By the time he got to the end, for some reason, the emperor was still a little unfinished, so he read it again. The sound of the paper being turned slightly sounded again in the quiet hall.
There were many people in the hall, and apart from the occasional "pop" of candles, everyone held their breath and concentrated without making a sound.
Su Ziji also sat aside, just lowering his head and drinking tea, as if he didn't care about the result of the recruitment.
The examiner Qian Wei stood calmly, but a relatively young examiner of the fourth grade was a little uneasy. He was standing in front of the emperor and the grandson, and he was actually the most tormented one.
These two, one is the current emperor and the other is the future emperor, neither of them can afford to offend, but the disagreement between the two has gradually become known.
"God bless me, everything will be fine." The fourth-grade examiner is now afraid that the two of them will argue. If that happens, as the examiner, he will be the one with the heaviest responsibility.
The emperor was the most at ease at the moment. He didn't care what others were doing. He read the paper in his hand and the more he read, the more he liked it.
"Not bad." The emperor nodded after reading it and praised: "It's wonderful, this article is wonderful, it really comforts me!"
The royal system is different. The emperor rarely praises him personally, let alone the words "you have comforted me". If even Qian Wei frowns, he is a real Jinshi, and he is probably the number one scholar in this year.
This was a good thing. I don't know why, Qian Wei was still a little uneasy. Sure enough, when the emperor saw that these answer sheets were all sealed at the beginning, he just smiled and tore open the names sealed in the papers. When he saw the names, his hands stopped.
There was also a hint of surprise on his face.
How could it be this person?
Su Ziji just waited quietly, saying nothing from beginning to end.
After showing a slightly surprised expression, the emperor frowned and looked at Su Ziji, and then said slowly: "Grandson, come and read this article."
As the emperor spoke, the little eunuch quickly took the paper from the emperor's hand and handed it to Su Ziji.
Su Ziji stood up, listened respectfully, and responded, "Yes."
As he spoke, he took the article with both hands.
Before he saw the name, he had already made a guess. When he saw the name, his heart sank and he was sure. He couldn't help but think to himself: "Yu Lu is indeed a smart and steady person. With just a few hints, he did not miss this opportunity."
."
After reading only one or two paragraphs, Su Ziji immediately knew that it was a top-notch article. It seemed that after being mentioned by him, not only did Yu Lu become more talented, but he also wrote a good article on the spot.
Even if he had known it earlier, as long as Yu Lu listened to his words, he would definitely win, but to be able to do so well in the exam this time and write such a colorful article, I have to say, it is really luck that can only be described in two words, which made Su Ziji a little surprised.
He did not deliberately suppress his surprise, but quickly focused his attention on the article carefully.
The emperor didn't seem to notice, just flipping through other articles. It was quick. He read it briefly and put it aside casually.
Qian Wei already had some guesses, his face was a little startled, and he couldn't help but look at Taisun.
The scrutiny hidden in his eyes, no matter how deeply it is hidden, Su Ziji can still feel it with his keen senses.
Su Ziji ignored it and quickly finished reading the article, then put his hand lightly on the coffee table and remained silent.
When the emperor saw the last paper, he already said to Qian Wei: "I have read the first twenty papers you recommended and passed them all."
He took another sip of tea and said to his grandson: "What about you, what do you think of this article in your hand? How many can you get?"
Su Ziji stood up again and said to the emperor: "The emperor is the master of destiny. The rankings are all done in one thought. How could Sun Chen dare to say anything? However, since the emperor asked, Sun Chen had to answer - Sun Chen
I think the person who wrote this article could be a Jinshi!"
The fourth-grade examiner was actually very close, and he shuddered to himself when he saw the name. There was a small amount of sweat on his forehead, and he didn't dare to let it out. When he heard it, he couldn't help but look sideways.
These words are quite satisfactory. Even if you want to find fault, there is nothing you can do. It is really slippery!
The emperor smiled instead. He had finished reading the last paper in his hand and put it down at this moment: "You said it too early. It's not just a Jinshi. Linhua County can produce two number one scholars."
As soon as these words came out, Yu Lu's position as the number one scholar was basically confirmed.
But the emperor then asked: "My grandson has friends like this. It turns out that birds of a feather flock together. I heard that my grandson also has a classmate named Fang Xi. Where is the paper?"
Standing next to him was the examiner Qian Wei, who had been silent, but could not remain silent at this moment. He was glanced at by the emperor, and he was not embarrassed and said: "Your Majesty, another classmate of Taisun Fang Xi has passed the tribute examination. Naturally,
I also participated in this palace examination, but...the examination papers were all anonymous, and the rankings were not determined. I didn’t dare to reveal them, and I didn’t know.”
This was said in an upright manner, and the emperor did not take it seriously, saying: "You have always been famous officials and ministers of the Qing Dynasty. If I trust your recommendation, I will determine the ranking according to your recommendation."
"Now, you can open the scroll. Find the scroll of Grand Sun's classmate and let me take a look."
The emperor spoke, not to mention opening the examination papers now and taking one of the five hundred papers. No one would dare to refuse even if he took one person out of the five hundred.
This emperor has always been arbitrary in the past two years, and he has been somewhat repetitive in doing things recently. Anyone who is not stupid can feel that this old emperor is very sensitive now. If he is not careful, he may poke the emperor's sore spot and be directly demoted.
All positions are light. If you lose your life or involve your family, it will be life-threatening.
Although Qian Wei was not afraid of death, he was not willing to get into trouble with such a trivial matter. He bowed his head and supervised the eunuchs as they moved the papers and announced their names.
The emperor had to leave someone in front of him to respond at any time. Qian Wei couldn't go by himself, so he sent the young examiner back and whispered: "Fang Xi's papers are generally among the demoted papers. Go and take them out..."
"But according to the system, the demoted papers must also..."
"They have all been demoted, and the ranking has been determined. Naturally, you can take them apart and take a look. You can quickly go and get them."
"yes."
After a while, Fang Xi's paper was taken out from the discarded paper and presented to him.
The emperor took it, unfolded it, and after reading a few lines, he frowned. He couldn't help but read on, his eyebrows raised, and he seemed to be smiling.
"Great Sun, please read this article again."
The emperor handed the paper to Su Ziji again. Su Ziji took it and looked at it, also frowning.
I have obviously mentioned Fang Xi, but why did Fang Xi's article not change at all, and even became more arrogant?
In fact, when it comes to the imperial examination, the candidates are no longer inferior in terms of literary talent. It is just about whether their ideas can win and whether they can stand out.
Fang Xi obviously didn't listen to what she said, or maybe she did, but didn't agree with it, and even felt resistance and disgust.
Su Ziji sighed secretly and slowly closed the paper: "Your Majesty, although this person is Sun Chen's former classmate, in Sun Chen's opinion, he still owes some time. It is best to go back and study for a few more years."
The grandson did not take this opportunity to speak kindly to his classmates. The fourth grade examiner who had just handed over the paper subconsciously looked up.
But the emperor's expression was indifferent, as if he didn't care what his grandson said, or perhaps his reaction was within the emperor's expectation.
"It's due to some heat." The emperor said, but he took the paper over and read it carefully again. He didn't know which line he saw, and suddenly his heart moved. When he looked again, there was a hint of joy in his eyebrows.
But this hint of joy quickly dissipated, and he just said normally: "But you also said that I am the master of destiny. So what if I choose this person today and become the third Jinshi of your humble family?"
After saying that, he directly picked up the pen from the tray held by the young eunuch and drew a circle on the paper.
In this dynasty's palace examination selection, this means success.