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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[J Jean] [K.Rom] [Manon] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Fav Akira] [Leticia P.] [Maria P.] [Nicole] [Pa.s.serby]
G O L D S T A R
[Cindy] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Reece P.] [Lily J.]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Amanda] [Book W.] [Britnae M] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [DetectiveGeek421] [Haruka N.]
[Hong] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.] [Mich.e.l.le K.] [onepiece]
[Quae] [Ray] [Victoria]
The palace exam papers would not be copied. After all, if they were to be presented to the Emperor, the Emperor must see the handwriting of the examinees. Instead, the examinees’ names would simply be sealed before the exam papers were presented to the Emperor.
In other words, the examiners would not be able to see the names of the examinees as well.
But if one really wanted to see, it wasn’t that difficult either.
What was more, after the preliminary exam, the handwriting of some examinees had already been memorized by the examiners.
Xiao Liulang"s exam paper soon reached the hands of the Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau, and he recognized the handwriting as Xiao Liulang"s at a glance. Grand Preceptor Zhuang had given the order that Xiao Liulang should not be allowed to overwhelm An Junw.a.n.g.
If Xiao Liulang"s writing wasn’t brilliant enough to pose a threat to An Junw.a.n.g, the Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau could put him in the top twenty with confidence.
Obviously, Xiao Liulang"s article was brilliant.
This was an article that no examiner of any preference could find fault with, and it was definitely a huge threat to An Junw.a.n.g.
During the meal break, the Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau quietly made his way to the latrine.
In the latrine’s vicinity, Grand Preceptor Zhuang had been waiting for a long time.
"How about it?" Grand Preceptor Zhuang asked.
"I haven"t seen An Junw.a.n.g"s exam paper yet." The Senior official of State Ceremonial Bureau said, "I’ve only read Xiao Liulang"s."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang handed him a piece of draft paper from his bosom, which was re-written by An Junw.a.n.g from memory after he returned home, and which was more or less the same as what was in his exam paper for the palace exam.
The Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau had a solemn expression after reading it. "Their exam papers are neck and neck."
So they were both equally excellent?
Grand Preceptor Zhuang’s brows creased up. He recalled something and asked, "What"s the matter with Marquis Xuanping? It seems to me that he has taken a fancy to this person?"
The Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau replied, "Grand Preceptor, I"m afraid you haven’t looked closely at Xiao Liulang"s face."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang was puzzled, "What"s wrong with his face?"
Could he be so good-looking that Marquis Xuanping took a fancy to him? But no matter how Marquis Xuanping loved beauties, he wouldn’t fall for a man.
The Senior Official of State Ceremonial Bureau said, "He looks just like the deceased Little Marquis. This official was really shocked when he saw him for the first time. Perhaps that is why Marquis Xuanping is showing him such favor."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang sneered, "His son died so he found a similar-looking one to replace him?"
His Majesty wanted to suppress the Zhuang Family. If there was really any article that could match An Junw.a.n.g’s, His Majesty would unlikely choose An Junw.a.n.g to be the top scorer.
Before today, His Majesty was unlikely to choose Xiao Liulang as the first place either.
Xiao Liulang was born in a poor family. If he were to be in the limelight, he would receive a lot of unwarranted enmity. If the Emperor really cared for Xiao Liulang, he wouldn"t give the t.i.tle of Zhuangyuan to him.
His Majesty would instead appoint another person as Zhuangyuan. If the officials had any objection, His Majesty would bring out Xiao Liulang"s exam paper and say that he didn"t get the top spot either, so what could be the problem with An Junw.a.n.g not being the top scorer?
As for the Zhuangyuan"s exam paper, His Majesty would definitely not let anyone see it.
This was the imperial court, this was the examination hall!
However, Marquis Xuanping suddenly came forward.
His prior actions was telling everyone that this person named Xiao Liulang had him covering his back, and those that dared to touch Xiao Liulang would have to weigh it first.
Sooner or later, this matter would reach His Majesty"s ears, and once he learned that Xiao Liulang now had a backer, His Majesty would have nothing to worry about anymore.
There was a cold glint in Grand Preceptor Zhuang’s eyes. He said, "This kid actually sucked up to my grandson and Marquis Xuanping at the same time. Trying to benefit from either side? Very well! What this old man despises the most is this kind of person who seems to stand on one"s side but actually on another"s!”
Five days later, all exam papers were reviewed.
The top twenty papers were stored in a box by the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and were on their way to the Emperor’s hands.
The Emperor was in the throne room, which wasn’t far away.
However, when the Minister of the Ministry of Rites was halfway there, he met with Marquis Xuanping who was coming towards him.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites was slightly surprised. How come Marquis Xuanping had entered the palace so early in the morning again? Could this guy have stopped staying late in bed recently?
Marquis Xuanping had a faint smile on his handsome face and he said politely, "Where is Minister Li going?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites replied, "I’m delivering the examination papers to His Majesty."
"Oh, there they are." Marquis Xuanping raised an eyebrow and reached for the box containing the exam papers.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites took a step back and his face sank, "Marquis Xuanping! What are you trying to do!?"
Marquis Xuanping kept his faint smile, "This Marquis just wants to see if you guys have tampered with the exam papers."
The Minster of the Ministry of Rites frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about?! We are all examiners appointed by His Majesty, how could we possibly do such a thing? Do you think we’re fearless, unafraid of being beheaded?"
Marquis Xuanping responded, "I"m afraid someone is really fearless."
"Who is Marquis Xuanping calling fearless?" Grand Preceptor Zhuang sauntered over.
Marquis Xuanping turned around and took a look at Grand Preceptor Zhuang with a half-smile, "Yo, here comes Grand Preceptor Zhuang."
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites gave him a salute, "Grand Preceptor Zhuang."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang nodded in return, then he looked at Marquis Xuanping and asked, "Is Marquis Xuanping dissatisfied with Minister Li? Or is he dissatisfied with the cabinet? Or dissatisfied with His Majesty?"
Marquis Xuanping said with a light smile, "Don"t place too many tall hats on my head. Doesn’t this Marquis just want to see if these exam papers have been tampered with?"
Marquis Xuanping was the only one in the world who dared to question the cabinet like this.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang said, "Marquis Xuanping, if you don"t believe me, just take a look for yourself."
Minister Li looked at Grand Preceptor Zhuang in surprise.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang said to him, "This official believes Marquis Xuanping won"t take this opportunity to mess about with the exam papers of the examinees. Asking Minister Li to allow Marquis Xuanping to have a look, this official will be responsible for whatever happens."
Having heard that, it wouldn’t be good for Minister Li to continue denying Marquis Xuanping from seeing the exam papers.Raz P."s Thoughts
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