On the high platform of the Imperial Examination Hall, the chief examiner, Xu Kui, Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, stared at the incense stick on the three-legged bronze censer that was about to burn out.

The time for the announcement of the test questions on the third day was imminent, but the captain of the Imperial Guards, Gong Yan, was still nowhere to be seen.

The deputy examiner, Minister of Rites Qian Xili, and the Hanlin Academy scholar Jiang Chunan looked at each other in silence, their anxiety evident in their expressions, like ants on a hot pan, running around in circles.

"Lord Xu, when will the test questions be delivered? The Imperial Guards are guarding the outside tightly. I wanted to send someone to the Ministry of Rites to ask, but they wouldn't let them in." Qian Xili finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked anxiously.

"Yeah, I hope something didn't happen. Everything was calm in the past two days, but nothing should go wrong on this last day!" Jiang Chunan also echoed.

As a veteran of two dynasties, Xu Kui has experienced countless storms. Although he is also anxious at this moment, he still remains calm and composed on the surface.

As the examiner, I must not lose my composure at this critical moment.

"Sir Jiang, what do you think we should do now?" He turned to look at Jiang Wenbai who was silent beside him.

Before Jiang Wenbai resigned from his official position, His Majesty Li Longze entrusted him with the important task of deputy examiner. He had no intention of competing and thought he would just be a foil.

But in response to Lord Xu's question, he nodded slightly in the direction of the examination room where the tribute students were, and still expressed his concerns.

"Your Majesty is wise, and there's no need for you all to worry. However, these tribute students have spent the past two days... their entire lives in the examination rooms, putting both their bodies and minds to the test. Right now, their nerves are like taut bowstrings; the slightest disturbance could lead to unpredictable chaos."

Deputy Examiner Qian Xili agreed deeply, clapping his hands fiercely and speaking in a loud voice, "Master Jiang is right. External affairs are the sole discretion of His Majesty. As the Chief and Deputy Examiners of the Imperial Academy, we should focus on handling matters within the Imperial Academy."

After hearing this, Xu Kui nodded solemnly, and his eyes were full of approval when he looked at Jiang Wenbai.

However, when he thought that after the Spring Examination, Jiang Wenbai would resign from his official position and go to Sichuan to establish a training ground, he couldn't help feeling regretful.

"Follow Lord Jiang's suggestion," Xu Kui decisively ordered, "Immediately distribute the exam papers and assign one additional guard to every ten exam rooms to ensure order."

Following the order of the chief examiner, the officials in charge of each examination room took quick action. Although the test questions had not yet been announced, this move did make some nervous students feel a little more at ease.

Outside the Imperial Examination Hall, Chen Jin and Xue Zhongfu rode their horses, the sound of horse hooves stirring up a cloud of dust. Seeing that the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall was right in front of them, the Imperial Guards stepped forward to block them.

"Stop! This is an important place of the Imperial Examination Hall. No outsiders are allowed to enter!" the commander of the Imperial Guards shouted loudly.

Chen Jin frowned, but did not stop his horse. Instead, he quickly pulled out a glittering golden imperial badge from his bosom, raised it high above his head, and said loudly, "Seeing this badge, it is as if His Majesty is here in person. Make way immediately!"

The commander of the Imperial Guards was stunned. He carefully examined the badge. After confirming it was correct, his expression changed. He immediately waved his hand to signal his men to make way. "So you're His Majesty's special envoy. My apologies! Please!"

Chen Jin and Xue Zhongfu said nothing more, and rode their horses one after the other straight into the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall.

The sound of horse hooves echoed in the empty Imperial Examination Hall as the two men headed straight for the high platform where the chief examiner was.

Arriving at the high platform, Chen Jin jumped off his horse and showed Xu Kui his badge, "Lord Xu, His Majesty has given us a special order to convey it."

Xu Kui took the badge and examined it carefully. It was indeed a gift from His Majesty. His expression became solemn. "I wonder what His Majesty's will is?" he asked cautiously.

Chen Jin took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty has orally ordered that the Spring Examination is a grand ceremony for selecting talents for the country. Despite the unexpected circumstances, the examination cannot be abolished."

Having said this, his gaze unconsciously turned to Xue Zhongfu beside him. Their eyes met briefly. Although no words were spoken, the tacit understanding between them was unspoken.

Chen Jin then turned to Xu Kui and said firmly, "Master Xu, leave the third day's test blank!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Kui narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow, clearly surprised by the proposal. "Leave it empty? Eunuch Chen, this is a serious matter. Is this the will of His Majesty, or a temporary decision made by you and Lord Xue?"

Chen Jin met Xu Kui's scrutinizing gaze without flinching. He spoke word by word, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with all matters related to the Imperial Examination Hall. I, Chen Jin, will bear all consequences, my life guaranteed!"

Xue Zhongfu, upon seeing this, also stood up without hesitation, his voice equally filled with determination: "Master, time is running out, and there is no room for hesitation."

Xu Kui, a veteran of two dynasties, had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom and had long since become a cunning old fox. He slowly stroked his gray beard, with unfathomable light flashing in his eyes. Then he cleared his throat and announced loudly.

"Leave the third day's test blank!"

On the high platform, a gong was struck loudly, and the deafening sound of the gong echoed throughout the examination room.

As the exam questions were announced, the tribute students picked up their pens one after another. The only sound was the rustling sound between the pen tips and the rice paper. Everyone was trying their best to live up to the ten years of hard study.

Inside the Imperial Examination Hall, the chief examiner, deputy examiner, Chen Jin and Xue Zhongfu hurriedly finished their lunch.

Xue Zhongfu was worried about his mother Hong Yingrong who stayed in the palace. In addition, he had withstood Gong Yan's fierce attack. Although he did not suffer any external injuries, he still felt a dull pain in his chest and had difficulty breathing smoothly. So he only took a few sips of the soup and lost his appetite.

"Eunuch Chen, it's almost time!" Xue Zhongfu's anxiety was evident in his words and he could no longer contain himself.

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