The day for the imperial examination results was approaching, and the capital began the annual game of guessing who would make the list and who would not.
Some restaurants even organize betting games privately.
The favorites this year are naturally Wei Tianci and Yuan Musheng.
As for the reasons for support, the public has different opinions.
Some people say that Wei Tianci's talent had already been seen, and the article he wrote earlier that was praised by Dou Shoufu is the best proof.
No matter what, the test shouldn't be too bad.
Some people say that Yuan Musheng has been famous in the capital since he was a child. Although he has not been in the capital for the past five years, he has been personally taught by His Majesty the Prince, so his talent must be good.
Some people also jumped out to question Yuan Musheng.
"Why should he directly participate in the imperial examination? He clearly doesn't even have the qualifications to take the exam?!"
"Just wait and see! Wei Tianci will definitely be eliminated for various reasons."
"Why? Because he's already offended the princess, a member of the royal family! She's the prince's biological sister! How could they let him continue taking exams to become a high-ranking official even though he's already offended the royal family?!"
"That's right! If the prince can force Yuan Musheng into the exam, he can use his power to change the results!"
"So even if Wei Tianci has talent, he will be suppressed!"
"Then how will we, children from poor families, ever get ahead in the future? The imperial examination was originally designed to provide a path for people like us who have no power or influence..."
"Your Majesty has been on the throne for so many years and has always been fair and just, yet the Crown Prince has yet to... disregard Your Majesty like this!"
…
This public opinion continued to ferment, from initially speculating about Yuan Musheng's talents, to questioning his eligibility for the exam, and finally fermenting into Yuan Cheng abusing his power.
After Mo Xue relayed these words to Yuan Zhao, Yuan Zhao lowered his eyes and thought for a moment.
Mo Xue was a little worried and suggested, "Your Highness, do you need our people to speak up for the eldest master in secret?"
Yuan Zhao shook his head. "Who would dare to openly question and challenge the future crown prince?"
"You mean, someone is deliberately behind this..." Mo Xue understood a little, "Could it be the Wei family?"
Yuan Zhao thought about it and denied it, "Not necessarily. There might be someone else who dares to do such a big thing."
Mo Xue didn't say anything else. If they weren't from the Wei family, going any further up would be beyond the reach of a single secret guard like her.
Therefore, Yuan Zhao only instructed her, "Let the people from the Wei family continue to keep an eye on the Wei family's movements."
Mo Xue nodded and quietly retreated.
Yuan Zhao was thinking about going to the Eastern Palace to see Yuan Cheng. Just as he was about to call Gan Tang, he saw Gan Tang come in and said, "Your Highness, Eunuch Zheng is here."
…
Yuan Zhao brought Yuan Zhizhi into the palace.
Although Zheng Lu didn't say what it was about, she intuitively felt that it was related to Yuan Musheng's matter.
Arriving at the Qinzheng Hall, Zheng Luxian took a look inside. When he came out, he looked a little strange and said to Yuan Zhao, "Your Highness, please wait a moment. The Imperial Concubine is inside."
Yuan Zhao nodded slightly and waited outside.
After a while, Concubine Shu came out swaying, looking at Yuan Zhao with a smile on her face, as if she was not surprised that she appeared here.
"Showa... haven't seen you for many years..."
There was a hint of hatred in her eyes when she looked at Yuan Zhao.
This was the first time Yuan Zhao met Concubine Shu after returning to Beijing.
Her appearance has not aged at all compared to ten years ago, and she is even more graceful and elegant.
Yes, after her mother passed away, she has been favored in the palace and holds the Phoenix Seal. She is nourished with the most expensive supplements, so how could she grow old?
Seeing her, Yuan Zhao couldn't help but wonder what his mother would look like if she were still alive?
A trace of sadness flashed across her eyes, and she just nodded slightly to Concubine Shu.
Yuan Zhizhi was in her arms, staring blankly at Concubine Shu.
[Shu Guifei is in trouble...]
When Yuan Zhao heard Yuan Zhizhi was about to reveal her feelings again, he immediately listened attentively and temporarily ignored Concubine Shu.
What did she do in her previous life? Let me think... I think she fought for the throne with her uncle. Even after her uncle was sentenced to death, she didn't fight him. Why didn't she fight him? ... Zhizhi can't seem to remember...
Yuan Zhizhi touched her little bracelet. At that time, she and the old man were only paying attention to Wei Jiaojiao's family in heaven, and seemed to have ignored everyone else.
She couldn't help but stick out her tongue, which was very cute.
Seeing that Yuan Zhao and the little girl in her arms ignored her, Concubine Shu was upset and said:
"Princess, if you are free, please come to my Linhua Palace and chat with me."
Yuan Zhao smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes, and he did not answer directly, "Father is still waiting, Your Majesty, please take care. I will go in first."
After saying that, he carried Yuan Zhizhi into the hall.
Concubine Shu was so angry that she glared at Yuan Zhao's back. It was Zhao Ma who reminded her, "Your Majesty, go back."
…
Emperor Xuan seemed to be thinking about something while sitting on the couch. He came to his senses when Yuan Zhao came in, and was very pleased to see the little girl in her arms.
He first reached out to hug Yuan Zhizhi, "Come, let me hug you."
Yuan Zhao handed Yuan Zhizhi over and then sat opposite Emperor Xuan.
"I haven't seen you for a few days. My little grandson has gained a lot of weight!"
[Grandpa Emperor, lift me up high! Lift me up high!]
Yuan Zhizhi previously called Emperor Xuan "Grandfather", but Emperor Xuan felt that this was not close and asked Yuan Zhizhi to call him "Royal Grandfather".
Emperor Xuan wanted to lift Yuan Zhizhi up, but he was unable to do so, so he put her down and continued to hold her in his arms.
His beard pricked Yuan Zhizhi's face, making her laugh.
Yuan Zhao noticed Emperor Xuan's difficulty and said, "She has become heavier recently. Your Majesty, please let me hold her."
Emperor Xuan waved his hands and said, "I can still hold my darling grandson."
Yuan Zhao knew that his father had been very competitive all his life and hated people saying that he was not capable, so he stopped talking about it.
Yuan Zhizhi, on the other hand, had her eyes rolling around and was smiling particularly brightly.
【Grandpa Emperor can live to be 100 years old! 】
When Emperor Xuan heard this, he laughed out loud.
Yuan Zhao couldn't help laughing. When others saw his father, they would say "Long live His Majesty", but Zhizhi was the only one who said he would "live to be a hundred years old".
Seeing that both the Emperor and her mother were laughing at her, Yuan Zhizhi angrily nestled in Emperor Xuan's arms and secretly began to take something out of her little bracelet.
Previously, in Yangzhou, Yuan Zhizhi's bracelet was sealed after she had taken out some good things for Yuan Nan'an and Yuan Musheng. Only recently has it started to take out things again.
She wants to take it out secretly and surprise everyone!
Emperor Xuan held Yuan Zhizhi in his arms and couldn't help but sigh with Yuan Zhao when he talked about his age.
"I'm almost sixty, and lately I've been feeling more and more tired. It's just my age."
Yuan Zhao looked at his father. His father had aged a lot over the years. His hair was all white and his face was covered with wrinkles.
She suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
For emperors throughout the ages, living to over sixty was considered long-lived. If, as Zhizhi said, my father could really live to be a hundred, that would be great.
"If I really live to be a hundred years old..." Emperor Xuan seemed to agree with Yuan Zhao, but then he laughed, "Then your brother will be worried."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhao's face suddenly changed!
Not only her, but even Zheng Lu who was guarding the door felt a sudden jump in his heart.
Yuan Zhao knelt down at once, "Father, my brother would never have such thoughts!"
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