Chapter 94 The top scholar in the imperial examination, a sorcerer brings disaster to the country…
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Passing through the tall palace walls, three hundred tribute students gathered in a side hall, all huddled together, while Zhang Ting was surrounded in the center of the crowd, chatting with them with a gentle gaze.
A short while later, officials from the Ministry of Rites entered and read out the rules for the palace examination.
"The auspicious time has arrived. Please follow me into the hall, all of you scholars."
After carefully inspecting their attire for any impropriety, the group followed the Ministry of Rites officials toward the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
As the sun rose, its golden rays shone on the stone steps. Everyone held their breath, gazing intently at this path to heaven, their hearts pounding with excitement.
Zhang Ting, as the head of the delegation, walked at the very front, followed closely by more than two hundred outstanding individuals.
Bright, intense golden light shone on Zhang Ting's face, turning her pupils into a lustrous, dark brown. Step by step, she climbed the imposing, heavy steps, her robes fluttering in the wind, her back ramrod straight, like a sharp blade poised to strike.
The main hall was spacious and bright, and the three hundred scholars standing inside looked like tiny ants.
With her eyes lowered, Zhang Ting led the crowd in performing the three bows and nine kowtows to the supreme being of the mortal realm.
"Rise." A dignified voice came from above.
Zhang Ting then slowly rose and stood upright in the hall, followed by the other scholars behind her.
Empress Chengtai sat imposingly on her dragon throne, the tassels of her crown swaying before her eyes, but her gaze was fixed on the newly appointed top scholar below.
She possessed an ethereal beauty and unparalleled grace, unlike any ordinary person.
Yes, she is a perfect match for my son.
She glanced at the other candidates in the hall; their appearances were quite ordinary. She couldn't help but decide to appoint this newly appointed top scholar as the third-ranked scholar later.
Minister of Rites Ning Yuanzhi glanced at Emperor Chengtai, vaguely sensing her pleasant mood, and secretly elevated Zhang Ting's value by an inch. He then loudly proclaimed, "Please, all tribute students, take your seats."
Zhang Ting stared at the jade steps on the ground, and upon hearing this, moved to the head seat.
There was only one question on the test: How to eliminate the threat from the border regions?
Zhang Ting understood immediately; the rebellion in Zhangzhou Prefecture nine years ago was a lingering ailment in the Emperor's heart. Although Senior Sister Lu had gone to provide disaster relief, His Majesty did not feel at ease.
She quickly listed three key points in her mind and concentrated on the structure of her writing.
The hall was silent as the scholars wrote furiously, some even completing most of their work, while Zhang Ting had not yet begun writing.
Many officials focused their attention on her, wondering what she wanted to do.
But soon, Zhang Ting sorted out the situation, calmed himself down, and dipped his brush in ink to copy his thoughts onto the paper one by one.
She was completely absorbed in the grand, lush branches, unaware that a bright yellow figure had appeared beside her at some unknown time.
Emperor Chengtai read it carefully, word by word, nodding as he read, his fondness for it even greater than before.
Admiring gazes couldn't help but fall on Zhang Ting, naturally softening with a touch of tenderness. Her dynasty needed such intelligent, learned, and resourceful officials.
Emperor Chengtai lingered beside Zhang Ting for a while before slowly moving to another place, circling around before leaving the main hall.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites exchanged glances, saying nothing, but they understood each other perfectly.
It seems His Majesty is quite fond of this young scholar.
After finishing the article, Zhang Ting carefully checked it again, and only felt relieved after confirming that there were no errors.
She was confident in her writing, but there were always higher mountains to climb, and she also had to see if she could appeal to His Majesty's likes and dislikes. Even if she couldn't get into the top rank, she was definitely guaranteed to get into the second rank.
Two officials from the Ministry of Rites collected all the essays submitted by the candidates and presented them to the Wenhua Hall.
After the palace examination ended, everyone followed Zhang Ting outside the hall to wait for the results to be announced. Their faces were filled with excitement, for regardless of their ranking, they were now all Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).
...
Inside the Wenhua Hall, eight examiners were engrossed in grading the papers.
Xu Pin was also invited. When she read a certain article, her eyes narrowed. Wasn't this Zhang Ting's handwriting?
This policy essay is indeed well written, but unfortunately the master is a blind scholar who is out of touch with reality.
Xu Pin remained calm and drew an X on the paper.
According to the examination regulations, if there is even one cross on the exam paper, the ranking will drop to the top three.
The next person to read this scroll was the Minister of Works. She was impressed by the exquisite writing and the strong, vigorous characters. Just as she was about to circle the end of the page, she noticed the mark of Xu Xiang's dismissal. She paused for a moment, wondering if this person had offended Minister Xu.
Hiss! No matter what he said in the past, Lord Xu is now the head of all officials and has been promoted by His Majesty. She'd better not offend him.
The Minister of Works drew a triangle at the end of the scroll.
Anyway, they're already in the top three, so one more or one less won't make a difference.
The third reader was the Minister of Revenue. She had been frowning, but when she read this particular paper, her brows relaxed and a smile of appreciation appeared on her lips. However, when she saw the comments from the first two readers at the end, her relaxed brows furrowed again.
She decisively drew a circle on it.
These are the people who have ruined the atmosphere in officialdom!
...
The Minister of War greatly appreciated this article, finding it straightforward, frank, and incisive. The writing was elegant and well-structured, full of sound reasoning. Most remarkable was the author's approach, moving from the simple to the profound, using specific examples to illustrate broader principles; she felt many of the suggestions within were highly valuable.
It should be considered top-grade!
Upon seeing the jumbled symbols behind her, she furrowed her brow and drew a circle on them.
These old parasites don't recognize talent. When the time comes, she'll temporarily transfer this woman to the Ministry of War, and no one will fight over her. How wonderful!
When the exam paper reached Ning Yuanzhi, the Minister of Rites, it had three circles, three triangles, and one cross on it.
The cross was drawn by Xu Pin. Ning Yuanzhi disliked this treacherous minister. She read the article carefully and found it to be as logical and factual as the one in the imperial examination, far surpassing the other candidates. She circled it at the end.
This handwriting is exceptionally elegant and unforgettable. It belongs to the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Having finished reviewing all three hundred exam papers, Ning Yuanzhi was tidying them up in the circled order when she suddenly stopped and silently moved Zhang Ting's exam paper from the end to the tenth one.
Those whom the treacherous minister despises will inevitably become her allies.
As for whether Zhang Ting can rise to the top in one fell swoop, let His Majesty decide!
By noon, three hundred exam papers were neatly arranged in front of Emperor Chengtai.
She was in a good mood and was very patient at the moment.
After reading the first article, he nodded slightly, wrote a few words of commentary, and put it aside.
I read the second piece, which was also quite good. I gave it a brief review and set it aside.
After failing to find a satisfactory article in the third, fourth, and fifth articles, Emperor Chengtai began to grow impatient, frowning as he flipped through them one by one.
Finally, he found familiar content and handwriting in the eleventh chapter. At this time, Emperor Chengtai was still wondering if the second half of the new top scholar's writing was crooked.
She frowned as she read carefully, nodding in agreement from time to time, and subconsciously glanced at the wall to one side, where Zhang Ting's examination paper was hanging.
She exhaled a breath of stale air and exclaimed that this level of insight and understanding was even more brilliant than the essays written for the imperial examinations!
Why did you end up ranking eleventh in the second tier?
Then look at those last few symbols, good heavens! This isn't just relegated to the second tier, it's clearly been banished to the very bottom of the third tier.
Looking at the examiner's signature, it seems that this old dog Xu has a grudge against his wife, the top scholar.
And those who drew triangles, do they think this article is mediocre and unremarkable? Or do they think they can offer profound insights?
She'll have to give these guys a good test at the morning court the next day.
Emperor Chengtai tore off the blindfold, pulled Zhang Ting's exam paper to the front, and was about to stamp the bronze seal that ranked third in the first class when he heard a surprised voice from beside him.
"Huh? It's her."
Emperor Chengtai paused for a moment, then turned his head, raised his eyebrows, and smiled, "Old friend, you also recognize my third-ranked scholar wife?"
Xu Qiu bowed and smiled with narrowed eyes, "How would this servant know these noble ladies who have passed the imperial examinations? I only heard a young palace maid who had just entered the palace praise this person once."
Emperor Chengtai became interested, put down the bronze seal, and asked, "What did that little palace maid say?"
"This humble palace maid is of limited knowledge and has only heard bits and pieces. Please forgive me if there is anything inaccurate."
"Please tell me in detail."
Xu Qiu lowered her eyes and said, "This little palace maid only entered the palace last year. Her family is from Tongzhou Prefecture. They say that Zhang Ting is a local sage. Even before he entered officialdom, he was able to assist the county magistrate in punishing villains and saving thousands of people. He also became a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Zhang Shu. He has a great reputation in Tongzhou Prefecture."
“Zhang Xianshi also gave away summer tea to the common people free of charge. My family, a palace maid, was so grateful for his kindness that we were able to survive the sweltering heat for the past three years.” She smiled slightly. “I also learned from him that Zhang Ting was the top scholar in Tongzhou Prefecture.”
"This servant often hears you call her Little Scholar. To pass the imperial examination twice in a row is truly a testament to her outstanding literary talent. It is indeed the result of Your Majesty's dedicated teaching!"
However, what Xu Qiu didn't mention was that the newly entered palace maid was her own niece.
"So that's how it is."
When she heard the first half, Emperor Chengtai nodded slightly, but when she heard the second half, she paused for a moment and pondered it carefully.
You've already won two prizes in a row?
If he were to become the top scholar again this time, wouldn't that create the legendary achievement of winning the top scholar title in three separate examinations?
To be honest, no emperor in this dynasty has ever had such a remarkable story.
Emperor Chengtai flipped through the first article and compared it with the one in his hand. It was indeed far inferior. If the third-ranked scholar's article far surpassed that of the top scholar, what kind of talk was that?
She turned and picked up the jade seal that read "First Place in First Class" and stamped it on the scroll.
Once the top scorer is decided, determining the second and third place winners becomes much easier.
The matter was settled. The officials from the Ministry of Rites copied down the rankings and handed them over to the officials from the Court of State Ceremonial to announce the names.
After reviewing several more confidential memorials, Emperor Chengtai suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if everything in front of her was swaying. She opened her dry eyes and called out roughly, "Xu Qiu! Xu Qiu!"
Chief Steward Xu Qiu looked closely and quickly helped her up, "Oh! Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"Bring me the Spirit-Clearing Pill refined by Daoist Xi." Emperor Chengtai rested one hand on the imperial desk, his hand thin and bony, with clearly visible veins.
Xu Qiu walked around the long shelf and took out an octagonal sandalwood box from a drawer at the back. She held it in both hands and came to Emperor Chengtai.
She opened the wooden box, carefully took out a white jade bottle, poured out a brown pill, and brought it to Emperor Chengtai's lips, saying, "Your Majesty, the Spirit-Clearing Pill has arrived."
Emperor Chengtai's eyes were cloudy. He opened his mouth, took the pill in his mouth, chewed and swallowed it. It took him a long time to straighten up.
Seeing this, Xu Qiu hurriedly went over to help him, saying worriedly, "Your Majesty, please be careful."
Emperor Chengtai waved his hand, his mind a jumble of thoughts, and suddenly sighed, "So many imperial physicians in the palace can't cure my illness. Only the elixirs refined by Daoist Xi and the others can alleviate my symptoms."
“But these high-ranking officials are still attacking sorcerers for bringing disaster to the country and demanding that I execute Master Xi and his gang…” She suddenly grabbed Xu Qiu’s arm, her eyes wide open, “Don’t you think they’d love for me to die?”
Seeing Emperor Chengtai's furious expression, Xu Qiu was terrified and hurriedly knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm down."
Emperor Chengtai was still lost in his thoughts. "Now that the Crown Princess is under house arrest, who else do they want to support as emperor?" She suddenly stood up, her anger almost materializing, and shouted with outstretched arms: "Second Prince, Third Prince, or Fifth Prince?!" Her voice was like thunder, as if it had the force of an overturning mountain.
The palace maids inside the hall knelt on the ground in fear, trembling.
"No one can remove me from the dragon throne!" Emperor Chengtai's collar was disheveled, his chest heaving violently, and his eyes were filled with madness.
These words, these words, do not sound like something a ruler would say.
Xu Qiu buried her head even deeper, her body trembling violently, her heart filled with dread. Ever since His Majesty took the pills offered by those Taoist priests, his mind seemed to have become confused... but she dared not remind him at all.
After a long while, Emperor Chengtai seemed to calm down. Recalling his words and actions just now, he felt extremely embarrassed and turned around to sit back on the couch.
Suddenly, a cold command came from above the palace maids: "Xu Qiu, execute all the palace maids in the palace today." Her earlier disgrace must not be revealed!
The palace maids were instantly terrified, their faces turning ashen. They could only kowtow repeatedly to the ground, crying out, "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, spare us!" Their bodies trembled like leaves, utterly terrified.
Xu Qiu knelt on the ground, her voice trembling slightly, "Yes." A bone-chilling cold enveloped her entire body; she even felt as if the blood in her body had frozen into ice shards.
Despite having lived together for decades, the king above her still felt like a stranger to her.
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