Madam, protect me!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

As three dull bells rang, announcing the end of the archery examination, the dust of this imperial examination had also settled.

All candidates need to do is wait.

As usual, after three days, the list of Jinshi for this session will be posted outside the palace wall.

Different from the previous imperial examinations, there is no suspense in some of the list of Jinshi this time.

It was already determined on the spot that the number one scholar in the Imperial and Archery subjects was Li Nuo, the son of the Minister of Dali Temple.

He was the only one who achieved excellent results in these two subjects.

The top scorer in Leco will be produced between him and another person.

As for the number one scholar in calligraphy, mathematics and etiquette, the imperial court should already know about it, but it will not be announced until three days later.

Of course, the imperial court already knows the list of top picks in these three subjects.

But the relevant officials would rather not know.

Ministry of official affairs.

The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the left and right ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, and the minister of the Ministry of Rites, the two high-ranking officials gathered together, but faced difficulties with several small lists.

The Minister of Rites looked at everyone and asked: "Everyone, what should we do about this matter?"

The Minister of Civil Affairs said calmly: "I don't understand what Mr. Du means. The imperial examination is fair and just. Even if the number one scholar in the six subjects is the same person, it can be announced truthfully. This kind of thing has not happened before..."

The Minister of Rites cursed in his heart, this old fox, this matter has nothing to do with their officials, but it has a lot to do with the Ministry of Rites.

It is about the selection of the consort. Once the top scholar in the six subjects is really the same person, His Majesty's own face and the royal family's face must be lost.

It's better not to lose this face.

He stood up, snorted coldly, and rolled his sleeves and said: "Okay, okay, if your officials don't care, then our etiquette department doesn't care either. Let the royal family have a headache on its own!"

Prince You's Mansion.

In a certain hall, King You put down the book in his hand, raised his head, and said in surprise: "Shang Shu of the Ministry of Rites?"

The imperial examination had just ended. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel should be busy with the imperial examination. Why did the Minister of Rites come to Prince You's Mansion?

King You stood up and said, "Let Mr. Du come in."

After a while, looking at a figure walking into the hall, King You asked: "Why are you here, Mr. Du? Could it be that something happened in the imperial examination?"

The Minister of Rites said: "Nothing happened in the imperial examination, but something is about to happen to the royal family. Your Highness, King You, you will be the prince in charge of the country this month. It is up to you to make the decision. The Ministry of Rites really cannot make the decision on this matter..."

Not long after, King You looked stunned and murmured: "How could this happen?"

The Minister of Rites didn't say anything, but he complained countless times in his heart.

Who is so talkative? There is no rush to choose the consort. Can't we wait until the imperial examination is over?

It seems that it was mentioned by their etiquette department.

That's okay.

If you want to blame, I can only blame His Majesty for talking nonsense.

Whether he takes back his life or thinks of other ways, the Ministry of Rites will not take the blame anyway.

After thinking for a moment, King You said, "Don't make any announcement about this in advance. I will give you an answer after the king has discussed it with someone tomorrow."

The Minister of Rites said: "Your Highness, please do it as soon as possible. The imperial examination cannot be delayed at all."

King You nodded and said, "I will give you an answer before noon tomorrow."

March thirteenth.

The first day after the imperial examination ends.

A lot of things happened last night.

After ten years of hard work, it was just for high school. After the imperial examination, the students were finally freed from their shackles and began to party all night in Chang'an.

Someone forgot that there was a curfew in Chang'an. A group of people got drunk and wandered on the streets in the middle of the night. They were severely scolded by the guards patrolling the streets.

However, due to their status, they were not punished too severely.

In addition, many women from brothels were arrested last night.

In the past few months, Daxia students have gathered in Chang'an. These places of fireworks and dust are the places where they often hang out. Some brothels and music houses, seeing that they are outsiders and will leave Chang'an soon, start to have evil thoughts. .

Including deliberately raising prices, fraud and intimidation, etc., they seriously violated industry rules and tarnished the image of Chang'an in the minds of students from other places. Chang'an County Government imposed strict penalties on these merchants who broke the rules.

Last night, the jail in Chang'an County was crowded with people, almost all of whom were women. It was said that they would be punished the next day, and after they were released with a fine of silver, the whole cell was fragrant.

royal palace.

As soon as it dawned, all the princes were summoned.

The person who summoned them was King You, who was also the prince overseeing the country this month. During this month, he temporarily exercised the power of the emperor.

King Ji was the last one to arrive. As soon as he walked into the hall, he covered his mouth, yawned again and again, and said: "Brother Youwang, why did you call us here so early? I had just fallen asleep and was woken up by your people. …”

King You glanced at him, and he found a seat and sat down honestly.

After King Ji arrived, all the princes of the prison country had already arrived.

Unlike King Ji, the other princes knew that when King You called everyone together early in the morning, there must be something very important, so important that he couldn't make the decision alone.

Considering this point in time, the matter must be related to the imperial examination.

Sure enough, after King Ji sat down, King You slowly said: "I'm sorry, but there is an urgent and important matter that summoned Brother Han and the other brothers so early. I cannot make the decision alone. Discuss with everyone..."

After hearing what King You said, even the princes who had seen a lot of wind and waves had expressions of astonishment and shock on their faces.

The King of Han stood up and said in disbelief: "What, the top six candidates in the imperial examination are all the sons of Li Xuanjing?"

King You said: "Although it is not yet the sixth subject, there is half a chance of the sixth subject."

King Chun's expression was dull, with only one thought in his mind.

He really guessed that Xuan Jing's son was going to become his brother-in-law!

Prince Gong remembered something and said, "My father seemed to have said that An Ning would choose one of the top scholars to be his consort. In this case, she would have only one choice. But I remember that Li Nuo seemed to be married... …”

Prince You said: "That's the problem. An Ning can't marry a married man, and the father can't take back what he said."

Prince Gong thought for a while and spoke again: "I can't take back what my father said, but what if he is asked to divorce his wife? If he divorces his first wife, he will no longer be a married man, right?"

Before King You could speak, the King of Han waved his hand and said, "What are you talking about? In order to marry the princess, you let others divorce your married wife. Do you want the royal face?"

Prince Gong thought about it for a while and then said: "Wouldn't it be enough to take back one of his top picks, and replace him with someone who is not married? Wouldn't there be a second choice?"

Seeing everyone, including Prince Ji, looking at him, Prince Gong asked, "What do you think I do?"

No one spoke.

To take back a top pick is putting it lightly...

The imperial examination was the foundation of the imperial court. It was precisely because of the imperial examination that the children of major families could enter the center of power, and the states of Daxia could maintain long-term stability.

The reason why the imperial examination is recognized by everyone is because it is fair.

Once the fairness of the imperial examination is violated on the surface, many things will begin to collapse.

All of his current subjects are excellent. They have been unanimously certified by different examiners, recognized by the chief examiner, and approved by the chief examiner after review. The process was witnessed by many people.

It is simply impossible to take back a top pick.

Among them, whoever does this will lose the qualification to supervise the country.

This is more important than the royal face.

King You waved his hand and said, "This is absolutely not possible."

Prince Gong crossed his arms, leaned on the chair, and said: "This won't work, and that won't work either. I won't say anything anymore. You can figure it out for yourself..."

At this time, King Rui thought for a while and said: "The number one scholar in Leke has not yet been determined, right? As long as he fails to become the number one scholar in Leke, it will be fine, right?"

King You said: "Both of them are excellent in music subjects, but the other candidate may not be able to beat him."

King Rui smiled and said: "This is not easy. The scores are determined by the examiners. They are all excellent. Who is better than who? Just tell the examiners that no matter how well they play, they will choose another one." One, isn’t this matter settled?”

He didn't understand why these royal brothers couldn't think of such a simple solution.

At this time, King You looked at him and said with a smile: "Good idea. Since the emperor's brother came up with this idea, it's up to you to implement it. Okay, everyone is gone..."

…

Prince Chun's Mansion.

When King Chun returned to the palace, he was still sighing.

He really is a father and son, exactly like his father back then.

It's a pity that because the royal family's face is involved, he can't monopolize six subjects this time.

The royal family will not allow him to monopolize the top spot in six subjects.

The court would not allow it either.

This matter has been unanimously agreed by all the princes who oversee the country. King You even informed the three provinces, and even the two prime ministers acquiesced to this matter.

He had just entered the palace when a figure jumped out of the trees.

"Brother Royal!"

King Chun patted his chest, looked at the beautiful figure, and said, "An Ning, please don't be so fussy every time. Brother Huang is getting older, and sooner or later you will scare him into illness..."

"Okay, okay, I'll pay attention next time..."

Li Anning looked at him and asked impatiently: "Brother Emperor, why did you go to the palace so early in the morning? Do you already know who the number one scholar is..."

King Chun smiled and said, "Are you concerned about who your consort is?"

Li Anning's face turned red, and then she said sheepishly: "Nonsense, how can a girl not care about her life-long affairs?"

King Chun sighed: "Our little An Ning has grown up..."

Li Anning urged: "Brother Emperor, tell me quickly..."

King Chun had no choice but to say: "Okay, okay, originally these things cannot be disclosed, but who can let you be safe? The number one winner in this imperial examination is Li Nuo, in calligraphy, mathematics, etiquette, imperial science, and archery. He is also the top scholar in a single subject..."

Seeing the uncontrollable joy on her face, King Chun was stunned and asked: "You don't...want Li Nuo to be your consort, do you?"

Li Anning's face turned even redder when the emperor's words touched on the central issue, and he immediately said: "How is that possible? We are good friends..."

King Chun breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good."

Li Anning was stunned: "What's good?"

King Chun said: "Because he is not the number one scholar in Leke."

Li Anning's face turned pale at first, and then he realized something and asked: "Why, isn't Leko not over yet?"

King Chun explained: "Although Leke is not over yet, he cannot be the number one scholar in Leke, otherwise, you have to marry him. The royal family will not allow such a thing to happen, and the court will not allow it..."

Li Anning's body trembled, and she felt dizzy. She barely stood up and said angrily: "You are not fair, this is cheating, I will go to my father!"

Prince Chun looked at her expression, his eyes thoughtful, and shook his head and said: "It's useless, my father is in seclusion and will not see anyone. This matter is the result of the discussion of all the regent princes. The two prime ministers and the three provinces have also acquiesced. That music genius is said to be both talented and beautiful..., An Ning, An Ning!"

Prince Chun's words were not finished, and Li Anning had already turned and left.

Looking at the lost figure, Prince Chun finally confirmed what he was thinking, sighed, and said slowly: "What a sin..."