TPITWOHEF

Chapter 64

Outside Zhengyang Gate, the students were unusually quiet at this moment.

Everyone looked excitedly at the emperor, listening to him talk about the upcoming special imperial examination.

The regular palace exam was held once every three years, but with this special examination, it meant that these scholars had another chance to win the title of Jinshi!

"I am holding this special examination because the court needs talented individuals," Emperor Xiao Yunzhou said. "I am clearing away the filth, waiting for virtuous officials!"

Zheng Qiru lowered his head and clenched his fists.

He had already made up his mind. If the emperor disliked his appearance and did not select him in the palace exam, he would become a teacher.

Teaching some children from poor families to read, allowing them to become the good officials that he, Zheng Qiru, wanted to be but could not.

"Old Zheng! Why aren't you listening to me?"

"Quick, the emperor seems to be nodding at you again."

"???"

Zheng Qiru looked helplessly at his companions.

Wasn't one deception enough for them?

Zheng Qiru looked displeased at his companions. "Don't make up stories about the emperor—"

He did not dare to have any expectations.

Because the more expectations he had, the more disappointed he would be.

The birthmark on his face made even his own mother unwilling to look at him for long, and the neighbors avoided him on the streets.

Who was the emperor?

Would he look at this ugly freak with different eyes?

Dressed in patched old clothes, slightly thin, a bit short, and with a prominent flaw on his face.

"Hey, why don't you take a look in front of you!" Zheng Qiru's friend was about to jump up and pinched him hard.

Only then did Zheng Qiru reluctantly turn his head in pain.

As soon as he turned, he froze.

Emperor Xiao Yunzhou was holding his daughter, high up, truly—smiling at him!

His eyes were gentle!

"Go back and study hard."

"I'll be waiting for your names on the gold list."

The emperor spoke to the students, but his smiling eyes seemed to pass through everyone and land on him!

In the emperor's eyes, there was no disdain, no disgust, no dislike...

Only anticipation!

Zheng Qiru opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

His chest seemed to be engulfed by a gushing heat!

【Ding, an exceptionally intelligent talent, loyalty to Jing Country has risen to outstanding.】

Xiao Chuchu heard the system's prompt and smiled brightly.

"Farewell, Your Majesty!"

"We students will serve wholeheartedly!"

"We are willing to serve the court, and we will return to study hard today!"

The students also woke up from their dreamlike state.

Emperor Xiao Yunzhou nodded in satisfaction, remembered the faces of the students his daughter liked, and returned to the palace.