Ti flew by, and only seven days remained until the imperial examination. During this period, Li Xianxian sought out Li Youyun nearly every day, leading them to quickly regard each other as brothers, and their bond grew exceptionally strong.
The Four Books and the Five Classics, astronomy, and geography — nothing was off-limits in their conversations; they had the feeling of regret for not eting sooner.
However, the closer Li Xianxian got to Li Youyun, the more hostile Lin Feiyun’s gaze toward Li Youyun beca. Yet he dared not do anything to Li Youyun, since he could not afford to offend Li Xianxian.
But Lin Feiyun harbored a growing resentnt toward Li Yunfei, and he had set a trap, waiting for Li Youyun to fall into it.
At the Laifu Inn.
"Brother Youyun, tomorrow is the imperial examination. I believe that you will surely excel and beco the top scholar. We shall et at the Golden Throne Hall," Li Xianxian said, raising his wine cup and draining it.
"Thank you for your kind words, my dear brother. If we both excel, we can serve the people together," Li Youyun replied resolutely, also finishing his wine.
...
The day of the imperial examination arrived, and the entire Capital City beca extrely lively as a large number of scholars flocked to the Scholar Pavilion since the examination site was located there.
In the examination hall.
Li Youyun sat upright, though slightly nervous, he was full of confidence, believing that his knowledge would surely lead him to success.
The only thing that regrettably surprised Li Youyun was not seeing Li Xianxian in his examination hall, as the latter was likely in another hall.
"Begin the exam and write your answers."
Ding-a-ling!
The examiner shook the Golden Bell, and the door of the examination hall slowly closed. Each scholar received a set of test questions, marking the official start of the imperial examination.
"Ruling the world through the arts, securing the nation through arms, if scholars beco a threat to the law through literature, and warriors violate restrictions through force, are there any good strategies to resolve this?"
Li Youyun looked at the question before him and smiled slightly. This question was too simple for him, and he imdiately began writing his response with confidence.
Ti passed increntally, and as the bell rang once more, the examiners collected the scholars’ papers one by one, thus concluding the first session of the imperial examination.
However, the imperial examination lasted three consecutive days, during which the scholars were not allowed to leave the examination site. Each scholar had a separate and enclosed living space, and only after the three-day exam were they allowed to leave the Scholar Pavilion.
Of course, if a scholar chose to withdraw, they could leave early, but this ant they would fall to the bottom of the rankings, forever severing any ties with officialdom.
The first day of the exam passed just like that. Little did Li Youyun know, his exam paper was not placed with the others but instead was laid before a certain individual.
In a secluded room within the Scholar Pavilion.
"Lord Zhang, how do you think Li Youyun perford?"
Lin Feiyun casually handed the exam paper to the person beside him, who was dressed in a Second Grade official robe. It was none other than Zhang Chushan, the Great Scholar overseeing this imperial examination.
"Excellent, excellent, what a remarkable plan to govern the nation by law," Zhang Chushan exclaid, reading Li Youyun’s paper in one breath, repeating "excellent" three tis, his face filled with excitent.
"What? Was the answer really that good?" Lin Feiyun asked with a sinister expression.
Sadly, Great Scholar Zhang Chushan paid no mind to Lin Feiyun’s expression; instead, he was deeply impressed as he praised, "Not just good, but exceptionally talented. If the Saint saw this, he would certainly earn a place on the honor roll and be entrusted with significant duties."
Rip!
Suddenly, Lin Feiyun snatched the paper from Zhang Chushan’s hands and, with a sullen face, tore it in half.
"Young Master Lin... why?" Great Scholar Zhang Chushan exclaid in shock.
"Lord Zhang, I rember when you first ca to Beijing and ranked highly in the exams, it was my father who nurtured your career, enabling you to reach your current Second Grade position, wasn’t it?" Lin Feiyun said casually.
"Yes... correct... without Chancellor Lin’s support... I wouldn’t dare forget it in my lifeti," Zhang Chushan hurriedly responded with folded hands, seeming to understand Lin Feiyun’s intentions.
"This Li Youyun offended , and he’ll never enter the court as an official in this lifeti. You know what to do, don’t you?" Lin Feiyun said darkly.
"I... I understand... but if soone finds out... I’m afraid..." Zhang Chushan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, unable to finish his sentence.
"Rest assured, there is no one greater in this Capital City than the emperor himself and my father. You can go ahead and act. I don’t want to see Li Youyun again, so if you’re going to do it, make sure there’s no trace left; surely you can find a way."
"Of course, if you handle this matter well for , I’ll personally see my father, and the position of Minister of Revenue will be yours," Lin Feiyun said, patting Zhang Chushan on the shoulder with a cruel smile.
"By the way, since this exam paper is so good, just put my na on it. It would be a sha to discard it."
"Haha."
Lin Feiyun laughed as he left, leaving Great Scholar Zhang Chushan sighing repeatedly, inwardly blaming this scholar nad Li Youyun for offending the wrong person.
"Li Youyun, for the sake of my own career, I can only ruin you. In your next life, be sure not to provoke those who shouldn’t be provoked," Zhang Chushan murmured with a sinister expression.
When scholars turn ruthless, warriors pale in comparison. Zhang Chushan knew how deep the waters of the court ran, and if he righteously refused Lin Feiyun today, he might be demoted to a commoner by tomorrow, with soone else doing Lin Feiyun’s bidding.
Hence, Zhang Chushan made a decisive choice and harbored murderous intent toward the scholar nad Li Youyun.
...
"My lord, I’m innocent, I really didn’t cheat, and this isn’t mine!"
In the examination hall, two soldiers dragged Li Youyun out while he pleaded with Zhang Chushan. Unfortunately, Zhang Chushan fabricated the accusation against him and wouldn’t listen to his explanation.
"Hmph."
Zhang Chushan snorted coldly and threw the exam answers in Li Youyun’s face, saying, "Are you suggesting I gave you these answers?"
"This... this...?"
Li Youyun was too furious to speak. Today was the last exam, and he was furiously writing to finish his paper when suddenly this examiner slamd a set of answers in front of him and accused him of cheating.
Before Li Youyun could process what was happening, the examiner instructed the soldiers to seize him, leading to the current predicant.
"Bold Li Youyun, where did you get the exam questions? Confess the truth!" Zhang Chushan demanded angrily, though a trace of guilt appeared in his eyes.
"My lord, I’m innocent, truly innocent," Li Youyun’s face was red with indignation, still unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events, leaving him only able to cry out his grievance desperately.
"Hmph, what a brazen scoundrel. Take him to the Heavenly Prison," Zhang Chushan commanded sternly, as two soldiers escorted Li Youyun out of the examination hall.
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