Green Mountain

Within the Imperial Examination Hall.

Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin, clad in their deep blue official robes with belts strapped around their waists, walked side by side down the narrow lanes between rows of examination cells.

Inside the cells, scholars wrote feverishly, while a silent procession of officials followed behind them.

Upon leaving the examination area, Zhang Zhuo cast a glance at Chen Liqin beside him, dismissed the following officials with a wave and said with a light laugh, "Mr. Chen certainly makes for a good father, coming all the way to the Imperial Examination Hall on the day of the Autumn Imperial Examination to support your two sons. Are you really that worried they might fail? If the Imperial Censor learns of this, he’ll surely file a report against you for not avoiding suspicion of bias."

Chen Liqin’s expression turned somewhat unnatural. "You misunderstand, my lord. I’m only concerned about possible disturbances during the examination."

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, patted Chen Liqin’s shoulder, and said in a lowered voice, "Rest easy, the inner curtain officials this time were personally selected by Lord Xu. They are all his students and old acquaintances; success is almost guaranteed."

Chen Liqin slowly broke into a smile. As the Luocheng Magistrate, he had no control over the inner curtain officials who reviewed the exam papers; his authority was limited to the outer curtain.

The power to appoint inner curtain officials had always been in the hands of the Cabinet Minister Xu Gong, and Zhang Zhuo, who was Xu Gong’s son-in-law, was now handling all external matters.

With Zhang Zhuo’s promise, Chen Liqin could rest assured.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Liqin hesitantly spoke up, "I also have an errant son."

Zhang Zhuo smiled. "Is that the one who beat Prince Jing at chess?"