The Emperor had already made up his mind. After the ministers had finished their discussions, he appointed Bai Jingnian as the chief envoy.
At the same time, he praised Xiao Yaozu.
Upon hearing the praise… Xiao Yaozu immediately widened her eyes and looked at the Emperor.
[I’m familiar with this part—there must be a reward, right?]
The Emperor naturally heard Xiao Yaozu’s inner thoughts and met her expectant gaze. He was not a stingy person.
“Lord Xiao, how about I grant you a carriage?”
Huh?
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
[Emperor, you’re a liar! Although I do want to replace my carriage, I want silver even more. I want silver! Wuwu~ I’m almost broke.]
The Emperor: “…”
No one had ever dared to disdain a gift from him.
Was the Xiao Family that poor?
But as the sovereign, he could not easily retract his words.
The court fell silent for a moment. Everyone was startled by Xiao Yaozu’s bold inner thoughts and secretly glanced at the Emperor, fearing his wrath.
[Host, the carriage granted by the Emperor can save you ten minutes of travel time and allow you to park in the same spot as the Eighth Prince.]
[So I misunderstood the Emperor! Does that mean I can commute to and from work with the Eighth Prince from now on?!! Long live the Emperor!]
The Eighth Prince quietly gazed at Xiao Yaozu’s face, lost in thought.
The Emperor’s lips twitched slightly. This Xiao Yaozu… shouting “long live”—if she could live to 100, that would be impressive enough.
But as the ruler of a nation, he quickly regained his composure.
Xiao Yaozu: “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for the reward.”
The Emperor motioned for Xiao Yaozu to rise.
“Do any of my ministers have further matters to report?”
The Minister of Rites, Lord Qin, stepped forward: “Your Majesty, the chief and deputy organizers for this year’s Spring Examination have yet to be appointed.”
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Spring Examination again—the day when scholars from north and south leaped through the dragon’s gate.
The Emperor: “The chief organizer will follow the usual practice, with the Minister of Rites taking the lead. As for the overseers… this year, it will be the Eighth Prince and Lord Xiao.”
[The Spring Examination? A perfect place for imperial examination fraud.]
The officials broke out in a cold sweat. How could Xiao Yaozu say everything that came to mind!
Knowing was one thing, but saying it out loud was another. This reckless child.
They guessed that even without the Gu poison, Xiao Yaozu probably wouldn’t live long.
Xiao Yaozu was just enjoying her gossip-filled mood when she suddenly heard her name.
[Ding—Triggered special gossip location. Check-in to claim 3 life points.]
“Your subject accepts the decree.”
The Emperor’s expression remained calm. Imperial examination fraud? How many heads did this kid have to lose?
[Host, the Emperor appointed you as an overseer~]
[System, why are you happier than I am?]
[This system has a feeling the gossip there will be even more explosive.]
Xiao Yaozu agreed. It was evident from the three life points she could claim just by checking in.
The court session ended right at noon. Xiao Yaozu dawdled, watching the crowd disperse.
[Host, what are you doing?]
[I want to know if they’re going to lunch. Does the Emperor provide lunch?]
Xiao Yaozu shrewdly followed behind the Eighth Prince.
[System, aren’t I clever? The Eighth Prince is the Emperor’s brother, so the food must be good. And he’s so handsome.]
Just as Xiao Yaozu was about to follow the Eighth Prince to the Imperial Study,
Eunuch Rong politely reminded her: “Lord Xiao, His Majesty only summoned the Eighth Prince.”
As he spoke, Xiao Yaozu caught sight of a line of twelve eunuchs carrying pastries and drinks. She wore an expression of betrayal.
【They’re definitely hiding delicious food inside to eat by themselves, hmph, I really want to fight these rich people.】
Xiao Yaozu pretended not to hear and hid in the Eighth Prince’s shadow, hoping to follow him in for some free food.
【Two people ordered twelve dishes—how could they possibly finish all that?】
The tall figure suddenly stopped walking, causing Xiao Yaozu to bump into the man’s back. He instinctively took a step back.
The Eighth Prince’s narrow phoenix eyes fixed on the distinct red mark on Xiao Yaozu’s forehead.
His skin is too delicate, and his temper too fiery.
“There’s a dining hall in the palace. Let Eunuch Rong take you there.”
【A dining hall?】
【The palace actually has a dining hall? The Eighth Prince is truly as beautiful as he is kind-hearted.】
Xiao Yaozu blinked and glanced again at the Imperial Study.
“Farewell, Eighth Prince. Farewell, Eunuch Rong.”
With a quick wave of his small hand to both men, he decisively followed the young eunuch.
Eunuch Rong instinctively waved back. “This Lord Xiao is quite lively,” he remarked.
That wave had given him the feeling that it would be somewhat impolite not to return the gesture.
The Eighth Prince gave a soft hum of acknowledgment before entering the Imperial Study.
The Emperor was already seated inside, waiting for him.
……
Xiao Yaozu followed the young eunuch to the dining hall and discovered it truly existed.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed several familiar officials having their meal.
“Does the Eighth Prince usually eat here too?”
“The Eighth Prince rarely has lunch in the palace, but His Majesty has reserved a private room for him.”
“Esteemed eunuch, since the Eighth Prince surely won’t have time for his lunch today, let me help him finish it.”
“This…”
Xiao Yaozu’s eyes darted around mischievously. “The Eighth Prince himself instructed you to bring me here—surely this was his intention.”
The young eunuch was no match for Xiao Yaozu’s nonsense and could only concede that he had a point.
Seated in the elegant room, the young eunuch served numerous dishes.
A single person actually received five dishes and one soup.
The portions were small but exquisite, suggesting the flavors would be excellent.
Xiao Yaozu was heartily enjoying his meal, occasionally taking sips of fruit wine—it was delicious.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching outside the private room.
“Your Highness, this is the Eighth Prince’s exclusive private room! Unauthorized persons are not permitted to approach!” The young eunuch’s voice carried a note of anxiety.
“I don’t care! This princess demands to see inside!” A spoiled female voice rang out.
The door was abruptly pushed open, and a lavishly dressed young woman stormed in angrily.
Upon seeing Xiao Yaozu, she froze momentarily.
When did the court gain such an exceptionally handsome man? His mere presence seemed to dim the elegance of the entire room.
Realizing she was staring dumbfounded at a man, she immediately became annoyed and demanded, “Who are you? How dare you occupy my Eighth Imperial Uncle’s private room!”
Xiao Yaozu assessed the young woman before him—her features were delicate, with a hint of arrogance between her brows.
She addressed the Eighth Prince as “Imperial Uncle” and moved through the palace with such casualness—which princess was she?
【System, who is she?】
【She’s the youngest daughter of Princess Anding, Shen Feiyan】
Back when Princess Anding selected her husband from the examination rankings, Shen Zhao became Princess Anding’s consort, creating a celebrated love story. Soon after, Shen Feiyan was born.
The Shen family indulged this young princess’s every whim—if she wanted stars, they’d give her stars. Consequently, Shen Feiyan’s temper grew increasingly spoiled.
No one dared comment on the young princess’s bad temper, given her imperial status.
Xiao Yaozu swallowed the food in his mouth. “I am the Compiler. Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Oh? So you’re that Lord Xiao, the one overseeing the Spring Examination with my Eighth Imperial Uncle.”
“Indeed, that would be this humble official.” Xiao Yaozu showed no fear.
Meeting Xiao Yaozu’s brilliant cat-like eyes, the princess inexplicably felt her face grow warm. Proudly turning her head away, she commanded:
“This princess has a task for you.”
Xiao Yaozu couldn’t recall any connection between himself and the princess: “Your Highness, please speak.”
The princess: “For the Spring Examination, I want Xu Mingze to pass.”
???
[System, look – imperial interference in imperial examinations comes from the royal family itself.]
Several ministers eavesdropping outside were so startled they lost control of their sphincters, with one fart accidentally hitting the official behind him.
With age comes loose bowels, and the elderly officials started punching the person in front of them.
“Ouch~” “Ouch~” “Ouch~ stop hitting!”
Even enjoying gossip comes with difficulties.
They had already decided that next time, they would definitely push the gassy old fellows to the back.