The Empress traveled through time and space, and she fought for supremacy in the troubled times

It was the second day of February, and there were only six days left until the imperial examination.

Eighteen people were now crowded together in a remote small courtyard in the imperial city.

"Boss, I'll give you tea instead of wine. I wish you success in the imperial examination."

After saying that, the chubby young man picked up the teacup and drank the tea in one gulp.

A young girl on the side rolled her eyes at him speechlessly, "Jin Yuanbao, our boss is going to take part in the imperial examination next. The only way to get a spot on the imperial examination is to take the palace examination. Can you please stop being so uneducated?"

Jin Yuanbao, this name was chosen by himself. He doesn’t have any special hobbies, he just likes money, so he gave himself this name.

He was also one of the seventeen beggars at that time and is now twenty years old.

The orphanage promised to raise them until they were sixteen years old, but if they were able to leave before then, they would not be forced to stay until then.

Jin Yuanbao was not very good at studying. He successfully became a waiter in a store at the age of sixteen. Later, he learned a few tricks from the chef in the kitchen and now he is a chef in that store.

At this moment, he scratched his head and smiled foolishly, "I'm not wrong. With our boss's ability, is it possible that he can't pass the imperial examination? Of course, I wish him success in the imperial examination. Do you think he can't pass the imperial examination?"

The girl glared at him fiercely. "I didn't say that. Of course our boss can pass the imperial examination. Not only that, he will take the top spot and become the champion. Later, he can even become the champion."

Looking at this pair of bickering lovers, everyone around them smiled kindly.

A man in a lake blue robe spoke up, "Alright, both of you, stop arguing. In my opinion, the eldest brother is definitely capable of passing the imperial examination. Three years ago, the teachers at the Imperial College all said that the eldest brother was capable of taking the exam, let alone now. Let's just wait for good news."

Zhu Ning held a cup of hot tea and looked at the lively scene in front of him, with a faint smile on his lips and confidence in his eyes.

"Then I will work hard and live up to your expectations."

"You are worthy of being the eldest brother. You can become a Jinshi at the age of seventeen. I am still a small scholar. I don't know if I can pass the provincial examination next year. If not, I have to wait for three years. I was thinking that we can assist His Majesty together in the court by then." The speaker was a thin-faced scholar, his eyes full of envy and expectation.

"I'm the same. After all, we're not as talented as the boss, and we don't have the same foundation as others. Let's take it slow." Another girl echoed.

Zhu Ning took a sip of the hot tea to warm himself up. "Don't worry, I believe you can do it. I will go ahead and pave the way for you."

"Hahaha, okay, we'll wait for the boss to pave the way for us."

The atmosphere was particularly harmonious, with more than a dozen people eating and chatting.

"The eldest brother should be the first among us to have a family. It looks really nice. I can't buy a house in the imperial city. I plan to save money for another year or two and build a cement house in the suburbs so that I can get married and have children."

Zhu Ning bought this house not long ago. After she passed the imperial examination and became a top scholar, a group of common people and gentry joined her.

Because after passing the imperial examination, one will have tax exemption rights and will not have to pay taxes on the land under his name.

Now she has accepted a part of it and is considered a small landlord.

At this time, a man about sixteen years old spoke, with a look of relief on his face.

"By the way, if I fail the college entrance examination this time, I won't take it again. I've already taken it twice, and failing proves that I don't have much talent. The annual insurance payment is quite a lot. If I can't pass, I'm going to find a job. Don't try to persuade me, I've thought this through carefully."

The money he used to participate in the college entrance examinations these times was given to him by those who went out to find work and Zhu Ning. He couldn't keep fighting like that.

As for the deposit that Zhu Ning needed to take part in the county examination, it was collected by several teachers who could not bear to see their talent go to waste.

The expenses for going to the Imperial College later were paid by the Imperial College.

Zhu Ning is not that kind-hearted. She is not the kind of person who gives away things all the time. The money she gives out now will be taken back in another way in the future.

It is not easy to make a living in the officialdom. What she is doing now is the initial investment. These people present may give her some help in the future.

Now she is paying for the students to study, and if they do not have the talent for learning and still insist on studying hard, she will discourage them.

Of course, profits must be maximized.

Hearing the man's words, she put down her teacup and looked at him seriously. "Since you've made up your mind, we respect it. No one says the imperial examination is the only path. No matter what kind of life you choose, as long as you live comfortably and freely, that's fine. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, don't forget that we are your brothers and sisters."

The man's eyes were slightly red, and he nodded heavily, "Boss, I remember it."

At this time, Jin Yuanbao patted the man on the shoulder and said, "Brother, don't forget us when you become rich in the future."

Everyone laughed again.

As the night deepened, the party ended and everyone left one after another.

On the eighth day of February, Zhu Ning walked into the Imperial Examination Hall early in the morning, carrying the things he needed for the exam with a relaxed look on his face.

When she came out again, it was already February 17th. Her face was tired, but her round almond eyes were filled with uncontrollable excitement.

Although he was confident that he could get first place in the examination, Zhu Ning did not dare to say that he would succeed without seeing the test paper.

And at this moment, she is confident that she will definitely be the champion this time.

The hands hidden under her sleeves clenched uncontrollably. Now, whenever she thought about being able to stand in the first position during the palace examination and being seen by His Majesty, she became so excited that she could hardly control herself.

She didn't know what was wrong with her. Perhaps it was because their first meeting was too stunning. At that time, His Majesty and Prime Minister Liu were standing together, and the light of the setting sun shone on her. For a moment, she seemed to have seen a god.

It was on that day that she told them not to steal anymore, and that there would be a place to take them in, provide them with food, drink, and allow them to study.

From then on, they were freed from their displaced lives, had a place to live, and had such a good learning environment.

After those encounters at the Imperial College, Zhu Ning became even more determined to follow her.

She was completely captivated by His Majesty's charm.

For a moment, she wanted to replace Prime Minister Liu. She wanted to stand there, in the place where she could be most exposed to the light.

Zhu Ning suppressed his inner excitement and got on the carriage back home in the night.

In a blink of an eye, a month passed and the apricot blossoms in the imperial city were in bloom.

In the imperial city filled with apricot blossoms, Zhu Ning stood not far from where the results were announced.

Originally she didn't want to come, but on the second day after the imperial examination, she went to the Imperial College. When asked by the teachers, she told them the exam questions and the answers she had written.

At that time, several teachers were amazed by her answers and said that she would definitely be the top scorer in this examination.

So she was not in a hurry for the results to be announced this time. She just waited for the yamen runners to come and announce the good news.

However, those people insisted on dragging her here.

After waiting for a while outside, the official who announced the results arrived.

After posting the list, the minister left quickly.

Seeing the minister leave, Jin Yuanbao used his weight to squeeze into the team with a group of brothers and sisters.

Soon, Jin Yuanbao's voice came from inside, "Boss, the first place is really you. You are the champion of this examination."

Hearing Jin Yuanbao's voice, the smile on Zhu Ning's lips became more and more obvious. It was great to be the first one in line to see His Majesty.

On April 21st, the 20th year of Yongning, Zhu Ning, wearing the uniform of tribute scholars, stood at the front and led a team of nearly 400 people behind him into the hall to participate in the palace examination.

On April 25th, the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates was held.

Hundreds of Jinshi candidates dressed in Jinshi robes stood in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, waiting for the announcing officer to announce their results.

At this moment, Zhu Ning stood quietly at the head of the team. When she heard the announcer sing out the words "First class, first place, Zhu Ning", she took a deep breath and stepped out of the ranks.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. Long live the emperor."

Five years have passed since the ten-year agreement. In the remaining five years, she will definitely stand in the court and in front of His Majesty.

After the ceremony, she raised her head and looked at the person above with burning eyes.

She will definitely do it.

In the 20th year of Yongning, Zhu Ning was the top scorer in the imperial examination.