Traveling through the emperor, overthrowing the empress dowager at the beginning

In Taiqian Palace.

Ye Chen sat quietly on the dragon throne, his posture straight, like a pine tree.

"Today, not only will the results be announced, but we'll also be casting lots from the Golden Urn to select the best top scorer in the imperial examination."

Ye Chen's voice was low and powerful, echoing in the silent court.

In the court, Yang Dechang's expression remained unchanged, like a bottomless pool of water, calm and deep.

However, many officials could no longer sit still.

A military officer, blushing, suddenly stood up and asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, how should the results of this exam be announced?"

Ye Chen raised his eyes slightly, his gaze fell on the general, and he said in a steady tone: "Everyone's scores will be marked. Only the scores of the top three are not much different, and they will not be announced. If you have any questions, just check it yourself. Everything is based on the scores."

His words were like cold raindrops, hitting the general's heart. The general's heart trembled, and he looked up to meet Ye Chen's calm eyes.

For a moment, the general swallowed back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

At this time, a minister from the Ministry of Rites stood up.

The minister cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, the content of this exam is truly bizarre. Instead of the Four Books and Five Classics, they're testing mundane matters. And then there's the scoring system. How can you judge the quality of an essay based on that? This is truly heresy."

Hearing this, Ye Chen's eyes instantly became cold and he leaned forward.

"Humph!"

Ye Chen snorted coldly.

"This time, I am testing your all-round talents."

"My Great Yu needs not only well-read people, but also people who can understand the world. If you don't even understand some of the world's affairs, you will be nothing more than a confused official in the future. I have made up my mind, and there is no need to discuss this matter further."

Ye Chen's voice was not loud, but it was like a huge bell, echoing in the court.

The aura emanating from his body is breathtaking.

The Minister of Rites was intimidated by Ye Chen's aura, his legs went weak and he almost fell to his knees.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty."

"Anyone who dares to speak of this again will be beheaded!"

Ye Chen made his attitude clear.

Under his autocratic rule, the atmosphere in the court suddenly became very depressing, like the dullness before a storm.

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. Although many of them were dissatisfied, they did not dare to openly oppose it anymore.

Many ministers secretly turned their eyes to Yang Dechang.

Yang Dechang, however, continued to look at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose. His expression was like an abyss, deep and unfathomable.

That calm face seemed to hide endless thoughts, making it difficult to understand.

He didn't seem to want to speak.

He completely ignored the disappointment of other officials.

But just when Ye Chen saw that no one spoke, he was about to announce the adjournment of the court and announced that the Golden Urn Lot Casting would be held at noon.

Yang Dechang suddenly coughed lightly, and the sound seemed particularly abrupt in the silent court.

Ye Chen's gaze immediately turned over.

Immediately afterwards, Yang Dechang slowly stood up.

Ye Chen raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes scrutinizing him, and asked in a serious and formal tone, "Prime Minister, do you also have any opinions on the imperial examination?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Dechang wore a faint smile on his face and said respectfully, "Your Majesty is promoting the imperial examination system and selecting talented people for positions of power. This is a blessing for the country. How could this old minister have any objection?"

Yang Dechang changed the subject.

"However, the sudden arrival of envoys from Dayuan without informing the court is extremely inappropriate. Your Majesty, please issue an order to have them return!"

Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled coldly.

"No."

"This matter involves another country and is by no means a trivial matter. Your Majesty, please consider it carefully."

"I have my own arrangements regarding the Dayuan envoy. Prime Minister, don't worry about it. Instead, focus on the affairs of the court."

There was an obvious warning in Ye Chen's words.

"Your Majesty, Dayuan's actions are against the rules. If they are not stopped, it may undermine the dignity of our dynasty."

Yang Dechang continued despite the warning.

Hearing this, Ye Chen stood up suddenly, his dragon robe fluttering in the wind.

His gaze, as if it were real, pierced Yang Dechang, and he said coldly, "How can the dignity of our dynasty be undermined by an envoy from Dayuan? If I don't approve, then I don't approve. Prime Minister, please don't mention it again."

Hearing this, Yang Dechang said no more, but his eyes became deeper.

Ye Chen sat back on the dragon throne, glanced at the ministers again, and said, "Dismiss the court."

The eunuch who was delivering the message beside him immediately shouted at the top of his voice.

The voice left no room for doubt. All the officials in the court saluted and slowly retreated.

In the Taiqian Palace, officials filed out one after another. The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away, and the huge palace gradually became quiet.

Su Mengjiao took light steps and soon walked out from behind the bead curtain.