Chapter 219 Since You Are Good-Looking, You Should Become the Third Place

A few days later, in the imperial study in the palace.

The test papers of the candidates for the palace examination were processed by the paper receiving officer, the sealing officer and the paper managing officer before being sent to the paper reading officer.

The examiner presented the examination paper of the first-class Jinshi to the emperor.

There were several hundred Jinshi in the second and third classes, so the emperor naturally did not have time to check them one by one.

There are three people in the first class, and today they will decide who will be the top, second and third place.

The Crown Prince did not speak, and neither did the Minister of Rites.

As he assisted the crown prince in presiding over the imperial examinations, he naturally knew clearly which of the three candidates in the first class had the greatest talent and ability.

But in the third round of the imperial examination that day, the prince could clearly see in front of Xu Shujian that he somewhat disliked Xu Shujian, so he naturally wouldn't say much this time.

Speaking for Xu Shujian and praising him in front of the emperor would not bring much benefit, but would instead bring bad luck to the prince.

There is no advantage or disadvantage in keeping silent.

However, the chief academician of the Imperial College was very optimistic about Xu Shujian and was not clear about what happened in the imperial examination.

"Your Majesty, among the top 1, Xu Shujian is very young but has shown amazing potential. His ideas are novel and reasonable without being exaggerated. He has solid knowledge and quick thinking. If he enters the official career, he will definitely contribute to Your Majesty and Dayu."

The chief academician of the Imperial College spoke very highly of Xu Shujian, and everyone present could hear how much he liked and valued this young talent.

The emperor looked at Xu Shujian's test paper, next to which was his resume and portrait.

No matter how you look at it, he is a well-deserved candidate for the top spot.

"Although Xu Shujian is young, he does not have the drive of young people. Although the answers on the test paper are novel, they are still steady and solid. The young are to be feared."

When everyone heard this, they knew who the emperor had chosen as the top scholar.

Among this group of candidates, Xu Shujian was simply in a superior position and had no rivals.

He Zhiyu's expression remained normal, but his eyes were fixed on the table. Although he couldn't see Xu Shujian's test paper clearly, there was still a hint of imperceptible coldness in his eyes.

The emperor said, "Xu Shujian is a man of extraordinary beauty, with a graceful demeanor and a charming manner. He is also a man of extraordinary talent and writing. I have chosen you as the third place winner."

When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

Even He Zhiyu was certain that his father would choose Xu Shujian as the number one scholar. After all, the test papers of the other candidates, even the other two in the first class, were no match for Xu Shujian's.

But now, Xu Shujian actually came in third place?

Just because of beauty?

He Zhiyu frowned slightly.

No, my father has never been such a superficial person. Xu Shujian was the third place in the imperial examination because he was a student of Minister Qiao.

Although Minister Qiao is one of the six ministers and a third-rank minister, he is also the head of an aristocratic family whom his father has always wanted to suppress.

Xu Shujian is a disciple of Minister Qiao, so there is no way my father would use him in a high position.

After all, Minister Qiao already holds a high status in the court. How could the emperor possibly help Minister Qiao cultivate a network of connections that would surely help him rise to prominence in the future?

Now that Xu Shujian is the third place in the imperial examination, it would be difficult for him to achieve success in the court.

He Zhiyu withdrew his gaze.

That's good.

On the day when the results were announced, the rankings of the top three students reached Minister Qiao's ears at the first moment.

Manager Chen said, "As the master expected, Master Xu is the third place in the imperial examination."

Minister Qiao took a sip of tea and then said slowly, "Many people in the capital know that he is my disciple. How could the emperor not know? Since he is the third place in the imperial examination, his future promotion is hopeless."

Manager Chen said, "Those people in the court are all shrewd people. How could they not understand the emperor's intention? I'm afraid no one will promote Master Xu in the future."

Minister Qiao said nothing more. This was for the best.

In the future, he would be a dispensable official under the emperor's feet. No one would disobey the emperor's wishes and promote him. No one would pay attention to him, and naturally no one would think that the royal blood of the previous dynasty would be so bold to serve as an official of the new dynasty.

The most dangerous place is the safest place.

What's more, the "remnants of the previous dynasty" who have been preparing to make a move in Xiling will soon be escorted back to the capital by King Jing. Who would have thought that the real bloodline is in the capital?

If the emperor had not paid too much attention to the remnants of the previous dynasty, there would not be a need to spend so much energy and time.

Minister Qiao put down his teacup and his eyes were gloomy. The aristocratic families of the previous dynasty controlled the government, and the emperor was indeed still afraid of the Qiao family and the aristocratic families.

Even though the Qiao family does not have a eldest son.

"By the way, Master, Mr. Xu was invited by the Second Miss to the Yongning Pavilion to paint today."

Minister Qiao was slightly stunned. He had told Yanyan before to have less contact with him.

Until this path becomes stable, he doesn't want Yanyan and Xu Shujian to get close.

In this way, Yanyan still has a way out and many options to choose from.

"After Xu Shujian leaves, send someone to tell Yanyan to come to Qiyun Hall to have dinner with me and her mother in the evening."

Manager Chen nodded and said, "Yes, sir."

Yun Heng has been making antidotes and various healing pills these days, and he has also made box after box of beauty ointments.

He was tired of entering the palace to diagnose the emperor's pulse but could endure it for the sake of saving face. However, now that he was in the Shangshu Mansion, it would bring trouble to the Qiao family, so he was willing to return to Pharmacist Valley temporarily.

This was the first time in his twenty years of life that he wanted to stay outside.

Yun Heng took time out of his busy schedule to personally prepare a bowl of beauty-enhancing medicinal food. After bringing it to Yongning Pavilion, he stopped at the gate of the yard.

Qiao Wanyan was wearing a jade-white silk gauze skirt, the light gauze like smoke and mist shrouded her slender and light body. The hem of the skirt fluttered slightly in the breeze, like the moonlight blooming in the boundless sky, cold and ethereal.

She held a hexagonal palace lantern with peach blossoms printed on it in her hand and stared at the ground with half-closed eyes, like a goddess shining with a cold light in the secular world.

Her long, smooth hair fell behind her, and was tied up into a half bun with just a white jade hairpin.

Xu Shujian stood behind her and put two white camellia flowers in her hair.

She raised her eyes inadvertently and met Yun Heng's gaze. Looking at Yun Heng's furrowed brows, she raised her lips and smiled slightly.

"The Second Miss is very pretty. Wearing this camellia on her head is like a stroke of genius, making her flawless and stunningly beautiful."

Qiao Wanyan smiled faintly, and seemed to be in a very good mood.

"Although you are useless and have only won the third place in the imperial examination, your studies were not in vain."

Yun Heng didn't know what they were talking about, but he could tell that they were getting along very happily.