Chapter 510: The Thousand-Year-Old (31)

After the event concluded, the top scholar was announced. Unsurprisingly, Liu Yu became the new top scholar, marking the official start of his path to becoming a powerful minister. The emperor was also delighted, as he had selected so many promising talents who met his expectations. How could an emperor not be happy?

The runner-up is Chen Wei, who has an ordinary appearance but is very talented.

The third-ranked scholar was originally the most handsome of the three, but because Liu Yu was already more handsome than the average person, the third-ranked scholar, despite his decent appearance, was not as handsome as the top scholar, Liu Yu.

After that came a lively parade through the streets, with almost all the people of the imperial city coming out to join in the fun. Wen Wan also brought Xiao Cui and Gu Li along to join in the excitement.

Liu Yu saw them and nodded in their direction.

Clearly, during this time, he had already learned the true identity of Young Master Yu: the rumored Second Prince, the former Crown Prince.

Gu Li, on the other hand, was a eunuch.

No wonder Liu Yu was refused when he suggested that Gu Li take the imperial examination together. It wasn't just a matter of his status as a slave; eunuchs were simply not qualified to take the imperial examination, no matter how talented he was. This made Liu Yu feel a pang of regret, but there was nothing he could do about it.

After the parade, Liu Yu was assigned to the Hanlin Academy. Although his official rank was not high, his starting point was not low. Apart from the top three, most of them were assigned to serve as officials in various towns and villages. It would not be easy for them to be promoted back to the capital.

The emperor summoned Wen Wan and asked her a question.

"Yu'er once said that she valued someone. I wonder if this person has been chosen by me?"

Wen Wan: "To be honest, he was chosen because he is outstanding enough. He will definitely become my father's right-hand man and a pillar of the country in the future."

"Liu Yu?"

Wen Wan smiled, and the emperor smiled too. "You're not mistaken. Among all these people, Liu Yu is the most learned. What's most valuable is that he has his own ideas and insights, but he is still immature and needs to grow."

"This is where Father Emperor's efforts will come. Your son wishes Father Emperor to find a future virtuous minister."

"You did a good job this time. The act of delivering meals to the examinees and their families has earned the gratitude of the people and improved their impression of the imperial family. What reward do you want?"

Wen Wan: "Anything is fine?"

Emperor: "Tell me first."

"I want to take a month's vacation."

emperor:"……"

Looking at his son, who seemed to have no future, he said, "Go."

"Thank you, Father. You are wonderful."

After Wen Wan left, the emperor's personal eunuch said, "Your Majesty, would you like to rest for a while?"

The Emperor said, “Resting? There are still so many memorials to review. How idle do you think these ministers are? Every day they are either impeaching this person or that person, or talking about trivial matters.”

"Your Majesty is wise."

emperor:"……"

"What exactly is the second brother thinking?"

"I don't know."

"I will allow you to speak, and I will not punish you," the emperor said.

"I think the Second Prince is very good. He has become much more peaceful and mature."

"It's much better than before."

In the past, Qi Yu was willful, uneducated, and utterly useless. If it weren't for his powerful mother, the Empress, Qi Yu would never have become the Crown Prince.

Although Chyi Yu is lazy now, she has given him many surprises.

Whether it was the border affairs, the matter of saving his own life, or that extraordinary culinary skill, everything made the emperor feel very strange.

Yes, the emperor could not be kept in the dark about the border affairs. He had initially thought that his second son would take the opportunity to expand his own power, since this was a great achievement from any perspective.

However, he did not, and even kept it all a secret, giving all the credit to General Chen and the other soldiers.

Next came the miracle doctor who cured her illness, whom Wen Wan had also invited.

After learning the truth, the emperor couldn't believe that his second son had remained silent about such a big matter. If it were the old Qi Yu, he would have made it known to the whole world long ago.

He was nearly killed by Qi Jiao's assassins. He knew that the punishment for the Third Prince was far from severe. However, Qi Yu had no objection at all, as if nothing had happened.

He even gave away a thousand elite soldiers for free, which was unique among all the princes.

He was testing his second son, but the other surprised him again. He actually gave away all the troops he had acquired to General Chen.

Does he really not care about any of these things?

The emperor was also somewhat puzzled.

"What do you think of his character? Is he suitable to be the next crown prince?" As soon as the emperor asked this question, the eunuch knelt down, not daring to say a word, "This servant dares not presume to comment."

"I was just joking. In any case, I personally deposed him from his position as crown prince, so there's no reason for him to be reinstated. Besides, I don't trust the Empress. What happened with the Lin family is what it is, and it can't be changed."

The emperor seemed to be talking to himself.

...

Afterwards, Liu Yu specially invited Wen Wan to dinner, and expressed his gratitude to Wen Wan at the dinner table.

His attitude was different from before. Before, we were friends, but now it was more like a ruler and his subject. He was much more reserved. However, this was normal, after all, his status was quite intimidating.

Wen Wan asked Xiao Jiu'er to play with him, but the other man's hands were shaking as he held Xiao Jiu'er. In the end, Wen Wan didn't make things difficult for him and took Xiao Jiu'er into her arms to tease her.

"Brother Liu, there's no need to be too cautious. I truly consider you a friend. When I first met you, I never imagined you could actually become the top scholar in the imperial examination. You are indeed very capable."

"Your Highness is too kind."

"Outside, you don't need to call me Second Prince. Just call me Young Master Yu. Are we still friends?"

"Secondly, it is my honor that Young Master Yu is willing to be my friend."

"It seems that won't work."

Liu Yu: "Your Majesty, I have no fault of my own. Please forgive me."

Wen Wan sighed helplessly, "If you keep talking to me like this, we can't be friends."

"Your subject... wishes to be friends with Young Master Yu."

“That’s right. We’ll only talk about eating, drinking and having fun, and nothing else. I’m just Young Master Yu, and you’re just Brother Liu.”

"My pleasure."

After a few drinks, Liu Yu finally let down his guard, and the atmosphere between the two returned to normal. Xiao Jiu'er then nestled into Liu Yu's arms.

After the gathering with Liu Yu ended, Wen Wan also drank a bit too much. She gets flushed easily after drinking, and her alcohol tolerance is not very good. She couldn't even stand up straight and had to be supported by Gu Li because Xiao Cui was holding the little prince.

"Is Master alright?" Xiao Cui asked worriedly.

Wen Wan suddenly vomited, and coincidentally, she vomited right on Gu Li. Not only was Xiao Cui shocked, but even Gu Li was stunned. Wen Wan started talking nonsense, and the system, fearing that she would say something terrible, forcibly knocked her unconscious.