Chapter 412: Palace Exam
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
On the second day following the release of the rankings, the top ten candidates appeared in the throne room, impeccably attired for the occasion.
Seated atop the elevated dragon throne, the Emperor presented a stern countenance, exuding an air of gravity. His presence commanded respect.
Gathered within the room were not only the Third Prince, the Crown Prince, and the five examiners but also a row of long tables populated by civil and military officials.
A dedicated table had been arranged for the ten examinees, who were now expected to provide answers to the questions posed by the Emperor.
Before delving into the questions, the Emperor initiated proceedings by inquiring about the names and origins of the ten candidates. Once satisfied, he presented a thought-provoking query: “In the event a nation faces a circumstance of a depleted treasury, what measures should be employed to expediently replenish it?”
The ten examinees were prompted to respond immediately, fully aware that they were undertaking the most prestigious examination, the Palace Examination. The Emperor then imposed a strict two-hour limit for their responses.
Sitting on either side of the Emperor, the Third Prince and the Crown Prince exhibited an air of feigned filial piety. Their actions concealed their underlying rivalry, as they strived to appear as dutiful sons before their father.
The five examiners remained standing, exhibiting their utmost respect for the Emperor and the proceedings.
As the examinees began to tackle the questions, the Emperor busied himself with perusing their background information. Much like the civil servant examination, scrutiny of family backgrounds was an integral aspect of the process. The backgrounds of these ten candidates had already been meticulously scrutinized by the five principal examiners, so the Emperor’s review was more of a reaffirmation. However, when he came across Su Bin’s information, he studied it with particular attention.
Su Bin’s father was originally the designated heir of the Marquis Mansion, but due to his suspicions that his mother’s death might have been orchestrated by the Old Marquis’s equal wife, the Emperor had been well-informed of this situation.
The Old Marquis had held a strong desire for Su Bin to return to the Marquis Mansion and assume the role of heir, a fact that the Emperor was intimately aware of.
As part of their endeavor, the Old Marquis had generously provided Su Bin and Qin Zhenzhen with a substantial financial backing, knowledge that was also in the Emperor’s possession. However, the Emperor remained uncertain about Su Bin’s intentions.
Was he contemplating a return to the Marquis Mansion to take up the mantle of heir?
Based on the available indications, it appeared that Su Bin harbored reservations about such a course of action. The allure of becoming the Marquis Mansion’s heir didn’t seem potent enough to entice him.
This was largely due to Su Bin’s talent and strategic acumen. He firmly believed that his future position could rival that of the Marquis Mansion’s heir. Nevertheless, the Crown Prince’s ongoing suppression was undoubtedly a pressing concern. If such suppression persisted, might it eventually compel Su Bin to reconsider and opt to return to the Marquis Mansion?
The Emperor mulled over these thoughts deeply.
Su Bin was profoundly influenced by Qin Zhenzhen. Rumor had it that Qin Zhenzhen’s family had experienced a resurgence of prosperity since she married into the Su family, an occurrence the Emperor was well aware of. He recognized Qin Zhenzhen’s identity, intelligence, and remarkable capabilities.
She was, indeed, a striking and captivating woman. The Emperor had once found himself drawn to her, but he had promptly exercised self-restraint, knowing the complexities of their situation.
The Crown Prince, in contrast, appeared more resolute in his stance. It seemed that he had not relented in his determination.
Nonetheless, it was also evident that there was an affectionate connection between Qin Zhenzhen and Su Bin.
Rumor had it that Su Bin placed great trust and reliance on her, heeding her counsel on various matters. Thus, whether or not she would choose to return to the Marquis Mansion hinged on Qin Zhenzhen’s decision.
Contemplating this, the Emperor rose from his seat and moved closer to assess the candidates’ responses.
As the Emperor loomed nearby, the examinees couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety while answering the questions. In this heightened atmosphere, Su Bin stood out for his remarkable composure, swiftly and confidently crafting his responses. Although he was seemingly cast as a minor player in this scenario, Su Bin remained resolute in delivering his best effort, an act of self-respect and reverence for the Emperor.
The Emperor scrutinized each candidate’s answers, observing a common thread in their suggestions. The candidates advocated raising taxes or implementing initiatives to solicit contributions from the wealthy, with the intention of covertly channeling the funds to replenish the treasury..
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