CHAPTER 588: CHAPTER 490: TOP SCHOLAR’S TALENT! (UPDATE COMPLETE)_2

This is not the main point.

The main point is—does it really not matter that he’s answering questions he composed himself?

Does that not count as cheating?

"Prince Changsun? Are you feeling unwell?"

Eunuch Yu noticed him writing while sighing incessantly, assuming something was wrong.

Lu Yuan shook his head in frustration: "What good is it to win? A hollow victory! Such a shameful victory!"

Eunuch Yu thought to himself: Is this... exam madness?

Lu Qi gave Lu Yuan a strange glance but ignored the distraction, continuing to answer his paper.

Lu Yuan, writing furiously, was clearly behind by two exam sheets compared to Lu Qi. Yet by the time Lu Qi reached his fourth sheet, Lu Yuan was already on his final one.

"What chaotic scribbling!"

The Minister of War was dumbfounded. "Impressive nerve!"

The crowd watched as Lu Yuan, seemingly writing nonsense with reckless abandon, didn’t even pause to think. Coupled with his earlier remark about a "shameful victory," they suddenly understood.

His Highness was implying that Prince Jian’s victory was dishonorable.

King Qi sneered, "How peculiar. When it’s a skill he excels in, his victory proves his talent. Yet, when Qi’er excels and wins, it’s labeled dishonorable? Third Brother, do you think there exists someone in this world with such shamelessness?"

Prince Rui interjected, "One cannot entirely blame Yuan’er. Although the first trial played to his strengths, Qi’er was not unskilled—they were evenly matched. But when it comes to academics, Qi’er has received guidance from the Grand Tutor."

King Qi said, "As if he wasn’t also taught by the Grand Tutor? Ever since joining the Crown Prince Mansion, Qi’er invited him to study alongside him under the Grand Tutor. If he refused, who is there to blame?"

Prince Ming, furious, exclaimed, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, if you don’t want your eyes, you might as well give them away! Did you even read the ridiculously long first trial papers? Evenly matched? The nerve to say that! If you’re going to elevate someone, at least try not to insult everyone else’s intelligence!"

Emperor Liang said calmly, "Keep bickering, and I will have all of you thrown out."

The three princes fell silent.

Five exam sheets—Lu Yuan finished them all in one go, fluid and uninterrupted.

He neatly set down his writing brush, organized his exam papers, and pressed them with a paperweight.

Oh, he even took the liberty of sealing the papers with his own name.

The whole process inexplicably seemed familiar to the civil servants observing him.

"Back in the day... when we took the imperial exam... was it like this?"

"Seems... it was."

When Prince Jian was answering, they had merely thought of it as a competitive match.

But the moment this kid started writing, the Jinluan Palace truly felt like an official imperial examination venue.

Lu Qi finished his paper as well, set down his brush, and waited for the palace attendants to collect the sheets.

Eunuch Yu collected both sets of exam papers and turned toward Emperor Liang. "Your Majesty."

Emperor Liang ordered, "Let the Three Lords and the two Doctors of the Five Classics evaluate the scripts."

The civil servants who had once participated in exams in neighboring nations exchanged meaningful glances.

Grading on the spot—this was unmistakably akin to a palace examination.

They couldn’t help but feel a nervous excitement, reliving the fervor of their youthful days pursuing academic glory. Hot blood coursed through their veins once more, inexplicably stirred.

Eunuch Yu arranged for palace attendants to set up a table, seating the five officials directly across from the two imperial grandsons.

Lu Yuan said, pointing to Lu Qi’s paper, "Hey, seal the name."

Eunuch Yu glanced back at Emperor Liang.

Emperor Liang gave a nod.

Eunuch Yu took the exam sheets away, had the names sealed, and then brought them back to the Jinluan Palace.

The Grand Tutor had taught Lu Qi and recognized his handwriting.

By chance, the first paper they reviewed belonged to Lu Qi.

This student of his did not disappoint—his answers on the first three papers were flawless, earning top marks. The fourth was rated slightly lower, and the fifth showed minor shortcomings. However, as a staunch supporter of Prince Jian, the Grand Tutor unhesitatingly awarded an ’Outstanding’ grade.

As long as this set of papers achieved three ’Outstanding’ scores, the overall results could be deemed ’Outstanding.’

Of course, this was the Grand Tutor’s assessment.

The other four officials also needed to grade them.

The four others, unfamiliar with the handwriting of the two imperial grandsons, were immediately struck by the quality of the penmanship on the first paper.

The strokes were forceful yet refined, like "iron brush and silver hook," steeped in the aesthetics of master calligraphers.

The four officials already had a conclusion in mind.

This paper must belong to Prince Jian.

As they read through the answers, their initial conjecture only solidified.

"Old Yang, how does this compare to when we took our exams back then?"

The two among them who had previously sat for the neighboring nation’s exams exchanged a wry smile.

Lord Yang stroked his beard, sighing, "Ashamed, truly ashamed. Prince Jian’s ambitions soar like a crane; his intellect vast as rivers and mountains. We could scarcely reach his level."

Ultimately, all four officials unanimously rated the papers with top marks of ’Outstanding.’

A hint of arrogance flashed through Lu Qi’s eyes.

Prince Jin’s smile couldn’t be suppressed; it crept onto his face no matter how hard he tried to hold it back.

He wasn’t at all surprised the others recognized Lu Qi’s paper.

That fool’s paper—they could probably mistake it for scrawlings of ghosts. Anyone would instantly tell it apart as though it was a joke.

"This one... isn’t all that bad,"

Lord Li commented.

Lord Yang nodded, "Indeed, it has some merit. The handwriting... is decent."

Everyone present—astute observers every one of them—could hear the forced tone behind their polite comments.