Ji Xiaolan: Kill Qianlong at the beginning

Chapter 562 Taking the Exam for a Friend

Mo Li realized he had misspoke, so he softened his voice slightly and said, "Listen to me, go back. As long as I'm here, I won't let you in."

Zhao Qing stared blankly at him.

She never expected Mo Li to be so ruthless and heartless, and thought to herself that she had misjudged him.

At this moment, someone said, "The Emperor has decreed that Gan Xiaoxu, a scholar from Jiangnan, be summoned to the stage."

Although Mo Li knew the plot, she didn't know if her appearance would have a butterfly effect and affect the direction of the story.

Therefore, he dared not let Zhao Qing in.

After all, the eyes of scholars across the land are watching him from behind.

Now that the Emperor has decreed that Zhao Qing can enter, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew Zhao Qing would blame him for being heartless, but he also had ways to win her back.

Therefore, he was not worried about losing Zhao Qing.

Zhao Qing said expressionlessly, "Can I go through this door now?"

After saying that, he turned around and went back to get his luggage.

They walked towards the door.

Mo Li watched her retreating figure without saying a word.

……

"Students have completed their medical examinations and may enter the venue."

The candidates entered the courtyard and stood in their assigned positions.

"Take your seats and receive the scrolls."

All the candidates sat down.

The examiners immediately handed out the exam papers.

……

Mo Li paced back and forth in front of Emperor Gai Zhang.

Emperor Gai Zhang looked at him and said coldly, "Mo Li, have you had enough?"

Mo Li said, "I still have to say, Your Majesty, this is simply outrageous. How can she be allowed to enter? She's a substitute, a stand-in. What kind of examination is this?"

Heshen said, "Mo Li, you're so stubborn. Zhao Qing is your lover, and you not only didn't help her, but now that she's been allowed in, you're still trying your best to stop her."

Emperor Gaizhang said, "Heshen's words make sense. If I were to grant her permission to take the exam for her friend, Mo Li, do you think I have that authority?"

Mo Li cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, you are naturally above all rules. But Your Majesty, you have not forgotten that although the Son of Heaven is noble, the law cannot be violated."

Heshen said, "Mo Li, you're still so stubborn. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who will know?"

Mo Li thought about it carefully and felt that it made sense. Only the three of them knew about this, and no one else knew. The emperor would not be left with any bad reputation.

Heshen continued, "Furthermore, Your Majesty's civil and military achievements have created the most prosperous era since the founding of China. Throughout history, there has never been a woman among the top three scholars. If this time a female scholar who is no less capable than any man truly appears, it will be an unprecedented event, and it will also show that Heaven is bestowing good fortune upon Your Majesty."

Emperor Gai Zhang said, "Mo Li, I had doubts before about whether Wang Xi was telling the truth, but now it seems that Wang Xi was indeed not lying to me. You are so stubborn. Now you even prevent her from entering the examination hall, let alone help her steal the questions."

Upon hearing this, Heshen was so frightened that he trembled like a leaf, and said in a trembling voice, "Perhaps Mo Li is just acting, Your Majesty. Please don't believe him."

Mo Li said, "Heshen, do I still need to act?"

Emperor Gaizhang said, "Heshen, I don't want to investigate your theft of the exam questions any further. Just be more careful in the future."

Heshen said yes repeatedly.

Emperor Gaizhang looked at Mo Li and said, “Mo Li, our dynasty has always governed the country with filial piety, and I also value benevolence and righteousness. Zhao Qing’s actions were entirely to save her friend. This shows her loyalty and righteousness and deserves encouragement. If her friend can be released because of this, then in the storiesteller’s mouth, there will be the legendary tale of saving a friend by taking an exam on behalf of another, which will be passed down as a good story. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”