dhibooks Chapter 554 Palace Exam
Chapter 554 Palace Exam
"lady."
Xiaocui had already bought wine and was waiting outside the restaurant, when she saw Zhao Yimeng coming out of the restaurant, she immediately went up to meet her.
"Where's the wine?"
Zhao Yimeng asked.
"Here." Xiaocui immediately handed over the wine.
Zhao Yimeng touched the medicine bottle in her bosom, with a look of cruelty in her eyes, she nodded and said, "Let's go back!"
Xiaocui glanced at the direction of the restaurant where Zhao Yimeng came out, her eyes were full of indescribable words.
But she didn't dare to ask more about Zhao Yimeng, she lowered her head and followed Zhao Yimeng back.
Zhao Yimeng returned home and sent Xiaocui away.
Although Xiaocui is her personal servant girl, Zhao Yimeng can see that she has complained about him for a long time.
Otherwise, when Sun Dehua beat her, why did she, her personal servant girl, never stop her once?
Zhao Yimeng was worried about Xiaocui, and wanted to sell her for a long time, but she never found the opportunity.
Zhao Yimeng was going to poison her, so naturally she wouldn't let Xiaocui know about it.
The medicine powder dissolved into the wine, and a cruel smile appeared on the corner of Zhao Yimeng's lips.
Sun Dehua humiliated her like this, she wanted him to die!
"Husband, the wine is here."
Zhao Yimeng went in with the wine herself.
"Why so long?"
Sun Dehua and others became a little impatient, and said displeasedly.
"The restaurant is a bit far away, so I wasted a little time on the way."
Zhao Yimeng replied cautiously.
"Okay, put it down and pour me a drink!"
Sun Dehua was in a good mood today, and he didn't bother to argue with Zhao Yimeng, so he ordered directly.
"Yes, my husband!"
Zhao Yi dreamed that Sun Dehua didn't blame her, she was slightly relieved, and immediately poured wine for Sun Dehua.
"Good wine!"
Sun Dehua drank two cups in a row, but felt a little disappointed. He looked at Zhao Yimeng and said, "Dance and see."
A trace of humiliation flashed deep in Zhao Yimeng's eyes, did Sun Dehua completely treat her as an outside prostitute?
But she didn't dare to refuse.
And if dancing for fun can make Sun Dehua drink two more glasses, then she would be happy too!
After a pot of wine was drained, Sun Dehua lay down on the table drunk. Before going to sleep, he was still thinking about how he would become famous and admired in the future.
"Ah!"
Zhao Yimeng picked up the wine jug, seeing that there was not a single drop of wine left in it, the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.
Drink more, you won't be able to drink this kind of wine for long!
……
After resting at home for a few days, soon it was time to take part in the imperial examination.
"Mengxi, are you entering the palace today?"
Chu Zhuang looked at Yunmengxi in the formal uniform he wore when he entered the palace and asked.
"correct."
Yunmengxi went forward to straighten Chu Zhuang's clothes, and explained: "I'm going to the harem to visit the Empress Dowager's grandmother, and inquire about the Buddha statue by the way."
Chu Zhuang nodded slightly, the matter of the Buddha statue really needs to be taken care of.
After the palace examination, if Chu Lianqing found out that Yu Wenchang sheltered Chu Zhuang because of a bet, there was no guarantee that he would not be moved.
If Chu Lianqing can be dismissed from office and leave Dongfeng Mansion directly by using the Buddha statue, it will save Chu Zhuang a lot of effort.
"You don't have to worry about the Buddha statue now, just prepare for the exam. Today is the final hall exam."
Yunmengxi waved his hand in front of Chu Zhuang's eyes, reminding him not to be distracted by Chu Lianqing and the Buddha statue at this juncture.
"Understood, little steward!" Chu Zhuang pinched Yunmengxi's cheek and said with a smile.
The two packed up properly without wasting any time. They came out of the room and headed to the palace together.
The reason why the annual Jinshi is called the disciple of the emperor is because the place of the palace examination is in the imperial palace, and the examiner is the emperor, and the questions are also given by the emperor himself.
Even these fifty test papers were finally reviewed by the emperor himself.
The 50 people who can participate in the palace examination will definitely be officials of the imperial court in the future, and they may even be talents of pillars. Regarding their talents, the emperor needs to personally test them.
The content of the exam is only one question. You enter at dawn and hand in the paper at sunset.
Chuzhuang and Yunmengxi separated at the gate of the palace.
Chu Zhuang queued up to participate in the palace examination. He had to go through a series of checks before being led into the palace, while Yunmengxi could enter directly with his waist card.
"Chu Zhuang is here!"
It was not too late for Chu Zhuang to come, but there were many people who came earlier than him. Seeing him coming, all eyes immediately focused on him.
"The first round and the second round of exams are full marks, what a monster!"
"With him here, let's forget about the position of the No. [-] pick."
"That's not necessarily the case. The imperial examination only tests one theory. If he doesn't perform well, he won't be the No. [-] scholar!"
……
Zhang Yuanbin frowned when he heard the discussions around him, and stepped forward to Chu Zhuang's side.
"Chu Zhuang, don't take these words to heart, they are just envious and jealous of you." Zhang Yuanbin comforted Chu Zhuang.
"Don't worry, I didn't take it to heart."
Chu Zhuang smiled, he had already learned to ignore these rumors.
Moreover, colleagues are enemies, these people are competitors, and it is impossible for him to ask others to hope that he will do well in the exam like Zhang Yuanbin.
Seeing that Chu Zhuang really didn't care about these things, Zhang Yuanbin was slightly relieved. He was worried that what these people said would affect Chu Zhuang's mood and thus affect his performance.
The two chatted briefly, and soon saw a group of eunuchs coming out of the palace gate.
"All candidates line up according to their rankings, ready to enter the palace!"
The eunuch's sharp voice sounded, and the voice of the original discussion immediately quieted down.
Everyone obediently lined up according to their ranks.
Chu Hesheng looked at Chu Zhuang, who was standing at the head of the team, with a complex look in his eyes.
But he quickly picked up his mood.
Now that he has boarded the big boat of Sima Jincheng and the first prince, even if Chu Zhuang wins the first prize, his future prospects may not be better than him!
Especially when Chuzhuang still angered the eldest prince and Sima Jincheng!
The location of the examination is Zhengda Guangming Hall, the main hall of Taihe Palace.
The last time Chu Zhuang participated in the Yuanxi Banquet, he had already been there once, so he was somewhat familiar with the environment here.
Before officially entering the palace, a series of inspections and procedures were performed before entering the arena in sequence.
Chu Zhuang was at the top of the list in the second round of examinations, so he was naturally the first to enter the hall. At the same time, his seat was also at the very front—right below the dragon chair.
In this position, the emperor could see him as soon as he lowered his head.
Behind Chu Zhuang are He Bing and Zhang Yuanbing, who are No.2 and No.3 in the second round of examination respectively.
As for Chu Hesheng, who was able to come to the palace examination at the end of the crane, he was naturally at the end, and he could go out of the palace directly after walking two steps.
Everyone stood in front of their seats and began to wait.
When everyone's legs and feet were a little numb, there was a sound of footsteps at the entrance of the main hall, followed by the eunuch's sharp and high-pitched voice.
"The Emperor is here!"
Yu Wenchang showed up at the entrance of the main hall with a group of people.
"See the emperor!"
Everyone saluted respectfully, and waited until Yu Wenchang walked to the dragon chair and sat down, waving his hands to excuse everyone.
Yu Wenchang sat on the high dragon chair, looked at the gifted scholars below, and his eyes stayed on Chu Zhuang who was at the front for an extra second.
"Your Majesty, it's almost time."
Hong Da looked at the hourglass beside him and reminded Yu Wenchang in a low voice.
This exam is very time-sensitive, Yu Wenchang came a little late today, if it delays the exam, it would be bad.
"Then let's get started!"
Yu Wenchang nodded and ordered.
"Yes!"
Hong Da bowed in response, then turned around, and said loudly to the examinee: "The examinee is seated, ready to start the exam!"
Chu Zhuang settled down in his seat, and the examination paper was handed out to him not long after.
The examination paper was sealed. Chu Zhuang had taken the examination several times, so he was already familiar with it and opened it skillfully.
There is only one question on the test paper, but there are many densely written questions on the stem.
Chu Zhuang extracted the meaning of the title, which mainly focused on the current situation of the Huns in the north and their relationship with our country.
As for the question, how should the Yue Dynasty respond to the fact that the Huns often came to harass and plunder the border of the Yue Dynasty.
Chu Zhuang raised his eyebrows. He had also guessed what the policy of this year's exam would be. It might be an economic issue, a people's livelihood issue, or a national development issue.
But he never expected that this year's exam would be about border wars.
It seems that the situation in the north is not optimistic!
Chu Zhuang frowned slightly, and there was a trace of worry in his eyes.
Yun Tingfeng is a general on the frontier, it is impossible for him to stay in Dongfeng Mansion forever, it seems that after Yun Hong regains his identity, he will return to his battlefield again.
Once Yun Tingfeng leaves, then Yunmengxi...
Chu Zhuang shook his head, temporarily throwing away the distracting thoughts in his mind, now is not the time to think about these things.
Chu Zhuang looked at the question in front of him, and began to examine and analyze it seriously.
The problem of the Huns has always been a serious concern of the Yue Dynasty. Every winter, the Huns always invade and plunder the border of the Yue Dynasty.
Previously, Yun Tingfeng and the others defeated the Xiongnu and drove them back to the depths of the grassland, which brought peace on the border.
But everyone is also very clear that this peace is only short-lived, and it won't be long before the Huns on the grassland will make a comeback.
So how should the Yue Dynasty deal with such an unbeatable but unbearable Huns?
"Against the nomadic steppe people?"
Chu Zhuang's eyes flashed with deep thought, and many countermeasures emerged in his mind.
But whether these countermeasures are in line with the current national conditions of Yuechao, Chu Zhuang still needs to carefully consider.
In the examination room, everyone began to take up their pens to answer the questions. In just one day, they had to write a piece of policy and still need to transcribe it. The time was very tight.
Chu Zhuang was the only one left in the entire examination room, still sitting quietly in his seat, closing his eyes and wondering what he was thinking about.
Yu Wenchang's gaze stayed on Chu Zhuang. If anyone's strategy and theory he was most looking forward to this time, it was Chu Zhuang.
The original exam question was not the current one, it was changed by Yu Wenchang temporarily.
Because he wanted to know Chu Zhuang's views on the Huns.