Chapter 431: Inquiring about the National Academy

Chapter 431: Inquiring about the National Academy

After the court session, Emperor Ming entered the Imperial Study Room and looked at the memorial in his hand.

He said lightly, “These people are fierce critics of each other in normal times, but are surprisingly united when it comes to external matters.”

Eunuch Li stood beside him and respectfully said, “The imperial examination system has a significant impact on the powerful, so they naturally want to resist it with all their might.”

“Have there been any significant events in the Imperial City in the past few days?” Emperor Ming asked as he scanned the memorial, looking for an opportunity to target those officials who opposed him.

Eunuch Li pondered for a moment before replying, “There has been a major incident in Imperial City recently, and it has to do with Young Master Qin Feng, the eldest son of the Qin family.”

“Oh? Tell me about it,” Emperor Ming said, putting down the memorial.

Learning that Qin Feng was the one who proposed the imperial examination system, his interest in the young man had grown.

Eunuch Li organised his words and explained the academic dispute between Qin Feng and the National Academy.

“Is this true?” Emperor Ming suddenly stood up after hearing the story.

Eunuch Li was unsure why the Emperor was so upset and promptly replied, “Many people in the streets and alleys know about this news. It seems as if someone is spreading it deliberately.”

“Moreover, the National Academy has not denied the matter and has even moved the precious cultural artefact, the Heavenly Heart Platform , from the Great Literature Academy. So it is probably true.”

“Haha, excellent! Qin Feng, that kid, always manages to surprise me!” Emperor Ming was delighted.

“Why is Your Majesty so pleased?” Eunuch Li asked in confusion.

“If the scholars from outside win the academic dispute against the National Academy, then their criticism of the court’s policies today will be a slap in their own faces. If I promote the imperial examination system, who will dare to openly oppose it?” Emperor Ming declared.

Eunuch Li immediately understood that the academic dispute between Qin Feng and the National Academy had given the Emperor a breakthrough in promoting the imperial examination system.

After a moment of thought, Eunuch Li expressed his concern, “But Your Majesty, your wish depends on whether Qin Feng can win the academic dispute against the scholars of the National Academy. What if Qin Feng fails? After all, there are some truly talented individuals at the National Academy.”

After hearing this, Emperor Ming also paced back and forth in imperial study. He looked out the window and said, “This young man has never let me down before. I hope this time will be no exception.”

In the Empress’s palace, she observed Anya’s behaviour and asked curiously, “You seem distracted these days. Is there something on your mind?”

Anya was still thinking about the academic dispute and blaming Qin Feng for his reckless actions. She hadn’t paid any attention to her mother’s words.

“Anya, Anya?” The Empress called to her several times.

“Ah? Mother called me?” Anya snapped back to reality.

“I called you several times before you answered. Are you worried about that boy from the Qin family?” The Empress asked casually.

“For no reason, why would I be worried about him?” Anya picked up the teacup from the table and pretended to be indifferent.

Outside the Grand Literature Academy, the floating Heavenly Heart Platform was already glowing white.

The spectators surrounding it made it impassable, most of them were ordinary people who had come to support Qin Feng.

Among the crowd, not a single student from the Poor Scholar Academy was missing.

They were all praying in their hearts, hoping that Master Qin could win today’s academic dispute.

On the side of the Grand Literature Academy, the scholars of the National Academy were already prepared. As they listened to the voices of the common people outside the academy, contemptuous smiles appeared on their faces.

“A mere third-ranked son of a national general, still trying to defeat us. It’s just a fool’s dream.”

“Wait, everyone. Who shall go first and let these lowly people know how formidable we are?”

“I am not talented. So, I will go first and have a good fight with this ignorant person.”

As the words fell, the speaker floated up to the Heavenly Heart Platform surrounded by a white light.

This phenomenon occurred because the Heavenly Heart Platform itself was a treasure, capable of sensing the Literature Qi of those who followed the Literature Saint and attracting them to the platform.

However, the onlookers who didn’t know the truth were all stunned by this movement.

“Heh.” On one side of the crowd, there was a luxurious carriage, and inside it, a handsome man was accompanied by three graceful women.

If Qin Feng saw this person, he would surely be surprised because this person was the Crown Prince!

Seeing that nine o’clock was approaching, the National Academy was already prepared, but there was still no sign of Qin Feng. The Crown Prince became increasingly worried.

The man on the Heavenly Heart Platform sneered, “Looks like this guy knows he’s no match for us and decided to avoid the fight. What a waste of our efforts!”

The people below the platform were worried. Could it be that Master Qin was really retreating at a critical moment?

But at that moment, someone suddenly noticed something and pointed to the sky, shouting, “Quick, look! What is that?!”

Everyone turned around to see a handsome figure in black slowly descending from the sky like a god.

If it wasn’t Qin Feng, who else could it be?

The scholars of the National Academy were shocked and terrified. They had never expected the other party to show up like this!

As Qin Feng landed on the Heavenly Heart Platform , he glanced at the sundial just outside Grand Literature Academy and spoke softly, “It’s precisely nine o’clock.”

Then he looked at the man not far away and shouted, “Qin Feng of the Poor Scholar Academy challenges the National Academy!”