A family of three travels through time together, and the golden finger is turned on

"Your servant Gu Xiangzhi pays homage to Your Majesty." Gu Xiangzhi was soon brought in.

"Get up. Are you confident enough to take part in this special imperial examination?" the emperor asked.

"Your servant is willing to give it a try."

"Okay, let's get started." While waiting for Gu Xiangzhi to arrive, the Ministry of Rites had already set up the examination room outside the Meridian Gate. Those who had failed the exam had already registered early. A few who lacked confidence and had barely made it through luck hesitated for a moment before deciding to participate.

This unique imperial examination is still talked about many years later.

"Palace Examination Questions: Five Current Affairs. One: Political Essentials, Two: Seeking Talents, Three: Retirement, Four: Revolution by a Wise King, Five: The Way of the Emperor. Test papers are distributed, and candidates may begin answering."

Gu Can got the test paper and the first question was about policy.

I wish to ensure that officials are clean and honest, that people forget their greed and vulgarity, that families have ample provisions, that rituals are well-preserved and harmonious, that schools flourish, and that agriculture and sericulture are encouraged. A good army prepares for battle before it is even begun, and a good general plans before it is even attacked. Clear the floods of the Golden Courtyard without the need for fighting; dispel the dust of the Jade Fortress without the need for laborious transportation. Benefit the nation and secure the borders; I await your wise advice. Speak clearly of your important policies, and I will personally review them.

It's no wonder that the title of "top scholar" in ancient times was so valuable. In modern times, many people can't understand the questions. (Xiao Zi is one of those who can't understand. The above question is from the palace examination of the Yiyou year in the first year of the Chuigong reign of the Tang Dynasty.)

Gu Can thought for a moment and then began to answer, writing in the official style required for the imperial examination.

Since ancient times, imperial examinations had been held in the Imperial Examination Hall or the Imperial Palace. Common people rarely had the opportunity to witness such a grand spectacle. Everyone was excited, yet the scene was utterly silent. For six whole hours, not a single sound was heard. The only sound was the emperor ordering the lights to be lit.

"The time is up, candidates please leave."

Everyone left in an orderly manner. Someone had already prepared a meal. This exam was a spur-of-the-moment event, and everyone had gritted their teeth to get through the past six hours, and now they were all starving.

Gu Can was no exception. He received a meal and sat aside, eating while waiting for the results.

"Aren't you nervous?"

Gu Can looked in the direction of the voice. It was Lin Jinshi, the third-place winner of the imperial examination. He was the second son of the Minister of War. Handsome and talented in both civil and military matters, he was one of the only two men in the original world who remained devoted to Gu Can until her death. Later, he went to the battlefield, became a renowned young general, and died in battle.

"Isn't it the purpose of learning the arts and serving the emperor to contribute to the people? If someone is more talented than me, it will be a blessing for the people. We should be happy." Gu Can answered seriously. Even the original owner's talent was rare in the world, and she had experienced so much. If there was someone who could surpass her, it would be a blessing for the people.

What else is there to say? The existence of such people is a blessing for the people of the Zhou Dynasty.

"But you will die."

"No, Your Majesty is a wise ruler. Today's fault is not mine. At most, you will strip me of my fame, but you won't take my life, nor will you bring trouble to my family." Gu Can shook his head.

The emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was not a tyrant, nor was he a person who killed innocent people. It was very rare for an emperor to allow women to take the imperial examinations and appoint female officials. He was on the throne for 18 years and issued many policies that benefited the country and the people. Today, the Great Zhou Dynasty has clean administration, peace and prosperity, and a thriving scene.

However, just two years later, he suddenly died, and the crown prince ascended the throne. The entire Great Zhou Dynasty seemed to have run out of luck, plagued by natural and man-made disasters. Within five years, the empire was destroyed. Gu Xiangzhi wandered to the Holy Mountain and began her journey of cultivation. It took less than a hundred years for her to ascend to the immortal realm.

"You really haven't changed at all." Lin Jinshi suddenly laughed.

"You have changed a lot. You are now a talented and handsome scholar." In Gu Can's memory, the two were neighbors and playmates when they were young. At that time, Lin Jinshi was dark and fat. It is true that boys change a lot when they grow up.

"I recognized you. Why didn't you talk to us for the past three years? And you always looked unhappy." Lin Jinshi looked at Gu Can with a calm expression. They had been classmates in the Imperial College for three years, and he thought she didn't recognize him.

"My master told me not to show my emotions, and I'm trying my best." This is the original owner's true thoughts, so she always has a blank expression, and seems a bit dull and boring. It's conceivable that her appearance, which is a perfect score, has been reduced to 80 points.

"Puchi, then you keep working hard." Lin Jinshi really couldn't help it. The direction of this effort was too weird. He wondered if the gentleman would be so angry that he would vomit blood if he knew about it.

"You two are here, making it difficult for me to find you." The person who came over was Zhang Shu, the second runner-up in the imperial examination, the grandson of Zhang Lao, the president of the Hanlin Academy.

"Before, I was struggling with whether I should be the top scholar or the third scholar. Later, I thought, since Xiaojin is here, I am slightly inferior in appearance, so I might as well be the top scholar. Who would have thought that you suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and I can only be the second scholar." Zhang Shu and Lin Jinshi grew up together.

The two of them knew each other when they were wearing open-crotch pants. Naturally, they also knew Gu Can. They were classmates in the Imperial College for three years. They all knew how evil she was. With Gu Can's strict personality, if she was accused of cheating, she would hit her head against a pillar and die on the spot even if the emperor issued an imperial decree.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you today." Gu Can said.

"What does it have to do with you? Some people are confused and mistake fish eyes for pearls. They can't even get into the Imperial College. These people are really blind." Zhang Shu curled his lips.

As the prime minister's only daughter, Gu Xiangzhi has been the center of attention since she was young. She has talent, but not as much as she'd like to boast.

However, the Empress had passed away, her mother's family was declining, and without the support of a powerful aristocratic family, the other princes were becoming more powerful. This was especially true of the Third Prince, who was the same age as the Crown Prince. His mother was a noble concubine from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and held half of the military power in the Great Zhou. The Third Prince was far superior to the Crown Prince in both talent and character.

In order to please Gu Xiangzhi and gain the support of Prime Minister Gu, the prince did everything he could.

"Although the Wang family has declined, the head of the family is still working in the Ministry of Revenue. I'm afraid your family's business will be difficult to do." Lin Jinshi reminded.

"Although you were a little impulsive today, you are the one who loves me the most. You have never been able to tolerate such nonsense since you were a child!" Zhang Shu gave Gu Can a thumbs up.

"It's easy to find a pretext to accuse someone of a crime. From the moment the Emperor appointed me the top scholar, there was no other way." Gu Can shook his head. Those who wronged you know better than you do how wronged you are. Just like the original owner, who, fearing to avoid offending the Crown Prince, dared not speak out, ultimately carrying a stigma on herself and bringing ruin to the Gu family.

"Don't worry, you deserve the title of No. 1. Even I, Zhang Shu, am convinced. I'll see who dares to lie in front of everyone today. At worst, I'll just have to beat the drum again." Zhang Shu exuded a youthful spirit. Although he was the oldest of the three.

Lin Jinshi and Gu Can just smiled and said nothing.

"That's right, I remember that you loved to laugh when you were a child." Zhang Shu was stunned for a moment when he saw Gu Can smile, and then said with a smile.

"Then you must have remembered it wrongly." No matter how much Gu Can thought about it, the original owner was someone who didn't like to laugh since he was a child.

"..." Why can't we continue the conversation today? What kind of nerd is this?

The other students also noticed the three of them. Before the imperial examination, all candidates would arrive in the capital in advance. There were many poetry and literary gatherings, and even if the candidates were not familiar with each other, they would have known each other before.

Gu Can had never participated in it, but had heard of her name among other candidates.

They came over one after another and sat together.

"My name is Mu Qingshan from Liuzhou. No matter what the result is, I am honored to take part in such a unique exam. A scholar should be proud and care about the world. I have learned a lot from you today." Suddenly a student stood up and saluted Gu Can.

"It is my honor to compete with you all on the same stage." Gu Can naturally stood up to return the greeting.

"I (Dangdangdangdang.)" Zhang Shu was about to say something when the gongs and drums over there started beating.