The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 93: Falling Off the List

Chapter 93: Falling Off the List

“Bad newsyou’ve failed the exam!”

No matter how loud the commotion outside grew, Xu Ying feigned ignorance, treating it as unreliable gossip. After all, no one would confront her directly, anxiously awaiting the Winter Examination interview instead.

Many Censor Officials had long prepared Memorials decrying the unfairness of the Winter Examination, ready to pounce on Xu Ying’s slightest misstep the moment results were announced.

The interview tested self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and solutions to everyday challenges. While easy to answer superficially, excelling was difficultcandidates had to discern Xu Ying’s intentions and respond in ways that resonated deeply with her.

On interview day, lots were drawn to determine order and questions. To ensure fairness, candidates were forbidden from revealing names or backgroundsa rule Xu Ying found irrelevant since Li Dengyun, the eldest candidate, stood out immediately, making him an easy target for criticism and low scores.

Xu Ying presided from her elevated seat, flanked by Xu Lang and other officials. Guards patrolled the hall to detain suspicious individuals and ensure safety, while physicians stood by in adjacent rooms for emergencies.

Candidates entered nervously, some answering fluently, others stumbling over their words. The tension grew palpable, and even Xu Ying adopted a more cautious demeanor.

When Wu Zhaoyan crossed the threshold and finally beheld the majestic female emperor, her calm heart raced. The sovereign above smiled slightly, nodding at herjust as Gao Yun had described, usually gentle and approachable. Wu Zhaoyan nearly fainted from exhilaration.

Though confident beforehand, that brief glance left her dizzy. She managed to complete her answers without major mishaps but remained trapped in the moment long after exiting.

Separate entrances and exits were enforced, and those finishing early had to wait in designated rooms until all interviews concluded. Anyone leaving urgently had to sign out, and if leaks occurred, all would face investigation.

Preferring to avoid trouble, finished candidates gathered in small groups, chatting quietly instead of departing.

Li Dengyun entered calmly and bowed to Xu Ying, Xu Lang, and the other examiners. While the imperial siblings remained expressionless, the other officials shifted uneasily.

While selecting his question, Li Dengyun covertly observed Xu Ying, who appeared indifferenteven slightly frowning as if impatient.

Suppressing a yawn, Xu Ying perked up at Li Dengyun’s arrival. Once dealt with him, she could relax. Exchanging a glance with Xu Lang, she received a subtle nod in return.

Li Dengyun drew a commonplace question he had prepared for, yet Xu Ying’s expression remained blank afterward, devoid of the admiration he expected. Suddenly, something felt amiss.

She had ignored all external rumors, making her utterly unpredictable.

After Li Dengyun departed, officials cautiously studied Xu Ying’s face and asked, “Your Majesty, how should we evaluate this?”

“Judge as you see fit,” Xu Ying replied leisurely.

The officials exchanged awkward glances, tentatively sounding each other out. “I found it acceptable…”

“Indeed.”

The officials reached a consensus and began scoring with their brushes.

At this moment, Xu Lang intentionally revealed his evaluation sheet. An official nearby glimpsed Xu Lang’s low score and quickly signaled the others. Only then did everyone realize that Xu Ying had planned this all alongshe had no intention of employing Li Dengyun. Wiping sweat from their brows, they swiftly changed their scores, tactfully giving him low marks.

Once the examination concluded, the scoring officials remained tight-lipped, not daring to reveal anything about Li Dengyun’s results.

The results were soon announced. Wu Zhaoyan took the top spot, which many had somewhat anticipated. What surprised everyone was the number of women ranking high on the list.

However, no matter how carefully they scanned the list from top to bottom, Li Dengyun’s name was nowhere to be founda shock to all.

Someone immediately reported that the roster must be flawed, arguing that Li Dengyun’s name had been omitted. After all, his qualifications were undeniable; it was impossible for him to fail.

After verification, the list was confirmed to be accurate. If anyone wished to disclose the interview process and scoring details, it would require a formal request from the individual in question.

The Censor Officials’ prepared memorials suddenly became useless. Not only had Xu Ying denied Li Dengyun the top position, but his name was entirely absent from the list. To claim the Winter Examination was unfair now would only sound like pleading for Li Dengyun’s unjust treatment.

Li Dengyun lay on a stone beneath a large tree, drinking wine and leisurely awaiting Su Pang’s arrival with good news.

Su Pang arrived in a fluster, sweating profusely, his plump face trembling with anxiety.

Hearing the commotion, Li Dengyun deliberately closed his eyes, basking in the warm sunlight to enhance his aura of refined elegance.

“Brother Dengyun, it’s terribleyou’ve failed!” Su Pang exclaimed as he drew near.

Li Dengyun’s eyes snapped open. He sprang up with a carp’s leap, his agility belying his age.

“What did you say?” Li Dengyun stared in disbelief. “I failed?”

It was inconceivable that he, the Third Scholar from Emperor Hui’s reign, could not even rank in the Winter Examination.

Su Pang caught his breath, hands on his waist, and quickly recounted the day’s events: “My servant went to check the rankings but couldn’t find your name. I thought the lazy fool hadn’t looked carefully, so I went myself. But from the top to the very bottom, your name was indeed missing. I heard others had already raised the issue, but the court insists there’s no mistake. To learn the specifics, you must personally request an explanation.”

Li Dengyun closed his mouth, recalling the interview. The questions hadn’t been difficult; he had even elaborated extensively. Surely, he deserved at least a passing grade, if not a high score.

“You should go and investigate this immediately,” Su Pang urged.

Li Dengyun was confident in his performance. With so many eyes watching, it was unlikely the officials had interfered. The only explanation had to lie with the emperor, Xu Ying herself.

Xu Ying did not want to employ him!

“There’s no need to investigate. It was Her Majesty…” Li Dengyun calmly resumed his seat on the stone.

Su Pang’s eyes widened. “How can that be? During the late emperor’s reign, Prince Qi and the other princes secretly vied for your support. Now that you’ve voluntarily taken part in the Winter Examination, why would Her Majesty reject you?”

Li Dengyun wondered the same. Many veteran officials at court had once been his subordinates. His endorsement would silence all opposition to Xu Ying and earn her praise. There was no reason for her to refuse him.

“Perhaps there is some misunderstanding about you, thinking you are of the same ilk as Liu Xu?” Su Pang speculated.

Li Dengyun flicked his sleeve, his beard trembling with anger. “Preposterous! How could anyone think of me that way?”

To be grouped with Liu Xu was nothing short of an insult to his status.

Su Pang said, “When Her Majesty ascended the throne, Liu Xu obstructed her, creating discord between sovereign and subject. Yet, constrained by the old ministers at court, she couldn’t move against him directly. Instead, she used Liu Xu’s nephew, Yu Weiwen, to intimidate the officials. It seems Her Majesty has long intended to purge the old ministers, fearing that once you, Brother Dengyun, enter the court, the old faction’s influence would grow too strong, leading to chaos both in and out of court.”

“And those earlier rumors were either spread by Liu Xu or Zhang Yu. They are the ones most opposed to your entry into the court. I’ve also heard that Censor Officials have prepared Memorials in advance, intending to use this matter to criticize the Winter Examination and attempt to abolish the Hall of Gathered Talents. Her Majesty, considering this, therefore removed your name.”

Li Dengyun nodded. “Exactly so.”

Since so many people did not want him to enter the court, he was all the more determined to do so. If Xu Ying was hesitant to use him due to the influence of the old ministers, then he would go and uproot those old vines, making her see his usefulness. She would have no choice but to employ him.

A surge of determination filled his entire body, and Li Dengyun suddenly had a clear goal.

Seeing the bright gleam in Li Dengyun’s eyes and his revitalized spirit, as if he had returned to the fervor of decades past when he passionately discussed state affairs, Su Pang felt a sudden sense of relief.

Failing the examination might not be a bad thing. If he had passed, Li Dengyun might have found it uninteresting and refused to take office, choosing instead to retreat back to the mountains and forests.

Thinking of this, Su Pang couldn’t help but connect it to the female emperor. Could this also be part of her design? Otherwise, how could the news of the Winter Examination’s predetermined results have leaked out so quickly? He didn’t believe there wasn’t someone behind it pushing the narrative…

Su Pang broke out in a cold sweat and exchanged a glance with Li Dengyun, seeing understanding in his eyes.

Li Dengyun said, “This is a test she specially set for me, to assess my ability and resolve.”

Su Pang rubbed his aching temples. “Being an official is truly troublesome.”

“Being an official isn’t troublesome; being a close minister to the sovereign is.”

Just as well, because of Xu Ying, he now had the desire to become a close minister to the sovereign.

When the Winter Examination interview results were announced, everyone was astonished. Li Dengyun, however, raised no objections, leading to rampant speculation: had Li Dengyun said something during the interview that displeased Xu Ying?

Liu Xu also spent sleepless nights, repeatedly pondering the reason behind Xu Ying’s actions. Wasn’t she afraid that Li Dengyun would become angry and use his influence to rally people against her?

Many old ministers at court wanted to speak up for Li Dengyun, but they neither knew what had actually happened during the interview nor could they act, as Li Dengyun had sent Su Pang to convey that their intervention was unnecessary.

Everyone was left baffled, unsure of what Xu Ying and Li Dengyun were plotting.

Xu Ying waited for a long time, but all remained calm. Surprisingly, no one mentioned Li Dengyun’s failure to her, and Li Dengyun himself showed no reaction. Could he not see such an obvious case of foul play?

“What do my ministers think of Li Dengyun’s failure in the examination?” Since no one brought it up, Xu Ying raised the issue herself during court.

Silence fell. Not a single official in the full court spoke.

The ministers inwardly lamented. They hadn’t yet figured out the situation, and here was Xu Ying already questioning them. They didn’t know whether Xu Ying was dissatisfied with Li Dengyun or had some other plan. Remaining silent and not taking a stance was the safest course of action.

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment before continuing along the same line: “Regardless of one’s background, it’s entirely possible to fail if the interview performance is poor. This very fact demonstrates the fairness of the Winter Examination.”

He watched Xu Ying’s expression closely, ready to add a “however” and shift his stance if she showed any frown of dissatisfaction.

Xu Ying felt somewhat disappointed. Why wasn’t anyone provoking her anymore?

Seeing that Xu Ying remained silent, the others quickly echoed Zhang Yu’s words, praising the impartiality of the Winter Examination and thereby delivering a slap to those Censor Officials who had prepared memorials accusing the examination of unfairness.