He just couldn't understand why Sima Jing would want to join forces with him to fight against Sima Lie.
"Could it be because of what Sima Jing investigated before?"
Qin Yu secretly began to speculate.
Before he could even ask, Sima Jing took the initiative to tear open his clothes.
Feeling the warm fragrance in his arms, Qin Yu immediately put his doubts aside, then revealed his true identity and began to investigate and kill.
...
Nothing was said that night.
The next day, when Qin Yu woke up, he found that Sima Jing had already left.
"As expected, this vixen is the most fun!"
Looking at the messy dragon bed, Qin Yu couldn't help but reminisce for a moment.
Although the other beauties in his palace were all exceptionally beautiful, none could match the alluring and seductive Sima Jing when it came to skill in bed.
"By the way, what exactly did Sima Jing mean by what she said yesterday?"
Just then, Qin Yu suddenly remembered what Sima Jing had said last night.
"Should we go ask her..."
Qin Yu fell into deep thought.
If he could recruit Sima Jing into his inner circle, he would have many more opportunities to do things in the future.
But after thinking it over, Qin Yu decided to hold back.
Otherwise, if this is a new way for Sima Lie to test him, and he were to act rashly, his situation would be in danger.
"Your Majesty, it is already time for the morning court session. The court officials are waiting for you to begin the session."
Just as Qin Yu was pondering how to test Sima Jing, An Fu's voice came from outside the door.
"Yes, come in and help me get dressed!"
Qin Yu couldn't think of any solutions at the moment, so he could only put the matter out of his mind for the time being.
Not long after, Qin Yu appeared in the imperial court.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
Qin Yu still looked listless, leaning back on the dragon throne and looking impatiently at the officials below.
"Your Majesty, the palace examination has now concluded. I wonder if Your Majesty has finished grading the papers? If so, please give the list to me so that we can prepare for the Qionglin Banquet."
Wang Ziru, the Minister of Rites, was the first to step forward and ask the question.
However, Qin Yu was completely bewildered at this moment.
"Grading? What kind of papers are being graded?"
Seeing the tyrannical emperor in this state, the courtiers below were instantly speechless.
Judging from this, the tyrannical emperor probably hasn't even looked at the answer sheet.
"Your Majesty, yesterday was the palace examination. The Minister of Rites is asking you who the top three scholars were."
At this moment, Anfu, who was standing to the side, spoke up to remind him.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu seemed to suddenly remember.
"Oh, I remember now."
As Qin Yu spoke, she looked at Song Zhenglian.
"Scholar Song, didn't I entrust all the matters to you yesterday? Have you finished your evaluations?"
Seeing that Qin Yu had even delegated the evaluation of the top three to Song Zhenglian, all the officials present shook their heads.
It should be understood that the top three candidates in the imperial examinations have always been the future pillars of the nation, so they must be personally selected by the emperor to ensure that the selected students will be grateful for the emperor's favor.
Now that the top three were chosen by Song Zhenglian, these students will only be grateful to Song Zhenglian for his discerning eye, but will not appreciate Qin Yu's kindness at all.
However, no one stepped forward to advise Qin Yu at this time.
This ruler is so incompetent that if they were to offer advice, they might only anger him.
"Your Majesty, I selected the top three yesterday. I request Your Majesty's decision."
Song Zhenglian stepped forward and took out the exam papers and list that had been prepared in advance.
Anfu took the list from his hand and respectfully handed it to Qin Yu.
"Hmm, let me see."
Qin Yu casually picked up the list and glanced at it.
Sima Lie, who had been calm and collected until now, also perked up.
Although he viewed this palace examination as child's play, it was still an imperial examination.
If all his students can pass the exams, it will undoubtedly greatly benefit his grand plan.
"Zhang Tingyu was the top scholar, Ma Qi was the second-ranked scholar, and Zhou Peishen was the third-ranked scholar!"
Upon hearing Qin Yu pronounce the name, a commotion immediately erupted below.
"It's those three again?!"
"It seems these three men's flattery has improved considerably since the imperial examinations!"
"It's tragic! Throughout the history of the imperial examinations in our Great Xia Dynasty, there has never been a precedent of selecting officials based on flattering essays!"
"These three are incredibly lucky to have such a foolish emperor. Otherwise, with their talents, they probably wouldn't have even passed the provincial examination!"
A group of officials shook their heads and sighed.
Only Sima Lie was overjoyed, his old face beaming with happiness.
Fortunately, he did not give up on winning over Zhang Tingyu and the other two just because they could only write sycophantic articles.
Now these three have all pledged their allegiance to him, and the tyrannical emperor has chosen them as the top three, which suits his wishes perfectly.
But at that moment, a minister suddenly spoke up.
"Your Majesty, I request a re-examination of the papers. These three individuals are utterly incompetent and completely unworthy of being among the top three scholars."
Qin Yu looked at the man and realized that he was Liu Wenlie, the Censor.
Upon realizing the man's identity, Qin Yu was startled.
If he remembered correctly, this man was one of Sima Lie's most loyal lackeys.
Now that Zhang Tingyu and the other two have openly submitted to Sima Lie, shouldn't Sima Lie be happy that he chose these three as the top three scholars? Why would he allow anyone to stop him?
Could it be that Sima Lie saw through his plan?!
At this moment, Sima Lie hurriedly looked at Liu Wenlie, trying to signal him to shut up.
However, when Liu Wenlie saw Sima Lie's eyes, he thought he was encouraging him to continue, and he immediately felt even more energized.
"Your Majesty, I dare to request that you review the case file again!"
Liu Wenlie took two steps forward, looking as if he were ready to die.
Seeing that Sima Lie's eyes were practically murderous, Qin Yu finally realized what was happening.
It seems that Sima Lie has not yet told his subordinates that Zhang Tingyu and the other two have already pledged their allegiance to him.
Knowing this, Qin Yu smiled.
"Very well, since you disagree, then we will not let these three be the top three scholars."
Qin Yu casually said, throwing the list on the ground.
The officials present were all surprised to see that this tyrannical emperor was so easy to talk to today.
A smug look appeared on Liu Wenlie's face.
He has done a great service this time; I wonder how the Prime Minister will reward him.
Seeing that his incompetent teammate was dragging him down, Sima Lie hurriedly stood up.
"Your Majesty, Scholar Song is a man of broad learning and has also served as an examiner for the imperial examinations. His abilities are beyond doubt. This person who has achieved the highest honors should not be changed."
Sima Lie cupped his hands and said.
Upon hearing his words, Liu Wenlie's expression changed.
What is Your Excellency doing?!
None of those three were his students; by doing this, wasn't he giving the opportunity to someone else?
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister..."
Liu Wenlie was about to speak.
However, he was met with Sima Lie's fury.
"Shut up!"
Liu Wenlie was startled by his cold attitude.
He immediately realized that he had meant well but had done something wrong!
Seeing their reactions, Qin Yu's lips curled up slightly.
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