Playing bad and eating melons: The whole court is laughing? No, no

Chapter 196 Pre-Exam Checkup

The gate of Gongyuan.

The Minister of Personnel and several officials from the Ministry of Personnel stood outside the door, and in front of them were thousands of students taking part in the imperial examination.

The Minister of Personnel cleared his throat and said loudly: "The purpose of this examination is to select talented people, regardless of their social status, and only consider their talent.

However, cheating is strictly prohibited within the examination hall. Violators will be severely punished! Today, I, along with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and General Lu, will assist the chief examiner, Lord Xiao Jiang, in supervising the examination. I hope you will all give your all."

All the students responded in unison, followed by whispers.

"Brother Li, didn't the Minister just say that the chief examiner this time would be Lady Xiao Jiang, the only female official in the court?"

"Seems to be."

"I heard that Mr. Xiao Jiang has a pair of discerning eyes..."

"It seems that in this imperial examination, we can be treated fairly and justly based on our own strength."

"That's great... I've finally been waiting for this day."

The Minister of Personnel could hear some of their whispers, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, wishing that the world would be peaceful and clear.

After expressing his feelings, the Minister of Personnel continued, "This imperial examination is different. Candidates do not need to bring anything with them, including writing materials."

When these words were spoken, the students looked at each other in confusion.

"To prevent cheating, the imperial court will distribute all necessary supplies for this exam, including pens, inkstones, mosquito repellent, and other items. Each candidate only needs to bring one person with them.

Please put down the items you have prepared and we will keep them for you for the time being."

Someone raised an objection, "Sir, I am used to using my own writing brushes and inks. If I change them, I am afraid it will affect my performance."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Personnel's face changed slightly.

"If you are affected by just changing the writing brush, then there is no need to take this exam.

If you can't even overcome this little difficulty, how can you be loyal and serve Great Xia and expand our territory in the future?

How can I become the father and mother of the people of Daxia, uphold justice and bring them justice!"

As soon as these words were spoken, those who had originally had objections lowered their heads in shame.

Others were secretly complaining, thinking that there must be something fishy about the writing.

Otherwise, it means that they don’t have much knowledge and are making excuses for their poor performance in the exam.

The Minister of Personnel looked around sullenly and said, "I'll say this one last time. If you can't adapt to the new writing style, you can leave now. There's no need to waste your time."

All the students said in unison: "We will follow your instructions, sir. We will learn from you."

Inside the Imperial Examination Hall, Jiang Yueyang sat on a stool behind the long table, looking a little bored, with her hands supporting her cheeks.

"What are you doing outside? Why haven't the candidates come in yet?"

The Crown Prince, standing behind her, explained, "The Minister of Personnel should be explaining the rules of this exam to the candidates."

Lu Yunting asked, "But you're tired of waiting...are you impatient?"

"A little bit. Examinations are inherently stressful things. Ask the Minister not to put too much pressure on them."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunting immediately signaled the official from the Ministry of Personnel to go outside and give a reminder.

Jiang Yueyang: [Little melon, when the candidates come in later, please let me know if you have any questions.]

【receive! 】

As soon as the system's voice fell, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened from the outside.

Jiang Yueyang immediately sat up straight and put on the serious look that an invigilator should have.

The students taking the exam lined up in two rows and entered in an orderly manner. From a distance, they saw Jiang Yueyang sitting upright on a stool.

They didn't dare to whisper in the Imperial Examination Hall and could only communicate secretly with their eyes.

After a while, the students taking the exam stopped about 3 feet ( meters) away from Jiang Yueyang.

The Minister of Personnel walked over to the table and stopped. "Master Xiao Jiang, His Majesty said you have a keen eye. After the students have been searched, you will need to check them again."

Jiang Yueyang responded softly.

Then, the Minister of Personnel shouted loudly: "Begin!"

Four officials from the Ministry of Personnel began to search the candidates, and after the search, they took turns walking up to Jiang Yueyang.

Jiang Yueyang didn't hear the system's reminder, so she waved her hand and told them to go to their seats and wait.

Half a quarter of an hour later, the system beeped for the first time.

This sound startled everyone present, especially the candidate standing in front of Jiang Yueyang.

Jiang Yueyang didn't ask the system candidate if he had any questions. He just looked at the candidate and said, "Stand aside."

Upon hearing this, the candidate's face turned pale and his legs began to tremble.

The prince couldn't help but ask, "What's his problem?"

"Your Highness, time is of the essence. Let me finish the inspection first."

After that, the inspection continued. A moment later, the system beeped again.

Jiang Yueyang looked at the candidate in front of him who was as dark as Bao Gong but still had a delicate appearance.

Without the system telling her, she could guess what the problem was with the candidate in front of her.

So she called the Minister of Personnel to her side and motioned for him to come closer.

Then, the Minister of Personnel slowly opened his eyes wide.

He carefully looked at the trembling candidate in front of him again and again, and finally called a subordinate to whisper a few words.

The subordinate responded and left quickly.

Then, the dark-skinned candidate was also called to stand aside.

Everyone present was smart and they immediately understood that as long as the "beep" sound was heard, they would be kept.

Therefore, the next candidate who was examined breathed a sigh of relief as long as they did not hear the dripping sound.

An hour later, all the candidates were checked and nine people were singled out.

In a wing of the Imperial Examination Hall, nine people stood in a row in front of Jiang Yueyang and others.

Jiang Yueyang walked up to the first candidate on the left and stared at him without blinking, making him swallow subconsciously.

[Little melon, let's start and tell us what problems they have.]

The system said: [This person tied a few cheat sheets to his penis and took them out to cheat when preparing for the exam.]

Jiang Yueyang exclaimed, "He really doesn't treat me as an outsider, and he's not afraid of strangling his brother."

Candidate: “…”

Prince: "..."

The corners of Kong Jijiu's mouth twitched. Fortunately, he didn't say such words in front of thousands of candidates.

Lu Yunting looked calm and composed, as if this was all routine operation.

Jiang Yueyang said calmly, "Come here, take him down and undress him for inspection. I suspect he has cheat sheets."

"promise!"

After the candidate was taken away, the system said consciously: [This candidate used a special potion to write several poems and excellent answers to a policy essay on his hands.

The potion appears when it comes into contact with water, and disappears when the water dries up. It's truly the ultimate cheating tool.

"Amazing! This guy's talented. I'm going to ask him how he made that potion later. He's almost catching up with modern technology."

System: [It wasn't made by him.]

[Huh? What a waste of my expression.]

Candidate: “…”

Jiang Yueyang sniffed and said, "I smell a familiar medicinal scent on him. Take him downstairs to wash his hands and feet."

Then, the candidate was taken away again.

System: [This person has a note hidden in his hair.]

Jiang Yueyang said with a smile: "Young Master has so much hair. I am so envious. Someone, come and check his hair."

A few minutes later, Jiang Yueyang checked the last one, the candidate with delicate appearance.

"you……"

"grown ups."

At this time, the official from the Ministry of Personnel who had left earlier came back.

He whispered something in the Minister of Personnel's ear, and the Minister of Personnel said, "Sir Xiao Jiang, His Majesty allows you to make your own decision."

[Little Melon, are those big men of His Majesty having a heated discussion? It's been two hours already.]

The system hummed, "It was intense. The Duke of Ying and the Right Prime Minister were both choking each other. Then, the Third Prince took advantage of the chaos and kicked the officials from the Censorate several times."

[Ah…] Jiang Yueyang's face was filled with regret. [I feel like I missed a big scene. A bunch of old men fighting must be very interesting, right?]

Hearing this, the prince couldn't help but say, "Master Xiao Jiang, it's getting late."

Jiang Yueyang immediately came back to his senses and responded, then looked at the pretty student.

"Girl, your outfit is pretty good, but the bad thing is that you look too much like a girl."

System: [Host, I am originally a girl.]