Putting everything else aside, today's incident wasn't a big deal. If someone had a clear plan in mind, it wouldn't have been unsolvable. In the end, a spoiled brat was allowed to act arrogantly.

Furthermore, Chen Lianming, as the organizer of the poetry gathering, also failed to demonstrate a sense of responsibility.

Then there's Zhu Tao, who dared to use Emperor Qianlong's poems to gain fame; he wasn't exactly clever either.

Judging from his appearance, he must have traveled from the future. But look at him! Nowadays, as long as you ask around carefully and look at the cement roads that can be seen everywhere in the capital, you can tell that there must be something fishy about the Qing Dynasty. Yet he still dares to blatantly "copy" the homework. Calling him brainless is too lenient.

In the end, Yinzhen could only sigh, "Fortunately, not all those who participated in the imperial examinations were these people, otherwise the future of the Qing Dynasty would be worrisome!"

Yunrong also knew Yinzhen's ideals and knew that he was somewhat disappointed: "The exam papers you ordered can always find the talents you want. Don't be too sentimental. Instead of studying properly before the exam, you came out to participate in the poetry gathering. They must be people who want to take the opportunity to become famous. The future of the Qing Dynasty is not in the hands of these people."

Yinzhen sighed, but that was all. He had been reborn with something on his mind, wanting to change the tragic future of the Qing Dynasty. He worked diligently and conscientiously, only to encounter a group of "incompetent" people. How could he not sigh?

Even after the troublemakers left, the poetry gathering couldn't continue because of this farce. Chen Lianming, as the organizer of the gathering, politely saw the guests off and ended the event.

Most of the people in the restaurant left, but some stayed.

For example, there were the talented scholars from Jiangnan, led by Chen Lianming, and Zhu Tao, who rose to fame through his talent.

Chen Lianming and Zhu Tao each had their own plans. Chen Lianming felt that Zhu Tao was talented and a worthwhile person to befriend.

Zhu Tao shared similar thoughts, and the two were kindred spirits. They found a private room and started chatting.

Meanwhile, Yinzhen and Yunrong took advantage of the break to leave the restaurant. They arrived quietly and left discreetly as well.

After Yinzhen and Yunrong returned to the palace, Yinzhen sent someone to investigate Zhu Tao, who had attended the poetry gathering.

Yinzhen had a so-so impression of this person. He plagiarized other people's poems to promote his own name. To be honest, this person's character was questionable.

Yinzhen didn't take this person seriously, but since his identity was "special," it was best to investigate him. Yinzhen didn't want any trouble to arise because of his carelessness.

Yinzhen now understands that the native people of the Qing Dynasty are easier to control. Even some heinous criminals will be more restrained in their actions under the influence of ancient feudal ethics. It's not cowardice, but a servile mentality towards the feudal dynasty's system.

But those who travel from the modern era are different. People raised in a free era might not follow the "rules" if something really happens. Who knows if they might use their special abilities to do something outrageous?

If that happens, it won't be easy to handle, so it's best to keep the uncertainties under your control for peace of mind.

Before long, Yinzhen obtained detailed information about Zhu Tao.

Zhu Tao is from Shandong, a place renowned for its literary tradition. While Zhu Tao possesses considerable talent, he has some shortcomings in his character and conduct. In short, he has good intelligence but relatively low emotional intelligence.

The imperial examination did not consider emotional intelligence; he passed the provincial examination at the age of eighteen based on his intelligence and is now participating in the metropolitan examination.

He truly deserves to be called a promising young man.

Such people are quite common; after all, there are many officials who passed the imperial examinations but remained unknown.

Everything was fine until some time after he arrived in the capital. He was hit by the carriage of a powerful figure in the capital and fainted on the spot. When he woke up again, his personality had changed.

Compared to his straightforward personality, he has become more gentle and humble. As his temperament has improved, people who know him simply think he has become more enlightened and don't think too much about it.

In addition, he was quite accomplished at a young age, and many people felt that he was worth befriending, which made him somewhat famous.

The poetry gathering that made him famous was attended by a friend who thought he was quite good.

Yinzhen also had someone investigate and found out that Zhu Tao was quite interested in women. When he was only eighteen years old, his parents thought he had a promising future and wanted him to find a good family after he achieved academic success.

Therefore, he never married. Before his personality changed, he was very abstinent and had never touched any other woman except for a concubine arranged by his mother in his hometown.

After his temperament changed, he now has two concubines serving him.

After reviewing the investigation results, Yinzhen ordered his men to continue observing the situation and then ceased further investigation.

As an emperor, he certainly didn't have much leisure time to do these useless things.

However, because he had finally managed to get away for a break and encountered such a distressing situation, Yinzhen became even more concerned about this year's imperial examination. Following his example, those below him naturally paid more attention to this year's examination as well.

Then, from who knows where, a rumor spread that the emperor valued this imperial examination highly and might promote someone from it.

Whether it's true or not, poetry gatherings and parties in the capital suddenly decreased. In any case, the most important thing is the ranking in the imperial examination. If you can really be remembered by the emperor, that would truly be a turnaround from bad to good!

Both Yinzhen and Yunrong were very busy, and amidst their busy schedules, the imperial examinations arrived as scheduled.

This year's imperial examinations were subject to similar controls as last year, with the examiners who set the exam papers being closely monitored.

Because arithmetic was added this year, and the question setter was Yunrong, Yunrong paid more attention to it than in previous years.

But even if she pays more attention, she can only ask a couple of questions; there's nothing else she can do.

The exam ended quickly.

Yinzhen valued efficiency, and the examiners, who were now under surveillance, also wanted to "escape" control as soon as possible. Even if they were served the best food and drink, no one wanted to have no freedom at all.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!