The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Zhu Houzhao came to Xie Pi happily and wrote the plan on paper.

"I have asked Qin Tianjian. This question will be asked in the imperial examination. You must prepare well."

Xie Pi knew that the prince was naughty and looked troubled: "Where did your highness get the question?"

"I dreamed about it."

Coming out of Xie Mansion,

Liu Jin murmured in a low voice: "Your Highness, you gave the question to Song Jing and Xie Pi at the same time. Who will be imprisoned then?"

All his private money was given to Zhu Houzhao.

Only then did Zhu Houzhao suddenly wake up.

If only Song Jing gets the test questions, then Song Jing will most likely be the top scholar.

Xie Pi also got the test questions and will most likely do well.

"You are as stupid as a pig! Not half as smart as Lao Gao. If your father appreciates Song Jing, he will definitely give him the top prize."

Lao Gao asked me to give the title to Xie Pi. Behind Xie Pi was Master Xie.

Even if my father knew about it, with Master Xie interceding and the cabinet and the six masters interceding, I would not be beaten too badly. "

Zhu Houzhao knew Yan Chengjin's plan.

At night, Xie Qian returned to his house to give Xie Pi some guidance, wondering: "Who assigned this question to you?"

"It's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Xie Qian's veins were exposed and he secretly scolded Zhu Houzhao for misleading his disciples: "My son is stupid! Your Highness doesn't study all day long. Can you believe the questions he asked?!"

With that said, he collected the half-answered question.

Xie Pi was given a few more questions.

…

During the imperial examination in the fifteenth year of Hongzhi's reign, the sky was clear and blue.

Yan Chengjin stood in front of the courtyard of Wenhua Hall, with Emperor Hongzhi in the middle, Li Dongyang and Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng is the Minister of Rites, and Li Dongyang is also the Minister of Rites.

The difference between the two is that the Ministry of Rites is under the control of Zhang Sheng, while Li Dongyang only receives a salary in name.

Therefore, Li Dongyang could support the whole family even if he relied on the court's salary.

Today, Yan Chengjin was supposed to take a rest.

But His Majesty ordered him to come to Wenhua Palace to invigilate the exam.

In the Ming Dynasty, even if it was a palace examination, the emperor would only take a look and leave.

Especially when meeting an emperor like Zhu Houzhao.

Not even a question.

However, Xiao Jing ordered someone to set up the imperial tent and place precious snacks and fruits on them. Looking at this, His Majesty planned to invigilate the exam for a day.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled brightly: "The three Qing family members should also take a seat."

Yan Chengjin sat down unceremoniously. Standing for a long time was not good for his waist, not to mention there was still another day.

At nine o'clock, the candidates entered the venue one after another. According to their ranking in the palace examination, the Jinwu Guards searched their bodies one by one, and then paid five bows and three kowtows to His Majesty.

There are examiners in the examination room, examination examiners, supervisors, sealing officers, and promotion officers.

The supervisory officer is served by the supervisory censor, who is Yan Chengjin.

The paper reader Li Dongyang began to read out the order of the examination room, and after a while, he started handing out papers.

Yan Chengjin sat next to the throne. Emperor Hongzhi looked forward and said coldly: "Eat it. I have tasted it. It is not poisonous."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xie Pi glanced at the answer sheet and his eyes widened. Isn't this exactly the question given by His Highness?

At noon, Song Jing was the first to stand up and respectfully handed the answer sheet to Li Dongyang.

Afterwards, Xie Pi also began to hand in papers.

More and more people are submitting papers.

It’s only noon!

Emperor Hongzhi and Li Dongyang looked at each other and felt a little strange, how could they hand in the paper so quickly.

Could it be...

The question is too difficult and you can’t answer it?

"Show me their questions!"

Li Dongyang personally placed the answer sheet in front of the imperial case.

Yan Chengjin remained silent, Mou Bin went to Jiangnan to investigate Lin Jun, and Jin Yiwei's intelligence work slackened.

Even Zhu Houzhao didn't notice the leak.

Emperor Hongzhi read Song Jing's answer sheet, and it was watertight. He was able to achieve this level in such a short period of time.

There is only one possibility!

He turned to look at Yan Chengjin with a serious expression: "What question did you give Song Jing?"

Yan Chengjin's heart skipped a beat, "How dare I guess the holy will."

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Xie Pi's answer sheet again, and Xie Pi also answered very well.

But he didn't think much about it and ordered the scroll official to seal it, put a wax seal on it and give it to Li Dongyang.

Three days later, the grand ceremony was announced.

Emperor Hongzhi got up extra early, and Li Dongyang sent the completed yellow list to the emperor.

The three people in the first class were ranked by Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi took a look and saw that the three people were Kang Hai, Song Jing, and Xie Pi.

Li Dongyang said: "When the cabinet is drawn up, Kang Hai will be the first, Song Jing will be the second, and Xie Pi will be the second."

Xie Qian remained silent. He hoped that His Majesty would appoint his son as the number one scholar.

But for now, he wants to avoid it.

Emperor Hongzhi picked up the pen and clicked on the imperial list, "Song Jing has repeatedly made extraordinary achievements and is worthy of great use. Let's designate him as the number one scholar."

In the Fengtian Hall, all the officials were dressed up and a band was waiting for His Majesty. It was very grand.

Yan Chengjin raised his head slightly, waiting for Emperor Hongzhi and Li Dongyang to come.

But he saw Zhu Houzhao, sneaking away with Liu Jin.

Not long after, Emperor Hongzhi stood in the main hall.

Song Jing, Xie Pi and others knelt in front of the hall.

The minister of Honglu Temple read out the imperial edict: "On April 21, the fifteenth year of Hongzhi's reign, the world's tribute scholars will be appointed. The first family will be awarded Jinshi status, the second family will be granted Jinshi birth status, and the third family will be granted Jinshi birth status."

Loud voices echoed throughout the palace.

Start singing the first place in Yijia: "First place in Yijia, Song Jing!"

Song Jing was too shocked to react, and the etiquette officer motioned for him to enter the palace to pay homage to His Majesty.

Yan Chengjin felt certain that entering the Imperial Academy as a top scholar would be of great benefit.

Zhu Houzhao showed a proud smile: "I have won back all the silver and mare I lost!"

Zeng Jian had tears in his eyes. His only student actually won the first place in the imperial examination.

"You have lived up to my cultivation!"

Then he sang the second place in the first class: "Kang Hai!"

Kang Hai also followed the ceremonial officer into the palace to meet the emperor.

Afterwards, he sang the third place in the first class: "Xie Pi!"

Xie Qian raised his sleeves and began to wipe his tears. Liu Jian beside him laughed and said, "Yu Qiao is a good parent."

At this moment, the little eunuch came to report: "My lord, something big has happened."

Xiao Jing's face darkened. He was so angry. His Majesty was still here.

He hurriedly walked aside and scolded: "If you have something to say, you must say it when the names are called. If you don't say it clearly, I will let you go!"

The little eunuch was called Deng Tong. He was Xiao Jing's confidant and was extremely loyal.

"My Lord, something really happened. I heard that His Highness had read the essay questions that day.

The gatekeeper of Huagai Palace was threatened by Liu Jin and did not dare to report it.

I heard that His Highness went to Yan Mansion, Zeng Mansion and Xie Mansion afterwards."

Xiao Jing was shocked. Yan Chengjin instructed His Highness to steal the essay questions?

No, with Yan Chengjin's temperament, he would never do anything dangerous.

"Is there any evidence?"

The little eunuch cried and said, "My grandson asked Jinyiwei for confirmation. His Highness did go to the three mansions."

When Yan Chengjin saw Xiao Jing coming back, he whispered a few words in the ear of Emperor Hongzhi, and Emperor Hongzhi's face changed drastically.

It's over. His Majesty really found out.

At this point, we can only listen to His Majesty's disposal.

The officials of the Honglu Temple have not found anything unusual and continue to read out happily.

Emperor Hongzhi snorted: "No need to read, the cabinet and the nine ministers, follow me to the East Warm Pavilion, Yan Chengjin, you come too!"

Li Dongyang and others were confused and hurried to follow and headed for the East Warm Pavilion.

After a while,

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Yan Chengjin: "That day, the prince went out of the palace to find you to reveal the topic?"

Li Dongyang and Liu Jian heard the trick and looked horrified.

Xie Qian almost fainted when he remembered that the prince had given Xie Pi a topic.

"Your Highness said he had a dream, and I don't know the details." Yan Chengjin bowed slightly: "As for the topic, he didn't tell me a bit."

Yes, if the prince told Yan Chengjin, Yan Chengjin would definitely report to the palace.

This kid is still clear.

Emperor Hongzhi angrily hit the imperial desk: "I asked him to observe politics, and he dared to peek at the topic."