They certainly didn't want to be locked up in jail.
Sima Lie also came to his senses at this moment and took a long, deep breath.
Although the tyrannical emperor did something unexpected, the fact that he presented such absurd and ridiculous questions during the palace examination would surely cause the candidates to completely lose faith in him.
So these students will probably all end up serving Prime Minister Sima.
Thinking of this, Sima Lie finally felt a little better.
"Alright, answer the questions now. These are questions personally set by His Majesty, so you must not be perfunctory!"
Sima Lie addressed the students with a smile, emphasizing the words "His Majesty personally."
Once they confirmed that this was indeed the final exam question, the students shook their heads, sighed, and began to write.
However, while the group was thinking about how to make their flattery more elegant and their sentences more refined, Zhang Tingyu and the others did not immediately put pen to paper.
The group was carefully considering the first two questions.
If they hadn't met Qin Yu, they would probably have thought that Qin Yu was a pleasure-seeker and extravagant.
But when they thought back to how they felt when they first met Qin Yu, they realized that these questions were not simple at all.
Soon, each of them had an inspiration and began to write.
...
Meanwhile, in the Queen's palace.
"Mmm~ This lamb from Longxi is so delicious for hot pot!"
Qin Yu picked up a piece of tender lamb with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, unable to help but exclaim in admiration.
Despite having eaten hot pot so many times, Qin Yu still doesn't get tired of it.
However, Zhao Yan looked at Qin Yu with a worried expression.
“Your Majesty, is it really wise for you not to participate in the palace examination? This is a golden opportunity for you to compete with that old scoundrel Sima for control of the court. If you can gain the approval of the newly recruited scholars, then once they have grown up, the power of the court will naturally return to your hands. But by handing over the chief examiner position to Sima Lie, not only will Sima Lie have the opportunity to abuse his power for personal gain, but you will also miss a great opportunity to win over the hearts of the people.”
Zhao Yan was very worried at this moment.
She was initially pleased when she learned that Qin Yu was going to set the questions himself, thinking that Qin Yu had finally seen the error of his ways and understood how to seize power from the treacherous officials.
But to her surprise, on the important day of the palace examination, Qin Yu stayed in her palace and refused to preside over the examination.
Upon hearing Zhao Yan's words, Qin Yu reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"This palace examination is just watching people take the exam. What's the point? They can't talk or sleep. Instead of wasting my time, I'd rather spend some quality time with my empress. No matter how well they answer, it's not as good as a single hair on a beauty's head."
Hearing Qin Yu's typical tyrannical speech, Zhao Yan felt it was inappropriate, but she couldn't help but blush.
However, Qin Yu seemed to disdain the palace examination at this moment, but in reality, he was only trying to save his life.
Otherwise, if he had set such an exam question, some candidates would have thrown inkstones at his head.
"But Your Majesty..."
After her initial shyness subsided, Zhao Yan couldn't help but try to persuade Qin Yu.
But as soon as she spoke, a large hand reached inside her clothes and began to climb towards her ample bosom.
Although Qin Yu's suspenders were cool and beautiful, they were more for the convenience of this tyrant to do *that*.
Under Qin Yu's skillful touch, Zhao Yan quickly couldn't resist anymore, and naturally, she forgot all about trying to persuade Qin Yu earlier.
...
Soon, with the sound of the evening drum, the triennial palace examination came to an end.
After Song Zhenglian and the others sealed and collected the exam papers, they all sighed.
They had never seen such an outrageous imperial examination since they began their formal education.
Song Zhenglian held the examination paper in his hands and respectfully handed it to Sima Lie.
"Your Excellency, please review the case file!"
As the chief examiner, Sima Lie was responsible for the initial review of the examination papers. He would then seal the papers that he deemed acceptable and submit them to Qin Yu for review. Finally, he would select three candidates for the first rank, as well as the other candidates for the second and third ranks.
However, Sima Lie did not even glance at these exam papers.
"I am busy with state affairs. Since you are the examiner, Lord Song, then you shall review the papers."
With that, Sima Lie turned and left.
In his view, these exam questions were just a competition of who could flatter better, so why should he even bother looking at them?
Song Zhenglian opened his mouth, but ultimately did not call out to Sima Lie.
"Why!"
Looking at the hundreds of answer sheets in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh.
As the other scholars of the Imperial Academy watched Sima Lie leave, they exchanged glances and hurriedly put down their exam papers.
"Scholar Song, I'll leave the task of reviewing the documents to you. We'll take our leave now."
“Indeed, indeed. We are of limited talent and knowledge and cannot judge who is superior. However, Scholar Song is the chief examiner of the provincial examination personally selected by His Majesty, and now he is also the assistant examiner of the palace examination. This matter must be very simple for you.”
"Yes, we are truly lacking in ability. Farewell!"
After they finished speaking, they cupped their hands in a respectful gesture and then fled as if they were escaping.
They weren't stupid; if the absurd questions asked in this imperial examination got out, they would surely be condemned by thousands.
As graders, they will attract criticism no matter which paper they grade as good or bad.
They didn't want to ruin their reputation.
Song Zhenglian, a guy with no connections at the Imperial Academy, was conveniently chosen to take the blame at this time.
Seeing that he was once again left to review papers alone, Song Zhenglian clenched his fists.
In the end, however, he could only sigh helplessly.
"Sigh, does His Majesty really just want to see others flatter him?"
Song Zhenglian sat down and opened the candidates' answer sheets.
Despite his reluctance, he had to complete the preliminary review at this point.
But when he saw the exam paper filled with sycophantic words, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Without the strengths of a hundred schools of thought and the words of sages, what kind of imperial examination is this!
After reading several sycophantic articles, Song Zhenglian felt his patience was wearing thin.
However, when he opened the next answer sheet, a look of surprise finally appeared on his face.
This is also a sycophantic article, but it is completely different from previous sycophantic articles.
The more Song Zhenglian looked, the brighter his eyes became.
Looking at the answer sheet, he felt as if he understood the significance of Qin Yu's questions.
...
Night fell in the Minister's study.
"Your Majesty, I have finished reviewing today's examination papers."
At this moment, Song Zhenglian was kneeling on the ground with a respectful expression.
Qin Yu quickly stepped forward and helped him up.
"Is my dear minister reviewing papers alone again today?"
Song Zhenglian nodded, and then took out the sealed box containing the answer sheets.
"Your Majesty, these are the remaining answers after I have reviewed them today!"
Qin Yu nodded and took the sealed box.
But when he opened it, he found only seven answer sheets in the box.
This surprised Qin Yu.
Could it be that Song Zhenglian really thought he only wanted articles that flattered him, and therefore filtered out all the others?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com