Chapter 509: The Thousand-Year-Old (30)
Gu Li looked at Liu Yu, feeling somewhat annoyed, but there was nothing to blame him for. He was too much like himself, like the naive self he was when his parents were still alive. Gu Li couldn't blame him at all. Gu Li glanced helplessly at Wen Wan, and then explained to Liu Yu, "My ambitions don't lie in officialdom. Besides, even if I don't go into officialdom, I can still do what I want to do."
Afterwards, the group exchanged contact information. Wen Wan also had a temporary residence in the capital, while Liu Yu was staying at an inn. They agreed on a time to meet again, and then Liu Yu left.
This trip was definitely worthwhile. He had always thought he was unmatched, but now that he had an opponent, he realized he still had shortcomings and that he definitely needed to learn more.
As they were leaving, Xiao Jiu'er clung to Liu Yu, trying to stop him from going. In the end, Wen Wan had Xiao Cui forcibly bring the child back. Looking at Liu Yu, Xiao Jiu'er said, "Daddy..."
Liu Yu: "..."
He's only eighteen, but I already feel an overwhelming sense of paternal love for him. This kid is just too adorable.
But why is it always someone else's child? He's an only child, and he even wonders why his own parents didn't give him such a cute younger brother or sister. He's so envious, so incredibly envious.
...
After Liu Yu left, Wen Wan felt that Gu Li was somewhat unhappy with her attitude.
Wen Wan could only try to appease the other party, saying a lot of nice things.
After returning to the palace, it was already dark. Wen Wan sent Xiao Jiu'er back to Consort Chen, and was about to take Xiao Cui and Gu Li back to her residence when she arrived at the door, where the emperor's eunuch was waiting.
"Your Highness, the Second Prince, you're finally back."
"Why is my father-in-law waiting here? Does the Emperor want to see me?"
"Yes, His Majesty said that the Second Prince should go to the Imperial Study."
Wen Wan turned around and went to the emperor, but when he saw her slacking off, he was furious. "Where did you go to play today? The Grand Tutor said you skipped class again."
Wen Yan: "..."
“Father, you know I’m not cut out for studying. I’m not going out to play. I have important business to attend to.”
"What important business? What important business could you possibly have?"
"Father, your words have hurt my feelings. I'm just going to help you find out if there are any outstanding talents this year."
"Have you found someone yet?"
Wen Wan: "There really is one, but I won't say who it is. After all, what if Father Emperor promotes him even more if I do? That wouldn't be fair to the other candidates."
emperor:"……"
I don't believe a single word of it.
"Since you care so much about the scientific expedition and want to find talent for me, then you should learn from Lord Chen and stop just playing around every day."
Lord Chen Yan is the proctor for this examination.
Wen Wan is numb.
Isn't she just creating trouble for herself? Isn't her laziness obvious enough?
"Father, I am not capable enough to do it and would be a burden to Lord Chen."
"If you can't even do this simple thing, then don't come back."
Wen Yan: "..."
Emperor, are you serious?
Wen Wan could only wear a bitter face as she went to report to Lord Chen the next day. Lord Chen was very nice to her, but that was all there was to it; they weren't actually close. However, according to the system, Lord Chen was a neutral party and didn't intend to side with any of the princes.
"Your Highness need not worry, proctoring the exam is not difficult at all."
Wen Wan: "I'm not worried. I'm just afraid of delaying Lord Chen's business. Lord Chen can do whatever he wants to do. I'll just observe and learn from him."
The subtext is: I won't interfere, Lord Chen, please rest assured.
As expected, Lord Chen's attitude softened upon hearing this.
To be honest, everything was exceptionally meticulous. Every step was even more rigorous than in modern times, and they even knew about the ancient cheating methods in advance.
Yes, cheating also occurs in these scientific examinations.
Some people stuffed small notes into their steamed buns, since the exam lasted a long time and the candidates needed to eat.
However, during the inspection, only steamed buns are allowed, and they will be broken into pieces.
Some of the writing was on their bodies, so they had to be stripped naked for inspection to ensure that not a single word was brought in.
There were also all sorts of bizarre cheating methods, hidden in shoes, sewn into clothes, hidden in hair, hidden in ears, hidden in nostrils, which shocked Wen Wan, a modern person.
The scientific expedition began soon after.
Wen Wan sat next to Lord Chen, with several other invigilators walking around and officials patrolling. This made Wen Wan feel as if she were back in the time of her college entrance examination, and she instinctively became nervous.
Wen Wan also saw Liu Yu. Liu Yu recognized her and was somewhat shocked, but quickly regained her composure and did not let anyone notice.
He knew that he couldn't let anyone know that he knew Young Master Yu, otherwise it wouldn't be a good thing for either of them.
The process was so long that even Wen Wan found it tiring, let alone the test takers.
Wen Wan could occasionally take a nap, but these candidates had to race against time. Some were as young as Liu Yu, while others were in their fifties or sixties, or even had gray hair, yet they still came to take the exam. Halfway through, they collapsed from exhaustion and had to be carried away.
Wen Yan: "..."
Wen Wan thought for a moment, then called Xiao Cui over, gave her some instructions, and Xiao Cui left.
Lord Chen glanced at it but said nothing.
Finally, the exam ended, and all the candidates handed in their papers and left the exam hall. However, outside the exam hall, a stall was set up so that any candidate could have a meal before leaving if needed.
After eating dry steamed buns for so long, now there are so many delicious foods, served plate after plate.
The candidates rushed forward, abandoning all semblance of composure.
These were all made by Gu Li at Wen Wan's request. The taste is comparable to that of the imperial chefs, so these candidates are truly blessed.
When Lord Chen came out, he was also somewhat surprised to see the Second Prince's maid.
Lord Chen: "The Second Prince is truly kind-hearted."
"Lord Chen, would you like something to eat? You gentlemen have all worked hard, please have something to eat as well."
Lord Chen did not refuse. He had long heard that the Second Prince was known as a living master chef who invented all kinds of delicacies.
The other adults didn't refuse, so they all ate outside. Wen Wan not only let the examinees eat, but their families could also come and eat, all for free.
Lord Chen looked at Wen Wan with a newfound tenderness in his eyes.
Wen Wan got goosebumps just looking at it.
After it was over, Wen Wan went home, took a hot shower, and then slept soundly, finally feeling completely revived.
He was summoned by the emperor to inquire about the imperial examinations, and the emperor also rewarded him with many gifts.
Finally, there was the palace examination, which was also the last test.
After the event concluded, the top scholar was announced. Unsurprisingly, Liu Yu became the new top scholar, marking the official start of his path to becoming a powerful minister. The emperor was also delighted, as he had selected so many promising talents who met his expectations. How could an emperor not be happy?
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