At first glance, it seemed normal, but upon closer inspection, Cai Xiaolian noticed something strange.
The Empress had a kind of office worker vibe, treating all the noblewomen as her subordinates. Because she was the newly appointed wife of the top scholar, Empress Xue even recognized her face and gave her some instructions, explaining the rules of the banquet.
There was nothing she could do; the other ladies-in-waiting attended regularly, but she was a newcomer.
When a boss takes a new subordinate on a mission, shouldn't he give them some proper instructions?
That's right, Cai Xiaolian had that feeling.
As for the two girls, Gu Hui and Gu Xin, the Empress didn't say much.
Empress Xue led a group of noblewomen to their seats, and the emperor also arrived.
Everyone stood up to pay their respects. Gu Xin peeked over and saw that it was indeed Uncle Ye. However, she felt that it wasn't him, because Uncle Ye always had a smile on his face!
Unexpectedly, the emperor's gaze swept over and met Gu Xin's eyes.
The emperor blinked, then said, "Sit down, everyone!"
Gu Xin: "!"
That's right, it's Uncle Ye, it's him!
After everyone was seated, the prince of Xingnan spoke up: "Your Majesty of Great Zhou, I heard that Great Zhou recently held its triennial imperial examination and selected the top scholar! I have a question here, which was set by our top scholar from Xingnan. I would like to see if the top scholar of Great Zhou can solve it!"
The emperor had a headache. This Xingnan Kingdom was really obsessed with exam questions, talking about them all the time. Was they crazy?
The Third Prince spoke up, "Your Highness, don't you have any idea what level your top scholar from Xingnan is?"
Prince Xingnan: "I believe I'm no worse than the top scholar of the Great Zhou Dynasty! Then I'll set the questions!"
People of Da Zhou: ...Are you Xingnan Kingdom people out of your minds? Can't you eat something first? You have no sense of romance at all.
Prince Xingnan said, "The first question is a cat-and-mouse problem. It's about a cat that spots a mouse ten paces away and immediately chases it. The cat runs five paces, and the mouse runs nine. The mouse is faster than the cat; the cat runs two paces, and the mouse runs three. Can the cat catch the mouse? How many paces does it need to run to catch it?"
After speaking, Prince Xingnan looked at the people of Da Zhou around him with a smug look on his face. Princess Xingnan stared wide-eyed at the man who was said to be the youngest third-ranked scholar in Da Zhou, wondering if he could answer the question.
Prince Xingnan said with great pride, "Your Majesty of Great Zhou, when our top scholar from Xingnan set this question, my father solved it in a quarter of an hour. I wonder if Great Zhou..."
The emperor calmly said, "Top scholar, tell him the answer!"
Prince Xingnan was stunned, and everyone from the Great Zhou was also dumbfounded. The top scholar was this amazing? We've only just figured out the questions!
Gu Shouxin stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, this question is far too much, far too much..."
Gu Shouxin looked troubled.
The emperor's heart skipped a beat; the Xingnan Kingdom was starting to get smug again.
Prince Xingnan: "Oh dear, I've only been talking for a quarter of an hour! Don't rush, Scholar, there's still a while left, take your time!"
Gu Shouxin glanced at Prince Xingnan, his gaze as if he were looking at an idiot, making no attempt to hide it.
The emperor was immediately relieved. Although he didn't know what Gu Lao Er was up to, he was sure it wasn't something bad for the Great Zhou.
Prince Xingnan: "Top Scholar, just say what you have to say, don't look at me like that!"
Gu Shouxin sighed and said, "This question is too easy. My daughter could solve these kinds of problems when she was ten years old."
Prince Xingnan glared at me: "Are you kidding me?! I'm twenty years old and I still don't know!"
Gu Shouxin: "If the prince doesn't believe me, shall we make a bet?"
Prince Xingnan: "Alright, tell me, what are we betting on?"
Gu Shouxin thought for a moment and said, "If my daughter succeeds, the prince will give her one of the warhorses that were being transported here. She likes horses very much."
Prince Xingnan: "Fine! Answer me immediately! I won't waste any more words with you. Where is your daughter?"
Gu Shouxin looked at Gu Xin, and Gu Xin stood up.
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