After returning home, the emperor felt that he had been deceived, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Time flies and soon it’s time for the mid-term monthly exam, and the students gather together.
The monthly exam in middle school is divided into a literary test and a martial arts test. Today there will be an interview, and then there will be a written test after noon.
The students wore clean and tidy clothes, and every move they made while walking was watched by the masters.
As the examiner of the interview, Master Meng had a hint of cunning on his face. He had long been prepared to make things difficult for Xia Lingxuan and make Xia Lingxuan embarrassed in front of everyone.
As long as Xia Lingxuan can't come to Taiwan this time, what if he is the prince? Why don't you get out of the Imperial Academy obediently?
The students sat timidly on both sides, watching Master Meng, the examiner.
"Today is the Imperial Academy's mid-month exam, and the next step is the interview session. I hope all students can apply the knowledge they have learned into practice."
Master Meng, who was standing high up, stared at Xia Lingxuan with a burning look, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes, and then walked to the center of the crowd to ask questions.
Although Master Meng was not a very good person, he had real goods.
Such a person, full of hatred and resentment towards the prince, gave extremely tricky questions throughout the questioning process.
Xia Lingxuan frowned, feeling that many of his questions were directed at him.
This time, among the spectators was the most famous student in the Imperial College, Jiang Lanzhou, who was known as the number one son in the capital. He was Jieyuan the previous year, and he was also a star-studded presence in the entire Imperial College.
Everyone predicts that he is the only candidate who is likely to win three yuan in a row. Now he is sitting on the sidelines and listening, which naturally caused quite a stir.
Master Meng deliberately asked several students questions about behavior, and several of them answered rigidly according to what was taught in the book. One of them even quoted scriptures, which was obviously very good at endorsement, which made Master Meng very happy.
"Adults are not flashy, but gentlemen are pragmatic. Excellent people do not pursue superficiality, and well-educated and famous people are more committed to practicality and will never waste their time wantonly."
After hearing this, Master Meng nodded repeatedly and even looked at Xia Lingxuan standing aside with provocative eyes.
"It's great that all students have such awareness. As a human being, you should learn knowledge in a down-to-earth manner, and don't always think about great achievements, let alone squander your good years wantonly, indulge in wine and sex, and become the disciples of the emperor. Virtue must match!"
He was mocking Xia Lingxuan openly and secretly.
While praising others, he also verbally suppressed Xia Lingxuan. How could Xia Lingxuan not know the meaning of these words?
But he was a prince, so he couldn't argue with a master, so he just smiled indifferently.
Next came the finale question, and Master Meng deliberately looked for an opportunity.
He knew that Xia Lingxuan spent all day wandering around flowers, either in flower houses or in brothels, and didn't even listen to the emperor's words. How could he know the principles of governing the country?
"Your Highness, please answer the question: What is the basis for governing a country?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Xia Lingxuan, but Xia Lingxuan just smiled indifferently, then stood up and answered the question slowly.
"Those who seek the growth of a tree must consolidate its roots; those who wish to flow far away must dredge up its springs; those who long for the security of the country must accumulate its virtues. A ruler must be as important as a sacred weapon, and he who lives in a large domain will be highly respected. The sky is so steep that one can never rest without boundaries. He does not think about living in peace and is prepared for danger. He abstains from extravagance and is frugal. His virtue is not strong enough and his passion is too strong to overcome his desires. This is also the case for cutting down the roots in order to make the wood grow taller and blocking the source in order to make the flow grow longer."
These words immediately silenced everyone. They didn't expect that the ordinary idiot prince would have such thoughts, and he would even occupy a high ground in his thoughts.
Next, Xia Lingxuan quoted from classics, which made everyone feel inferior. Unexpectedly, Xia Lingxuan not only made great achievements in the governance of the country, but also put forward ideas that were unprecedented and unprecedented.
Covering all aspects, whether it is strengthening the rule of law or establishing a unique system, many people have a look of surprise on their faces.
I thought he was an idiot prince, but I never imagined that his abilities were far beyond ordinary people.
This immediately made Jiang Lanzhou's face show a look of joy. It was a great blessing for the country to have such a prince.
After answering the questions, the whole audience was silent.
After a long time, Master Meng glanced at everyone and said coldly:
"They are all flashy theories. They seem to be of great literary talent, but they are just fantasies that won't make it to the lobby. Does the prince know what you mean by what you just said?"
In his eyes, no matter how talented Xia Lingxuan was, he was just an idiot prince. How could such a person be able to reach the upper echelons of society?
Even if I could tell you one, two, or three, I'm afraid it would just be a temporary recitation of the book.
If the prince knows what this means, then he is really evil!
Although he was so surprised that all the students did not dare to send support, in the eyes of Master Meng, he was just a clown trying to please others.
Just as he was about to continue to criticize Xia Lingxuan, he was scolded by Jiang Lanzhou who was standing beside him.
"Thousands of sails passed by the side of the sunken boat, and thousands of trees grew in front of the diseased trees. Shouldn't Master Meng sigh for the prince's outstanding ideas?"
The man who had been silent for a long time suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention.
Jiang Lanzhou is introverted and taciturn. On weekdays, he usually just watches silently but never says a word.
I came here to listen in today. Even though it was just their first meeting, Jiang Lanzhou became very interested in the prince. He was also quite shocked by the prince's remarks about governing the country.
"Everything in this world is inconsistent, and each flower catches the eye. But today I see the prince making such remarks, and I feel really lucky. The prince can have such insights and comprehensively explain the remarks on the governance of the country, which really impresses me."
Not only did he defend Xia Lingxuan, he even boasted:
"The prince's remarks are really shocking. We have been studying for a long time and have never reached this height. It is said that the prince's playboys are uneducated and have no skills, but today I saw that it is different and I have learned a lesson!"
All the disciples' faces showed surprise. They didn't expect that he would have such great expectations for Xia Lingxuan and even put him on a high platform.
Jiang Lanzhou is using himself as a raft for the prince!
This matter soon spread throughout the Imperial College. Everyone learned that the prince's talents and learning had actually won the favor of Jiang Jieyuan, and there was a lot of discussion among the Imperial College.
"It seems that the prince is not just a fool. He has such outstanding talents and learning. He is indeed someone we admire. We must take this opportunity to get along well with the prince. We will benefit a lot in the future."
Many people have feelings for the prince, but some people still think that the prince is just a show.
"The prince is just deliberately attracting everyone's attention. I suspect that someone has ghostwritten these remarks for him. Everyone is not aware of his earlier behavior. How can you think that he is talented just because of what he said today?"
But these words soon aroused everyone's refutation, and many people even looked at the prince with admiration.
"How can this matter be revealed in advance? Don't you think Master Meng has compassion for the prince?"
This immediately put smiles on the faces of all the students. They all knew that Master Meng came here because of the prince and was demoted. He was also treated as a laughing stock after dinner. How could he offend Xia Lingxuan?
"At that time, Master Meng almost pointed at the prince and questioned him. You actually think that the master was deliberately treating him leniently? It's ridiculous!"
Everyone laughed about it.
On the side, Yuan Tou listened silently, with complicated eyes and a somewhat distorted expression.
