Shen Tangning blinked slowly, met Chi Yan's gaze, and said with a smile, "Isn't this good news?"
The latter stroked his chin thoughtfully, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Ba Liang looked puzzled and scratched his head: "Young Madam, how can this be good news? His Majesty is the examiner!"
Shen Tangning raised her eyebrows slightly: "It's a good thing that His Majesty is supervising the exam. With His Majesty clearing your young master's name, what else would dare to say?"
With the emperor personally supervising the examination, there was naturally no possibility of cheating, and the rumors of cheating at the Chi Yan examination were thus dispelled.
Moreover, even before the palace examination, he has already made an impression on His Majesty. If all goes well, Chi Yan's future path will undoubtedly be much easier. This is an opportunity that many people would rather die for.
Shen Tangning saw it clearly, and Chi Yan probably knew it too. He chuckled softly, resting his hand on his forehead, "It's a blessing in disguise."
However, retaking the imperial examination meant he would have to write another short essay, this time in front of the emperor...
This tests not only ability and endurance, but also mental fortitude. If you don't perform well, losing face is a small matter, but losing your head is a big deal!
It truly proves the saying that misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and a blessing may be a misfortune in disguise.
Ba Liang slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering something, and said in a low voice, barely able to contain his excitement, "Young Master, there's more good news! Young Master Tang is also on the list of those caught cheating. It's certain he'll be stripped of his academic honors, but I wonder if there will be any other punishments..."
"Tang Xu cheated?" A look of surprise flashed in Shen Tangning's eyes, and she subconsciously looked at Chi Yan.
It's no wonder she found it strange. Based on this person's previous actions, he knew how to instigate Ji Wuyai to step forward while he himself remained behind the scenes. He also knew how to conceal his presence, which showed that he was cautious in his actions and quite shrewd.
Would such a person risk their future?
Cheating in the imperial examinations would result in being branded with shame, not only wasting all previous efforts but also being banned from taking the exams for a certain period, with serious offenders facing a lifetime ban.
This was a devastating blow to a scholar.
Meeting her gaze, Chi Yan was quite frank. He glanced to the left and right, and Ba Liang, unusually quick-witted, called for the servants in the room to leave, leaving the two of them alone.
After the others left, Chi Yan nodded: "I made it."
Shen Tangning quickly realized that Chi Yan had probably been planning this matter during the days he disappeared.
But what puzzled her was: "How did you do that?"
This is not something that can be believed by mere words. The Ministry of Rites will definitely conduct a thorough investigation and make a judgment only when there is solid evidence.
Chi Yan chuckled, his expression nonchalant as he narrowed his eyes: "I didn't wrong him, I was just fulfilling my duty as a citizen by reporting him."
Shen Tangning looked at him with bright eyes, clearly very interested. He raised the corners of his lips slightly and led her to sit down on a chair.
She was perhaps too focused to notice anything amiss, and only after she sat down did she hear him say, "Do you know what a door-to-door ceremony is?"
Shen Tangning pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I've heard a little about it."
The so-called "door-to-door greeting" is actually a bad habit in officialdom.
Before taking the imperial examinations, many candidates would first look for high-ranking officials in the capital, and then cast a wide net by writing articles. Once these articles caught the eye of an official, they would have the opportunity to have an interview.
If the two shared similar interests, they would even hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony. A perceptive candidate would then slip some favors to the official. With both genuine talent and connections, passing the imperial examination would be almost a certainty.
Candidates gained powerful backers, and officials developed new influence—a mutually beneficial arrangement. Although this practice was not aboveboard, it was still widely imitated by students.
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