu who left. They were a little speechless. Under such a tense situation, why would they go to Unlocking Tower for lunch?
This was something that had never happened before in all the previous years.
However, since the Chief Examiner had spoken, they naturally did not dare to object. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was now the Chief Imperial Messenger of the Imperial Academy, their superior.
Hence …
The group of people left the Imperial Academy.
Under the shocked gazes of countless candidates who had just walked out of the Imperial Academy, they majestically walked towards Unlocking Tower.
"What's going on? Aren't the invigilators going to review the scripts? "
"They actually went out together?"
"Could it be that they are going out for lunch?"
"That's impossible. In the past, weren't the invigilators very busy during the review? How could they have the time to go out for lunch? "
All of the candidates had a look of disbelief on their faces.
Then, they saw the group of invigilators, led by Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang, walk for a full ten minutes before stepping into the door of a restaurant called Unlocking Tower.
"They are really going out for lunch!"
The eyes of the candidates almost instantly widened.
In the Unlocking Tower, a few of the candidates who had just finished the Imperial Examinations also sat down with their eyes wide open as they stared at Fang Zhengzhi and the invigilators walking in from the door.
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?"
"I think I am also a little … .blind!"
"The invigilators actually went out so far to eat. Shouldn't they be reviewing scripts in the Imperial Academy?"
None of the candidates were willing to believe the truth in front of them. However, the truth was that Fang Zhengzhi and the others walked into the private room on the second floor.
Then …
The Yan Capital was in an uproar again!
Almost all of the officials received the same news. After the Imperial Examinations, not only did Fang Zhengzhi not review the scripts, he even brought a group of invigilators to eat at a restaurant called Unlocking Tower in the south of the city.
"What is Fang Zhengzhi doing? Isn't he afraid that he doesn't have enough time? "
"The Emperor entrusted such an important task to him, yet he neglected his duties and went to half the Yan Capital to eat? This official must report him to the heavens! "
"Forget it. Now that he has the Emperor's favor, even the Crown Prince can't do anything to him. You want to report him? Do you still want to have a foothold in the Imperial Court? "
"Let's wait and see. I want to see how he will present his scripts to the Emperor if he has not finished reviewing them by the time the Imperial Examinations results are released."
The officials felt that Fang Zhengzhi's actions were shameless. However, under these circumstances, they could not do anything to Fang Zhengzhi.
As such …
They could only wait.
...
Fang Zhengzhi did not eat very quickly during the meal. After finishing his main course, he ordered a few servings of water slurping and ate for a full two hours before it was over.
As for the Monster Trainers, they were already restless like ants on a hot pan. By the time the Monster Trainers came out of Xie Yu Tower, the sun was already setting, and the sky was starting to darken.
"Official Fang, should we go back to review the scripts now?"
"No rush. Let's sleep first. We'll review them tomorrow." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head and yawned. He then stretched lazily. He looked a little tired.
Waking up early in the morning and invigilating the examinations.
How troublesome.
This was what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking. If possible, he really did not want to do such a thankless task.
"Official Fang, please let us go. We are just invigilators. If we delay the review of the scripts, we will be beheaded!"
"Yes, Official Fang, let's start reviewing the scripts!"
"The results will be released the day after tomorrow. If we only have tomorrow, it would be impossible for us to finish checking all the scripts of the Imperial Examinations!"
The invigilators almost knelt down when they heard this.
How important was the Imperial Examinations?
If they didn't finish checking the papers before the results were released, one could imagine how serious the consequences would be if such a thing were to happen.
"Fang Zhengzhi, do you really have the confidence to finish checking all the scripts of the Imperial Examination in one day?" Ping Yang looked at the bitter faces of the invigilators, then looked at the relaxed Fang Zhengzhi. She had some doubts in her heart. After all, she had some understanding of reviewing scripts for the Imperial Examinations.
"One day?" Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched. "I wanted to finish reviewing all the scripts in four hours. How tiring would it be to do it in a day!"
"Four hours?!"
"How is that possible? There are hundreds of scripts! From the first round to the second round, every script has to go through at least five invigilators. Then, we still have to... "
"That is completely impossible!"
The invigilators all widened their eyes when they heard this.
If they had the answers, it was possible to finish reviewing hundreds of scripts in a day. However, the Imperial Examinations had their own meanings.
In other words, there were many things that needed to be pondered and thought.
Under such circumstances, a few monster trainers were required to come together and discuss. Only then would they be able to determine whether the interpretation of the scriptures in the test paper was A or B.
Furthermore, each script was reviewed by more than one invigilator. It required at least five invigilators to cross review it. Only after all five invigilators had reviewed it would it be handed over for the second round.
Not to mention four hours...
Even if it was two days, it was still very tight.
"Master Fang, this is not a joking matter. Master Fang, please start reviewing the files immediately. We have already made up our minds to not rest or sleep tonight. We will definitely do our best!" One of the Imperial Censors gritted his teeth and advised bluntly.
"Yes, Master Fang, please start reviewing the scripts!" The other invigilators all nodded in agreement when they heard this.
"You really don't want to rest for the night? You want to review the scripts now?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the worried faces of the invigilators and felt helpless.
"Yes!" The invigilators all nodded.
"Alright then, let's review the scripts now!" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the sky and finally nodded.
"Thank you, Master Fang!" The invigilators all heaved a sigh of relief when they heard Fang Zhengzhi's nod. They hurriedly followed Fang Zhengzhi towards the Imperial Academy.
Ping Yang followed behind them with a face full of curiosity.
As for Yan Xiu, he was strangely calm. He did not look worried at all.
...
Not long after, the invigilators also returned to the Imperial Academy and sat in front of the table. They looked at the high stack of scripts and their faces were more or less worried.
"Start reviewing the scripts!" Fang Zhengzhi ordered.
"Yes!" The invigilators nodded and began to distribute the scripts.
"First, pick out those who drew circles on the scripts. Then, these people... will all be considered to have failed." Fang Zhengzhi looked at the invigilators who began to distribute the scripts and spoke again.
"Ah?!"
The invigilators were stunned when they heard this. They all stopped and stared at Fang Zhengzhi with their eyes wide open. They could not react at all.
Everyone who drew circles on the scripts would be considered to have failed?
What was going on?
They all heard from Fang Zhengzhi that those who drew circles on the scripts could possibly get first place! They were even prepared to pay special attention to those who drew circles on the scripts.
How did it suddenly become a failure?
"Master Fang, this... this is not very appropriate, right?"
"Yes, isn't this unfair?"
"Although there is some time, but if we really do this..."
The imperial messengers all voiced out their worries. For such an important event like the Imperial Examination, they felt that it was a little too rash to do so.
Indeed, this guy was just trying to fool them?
At this moment, almost all of the Imperial Censors had the same thought. All of them looked at Fang Zhengzhi with a sense of helplessness.
"Looks like you don't really trust my judgment. How about this, you can pick a few scripts with circles on them and take a look." Fang Zhengzhi looked at the expressions on the invigilators' faces and could naturally guess what they were thinking. However, he did not explain too much and pointed at the scripts in front of him.
When the invigilators heard this, although they were slightly confused, they quickly flipped through the scripts.
Then...
All of the invigilators frowned.
Then, the scripts passed through the hands of the invigilators one by one. Finally, they were thrown to one side.
"What is written on it?"
"There are so many blank scripts, and you still have the cheek to hand them in?"
"This... all of them are..."
After the invigilators had gone through ten scripts in a row, their expressions finally changed. Looking at the scripts with circles on them, they were somewhat speechless.
"Do you want me to repeat myself?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and looked at the invigilators below.
"No... no need!"
"Official Fang's knowledge is indeed incomparable to ours!"
"These scripts with circles on them are indeed the ones that failed the examinations. Official Fang is not wrong, and there is nothing unfair about this!"
The invigilators looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement.
"Then let's begin." Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head.
"Yes!" The invigilators immediately obeyed.
Then, the scripts with circles on them were picked out one by one and thrown to one side. A few invigilators who were unwilling to give up took a few glances at the scripts while throwing them away.
However, they all shook their heads in the end.
After a series of selections, there were less than sixty scripts left. All of the scripts with circles on them were picked out and placed to one side.
With less than sixty scripts, the difficulty of this examination was naturally much lower.
Four hours later.
The list of the Imperial Examination Theory Roll was freshly released.
"Alright, the examination is almost done. You guys can draft up the results and present them to the Emperor!" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the list, stretched and stood up to leave.
When Ping Yang heard this, she immediately opened her eyes. She had been waiting for almost four hours and was getting impatient. If not for the fact that she was curious about the way Fang Zhengzhi examined the scripts, she would have returned to her residence a long time ago.
"Can we go now?"
"Yes!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head.
"All of them?" Ping Yang was still in disbelief.
"Yes, all of them." Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head again.
"It can't be? All of them were examined in less than four hours. If father knew about this, I wonder what he would think. "Ping Yang was slightly shocked.
"We will know once we report it." Fang Zhengzhi waved his hand.
"En, this princess must go to my father and tell him about this." Ping Yang nodded as if she had done a meritorious deed.
The two of them chatted as they walked out of the door. Beside them was Yan Xiu, who had a cold expression on his face.
When the three of them left the room...
All of the invigilators looked at each other. They all saw the same complicated and shocked expression in each other's eyes.
"Is this Fang Zhengzhi?"
"The Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examination before the age of eighteen, the new Chief Imperial Messenger of the Imperial Academy!"
"The Emperor's foresight... is indeed not something we can compare with!"
"In less than four hours, he finished examining the scripts of the Imperial Examination. If not for the fact that I saw it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it!"
Before today, the invigilators had some reservations about Fang Zhengzhi being the Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examination. At this moment, no one had any objections.
Four hours...
The results of the Imperial Examination were out!
This was something that had never happened in the history of the Great Xia Dynasty.
"Fang Zhengzhi, tell me, why are you so sure that the scripts with circles on them are the ones that failed the Imperial Examination? What if there is something missing, then... "After Ping Yang walked out of the Imperial Academy, her mind seemed to have cleared up a little. She blinked her eyes and asked Fang Zhengzhi, who was beside her.
"She even thought about cheating in a theory examination. How can such a person have any real skills, and how can she work for the government honestly?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Ping Yang and replied casually.
"Hmm... now that you put it that way, it does seem to make sense. Even if there is something missing, based on this character alone, he will not be hired!" Ping Yang was taken aback. Then, her eyes lit up and she nodded her head. "Should we go back to the residence for dinner?"
"It should be about time!" Fang Zhengzhi did not answer Ping Yang's question. Instead, he raised his head slightly and looked at the completely dark sky.
A star lit up in the sky.
It was very bright.
However, it represented the beginning of night.
"Time? What do you mean about time? Don't tell me... you mean? " Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi suspiciously. Then, a ray of light flashed in her clear eyes.
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