In an instant, the entire hall fell into deathly silence.
The officials, who had been arguing just moments before, were now speechless, as if they had all been choked.
The old ministers' beards trembled, as if they had heard the most absurd statement in the world.
The Sixth Princess... has she gone mad?
What was His Majesty thinking? Of all the people to choose, he had to pick her to speak.
What... what's the point of this picture?
Amidst the shock, Qin Zhaoyue suddenly turned to Pei Xuanyun and cupped her hands in greeting:
"Prime Minister Pei, you are a veteran of two dynasties and are well-versed in historical allusions."
Zhaoyue would like to ask, during the old lunar year, were there any major cases of cheating in the imperial examinations?
Pei Xuanyun's deep gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he slowly uttered two times:
"It happened in the seventh and nineteenth years of the old calendar."
Qin Zhaoyue nodded, her tone becoming increasingly cheerful:
"The seventh year of the old calendar... that's quite a few years ago now."
Who knows if the methods used in that cheating scandal back then are the same as those used today?
"Even with the Xuanji Guards protecting it so heavily, such a blunder still occurred today."
In the seventh year of the lunar calendar, could the guards be so tight that they could ensure absolute safety?
Who can guarantee that no one else used the same method to replace the exam papers back then?
Are we allowing some incompetent fools to fill positions and titles that don't rightfully belong to them?
She paused, then dropped the second bombshell:
"Therefore, I propose—a thorough investigation of the old case!"
Starting from the seventh year of the lunar calendar, all examination papers of those who passed the imperial examinations were re-examined.
Anyone found guilty of any wrongdoing will be stripped of their official rank and title.
Boom! The imperial court was in complete uproar.
This is no longer just nonsense; it threatens to shake the very foundations of the nation!
But that wasn't all. As if she wasn't confused enough, Qin Zhaoyue slowly added:
"Of course, it's not realistic to cancel everything, the imperial court still needs to function."
Then let's try a different approach: all officials with official titles or ranks should be immediately put to an assessment.
The classics, policy essays, and poetry were re-examined.
If you pass the exam, it proves you are indeed talented and learned, and you can continue to serve as an official.
If you failed the exam, it means you were either lucky or there was something wrong with you back then.
His academic achievements were revoked, so he returned home to study diligently again and retake the imperial examinations as a child.
This will become a regular practice, with a re-examination held annually.
Boom! Boom! Boom! The second wave of monstrous energy swept through the imperial court once again!
Even the old ministers who were originally indifferent and didn't care could no longer sit still.
They were all so angry that their beards were bristling and their eyes were wide with fury, their fingers trembling as they pointed at Qin Zhaoyue.
Making these old men take exams on classical texts and policy essays? It's better to just kill them!
Pei Xuanyun's lips twitched almost imperceptibly as his gaze swept over the assembled civil and military officials.
They might be okay with policy essays, but if you put these guys to a test on classical texts... I'm afraid one in ten would fail.
"Sixth Princess, be careful what you say!"
"These are words that will bring chaos and disorder to the court!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you stop the Sixth Princess from making unwarranted comments on state affairs!"
"Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
A torrent of criticism and condemnation poured down on Qin Zhaoyue, instantly making her the target of public criticism.
But Qin Zhaoyue, who was at the center of the storm, had already turned around.
He turned back to face the throne, his eyes slightly lowered, his expression calm and undisturbed.
It was as if those explosive proposals that had just shaken the court and incited public outrage had not come from her own mouth.
She completely ignored the surging hostility and insults.
The expressions of the other princes and princesses nearby were even more fascinating.
The third and fourth princes seemed lost in thought, while the fifth prince appeared visibly anxious, his gaze shifting between the emperor and the officials.
The remaining three children who were listening in stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.
Even though they are still young, they can understand how explosive Sixth Sister's words were.
The imperial court was turned upside down, like a vegetable market.
Amidst the chaos and commotion, the Third Princess Qin Zhaowan sighed, then stepped forward, "Your Majesty!"
The voice was clear and steady, penetrating the main hall and temporarily suppressing the chaotic noise.
"Your subject believes that although what your sixth sister said was too extreme, it is not without reason."
"To throw the baby out with the bathwater is not a good strategy."
The imperial examination system was a crucial national institution, and its credibility could not be compromised.
Now that the notice has been posted, how can we change it every day and break our promise to the students of the world?
Therefore, your son proposes:
First, the rankings should be published immediately according to the original order to reassure the public.
Secondly, the Xuanji Guard is ordered to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the matter of the swapped exam papers.
No matter who is involved, we will investigate thoroughly and punish them severely!
The imperial examination system must not be stopped; the truth must also be revealed.
The Empress's lips curved into a slight smile as she glanced at the third son and then at the sixth son, who looked like it was none of her business.
"As Zhao Wan said, the list will be published as originally ordered, and the Xuanji Guard will conduct a thorough investigation."
"Your Majesty..." Some officials were still unwilling to give up.
"Dismiss the court."
The officials filed out after the court session, each with a solemn expression, whispering in hushed tones.
The once-powerful Prefect of Jingzhao is now surrounded by a cold and lonely crowd.
The Duke of Zheng was all alone, and the nobles avoided him like the plague.
Pei Xuanyun walked slowly behind.
The Director of the Bureau of Civil Affairs, Zhong Shenxiao, and the Director of the Bureau of Ceremonies, Hu Weiqian, followed slightly behind, one on the left and one on the right.
Everyone knows that this prime minister is His Majesty's strongest bulwark.
Otherwise, he would not have been able to remain in the position of Grand Secretary of the Fengge Terrace for fourteen years, as stable as Mount Tai.
The issue of inferior currency has already firmly bound the Bureau of Civil Affairs to His Majesty's war chariot;
This shocking blunder in the imperial examination unexpectedly forced the Bureau of Ceremonial Affairs, which was in charge of the examination, to submit to His Majesty's command.
Hu Weiqian stroked his beard, his voice extremely low, still carrying a hint of lingering fear: "Prime Minister Pei, I was unaware of His Majesty's actions this time..."
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