Chapter 158: Shedding Commoner Status

"Hahaha, Brother Changfeng, there is no need to worry. I am extremely confident about the Palace Examination."

Speaking of this, Gou Ye could not help revealing a faint smile. He believed that when it came to stereotyped essays and the like, he definitely could not compare to Xuanyuan Changfeng standing right before him. However, when it came to impromptu performance, he was confident that he would not lose to anyone!

No matter whether he was facing the so-called Emperor or anyone else, he was certain he could speak with eloquence and ease.

After all, he was a time-traveler from the modern era; the concept of universal equality was deeply ingrained in his soul and could not be easily altered.

Therefore, whether facing the Emperor or a beggar, Gou Ye had enough confidence that he definitely would not feel nervous.

"Well, since you are so confident, I can rest easy."

Hearing Gou Ye's affirmative reply, Xuanyuan Changfeng finally let out a sigh of relief.

For him, although he had not known Gou Ye for very long, this person had already become like a brother in his heart, and naturally, he hoped that Gou Ye would perform steadily.

"Let's go, let's go get a drink! The Palace Examination is right around the corner, the two of us brothers must properly relax our minds."

Immediately, Xuanyuan Changfeng threw his arm around Gou Ye's shoulder again, his expression filled with smiles.

"Uh..."

Hearing that they were going to drink again, Gou Ye felt a wave of helplessness. He had to admit that Xuanyuan Changfeng was indeed a true top student; spending his days feasting and wandering about while still scoring so high on exams was simply something he could not hope to match.

For three full days, Xuanyuan Changfeng led Gou Ye to linger around various famous restaurants and scenic spots in the imperial capital. In Xuanyuan Changfeng's words, since they were about to see the Son of Heaven, there wouldn't be much free time in the future, so it was best to take this opportunity to thoroughly relax their minds in order to participate in the Palace Examination in the best possible state.

Three days later, Xuanyuan Changfeng once again dragged Gou Ye to the palace gates, waiting quietly for the arrival of the Palace Examination.

"Brother, you must remember, even if you don't perform well, you must not get stage fright, understand?"

Right before reaching the palace gates, Xuanyuan Changfeng grabbed Gou Ye again and exhorted him in his ear.

The Ming Emperor valued etiquette, so the Palace Examination was not only a test of the examinees' true academic proficiency, but also a test of their mental composure. Those who grew nervous in grand settings could never be entrusted with great responsibilities.

If academic performance was poor, one could still study, but if one's temperament was lacking, it was very difficult to change.

"By the Emperor's decree, examinees enter!"

Following the prolonged shout of a eunuch, the group of examinees slowly walked into the grand hall under the guidance of the examiners.

At the very front of the grand hall, a golden curtain hung, separating the examinees from the Emperor.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, Gou Ye sensitively noticed that off to the side of the hall, Zhu Houzhao was standing there, winking and making faces at him.

"This session's examinees pay respects to His Majesty! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

Led by the examiners, all the scholars knelt before the Emperor and paid their respects.

"Very well, common rituals may be dispensed with. Begin the examination directly."

Seeing the examinees before him, the Emperor waved his hand and directly ordered the commencement of the Palace Examination.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

With the Emperor's consent, a eunuch took out the pre-prepared examination questions and unfolded them before all the examinees: "Today's examination question: What constitutes an enlightened ruler, and what constitutes a foolish ruler?"

Hearing the eunuch's words, all the scholars present were somewhat dumbfounded. In past Palace Examinations, the Emperor would always set questions testing strategies for governing the state, but nobody expected the exam question this time to take such an entirely different form!

"Will the top-ranking candidate in the policy essay please answer."

After announcing the question, the eunuch looked toward the examiners and issued instructions.

"Student Qin Ming pays respects to His Majesty!"

Hearing the eunuch, Qin Ming hurriedly stepped forward, paid respects to the Emperor once more, and then began to speak with fluid eloquence: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this student believes that an enlightened ruler should..."

Following Qin Ming's response, all the officials present could not help but give thumbs up of approval, and even Gou Ye, standing below, could not restrain a wave of astonishment.

Qin Ming's answer was indeed exceptionally brilliant at the moment, hitting upon many crucial points.

"Will the second-ranking candidate in the policy essay please answer!"

After Qin Ming finished answering, it was Xuanyuan Changfeng's turn. To be honest, Xuanyuan Changfeng was still somewhat nervous at the moment because, for them, reverence for the Emperor was a deeply ingrained mindset originating from the bottom of their hearts.

Yet now, they were expected to critique the Emperor himself within this grand hall—a question they truly never could have anticipated beforehand.

Regardless, Xuanyuan Changfeng was Xuanyuan Changfeng after all; he quickly adjusted his mindset and began his response.

...

"Will the lowest-ranking candidate in the policy essay please answer."

As time passed, it soon became Gou Ye's turn. Gou Ye straightened his attire and walked up with a face full of confidence.

"Student Gou Ye pays respects to His Majesty!"

"Oh? You are Gou Ye?"

Hearing Gou Ye's name, the Emperor gently waved his hand and instinctively turned his gaze toward Zhu Houzhao standing beside him.

Regarding Gou Ye's name, this son of his had frequently mentioned it in front of him, almost praising Gou Ye to the heavens as some kind of supreme talent for statecraft, which was why he had issued such a Palace Examination question in the first place.

Yet he had never expected that this so-called great talent had actually placed dead last in the policy essay!

"Never mind, begin your answer."

After just a brief moment, the Emperor collected himself and waved his hand at Gou Ye.

"This student obeys the command."

With the Emperor's approval, Gou Ye collected his thoughts: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this student believes that by listening to both sides one becomes enlightened, while by heeding only one side one remains in the dark!"

"Oh? By listening to both sides one becomes enlightened, while by heeding only one side one remains in the dark?"

Hearing Gou Ye's words, the Emperor felt as though a flash of brilliant light had just swept across his mind.

"Is that your answer? You're finished?"

Seeing that Gou Ye had no further words after uttering those sentences, the Emperor felt quite puzzled.

"Yes, Your Majesty. By listening to both sides one becomes enlightened, while by heeding only one side one remains in the dark—this is this student's answer!"

Seeing the Emperor's doubt, Gou Ye nodded affirmatively once again, his expression entirely earnest.

"Good! A fine answer of listening to both sides to become enlightened and heeding only one side to remain in the dark. Excellent!"

Seeing Gou Ye's composed demeanor under pressure, the Emperor nodded again, a trace of a smile already appearing in his eyes.

Listening to both sides to become enlightened, heeding only one side to remain in the dark—these seemingly simple eight characters completely captured the essence of the Way of a Ruler. They were infinitely superior to the lengthy, flowing rhetoric of the previous scholars!