I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 283 Give Me Back My Melon Seeds
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the three of them emerged from behind the screen.

Chu Liuzheng immediately looked at her brother and asked, "How is it?"
Chu Shangming's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

This Prince Xiao looks kind and approachable, but he is actually unfathomable and is the type of person he absolutely does not want to offend.

He did his best, no matter what.

To avoid worrying Chu Liuzheng, he nodded slightly.

Chu Liuzheng frowned slightly, deciding to find an opportunity to ask King Xiao later.

Yun Jijiu winked at Chu Shangming, signaling that it was none of his business and he should take his leave.

Chu Shangming stood there as if he hadn't seen anything, not moving, since the emperor hadn't chased him away.

He wanted to see his younger sister a few more times, but now that he was back at the palace, he wouldn't be able to see her again.

Xiao Jingfan read through the answer sheets one by one and handed the three selected ones to Prince Xiao.

King Xiao took the document, glanced at it quickly, combined it with the two he had chosen, and handed it to Chief Minister Yun, saying, "Summon the person here so I can see him."

Yun Jijiu understood what he was going to do and, without delay, sent his servant to find someone.

The five people arrived quickly and went inside to pay their respects.

Chu Liuzheng looked over and saw a familiar face.

Hey, you curved fish!

[The Pei family is currently arranging marriages for Pei's son, which is a terrible situation. What good girl would want to be a wife of a gay man? If this continues, Pei's son will probably elope with Ren's son again.]

Xiao Jingfan raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Pei Yunjian, who was kneeling in the third position, with a somewhat intriguing look in his eyes.

Pei Yunjian pursed his lips nervously, lowering his head even further.

King Xiao summoned each person behind the screen for a private conversation, which took only an hour in total.

Chu Liuzheng opened the system and took a look. He found that King Xiao's questions varied in depth. The deep ones were naturally tests of knowledge, while the shallow ones were just questions about clothing, food, housing and transportation. Everyone's questions were different, and there was no pattern at all.

The five people came and went quickly, leaving only Chu Shangming standing there.

Yun Jijiu is exhausted. How can this child be so oblivious to social cues? What are you waiting for? Why aren't you taking your leave?
Xiao Jingfan glanced at Chu Shangming a few times, then looked at Prince Xiao: "Finished asking?"

King Xiao nodded, and his expression showed he was quite happy.

"Then let's return to the palace." Xiao Jingfan grabbed his folding fan, stood up, and walked out.

Kunqi followed, pushing the wheelchair.

Chu Shangming followed behind Yun Jijiu and escorted Xiao Jingfan and his party to the door, watching them board the carriage.

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

Zhou Yuande flicked the reins, and the carriage clattered toward the palace.

“You…” Yun Jijiu turned his head to scold Chu Shangming, but saw that Chu Shangming’s eyes were red, as if he was about to cry.

Yun Jijiu's words were immediately stuck in his throat.

He hasn't said anything yet, why is he crying?
He scolded with a stern face, "A real man doesn't shed tears easily. What kind of behavior is this?"

Chu Shangming's eyes continued to redden as he thought to himself, "You don't have a younger sister who's been in the palace for seven or eight years, so thin she's practically skin and bones. Of course you're not crying."

Yun Jijiu was annoyed, but considering that the emperor had summoned him for no reason and knew about his recent situation, there must be some reason that he didn't want to tell outsiders. He suppressed his anger and waved his hand at him, "Go back to class quickly."

Chu Shangming said "Oh," bowed, and left with his head down.

Yun Jijiu stroked his beard and turned to instruct his servant, "Immediately send an invitation to the Wen residence, requesting that Lord Wen attend the poetry banquet the day after tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." The servant accepted the order and went to carry it out.

The carriage drove into the palace. Chu Liuzheng lowered the curtain, but even though he tried to stay alert, he couldn't hide his deep disappointment.

Prince Xiao handed over a handful of melon seeds. Chu Liuzheng didn't want to eat them right now, but he took them anyway, forcing a smile: "Thank you, Your Highness." Prince Xiao said, "Aren't you going to ask if I've chosen your elder brother?"

Chu Liuzheng looked at him, and although she didn't ask, her clear, watery almond-shaped eyes were full of expectation.

King Xiao smiled and said, "If you didn't look so gloomy, I would tell you."

Chu Liuzheng immediately raised the corners of his lips, revealing a bright smile.

"Fake." King Xiao curled his lip in disgust. "Give me back my melon seeds."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

A prince of such high status is actually stingy with a handful of melon seeds!
Xiao Jingfan suddenly cleared his throat: "Tea."

Chu Liuzheng took the melon seeds in his palm and put them back on the plate, then poured tea for the emperor.

Looking at the extra melon seeds on the plate, King Xiao raised an eyebrow: "I'm thirsty too."

Chu Liuzheng immediately poured him another cup of tea.

King Xiao complained: "It's not hot enough."

Just as Chu Liuzheng was about to light the stove to boil water, Xiao Jingfan said, "Don't bother, let's drink it at Wenhua Hall."

King Xiao expressed his displeasure, but the emperor did not care whether he was happy or not, and pushed open the door to get off the carriage.

Chu Liuzheng quickly followed.

King Xiao smiled and thought, "The imperial city is boring; it's much more interesting to tease my younger brother."

As evening approached, the Grand Master of Ceremonies sent men to summon Chu Shangming, Pei Yunjian, and Yan Chengtong to his study.

Yan Chengtong was the youngest son of Grand Tutor Yan. He was only seventeen years old and looked most like his father. He was extremely favored at home.

Looking at the three people, Yun Jijiu realized that they were completely different types of people, and he really didn't understand what criteria His Highness Prince Xiao used to select people.

Yan Chengtong asked with a grin, "What brings you here, sir?"

Yun Jijiu didn't beat around the bush and said, "His Highness Prince Xiao has ordered you all to report to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow to serve as scribes."

Chu Shangming was overjoyed to find that he had actually been selected, and was so happy that he wanted to shout out loud.

Pei Yunjian was somewhat surprised, after all, his answer today was really not good, and he thought that he probably had no chance.

He recalled the exam questions and the questions King Xiao asked, and he had a general idea of ​​what he would do in the future.

If it can really be accomplished, perhaps we can ask His Majesty to grant him a marriage with that person.

Well, at least it's more reliable than eloping.

Only Yan Chengtong was unhappy, smacking his lips: "Being a clerk is hard and tiring, I'm not going."

If he wanted to become an official, he could have just told his father. Why would he bother doing this clerk job that doesn't even have an official rank?

Besides, his goal is to become the most learned playboy in the entire capital, so why would he have time to work in the Ministry of Revenue?
Yun Jijiu understood Yan Chengtong's temperament and knew he would react this way, so he immediately said, "You should tell His Highness Prince Xiao these words yourself." He was just a messenger.

Yan Chengtong curled his lips. He would say whatever he wanted, but he definitely couldn't take on this damn document!
Looking at the three people in front of the desk, Yun Jijiu saw one as clueless, another as full of tricks, and only Pei Yunjian was somewhat pleasing to the eye.

He sighed softly and said to the three of them, "Go home tonight and tell your elders about this so they won't worry. You don't need to come over tomorrow morning; go directly to the Ministry of Revenue. His Highness Prince Xiao will be there too."

"Sir, I have a question." Chu Shangming bowed to him.

Yun Jijiu looked at him and said, "Ask away."

Chu Shangming asked, "After we go to the Ministry of Revenue, will we still be students of the Imperial Academy?"

“Of course.” Yun Jijiu thought for a moment and said, “If the duties at the Ministry of Revenue are completed and His Highness Prince Xiao has no other arrangements for you, then you may return.”

Chu Shangming was immediately relieved and respectfully said, "Thank you for your explanation, sir."

Yun Jijiu turned to Pei Yunjian and Yan Chengtong: "Do you have any questions?"