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There were also those with strong mental fortitude who remained focused, writing the essays in their hearts with concentration.
Song Jingyun and Chen Shuming were two such individuals, sitting upright among the crowd, with a natural demeanor. The characters they wrote were both powerful and imbued with a sense of elegance and freedom.
Tang Zhichuan nodded repeatedly, carefully noting their names in the register.
Just as the palace examination was proceeding tensely, a commotion suddenly arose from outside.
The noisy sounds grew closer, followed by a loud announcement, “The Emperor arrives!”
The Emperor is coming?
Tang Zhichuan and the others were first taken aback, then quickly gathered together, exchanging whispers.
“Wasn’t the Emperor supposed to be in the Qingxu Hall, and he instructed that no one should disturb him today?”
“The message brought out by the eunuchs did say that, but changes in the Emperor’s will are common. Perhaps the Emperor feels that the palace examination is, after all, a matter of great importance to the country and its people, so he still wants to come and oversee it?”
“I don’t think so,” Tang Zhichuan shook his head, his face as calm as water. “The Emperor has always valued his meditation and cultivation, not even relaxing for the most important matters. His sudden arrival at the hall may indicate some unexpected event. We should be cautious in our response.”
Let’s not make any mistakes.
Especially not the kind made by someone like Zhao Chunmao…
Tang Zhichuan signaled for someone to come forward and whispered instructions before heading to the entrance with the others to welcome the imperial carriage.
“Greetings to the Emperor, may the Emperor live ten thousand years!”
A touch of bright yellow descended from the sedan chair.
Due to years of vegetarianism and consuming elixirs, the Emperor’s body was slender, his steps somewhat unsteady, but his complexion was quite ruddy, and his voice was very loud, “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Tang Zhichuan and the others stood up, bowing respectfully. “Why has the Emperor come at this time?”
“Minister Tang asks a good question,” the Emperor put his hands behind his back and smiled. “I was meditating in the Qingxu Hall just now, and my soul wandered into the void, where I encountered a divine being who enlightened me, telling me that among today’s palace examination candidates, there is someone who can help me ascend to immortality sooner. So, I have come to find this person.”
Someone to help the Emperor become an immortal?
Tang Zhichuan and the others were stunned, then looked panicked.
Not to mention whether there was such a person among the candidates who had come for the palace examination today, if there wasn’t, would the Emperor fly into a rage and do something extreme?
If there truly was such a person, the Emperor would certainly trust them implicitly. If this person was of pure character, it would be fine, but if they were driven by greed, would they lead the Emperor further astray?
Suppressing the panic in his heart, Tang Zhichuan quickly said, “Your Majesty has had such a serendipitous encounter? Then congratulations are in order. However, this minister had always believed that the esteemed Taoist Xun, with his high moral standing, would certainly be the one to assist Your Majesty in achieving immortality. Could it be that the person who can help Your Majesty is not Taoist Xun?”
“Speaking of which, Taoist Xun is not accompanying Your Majesty today?” Tang Zhichuan spoke while looking around. “Does Your Majesty need this minister to send for Taoist Xun?”
The only one who can dissuade the Emperor now is Xun Yuanbai!
“Taoist Xun has been overseeing the construction of the Chengtian Terrace for the past few days and is not at his residence. He did instruct me to meditate quietly today and not be disturbed by worldly affairs, but after receiving this enlightenment, I couldn’t ignore it. And since this is not a mundane matter, I didn’t send for the Taoist.”
The Emperor said, “For now, it’s better to find the person mentioned by the divine being first.”