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"Please allow your daughter to serve as an official in the imperial court."

Who would have thought that the little princess, who was only fifteen years old, not only took part in the palace examination, but also won the first place?

At least the eight examiners who personally selected the top scorer did not expect this result.

If she can be selected, she has been selected. The praises given by Yan Xizheng were also given by the other seven people. If they deny the talent of the little princess just because the "tribute scholar" is her, and deny the fairness of the eight people in reading the papers and the vision in selecting talents, not to mention what Emperor Xingwu, who regards the little princess as his precious jewel, would think of them, the six important civil officials and two highly respected university scholars would not do such a thing that would destroy their reputation and integrity.

Amidst Emperor Xingwu's joyful laughter, Right Prime Minister Dai Lun and others stepped forward one by one to confirm the name of the "tribute scholar" that had been covered up in Yan Xizheng's hand. After a brief confirmation, several ministers had calmed down and thought of their responses.

Yang Zhimin, the Minister of Personnel, first praised the little princess's calligraphy, which had already achieved seven-tenths of the charm of the character "王". "Your Highness is so young, yet you have such a wonderful handwriting. No wonder we couldn't decipher your examination paper based on the handwriting."

Yang Zhimin was both a founding hero and the son of the emperor's mentor, so Qingyang treated him with respect. He simply quipped, "Actually, the authentic calligraphy works handed down by great calligraphers throughout the dynasties are like swords; anyone can imitate and learn from them, regardless of gender. However, since the world already has prejudices, even you are not immune to them, I have no choice but to create confusion, lest you deliberately inflate my rank for the emperor's sake."

Yang Zhimin nodded and said, "Your Highness is quite right. We are narrow-minded. However, Your Highness is far-sighted and talented. You are truly deserving of the top spot. Why should we flatter you?"

Right Prime Minister Dai Lun said, "Yes, it's a pity that we, your servants, were so proud of having selected a great talent for the Emperor, only to discover that this talent was actually cultivated by the Emperor himself. This truly puts us and the world's renowned teachers to shame."

Emperor Xingwu, his laughter finally subsiding but still smiling, waved his hand. "I've long known Lin'er was exceptionally intelligent, but until today, I never imagined she'd earn me the top spot in the palace examination. Truly speaking, besides Lin'er's own diligence and eagerness to learn, her time spent in the previous court before she was ten, influenced by you, also has something to do with it. So, her top spot is also due to you. You helped me raise a princess who topped the imperial examination."

Qingyang saluted in cooperation: "Lingwei thanks all the gentlemen."

Dai Lun and others even said they were not worthy of it.

Yan Xizheng, who had remained silent for a long time without following the other seven people in flattering him, saw the little princess looking at him. His eyes twitched again and again, and he finally said, "Your Highness is a genius, and we admire you. However, Your Highness is about to reach the age of marriage, so you must not do such naughty things again."

Qingyang: "Left Prime Minister, you're being too harsh again. If I really wanted to be naughty, I could have simply sneaked into the Imperial Examination Hall and caused the 231st-ranked Gongsheng to fail, thereby causing my father and the imperial court to lose their respect for the strict examination system in the eyes of students across the country. Instead, I only sneaked into the Palace Examination Hall, unexpectedly taking the top spot, without even attempting to compete with the other Gongsheng scholars for the title of Champion, nor did I delay any Gongsheng scholars from being selected for the top three Jinshi. For such consideration of the greater good, shouldn't the Left Prime Minister praise me?"

Yan Xizheng: “…”

Emperor Xingwu: "Alright, alright. I'm here to check. If Lin'er acts recklessly, I won't tolerate her. Rest assured, Left Prime Minister. By the way, please don't spread the news of Lin'er taking the palace exam. Just pretend it never happened."

The eight ministers received the order.

Emperor Xingwu continued to select the top three Jinshi candidates, only ten people, and made a decision quickly.

The palace examination results were announced the next day, and then according to old custom, on March 22, Emperor Xingwu held a banquet for the new Jinshi in Taiji Hall, and more than a dozen important civil and military officials were also present.

The ministers and scholars entered the hall first and waited. When He Yuanjing shouted "The Emperor has arrived", the ministers and scholars knelt down and kowtowed to welcome the Emperor.

"Stand up."

Yan Xizheng, Dai Lun, Prince Yong, Duke of Wei, Zhang Jie, and Duke of Cheng, Lü Zan, who were in the lead, stood up again to express their gratitude.

Standing straight, Yan Xizheng looked up and saw the little princess walking towards the seat with the third prince. Surprisingly, he did not feel any surprise or dissatisfaction because he had seen such scenes so many times.

Since today's banquet is given to the new Jinshi, the topic of the emperor and his ministers naturally revolves around the Jinshi, especially the top three.

Emperor Xingwu brought the palace examination papers of three people. He called the third place winner forward first and asked him to read his essay to everyone, followed by the second and the first place winners.

Of course, they were all good articles, and the three of them received praise from ministers and more than two hundred Jinshi.

After the praise died down, Emperor Xingwu smiled and said, "Actually, I have another exam paper here, which was also recognized by the eight examiners as the top-ranked paper in this year's palace examination. It was only because of some issues with the candidate's identity that she was not selected. Today, I have someone read it to you. How about you all judge it together?"

Yan Xizheng and the Eight Ministers: "..."

Fortunately, they were all veteran officials, and all of them were steady. No one was foolish enough to go and see the little princess, thus exposing in advance the mystery that Emperor Xingwu had deliberately hidden.

They hid, and Qin Hong, Qin Bing and Qin Ren, who were unaware of this, were all curious.

Emperor Xingwu handed the test paper in his hand to Yan Xizheng and asked him to read it. Such a great article that is so awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring can only be read out by an important official.

The sixty-three-year-old Yan Xizheng understood what the emperor meant. He stood at the foot of the imperial steps facing south, holding the test paper, and read the sentences in a rhythmic manner.

The Jinshi who were just shocked that there was another top spot, especially the number one scholar, were soon immersed in it. Following the ambitious words of the Left Prime Minister, they seemed to see a prosperous Qi Dynasty where the neighbors feared and dared not invade because of its rich country and strong army; and a stable Yunzhou where the army and civilians were prosperous because of the development of military farms, the construction of bridges and roads, the encouragement of agriculture and sericulture, and the respect for learning, and where the army and civilians were wholeheartedly defending their country.

As Yan Xizheng uttered the last word, the 231 Jinshi candidates remained silent for a long time before bursting into cheers.

The 25-year-old number one scholar Wei Bin even stood up and said frankly that his talent was not as good as that of this person and he was willing to give up the number one position.

Emperor Xingwu smiled and asked Wei Bin to return to his seat first. He then gestured to Yan Xizheng to pass the examination paper in his hand, starting with the civil officials on the left, and then to the next one in turn. Since the content had already been read, everyone mainly looked at the name and handwriting of the tribute candidate.

"Qin Lingwei?"

"Who is this person?"

"The emperor's surname, could it be a prince or royal relative?"

Few of the Jinshi scholars who came from all over the country knew the real names of all the royal children. Even the civil and military ministers of the dynasty could not quickly match "Qin Lingwei" with "Princess Qingyang".

The test paper was quickly passed around. When it reached Prince Yong, who had already heard his niece's name but couldn't believe it, he stared at the three words on the test paper with his own eyes, then looked at Emperor Xingwu and his niece: "Your Majesty, is this the same name or surname?"

Emperor Xingwu did not keep the secret any longer and said to the scholars who looked up at him, awaiting an answer, "I believe you have all heard that on the day I ascended the throne, Heaven gifted me with a daughter. I love her like a treasure and named her Lingwei, and gave her the title of Princess Qingyang."

Everyone's eyes instantly fell on the only princess present who was sitting next to the Third Prince. Those who were far away even forgot the rules and stretched their necks forward or backward to look forward.

Emperor Xingwu then recounted the entire process of his daughter's participation in the palace examination and his selection of the examination questions: "This matter can be verified by the eight left prime ministers."

Yan Xizheng and eight others stood up, proving that Princess Qingyang was indeed worthy of being at the top of the list.

Emperor Xingwu: "Lin'er, go get your test paper."

Qingyang stood up amidst the stunned gazes of his eldest, second, and third brothers, and walked before Prince Yong, facing the intense, intense gazes of the ministers and over two hundred Jinshi candidates. After retrieving his examination paper, Qingyang did not immediately return. Instead, he stopped in the center of the hall and addressed the Jinshi candidates, "Throughout history, students throughout the world have required ten years of diligent study and accumulation of knowledge before having the opportunity to enter the capital and take part in the Spring Imperial Examination. Although I am young, I began my education at the age of three, and for twelve years I have diligently studied year after year, summer and winter. My efforts are no less than yours, and therefore, God rewards my diligence, allowing me to compete with you talented scholars."

The first person the Jinshi scholars saw was a princess dressed in gorgeous clothes and with a beautiful appearance. If she was not a princess, and if this was not the Taiji Hall, most of the Jinshi scholars would probably not be able to escape the temptation and would definitely admire and praise her beauty first.

But this is the Taiji Hall, and the beauty in front of him is not only a noble princess, but also the top-ranked princess whose essay surpasses all the other Jinshi scholars!

The emperor, the supreme ruler, sat high on the dragon throne. His divine majesty prevented them from peeking. Although the princess, holding the palace examination paper, was standing at the foot of the imperial steps, her eyes, which glanced at them calmly, carried a divine majesty inherited from the emperor. They dared not pay attention to her appearance, and were left with only awe of the emperor's daughter.

At this moment, Qingyang had already looked at Wei Bin, who was about to give up the title of top scholar to her: "Wei Bin, why did you come to Beijing to take the exam?"

Wei Bin subconsciously bowed slightly to the princess in front of him, lowered his eyes and replied, "To display what I have learned and to serve the king, the country and the people."

Qingyang: "I studied the same way. So as long as I can put what I've learned into practice, why should I be so obsessed with empty titles like top or second place?"

Wei Bin was stunned for a moment, then said with shame: "Your Highness is teaching me, I was obsessed for a moment."

Qingyang then looked at the second and third place Jinshi behind him: "No matter how good your writing is, it is just empty talk. Officials are entrusted with the will of heaven and the people. Serving the emperor, the country, and the people is more difficult than getting a name on the imperial examination. Today's top three rankings are just the starting point for your official career. I hope you will continue to encourage and motivate yourself, strive for a lifetime of political achievements, strive to become virtuous ministers of the Great Qi, and strive to leave your names in history for thousands of years!"

The princess' voice is as soft and graceful as her beauty, but her words are passionate and lofty!

The lingering sound lingered in the air. Over two hundred Jinshi scholars, led by Wei Bin, had already left their seats. They simultaneously bowed to Princess Qingyang in front of the hall, saying, "Your Highness, we will remember your teachings and strive not for empty fame, but for a reputation of virtue!"

Qingyang smiled, her eyes sweeping over Yan Xizheng and other important officials. She turned around with the scroll in her hand and looked up at her father sitting on the dragon throne: "Father, am I right?"

Although Emperor Xingwu was sitting in a high place, his daughter was like a rising sun in his eyes. Even he was dazzled by her brilliance.

"What Lin'er said is exactly what father is thinking. However, the titles of Jinshi in the first, second and third classes still need to be fought for. After all, I don't know all the students in the world. I can only judge their talents from their essays first, and then promote and reuse them according to their political achievements." After asking the Jinshi to return to their seats, Emperor Xingwu corrected his daughter.

The ministers all echoed.

Emperor Xingwu glanced at Wei Bin, then said to his daughter, "Although my daughter has no intention of competing for the title of top scholar, your top spot is recognized by all the ministers and the newly minted scholars. Therefore, I will give you another reward as compensation. What do you think?"

Qingyang asked curiously, "What does the emperor want to reward me with?"

Emperor Xingwu stroked his beard and said, "You are a princess and have everything you need. I don't have any ideas at the moment. You should speak for yourself. As long as I can do it, I will agree to your request."

Yan Xizheng raised his eyebrows. Why did this sound so familiar?

Just when he felt something was wrong, the little princess, still standing in the middle of the hall, had already spoken: "I have no lack of wealth and honor. So please, father, appreciate my daughter's talent and allow her to enter the court as an official."

The golden waist badges for going to the previous dynasty and the golden waist badges for going outside the palace, although they were the emperor's favor to her, were also seen as a way for the emperor to coax his children in the eyes of the ministers.

Before, she was young and was indeed a child, and she could act like a child. But now that she is about to reach the age of marriage, Qingyang does not want to be a child anymore.

She wanted to have the same qualifications to enter the court as her second and third brothers. She wanted to compete to become a wise minister of the Great Qi, just like those new scholars who were not as good as her!

【Author’s words】

It’s so cool to write, let’s just let sugar wait a little longer!

100 small red envelopes, the second update will be tentatively scheduled for the evening, be conservative, [Three-color cat head]