The First Marquis of Leisure

Today is the day of the national competition in Yan State, and talented people from all over the world are already prepared.

The capital of Yan was overcrowded, especially around the Golden Terrace, where many talented scholars gathered!

Seeing the glittering gold on the Golden Platform, many talented men couldn't contain their joy, hoping to pass the imperial examination and then acquire beautiful women and power!

The examination was held in a venue prepared in advance by the Ministry of Rites, which was large enough to accommodate 10,000 people!

The building was very impressive, with each candidate having their own small room.

The State of Yan has always placed great importance on talent, and every candidate who participates in the major examination is considered a talent regardless of whether they achieve a ranking.

Ultimately, the Yan Kingdom would provide a travel allowance and encourage participants to return the following year!

The chief examiner this time is none other than the famous Li Chentian!

All participants entered by presenting a unique seal issued by the Ministry of Revenue.

There are no age or gender restrictions; anyone can participate.

Early in the morning, Bai Xinghe called Qian Yuan, and the two of them headed to the examination hall together.

Qian Yuan knew he was only there to make up the numbers, so he wasn't interested in the competition.

Bai Xinghe was well aware that this major exam was related to his fate.

It's even more important than the college entrance exam in my previous life!

Fortunately, he had done his homework well in advance, and was confident of victory!

When all the candidates arrived one after another, the surrounding area was suddenly placed under martial law.

Groups of armored soldiers quickly surrounded the crowd and dispersed the onlookers.

Then a carriage slowly appeared, and a middle-aged man stepped out of it.

The middle-aged man possessed an extraordinary demeanor, walked with a steady gait, and exuded the authority of a superior in every gesture.

"It's Lord Qiu!"

"I didn't expect that Lord Qiu would personally show up for the competition this time."

The visitor was none other than Qiu Qingtian, the current prime minister of Yan, and a down-on-his-luck scholar from Zhou.

After arriving in the State of Yan, he became the top scholar in the imperial examination by virtue of his talent and learning, and ascended the Golden Terrace to reach the ears of the emperor.

He became the highly sought-after prime minister of the Yan state and gained the deep trust of the current Yan emperor, leading the reforms and changes.

Therefore, Qiu Qingtian was highly respected in the Yan Kingdom, and many people cheered him on as soon as he appeared.

After getting off the carriage, Qiu Qingtian went straight to the examination hall.

Chief Examiner Li Chentian, along with many students from the Doctoral Academy, were already waiting, and all the major officials from the six ministries were also present!

Then Qiu Qingtian addressed the thousands of talented scholars, saying loudly, "Gentlemen, I hereby congratulate you all in advance on your ability to ascend the Golden Terrace, to display your lifelong learning, and to revitalize our Great Yan!"

The crowd cheered, and then Li Chentian slowly stepped forward.

As a role model for scholars in the Yan Kingdom, Li Chentian also enjoyed high prestige.

Bai Xinghe and Qian Yuan mingled in the dense crowd. He immediately spotted Yuan Benchu, the Yuan Yao brothers, and many other scions of prominent families who had also come.

In order to avoid attracting the attention of other students in the Doctor's Academy, Bai Xinghe had no choice but to temporarily go his own way with Qian Yuan.

Now everyone knows that Qian Yuan is Li Chentian's last disciple, and he is receiving a lot of attention.

As expected, many people came to offer their congratulations, and quite a few of them spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

The Yuan brothers also came over, looking at Qian Yuan with extreme displeasure.

"I'd like to see whether Dr. Li has a discerning eye or is simply blind with age."

"None of your business," Qian Yuan replied firmly.

Then, the seventh prince was carried over by several servants.

When they saw the Seventh Prince arrive, many people ran over to greet him.

Several days earlier, the Seventh Prince had informed many young men from noble families at a banquet of the reasons for his participation in the competition.

"The Seventh Prince is a man of strong character. He even came to participate in the competition for the sake of a princess from the Yan Kingdom who is to be married off to another state. How admirable!"

"The Seventh Prince is exceptionally talented, and he has a very high chance of becoming the top scholar in this competition."

Many people were discussing it, and at this moment, the chief examiners Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian also walked over together.

The two first bowed to the seventh prince, and then specially arranged a room for him.

Unexpectedly, the Seventh Prince refused on the spot, saying, "Dr. Li, Lord Qiu, the reason why our Great Yan has achieved what it has today is mainly due to its thirst for talent, its willingness to accept all kinds of candidates, and its commitment to fair competition. Although I am a prince, I am just an ordinary examinee today. Please do not make special arrangements for me!"

These words immediately earned him the admiration of many!

Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian exchanged a glance and ultimately agreed to the Seventh Prince's request.

Then each candidate went to their assigned location according to their number.

Bai Xinghe followed the number and arrived at his assigned spot.

He then discovered that the person sitting next to him was none other than Yuan Benchu!

Enemies meeting are bound to be filled with hatred.

Yuan Benchu ​​was also somewhat surprised, but he quickly revealed his contempt.

"Kid, you think you can pass the competition? That's wishful thinking."

Bai Xinghe, too lazy to attend the routine meeting, sarcastically remarked, "Whether it's wishful thinking or not, we'll find out when the results are released."

"Heh." Yuan Benchu ​​scoffed, "It seems that Qian Yuan arranged for you to enter the examination hall and participate in the competition."

"If you achieve the highest rank in the imperial examination, I, Yuan Benchu, will kneel before you in public!"

"Is that so?" Bai Xinghe laughed loudly, saying, "Your Yuan family has held high office for four generations, yet you're all just a bunch of untrustworthy people!"

"What did you say!" Yuan Benchu ​​roared in anger.

"I would say that your Yuan family are nothing but untrustworthy and despicable people!" Bai Xinghe replied.

Yuan Benchu ​​was furious, but the examination rules were strict, so he didn't dare to be too presumptuous.

"Listen up, everyone!"

Yuan Benchu ​​stood up and shouted to the surrounding examinees, "I am Yuan Benchu. Today I make a bet with this man: if he can become the top scholar in this competition, I, Yuan, will kneel down in public!"

"If this person fails to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examination, he shall commit suicide on the spot. All of you are here to bear witness!"

Many test takers stood up to watch the spectacle and began to discuss it.

Yuan Benchu ​​was very famous, and with the influence of the Yuan family, he was a favorite to win the championship in this competition.

Bai Xinghe was unknown and few people knew him. Those who did know him thought he was just getting ahead because of Qian Yuan's connections.

"I, Bai Zhen, accept this offer. All of you are my witnesses!"

Without a second thought, Bai Xinghe smiled and agreed.

"Ha, is this guy insane? What kind of strength does he have to dare make such a bet with the eldest son of the Yuan family!"

"I heard it's because he has a good relationship with Young Master Qian Yuan that he's so arrogant."

Bai Xinghe ignored the jeers of the crowd. He looked up at the sky, saw that it was almost time, and went to his designated spot.

Yuan Benchu, with his hands behind his back, showed off to the many candidates for a while before returning to his seat.

Soon, accompanied by the sound of gongs, the exam officially began.

To prevent cheating, every candidate was searched upon entering, and the Imperial Guards conducted unannounced patrols during the official start of the exam.

Anyone found cheating will be immediately expelled, severely punished, and banned from entering the Yan state for life.