Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 521 - 357: All 8 Circles?

Dragging Gu Chengyu and running out of the mansion, he wanted to take Gu Chengyu to ride the carriage. Gu Chengyu hurriedly persuaded, "No need to rush! There’s plenty of time before the hour for the Imperial Examination ceremony! Those officials must still be on their way!"

"It’s always better to be early than late. You just don’t know how to be anxious. Hurry up, lest we fall behind." Ye Zhiqiu didn’t even look back, directly pulling Gu Chengyu to the carriage in front of Gu Mansion, climbing up with hands and feet.

Gu Chengyu, helpless, had to follow Ye Zhiqiu onto the carriage. Fortunately, there were lanterns on the carriage; otherwise, in the dark, it would be difficult for the carriage to travel.

By the time they arrived outside the Taihe Palace, it was already the hour between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., and officials of the standard fourth rank and above had also arrived outside the Taihe Palace, waiting for court.

Officials of the standard fourth rank cannot even enter the Taihe Palace, and can only stay outside the hall. Gu Chengyu glanced around and found that the scholars had all arrived. Actually, only the top ten would be summoned, and it’s nearly impossible for those ranked below the third class to see the Emperor. However, the scholars still came, just in case they did extraordinarily well themselves.

The civil and military officials outside the hall had not yet entered. They lined up according to their rank. The scholars stood in ranks behind the various officials, and Gu Chengyu, being the first in the metropolitan examination, naturally stood at the forefront.

Jiang Mingyuan had long arrived outside the hall; he also saw Gu Chengyu and wanted to step forward to encourage him not to panic when meeting the Emperor. However, as soon as he was about to step out, the Chief Eunuch De’an emerged.

Yin Kun merely glanced at Gu Chengyu, nodding towards him in acknowledgment. He understood Gu Chengyu’s nature, and it should be no problem for him to face the Emperor. As for Wu An, when he passed by Gu Chengyu earlier, he just said two words, "Don’t panic!"

Later, Gu Chengyu also saw Zheng Lun; they exchanged a smile without speaking. However, when Gu Chengyu saw Zheng Lun avoiding his gaze, he thought Zheng Lun might feel guilty towards him. Although he had not blamed him, after his father lifted Zheng Lun’s confinement, Gu Chengyu sent a message which went unanswered, adding to the intrigue.

Standing in a prominent position, Gu Chengyu was indeed noticeable, but even more so was his title as the top scorer in the examination.

Every civil and military official passing by, as well as those already standing at the front, had to glance at Gu Chengyu. Firstly, because of his renowned talent, and secondly, because of the Emperor’s attention to him during the Imperial Examination.

Receiving similar treatment was Min Feng, who, being the last disciple of Xia Qing, was recognized by every civil and military official. On the day of his disciple induction ceremony, Xia Qing had invited quite a few officials.

Those officials were well aware that this was to gain momentum for Min Feng! Even before entering the court, connections were being established for him. It was foreseeable that Min Feng’s future official path would be smooth.

Gu Chengyu smiled as he looked towards the Taihe Palace, ignoring the scrutinizing gazes upon him, for now, he needed to remain low-key. Min Feng, on the other hand, saluted the officials, many of whom attended his disciple induction ceremony and were introduced by Xia Qing, making them somewhat acquainted.

As Min Feng saluted, the officials acknowledged by nodding, though none spoke. The Chief Eunuch De’an already stood outside the hall, likely to begin the morning court session.

As the ceremonial music and drum sounded, a Honglu Temple official shouted, "Form the ranks," and officials of the third rank and above began making their way into the Taihe Palace. The remaining ones outside were the fourth-rank officials, with a majority having walked ahead.

The morning court session did not last long; because of today’s Imperial Examination ceremony, Gu Chengyu and the others waited for half an hour before it ended, followed by the top ten meeting the Emperor.

Originally, the top ten were to kneel and have their essays read aloud to the Emperor, but later, the Emperor, disliking this practice, exempted the reading, having the Ritual Supervision Official bring the essays to the Imperial Desk for personal review.

The Emperor looked at the ten essays before him and picked up the one placed on top. The writing was neat, and the layout clean, pleasing to the eye. But whose exam paper was this? It differed from the content of the one belonging to Gu Chengyu that he read the previous day.

Seeing the eight full circles marked on the exam paper, the Emperor scrutinized it, reviewing it from top to bottom without speaking, placing it back on the table. At this moment, only eight reading officials and the Ministry of Rites officials remained in the hall, anxiously watching the Emperor’s expressionless face.

The Emperor then carefully reviewed the second and third papers, examining the remaining with some indifference, returning them to their original positions.

The Emperor spoke, "Why do these first three papers all have eight circles marked?"

The reading officials below remained silent. Originally, only two papers had eight circles, but Xia’s Chief placed great value on another paper, marking it first, which led others to follow suit.

Indeed, who among them didn’t know Xia Qing’s intentions? Was it not because he felt placing Min Feng’s paper first was somewhat abrupt? Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Gu Chengyu’s thesis was slightly superior, yet would Xia Qing resign himself to that?

Though everyone was of devious intent, Gu Chengyu’s paper earned eight circles wholeheartedly before being presented to Xia Qing.

Everyone remained silent, leaving the problem for Xia Qing to solve; after all, he was not their disciple, so why hurry?

Whatever Xia Qing decided to do afterward wouldn’t concern them, for the Emperor was likely to make slight adjustments to the rankings while reviewing the papers.

To avoid suspicion, Xia Qing had only circled Gu Chengyu’s paper once, later marking another paper that was also quite well done.

The reading officials didn’t bother, especially with Xia Qing at the helm. Thus, officials in the bureaucracy are cunning, often choosing to maintain their personal safety.

This resulted in there being three papers with the same number of circles, leaving the dilemma for the Emperor.

"Report to the Emperor, these three papers, after discussing with seven of my reading colleagues, we unanimously agreed that they are of equal merit. Therefore, we beg the Emperor to make the final decision."

Xia Qing, as the lead reading official, had to stand up now without hesitation. After all, the First Class belonged to these three papers, and how the Emperor chose to rank them depended on his mood.

The Emperor’s face darkened, snorting coldly. These three papers were indeed the best among the ten, but who could be ranked first was actually quite obvious.

"It’s said, Xia Aiqing, that you recently acquired an excellent student, yet you never mentioned it to me. Otherwise, on the day of the apprenticeship, I would have had to send some congratulatory gifts."

The Emperor suddenly brought up the matter of taking disciples with Xia Qing, causing Xia Qing’s heart to skip a beat. Did the Emperor have complaints against him by saying this?

How could anything happen under the Imperial City without the Emperor finding out? He hadn’t mentioned it, partly due to it being unnecessary, as the Emperor had not brought it up, so he wouldn’t overreach.

Another reason was his selfish intention to leverage during the Imperial Examination. Unfortunately, Gu Chengyu wasn’t someone of mere illusory fame; after a month of personal guidance, Min Feng still lagged behind Gu Chengyu.

"Replying to the Emperor, this minister, being of age, cannot help but favor talented young men. Furthermore, this child’s disposition is to this minister’s liking, hence the intention to make him a disciple."

Though Xia Qing was as sly as a fox, he dared not drop his guard against the Emperor’s questions.