I haven't eaten Beijing buns for three years. They don't taste the same as before and are not fragrant at all.
He felt melancholy in his heart. Sheng Xiyan must be very worried if she knew that he was locked up.
Ah Yan, please don't make trouble with the emperor. After I do this, I will restore my identity and walk in front of you openly.
Five days later, in the Yangxin Palace.
Xuan Ling asked, "Is there still no movement in the Heavenly Prison?"
The Dali Temple official shook his head, "No suspicious individuals have appeared yet."
Commander Xue ran in with an urgent document sent over eight hundred miles away and presented it.
When Xuan Ling opened it, his dragon eyebrows and phoenix eyes relaxed.
General Dun had received a secret order to set out from Lingnan and secretly lead his troops to the border.
According to his and Qi Yan's analysis, the spies from Canlang Country would definitely not miss the opportunity for Qi Yan to return to Beijing, so they staged this drama to lure the snake out of its hole.
Just wait for the traitor in the capital to show up.
At the same time, he sent a secret order to the second lieutenant at the border, asking him to contain Li Feng and wait for General Dun to arrive and capture the traitor in one fell swoop.
The spy couldn't say where he was hiding. Xuan Ling suspected that there might be an insider in the palace, so he didn't tell Sheng Xiyan to avoid alerting the enemy.
At noon, several officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy came to the court with examination papers in hand.
"Your Majesty, we have finished reviewing the papers. The rankings are as follows. Please review them."
The examination papers of the top 100 tribute students were placed on six wooden trays.
Xuan Ling picked up the list and was shocked to see that the first name was Sheng Jingheng.
Opening his test paper and taking a closer look, I found that his handwriting was exquisite, his answers were profound, he made an in-depth analysis of current problems, and put forward practical and feasible reform suggestions.
Lord Li said, "Your Majesty, the first-placed student Sheng Jingheng's paper is truly exceptional and can be considered a model paper in recent imperial examinations."
Xuan Ling nodded and said, "Sheng Jingheng does have the talent and strategy to govern the country and maintain its peace."
He also checked the examination papers of the top ten scholars and randomly checked the examination papers of the lower ranked students.
Two hours passed by unknowingly and it was almost dark.
"The purpose of the imperial examination is to break down the notion of family background, allowing more talented people to serve the country and to consolidate the regime.
I demand fairness and justice in every aspect of this process."
"Your Highness, I will obey your Majesty's orders."
Xuan Ling put down the examination papers and said solemnly, "Five days later, the imperial examinations for the tribute students will be arranged in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. I will preside over it myself."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After several ministers left.
Eunuch Fu bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, it's getting dark. Should we serve the meal?"
Xuan Ling stood up and said, "Go to Guanju Palace and have the imperial kitchen bring the food with you."
If Yanyan knew that Sheng Jingheng had won the first place in the imperial examination, she would definitely be happy and in a better mood.
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