Grand Scholar Han watched him remain unmoved, then picked out a na himself and read aloud, "Tao Jingyu, twenty-one years old, the Young Duke of the Duke of England's estate."
Vice Minister Shao was utterly speechless.
He had witnessed firsthand how this na was plucked from the very bottom of the fifteen candidates. He even suspected that Grand Scholar Han's lengthy deliberation was all just to ensure this Young Duke would secure the title of top scholar in the tropolitan exam.
But that couldn't be possible.
Grand Scholar Han had always valued his reputation and had promoted many scholars from humble backgrounds.
The final list was settled.
Vice Minister Shao silently drafted two versions of the rankings—one with only the order, to be posted publicly, and another categorized into first, second, and third ranks according to the palace examination standards, to be presented to the Emperor as a reference for the final evaluation.
Both the tropolitan and palace exams tested policy essays, and by convention, the final adjustnts to the list were minimal.
Vice Minister Shao stared at Qin Ye's na at the top of the second-rank list and clenched his fingers.
Having spent years navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, he had seen all manner of underhanded dealings. Yet he never imagined even the imperial examinations—supposedly the fairest system in the court—could be tampered with behind the scenes.
Too young, too low in status...
Hah. Ridiculous.
Now, he not only despised his own powerlessness but even wished soone—anyone—would co to the Ministry of Rites. It didn’t have to be the Emperor or General Zong; even Luo Jingfeng would do.
Save Qin Ye!
"Grand Scholar, Vice Minister, the Duke of State Protection has arrived!" an attendant announced from outside.
Vice Minister Shao was overjoyed. "!!!"
Heavens! Summoning Luo Jingfeng had worked!!
The two chief examiners set down the list and hurried out to greet him.
"Greetings, Your Grace."
Luo Jingfeng strode in with long steps, waving them off. "The results are to be posted tomorrow. Is the list finalized?"
Vice Minister Shao replied eagerly, "Yes, yes, it’s ready. Would Your Grace care to review it?"
In his heart, he thought that even though Luo Jingfeng had no connection to Qin Ye, if he intervened, perhaps—just perhaps—there was a sliver of hope.
"Hand it over." Luo Jingfeng sprawled into a seat, propping his legs on the very table where the two had just finalized the list, nearly kicking away the morial ant for the Emperor.
Grand Scholar Han passed him the public version of the list.
Luo Jingfeng didn’t even glance at it.
His gaze was sharp as a blade as he sneered, "Grand Scholar Han, you certainly put on quite the show."
Grand Scholar Han’s smile stiffened. Who was the one putting on airs here? Wasn’t it obvious Luo Jingfeng wanted to see the version ant for the Emperor? The content was the sa—what difference did it make!
Still, he handed over the morial.
The two chief examiners exchanged uneasy glances.
They had no idea why Luo Jingfeng had co. There were no rumors of any young masters from his household taking the exams. Was he here to push for his own protégés?
Grand Scholar Han had once said that if Luo Jingfeng didn’t interfere, they could maintain fairness in the exams. But now that he was here, whoever he wanted on the list would have to be added.
The more Vice Minister Shao thought about it, the more his chest tightened.
Would this all-powerful Duke of State Protection casually rearrange the list, making it even more unjust?
Luo Jingfeng scanned the list and quickly found his beloved nephew’s na among the first-rank candidates. His brow lifted slightly.
Not bad—second place in the tropolitan exam.
Though not first, for a boy his age to rank second was already a remarkable achievent.
Zong Zhao had warned him not to interfere with Jincheng’s results, but surely there was no harm in just looking. Satisfied that his nephew had perford well, Luo Jingfeng allowed himself a rare smile.
He snapped the morial shut and said coolly, "Three hundred and sixty-six successful candidates this year—a bountiful harvest for the court. I am reassured. Carry on with your duties. No need to ntion my visit to anyone."
The two n exchanged bewildered looks as Luo Jingfeng departed.
"What was that about?"
"No idea."
"Strange..."
"Never mind him. Let’s review the list once more. By evening, I’ll deliver it to the palace for His Majesty’s approval."
"Agreed."
General Zong’s estate.
Luo Jingfeng arrived with the tropolitan exam results in hand, eager to share the news with his precious nephew.
Zong Jincheng had just entered the courtyard when he heard Luo Jingfeng telling his parents, "Jincheng did well—second place in the tropolitan exam. With this, he might even rank in the first tier during the palace exam. Impressive, very impressive. I’m pleased. Who knew you two were such good teachers..."
"SECOND?!" The little demon shrieked, his hair practically standing on end. "How could I be second? I should be first! That’s impossible! My policy essays are unmatched—even Qin Ye is no match for . How could he have beaten again?"
Xu Wan soothed, "Qin Ye has always had a stronger foundation, and he studies relentlessly. It’s natural for him to take first. Don’t fret—this is just the tropolitan exam. The palace exam might still go your way."
Zong Jincheng clenched his fists in frustration. "I’m still upset! Qin Ye won the top scholar title again—two in a row! He must be gloating like mad. Damn it, why couldn’t that glorious achievent be mine?"
If he had secured back-to-back top honors, he would’ve set off fireworks from the southern to the northern gates, just to show the world how brilliant he was!
Zong Zhao patted the boy’s head—a rare gesture of encouragent. "Do your best in the palace exam. Break Qin Ye’s streak of triple victories."
"Mm! I’ll crush Qin Ye!" Zong Jincheng vowed before storming back to his study to hit the books again.
It was only then that Luo Jingfeng processed what had just happened. "Wait… I never said Qin Ye was first."
The three of them froze and turned to him in unison.
The little demon’s eyes widened. "Qin Ye isn’t first?"
In his mind, Qin Ye had always been the undisputed champion. None of them had considered the possibility that the top scholar title might go to soone else. Had a candidate from the south truly surpassed him?
"Qin Ye is fourth," Luo Jingfeng clarified, recalling how fixated his nephew was on defeating this rival. He had made a point of checking Qin Ye’s ranking.
The result was underwhelming—he hadn’t even outperford Zong Wenxiu.
Zong Jincheng pressed, "Then who’s first and third? What are their nas?"
Luo Jingfeng answered, "Third place is your cousin, Zong Wenxiu."
"My brother…" Zong Jincheng murmured, frowning.
Though part of him wanted everyone in their elite study group to surpass Qin Ye, now that it had actually happened, it felt surreal.
His brother was brilliant, yes, but Qin Ye…
Qin Ye shouldn’t have scored so poorly.
Had sothing gone wrong during the exam?
Xu Wan also sensed sothing amiss. "Your Grace, do you recall the na of the top scorer?"
"Tao Jingyu," Luo Jingfeng replied.
"Impossible!" Zong Jincheng’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. He looked at Xu Wan and shook his head emphatically. "It can’t be him."
"You know this person?" Xu Wan had no recollection of the na, but the little demon never forgot anything—especially not rankings he had seen before.
"Is he from the capital?" she asked.
Zong Jincheng nodded vigorously. "He placed second in the provincial exam, right below Qin Ye."
Xu Wan mused, "Perhaps he simply outperford Qin Ye this ti?"
Zong Jincheng still shook his head. "No, Mother. He’s the top-ranked scholar at Hanlin North Academy, but every ti we take the joint exams, he can never surpass Qin Ye. So Hanlin North Academy ends up frustrated after each test. That man simply can’t defeat Qin Ye, nor can he ever outshine or my brother, Zong Wenxiu. I refuse to believe he could rank first!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)