The spring imperial examination of the twenty-fourth year of Yunping was held as scheduled, which was nothing unusual.
The emperor suddenly issued an edict to add a new examination for all craftsmen, saying that they could freely choose which questions to answer, which left them completely baffled.
The students from the north, however, seemed to be deep in thought, and some of the clever ones sensed something amiss.
So I took advantage of the last few days to frantically study all kinds of knowledge.
Opportunity always favors the prepared mind.
The imperial examination lasted three days, and Xiao Zhixing served as the chief examiner, without any objection from anyone.
Her inclusive and open-minded remarks in the Beizhou Daily unexpectedly gained her popularity and recognition from various parties.
No one would think she was too young to be an examiner; after all, the accomplished are the teachers.
Xiao Zhixing did not receive any news of trouble this year, but he did not dare to underestimate the enemy.
Throughout the entire process, Zhang Shanhai and others remained vigilant, keeping a close eye on the entire scene.
On the third day, she discovered something interesting.
Not a single person gave up on the extra test she set.
Some people, even while scratching their heads, sit there and stubbornly try to write down the answers.
Xiao Zhixing smiled gently, as if he were seeing a familiar scene from the past.
Nobody wants to miss out on a possible opportunity.
The final day of the imperial examinations was extended by two hours, and the gates of the examination hall only opened after the moon had risen above the willow branches.
"I answered two of the bonus questions, how about you?" a student from Beizhou asked his companion in a low voice.
“I answered three questions. Let’s go back and discuss it in detail.”
Most of the students from the northern region who took the imperial examination this spring came from the Northern State General Academy.
After they secretly discussed it, they found that everyone could roughly answer some of the questions.
While some were pleased, others began to worry for Xiao Zhixing. Wasn't she openly doing them a favor, giving them a handle to use against her?
While reviewing the papers, Duke Li and Zhao Kun also realized what was happening and looked at each other in bewilderment.
Could it be that Prince Yuansheng really wants to make things easier for students from the North?
Xiao Zhixing was grading the supplementary exam papers very quickly.
Because very few answers were truly complete, and some were completely off-topic and nonsensical, she marked them all wrong.
She looked up and met Zhao Kun's scrutinizing gaze. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong, Lord Zhao?"
Zhao Kun hesitated for a moment, then quietly walked over and whispered, "Students from the North should have more exposure to miscellaneous subjects than students from the South..."
The Northern Prefecture General Academy teaches everything and is known as the largest library in the entire Great Sheng Dynasty, with a vast collection of books. The students here have studied and read all kinds of books.
Xiao Zhixing suddenly realized, then smiled and said, "Oh, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Seeing this, Zhao Kun said no more; he had already done more than enough by reminding her.
The viewers in the live stream were very curious about how she would handle this situation.
Xiao Zhixing focused on grading the papers and quickly determined the scores, ultimately selecting the papers from the top thirty.
This is enough for now; any more might not be appropriate.
Reforms should be carried out gradually, allowing them time to adapt and accept them.
After about twenty days, all procedures were completed, the final list of selected candidates was finalized, and submitted to the emperor for approval.
By this time, rumors had already begun to circulate that Xiao Zhixing was making things much easier for students from the north.
It escalated under the covert influence of various parties.
Zhang Shanhai returned with the imperial edict and told her about it.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has instructed me to inform you that the rumors are rampant and have reached the imperial court. Someone has impeached you in court, and His Majesty has instructed you to find a way to deal with them as soon as possible."
This can't even be called a conspiracy; if someone was pushing it, it was an open scheme, since the facts are there.
Xiao Zhixing calmly unfolded the blank list, still writing the names in clerical script, and casually asked, "Which lord has impeached me?"
Zhang Shanhai said, "This is the grain used by the Second Master of the family this year."
"Nian Guyong, who will succeed Nian Guyong as head of the Court of Colonial Affairs?"
Him? He seemed to have a chance to enter the Censorate and take over the position from the older officials, but unfortunately, the position he was aiming for was given to Jiang Tan by the emperor.
Is this revenge born out of resentment?
"Yes, several officials from the Censorate also impeached you."
Xiao Zhixing's expression remained indifferent.
Sure enough, her people suddenly entered the Sixth Department, taking some people's positions, and a backlash ensued.
"What about the elderly person? What was their reaction?"
Zhang Shanhai was surprised, not expecting that she was asking about the very message the emperor had asked him to relay.
"The old magistrate, in a fit of rage, took his jade tablet and beat Nian Guyong, and also gave those few censors who had acted without authorization a thorough dressing down."
“Nian Gu Yong insisted on participating in your discussion, which made the old man faint from anger.”
Xiao Zhixing nodded, indicating that she understood, and continued to concentrate on copying the roster.
She saw the scene; it was very lively.
The elderly person probably genuinely didn't know about this and fainted from shock and anger; it wasn't an act.
As for this Nian Guyong, if she remembered correctly, although he was Nian Chenghan's uncle, he was hostile to the eldest branch of the family.
Yin Yi once gave her some important information about the Nian family.
The early death of Nian Chenghan's father and Nian Chenghan's sudden fall from a horse and leg injury both bear the shadow of this person.
Seeing this, Zhang Shanhai stopped bothering her. Judging from the prince's expression, he seemed confident.
After copying down both lists, Xiao Zhixing slowly wiped his hands.
The Duke of Li and Zhao Kun, who were standing quietly listening to their conversation, looked at each other, wondering how she would respond.
"The prince's calligraphy has become increasingly refined, making him worthy of being called a master."
Duke Li sincerely praised it, saying that the clerical script is now widely known and many calligraphers have switched their preference to it.
However, the one that writes with the most integrity is Xiao Zhixing.
"I won't be modest about that, thank you for your praise, Duke."
The two shook their heads and chuckled.
While waiting for the list to dry, the three of them moved over and sat down to drink together.
Zhao Kun couldn't help but ask, "Faced with the rumors outside, Your Highness seems quite confident?"
Xiao Zhixing took a sip and smiled, "It's nothing major, and I wouldn't say I'm completely confident about it."
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