The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress-Chapter 1083 - 1058: Honor Amidst Chaos

After discussing the matter concerning the Liu family, Xiao Yuan then talked to Mei Boqing about the imperial examination.

"Uncle must quickly recuperate so that in the future I can request Uncle to preside over the imperial exams."

Mei Boqing was taken aback and quickly stood to salute: "Your Majesty, you do me too much honor, I am old and weak, afraid that..."

Xiao Yuan waved his hand and smiled: "It’s not necessary for you to go yourself, but certain things need your attention. The imperial exams are a major affair; with Uncle presiding, I can truly be at ease."

Since Xiao Yuan had spoken to this point, it would be unreasonable for Mei Boqing to decline further.

He sat down and said: "I will follow Your Majesty’s arrangements."

Xiao Yuan then mentioned another matter: "In the future imperial exams, I intend to add a mathematics section and plan to include more practical questions. Less of the poetry and prose because being an official is not the same as being a literary person; governing requires more than just a literary sentiment."

Mei Boqing nodded in agreement.

Xiao Yuan continued: "Furthermore, I have decided to reform the examination procedures, especially the entrance checks. I don’t wish to follow the Da Qi regulations any longer, as they are disrespectful to the students."

Mei Boqing was stunned for a moment, then rose with tears in his eyes, earnestly preparing to kowtow to Xiao Yuan.

Anning quickly supported him: "Uncle, what are you doing?"

Mei Boqing looked at Anning: "Empress, please let go. I must kowtow for His Majesty’s decision; truly... for all the students in the land, it is a tremendous blessing and benevolence. Your Majesty is compassionate, and I am deeply grateful."

He truly knelt down and kowtowed.

Xiao Yuan helped him up: "Please rise quickly, let’s talk sitting down."

At that moment, Mei Zhiyuan also returned; he chatted with Xiao Yuan for a while. Seeing Mei Boqing looking a bit fatigued, Xiao Yuan took his leave with Anning.

After leaving the Mei family, sitting in the carriage, Anning smiled and said to Xiao Yuan: "With this move, you have truly won the hearts of the scholars in the land."

Xiao Yuan chuckled: "Honestly, the previous examination rules were somewhat inhumane; you and I both found them hard to bear."

Anning thought of someone: "With such reforms, Kai’er will greatly benefit."

Xiao Yuan also thought of Xiao Kai and held Anning’s hand: "It’s not appropriate for me to be involved, so please keep an eye on the child more often. After all, he’s from the Xiao Family and a rare, upright, and sensible child."

"Alright."

Anning agreed with a smile.

The Mei Family

After sending off Anning and Xiao Yuan, Mrs. Mei returned indoors with Mei Zhiyuan.

While ordering the maid to help Mei Zhiyuan freshen up, she asked him: "Just now, why was Father so emotional when His Majesty mentioned reforming the examination system?"

Mei Zhiyuan looked at the serving maids and gestured for them to leave: "You all may go."

Once the maids and the old woman exited, Mei Zhiyuan pulled Mrs. Mei down to sit and said: "Honestly, the current imperial examination... is truly disgraceful to the literary world. I dislike mentioning it; I suppose Father also finds participating in the exams torturous. Now with His Majesty’s reforms, it is truly good news for all students in the land."

Mrs. Mei was still somewhat confused.

Mei Zhiyuan quietly explained: "Initially, I didn’t want you to know, but since you asked, I’ll tell you. This matter... no student wants to talk about it, even participating is unbearable. Let’s put aside the stress within the examination hall, especially during the imperial exams, lasting nine days can drive people mad. Let’s first talk about the entrance checks, they’re simply..."

Listening to Mei Zhiyuan’s explanation, Mrs. Mei really felt her scalp tingling.

These exams are indeed too torturous.

It turned out, after the establishment of Da Qi, many outrageous regulations were laid down to catch cheating in exams.

Especially during entrance checks, they are meticulous to the extreme.

Aside from making examinees let down their hair, checking all the items in their examination boxes, they even squeeze each and every bun and cake brought. Clothes must be taken off for inspection, and what was most unbearable was they also check the mouth and rectal area because candidates had hidden notes in their rectal cavity before.

After hearing Mei Zhiyuan’s explanation, Mrs. Mei, seeing him flushed red, truly felt pity for him.

In a rare gesture, Mrs. Mei hugged Mei Zhiyuan: "Poor you."

Mei Zhiyuan’s face turned even redder: "For so many years, this has been the way for students; everyone has complaints, but no one dared speak out. Everyone felt mentioning it was too humiliating, but now, with His Majesty changing these regulations, it’s indeed wonderful; it grants dignity to the students and shows respect. No wonder Father is so grateful."

Mrs. Mei nodded emphatically: "His Majesty and the Empress are indeed compassionate; I heard their lifestyle is quite simple, they barely have three to five dishes for meals, simpler than some official families’ meals."

"Yes." This Mei Zhiyuan acknowledged: "His Majesty and the Empress are truly rare benevolent and worthy rulers, it’s a blessing for the people."

After Anning and Xiao Yuan returned, Xiao Yuan indeed began to undertake the exam reforms.

He gathered ministers for research for many days, eventually issuing an edict to announce the reforms across the entire Dajing. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

When the news spread, Dajing’s students were truly grateful to Xiao Yuan; many who had taken the exams once or twice felt hurt inside and truly wept tears of joy.

Some students couldn’t bear the entrance checks, internally giving up on taking exams, but once this news reached them, they were truly too joyous, sincerely knelt towards Suzhou and kowtowed.

This news quickly reached Da Qi as well.

Da Qi’s students, however, lamented repeatedly and even criticized the Daqi Court.

Some students even considered moving their families to Dajing, having heard that the current residency policy there is quite permissive, welcoming the aspiring talents of Da Qi.

Emperor Jingqing also heard of this matter.

In ill health on the sick bed, hearing about it made him so angry he nearly coughed up blood.

He felt Xiao Yuan was simply his nemesis, always opposing him in everything.

Noble Princess Consort Li was also furious in the harem.

She even questioned the system: "Could it be that the Xiao family’s girl is truly the Heavenly Destiny Girl? I sent her to Southern Yi, yet she still manages to bring Xiao’s family half of the empire. Could it be the phoenix fate really cannot be reversed?"

The system didn’t answer Noble Princess Consort Li, instead urging her: "The dragon energy provided by the host is insufficient, please make continued efforts, otherwise the system will retrieve some rewards given to the host."

Noble Princess Consort Li immediately became tense: "How can it be insufficient? Your Majesty has become that way, what more do you want from me?"

The system mechanically replied to Noble Princess Consort Li: "The Royal Family still has some members possessing dragon energy, you can absorb dragon energy from them, otherwise you may go to Jiangnan to seek Emperor Dajing, his dragon energy and Qi fortune are far thicker than Emperor Jingqing’s."

Noble Princess Consort Li was startled: "That’s impossible, how could it be like this? How can I get to Jiangnan? Besides, that Dajing Emperor is my enemy..."

The system maintained its cold and indifferent demeanor: "The system can help the host reach Jiangnan and give the host a new appearance. The host should think clearly; Da Qi is already in the late dynasty, soon to be breached by Dajing and if the host remains in the harem, she might be executed as an Evil Concubine who brought calamity. If the host does not want to die and wishes to continue living well, she should go to Dajing and enchant Emperor Dajing."

"But?"

Noble Princess Consort Li was still lacking confidence.

The system continued to persuade her: "With the system’s assistance, the host has become the most beautiful woman in the realm; the host possesses enthralling beauty and is highly talented, surely she has the confidence to win over Emperor Jianyuan, think of the enchanted Emperor Jingqing."

Noble Princess Consort Li looked into the mirror, gazing at her own face, one that even she found irresistible and captivating, unable to look away, and her full bosom, slender waist, flawless skin; Noble Princess Consort Li suddenly gained confidence.

"Alright."