NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 30 - The Emperor was shocked by the young man who handed in his papers early but came first in his exams.
Chapter 30: The Emperor was shocked by the young man who handed in his papers early but came first in his exams.
The Imperial Examination concluded, and until the papers were submitted, no rumours surfaced except for Bai Yu’s unique situation.
Subsequent tasks were progressing systematically. Candidates exit the examination hall, displaying excitement, disappointment, or sorrow.
Life unfolds in myriad ways. What comes next is left to fate’s judgment. Time swiftly passes, and life continues.
Amid scholars’ anxieties and eager expectations, half a month swiftly elapsed. The results would be released soon.
Years of diligent study, success or failure determined in one moment!
In the evening, “Your Majesty, these are the test papers for the top 500 candidates for the first four questions.”
In the Hall of Diligent Governance, Emperor Lansu, with streaks of white in his hair, reviews various memorials. He exuded a majestic presence in a gold-plated robe with dragon patterns.
A guard, bearing books, kneeled and presented them, “Your Majesty.”
“Put them here,” nodded Lansu, pointing to an empty spot on the table.
“Understood!”
The guard placed the books on the table and disappeared into the shadows.
“Let me see if this year’s examination reveals talents to benefit our country…”
As this unfolded, it was time for the nine-to-five workers to clock out. Yet, as the dynasty’s top figure, the old emperor was entrenched in his duties. He gazed at the files before him, murmuring, reviewing papers to prevent cheating and bribery.
The papers handed to Lansu had undergone multiple transcriptions, not the original submissions.
Different from examiners, the papers given to him include candidates’ names and basic details. After all, the world belonged to the emperor, and he could not be bribed!
Lansu reviewed the examination papers, focusing on the top 100 of the first four questions, as examiners had already screened subsequent ones.
The first name that caught his eye was Bai Yu!
“Bai Yu, ancestral home Qingchi County, Liuzhou, born and residing in Qingchi County, Liuzhou. Sixteen years old, for the first time entering the capital for the imperial examination, currently living in Lieyang City on Xiyue Street. I submitted the paper at 3:00 on the first day and ranked first in the first four exams.”
Lansu’s eyes captured the simple introduction and information simultaneously.
“Um?”
“Sixteen years old?”
“Submit the paper early at 3:00 on the first day?”
“This…”
Place of origin, name… these basic details were just glanced over. But when Lansu saw Bai Yu’s age and the early submission time, he was visibly shaken.
“Sixteen years old!”
“How is this possible?”
“Child prodigies in scientific examinations at this age are not unheard of, but at sixteen and submitting so much earlier, that’s rare.”
“That’s not so bad!”
“Some people just play around without understanding the significance!”
“It’s okay to come for the exam and submit early.”
“What’s even more rare and outrageous is that this scroll appeared in front of his eyes, and it was the first one!”
“What does this mean?”
“It means he got the first place in the first four exams!”
“With such an exaggerated time in his sixteen years, he defeated thousands of competitors and came out on top.”
“Are the test questions too easy?”
“What should the other test-takers do?”
“To let such a child submit the test early and take the first place?”
“Is it really a talent from heaven?”
“Or… someone is playing tricks?”
Lansu looked at the front of the scroll, his brows slightly furrowed, thoughts swirling in his mind.
“As a king, suspicion is the most basic quality.”
With various complex thoughts, he eventually opened the paper that would influence the entire dynasty.