Chapter 5

1.5 - If you think about it, you'll die, can't close your eyes

When Xue Ling arrived, the emperor who was watching the show from the back naturally also came out, so with a call of "the Emperor has arrived", everyone was unified in kneeling to pay respects.

Xue Ling could also bend, his facial expression remained the same, looking particularly gentle and respectful, but inwardly he was cursing the emperor to death.

"Rise, beloved ministers." The emperor's laughter was hearty. He was a middle-aged man with a magnificent face. The years had left traces on his eyes and eyebrows, but they did not detract from the dignity of the man who represented country at all.

Xue Ling seems to see a huge golden dragon circling behind him. This emperor's luck is not inferior to that of this world's son of fate, the protagonist shou.

But, this has nothing to do with Xue Ling's mission. Xue Ling will look into at other people's luck.

Demons also have their own brand of honour and dignity, this is a point that Xue Ling insists on.

"In today's Palace examination, I(朕) played a little trick in order to see what means our beloved ministers can employ in order to enter the palace, cannot help but admire the young men that can write these articles." The emperor was full of smiles, and if Xue Ling hadn't known that he would follow up with an attack, he would not have seen through the mask to the emperor's real attitude.

Being an emperor indeed requires an excellent acting ability.

The young people below all laughed, after all, they were all at the age of complacency, not only was it the final examination presided over by the emperor, it has also given them fame and success. The emperor praised them so much that several people felt like they were floating.

Duan Xuyang did not know why, but he started feeling uneasy in his heart.

"The articles of our dear ministers have been carefully read. Some of the ideas on governing the country have benefitted me(朕) a lot. I have prepared two articles here for you to carefully read."Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Normally, the imperial examination process is definitely not like this, but all this is according to the emperor's will. His subjects naturally dare not have any doubts about it, the palace workers first presented an article, opening it with his hands, Xue Ling quivered, realising that it is Duan Xuyang's article.

The corners of his mouth raised slightly, making the little eunuch who sent him the article turn a little red, whole person wavering as he retreated.

Reading articles takes time, inside the great hall it was particularly silent, even the sound of a dropped needle would be heard.

Xue Ling also read this article with along them, and the more he read, the paler his face became. The system that was settled on his shoulder, upon seeing him standing unsteadily like a thin sheet of paper, looking like he he wanted to stand steadily, but his heart was too tired, too heart-broken, even occasionally sending Duan Xuyang regretful, hating iron for not being steel glances, suddenly felt that its host's acting abilities were rather too good, it's a perfect score!

The emperor's eyes were always observing around the group of people, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised. When some of the ministers looked up excitedly, seeming to want to say something, he waved for to them not to open their mouths and asked the palace workers to send another article.

Then, everyone was shocked.

Although it was incredibly hard to believe, but the people present still read the whole article, and then their expressions turned strange.

Xue Ling did not read his own article. He sighed and looked up at the sky. Then, as if he had inadvertently noticed Duan Xuyang's eyesight, he looked back towards the other.

There are too many things in his eyes, helplessness, angry grievance, disappointment, regret, pity, all kinds of emotions entangled together, even if Duan Xuyang has endless hatred for him, at this moment, facing such a pair of eyes, he was also stunned in place for a while.

The gazes of the two men clashed with each other under the eyes of the emperor, and also the eyes of the general who was specifically invited back by the emperor.

The emperor sent a copy of these two articles to Cong Hui, even if it is an ordinary person, it would be a simple thing to judge who is the original owner of the article when he sees these two articles together. Therefore, Cong Hui's gaze was a little curious, his eyes switching back and forth between Xueling and Duan Xuyang, not knowing how to describe his current mood.

One scholar angrily threw the paper on the ground and knelt directly in front of the emperor. "Your Majesty, such a dishonourable deed! Requesting a thorough investigation!"

This person is a famous scholar, attaching much importance towards articles, as well as the sanctity of literature, making it so that he can not stand for such a thing happen, his facial expression is livid, obviously very angry.

"Take care of your body." Cong Hui supported him, adding: "Duan family's grievance has not yet been addressed, you can not fall here."

Xue Ling reluctantly stood firm, raised his head to give Cong Hui a smile, and then looked down at Duan Xuyang. "Our acquaintance of many years, coming to this point, our sentiment, is over now."

Seeing the general that suddenly appeared, Duan Xuyang felt really bad all over. The general was his last trump card. But now, obviously, all his back roads had been cut off.

The emperor, who had been watching the play since the beginning, finally spoke. "Nothing more to say? If there is nothing else, I will help you with your grievances."

"..." Duan Xuyang looked at the face of the Son of Heaven without any spirit in his eyes. He only felt a sense of oppression that made him unable to raise his head. He bowed his head and finally accepted his fate.

​ The moment he lowered his head, the strong luck that was always surrounding him began to stir crazily, causing a great commotion. And then, unhesitatingly, rose directly into the sky and disappeared completely.

Xue Ling covered his chest, knowing that the protagonist had exhausted his all and had no more chances.

He sneered, motioned to release himself from Cong Hui, knelt in front of the emperor, and gave the emperor a great obeisance. "Thanking His Majesty for aiding this common one."

The emperor directly stood up, descending the dais step by step, and lifted Xue Ling up. "Beloved official has such a talent for governing the country, he should not be buried by some small people."

Xue Ling repressed a smile that wanted to come out, and then stepped back two steps, accurately fainting straight into Cong Hui's bosom. Fresh blood flowed from his mouth, making his whole person look as frail as a thin piece of paper that could be blown away with a breeze.

Giving the man in his arms with an undecipherable look, Cong Hui directly picked him up in a princess carry, and spoke to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the family of the first prize champion was very kind to this subject in his youth. Before that, this subject had no eyes and had taken care of the wrong person. Now that the champion scholar is in bad health, it is better for this subject to take him back to his home and rest, which is also a reward for his parents' kindness."

The emperor touched his moustache, looked deeply at Cong Hui, and laughed, "Granted. Send a few imperial doctors to your house to help you look after him. The champion scholar is my future Prime Minister, he should be well protected by the general. If there is any mistake, I will hold you responsible."

"This subject obeys the order."

The episode of trial in the audience hall was like a stage. After a lot of noise, it was over and dispersed.

Xue Ling was taken back by Cong Hui, and the rest of them looked at each other. Then, with a laugh from the emperor, they were appointed and received their documents.

Only Xue Ling, as the champion, was given a reward but not assigned a rank. The emperor probably could see that he did not have much of his life left, and so he had no intention of enslaving him.

It is better not to force such a genius.

Some terms that got tossed out the window:

状元郎 zhuànɡ yuɑn lánɡ - number one scholar

the emperor and the past two chapters refer to Xue Ling with this name/title several times. i've translated it as 'champion scholar', 'first prize champion' etc. there isn't really a comparable English term other than valedictorian... which is more for schools, right?

草民 cǎo mín - common people

this is used when Duan Xuyang and Xue Ling refer to themselves when talking to the emperor. Translated to 'this common one'.

爱卿 ài qīnɡ - my dear/beloved subjects

I used 'beloved ministers' instead because the emperor doesn't use 'my' very often

臣 chen - official under a feudal ruler

Cong Hui uses this when referring to himself to the emperor, TLed as 'this subject'.

also, i hate, HATE the wordpress post editor. f** blocks. you make things so hard -_-