Chapter Seven, The Capital (Part One)

As for the prince, who was known for his taciturn demeanor and inscrutable heart, she lost all fondness for him from that moment on

With guns in hand and riding horses, blood stains the mountains and rivers of five nations. Yielding to one family for the sake of the world, in a lifetime, never fearing others. In the blink of an eye, how many lives have been taken!

Meng Tinghui remained expressionless and simply nodded, "Let's go"

I really couldn't tell.

Shen Zhishu walked over and said, "I heard that His Highness was angry today, causing great unrest among the people in the command office."

Yan Fuzhi was pulled out of the crowd in a stumbling manner. Seeing her displeased expression, he couldn't help but say: "Meng Tinghui, are you not feeling well? The top scholar from the provincial examination on Chao'an North Road! Aren't you happy?"

He seemed not to have heard, merely raising an eyebrow and handing over the paper in his hand

Everyone fell silent, exchanging glances, and a layer of cold sweat began to creep up the back of their necks

Dong Yicheng suddenly seemed to recall something, paused in his steps, and casually pointed to a person: "You all have made me so confused! Go, invite Lord Shen to a side hall and tell him that the Crown Prince has something to discuss with him"

"Lord Dong," the person said with grievance, "this matter cannot be blamed solely on me. At that time, I was also thinking that nothing would happen in the northern borders, in order to conserve some resources for the people..."

Is Your Highness perhaps overthinking this? Shen Zhishu also stood up, saying, "She is merely a girl of seventeen or eighteen, inexperienced in the world, and surely writes whatever comes to her mind without much consideration. How could she possibly manage so many details? If this person truly is a rare talent, then her removal from the Jinshi examination would be a significant loss for the court"

After being expelled, she was once again favored. This matter has always been a secret of the Lock Academy, and even she might not know the details. If no one had deliberately leaked it, how could others have known so quickly?

Suddenly, a faint voice was heard from the front: "Here she comes, it's her..."

He remained silent for a while, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. "I wonder whether she wrote this essay to express the feelings of the people or to enhance her own reputation... If it is the former, she must be a proud and unyielding person, and she will undoubtedly face hardships in the court; I fear she may be ruined before she even has a chance to shine. If it is the latter, then she lacks subtlety; there are many in the world who seek fame and success, and relying on such means will not help one climb high and stand firm."

The uproar was not her original intention

Dong Yicheng walked out in a cold sweat, his steps small and quick. Upon seeing the officials kneeling in the courtyard, his face instantly turned as black as coal. "What are you all still kneeling for? A bunch of useless people!"

He raised his hand slightly, pressing down hard on the paper, his brows furrowed in silence

She yearned to see him, and thus aspired to stand out among others; it was for this reason that she boldly violated the rules during the highly publicized provincial examination for the Jinshi degree.

Seeing Dong Yicheng still filled with anger, those around him did not dare to ask further. It was only after he left the courtyard that someone quietly sighed, "Who has Chaoyang offended this time? What kind of people are coming..."

Shen Zhishu smiled and said: "So, does Your Highness have the intention to protect this person?"

She never expected to be removed from her position by Master Shen, nor did she anticipate being appointed by the Crown Prince as the top scholar of Chao'an North Road

The chief magistrate, kneeling at the front, quickly got up, enduring the soreness and numbness in his knees as he followed behind him, and quietly asked, "Lord Dong, how is the Crown Prince?"

The young man leaned against the low couch, his head bowed and his profile turned to the side, his expression stern. In his hand, he held a piece of paper filled with writing, which hung down beside him

After a while, Dong Yicheng finally lowered his voice and said: "The decisiveness in killing and the clarity of judgment are indeed not inferior to that of King Ping in his prime by even a fraction!"

I am not anxious myself; I am anxious for you!

Is there still anything to discern about this matter? I heard from someone inside that it was originally excluded from the list, but coincidentally, the Crown Prince went to the examination hall to pay respects to Master Shen and happened to see this examination paper, which is how it came to light

In the state examination, she acted with ulterior motives

Which one

He remained silent, closed his eyes briefly, and then sat up.

Shen Zhishu was taken aback and glanced at the transcript, "But does this mean that the policy discussion critiques the ineffective governance along Chao'an North Road?"

Ying Guo then raised his eyes and said, "The Grand Tutor has already removed this person from the provincial examination list."

Yan Fuzhi's body suddenly trembled, and she tightly grasped Meng Tinghui's hand, turning around excitedly and saying: "Jieyuan! Meng Tinghui, your name is first on the list!"

On that one morning, a pair of eyes gazed at him and the books with such clarity and purity

Shen Zhishu raised her eyebrows: "But back then, when my mother got into trouble after the palace examination, wasn't it my father who fought to protect her reputation? Why is it that now, he is unwilling to spare any talent?"

Ying Gu stood up and walked towards him, saying, "How can this be the same? Back then, the Grand Tutor was not the one in charge, and it was the Empress Dowager who ultimately intervened to provide protection. This time, the Grand Tutor is overseeing the provincial examination in Chao'an North Road, with so many eyes watching below. How can we not consider this person's achievements?" He stood with his hands clasped behind his back and continued, "If the Grand Tutor were truly unwilling to value talent, he would not have sent someone to show this to me."

Yan Fuzhi pulled Meng Tinghui and rushed into the crowd, straining to look ahead on tiptoe

Meng Tinghui stopped, looked up at her, his expression still stiff, yet he did not speak

Dong Yicheng glanced at the expressions of those present and coldly snorted, "Do you think that the Crown Prince, residing in the palace, is unaware of the methods of military and administrative governance? You are gravely mistaken! Have you not considered how he has managed these past ten years? Do you truly believe that the edicts from the northern regions were all issued by the Emperor?"

Meng Tinghui

If her proposals can gain the favor of the chief examiner, Prince Taifu Shen Wuchen, then she can confidently participate in the future Ministry of Rites examination and the palace examination

Dong Yicheng lowered his eyes, shaking his head repeatedly and sighing

Meng Tinghui stiffened his body and furrowed his brows, saying: "It would be the same to look later; why are you so anxious for no reason?"

The people around, upon witnessing this, were all taken aback, yet they did not dare to speak further and simply stood up to maintain their positions

Perhaps I have really overthought it

Shen Zhishu took it and frowned after a glance, "What is this? This is too out of the ordinary..." After glancing up and down a few times, she was even more astonished: "This person is really too bold!"

Shen Zhishu's expression became serious. She lifted her robe and sat on the nearby stool, carefully reading the contents written on the copied paper several times before clapping her hands and chuckling: "What an excellent essay! If the people in the Chongzhou government office were to see this, they would truly be embarrassed! They are even less knowledgeable than a woman."

He turned around and, in anger, kicked the person in front of him, "How many times have I said it? The northern city camp needs to be repaired, it needs to be repaired! And now look, the Crown Prince has caught us red-handed, and we both will have to bear the consequences!"

Although it is said that she was graciously appointed by the Crown Prince, she cannot bring herself to feel happy about it

Shen Zhishu was taken aback, "The top scholar? Your Highness, if you are to ensure her success, why must you also appoint her as the top scholar? If this precedent is set, how will we handle it if others follow her example in the future?"

He slightly raised his head, his voice cool and light: "Take this transcript to the examination hall, present my oral decree. This person is a rare talent, and the favor is for this woman to be the top scholar in the Jinshi examination from Chao'an North Road."

Excuse me, excuse me, please make way, I kindly ask you to make way

"How could the Grand Tutor be such a narrow-minded person?" he murmured, "Surely we cannot allow one individual to disrupt the established order"

Who does not know of King Ping's ruthless and cold demeanor in those years

No problem

The courtyard is filled with lush greenery, vibrant with the vitality of spring, as several butterflies dance gracefully, while a gentle breeze brings the fragrance of flowers.

It is said this way, but who knows what the actual situation is

On the day of the provincial examination results announcement, the Chongzhou Women's College was surrounded by a crowd outside the walls, making it impossible for anyone to pass through

He turned his head and looked again at the smiling Shen Zhishu

Dong Yicheng flicked his sleeves and walked forward, "I can tell you all, do not be deceived by the Crown Prince's silence; his methods can be quite insidious. Do not think that just because you have some past merits, no one will dare to touch you! He is currently in a position of reserve, yet he can act this way; who knows how he will behave once he ascends to a higher position in the future? Be careful with your own heads, everyone!"

The person following him was so anxious that their eyes turned red, "Lord Dong, that..."

If my body can help the people, I would spare no effort... She can only have hope of seeing him again if she ascends higher.

The women's jinshi examination is held once every three years, and there is a wealth of talent across the country, yet the position of the top scholar is limited to just one. If one can achieve the title of top scholar in this examination, they will gain entry into the Hanlin Academy, and in the future, there is hope of being promoted to an official position in the court. Only by ascending to an official position can she fulfill the long-held aspirations in her heart.

Meng Tinghui helplessly averted his gaze, looking outside the crowd

As Shen Zhishu stepped through the door, he said, "Your Highness? ... ..." After asking, he realized there was no one in the hall, which made him raise an eyebrow. He took a few steps inside, peeked around, and then smiled, saying, "Since Your Highness wishes to rest, I shall come back later."

That person hurriedly went to the hall

Ying Guomo said: "It is essential for everyone in the world to know that Meng Tinghui has emerged from Chao'an North Road." He slightly furrowed his brows and added: "Let us see if she can deliver another profound discourse at the Ministry of Rites examination in the capital."

It is the one in the brown skirt, standing at the back. Did you see her?