Hearing his name being called, Song Chi also stepped forward with his basket, respectfully saluted the officials of the Ministry of Rites, and said in a deep voice: "Student, Song Chi of Jiangzhou."

Minister of Rites Pang Shichang turned his gaze over.

This name is no stranger to the whole court, civil and military officials. It was this guy who was behind the Ji County case that shocked the court and the public a few months ago. The Han family fell, and many officials in Ning'an Prefecture, starting with the prefect, were investigated. The biggest impact was that this matter implicated the Prime Minister, and thus also implicated His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and thus lost his position as the Youzhou Pacification Envoy.

But the situation took a turn for the better. The day before yesterday, the Prime Minister invited him to his house and asked him to provide convenience for Song Chi during the imperial examination. He also gave him a list of students who followed Song Chi and asked them to pass.

Pang Shichang was surprised, but the Prime Minister said that he had contacted Song Chi privately and had already brought him under his command.

This made Pang Shichang suddenly feel that Song Chi was no ordinary person.

He looked at Song Chi deeply and then looked away. As expected, the champion of this imperial examination would be Song Chi.

Song Chi, Song Ming.

Is this name a coincidence, or is there another secret?

It seems that Song Ming has fallen out of favor.

At this time, Shen Qi, who was in charge of roll call, asked, "Have you brought your ID card?"

He was no stranger to Song Chi, as he was the examiner who presided over the Jiangzhou provincial examination. He still remembered the examination paper written by Song Chi clearly, and could not help but admire it when he thought about it now.

"Please take a look, sir."

Song Chi handed over his ID and started a symbolic inspection.

"Open the basket." He ordered again.

Immediately, a yamen runner came over and opened Song Chi's basket. After the lid was opened, a rich aroma of meat wafted out. Roast chicken, beef, pork elbow and other meats were placed on several small drawers in order.

In addition, there is a pot of wine.

There were also peanuts in the bowl.

Shen Qi looked at Song Chi with a strange look. Most of the other candidates brought steamed buns, flatbreads or snacks, but Song Chi brought chicken, duck, fish and meat.

Song Chi was a little embarrassed.

This basket was prepared by Su Mingyue, but he didn't even look at it.

"As expected of Song Kuishou, others coming to take the imperial examination are extremely nervous, but he is so relaxed and at ease, as if he were strolling through a restaurant."

The gossip of people around him made Song Chi even more embarrassed.

"Come in."

Shen Qi tried to ease Song Chi's embarrassment. He picked up the list and looked at it carefully. After a slight look of surprise, he called out another name.

"Song Ming, a student from the capital."

The surroundings suddenly became quiet, and then some whispers began.

The two names, one after the other, easily make people imagine.

Under the gaze of everyone, Song Ming walked over with an expressionless face. After returning to Shangjing City from Jiangzhou, he was imprisoned in the mansion. If it were not for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to speak up for him, he would not even be able to participate in this imperial examination.

Yes.

His father was so ruthless.

When you are no longer useful, you will be discarded at will.

"If you can pass the exam, I'll give you another chance."

Song Shiwen threw the examination paper in front of him and said coldly: "If you still can't pass Song Chi, then you have to admit it."

This was an insult, but he could only grit his teeth and endure it.

Song Ming did not come alone. He had a female companion with him. The woman was wearing a long green dress. She had a fair and pointed oval face, eyes as black as lacquer, and thin lips. She was a beauty that caught people's eyes.

She is Song Ming's fiancée, Lin Tianjiao, the eldest daughter of the Lin family.

The Lin family is a family of military honors. The head of the family, Lin Wu, is a general who commands a region and was supported by Song Shiwen. Therefore, he betrothed his daughter to Song Ming and the engagement was arranged very early.

Lin Tianjiao is one of the four great beauties in the capital. Her true appearance is difficult for outsiders to see, but this time she personally accompanied Song Ming to take part in the imperial examination.

"In my heart, you have always been the best."

Lin Tianjiao looked at Song Ming and helped him straighten his clothes.

"Yeah." Song Ming nodded and walked over.

At this time, Song Chi turned around and looked over.

Is she Song Ming’s fiancée Lin Tianjiao?

Song Chi recalled that when they were in Ji County, Song Ming, in order to trick him back to the capital, said that as long as Song Chi was willing to come back, he would give his fiancée to him.

Lin Wu was a military general and was also Song Shiwen's reliance in the army. He led the army to garrison on the border between Da Zhou and Nanyue. Nanyue was just a small country and had not been granted a title of nobility because it had never been involved in a war and had no military achievements.

Song Chi withdrew his gaze and went inside.

Song Ming had been abandoned by Song Shiwen, but this boy was very scheming and bypassed Song Shiwen to get closer to the prince.

He saw the secret letter from Song Ming to the prince at Ningyu's place, which clearly stated his relationship with Song Shiwen.

This is to give Song Shiwen's biggest secret to the prince.

Song Chi knew about it but did not stop it. He was waiting for the day when the father and son would become enemies.

The candidates entered one by one, and the first examination of the 24th year of Yuanjing in the Great Zhou Dynasty began.

Song Chi is now very familiar with the imperial examination. It is not difficult for him. He just needs to answer the questions step by step.

The entire examination room was silent and nothing happened during the examination.

Game 1, day 3.

The chief examiner of the imperial examination, Minister of Rites Pang Shichang, had just walked out of the classroom and was about to inspect the examination room when he saw several people coming towards him. He rubbed his eyes, then lifted his robe and went over to greet them.

Leading the group was a man wearing a black python robe with a four-clawed coiled dragon embroidered with red gold thread. The cloud-patterned collar was adorned with twelve pearls, and the jade belt around his waist was inlaid with a Hetian green jade carved into a dragon head.

He is tall, handsome, majestic and noble.

He is the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou, Mu Yunyin.

Following Mu Yunxiu only half a step behind was a man who was younger than him. He was dressed in plainer clothes, but also wore an elegant purple color. He had narrow eyes, thin cheeks, and especially a pointed chin. When viewed from the side, his face was as sharp as a blade, and he had a sense of aloofness.

He is the second prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Prince Qing Mu Yunxiu.

Following the two of them were the Chief Minister Song Shiwen and the Second Minister Lu Taiyuan.

Seeing this scene, Pang Shichang couldn't help but be surprised. The Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Qing brought the Prime Minister and the Second Prime Minister to inspect the examination room at the same time. This was the first time in history.

He hurried over to greet them, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness Prince Qing."

"Master Pang, are you preparing to inspect the examination hall?"

The prince asked in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, I do need to inspect the examination hall."

"You can be as casual as you want. We are here just to take a look." The prince smiled casually.

The Minister of Rites is his man.

"Please come in."

Pang Shichang stepped aside and invited several people into the classroom.

He couldn't help but complain in his heart. The competition between the Crown Prince and Prince Qing for the throne had become public, and the fact that they both came at the same time must have a purpose.

As expected, both of them were responsible for Song Chi's actions.

At least His Royal Highness Prince Qing will definitely support Song Chi. The Qingliu Party has already been attached to Prince Qing, and the Qingliu Party has been suppressed for many years. Song Chi has finally emerged, so naturally they cannot let him die.

But Prince Qing and the Second Prime Minister probably don’t know yet that Song Chi has been secretly following the First Prime Minister.

As expected, Prince Qing asked a few casual questions before directly asking, "Isn't there a student named Song Chi in this imperial examination?"