A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles

Chapter 1138 - 922 The Truth 1 (Starting to Fill Plot Holes, Requesting Monthly Tickets) _2

Today is the day of the imperial examination, to make Lu Zezhong and others lower their guard, and to redirect the attention of the ministers away from today.Thus, after the scholars entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Emperor personally met them to issue the test questions, as the scholars began their answers, the Emperor shifted the battlefield.

He started interrogating Lu Zezhong and Liu Yuheng in the Imperial Study!

Now, Ji Youzhi looked at the sky and chuckled softly; in half an hour, it would be time for the scholars to submit their papers.

At that time, these intricate courtly relationships should be left for Old Ji Eight to worry about.

When Ji Youzhi arrived at the Imperial Study with the interrogation records, the Grand Academician of the Inner Cabinet, Wen Yuan Ge, was already waiting outside with a group of paper-reading officials, supervisors, paper collectors... and others.

Seeing Ji Youzhi, they all gathered around.

"Divine Hunter Ji, you’re here. What happened today?

The Emperor didn’t fully preside over the actual imperial exam, and now it’s time for the paper review, yet the Emperor remains inside the Imperial Study without coming out."

Xu Zhengzhong, the Grand Academician, led the group surrounding Ji Youzhi, asking in a nagging manner.

"Lord Xu, His Majesty is the ruler of a nation, and we, as subjects, should not speculate on his actions!"

Xu Zhengzhong’s face darkened upon hearing this, "What do you mean, Divine Hunter Ji? When have I ever speculated on His Majesty’s actions?

Today is the triennial major exam of our dynasty, the time to select talents for the court, during which we diligently serve..."

"Alright, Lord Xu, your efforts for the nation are indeed outstanding, the young ones are aware.

However, a sovereign is a sovereign, and a subject is a subject, a monarch’s actions should not be guessed or judged by subjects. I understand you are eager for the future of our Great Han, anxious to select the pillars of the court!"

Ji Youzhi interrupted Xu Zhengzhong’s angry words, trying to calm him down. But as they spoke, he suddenly remembered something.

"Lord Xu, incidentally, there’s something I want to ask you."

Ji Youzhi quickly pulled Xu Zhengzhong aside, though Xu Zhengzhong appeared reluctant.

"Let go, in broad daylight, in front of the Imperial Study, pulling and dragging like this is improper conduct."

Ji Youzhi ignored him and pulled him to a deserted spot, quietly asking.

"Lord Xu, there’s a matter I need to ask you, regarding last year’s metropolitan exam. You must think carefully and tell me."

"?"

Xu Zhengzhong looked puzzled, staring at Ji Youzhi in confusion, he asked.

"What matter? Let me tell you, I have always been an honest official, for the sake of..."

"Alright, alright... I know you’re a good official, an honest official, pleading for the people, truly a model for scholars around the world."

Ji Youzhi quickly praised, but inwardly he was fed up with these old sticklers. Had he not been unable to endure their nagging and behavior, he wouldn’t have established the Divine Hunter Bureau back then.

If there’s anyone who can deal with a group of old sticklers without being disadvantaged, it is only Ji Youze!

"Fine! Tell me, what about last year’s metropolitan exam?"

"It’s like this, I want to know, last year when you were setting the exam questions for the scholars, did you discuss them with Lu Zezhong, the Minister Lu?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhengzhong thought for a moment; a scene emerged in his mind, last July’s sweltering heat, the Emperor claimed illness to avoid court; actually, everyone knew he secretly left the palace in casual attire.

As the Grand Academician of Wen Yuan Ge, heading the Inner Cabinet, Xu Zhengzhong had to shoulder the important matter of the metropolitan exam.

The exam question setting took careful thought; contemplating the contemporary and the ancient, coordinating with a few other question setters, finally presenting it to the Emperor.

As scholars gradually arrived in the capital, with only a few days until the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, Xu Zhengzhong felt quite agitated.

Just then, his good friend and classmate, Lu Zezhong, came to find him for drinks; that night, they sat under the osmanthus tree with a low table, fine wine, brush, ink, paper, and inkstones, writing poetry and composing essays as they drank...

Xu Zhengzhong’s complexion changed, his mind blank, and fine beads of cold sweat started to appear on his forehead!

"Lord Xu, have you recalled something?"

"Divine Hunter Ji, I... I fear that I..."

Ji Youzhi held Xu Zhengzhong’s shoulder and promptly gestured for silence.

"Follow me, Lord Xu."

Ji Youzhi took him by the hand and walked to the entrance of the Imperial Study, where the guards reached out to block him.

It should be said they blocked Xu Zhengzhong beside him.

"His Majesty wishes to see Lord Xu!"

The guards let them in.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor’s expression was as usual, showing no emotions of happiness or anger.