Chapter 77: Rescue

  Yang Yunqiu had finished the imperial examination, visited the chief examiner, and gathered with a group of new scholars. When he returned home, he still couldn't believe it - he had actually become the top scholar, something he had never thought possible before.

  Sun Zhaoyang's grades are pretty good, sixth in second-class.

  He didn't invite Yang Yunqiu to any gatherings, nor did he meet with him. I guess he's not comfortable in his heart. Listening to Er Ya's gossip, the book boy who served the young master was beaten a few times and secretly ran to the medical hall to get medicine.

  Yang Yunqiu didn't see any depression in Sun Zhaoyang, and after the imperial examination ended, he followed his elders to visit various places. It was said that he even participated in the literary and poetry gathering of King Jing, and was highly appreciated by King Jing. It was said that he had already passed the exam and was set to enter the Hanlin Academy.

  After passing the imperial examination and becoming a jinshi, it's not the end of everything. The type of official position one can get is very important for future development. Most scholars hope to get a lucrative post, and those who can stay in the capital will naturally want to stay in the capital, as no one wants to leave the center of power. If they can't stay in the capital, they also hope to go to a slightly better place where it's easier to get promoted.

  Yang Yunqiu, with his top three honors in the imperial examination, could have become a compiler in the Hanlin Academy according to the usual practice of the Yin dynasty. However, he wanted to take up an official post in the provinces, ideally serving as a compiler for just one year before moving on to a provincial position. As the saying goes, "serve in one post and bring benefits to one region." The merits gained from being a local official far exceeded those obtained by holding a powerless position in the capital, especially during such times.

  This requires him to plan slowly and not rush.

  There is only one thing, after Yang Yunqiu became the champion, he also became popular in the Sun family, at least Sun Zhifu wrote letters repeatedly, and his tone also became softer. Chen Juhong now has a large courtyard all to herself, with fewer servants than the lady of the house, but only slightly less. In the Sun family's status, she rose with the tide, and ordinary servants unconsciously called her "nanny" or "second lady".

  It's just the Yu family, and it seems that they are also paying attention to this fake nephew who was never looked up to before. Nowadays, Yang Yunqiu often runs into people from the Yu family when socializing in the capital, and they will come to greet him.

  He also grasped the measure, willing to get close to each other, since there is this layer of relationship, no need to not go because of some small discomfort, in the court of Yin Chao, it is necessary to have various relationships, even if they are mutually utilized.

  At least for now, the family doesn't seem to be involved in the struggle for the throne, and their relationship with the various princes is neither close nor distant. However, Sun Zhaoyang has gotten closer to Prince Jing, which is a wise move. Among all the princes, Prince Jing has the best background: his mother was from the prominent Xia family, although she has passed away. He has a slightly arrogant personality but gets along well within the imperial clan. Compared to Prince Wei, he has some power and influence, but because he doesn't have military authority, he won't pose a threat to the emperor. He's the type of person who can live a stable life in his own fiefdom even if he fails to seize the throne, as long as he doesn't rebel or cause trouble for himself. Sun Zhaoyang's choice is indeed a clever move that allows him to advance or retreat as needed.

  Yang Yunqiu didn't do anything extra, after being appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, he also studied diligently with his seniors. He was born well, had a steady temperament, wasn't impatient or competitive, and had some reputation for his talent. His calligraphy and painting were both excellent, and he got along swimmingly in the Hanlin Academy. Unfortunately, Sun Zhaoyang also successfully entered the Hanlin Academy as a junior compiler.

  Two people can't help but run into each other every day, and the taste of it is really hard to describe.

  Yang Yunqiu worked in the Hanlin Academy for a year, and did well, having several opportunities to serve at night in the palace, even conversing with the emperor, leaving a fairly good impression on him, which ordinary officials would not have had.

  It was Yang Yunqiu's turn to be on duty that night, and he and another compiler, two ordinary scholars, entered the palace with ease, both of them were used to it, and neither of them was too worried.

  As a result, the doll accidentally caused big trouble.

  Yang Yunqiu entered the imperial palace and went to Chongde Garden to read historical books for the emperor. Lately, the emperor had been particularly fond of having young scholars read to him, covering all sorts of books, and occasionally even discussing them together.

  Not everyone can be competent, at least being knowledgeable about the past and present is necessary.

  The entire Hanlin Academy has this honor, apart from the two Hanlin scholars, Yang Yunqiu was summoned the most times. Now Li Hanlin and Zhou Hanlin, the two masters of the Hanlin Academy, think that this new top scholar is a talent to be cultivated, and even plan to let him take over as their successor. Of course, Yang Yunqiu would not be willing to spend a long time here dealing with words.

  Entering the imperial palace for night duty, many young Hanlin scholars thought it would be particularly tense and tiring. Indeed, this was true for most of them, but Yang Yunqiu was an exception.

  Others value imperial power and worry that if they don't do well, not only will their own heads fall to the ground. What can Yang Yunqiu be afraid of? If he dies, it's no big deal, he'll just return to the earth and come again later. So he is particularly at ease in front of the emperor, occasionally looking at the emperor with interest, and even telling a joke or commenting on historical books. He has different views from the emperor and will not hide them.

  Mo Nan Song thought it was hard to forget this champion, sometimes in front of the heavy minister's face, he would tease Yang Yunqiu, saying that he was a newborn calf who didn't fear tigers.

  "It's even more beautiful than a calf."

  Even high-ranking officials in the imperial court looked up to this young man who had become a top scholar at just three years old.

  There were also rumors that the emperor wanted to marry Le Ping Gongzhu to him, and Yang Yunqiu didn't know what to say when he heard such rumors. He had never seen the famous princess from head to toe, and as an outer minister, how dare he enter?

  Sitting in the Chongde Garden, sipping tea, Yang Yunqiu read history to the emperor in his usual calm and unhurried tone. The doll had gone off on its own to find something fun, but he didn't mind - to the doll, the imperial palace was no different from its own backyard. But who would have thought that tonight would take a strange turn? Yang Yunqiu had only been reading for half a cup of tea's worth of time when suddenly a blood-curdling scream echoed out from the inner study of the Chongde Garden - "Ghost... ghost ah!"

  Yang Yunqiu suddenly stood up and instinctively protected the emperor in front of her, then a loud explosion was heard, the deafening sound shook the house beam and it collapsed!

  He violently pounced on the emperor, using his back to prop up the beam that felt like it weighed nothing, and he could feel his own back cracking and creaking, with fresh blood flowing down his neck.

  Yang Yunqiu couldn't help but sigh - this body was still a bit off.

  Dust and gravel pattered down on their heads with a loud clatter, smoke filled the air.

  Mu Nan Song's pupils constricted, but his face remained calm, worthy of being an emperor.

  "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

  Yang Yunqiu also held on to calmness, if he let the emperor die in front of him, that would be...he could only die and come back again.

  "Cough, cough."

  Mu Nan Sheng was just choked by the flying dust and it's nothing serious. "It's okay."

  "Are your hands and feet active?"