Meanwhile, at Tianxiang Tower in the capital.
Tianxianglou, along with Shuiyunlou and Chunmanlou, were known as the three beauties of the capital, where beauties gathered and were the most beloved places for literati to seek pleasure.
However, in this bustling Tianxiang Tower, there was a quiet room that was unusually peaceful.
There is no laughter of beautiful women here, nor the noise of stringed instruments.
Inside the room, three people sat facing each other, all looking dejected as they gulped down their drinks.
"Heh, I came to the capital to take the imperial examination with a heart full of enthusiasm, hoping to express my lofty ambitions through the examination essays. But I never expected that the treacherous officials in the court would be so rampant, actually stealing and altering our essays. My enthusiasm has been turned into lavish flattery. It really infuriates me!"
Everyone praises us for being among the top three in the imperial examinations, but who understands our frustration?
"My two brothers, after we finish this drink, I must return to Youzhou. Since the court is so corrupt now, I, Ma Qining, would rather die on the battlefield than be a sycophant."
"Ha, I'll just go back to my hometown and live in seclusion. Let whoever wants to be in the top three, do it!"
As the wine flowed freely, the three men began to speak without restraint.
These three were the top three in this imperial examination.
However, they haven't been happy for even a single day since they got into the top three.
Because after the results were announced, they realized that their top three rankings were not due to their grand ambitions and honest loyalty to His Majesty, but rather to an extremely sycophantic article.
How could they possibly have written such an article?
And how ironic that such an article actually made it into the top three!
Since their article was published, the three of them have become a laughing stock in Shihlin.
Countless people call them the champions of flattery.
Former fellow townsmen and friends have severed ties with them.
Although they kept saying the article wasn't theirs, nobody believed them.
Disappointed, the three spent their days drinking to drown their sorrows and frequenting brothels.
With the imperial examination just around the corner, they are utterly disillusioned with the capital and have made up their minds to abandon the exam and return to their hometowns.
For them, who came to the capital with ideals in their hearts, making this decision was really difficult.
But rather than continue taking the imperial examinations while bearing the title of a sycophantic top scholar, they preferred to return to their hometowns and live in seclusion.
But just then...
"Haha, so this is what the top three in the imperial examination are like? Nothing special."
A burst of laughter rang out, followed by mocking voices.
Hearing the sarcastic voice, the group looked towards the door with displeasure.
At that moment, the door opened, and a young man in white robes was seen waving a folding fan, looking at them with disdain.
"Who are you? Don't disturb our drinking pleasure!"
The three of them glanced at it once and then looked away, speaking calmly.
Looking at the three of them, Qin Yu's lips curled up slightly.
Indeed, this young man in white is Qin Yu.
After getting rid of Sima Lie and his men, Qin Yu took the opportunity to leave the palace.
His purpose in leaving the palace was to meet these three people.
"You've studied hard for ten years, and now you want to give up the exam and go back to your hometown? Do you really think this will make you look like you have great integrity? I don't think so."
Ignoring the fact that the three people were not paying attention to him, Qin Yu walked straight into another room and casually found a seat to sit down.
Upon hearing Qin Yu mention this matter, the three of them snorted coldly.
"Nowadays, treacherous officials are rampant in the court. The articles we wrote with all our passion have been turned into flattering articles. Rather than bearing the title of 'top scholar in flattery,' we might as well give up on the top three."
The three men looked utterly humiliated.
However, Qin Yu burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"why are you laughing?"
The three men's faces turned cold as they glared angrily at Qin Yu.
"I laugh at your naivety, I laugh at your stupidity."
Qin Yu snorted coldly.
For a moment, all three of them glared at him angrily.
"You say that your passionate articles deserve to be in the top three, but let me ask you, if those treacherous officials in the court knew about your articles, what do you think would happen to you? By then, forget about being in the top three, you three would probably have disappeared without a trace."
Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, the three who had just been filled with righteous indignation were momentarily stunned.
Although they were a bit naive, they weren't stupid.
Looking back now, they couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.
Given the explicit nature of their writings, if the prime minister, who controls the court, were to see them, they would likely be reduced to ashes.
"But that sycophantic article..."
Zhang Tingyu stood up, wanting to say that the sycophantic article had a greater impact on them.
But Qin Yu interrupted him first, "A sycophantic article? In my opinion, that's a life-saving charm for you."
After he said that, all three of them fell silent.
Seeing that they remained silent, Qin Yu finally spoke up and asked, "In that case, are you still going to give up the palace examination?"
Upon hearing this, the three of them showed conflicted expressions.
Having studied hard for ten years to get to where they are now, they naturally don't want to give up easily.
"The court is now filled with treacherous officials. Even if we participate in the palace examination, what good will it do? We still won't be able to convey what we want to say or do to His Majesty. In that case, we might as well give up on the palace examination."
March downed the drink in his glass in one gulp, then shook his head with a wry smile.
The other two also sighed at this moment.
Qin Yu'an sat in his seat, looking at the three people with depressed expressions, and slowly spoke.
"In times of crisis, a minister's loyalty is revealed; in times of chaos, a loyal and virtuous person is recognized. One should dedicate oneself to a wise ruler and die for one's country. If you three are truly loyal to the emperor and the country, even if you write flattering articles, you can still convey your ideals and what you want to do to His Majesty. Giving up easily is nothing more than a means of escaping."
After Qin Yu finished speaking, he closed his folding fan and said no more.
"In times of crisis, a minister's loyalty is revealed; in times of chaos, a virtuous and loyal person is recognized!"
The three repeated Qin Yu's words several times, and gradually, a light appeared in their eyes.
"Excellent, excellent poem. May I ask your name, sir?"
The three of them quickly stood up, bowed to Qin Yu, and then respectfully asked.
"Qin Yu!"
Qin Yu replied calmly.
"Oh, Qin Yu, you're this year's examinee... wait, Qin... Qin Yu, ah, you... you are His Majesty!?"
The three of them were wondering if Qin Yu was a fellow examinee this year, but they quickly realized that Qin Yu was the name of the current emperor.
Qin Yu sat calmly in his seat, smiling without saying a word.
Thump!
The three of them quickly knelt down and respectfully bowed to Qin Yu.
"Student Zhang Tingyu (Ma Qi, Zhou Peishen) greets Your Majesty!"
None of the three doubted Qin Yu's identity.
In fact, they already had a vague premonition.
Those who know the truth behind their sycophantic articles and can still utter phrases like "a minister's loyalty is revealed in times of crisis, and a loyal and virtuous person is recognized in times of chaos" are no ordinary people.
They never expected that this person would be the current emperor.
Seeing their respectful kneeling posture, Qin Yu stood up and helped them up.
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