Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 110 Blame Him for His Outspokenness
The next day, there was a crowd of people outside the Imperial Examination Hall, and the road was blocked by carriages from all families.

Gu Yankai brought Xiao Qinshi and his third son Gu Tingwei to send Gu Tingye into the examination room.

Xiao Qin's brows relaxed, and she said softly, "Erlang, when you enter the examination room later, you must do your best."

"These past few days, our entire family has been bathing and fasting together, burning incense and praying for you."

Seeing Gu Tingye standing with his eyes downcast, he turned a deaf ear to Xiao Qin's words.

Gu Yankai frowned and reminded: "Why are you daydreaming? Your mother is talking to you!"

"I heard it, son. Thank you, mother." Gu Tingye bowed to her, his tone more distant than ever before.

The smile on Xiao Qin's face froze, and she turned to look at Gu Yankai, "Erlang must be thinking about the imperial examination, so he got distracted."

"My Lord, why are you so harsh? Our Erlang has always been the most resourceful and will definitely pass this time."

Gu Yankai took a step forward and slapped him hard on the shoulder.

"Erlang, do your best in the exam. The hope of this generation of our family rests on you."

"Son, I understand." Gu Tingye bowed, feeling mixed emotions.

From the Sheng family, everyone except the old lady came to see them off.

Lin Qinshuang changed her previous brothel-style dress, and all the flamboyance and charm between her eyebrows and eyes were restrained.

In order to save face for Changfeng and Molan, she deliberately acted dignified and serious.

"Read the questions carefully, don't be impatient, and make sure you save your mother's face."

Lin Qinshuang gave gentle instructions, completely different from the way she was at Linqi Pavilion.

"I heard that the Duke of Qi's Mansion has booked the largest inn on this road."

"Look at this scene, if you don't know, you would think it's a wedding." Rulan smiled and stood on tiptoe to look around.

Molan's eyes were fixed on the Qi family's team, and she echoed, "Now, the emperor and the queen love Princess Pingning the most, apart from His Highness and the princess. Naturally, they have to put on a grand display."

Rulan snorted softly and curled her lips, saying, "Fourth sister is very clear about this. It seems that it is better to have a wife as a mother."

Molan hoped that her brother could pass the high school entrance examination, so she did not argue with her. She just straightened her sleeves calmly.

Duke Qi, Princess Pingning, and Qi Heng rode in the same carriage today.

Qi Heng was wearing a moon-white brocade robe and sitting upright inside the carriage, his fingers resting lightly on his knees, occasionally lifting the curtain to look outside.

Princess Pingning looked at her son. Seeing how handsome and elegant he was, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes.

Duke Qi stroked his beard and said nothing along the way, but he had high hopes for Qi Heng in his heart.

"Now, countless eyes in Bianjing City are waiting to see whether the only son of our Qi family will rely on his ancestors' influence or rely on his real talent and knowledge to enter the court as an official."

"Yuan Ruo, your mother has been disciplining you strictly these years, just waiting for this day, so that those who gossip about you can see what a true noble family is like."

Qi Heng lowered his head slightly upon hearing this and replied, "Mother has high hopes for me, so I will do my best to fulfill them."

Princess Pingning nodded with satisfaction.

Just as the carriage was about to arrive at the Imperial Examination Hall, Qi Heng, who had been preparing for a long time, suddenly said, "Mother, after the Spring Examination is over, shouldn't it be time for me to discuss my marriage?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Princess Pingning paused in waving her round fan, and her tone became teasing and tentative.

"My son... do you already have a girl in mind?"

Qi Heng's cheeks flushed slightly. "My son was just thinking that if he could pass the imperial examination this time, it would be time for him to consider his lifelong affairs."

"I mean, I hope you can get married and start a family soon, so your mother and I can enjoy the days of having grandchildren."

The Duke of Qi spoke with a smile. He was well-known in Bian Jing for his gentle and modest character and was the easiest to deal with.

Therefore, over the years, all matters big and small in the Duke of Qi's Mansion were decided by Princess Pingning, and no one dared to contradict her.

Princess Pingning's eyes flickered slightly as she continued to probe, "What kind of girl do you think is worthy of our family?"

Qi Heng's breathing quickened, thinking his chance had come.

He straightened his back and said solemnly, "To be honest with you, mother, I think the girl from the Sheng family is very suitable."

"Oh?" Princess Pingning raised her eyebrows slightly.

After a moment's silence, she nodded and said, "The eldest daughter of the Sheng family is now the Crown Princess. I remember there is a fifth daughter named Rulan, who is also a legitimate daughter. After you pass the imperial examination, you can consider her."

"Mother..." Qi Heng's heart tightened.

When Princess Pingning saw this, her face suddenly darkened.

"What? Not the Fifth Miss? Could it be that you're after his concubine's daughter?"

"Mother, although she is not born of a legitimate wife, she is very gentle and intelligent, well-educated, proficient in poetry and songs, and in managing the household."

"My son has been in the same class with her for three years. He would never have made a mistake in choosing her." Qi Heng's eyes flashed with eagerness, and he almost wanted to beg.

Princess Pingning remained silent, and the atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became tense.

Duke Qi coughed lightly and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Since she's a concubine's daughter, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take her as your concubine after Yuan Ruo passes the imperial examination."

"No, she can never be my concubine!"

"Mother, this is my only wish. If you agree, I will try my best to pass the exam and bring honor to the Qi family." Qi Heng looked stubbornly at Princess Pingning.

Princess Pingning held a round fan in her hand, her pupils shrank slightly, and a surge of anger rose in her heart.

Just at this moment, the carriage stopped steadily outside the Imperial Examination Hall, and many candidates had lined up and were being inspected one by one.

She curled her lips and said, "Okay, when you're on the list, I'll go with you to the Sheng family to take a look."

"Thank you, Mother!" Qi Heng felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, his eyes shining with delight. He bowed respectfully, lifted the curtain, and stepped down from the carriage.

After accepting the blessings of their sisters, the brothers Changbai and Changfeng walked towards the Imperial Examination Hall at Sheng Hong's urging.

Wang Ruofu looked at Changbai's back and silently prayed to God that Bai'er would be admitted to high school!
Only after Qi Heng's figure completely disappeared from the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall did Princess Pingning and Duke Qi set out on their return journey.

"Do you really agree to let Yuan Ruo marry the concubine of the Sheng family?" Duke Qi couldn't help asking.

Princess Pingning's face was grim, and she gritted her teeth as she said, "Not to mention the Qi family, even in my mother's family, the Xiangyang Marquisate, there has never been a precedent of a concubine's daughter marrying into the family as the principal wife."

"He doesn't mind being ashamed, but we still have our dignity to save!"

"What kind of despicable tricks won't those illegitimate girls use to climb up the social ladder?"

"Yuan Ruo has always been polite and sensible, he must have been bewitched by that vixen!"

"She can't even be a concubine of the Duke's Mansion. This little concubine is really ambitious!"

Duke Qi nodded awkwardly, feeling curious whether the girl from the Sheng family was so beautiful that Qi Heng was so fascinated by her.

At the same time, he was secretly thinking that his Qi family had been declining in recent years, and now there were only four or five people serving as officials in the court.

If Qi Heng cannot find a capable Yue family, he will probably have difficulty making progress in his official career.

-

Three days later, the Spring Examination ended, and all the candidates came out of the Imperial Examination Hall with dark circles under their eyes and exhausted.

Qi Heng straightened his chest, his eyes filled with joy, and got into the carriage with full confidence.

As soon as Sheng Changbai walked out of the door, the servant Hanniu immediately took the examination basket from his hands and said softly, "Second brother, you have worked hard. Our eldest lady has been burning incense and praying for blessings every day these days, worshipping the three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism together!"

"Mother, you're so mean! If burning incense and praying could bring you fame and fortune, then why would students in this world have to study so hard for ten years?"

Having said that, a warm feeling still welled up in his heart. He raised his hand to rub his sore temples, then got on the carriage back home.

After all the candidates had left, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall was closed as usual.

The chief examiner, Hai Ning, sat upright on the imperial chair, looking at the examiners in the hall. He said solemnly, "The imperial court's selection of scholars is related to the fate of the country. I hope that you will examine the papers impartially and live up to the emperor's grace."

"Except for the time when the gate opens at 1:00 AM each day to receive supplies, no one is allowed to enter or leave. Violators will be charged with fraud!"

"Your subordinates will remember Lord Hai's teachings." The examiners bowed in response.

Half a month passed, and it was the day before the results were announced.

In Wenhua Hall, Zhao Zhen's face looked unhappy.

As he looked at the list of successful candidates presented by Haining, he couldn't help but think of what the censor had said, and he became more and more angry.

At this time, Zhao Han, dressed in a scarlet formal dress, stepped into the hall and saluted respectfully, "Father, please call me."

After seeing Zhao Han, Zhao Zhen's expression eased slightly.

"You're here quickly. Take a look at this list of candidates for this year's exam."

After Zhao Han responded, he took the roster and looked at it carefully. After a moment, he saw the three words "Sheng Changbai" listed at the thirteenth place.

Looking down, Gu Tingye's name was quietly listed at number 26.

"Father, is there anything wrong with this?" Zhao Han asked, looking up.

"Just now, the Imperial Censor made a memorial and specifically mentioned Gu Tingye. He actually openly spoke up for Yang Wuduan!"

Yang Wuduan was a famous talent in Jiangnan. He was extremely talented and should have been a pillar of the imperial court.

However, this person behaved in a dissolute manner, indulged in red-light districts and prostitutes, and failed in the exams many times.

After failing the imperial examination once, he got drunk in a brothel and started talking nonsense, saying that passing the imperial examination was not as good as living in a brothel.

Zhao Zhen hated scholars who did not strive for progress the most, and he became furious when he heard this.

He immediately issued an edict that he could only continue taking the imperial examinations after he was over fifty years old.

At the age of fifty, not to mention whether I still have the spirit, it is difficult for me to even keep up the energy.

This decree undoubtedly completely ended Yang Wuduan's official career, and he became the most despised person among the literati.

Zhao Han frowned and said with a cupped hand, "Father, Gu Tingye..."

"You don't need to plead for him. Such a disrespectful person doesn't deserve to be on the list!"

"Since he sympathizes with Yang Wuduan so much, I will grant his wish!"

"I just praised him as a prodigal son in front of all the civil and military officials. Isn't this just a slap in my face?"

"I have already sent someone to the Gu family to read out the decree!"

Seeing Zhao Zhen so angry, Zhao Han had no choice but to obey orders. After all, Gu Tingye's talent in military strategy was far better than his literary talent.

Find an opportunity in the future and recommend him to join the army.

After Zhao Han left, Zhang Maoze held up a cup of hot tea and whispered, "Your Majesty, I see that Your Highness particularly values ​​the Second Son of the Gu family. Isn't this punishment a bit too harsh?"

"I'm afraid this matter has spread widely in the Censorate. Gu Tingye and Han'er have always been good friends."

"If I don't deal with it, everyone in the government and the country will think I condone such outrageous remarks, which will be detrimental to Han'er."

"I can only blame the Gu family for being so outspoken. He simply gave those with ulterior motives an opportunity to take advantage of him."

After saying that, Zhao Zhen let out a long breath and then turned his gaze to Sheng Changbai's name.

"This child from the Sheng family is really capable and has passed the imperial examination on his first try."

(End of this chapter)