Chapter 805: Chapter 765: Going Back on One’s Word (2)

The exam question posed by Zhao Xi was not mentioned to anyone in advance, not even to his personal eunuch, Eunuch Sanbao.

However, Song Yuanbao and Xu Dengke had discussed it privately.

During that period, the situation with Amuer was causing quite a stir. The populace was spreading rumors without even knowing what Amuer looked like. They gathered outside the Su Family’s gate, demanding Lin Xiaoyue hand over the child, even threatening to set the Su Mansion on fire if she refused.

One day, when Song Yuanbao encountered Xu Dengke reading in the garden pavilion, he brought up the matter. Xu Dengke said the root cause wasn’t the ignorance of the populace, but the court’s failure to handle the cultural integration between the two nations properly. If Chu Country’s people understood and respected the Jiuli Clan’s culture sufficiently, such events wouldn’t occur.

Song Yuanbao had thought the same at that time.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince used it as an exam question, making it appear as if they had been given an unfair advantage.

However, with this development, he and Xu Dengke were on the same footing for the competition. If he wanted to win the Champion Scholar title, he would have to come up with a method that would be acceptable to both the Crown Prince and the populace.

Thinking of this, Song Yuanbao put down his pen, not rushing to draft, but instead contemplating in his mind, striving to devise an effective plan that could surpass Xu Dengke’s.

This time, his speed at answering was much slower than during the provincial examination, spending half an hour just pondering a plan.

Other candidates had already started drafting, while he was still frowning and deep in thought.

Seeing this, Zhao Xi picked up a tea cup from the rosewood table and took a light sip.

Eunuch Sanbao, noticing this, approached Zhao Xi and whispered anxiously, "Your Highness, Young Master Song..."

"No rush. The submissions are due at dusk, there’s still time," Zhao Xi replied, his tone unwavering.

Eunuch Sanbao breathed a temporary sigh of relief.

The candidate downstairs was determined to earn the Champion Scholar title to get married; if he failed this question, he’d certainly become a laughingstock. However, seeing how composed His Highness was, there must be confidence that Young Master Song could answer the question, so he needn’t worry.

Zhao Xi sat for a while, then got up for another round of inspection, noticing most candidates were still drafting.

The core of today’s question was nothing but finding a way to facilitate Chu Country’s people accepting the Jiuli Clan quickly.

The three hundred examinees in Baohe Hall were selected from thousands in the provincial examinations, naturally no mediocre talents. Some provided quite reliable answers, yet they weren’t comprehensive enough, lacking some maturity.

A few answers were excessively extreme, such as the one Zhao Xi was noticing; this candidate felt the Jiuli Clan’s culture was too backward, advocating the eradication of old customs in favor of following Chu Country’s culture.

Zhao Xi circled around and reached Xu Dengke’s position in the front row. Xu Dengke’s writing was very neat, and his answers were quite profound, such as abolishing the Jiuli Clan’s slave system or adjusting the court’s approach to the Jiuli Clan’s surnames and attire, even changing their registered place of origin.

Looking at Song Yuanbao, he had also begun writing, and Zhao Xi glanced over, finding Song Yuanbao’s current answers somewhat similar to Xu Dengke’s.

It seemed the two had discussed this issue privately.

Now it awaited their final answers to see who would excel.

Returning to the Nine Dragon Throne, Zhao Xi showed a rare expression of delight.

Eunuch Sanbao, knowing him best, could tell at a glance that His Highness was gratified that the court would soon see a new batch of future leaders.

For this palace examination, Zhao Xi was the chief examiner, with Song Wei and others serving as vice chief examiners, occasionally coming in for inspections.

When Song Wei entered, Zhao Xi had Eunuch Sanbao invite him over.

In the solemn examination hall, Eunuch Sanbao kept his voice very low.

Song Wei approached Zhao Xi and bowed.

Zhao Xi asked, "Song Shaoqing, who do you think will be this year’s Champion Scholar?"

Song Wei smiled, "Your Highness’s question puzzles me."

Zhao Xi continued, "During the provincial exams, Song Hao didn’t take the top honors. Do you think he might succeed in the palace exams?"

Song Wei responded humbly, "The scope of this year’s question is vast. Yuanbao is young and may inevitably have oversights; I’m afraid..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Xi interrupted, "Have you discussed the Jiuli Clan’s issues with them privately?"

Song Wei immediately realized the Crown Prince suspected he had said something to Xu Dengke and Song Yuanbao in advance.

Actually, the Crown Prince choosing this question was entirely beyond his expectations. However, "Indeed, I briefly mentioned Amuer’s situation lately."

Indeed, it was just a brief mention, without in-depth analysis or proposing any immediate effective plans.

Nonetheless, Song Wei was aware of the Crown Prince and Emperor Guangxi’s disagreements on the cultural integration issue between the two nations, though he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone.

Seeing his sincere response, Zhao Xi didn’t make things difficult, nodded, and said, "You may go."

"I take my leave."

Song Wei surveyed the candidates once, then slowly walked out of Baohe Hall.

Eunuch Sanbao’s mind raced as he quietly asked Zhao Xi, "Does Your Highness suspect that Mr. Song had a prior agreement with those two?"

"It was just some idle post-dinner talk." Zhao Xi sat upright, a natural authority emanating from his features, "The exam questions I set were not disclosed to anyone."

Song Yuanbao and Xu Dengke, this time, seemed to have hit the jackpot.

However, what Song Wei said was not wrong—the scope of today’s exam was very broad. Even if all the candidates knew the content in advance, they might not give comprehensive and detailed answers. It still depended on who had a broader vision and a bigger perspective on the issues of governance.

...

The court exam did not conclude until dusk.

After putting down their pens, all the candidates exited Baohe Hall in order.

Upon inhaling the fresh air outside, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, then started asking each other about their answers.

Song Yuanbao squeezed out from the crowd, immediately looking around, hoping to see if Ye Ling had come, but after looking for a long time, he did not see the Ye Family’s carriage.

Xu Dengke, following behind, saw this and chuckled, "With just a month until your wedding, why bother meeting again? She won’t come."

Having his thoughts exposed, Song Yuanbao was a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, asking how he answered today’s question.

Xu Dengke shook his head, "The scope of the question set by His Highness was too broad, I’m afraid my answer might not even be half of what he is expecting."

Song Yuanbao, however, seemed relaxed, "Anyway, it’s over, who cares. Tonight, I’ll treat, several classmates are coming, sir, would you honor us with your presence?"

The last time the exam results were announced, classmates from the Imperial College were all clamoring to meet this hidden genius. Today, though, there’s an opportunity, so Song Yuanbao casually extended the invitation.

Xu Dengke hesitated for a moment.

Song Yuanbao said, "You’re not caught again, are you?"

Ever since Xu Dengke topped the exam list, matchmakers kept knocking on the Song family’s door. Knowing that Song Yuanbao was already engaged, they all aimed for Xu Dengke.

But this person had deep thoughts; no matter how prestigious the family trying to make a connection, he always found excuses to decline, firmly refusing to agree.

Song Yuanbao was always puzzled, "Logically, sir, you have delayed your marriage due to mobility issues in previous years. Now with your reputation, it’s a great time to select a bride, why not seize the chance to marry a beautiful bride?"

Xu Dengke just smiled, "Perhaps because I’m short of money, unable to afford a wealthy lady."

Song Yuanbao pouted, "Don’t let that unscrupulous servant squander your Silver. You have enough to marry not just one, but two."

Xu Dengke’s gaze softened, "Ah Gui has it tough too."

Song Yuanbao’s mouth twitched, "Why do I feel that sir’s days are tougher?"

Xu Dengke only smiled, remaining silent for a good while before saying, "I’ll attend tonight’s dinner. Just let me know when you leave."

...

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace after proctoring the exam, Zhao Xi received the military report from the Northern Border. It stated that the Chi Long Guards of Bei Yan failed to kill Yun Huai last time, resulting in the death of two Grandmasters. This time, they vented their anger on commander Lu Xingzhou, sneaking into the camp at night and injuring Lu Xingzhou’s leg, with the military doctor determining he would never stand again.

Zhao Xi’s handsome face was instantly covered with a frigid chill.

Bei Yan speaks of wanting peace while simultaneously sending people to assassinate the chief general of Chu Country. To reverse diplomatic relations so frivolously is to disregard Chu Country entirely!

After setting down the military report, Zhao Xi pinched his brow and ordered Eunuch Sanbao to summon Minister of War Feng Yan.

Upon entering the hall, Feng Yan knelt to greet the Crown Prince.

Zhao Xi allowed him to rise and inquired, "If we were to deploy more troops to the Northern Border now, could the supplies be prepared in the shortest time?"

Feng Yan was taken aback, "I heard that Bei Yan has already shown intent for peace, does Your Highness wish to reinforce the Northern Border and continue the war?"

Zhao Xi’s eyes were icy, "Bei Yan is inconsistent and this peace is not worth accepting!"

Feng Yan quickly said, "It would take at least half a month to prepare."

Zhao Xi acknowledged, "I will issue an order to gather reinforcements immediately. Make arrangements as soon as possible; the sooner, the better."

"I will comply with Your Highness’s orders."