The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 417

Chapter 417 -209: Gathering Money! (First Update) _2

However, after he reviewed the two test papers with disdain, he was suddenly rendered speechless.

He was the biological grandfather of the Prince of An County, so he naturally recognized the style of writing unique to the prince.

The emperor asked, “Is there a need to invite other cabinet ministers to review the tests?”

Grand Tutor Zhuang clasped his hands together and said, “No need, we will entrust all decisions to your majesty.”

The emperor laughed and said, “I find both these test papers excellent. Maybe we could give them a tie rank for first place. What do you think, Grand Tutor?”

Grand Tutor Zhuang heaved a sigh of relief, “Your majesty is wise.”

The fact that Grand Tutor Zhuang allowed someone to rank equally with his own grandson showed just how exceptional the other party’s exam paper was.

It was so good, in fact, that not even any unfair practices could mar its quality.

If there had been a single disputable point, Grand Tutor Zhuang would not have allowed this tied rank for first place.

However, the emperor could not just push the Prince of An County down in rank either.

At present, the cabinet was still under Grand Tutor Zhuang’s control. Any test-taker who ended up as a civil servant would land in his hands first.

In a corner of the imperial palace, the voices of two men echoed from behind a large tree.

“What happened? Wasn’t someone supposed to take it away? How did it still appear?”

“Lord Tong said, he indeed hid the Prince’s test paper, but somehow, it showed up on the last day. He suspects that some mischief was at play.”

“Where are there any ghosts in this world?”

“If it wasn’t a ghost, but human actions, why didn’t they expose Lord Tong?”

“You’re right.”

“So…what’s the next plan…”

“What next plan? The results are out. Do you think there will be a chance to retake the exams?”

Originally, they planned to lose the Prince’s paper. Using the Zhuang family’s influence, it would not be difficult to figure out that the paper was misplaced. They would definitely find a way to redo the imperial examination.

They couldn’t interfere during the first exam because they only found out about the Prince’s weakness two days before. By then, it was too late for them to carefully plan their actions, leaving them with the roundabout method of causing a re-examination. They planned to create some disturbance at the exam site to delay the opening of the papers. The prince, unable to see at night, would naturally fail.

“What a pity!”

Xiao Liulang and the Prince of An County both attained first place, causing Qingfeng Building to lose a considerable sum.

Gu Jiao’s bet of a thousand taels turned into eleven thousand taels. She was elated!

The neighbors on Bishui Alley all bet that Xiao Liulang would rank first, and he indeed did. Isn’t being tied for first still considered first? The court has already issued the title of Huì Yuán (the champion in the imperial examination). Would a small Qingfeng Building dare to default?

Qingfeng Building wept bitterly.

The neighbors earned a pot of money and hurried to find the old lady to play leaf cards.

The old lady: Yes, very good, the purse is plump, the sheep is fat, it’s time to slaughter it!

It’s all because of her!

Old Jiujin just returned from outside. As soon as he got off the carriage, he was immediately collared by the old lady and dragged to Uncle Zhao’s house next door for a game of cards!

His main job: carrying the money!

This time, Fen Lin also got admitted, barely making it in at the one hundred and seventy-sixth place out of two hundred and ten.

When it was the provincial examination, he ranked seventeenth in Youzhou. Now in Capital City, he had barely managed one hundred and seventy-something. The fall was so steep that it was heart-stopping.

But even this result counted as a good one. Several people who had placed before him in the provincial exam in Youzhou had failed. Those who made it into the list and ranked higher than him weren’t many either.

It just went to show, even in a competition amongst scholars, things could get ruthless!

Lin Chengye also made the cut. His score wasn’t bad, ranking at one hundred and twenty-third place.

You should know, during the provincial exam, Youzhou selected fifty people. He ranked forty-five, barely qualifying as a Ju Ren (scholar).

Lin Chengye was so thrilled he became giddy. Thousands of taels hadn’t been wasted. Master Liulang was too amazing!

Fen Lin nodded deeply at him. Sure enough, players who paid had advantages!

Du Ruohan ranked fifteenth on the list.