Women Wearing Men: The Growth Path of the Bastards of the Aristocratic Family

Chapter 171 Admission List
The next morning, in the royal study.

The old eunuch Ning Fuhai bowed and said to Emperor Jingfeng: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites, Cai Zhichuan, has come and said that the admission list for this exam has been drawn up, please read it."

Emperor Jingfeng didn't raise his head, he was still concentrating on writing the memorial: "Well, let him in."

After a while, Cai Zhichuan walked in from outside the hall, and knelt down to Emperor Jingfeng, who was above him: "My minister, Cai Zhichuan, see Your Majesty."

"Get up." Emperor Jing Feng glanced at him casually, then lowered his head and continued to read the memorial, "How is the admission status of this year's exam?"

Cai Zhichuan took out the list and handed it to Ning Fuhai who was on the side, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, this year's examination will be the same as in previous years, and a total of 230 tribute scholars will be admitted. Among them, there are 63 scholars from the south and [-] scholars from the north... ..."

"Only 63? There are so few?" Emperor Jingfeng paused while approving the memorial, and then raised his head, "I remember that only 91 northern scholars were admitted in the last Enke examination. How come three years have passed? On the contrary, it has become less and less?"

Emperor Jingfeng, Li Zheng, is only in his 20s now, and after only three years since he ascended the throne, he has possessed the air of an emperor. point.

At this time, being stared at by Emperor Jingfeng, Cai Zhichuan suddenly felt as if a mountain was slowly approaching him, the air in the hall was a little stagnant, and his body was involuntarily bent.

Cai Zhichuan's throat rolled, and he explained: "...Maybe, maybe it's because the northern states just experienced a big locust plague last year, and the people haven't recovered their vitality yet, and the style of study is relatively sluggish..."

While talking, Cai Zhichuan carefully observed his words and expressions, seeing that Emperor Jingfeng's expression was still calm and unwavering, so he tentatively said: "Your Majesty, if you think something is wrong, I will go back and discuss with Fang Shoufu and the others..."

"That's all, that's it, what you said makes sense." Emperor Jing Feng closed his eyes and reached for the list Ning Fuhai handed over, "Since the admission list has been drawn up, it is not easy to revise it arbitrarily. It’s really unfair to the southern scholars who passed the academic examination.”

"Besides, since you dare to submit this list, it shows that you are calm in your hearts, and there is no trick in the process. I trust you."

Cai Zhichuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Emperor Jingfeng opened the roster, and as soon as he read the first page, he frowned slightly: "That day when I visited the examination room where candidates were avoided, I found a scholar named Gu Yunji who answered very well in the examination papers. See his name?"

Cai Zhichuan was taken aback, and quickly went through the names of all the candidates in his mind, and finally remembered: "Return to Your Majesty, this scholar named Gu Yunji was recorded, it should be on the second or third page... page, you can turn back."

Emperor Jingfeng flipped back, and sure enough, he saw Gu Yunji's name at the end of the second page. Seeing this, he raised his eyebrows unexpectedly: "I have read his papers, they are brilliant in writing, and have novel and profound views. Logically speaking, at least they should Ranked in the top ten, why is the ranking so much lower?"

"Could it be that the candidates for this year's exam are so good that they are on par with each other, and even Gu Yunji's level is going to be left behind? What about other people's papers? Bring them here and show me."

Cai Zhichuan hurriedly presented the papers he had prepared in advance, and said, "Your Majesty, here are only the top ten papers. If you still want to read other people's papers, I will order someone to go back and get them."

"No, that's enough." Emperor Jing Feng waved his hand, picked up the paper and read it.

After reading the top ten papers one by one, Emperor Jingfeng nodded: "The top ten each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Each paper has different characteristics and strengths, and it does have the ability to rank in the top ten. But in my opinion, more Gu Yunji's answer sheet is still a little off."

"Although Gu Yunji is Gu Yuanhui's nephew and needs to avoid suspicion properly, it shouldn't be so difficult to bury talents and rank him so low."

Thinking of Fang Shu's nervousness during the invigilation that day, Emperor Jing Feng understood in his heart, and smiled softly: "It seems that Fang Shoufu was frightened that day, and I was afraid that I would feel that he and Gu Yuanhui were having a secret affair, so I deliberately kept my voice down." Gu Yunji's ranking. In fact, he is too cautious, how can I be so suspicious?"

Cai Zhichuan kept his eyes on his nose, his nose and his heart, and didn't dare to answer rashly.

"Since the answer to the paper is really good, then we should be honest and give others a fair ranking." Emperor Jingfeng said, then picked up the pen and dipped it in the ink, "It is natural to choose a virtuous person without avoiding relatives. That’s it. The purpose of imperial examinations is to select talents for the imperial court. If you blindly suppress talented people in order to avoid suspicion, you will lose everything.”

After making a few changes on the paper, Emperor Jingfeng returned the list to Cai Zhichuan: "The final ranking will be based on this, and there is no need to change the rest."

Seeing the fresh ink marks on the list, Cai Zhichuan's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he quickly returned to normal, lowering his head and saying respectfully: "I obey the order."

-

In the room of the Imperial Examination Hall, Gu Yunxiao was stunned for a moment when he heard the words conveyed by the steward of Gu Yuanhui's house, a little in disbelief: "...Changshu means that my third brother and I both won?"

"Exactly." The steward smiled and nodded, "There are still a few days before the release of the rankings. In case the two young masters are too worried, the master specially sent me to give you a thorough understanding, so that you can prepare in advance. In order to avoid sudden hearing Good news, there are many complicated affairs, and the two young masters can't handle it."

Looking back on the rural examination, Gu Yunji was worried for a long time. After going through ups and downs, he just found out that he won the exam. He couldn't bear it for a while and almost went crazy on the spot; now it's the examination, but he knows the result several days in advance, and the sense of surprise is greatly reduced. The township examination is simply two extremes, making Gu Yunji dumbfounded.

But compared to being pleasantly surprised, Gu Yunji still wanted peace of mind. At this moment, a big stone fell from his heart, and Gu Yunji suddenly felt relaxed. He looked at Gu Yunxiao with a smile and said, "Anyway, it's good if you hit it. Congratulations, big brother. Wishing to make up for the regrets of three years ago."

Tears welled up in Gu Yunxiao's eyes, and he took several deep breaths to suppress the excitement in his heart: "Yes... yes, I finally won. Congratulations to the third brother who won the first place in one fell swoop, he is much more promising than the eldest brother!"

The steward reminded: "The two young masters are happy, but after all, the rankings have not yet been released. It is better to keep a low profile, so as not to be jealous of others."

Gu Yunxiao nodded: "Of course we understand this."

Gu Yunji said: "It's a pity that I don't know what Cheng Yan's grades are, otherwise the three of us can start celebrating now."

Cheng Yan smiled slightly, and teased: "There must always be some suspense, right? This is just right now. Everyone in the room is most concerned about my performance alone. Everyone is a little nervous for me, so I don't need to be nervous!"

Gu Yunji shook his head and laughed: "Yes, yes, on the day when the rankings are released, everyone will keep their eyes wide open, only looking for your name!"

After the speech, the house continued to cheer.

(End of this chapter)