Eunuch Huang was still speaking beside him: "Your Majesty, would you like some water?"
"No. Take it away," Jin Cheng snapped, still fuming.
If the examinees weren't eating, drinking, or using the restroom, then neither would he.
They knelt in the hall for the exam, and he sat there proctoring.
Might as well consider himself a participant in the palace exam too!
Hmph!
Sulking, Jin Cheng alternated between glaring at one scholar and then another, until his eyes landed on Wei Shaoling—a face he particularly despised—and focused all his ire on him.
Wei Shaoling, trembling: "..."
He recognized Jin Cheng. This was the person who had exposed his scheme, humiliating him before all the scholars in the capital.
When he saw Jin Cheng's higher ranking in the metropolitan exam, he had consoled himself that the boy was just a child—once they entered officialdom, Jin Cheng wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
But now… who the hell could outmaneuver Jin Cheng?!
Under the scorching weight of that glare, Wei Shaoling nearly considered withdrawing from the exam. Forget a career—right now, he just wanted to survive!
The palace exam lasted an entire day.
The examiners assisted the new emperor in reviewing the papers and drafting the rankings.
Jin Cheng multitasked effortlessly, evaluating the policy essays while listening to the examiners’ commentary and ranking suggestions. His judgment remained sharp.
This year’s scholars were exceptional, with many outstanding essays.
As he read, Jin Cheng silently cheered for his friends, hoping they would surpass Qin Ye and claim the top three spots. But after seeing Qin Ye’s paper, his hopes crumbled.
Back during the metropolitan exam, Jin Cheng had worried that mimicking Qin Ye’s approach might lead to an undeserved victory.
Now, after reading Qin Ye’s palace exam essay, he realized he’d overestimated himself.
Qin Ye was still Qin Ye.
He had even more tricks up his sleeve!
The little demon king slammed the paper onto the table, too annoyed to continue. This was practically Qin Ye’s solo performance.
How infuriating—no matter what, he just couldn’t win.
An examiner tactfully suggested, "He should be ranked first in the top tier."
Jin Cheng twitched his lips and numbly agreed.
Fine. At least this time, no one would cry foul over the exam’s fairness—otherwise, he’d have to fight for Qin Ye’s rights again.
Honestly, who else had to constantly defend their rival?!
Exhausted, Jin Cheng asked, "Who announces the final rankings?"
Vice Minister Shao replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the top three in the first tier and the first in the second tier are announced by the emperor. The rest can be delegated to officials."
"Got it." Jin Cheng perked up and took charge.
Standing, the little demon king declared to the waiting scholars, "This year’s palace exam produced many outstanding candidates, making the rankings difficult to decide. Regardless of today’s results, I hope you will all serve diligently in your future posts. May your careers flourish!"
The new emperor’s formal speech was still a bit unpolished.
But that very imperfection made him more approachable. The scholars finally saw the emperor before them as the same friend they’d made that morning.
"Your subjects humbly obey Your Majesty’s decree," they chorused enthusiastically, responding to his well-wishes.
Jin Cheng smiled. "Now, the rankings. The top three in the first tier are: Zhuangyuan Qin Ye, Bangyan Zong Wenxiu, and Tanhua Pan Hongzhi. The first in the second tier is Chuanlu He Zheng."
And so, the results were set.
The elite scholars from the Marquis’s academy, who had vowed to dominate the top tier, only secured one spot. The other top-tier scholar was their tutor, Pan Hongzhi. The rest performed well, but with only three top-tier slots, He Zheng at least claimed the second-tier’s highest honor.
The four stepped forward and knelt in gratitude.
"We thank Your Majesty."
Their appearance shocked the proctors and examiners.
Among the four kneeling figures, only one was a grown man. The other three were barely teenagers—the youngest looked about eleven!
Someone gasped, "Which one is the new zhuangyuan?"
Vice Minister Shao, long accustomed since the metropolitan exam, coughed. "The smallest one in front."
The proctors were aghast. "Heavens! This is absurd! He’s too young!"
Grand Scholar Zhao was the first to object. He stood and declared, "Your Majesty, this subject petitions against naming Qin Ye as zhuangyuan. The zhuangyuan parade is a spectacle for the entire nation to witness! Please reconsider!"
The Vice Minister of Rites also stepped forward. "This subject concurs. Your Majesty, the zhuangyuan represents our dynasty’s future officials for the next three years. Bestowing this upon a child is reckless. The people will not understand, and he will be unfit for the duties of office."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," another official added. "The Childhood Scholar system was abolished decades ago precisely because young appointees proved incapable. The civil exam reforms reflect this. To now crown a child as zhuangyuan? You Country would mock us for having no worthy candidates!"
Though the court had maintained an uneasy peace during the imperial transition, the sight of Qin Ye shattered it.
The elderly officials couldn’t hold back.
The harmonious facade collapsed.
While the other scholars waited for their rankings, the announcement stalled over the uproar against Qin Ye. Every proctor and examiner—all high-ranking officials—unleashed a torrent of objections.
The onslaught was terrifying.
They all knew Qin Ye had earned his place fairly, even achieving the rare "triple crown" of exam victories.
But the old guard refused to accept it.
Simply because he was eleven.
Simply because of prejudice.
Jin Cheng, seated on the throne, seethed.
Two years ago, his mother had made them debate whether an eleven-year-old should be named zhuangyuan—preparing him for this exact moment.
And now?
All that effort, only to serve Qin Ye’s glory again.
The little demon king finally snapped. Glowering at Qin Ye, he muttered, "You’re so annoying."
Qin Ye: "?"
Luo Jingfeng watched the officials’ attack with narrowed eyes, ready to silence them at Jin Cheng’s command.
Zong Zhao coldly reminded him, "He can handle this himself. Don’t interfere."
Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "He’d better. Or I will."
After fuming silently, Jin Cheng decided he wouldn’t bear this alone. If they were going to argue, Qin Ye would join the fray.
With a sly thought, he called down, "Qin Ye, they say you’re unworthy of being zhuangyuan. What do you think?"
