Chapter 240 Top Ten List
Finally, the examiners would summarize the marked answer papers, first sorting out the answer papers with eight circles drawn on the back, and then select the best ten to present to the emperor for his review.
Li Duchang did not know Zhu Lan's talent before, but since the emperor was very concerned about her, if he wanted to do the next thing, he had to ensure that her answer sheet was among the top ten.
As to whether this was because he drew the first circle on the back of the test paper, which resulted in high scores in the subsequent marking, or because Zhu Lan's answer sheet really convinced all the examiners, it was not important to Li Duchang. He only looked at the results.
When summarizing the results, Li Duchang saw Zhu Lan's answer sheet and heaved a sigh of relief.
According to the previous practice of marking papers, the ten papers need to be selected by the examiners, and the rankings from first to tenth are temporarily determined and then handed over to the emperor. However, the final decision on the rankings is still in the hands of the emperor, and sometimes the emperor will even directly overturn the rankings given by the examiners.
Therefore, gradually, the examiners no longer evaluated the rankings, but directly selected ten answer sheets and submitted the papers and the list of the top ten to the emperor.
Li Duchang took the initiative to propose that he would write the list, and deliberately wrote Zhu Lan's name first.
Then the eunuch in charge came up and said, "Thank you for your hard work, gentlemen," and took the test papers and the list and sent them to Ziyun Hall.
The examiners were already dazzled, and finally relaxed and prepared to go back to the palace to rest. However, after Li Duchang left the examination room, he did not go with anyone, but caught up with the chief eunuch who had already walked some distance.
"Eunuch." Li Duchang smiled and took small steps, "I have some things to report to Your Majesty during the review process, so I will go with you."
The eunuch in charge nodded slightly to him and continued walking towards the Ziyun Palace.
When they arrived at the Ziyun Palace, they saw that the door was closed. The eunuch in charge whispered to the young eunuch on duty at the door.
The young eunuch replied, "Your Majesty is taking a nap and does not want to be disturbed."
The eunuch in charge nodded. He was the personal eunuch of Emperor Liang and was allowed to enter the palace to serve.
Li Duchang took the ten answer sheets from him with great tact, and said with a flattering smile, "Eunuch, please go and do your work. I will wait here. When His Majesty wakes up, please inform him."
After the eunuch in charge entered the Ziyun Hall, Li Duchang was waiting outside the hall as expected. At this time, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that another person was walking towards this side. He looked closely and found that it was Yan Yuze.
"Your humble servant Li Duchang pays respect to you——"
Before Li Du finished speaking, Yan Yuze casually waved the folding fan in his hand and said, "Okay, okay, you don't have to bow if you have something in your hand."
His eyes fell on Li Duchang's hand, "Is this the answer sheet of the top ten selected?"
"That's right." The smile on Li Duchang's face became more humble and more cautious.
Yan Yuze also came to see Emperor Liang. Hearing that Emperor Liang was resting, he waited with Li Duchang.
The two stood very close to each other, and Li Duzhang carefully looked at the prince who was very popular in the court. It was rare to be so close to the prince, and if he didn't take the opportunity to leave some impression, wouldn't it be a waste of opportunity?
Li Du's eyes moved rapidly, and he considered for a long time before speaking carefully:
"Your Majesty, would you like to review the list of the top ten?"
"Hmm?" Yan Yuze looked at him, "Then let's take a look."
Li Duchang hurriedly handed over the list while observing Yan Yuze's expression.
Yan Yuze's eyes lingered on the first two characters "Zhu Lan" and asked casually, "Is this a list, or is it the ranking you pre-assessed?"
Li Duchang's heart began to beat wildly and his lips became a little dry.
He knew that Zhu Lan was not only a woman favored by Emperor Liang, but also the favorite student of the Sixth Prince in his academy. Which teacher would not want to see his disciple become the top scorer in the imperial examination?
Finally, Li Duchang mustered up his courage and said:
"Replying to the Sixth Prince, this is a list, but... it can also be a ranking!"
"It seems that this list was drawn up by Lord Li?"
Yan Yuze glanced at him with a half-smile, and Li Duchang quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to answer, but his attitude was already revealed.
"I am a little surprised that Lord Li thinks so highly of my students."
Yan Yuze waved the list between his fingers with a playful look, and continued, "Your Majesty always likes to read the answer sheets first, and then check the names of the candidates, striving to be more fair. If Your Majesty thinks that this list is the ranking evaluated by the ministers who read the papers, he will definitely consider your suggestions, and then the possibility of my student passing the exam will be greater, right?"
Li Duchang lowered his head even lower, "Your subordinate, I am also considering the prince."
Yan Yuze smiled and nodded, saying kindly, "If Zhu Lan really gets the top score in the imperial examination, although I cannot say that it is 100% your credit, Lord Li, but after she knows about this, she will definitely be grateful for Lord Li's help. By the way, even I owe Lord Li a favor—"
The smile in the fox eyes suddenly turned a bit cold. "When the truth comes out, others will think that my student colluded with you, Lord Li, for personal gain. This fame was not earned in a clear way."
"Your Highness, I dare not!" Li Duchang was so frightened that his legs went limp and he knelt on the ground, with the answer sheet in his hand scattered all over the floor.
"Pick it up." Yan Yuze said lightly.
Li Duchang hurriedly arranged the answer sheets, held his hands high above his head, and trembled all over.
At this moment, the door of Ziyun Palace happened to be slowly opened from the inside, revealing the face of the eunuch in charge.
The eunuch in charge saw the scene at the door and acted as if he hadn't seen it. "Your Majesty, His Majesty has woken up. Do you need me to report to you?"
"Thank you." Yan Yuze smiled gently at the eunuch in charge and took the stack of papers from Li Duchang with one hand.
"Lord Li is also a member of the imperial examination system. I don't think you need me to teach you how to write a resignation letter, right?"
Li Duchang felt his eyes go dark, he really hit the horse's hoof when he tried to flatter it.
It’s too late to regret!
Now that I have offended the Sixth Prince, if he tells His Majesty about this, I am afraid it will not be as simple as resigning.
Li Duchang looked ashen, and kowtowed, "Thank you...thank you, Your Majesty..."
When I looked up again, Yan Yuze had already walked into the Ziyun Palace.
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