Zuan's first reaction was to teach the prince a sure-win strategy for Gomoku, since he had already thoroughly researched this game in his time and it guaranteed a win for the first player.
Let him and the King of Qi find a Go master as their subordinates. If they win, the opponent will be completely astonished, and the King of Qi will have no face to say that the Crown Prince is stupid.
However, after thinking about it again, he gave up the idea.
Although Gomoku is simple, the sure-win strategy involves responding to various variations. If the prince could remember so many variations and choose the correct move every time, he wouldn't be considered a fool.
He thought for a moment and said, "Given the Crown Prince's situation, he will definitely cheat. I wonder what the test will be like? We can prepare some answers in advance so that the Crown Prince knows them."
The emperor replied, "The content of the exam has not yet been determined, but it will most likely be handled by the Royal Academy. The people in the academy are as stubborn and unyielding as rocks in a latrine, and they certainly won't cooperate with the Crown Prince to cheat. Your method won't work."
Neither the King of Qi nor the Emperor would feel comfortable entrusting this exam to them; only the National Royal Academy could earn their trust.
Throughout the years of conflict between the two sides, the Royal National Academy has always remained neutral and has never participated, nor does it need to.
Many outstanding cultivators in the world come from the National Royal Academy, which has countless students and holds a superior status.
No matter who becomes emperor, it will neither bring them any benefit nor any harm. The people inside are all fervent enthusiasts of spiritual cultivation and have no interest in power. They even feel that power means being busy with official duties, which would interfere with their spiritual cultivation.
Because of their pure dedication to spiritual practice, both the emperor and the King of Qi believed that they would remain impartial.
Zu An frowned: "That's going to be difficult. How about we find someone to impersonate the Crown Prince for the exam? Do you have any magical disguise or transformation techniques?"
This is, after all, a world of cultivation; surely there should be a way to impersonate the crown prince.
The emperor slowly shook his head: "Yes, there is, but it can only fool those who are not familiar with you. When the time comes, the Prince of Qi's side will definitely check, and you will definitely not be able to fool them by impersonation."
Zuan spread his hands: "Then I really have no other choice. Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and will surely come up with a perfect solution."
"Stop spouting those high-sounding nonsense to me," the emperor paced back and forth in his study in frustration, even swearing. Clearly, today's events had left him in a bad mood, and his bad mood would only make more people in a bad mood. "You have half a month to come up with a solution, or you will lose your position as Crown Prince and your post as Crown Prince's Attendant will naturally be over. Send him to the palace to be a eunuch."
Zuan: "???"
Damn it, they come to me for everything. Even the donkeys in the production team wouldn't dare to be ordered around like this.
Despite his pent-up complaints, he couldn't show the slightest dissatisfaction on the surface: "Yes!"
Emerging from the imperial study, Zu An felt agitated and headed straight out of the palace. He didn't care about the Crown Prince or not; if things got really bad, he would just leave. The Emperor thought he wouldn't dare run away because of his restrictions, but little did he know that he had a Grandmaster sister who could help him remove them.
Hmph, wouldn't it be nice to go back and hold my Chu Yan's fragrant body? Crown Prince, do whatever you want.
While he was complaining on the way, a little eunuch suddenly ran over: "Lord Zu, my master invites you."
Zu An was taken aback; the little eunuch looked unfamiliar. "Who is your master?"
"Your Highness, Consort Bai," the young eunuch replied respectfully.
Zu An glanced at the dim sky: "It's getting late, it's not convenient to go at this time, is it?"
Generally speaking, ministers were not allowed to move around freely in the palace.
However, a small number of officials were granted the right to move freely within the palace. Most of these were from the Secretariat, such as the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and the Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, who were essentially the emperor's secretaries and personal assistants.
The Crown Prince's attendants in Zu'an were also allowed to move around in the palace, but these officials were only allowed to stay in the palace during the day. They had to leave the palace before dusk, otherwise it would be considered a serious offense of disrespect.
If there are still officials remaining in the palace after nightfall, well, I doubt any emperor would like to be cuckolded.
"It's about the Crown Prince's upcoming imperial examination," the young eunuch said.
"Lead the way!" Zu'an hesitated for a moment, but still went with him. The emperor had just given him a death order. Although he could run away as a last resort, it was better not to flee if he could avoid it.
Consort Bai is also one of the Crown Prince's concubines, and her fate is intertwined with his. Her concern for the Crown Prince is genuine, so she must have come up with some solution this time.
Upon arriving at the Hundred Flowers Palace, the eunuch bowed to him and then left.
At this moment, a palace maid came out, who turned out to be Bai Fei's personal maid, Xin Rui.
"This way, Lord Zu!" Xinrui turned slightly to the side, making an inviting gesture.
Zuan couldn't help but say, "If I hadn't seen you, I would have thought that eunuch had plotted against me."
Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've still seen pigs run, right? You didn't watch all those palace dramas in your past life for nothing.
Xinrui smiled shyly, "Lord Zu is too kind. Who in this palace would be so bold as to plot against someone?"
Zu An thought to himself that, as expected, the maids resembled their masters. Bai Fei was gentle and graceful, and Xin Rui was similar in temperament, though a bit shy.
The Crown Princess is more dignified and assertive, while Rong Mo is like a little firecracker.
Uh, no, her cultivation level isn't low, and a maid wouldn't be someone with exceptional talent; she must be a fiery old fox.
Lost in thought, he was soon led into the main hall of the Hundred Flowers Palace. Xinrui bowed and said, "Please come in, Lord Zu."
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