The next morning, Luo Qingxue was waiting in the main hall early.
It was only when Liang Xiao emerged with Yue Lian and Zhen Mi that Luo Qingxue nervously stepped forward.
"No matter the outcome, as long as you've done your best, there's no need for psychological pressure," Luo Qingxue said tenderly.
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded. "I won't be reckless, because I can't bear to break off the engagement."
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingxue bashfully lowered her head, not daring to meet Liang Xiao's gaze, and idly toyed with the hem of his robe.
But in her heart, she had already sworn: if Liang Xiao were unfortunately to fail the examination and the Emperor annulled the engagement, she would bear this humiliation alone!
The carriage arrived outside the Tongxuan Hall, north of the imperial palace. It was already a sea of people, with guards maintaining order and preventing unauthorized entry.
As Liang Xiao alighted from the carriage, he drew the attention of those around him.
"That person is Liang Xiao!"
Li Xiuyun and the others heard the public's outcry and noticed Liang Xiao, frowning.
He's a sickly young man?
Dugu Xiao, Mu Hong, Gu Shaoyan, and others, due to their family connections, gathered together.
Mu Hong and Gu Shaoyan nodded to Liang Xiao from afar, and he reciprocated.
Dugu Xiao sneered inwardly.
He had many elder officials in the court to look after him, while Liang Xiao's backing was only Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng. The difference was clear!
The crowd dared not make a sound at this moment.
Li Xiuyun glanced at Liang Xiao and the three great talents, then said to his companion, "Including Liang Xiao, that makes four great talents in the capital. Our Jiangnan Academy cannot fall behind."
His companions in the vicinity nodded in agreement, their competitive spirit ignited as they looked at Liang Xiao and the three great talents.
Liang Xiao left Luo Qingxue and the other two, instructing the guards to look after them, and then joined Zhang Yang, who had been waiting for a long time.
"Who is that person next to Liang Xiao? He looks like a country bumpkin?"
Zhang Yang, having become the focus of attention, remained unruffled and walked towards the palace gate with Liang Xiao.
From the rear of the crowd, Qin Feng's expression grew even more solemn.
His young attendant behind him exclaimed in surprise, "Your Lordship indeed has a discerning eye. Liang Xiao is indeed a man of hidden depths, truly valuing talent!"
He doesn't deliberately get close to other glamorous noble talents, yet he favors humble scholars who are neither arrogant nor servile. Isn't this precisely your Lordship's style!
Qin Feng felt no pride. He merely murmured to himself, "This child is extraordinary, but alas, he seems plagued by illness and destined for an early demise."
A horn sounded from the palace, followed by the clash of cymbals and the playing of ceremonial music.
"Silence!"
"The selection for national affairs is about to begin. Please bring your identity tokens and enter the palace!"
The eunuch shouted a few times, and a hundred distinguished young men entered the palace one after another.
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian watched with longing eyes, their breaths becoming shallow, and they unconsciously clutched at their robes.
Arriving outside the Tongxuan Hall, Liang Xiao scanned the front, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Two rows of desks were set up in front, separated by wooden partitions. Writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were already prepared on them.
Each row had ten tiers, with five desks per tier, and guards stood at attention around them.
In front of the two rows of desks, tables and chairs were arranged on both sides, intended for civil and military officials.
"Please take your seats according to your assigned numbers!"
The eunuch shouted again, and the hundred individuals presented their silver tokens and proceeded to their respective seats.
Liang Xiao was seated at the far right of the first row on the right. On his left sat numbers two through five: Dugu Xiao, Mu Hong, Gu Shaoyan, and Li Xiuyun. Zhang Yang, number one hundred, was at the far left of the last row on the left.
Dugu Xiao's expression grew uglier.
It was one thing that the number one spot wasn't his, but it was Liang Xiao's?
On what grounds!
Liang Xiao sat down and looked ahead, lost in thought.
In front of him was a screen, blocking the participants' view.
This selection for national affairs was indeed interesting; it didn't seem like an emperor's whim.
"His Majesty arrives! All officials accompany him!"
As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, Xiao Qing, protected by Ding Wuyi, Ning Xuejun, and numerous black-armored shadow guards, took his seat on the other side of the screen.
At the same time, the officials emerged from the Tongxuan Hall and took their seats on both sides.
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were among them!
The two elders gazed at Liang Xiao from afar, filled with anticipation. Fearing that Liang Xiao might be distracted, they forced themselves to maintain impassive expressions.
Liang Xiao looked at the screen, his eyes narrowed.
What was this young emperor up to, hiding behind a screen and making such a fuss before appearing?
And that adorable little Shuangzi of mine could only obediently guard that side of the screen and couldn't see his elder brother?
This detestable young emperor!
The screen was opaque, and Liang Xiao could not see any figures inside. He had to give up on looking for little Shuangzi.
"Silence!"
"The rules for the selection of national affairs, as determined by His Majesty, will be announced by the Prime Minister!"
The eunuch's voice rang out again. Everyone calmed down and paid full attention.
As all eyes were on him, Wang Canghai, carrying a scroll of silk, walked to the front of the screen. With vigorous spirit and a resonant voice, he began.
"For the selection of national affairs, His Majesty will personally appoint ministers to set questions. Finally, His Majesty will set the final question. With the comments of the officials as a reference, His Majesty will select the top scorer for each question, and ultimately determine the overall champion of the national affairs selection. The participants in the selection will have varying times to answer each question, with a maximum of one hour. Once the time is up, they will rewrite their answers and leave the original drafts."
Everyone was taken aback.
Rewriting for backup?
"After the rewriting is complete, the copied drafts will be submitted, and then gathered and rewritten again by palace servants before the copied drafts are destroyed. Only the manuscripts copied by the palace servants may be used for evaluation, thereby preventing officials from recognizing their papers by their handwriting and engaging in favoritism or corruption!"
As his voice fell, the entire hall was shocked. Even Liang Xiao looked curiously at Wang Canghai and the hundreds of palace servants who had appeared behind him.
Dugu Xiao's heart trembled, and his face turned grim. He cried out, "This is not good!"
With this arrangement, officials like Dugu Qun would not be able to recognize his papers by their handwriting. The consequences were imaginable!
"This young emperor is interesting," Liang Xiao praised inwardly.
He had underestimated the ability of this sixteen-year-old emperor. This method, while seemingly cumbersome, was actually extraordinarily clever!
Liang Xiao decided to take the matter seriously.
Dugu Qun and the others' faces turned ashen, but they dared not act.
They had prepared for so long, hoping that their family's descendants could achieve fame and ascend to high positions through this selection of national affairs.
As a result, a sudden rule rendered all their efforts futile!
From now on, these participants would have to rely on their true talents and knowledge to stand out!
Opposite the screen, Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow, thinking of Liang Xiao on the other side, and felt a surge of pride.
You must be filled with admiration for me now!
If you don't answer the questions properly and just write nonsense, I'll drag you into the palace and forbid you from going home to play!
But soon, Xiao Qing's expression turned to worry.
She had just heard that Liang Xiao had earned one hundred thousand from selling wine.
The selection for national affairs was about to begin, yet this fellow was still busy with business. Could he really succeed here?
Her rules were fair; even she, the Emperor, had no opportunity to recognize Liang Xiao's handwriting!
The numerous guards and palace servants around them supervised each other, eliminating any possibility of favoritism or corruption.
"Long live His Majesty!"
Just then, Li Xiuyun could not help but rise from his seat and kneel, offering praise.
The other participants, unwilling to be outdone, followed suit.
Zhang Yang, feeling helpless, also bowed.
Only Liang Xiao remained seated, unmoving!
Luo Changfeng and Liang Qing's hearts leaped into their throats, wishing they could rush over and drag Liang Xiao up to force him to kneel.
It's over!
Dugu Qun and the others also noticed Liang Xiao and sneered.
At this moment, Wang Canghai suddenly continued reading, "During the exam, participants must not engage in any excessive formalities. They are to concentrate on answering the questions. Those who disrupt the examination order will be disqualified and expelled from the palace!"
As his voice fell, everyone's expressions changed drastically, and they hurried back to their seats.
Wang Canghai returned behind the screen to prepare.
Moments later, the eunuch announced loudly, "First question, set by the minister personally appointed by His Majesty, Prime Minister Wang Canghai!"