After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

The middle-aged official Wu Yanchou frowned immediately, staring at the woman dressed in a fitted men's suit, and asked, "And who are you?"

Qin Yuanyao gave him a cold glance: "Qin Yuanyao, Commander of the Imperial Guard."

Upon hearing this, the laughter of the scholars behind Qin Yun abruptly ceased! The smiles on everyone's faces froze in mid-air, appearing somewhat comical and awkward.

Even Qin Yun and Wu Yanchou couldn't help but change their expressions, their eyes constantly scrutinizing this handsome but somewhat cold and dark-skinned Imperial Guard.

The saying goes, "Fairness breeds integrity, and integrity breeds authority." The Southern Liang Imperial Guard differed from the former Liang. The practice of false accusations and slander had been strictly prohibited by the emperor. Although they still monitored the country, the Imperial Guard could not arbitrarily arrest people and imprison them like the former Liang, unless there was clear evidence that could be accepted by the Court of Judicial Review. Otherwise, whoever made the arrest would be dismissed from their post and severely punished by the Court of Judicial Review.

As a result, although the Embroidered Uniform Guard was restricted, it became more and more cautious in its actions and dealt with more cases of collusion with the enemy and rebellion, which greatly increased its prestige.

I had heard before that there was a very capable female captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was valued by Shangguan Yun and was promoted very quickly in one year. Now she has become a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Six months ago, the case of Wang Zhao, the commander of the Liuhe City Military Command, who was accused of treason, was handled by this female commander. She led her men across the river overnight and captured Wang Zhao in one day and night. The evidence she submitted was extremely solid, and neither the Dali Temple nor the Ministry of Justice could find any fault with her.

Even the Five Armies Commandery, which is usually very protective of its own, turned pale with anxiety this time, repeatedly begged for forgiveness, and dared not argue in front of His Majesty. They simply turned back and thoroughly investigated the various command offices in Southern Liang from top to bottom.

Wu Yanchou stared at the female commander and sneered, "What? Commander Qin, are you presenting evidence of my treason? Or evidence of my rebellion? You recognized me at first glance, Commander Qin, on our first meeting."

Qin Yuanyao said calmly, "My Imperial Guard Commandery has been fed by the emperor for generations and has received his favor for generations."

"If you can't even recognize all the important officials in the court, how can you have the face to hold this position? You naturally have to be more careful on a daily basis. After all, we haven't read any books of sages and we are thin-skinned. Unlike you, sir, we can't speak tactfully and evasively. If His Majesty blames us, we won't be able to say anything."

The female commander slowly raised her eyelids: "We are not engaged in production and do not know anything about agriculture. We are helping His Majesty to recognize the great talents like Lord Wu who have studied the classics diligently... This is considered... serving the country."

Wu Yanchou squinted at the woman, and after a while, he snorted and turned his head away. He didn't argue with her. After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was still the Imperial Guard, and there was no need to waste words on her.

Xiao Hei Pi can be quite sharp-tongued sometimes... Ning Nan's lips curled up slightly, and he clicked his tongue in a good mood, turning his gaze to this Assistant Minister of Revenue... A fifth-rank Assistant Minister... Heh... No wonder... This Wu fellow's words just now were indeed quite sharp, not only knocking him to Xun Gui's side, but also trying to block his path to the imperial examination.

I learned about this from Han Laoguai years ago. The imperial examination system involved passing the county, prefectural, and provincial examinations step by step, just to barely pass and become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). And all three stages of the examinations were conducted anonymously, without written records. It was fair, but not absolutely fair.

The chief examiners, especially the provincial education commissioners in charge of the provincial examinations, held the power of life and death over the candidates who passed the county-level examinations.

If the chief examiner heard what this official from the Ministry of Revenue had said, he might really be ruined and unable to become a scholar in the future... Of course, this was also because he was a commoner, powerless and without influence, and looked like nothing more than a playmate of a rich young man in a brothel, easy to bully, which was why the other party looked down on him so much.

Ning Nan narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a bright smile, "I wonder if Lord Wu can compose poetry?"

"Poetry and lyrics are a minor pursuit," Wu Yanchou sneered, clasping his hands in a slight upward motion. "The great principles of right and wrong, taught by sages and worthies, are the true path that we scholars should seek throughout our lives!"

Ning Nan's smile faded, and he spread his hands, saying, "So that means that on the night of June 6th, Scholar Liu and other renowned scholars from both the North and South went through countless hardships, enduring pressure from the Northern Tartar Emperor, to hold the North-South Poetry Gathering at Yanchun Pavilion... This poetry gathering, intended to continue the literary tradition of the North and South, was, in Lord Wu's eyes," his tone suddenly softened, "...so utterly despicable?!"

Ning Nan said this in a very soft tone.

But as if a mountain were pressing down on him, Wu Yanchou's pupils contracted and his expression changed instantly.

Not only Wu Yanchou, but also Qin Baixia, the grandson of the Grand Secretary, and the scholars behind him, changed their tune in an instant.

Poetry is a minor art... On the night of the poetry gathering, the Grand Scholar Liu Zhenxi also said something similar. But while Liu Zhenxi could say it, He Weng could say it, and all the famous scholars from various places who attended the North-South Poetry Gathering that night could say it, Wu Yanchou could not say it.

Why? Because renowned scholars like Liu Daxue went there, some even traveling great distances and enduring great hardships.

The renowned guest who visited said this as a form of self-deprecation and humility.

But if someone who didn't go says this, then they are clearly mocking the literary masters of both the North and South.

Qin Bai slapped his fan into his palm with a "snap" and laughed, "Uncle Wu certainly didn't mean that... Brother Ning," he pointed at Ning Nan with the fan and laughed, "you've misinterpreted Uncle Wu's meaning."

Wu Yanchou's face immediately hardened: "Nephew Qin is right. What I have said from beginning to end has been about your affairs, not the poetry gathering. The North-South Poetry Gathering is a grand event! I have the utmost respect for Grand Scholar Liu, Old Man He, the Northern Dynasty's literary emperor, and Elder Chen. The official and literary circles have their own judgment." He waved his sleeve and said coldly, "How dare a mere child like you slander me!"

Ning Nan laughed and said, "If I remember correctly, at that poetry gathering that night, the poems by several reclusive scholars that I presented were judged to be the best by you distinguished guests?"

The crowd blushed slightly. This was indeed undeniable, and they couldn't lie and say that the other person's poetry was bad. If they were to lie through their teeth, they would become a laughing stock in the literary world.

Wu Yanchou scoffed, saying disdainfully, "Poetic character is not the same as moral character. Some people write excellent poems but are despicable, treacherous villains disguised as loyal. I have seen plenty of such people in my many years of official service! A gentleman can be deceived by his principles. You esteemed scholars have buried yourselves in official documents for many years, and your pure hearts have been temporarily blinded by villains. What is such a big deal as this!"

His words were reasonable and well-founded, bringing the situation back on track. Qin Yun straightened his back, and the scholars behind him were even more encouraged, with many cheering loudly and clapping in praise.

Ning Nan casually uttered an "oh": "Hmm, I understand... At first, Lord Wu said that poetry was a minor art, but upon hearing about the North-South Poetry Gathering, he said that my poetry was a minor art while everyone else's poetry was a major art. Upon hearing that my poetry was the best, he changed it to: My poetry is not a minor art either... It's just that my character is too poor to be worthy of my poetry."

"Pfft—" Qian Xuejin and the other Imperial Guards burst out laughing, and Qin Yuanyao's lips also curved slightly... This civil official, in order not to offend anyone, goes through so many twists and turns.

The young man in the melon-shaped hat to Qin Baixia's left also chuckled softly at this moment.

Wu Yanchou served as an official for many years, yet he remained unfazed, saying, "What does it matter if a person of low character writes excellent poetry?"

"Then I'm relieved," Ning Nan nodded.

Wu Yanchou narrowed his eyes... Relieved? What does that mean?

Ning Nan looked at him and smiled, "Lord Wu, you can go to my hometown and ask around. The ruffians and scoundrels there often say that I am of low character and not human, and they hate me to the core. These ruffians have even given me a nickname—'Ning the Demon,' which is not quite right, but it is quite original... Lord Wu, you have a discerning eye for talent today. This insight is quite similar to that of the ruffians... Ning Nan feels... quite familiar with you. Heh... it's just a pity... compared to the ruffians, you are ultimately lacking in originality."

The golden midday sun shone on the arena, baking the air inside.

The white-robed scholar's words landed.

Instantly, everyone's expressions became quite interesting, their lips parted slightly, and the corners of their mouths twitched a little.

"You scoundrel..." Wu Yanchou's face turned ashen: "That demon Ning..."

"Eh."

Ning Nan gave a lukewarm response.

Just then, a hearty and unrestrained laugh came from behind: "Haha... Wu Siwei, how about it? In terms of wit and eloquence, can you compare to this champion of the North-South Poetry Gathering, whom I personally selected?"