A breeze rustled the leaves, and Prime Minister Li bowed.

"The test results haven't come out yet, so I can't make any promises."

The emperor snorted coldly, "I have been fair and just in this assessment. I am waiting for Li Yunhe to take up his position in the Ministry of Personnel. When you retire, he will take over your position."

Prime Minister Li's pupils dilated, and he said with some fear:

"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate."

"What's wrong?" The Emperor lowered his eyes and looked at Prime Minister Li, raising his eyebrows slightly. "Prime Minister, you are so frightened, could it be that you think I am testing you?"

Without waiting for Prime Minister Li to say anything, the emperor changed the subject.

"Alright, you don't have to answer me. How long will it take for the results of this assessment to come out?"

Prime Minister Li breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "Master Shi and I will review it together in two days. It will be out in two days."

At worst, I can rest a little later at night, and it should be fine to come out in two days.

"Okay, Prime Minister, go back."

Prime Minister Li bowed and withdrew.

…

The bell rang to signal the end of the assessment, and Lord Shi stood up.

"Stop answering questions."

Upon hearing this, everyone put down their pens, stood up, left the examination room, and started talking about how they did each question.

Those whose answers were different from their own began to slap their thighs in frustration.

"Why didn't I think of that?"

"Master Li finished all the questions in just one hour. I don't know if he really knows how to do it or if he's just pretending."

An official from the Ministry of Personnel, who was sitting in the row behind Li Yunhe, said, "He's probably not pretending. I see he's not free at all and has given a lot of answers."

"Is it amazing that there are no blanks? What if it's just random fill-in-the-blank? Who wouldn't know how to do it?"

Lord Qin came out in front of Prime Minister Li and happened to hear such a sour remark.

He sneered, "Master Li is the Master appointed by the Emperor. Are you questioning the Emperor's judgment? Or are you questioning Master Min's reputation?"

After being accused of this crime, the person who spoke had no choice but to shut up in disappointment. How could he have any say in the emperor's decision?

"Now that the assessment is over, please do not linger in the Hanlin Academy."

After Prime Minister Li finished speaking, he and Lord Shi left with the test papers and went to the Imperial Study to see the Emperor.

…

The two went to the imperial study and were led in directly by Eunuch Cao who was waiting at the door.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

The two saluted in unison.

The Emperor indicated to the two that there was no need for formalities. "The examination is now over, and the papers have been handed to you two. Please ensure that the results are compiled within two days."

"I obey the order."

[With so many exams, it's only going to take two days for Lord Shi and Prime Minister Li to grade them. The tyrant really isn't worried about them dying of exhaustion.]

[Although it's good that you give them a salary, you can't enslave them so harshly.]

emperor:"……"

"Eunuch Cao, please present the examination paper."

"yes."

Eunuch Cao walked up to Prime Minister Li and Lord Shi, raised his hand and took all the test papers from their hands.

"Your Majesty, please look."

Eunuch Cao thought that the emperor wanted to see the ministers' assessment results in person, so he spread the test papers in front of the emperor.

"Bring out the examination papers from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue."

"Okay." Although Eunuch Cao was puzzled about the emperor's intention, he still raised his hand and took out the examination papers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue separately.

[The Tyrant is planning to grade the exams for these two departments himself, isn't he? He's quite diligent.]

【I just misunderstood you. 】

The emperor curled his lips and looked at Prime Minister Li and Lord Shi standing below.

"I will mark the exams for these two departments. The other two can do whatever they want."

The two exchanged glances and said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty. We obey your command."

After leaving the imperial study, the two smiled at each other.

"The Prime Minister is probably worried that the examination papers he has handed down to the Ministry of Personnel will cause some controversy."

"Doesn't Lord Shi have the same concerns?"

Prime Minister Li laughed after he finished speaking.

Now, the examination papers of these two departments are graded by the emperor, so others will not find a chance to accuse them of favoritism.

After the emperor and the other two left, he ordered someone to spread the news that the test results would be out in two days and would be reviewed by Lord Shi and Prime Minister Li.

In order to prevent anyone from attacking the two of them, someone was specially sent to protect them.

…

Li Yunhe went to the East Palace and did not see the prince in the study.

"Brother Yunhe, did you finish the exam so quickly?"

He was about to ask the palace maid where the prince had gone when the prince's voice, as gentle as jade, sounded behind him.

Turning around, the prince had a smile on his face and a pot of wine in his slender jade-like hands.

"Your Highness, what is this?"

"Follow me," the prince walked to the end of the corridor with wine in his hand, crossed the garden and came to a quiet pavilion.

He put the wine on the table, motioned Li Yunhe to sit down, poured two glasses of wine, and handed one to Li Yunhe.

"Isn't the prince waiting for me to answer your questions?"

The prince chuckled, "Brother Yunhe and I are both teachers and friends. I asked you to come just to help you celebrate."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Li Yunhe took the wine and said sincerely, "Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness, but Your Highness has a horseback riding and archery activity this afternoon..."

"That's all right," the prince drank the wine in his hand and put down the glass. "It's all right to drink a little. I'll just drink this one."

Li Yunhe nodded, drank the wine in his hand, looked towards the pavilion not far away, and said casually.

"I met the Emperor and the little princess when I came out for the assessment today. It seems that the Emperor attaches great importance to this assessment."

"Father is indeed very serious about this assessment. It can screen out those good-for-nothings who only take salaries but do nothing."

Seeing that the prince did not change the topic to Yu Yiluo, Li Yunhe played with the cup in his hand, his mind quickly thinking about Yu Yiluo.

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