Chapter 415: New Primus


    Trantor: Henyee Trantions Editor: Henyee Trantions


    As expected, the Emperor turned a thoughtful gaze toward the Third Prince before shifting his attention to the Crown Prince, inquiring, “What are your thoughts?”


    Before his arrival, the Crown Prince’s advisors had meticulously evaluated the advantages and drawbacks of the Pce Examination. They had cautioned him against revealing any vulnerability that the Emperor could exploit and had advised him to take deliberate actions to suppress Su Bin.


    The Emperor’s initial query to the Third Prince had ced the Crown Prince on high alert. He contemted the possibility that his father might have already discerned his involvement in Su Bin’s suppression. However, he was reluctant to ept such suspicions and viewed it as a test of his loyalty.


    To ay his father’s doubts, the Crown Prince chose to employ a strategy of deflection and counteraction. Consequently, he swiftly responded, “I share the same sentiments as Main Examiner Huang.”


    “Su Bin is undoubtedly a rare talent.”


    “His literary abilities are also exceptionallymendable. Regrettably, my own talents do not measure up. I believe Su Bin’sposition may even surpass that of the top nine candidates. His essays clearly reflect his extraordinary talent.”


    “But I find myself perplexed by one aspect: why would a candidate of such remarkable caliber be ranked only tenth?”


    With this statement, the Crown Prince effectively shifted the me onto the five examiners. The Emperor turned his gaze toward the examiners and called upon Main Examiner Huang to rify.


    Without hesitation, Main Examiner Huang openly disclosed, “I had initially rmended Su Bin for the first position!”


    “However, the four other examiners pointed out numerous ws in Su Bin’s essay, and, as a result, they collectively suggested ranking him eleventh.”


    “Upon my insistence, Su Bin’s rank was elevated to tenth ce.”


    Main Examiner Huang did not withhold the truth in his response.


    In his heart, Main Examiner Huang was well aware that the other four examiners were loyal to His Highness the Crown Prince.


    The Crown Prince had, on various asions, dropped subtle hints to enlist his support, yet he consistently maintained the guise of an upright official and feigned ignorance of the Crown Prince’s intentions. Observing Huang’s stance,


    the Crown Prince opted not to press the matter further.


    By adopting this approach, Main Examiner Huang aimed to both avoid offending the Crown Prince and steer clear of any entanglements that might implicate him with the Crown Prince’s faction. While he believed that the Crown Prince would ultimately ascend the throne sessfully, he refrained from assisting in any covert machinations.


    Regardless, Main Examiner Huang held little regard for the supposed merits of winning the Emperor’s favor. The four other examiners, however, were in a state of anxiety.


    Nheless, the Emperor refrained from immediately reprimanding them. Instead, he instructed them to retrieve the examination papers that had secured Su Bin’s rank. Fortunately, these four examiners were not inept and did indeed identify some ws in Su Bin’s answers, ranging from minor to substantial.


    Their eloquence skillfully obscured these issues, diverting attention from Su


    Bin’s performance. Nevertheless, they remained acutely aware that the Emperor was not oblivious to the underlying circumstances. The Emperor’s willingness to entertain their exnations and withhold immediate punishment wasrgely due to the Crown Prince’s influence.


    When the Emperor eventually announced that this year’s Primus was Su Bin, everyone present was left utterly bbergasted. The Crown Prince, in particr, found himself astounded by the unforeseen turn of events. He had never anticipated that his deliberate suppression of Su Bin would lead to Su Bin’s triumphant ascension as the new Primus.


    His father exhibited no concern about the potential ridicule and mockery this situation might incite among the court’s civil and military officials. He seemed undeterred by the thought, showing a distinctck of consideration for his son’s reputation.


    The fact that the four examiners were loyal to the Crown Prince wasmon knowledge, leaving little room for doubt that Su Bin had experienced suppression. Yet, to the astonishment of many, Su Bin had managed a remarkable resurgence during the pce examination.


    Main Examiner Huang expressed his jubtion, proiming, “Your Majesty’s wisdom shines brightly. Su Bin is truly deserving of this recognition!”


    In tandem, the Third Prince voiced his approval, “Father’s wisdom knows no bounds!”


    He articted his words in a manner that implied his puzzlement over his father’s motivations in this scenario..