My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"well!"

On the dragon throne, Xiao Jinxuan smiled and said, "This round really does have a bit of a test of both literary and martial skills."

As he spoke, Xiao Jinxuan's gaze swept over the six people, finally settling on Jiang Xiaobai.

"Hehe, Jiang Xiaobai truly lives up to his reputation as the top scholar in this year's civil service exam. He managed to exchange such a small item for provisions for the fire station. What a clever and ingenious idea!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai immediately cupped his hands in thanks: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your praise!"

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, Tang Ningshuang's voice followed, saying, "In this round, we have lost."

After these words were spoken, the entire court fell silent once again.

A martial arts champion, admitting defeat in public.

This magnanimity earned the secret approval of many.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Tang Ningshuang and smiled slightly: "Miss Tang, you don't need to take it to heart."

"You didn't lose in a shameful way. After all... losing to someone as talented as me is quite reasonable."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai burst into laughter in the main hall.

Tang Ningshuang stood there, her jade-like hands clenched tightly, her chest rising and falling slightly.

This guy is so smug, she immediately stopped looking at Jiang Xiaobai.

Yes, she was afraid that if she watched any longer, she would be unable to resist drawing her sword.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Jinxuan's smile deepened, perhaps because he was in a great mood.

Today's civil and military skills test is much more interesting than in previous years.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jinxuan raised his hand and slowly said, "Alright, the civil and military tests end here."

As he spoke, Xiao Jinxuan's gaze first fell on Guo Zhan: "Guo Zhan!"

"Students are here!"

Upon hearing this, Guo Zhan immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"You are the second-highest scorer in this imperial examination. Your writing is steady and your policy arguments are mature."

Xiao Jinxuan said calmly, "He is hereby appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy."

Guo Zhan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly kowtowed, saying, "This student thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"

"Zhong Yu".

"Students are here!"

Zhong Yu immediately stepped forward as well.

"Although your sharpness has increased, your talent remains undiminished."

Xiao Jinxuan looked at Zhong Yu and said, "Let him be appointed as a Hanlin Academy Compiler. He should work on tempering his temper in the future."

Zhong Yu's expression became slightly unnatural, and he immediately cupped his hands and said, "This student will remember Your Majesty's teachings!"

"Well, as for Jiang Xiaobai..."

Xiao Jinxuan nodded, then his gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai.

"Your subject is here."

Jiang Xiaobai responded respectfully.

"You are now temporarily in charge of investigating cases related to the imperial examinations."

Xiao Jinxuan said slowly, "As for the position of Hanlin scholar, let's decide after this case is investigated."

"I obey your decree."

Jiang Xiaobai bowed his head and agreed.

He didn't have any objections to this.

Anyway, the most important thing right now isn't getting into the Hanlin Academy.

Instead, they investigated the Ministry of Rites.

Perhaps... he can uncover more clues he wants from the Ministry of Rites!

Let's see who's behind these two!

or……

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai gave Xiao Jinxuan a deep look!

"Tang Ningshuang, Qin Zhaoye, Lu Chenshan."

Xiao Jinxuan did not notice Jiang Xiaobai's gaze, and turned his attention to the three martial arts candidates.

Upon hearing this, the three of them stepped forward at the same time.

Xiao Jinxuan looked at the three of them, his voice becoming more gentle: "The three of you were able to enter the top three in the martial arts examination, which shows your bravery and martial prowess."

"According to custom, the top three in the martial arts examination can enter the Imperial Guard or the Zhenying Division for training."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chenshan's eyes lit up.

Whether it's the Imperial Guard or the Shadow Guard, those are both good places to go.

The Imperial Guards, responsible for protecting the Imperial City, are directly under the Emperor's command!

The Zhenying Division, on the other hand, is mainly responsible for patrolling and arresting criminals, and is full of experts.

Either way, they are all excellent places to gain experience.

But at that moment, Tang Ningshuang suddenly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Oh?"

Xiao Jinxuan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Speak."

Tang Ningshuang cupped her hands and said, "This humble woman does not wish to join the Imperial Guard or the Zhenying Division."

Ok?

Upon hearing this, many people in the court were taken aback.

Tang Kui's expression also changed slightly.

This girl!

They've arrived!

Xiao Jinxuan wasn't angry; he simply looked at Tang Ningshuang and asked, "Where do you want to go?"

"This humble woman wishes to join the army directly."

Tang Ningshuang raised her head, her voice clear, cold, and firm: "The real military."

"Instead of staying within the imperial city, we will go to the border, to the battlefield, to where we can kill the enemy."

After these words were spoken, the hall fell silent once more.

Women joined the army, but they didn't want to join the Imperial Guard; they only wanted to go to the border to kill the enemy.

That's quite audacious.

Tang Kui opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, I held back.

Yes, he knew his daughter too well. Since Tang Ningshuang dared to speak in the hall today, she must have already thought it through.

Xiao Jinxuan looked at Tang Ningshuang, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Do you know that the border troops are different?"

"Whether it's the Imperial Guards or the Zhenying Division, although their work is tough, they're ultimately based in the capital!"

"But the borderlands are harsh and cold, and war is merciless. If you go there, no one will protect you because you are General Tang's daughter."

"This subject understands."

Tang Ningshuang's expression remained unchanged: "That's precisely why I wish to go."

Xiao Jinxuan remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I will consider this matter."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Tang Ningshuang cupped her hands in greeting.

At that moment, Qin Zhaoye, who had been silent all along, suddenly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I also have a request."

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Jinxuan looked at Qin Zhaoye and said calmly, "You also have somewhere you want to go?"

"yes!"

Qin Zhaoye cupped his hands and said, "This humble subject is willing to go to the northern border to join the army, and with my spear, guard the border for the Great Hua!"

The North?

Upon hearing these two words, many people in the court changed their expressions.

Jiang Xiaobai, who was watching the commotion, raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this and slowly turned his gaze to Qin Zhaoye.

This guy...

The implication is quite obvious.

Tang Ningshuang said she was going to the border, but she hadn't specified where.

But the moment Qin Zhaoye opened his mouth, he mentioned the Northern Territory.

You have to understand what the Northern Border is like; it's a place that the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion has been managing for many years.

It was also the place where his father, Jiang Jingcheng, held military power.

Now that Jiang Xiaobai has just married into the Prime Minister's family, he has been nominally removed from the line of succession to the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion.

In the blink of an eye, this second-ranked martial artist requested to join the army in the northern border.

The timing is just too coincidental.

Jiang Xiaobai narrowed his eyes.

Qin Zhaoye kept his head down, his expression revealing little emotion.

Xiao Jinxuan looked at him but did not speak immediately.

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became subtle.

After a moment, Xiao Jinxuan slowly said, "Qin Zhaoye, why do you insist on going to the Northern Border?"

"Return to Your Majesty."

Qin Zhaoye said in a deep voice, "The northern border is the most war-torn and the most grueling place. I have practiced martial arts since childhood and studied under a renowned master, so I am unwilling to waste my time in the capital!"

"Right now, I only wish to go to the most dangerous place, to make military achievements, and to kill the enemy."

That's a well-said statement.

It's so beautiful that it's hard to find any major flaws.

But Jiang Xiaobai just chuckled softly as he listened.

For him, the more beautiful the words, the more careful he should be when listening to them.

Because some people's knives are often hidden in their pretty words.

Xiao Jinxuan's eyes flickered slightly, and then he looked at Lu Chenshan.

"And you?"

Lu Chenshan was taken aback for a moment, then scratched his head and said honestly, "Your Majesty, this humble subject does not have that many thoughts."

"Wherever Your Majesty commands me, I will go, as long as I can have enough to eat."

Upon hearing this, many military officers laughed.

This is a rough but true statement.

"He's an honest person, after all."

Xiao Jinxuan couldn't help but smile, his gaze sweeping over the three of them again before he slowly said, "Tang Ningshuang wants to join the border army, Qin Zhaoye wants to go to the northern border, and Lu Chenshan will follow orders."

"Very well, I've noted this down. However, the conferment of military titles is no child's play."

"Alright, let me consider this and then make a decision."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The three of them bowed simultaneously.

Jiang Xiaobai stood to the side, watching Qin Zhaoye's retreating figure, a faint hint of contemplation appearing in his eyes.

It seems the waters of the imperial court run much deeper than he imagined…