Clearly they were making conversation out of nothing, forcing praise where none was due.
Zhang Qufeng sneered, "The two lords are truly sparing Prince Changsun’s dignity. But in my humble opinion, no need for that. Prince Changsun being able to farm is already a unique skill—far better than many of the spoiled sons in the Imperial City."
Lu Yuan curled his lips into a smile. "Thank you, Lord Zhang, for your praise."
Prince Ming’s face darkened. "You fool! Didn’t you hear the insult in his words?"
Lu Yuan calmly replied, "I know how to farm—it’s sothing to be proud of. Why would Lord Zhang insult for that? Unless... he looks down on the peasants who eke out a living from the earth? The food we eat, the tools we use, the clothes we wear—which of them doesn’t co from the efforts of the people? To eat from the people’s hands and then curse them behind their backs, such deeds that harm virtue—I trust Lord Zhang would never stoop to sothing so base."
Zhang Qufeng choked hard on his words.
Prince Ming drew a sharp breath. "If you’re this eloquent, why don’t you speak more often?"
Lu Yuan: "..."
By now, Prince Jin and Lu Qi had stopped paying any attention to the rest of the exam papers.
Only Gongsun Yanming continued observing the examiners closely.
The expressions of the four lords showed little difference, save for the Grand Tutor, whose deanor seed sowhat perplexed.
"Lords, His Majesty has commanded to ask—have the examinations been graded?"
In a soft voice, Eunuch Yu posed the question.
The hours had slipped by unnoticed. It was now the early afternoon, and the elderly examiners were visibly struggling to stay upright, their bodies beginning to sway.
The four examiners turned their gazes, as if on cue, toward the Grand Tutor.
They had long since completed their reviews; the only paper left was the one in the Grand Tutor’s hands.
The Grand Tutor took a deep breath, finally marking the paper with a "Top Tier" before handing it to Eunuch Yu.
Eunuch Yu took the paper carefully and ascended the steps to present it. "Your Majesty."
Emperor Liang accepted the paper, his eyes flickering with emotion as he read through it. After a mont, his expression steadied. "Read it aloud," he commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eunuch Yu unsealed the nas and announced to the gathered crowd, "Prince Jian: One Top Tier, four Mid Tiers."
Lu Qi furrowed his brow. "One Top Tier?"
Prince Jin remained unconcerned. "The lords are rather strict; earning even one Top Tier is already a rare feat."
He cared little about the number of Top Tiers—as long as he could crush Lu Yuan, that was victory enough for him.
"Let guess. You only managed one Top Tier and four Mid Tiers. Could it be that soone’s exam paper was disqualified?"
Top, Mid, Low—the three grading tiers.
The highest was "Top Tier," the lowest was "Low Tier." Below that ca disqualification.
The crowd’s eyes collectively turned to Lu Yuan, their gazes brimming with undisguised pity.
Of all things to compete in, why choose the Four Books?
Wasn’t this why Prince Jian was considered the true Qilin?
He possessed the blessings of heaven, the fortune of the Imperial Family, and even exam questions that worked entirely in his favor.
Zhang Qufeng hadn’t been wrong about one thing.
This truly seed like fate’s design.
"It seems I ought to congratulate my nephew in advance," King Qi remarked with a smile toward Lu Qi.
Lu Qi humbly and courteously replied, "Fourth Uncle, my elder brother’s results have yet to be announced."
Prince Rui addressed Emperor Liang, "Father, perhaps it’s best not to announce it. Spare Yuan’er and Second Brother so embarrassnt."
Lu Zhaoyan sternly interjected, "Does Father require you to teach him how to conduct affairs?"
Prince Rui shrugged with feigned indifference. "I was only trying to be considerate. If Second Brother doesn’t appreciate my kindness, so be it."
Lu Yuan glanced wryly at his father. "What if I truly bring disgrace upon you? What then?"
Lu Zhaoyan’s tone beca formal. "If the son goes astray, the father bears the bla. If you lose face, I’ll take responsibility."
Lu Yuan rolled his eyes away, snorting faintly in response.
King Qi laughed aloud. "Since soone insists on seeking their own humiliation, Eunuch Yu, do proceed boldly and read it out!"
Looking at the sheet in his hands, Eunuch Yu sighed heavily, his expression complicated. "The Imperial Grandson: Five Top Tiers."
Thud.
The ceremonial tablet in Prince Jin’s hand clattered to the floor.
Lu Qi’s frown deepened into incredulity.
Five Top Tiers. Impossible.
King Qi was visibly stunned. "Did you make a mistake? Did you mix up the nas? Qi’er should have been the one with Five Top Tiers! Wait, no... he was haphazard with his answers. How could he have even one Top Tier and four Mid Tiers?"
Prince Jin sprang to his feet. "Father, may I examine the examination papers myself?"
Emperor Liang waved him off with a dismissive gesture.
Eunuch Yu carried the papers down the steps.
Prince Jin, Lu Qi, Prince Rui, and King Qi each took one and began scrutinizing them.
Zhang Qufeng, along with several skeptical officials, hurriedly joined the fray.
"Is this your writing?" Prince Jin asked Lu Qi.
Lu Qi nodded affirmatively. "It is."
Staring at the scripts, Zhang Qufeng exclaid in disbelief, "The Commandery Prince’s answers are excellent! Even I could hardly outperform this test effort. Why was it awarded just one Top Tier? This... this... were you all bribed?"
Doctor Li slamd his fist indignantly. "Ridiculous! The nas were sealed—how could we possibly know who wrote which script? Besides... we actually thought this paper belonged to the Commandery Prince!"
Doctor Li added insistently, "Indeed, that’s what we assud."
Prince Jin pressed, "So the paper you were all praising earlier—was this one?"
The four lords nodded.
"What about Lu Linyuan’s paper?"
Prince Jin demanded gravely.
Eunuch Yu handed over Lu Yuan’s script.
Though not as gifted as his son, Prince Jin had read his fair share of classics. The mont his eyes fell upon the calligraphy, he froze.
"Does anyone have any objections?"
Emperor Liang asked.
The crowd fell silent, each person rendered speechless.
This round of competition was even less suspenseful than the farming contest.
The Commandery Prince’s erudition was impressive, yet the Imperial Grandson possessed the talents of a top scholar!
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