C151 – Hyperbolic Sum
The sound of drums rang out outside the imperial city as the thick red doors of the Imperial Palace slowly opened. The students stared at the palace walls in the distance with fiery gazes, their fighting spirits rising.
This place was their dream space for more than ten years. It was the starting point for them, the carp leaping over the dragon gate, and it was also a majestic place for them to be filled with both fear and envy.
The students held their breath as they entered the palace gate in a orderly line. They didn’t search their bodies, nor did they check their surroundings. However, none of them felt negligent. They wished they could block out the sound of walking.
They walked all the way to the square outside the throne room. Most of the students lowered their heads, not daring to look at them.
The huge square was frighteningly quiet. After standing straight for an hour, everyone heard a shrill and melodious voice say, “Your majesty the emperor has arrived! Kneel... Kowtow...”
At times like these, the body would always react half a step faster than the brain. Even if they had not been taught the rules beforehand, everyone would still kowtow in unison, “Long live the Emperor!”
After an unknown amount of time, everyone lowered their heads and only heard a light sound of footsteps. Then, a dignified and deep male voice entered their ears, “Rise...”
“Thank you, your majesty...” Probably because they were too nervous, some of the students’ legs were actually weak, and they were unable to get up even after a long time. Fortunately, the people around them were kind and pulled at them to prevent a joke.
A bright yellow ceremonial display was placed on the stairs leading to the throne room. Unless one raised their head, none of them would be able to see the emperor’s face. Of course, even if they could, there probably wouldn’t be many who would dare to look straight at the Son of Heaven.
Zhan Yuanfeng looked down at the audience condescendingly, and asked the attendant beside him in a low voice: “Which one is Zuo Shaoqing?”
That servant was precisely the one who reported the good news to the Zuo’s Mansion back then. After narrowing her eyes and searching for a while, she finally pointed to an inconspicuous spot and said: “Your Majesty, over there... The one in the white cotton dress is that one.”
The distance was too far, Zhan Yuanfeng couldn’t see it clearly, but according to the shape, he could probably see that it was a teenager. He knocked on the handrail and said, “Alright, watch him for me, don’t let him be submerged in a crowd of people.”
The attendant smiled and nodded. Bowing slightly, he started singing, “Candidate, take a seat...”
There were thousands of desks neatly arranged in the square, and cushions were placed behind each one. There were no fixed seats, so the examinees consciously found a seat and sat down, then waited for the emperor to set the questions.
“I won’t say much. Everyone here is a future pillar of the Great Yang. Look behind you. I hope that after three years, all of you can sit here and choose the best talent for me!”
Everyone glanced over their heads and realized that there were hundreds of civil and military officials sitting in a circle outside the examination hall. All of their official uniforms emitted an enchanting glow under the sunlight, causing the students’ hearts to burn.
Just thinking about how they would be able to stand at the same level as these ministers in three years, how could they not feel hot in their hearts?
“Because this little one caused an unfair result in the Imperial Examinations, I am not willing to miss out on any talent, so I gathered everyone here to start the question again. The results will be based on this time’s results, do you understand?”
The students all had different expressions as they replied, “Yes!”
Very soon, everyone noticed that the paper that Emperor Tianfeng praised was put aside. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the emperor’s next move.
“Those who follow the way of the heavens, are virtuous, virtuous, and virtuous, and are aided by others, are guided by the hearts of the people. Those who follow the way of the people, although small, must be strong; those who rebel against the heavens, thief, thief, thief, and those who resent are attacked by those who rebel against the will of the people. Heaven’s Path, the master of all things, the foundation of all wonders, the path that goes along, the path that goes wrong, and the way that goes wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong, all gone wrong.”
It wasn’t really an impressive essay, but it was much better than those essays that praised Emperor Tianfeng to the heavens. When everyone saw Emperor Tianfeng’s actions, they knew that the student who wrote this essay was in high school.
When Emperor Tianfeng finally finished reading the last paper, everyone held their breath and waited for him to announce the results.
Zhan Yuanfeng nodded and wrote down a few names with a pen. He handed them to an attendant at the side and said, “Read them out.”
“Yes sir!” The attendant at the side respectfully received the imperial edict with both hands. Then, he took two steps forward and unfurled it slowly. He raised his high-pitched voice and recited, “Zuo Shaoqing, Jiung Hengzhou, Hee Zhicheng, come forward and listen to the imperial edict!”
Zuo Shaoqing was stunned for a moment. Then, he hurriedly stood up and walked out. He lifted up his clothes in the middle and kneeled down, “Student is here!”
“According to the luck of the heavens, the emperor decrees: Mrs. Zuo, Shao Qing, talented and virtuous, Ya Shang Susu Feng, long for kindness, Gong Yeke diligently trained in court, his name is Tianfeng, the top scorer of the Enke test in two years, I hereby announce to the world that we celebrate together!”
Zuo Shaoqing bit his lip as a wave of pain hit him. Only then did he realize that he was really in high school, and this wish of his past life, which he had regretted to death, had finally come true. He excitedly kowtowed and thanked him: “Student accepts the edict, thank the Lord for his honor!”
Zhan Yuanfeng nodded expressionlessly, thinking regretfully at the same time, “If Zuo Shaoqing isn’t someone that Lu Zheng has his eyes on, he can focus on nurturing him. He’s young and doesn’t lose his temper, he’s an outstanding talent.”
Unfortunately, since he was someone Lu Zheng wanted, he was going to be someone with the tag of Duke Zhen Manor in the future. How could he arrange him?
Ignoring these irritating questions, Zhan Yuanfeng looked at the other two people below and recovered his smile as he said, “The flower seeker is a handsome and elegant young master. I can’t break this rule either. Jiung Hengzhou, come forward...”
Zhan Yuanfeng had heard of Jiung Hengzhou’s name before. He knew that Jiung Hengzhou was the final disciple of Scholar Yin. Perhaps the most popular candidate for top scholar position was not the one he wanted the most.
Zhan Yuanfeng narrowed his eyes and looked at Jiung Hengzhou’s calm face for a while. After not seeing any disappointed, disappointed, or even jealous expression, he secretly nodded his head. He seemed to be a good seedling.
“Hee Zhicheng, I know you. When I was still a prince, I had studied your essay and you were not bad. I hope that you will devote your life to your studies and work for the country and the people, and make a fortune for one side of the people.”
Zuo Shaoqing sent a congratulatory gaze towards Hee Zhicheng. He saw the eyes of the over forty year old scholar redden with joy and tears.
Hee Zhicheng obviously didn’t expect the emperor to remember him. He always knew that he was lacking, it was just that he was too tactful and lacked some of the temperament that a scholar should have. Therefore, the main examiner didn’t think highly of him every year.
“Student... This student accepts the decree to thank you!” Hee Zhicheng kneeled down and kowtowed three times heavily.
Many of the students looked on with envy at this scene, no one doubted Zuo Shaoqing’s ability anymore. Jiung Hengzhou was famous, but he was only a scout, and everyone already felt it was a loss. Yet, this unknown Hee Zhicheng actually got a spot on the rankings because of his looks.
No matter what he thought, everyone still threw him a congratulatory and appreciative look.