Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 2503: Chapter 2504: Return to Tianyun (70)

Su Muchen laughed and said, ”Whether it’s undue praise or not is not for you to decide. Since she took the Tong Exam, I’m sure she will take the Provincial Exam next year. If she secures the top spot again next year, or her scores are good enough to become a Scholar, I will make an exception and directly appoint her as a Martial Imperial Examination Graduate, and conduct the palace examination on military strategies for her. If she shines again in the palace examination, I will further make an exception and bestow upon her the title of Martial Champion.”

”Emperor, that is inadvisable.” Many officials knelt, asking Su Muchen, the Emperor, to retract his decision. How can such an exception be made? The imperial examinations have their systems and procedures that cannot be casually bypassed.

Su Muchen’s face fell, and he shouted angrily, ”If Huo Xiner truly has the talent of a champion, then I would appoint her as a champion ahead of time, putting her to the service of the Imperial Court, what’s inadvisable? If we follow the processes step by step, in the end, if she still becomes a champion, wouldn’t we have wasted a year of her time? And let the Imperial Court have one less year of utilizing such talent? Who will be responsible for the loss?”

The ministers were silent as the grave.

Su Muchen continued, ”Whether it’s martial examinations or civil examinations, they are all for selecting talents. Processes and systems can exist, but they shouldn’t be unchangeable. I do not wish for these examinations to become mere formalities. You must always remember that selecting talent is the purpose of the imperial examinations. If anyone dares to focus only on form and not the purpose, I’ll have them dragged out and beheaded immediately!”

Liu Buli immediately knelt and said, ”Emperor is wise!”

Others also understood that Su Muchen was truly angry, and followed suit, ”Emperor is wise!”

Tao Chengyin shouted ”Emperor is wise” with his mouth, but felt even more elevated in stature. And this elevation was entirely due to his eldest daughter-in-law.

Seeing no one presenting any memorials further, Su Muchen adjourned the court and left.

As soon as Su Muchen, the Emperor, left, many officials came to flatter Tao Chengyin with a few words, complimenting Tao Chengyin’s eldest daughter-in-law for catching the Emperor’s eye, having boundless prospects in the future, and so on. In any case, Tao Chengyin felt immensely dignified, standing with his back straight.

He had never been so esteemed before.

...

Once Su Muchen finished court, he went to the Imperial Study Room. Looking at the pile of new petitions on the imperial desk, he felt incredibly busy, while his cousins were far too leisurely, not managing anything and all attending to his emperor uncle and aunt.

How can this kingdom be governed by both a prince and an emperor, yet everything is left to him?

Even though making decisions alone feels better, he was displeased.

”Go, summon Lord Night.”

”Yes, Emperor.”

Very soon, Su Muye arrived, and upon entry, he laughed and asked, ”Elder brother, what matters prompted you to summon me urgently?”

”Don’t you smile smugly at me. Approve these petitions for me, and also for the next month.”

Su Muye wailed immediately, ”I don’t want to, elder brother! You’re the Emperor, not me!”

”Is Tianyun mine alone? How come your elder cousin handed everything to me?”

Seeing Su Muchen was annoyed with Su Yi Jing for not handling things at all, Su Muye stopped wailing and, with a mischievous grin, approached cheekily, ”Since elder brother mentioned a month, surely there must be a plan?”

Su Muchen didn’t beat around the bush, directly stating, ”Tomorrow I’ll personally visit the secluded place where my emperor uncle and aunt live and invite them back. Once they return, would your elder cousins still dare to stay away?”

Upon hearing this, Su Muye, somewhat gloating, said, ”Go ahead, go ahead. I’ll take care of things for a month. If you don’t return in a month, I’ll follow suit.”