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"Sir!" The figure glanced at Mr Hua, stopping in his tracks as he did so. Then, he quickly joined Mr Hua in the pavilion.

"I assume you are here to see King Duan?" Mr Hua smiled, unsurprised by the figure’s reaction.

"I would like his opinion on some insignificant matters." The figure nodded.

"You call the rankings for the imperial examinations an insignificant matter?" Mr Hua’s tone was calm, but his eyes glimmered.

The figure moved in his seat. Then, he removed the hood on his cloak, revealing a youthful face. This was Su Qing, the one standing behind the Crown Prince during the duel.

"You are extremely sharp. I am humbled by your ability. I wonder what views you have on the rankings for this examinations. I would like to learn more from you." Su Qing bowed.

"You are too kind. I have no position in the courts, and I am just a guest in King Duan’s residence. I am not fit to advise you. On the other hand, I would like to know what opinion you have." Mr Hua smiled but did not return the bow.

"You have been a strategist by King Duan’s side, contributing greatly to his plans. I am just a lowly official. How can my opinion ever match up to yours? However, since you asked, I will tell you my honest opinion. I hope you can correct me where I’m mistaken!" Su Qing bowed respectfully once again.

"It’s okay. King Duan has been waiting for a long time, please enter with me!" Mr Hua waved him off and walked towards the study.

Su Qing lowered his head as he looked at Mr Hua. However, his eyes glimmered subtly as he smiled to himself.

...

Inside the study, King Duan was not at his chair. He was pacing around the room, deep in thought with his brows furrowed.

At that moment, the door to the study was opened. Mr Hua appeared at the door with the food. However, he did not enter, choosing to stand by the door, waiting for Su Qing to enter first.

Su Qing stood in line with Mr Hua but did not step forward any further.

King Duan’s eyes brightened when he saw the two of them. "Su Qing and Mr Hua, please have a seat!"

Su Qing was about to let Mr Hua go first. However, Mr Hua had already turned to close the door. Su QIng had no other choice but to enter the room. Mr Hua followed behind, placing the food on the table.

"I was just thinking about the rankings for this imperial examinations. Your arrivals are timely. Tell me what you think." King Duan subconsciously looked to Su Qing.

Su Qing did not hesitate this time. He walked to the middle of the study and bowed to King Duan, "I am not worthy to talk about the rankings for the imperial examinations. However, since you’ve asked, I will tell you my opinion."

"Yes, please go ahead!" King Duan nodded and sat down.

"The Emperor has given you the authority to determine the rankings. That shows his trust in you. However, this is not as simple as it seems. Not only does it concern the Emperor’s wishes, it also concerns the conflict between the influential families and the commoners. Your decision will show your stance."

"You are right. I know this as well." King Duan nodded at Su Qing.

"Your highness, you have to weigh your options carefully!"

"What do you mean?"

"Your highness, what do you think the Emperor prefers?"

"Definitely Yan Xiu."

"That’s what I think too. May I also ask, does your highness value the commoners or the influential families more?"

"Definitely the influential families. So you think I should give the number one spot to Yan Xiu?" King Duan frowned slightly.

"Your highness, I have no opinion on your final choice. However, I am sure that your highness would not be this concerned if things were that simple."

"That is correct."

"Mr Hua, please humor me in this hypothetical scenario. If King Duan gave the top spot to Yan Xiu, what do you think would happen?" Su Qing turned to look at Mr Hua.

Mr Hua was minding his own business and drinking tea. When he heard Su Qing, he shook his teacup lightly and took a sip."

"I see that Official Su has already come to a conclusion. I agree with everything that you’ve said. Giving Yan Xiu the number one spot will appease the influential and support the Emperor. However..." Mr Hua hesitated towards the end.

"What is it?"

"The majority of people forget about one thing, and that is Yan Xiu’s opinion." Mr Hua’s eyes glimmered with confidence.

"That is exactly what I am thinking of. If we give it to Yan Xiu but Yan Xiu is unwilling to accept it, the decision may backfire on us. If we give it to Fang Zhengzhi, not only do I not like it, the Emperor would not either. I would also be antagonizing the influential. I am caught between a rock and a hard place!" King Duan nodded.

"My lord, your foresight is admirable. However, even in a scenario with two difficult options, one will always be better than the other." Su Qing replied.

"Official Su, which choice would you make?" King Duan asked.

"Even though all the considerations seem equal, we should just ignore those and focus on the details!"

"Oh? Please elaborate!"

"Everyone seems to know where the Emperor is leaning towards. However, if we saw the examinations in isolation, who do you think should be ranked first?" Su Qing asked.

"If I was completely impartial, I will give it to... Fang Zhengzhi." King Duan admitted reluctantly.

"That’s right. Fang Zhengzhi had rewrote history during the Theory Examinations. He completed six scripts flawlessly! Even Chi Guyan and Nangong Hao did not manage to do that. In the combat examinations, despite being overpowered by Yan Xiu, he managed to hold his ground. Furthermore, Yan Xiu had fainted at the end, effectively handing Fang Zhengzhi the victory. Even if we ignore that fact, the final was a draw at best."

"That is true." King Duan nodded.

"If your highness insists on making Yan Xiu the top candidate, you would be appeasing the Emperor. However, the Emperor’s intentions have traditionally been unclear. Even though you seem to be appeasing him, you would have destroyed your credibility! It is not worth it!" Su Qing reiterated.

"What does Mr Hua think?" King Duan’s expression changed. He turned to Mr Hua for advice.

"Official Su has said exactly what I thought. However, I wonder how Official Su proposes to skirt around the influential families?" Mr Hua turned to look at Su Qing expressionlessly.

"That is the reason why I am here today!" Su Qing said confidently.

"What does Official Su propose?"

"This incident seems complicated, but it is actually very simple. All your highness has to do is use a few clever tricks to shift the blame to someone else."

"Who?"

"The Ninth Prince!"

"Ninth Brother? I see. He was my co-invigilator. He is indeed the optimal candidate. I nearly forgot all about him."

...

Dawn the next day. The sun crept up from the horizon.

The oldest teahouse in Yan Capital was a melting pot of talents and academics. In the morning, it was bustling with activity.

There was an exquisitely designed room inside it.

Not everyone could gain entry into it. However, for someone as powerful and domineering as Ping Yang, that was a piece of cake.

Ping Yang wore a bright red cloak, her thin legs placed on the table. She fiddled with a snack in her hand before placing it in her mouth, savoring it as she did so.

Sitting opposite Ping Yang was a well dressed youth. He helped Ping Yang cut open the snacks whilst watching her eat them with anticipation.

This was the Ninth Prince, Lin Yun.

It was not uncommon for a prince and a princess to have breakfast here. However, Ninth Prince Lin Yun’s expression was quite pitiful.

"I don’t think Ninth Brother is just asking me here for a chat right? You brought my favorite snacks and such great tea." Ping Yang swallowed and leaned back.

"Haha, it’s nothing much. You know that many talents come to the capital during this time every year, so..."

"Oh? Is there anything fun in store?"

"Previous gatherings were just between some old friends. However, this year, there are way too many talents here. Furthermore, almost all of the top 20 on the Rising Dragon Roll have come. Even the Emperor himself is respecting this turnout, so..."

"So what?"

"He started a hunting competition in the East. The prize was something he set himself!"

"Hunting competition? Hahaha... that’ll be fun! The reward must be something quite extraordinary! Thanks for telling me this, I have to go prepare!" Ping Yang said excitedly.

"Aish, hang on!" The Ninth Prince shouted as Ping Yang stood up.

"You have something else on your mind?"

"You know, when those people come, they all have something of value. All I have is the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion..." The Ninth Prince hesitated.

"No!" Ping Yang rejected him unequivocally.

"I’ll just borrow it for one day? I will return it to you after!" The Ninth Prince said depressingly. The Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion belonged to him, yet he needed to borrow it from Ping Yang.

How humiliating.

...

Inside an exquisitely designed hotel.

Fang Zhengzhi had a good night’s rest here. Doctor Li was extremely adept. Within a day, Fang Zhengzhi felt energized and ready to go.

Having not eaten for a day, he was famished.

Fang Zhengzhi decided to find something to eat. However, he wanted to go see how Yan Xiu was doing first.

Yan Xiu’s room was right next to his.

This was not a coincidence. Yan Xiu had booked this room for Fang Zhengzhi in advance.

After all, Yan Xiu did not have a lack of silvers.

Fang Zhengzhi knew this all along, so this was not surprising to him.

When he stepped out of the room, Fang Zhengzhi saw a hulking man standing solemnly at the door.

"Young Master Fang!" The male greeted respectfully when he saw Fang Zhengzhi walk out.

He did not address Fang Zhengzhi as an official. This was not because he was higher ranked than Fang Zhengzhi, but because he addressed Yan Xiu the same way.

Fang Zhengzhi knew this man.

When he had first met Yan Xiu, this man was by Yan Xiu’s side. In the River of Trust Province, this man always accompanied Yan Xiu.

However, ever since Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu began travelling together, this man had disappeared. Fang Zhengzhi could guess why this man was here.

"Uncle Tie!" Fang Zhengzhi had no idea what this man’s name was. He only knew that Yan Xiu called him Uncle Tie, so he followed suit.

"Is Young Master Fang on the way out?"

"Yes, how is Yan Xiu?"

"He regained consciousness last night. He is resting now, would you like to go in?" Uncle Tie opened the door slightly.

"He’s still sleeping? Then it’s okay." Fang Zhengzhi thought about it, but decided not to disturb Yan Xiu. After all, Uncle Tie was here. Yan Xiu was in good hands.

"Okay then." Uncle Tie nodded and retook his position by the door.

Fang Zhengzhi did not say anymore. He walked out of the hotel and sauntered along the streets, looking for yummy snacks to fill his stomach.

Before long, he had at least five to six snacks in his hand.

He continued bathing in the sun as he walked around. At that moment, Fang Zhengzhi noticed a furtive looking man in a black short sleeved shirt by the alley.

He looked to be carrying a box using a huge black cloth bag.

Fang Zhengzhi was not interested in that man. However, that man kept stealing glances at him. That pissed him off.

As such, he decided to teach this guy a lesson.

He wanted to let this guy know what would happen when you tried to sneak glances at others.

"Aiya, young master, please have mercy!" Xiao Si fell to his knees and pleaded when he saw Fang Zhengzhi raise his fist.

"Tell me, why are you scaring people with your ugly face?" Fang Zhengzhi questioned.

"What?!" Xiao Si was taken aback by Fang Zhengzhi’s questions. His eyes darted around. "I know that I am not as handsome as you. You are clearly a powerful man. I wonder if you like treasure?"

"Treasure? What kind of treasure?" Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes brightened. Was he in luck? Did he meet a thief waiting to sell away his loot?

"Please follow me. This is a top quality treasure! Beware, don’t let others see it!" Xiao Si looked on conflictingly.

"Okay!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

Very quickly, Xiao Si brought Fang Zhengzhi into a secluded area in the alley, away from the view of the public.

"What is it, let me see it!" Fang Zhengzhi rushed.

"Please have a look!" Xiao Si had no intention to delay. He took out what he was carrying.

It was a wooden box.

It was exquisitely carved from redwood. There were also engravings on the top.

"This is a true treasure. It is the Sun Shooting Bow!"