Having such a son is a great comfort!
Emperor Jingyuan was delighted.
Guagua, this time I really see it. Imperial Censor Wang and his wife are truly in love. Look how nervous he is; most people can't compare.
Host, that's right. Imperial Censor Wang is a well-known romantic man in Shengjing City. He was just keeping a low profile before, which doesn't mean he doesn't love her.
Yes, yes, Guagua. You're right.
Host, actually, when you were in your beautiful mother's womb, your father was quite looking forward to it. The first four children were all sons, and he was hoping for a lovely, rosy-cheeked daughter. So, since your birth, the family has showered you with love. That's why, after the "real and fake daughter" incident, everyone was initially unable to accept it. After all, more than ten years of emotional investment isn't so easily severed. We are all just ordinary people; human nature is like that—naturally. People tend to favour the one they've invested more of their affection in.
We're all the same.
Yeah?
Host, of course! Look at Emperor Jingyuan at the very top of the table. Doesn't he dote on the Crown Prince the most?
That's definitely true.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: My father still has fatherly love.
Emperor Jingyuan: Isn't that obvious?
How could you have survived until now without a father's love?
Shen Mingzhu listened quietly, nodding occasionally.
After learning the reason for his nausea, Imperial Censor Wang felt much more at ease.
Thankfully, it was me who threw up.
The wife can have an easier time.
Thinking of this, Imperial Censor Wang felt much more at ease.
Looking at Imperial Censor Wang, all the officials couldn't help but praise him as a good man.
"Guagua, look around and see if there's any melon we didn't finish before. Let's continue eating them."
Oh... Host, Miss Lin is so pitiful!
Miss Lin? Prime Minister Lin's granddaughter?
Yes, host, you don't know, Master Mo is incredibly stubborn. He's still using PUA tactics on her every day, saying things like "three parts hard work, seven parts luck, you have to fight to win." He wants Miss Lin to fight alongside him!
Prime Minister Lin glared fiercely at Prince An several times.
When exactly is he going to take his son back?
Prince An: Hmph! I won't accept him!!!
The two turned their backs and ignored each other completely.
Snort! ! !
Guagua, is Master Mo determined not to acknowledge Prince An?
Host, actually, I feel that Master Mo is a bit conflicted, a very divided person! On one hand, he wants to acknowledge Prince An, but on the other hand, he's afraid of being called an ingrate. His adoptive parents raised him with great difficulty, and now that he's found his biological parents, he's abandoning them—a complete ingrate.
On the other hand, trying to cultivate an image of someone who is not vain, simple and generous, deeply in love, and whose affections are priceless is too much of a burden, and it's too difficult to shed that image!
Miss Lin is eagerly waiting for Master Mo, but Master Mo doesn't seem to like her that much!!!
Lin Xiang: Could it be that my granddaughter has been deceived?
Will she end up like the grandson?
Prince An: Lin Shiliang, it's time for you to step up again.
Lin Xiang, get out!
Lin Xiang was truly angry, recalling his embarrassing moment and the nickname "Lin Shiliang."
It was almost forgotten, so how did it get dug up again?
At this moment, he felt that all the officials in the court were looking at him, and some were even chirping at him.
He glared at Prince An, puffing out his beard...
Prince An: That's enough. I don't want my son anymore. Just keep him as your son-in-law.
See? That's how generous I am.
Lin Xiang: ...
Lin Yuxin: Is anyone paying attention to whether I'm alive or dead? I fainted while embroidering a handkerchief. People who don't know better might think there's something wrong with the Lin family!
Considering what has happened recently, the Lin family has really had a run of bad luck.
Thinking of the expressionless Master Mo, he wouldn't even care about her!
Lin Xiangzhen felt both heartache and resentment towards his grandchildren lack of ambition.
The family had finally established a solid foundation and became a powerful clan. Once Crown Prince Yan Beichen ascended the throne, the Lin family would become even more prominent.
You could stand on the shoulders of your parents and relatives to continue seeing the world, or marry into a powerful family and become the matriarch of the household, only to end up living a life of luxury and comfort.
Ugh... really...
He was speechless.
If arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers were not feasible, he and his son, Lin Yuheng, would arrange a marriage for his granddaughter.
He thought about it, Yuhui, but he didn't know what happened to his grandson when he went to the north.
In the north, each autumn rain brings a chill, the weather is getting colder and colder, and winter will soon arrive.
The holy land of exile truly lives up to its reputation.
In the north, at General Xie's residence.
Lin Yuhui was suffering from a severe cold, but he didn't forget his mission. His voice was hoarse as he spoke.
"General Xie, you must make sure the heated brick bed and walls are built before the first snow. You must also prepare warm clothes and bedding and make sure you have adequate defences against external enemies."
"Cough cough cough~~~"
"Cough cough cough~~~"
"Cough cough cough~~~"
After Lin Yuhui finished speaking, he started coughing incessantly.
General Xie Yan, seeing his condition, gently comforted him.
"Xiaohui, don't worry, everything is proceeding smoothly. Just focus on getting better and recover quickly!"
"Here, drink this bowl of ginger soup quickly and sweat it out!"
"Thanks."
Lin Yuhui nodded, drank the ginger soup, and then covered himself with the blanket and went to sleep.
At this momen at the Golden Palace, the system's voice came through clearly.
Host, look ahead, Lin Xiang's back seems even more hunched.
Guagua, what's wrong with him]
Sigh... His granddaughter's marriage has always been a worry for him. Now his grandson is in the north, and he doesn't know how he's doing. He's worried. After all, his son just recovered; he really hopes nothing bad will happen to his grandson.
Hey Guagua, what's the situation with Lord Lin? He's now the Vice Minister of Works, doing his job properly!
Host, Lord Yuhui has caught a bad cold and is currently sweating it out under the covers at the General's Mansion!
As if she had thought of something, Shen Mingzhu looked at the system store and saw that medicines were still very expensive.
After all, the current dynasty does not allow too many things that are not in line with its era, especially medicine.
Nowadays, people drink traditional Chinese medicine when they are sick; Western medicine is too novel for them!
When Lin Xiang heard that his grandson was sick, he was extremely anxious, but he could not show it on his face.
He gestured to Shen Changyuan with his eyes.
"Minister Shen, what should we do?"
Shen Changyuan looked quite helpless and blinked a few times.
"Prime Minister Lin, I can't fly to the North either, I don't know what to do!"
"Can you think of a solution?"
After saying that, he gestured for him to turn his head and look at Shen Mingzhu.
Shen Changyuan: You know my cotton-padded coat leaks the wind.
Lin Xiang: What use is a father like you?
Shen Changyuan: You better take care of your granddaughter!
Snort!
The entire court: We can't see anything!
Emperor Jingyuan glanced at Wang Defu, the chief eunuch beside him.
Wang Defu immediately understood and shouted loudly.
"Speak if you have something to report. Otherwise, the court may adjourn."
Guagua, we haven't done anything at the morning court session yet! Why is he adjourning?
Emperor Jingyuan: Am I about to adjourn the court? This is a reminder that this is the Golden Palace. This is the imperial court, a place to discuss important national affairs. Everyone's face is full of worry and suspicion. What are you all trying to do?
Do you think we can discuss national affairs with just a glance?
Host, it's alright. The Imperial examinations is about to begin; he probably wants to talk about it.
As soon as the system finished speaking, Gu Ci, the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the imperial examination is to be held immediately. At this stage, the scholars of the Hanlin Academy who are responsible for setting the questions should be gathered in one place to set the questions until the examination is over."
"Okay!"
Su Huaiyuan stepped forward and handed over a sealed letter; he is the person who set the questions for this imperial examination.
Because of his special status, he will be secretly taken away directly after attending court this time.
Grand Secretary Su Huaiyuan: My only regret is that I cannot attend court or work with Compiler Shen...
I will be back.
The entire court: Grand Secretary Su truly lives up to his reputation as a cultured man; his words are truly moving. An outsider might think you…
Grand Secretary Su Huaiyuan: What are you thinking!
Shen Mingzhu is the Crown Princess!
I only feel admiration for her.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: Yes, I believe you!
I believe my Crown Princess has discerning eyes; with such a gem before her, she certainly cannot see anything else.
Grand Secretary Su Huaiyuan: Strongly condemns the Crown Prince's discriminatory practices.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: I am telling the truth.
If you don't believe me, go ask the Crown Princess.
Su Huaiyuan: ...
You are the Crown Prince. Everything you say is correct.
Forced to temporarily compromise by the Crown Prince's "threat"
Guagua, according to Grand Scholar Su, the exam papers will be sent directly from the location of the question setter. Doesn't that prevent the second prince from "seeing" the exam papers? And won't Emperor Jingyuan see them?
Host, Emperor Jingyuan has really gone all out this time! He's created this test like the process of Selecting Concubines!
Selecting concubines through examinations? Emperor Jingyuan really knows how to play games; he has so many tricks up his sleeve!
Host, you must trust the wisdom of the ancients. All the games we have been playing before were things our ancestors had already done!
All the officials: What are you playing?
Tell me about it.
Guagua, I admit we're not as good as our ancestors at listening to music in brothels! But tell me about setting the exam papers using imperial concubine selection process!
Host, it's actually very simple! To ensure fairness in this imperial examination, all those who prepared the questions will gather together and won't return until the examination is over. Of course, for everyone's peace of mind, each person will prepare 5 sets of exam papers for each session. These 5 sets of papers will be randomly selected by Emperor Jingyuan just before the exam begins as the exam questions.
In other words, it fundamentally eliminates any possibility of anyone even looking at the exam paper.
Second Prince Yan Yunxuan: Why do I feel empty inside and my neck feels cold? What's wrong?
He looked around again; everything seemed normal.
He looked at Su Qingshan, the Minister of Rites, his maternal grandfather.
"Grandfather, grandfather? What's going on?"
Su Qingshan, "You better behave!"
Yan Yunxuan: ...
Guagua, i understand, this is pretty good!
Yes, this was a method that Emperor Jingyuan and his ministers came up with together; most people wouldn't know about it.
All the officials: Hmm, most people don't know that.
Hehe~~~
Emperor Jingyuan: It's no use for you to know. Before the court session ended today, everything else was already prepared.
Guagua, what about the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan? I remember he'll be using this imperial examination to cultivate many of his own people.
Host, if plans can't keep up with changes, then there's nothing we can do but accept it!
Is this even possible?
That's right! Every different choice leads to a different outcome!
Okay, I understand!
Emperor Jingyuan was very excited after hearing Shen Mingzhu say that every different choice would bring different results, which meant that the ending was not immutable.
Very good!
All the officials: Oh, I see!
As long as this imperial examination is fair and just, that's fine.
After all, quite a few people will be selected this time.
There are many good official positions in the imperial court.
Oh dear, host, Princess Chang Le has gone to Yikun Palace, and now she's waiting for the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan to arrive after court!
Huh? What are those three, mother and children, plotting?
Minister of Rites Su Qingshan: A conspiracy?
What nonsense are you talking about?
Those were heartwarming moments for the mother and her two children. They were all loyal to His Majesty; how could they possibly be plotting?
All the officials turned to look at the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan again. Was the second prince going to cause trouble again?
Why is he everywhere?
The entire court: Second Prince, can you please stop causing trouble?!
Second Prince Yan Yunxuan: What do you know?
This is my grand plan!
My grand plan!!!
At this moment, everyone listened quietly to Shen Mingzhu's thoughts, hoping to hear useful information.
After all, the second prince is now the number one focus of attention, a troublemaker!
At this moment, they finally heard the system's voice.
Host, Princess Chang Le is preparing to be widowed! Consort Li has already agreed. All that's missing is someone to carry it out!
Hiss~~~
All the officials bowed their heads in unison.
The royal family is so arrogant.
Prince An: We, the members of the royal family, are all gentle and refined people and have always acted impartially.
We will absolutely guarantee the safety of Prince Consort Tian Dachui.
Moreover, he is also a member of the Imperial Guard, and his own combat strength is not weak.
General Tian Xuezhou: Is this an insult to my Tian family's lack of talent?
That's outrageous!
Minister of Rites Su Qingshan closed his eyes, nearly fainting from anger.
How could Bao'er indulge Chang Le!
You wretched creature!!!
This is going to incur public wrath!
If you do this in private, that's fine, but if you put it out in the open and let the whole court know, then it's all over!
Aaaaaah!!!
The system's screams echoed throughout the Golden Palace.
Guagua, what are you yelling about so early in the morning?
Host, Consort Li has produced her treasured, colorless, and odourless Seven-Day Soul-Severing Powder, which she obtained from the Southern Frontier!
My goodness, Guagua, there's this in the imperial harem? It's a miracle the emperor and empress are still alive all these years!
Emperor Jingyuan's face turned ashen.
How could such poison exist in the imperial harem?
Minister of Rites Su Qingshan was so frightened that he went limp and knelt down in the centre of the hall.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty~~~" Bao'er is truly devoted to you. She would never harm you...
Those four short words perfectly expressed the bitterness in his heart.
The Second Prince, Yan Yunxuan, was somewhat bewildered by his maternal grandfather's actions.
What is Grandfather doing?
He looked as if he had suffered a tremendous injustice.
After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward and said,
"Father, Minister Su has been working diligently for the sake of the Great Yan dynasty all these years. There must be more to this story."
Su Qingshan shook his head frantically at him, but unfortunately, he didn't see it...