Chapter 469: Always Protect Your Highness
Prime Minister Shen was called and quickly replied with a smile: "Your Majesty, since I took over as Prime Minister, I have found that the young officials in various departments are very creative, especially the suggestion made by Chuanlu, which has never been used, but is very novel. It just so happens that the topic of this palace examination is how to be a good official and do things for the people, so I think we can use this opportunity to show the world that the top scholar selected by the court is not just good at reciting poems and making couplets, but a good official who truly works for the court and the people."
Prime Minister Shen was promoted from the Ministry of Rites, which had always been in charge of the imperial examination selection for the entire court and was closely watched by the people. Therefore, he was most aware of the public controversy over the imperial examination.
From ancient times to the present, what students seek is nothing more than the word "fairness".
Regardless of how the issue of Qin Ye winning the top spot in the imperial examination is resolved, the fundamentals of the imperial examination should not be affected.
"Prime Minister Shen said it well!" Jin Cheng applauded him. "I agree with you. Whoever is the top scholar should be the top scholar. If the people don't believe it, we should find a way to make them believe it, instead of wronging the talented top scholar. Otherwise, wouldn't it make all the students in the world feel discouraged about the imperial examination?"
Having said this, the emperor also expressed his opinion.
The other ministers wanted to say more, but they held back.
Because today is the day the new emperor ascends the throne, this result is already satisfactory. Otherwise, if the commotion continues, Luo Jingfeng, who is waiting nearby, will not be able to hold back.
"Your Majesty's decision is wise and we are sincerely convinced."
Seeing that the emperor and his ministers were united in their efforts to ensure fairness in the imperial examinations, the students were very happy and knelt down one after another to echo: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Jin Cheng said to Minister Shao: "Continue reading out the rankings."
"Yes." Minister Shao picked up the final ranking and began to read out, "Second place in the second class: Zhao Yin, third place: Cheng Zhidong... The above 120 tribute scholars are granted the status of Jinshi. First place in the third class: Cao Guanghua... 243rd place: Wei Shaoling. The above 243 tribute scholars are granted the status of Tong Jinshi."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The contributors knelt down to express their gratitude, with deep emotion in their hearts.
Especially the last fellow Jinshi, Wei Shaoling.
Jiangnan is the most talented place. There was a top scholar who was picked out of thousands. Unfortunately, he had evil intentions and was caught by the young emperor. Now he is the last among the top three.
Because the palace examination only ranks students and does not eliminate them, Wei Shaoling can at least have the status of a Jinshi. However, such a person with evil intentions would not be able to pass the subsequent imperial examinations even if he passed the palace examination, and he would have no chance of having an official career in his life.
After the palace examination, the staff of the Ministry of Rites were divided into two teams.
One team prepared to announce the emperor's abdication and the new emperor's accession to the throne, and worked with the Hanlin Academy to draft an imperial edict to announce it to the world.
A team was in charge of arranging the students to leave the palace and preparing clothes for Qin Ye to parade. Just when the Ministry of Rites was worried that there was no clothes in his size, Zong Zhao had someone send a set over.
Luo Jingfeng clicked his tongue and said irritably, "This should have been Cheng'er's clothes."
Originally, they wanted to take action after the palace examination, so they had already made Jincheng's top scorer's dress. However, due to the emperor's actions, he ascended the throne ahead of time and had no chance to wear this red dress.
Zong Zhao glanced at him and replied, "This is not Jin Cheng's outfit. I asked someone to change it last night."
Luo Jingfeng didn't understand: "How much did you do last night?"
He is so busy, rescuing the prince and changing Qin Ye's clothes!
Zong Zhao ignored him and walked straight towards Jin Cheng.
The little devil was watching Qin Ye with envy as he changed into the champion's uniform, when Zong Zhao came over and said to him, "You also have a champion's uniform. If you want to wear it, you can go to the bedroom and change into it."
The little devil's eyes lit up instantly: "Really? Really? Dad, can I wear the champion uniform too?"
Although the dragon robe is rarer than the champion's robe, it is the garment he has dreamed of for three years, so he still wants to try it on. It would be best if he could have someone draw it and preserve it forever!
The officials around him hadn't finished retreating yet, and they were all startled when they heard the word "Dad". Seeing this, the little devil quickly covered his mouth and laughed, "Sorry, I'm used to calling you that. I'll slowly change, slowly change."
Although the kid said this, he actually thought in his heart: I am calling in private to avoid you, huh!
Seeing that the little emperor was so sensible, the officials nodded with satisfaction and went back to their busy work.
Zong Zhao came over and led him: "Come on, I'll take you to change clothes."
"Okay!" The little devil was about to follow him, but after a few steps he suddenly thought, "Oh, by the way, His Highness is awake, I have to go see His Highness first!"
You can wear the clothes at any time, but Your Highness must see you right away!
Luo Jingfeng was discussing the placement of the princes and concubines with others. Just as he mentioned the deposed crown prince, he heard the excited voice of a child. When he looked up again, he saw a happy figure running towards the East Palace.
Luo Jingfeng's face turned cold, and he tilted his head and asked, "How should we deal with Chu Heng?"
The official was trembling with fear: "Reply to the Duke, after the new emperor ascends the throne, the crown prince will be automatically deposed and return to the status of the eldest prince. And the princes left by the previous emperor will be made kings according to the rules, and the title of the eldest prince has not yet been decided."
Luo Jingfeng said coldly: "Then think about it carefully for him. It would be best if you could remind him to behave himself and not give him any titles with evil intentions."
"Yes, yes... I think so, I think so."
The East Palace is the prince's bedroom.
Jin Cheng came over like a butterfly. Before she came in, her cheerful voice came in, echoing throughout the bedroom: "Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!!"
The Crown Princess was feeding the Crown Prince medicine when she heard the voice outside and burst into laughter: "The Emperor must have finished the palace examination and can't wait to see Your Highness. He sounds so happy."
"The Emperor has arrived."
"The Emperor has arrived."
The eunuchs' reports came in one after another, but none of them were as fast as the little devil. He ran in howling and saw Chu Heng leaning against the head of the bed at a glance.
The prince had just woken up, wearing a clean white nightgown. His face was still sickly pale, but his eyes were much more energetic than before he fell into a coma. Chu Heng smiled gently and said softly, "Jincheng, long time no see."
Tears suddenly welled up on the little devil's smiling face.
He ran over crying and laughing, holding Chu Heng's hand, and said coquettishly: "Your Highness, I finally waited for you to wake up. You almost scared me to death last year, and I... I thought I was going to lose you. Wuwuwu, Your Highness is the best prince in the world. You can't be killed or bullied by others. I will protect Your Highness forever!"