USWHC -Chapter 523 The Rivers and Mountains of Daliang (Part 3)

“Bring it up!”

Finally, even the Emperor could no longer suppress the unveiling of the truth. His heartbeat was racing as if it no longer belonged to his aged heart. Yet somehow, it was keeping pace like a young man’s. Should he feel joy, or should he weep?

Yelü Haonan, too, rushed forward eagerly. A few of them leaned in to see—and yes, a few, including the ever-elegant and beautiful Zhu Jie, who was equally impatient to know the result!

When they saw it, all of them froze. What was this? On the sheet of paper was a circle drawn in ink, with several slanted lines crossing it.

“Is this my Daliang rivers and mountains?” The old Emperor’s heart instantly flared with anger, his tone turning sharp and unfriendly. “Are you trying to embarrass me? Daliang’s lands… this small?”

“No, this is the sun!” Ji Yi said, proudly and a little coquettishly.

“The sun? I asked you to draw Daliang’s lands—why did you draw the sun?” The old Emperor asked, puzzled.

Ji Yi smiled and said, “Because wherever the sun shines, that is my Daliang’s land!”

At this, the hall erupted in astonishment. Is Daliang big? Absolutely—it’s as big as the sun can reach! Everyone secretly gave Ji Yi an approving nod in their hearts.

But at that moment, Yelü Haonan snatched the drawing in a fit of rage and slammed it onto the floor. “Nonsense! My Qi…”

He was about to argue that Qi was also under the sun’s light, but froze mid-sentence. Ah, this boy was doing it deliberately—he meant it! If he spoke up, it would throw everything into chaos.

Ji Yi had just claimed that wherever the sun reaches is Daliang land. If he said Qi was also under the sun, wouldn’t that make Qi part of Daliang too? Moreover, the drawing had another, even more ambitious implication: Ji Yi intended to turn all lands touched by the sun into Daliang’s—of course, including Qi!

This… was provocation! Yelü Haonan ground his teeth and said with hatred, “You’re ruthless, boy!” Indeed, he could say nothing more.

At this moment, however, the old Emperor played the peacemaker, laughing lightly: “Nonsense, nonsense, Second Prince, don’t take it seriously!”

He had no desire to start a real fight with the Second Prince now. Naturally, the dignity of the great empire was still maintained—sometimes it’s best to know when to stop.

“I spoke presumptuously!” Ji Yi immediately said respectfully, giving the Emperor face and offering the Second Prince a graceful way to step down.

Yelü Haonan stood there, fuming, silent for a long moment. Was he going to step down or not?

Then, suddenly, Yelü Haonan clapped his hands heartily. “Not bad, not bad! The Liang dynasty truly lives up to its reputation—beautiful women and plenty of talented men!”

He had stepped down! Hearing this, the old Emperor laughed as well. “Well said, well said!”

What was there left to wait for? With a commanding hand, he pointed at Ji Yi and said proudly, “I appoint Ji Yi as the top scholar of this year’s examination!” Then he shouted, “Dismiss!” and marched out with an air of triumph.

Zhu Jie, seeing this, quickly and cautiously slipped back to the side, planning to sneak out through the back door.

Even though she followed the steps down, seeing Ji Yi’s victorious and proud demeanor, Yelü Haonan could not help glaring fiercely at him. This man… he’d remember him!

Yet Ji Yi didn’t flinch. He watched him leave with haughty composure, even curling his lips into a faint, scornful smile—a look of utter contempt.

As Ji Yi was about to step down, a eunuch rushed back to the Emperor’s side, whispering, “Top Scholar Ji, the Emperor requests you to the Imperial Study for a private audience!”

Hearing this, Ji Yi’s heart leapt. A private audience! His chance to impress the Emperor had finally arrived! He was determined to perform perfectly to win Zhu Jie’s hand. He would speak as long as needed, gauging the Emperor’s attitude carefully—it looked promising!

“Congratulations, Brother Ji!” came a sour, jealous voice.

Ji Yi turned, smiling politely, and said, “Mutual congratulations.”

At this moment, the eunuch seemed to notice the two others, saying indifferently, “Yan Jue, Ji Mingyuan, wait here; the imperial decree will arrive shortly!”

Though they were not the top scholar, Yan Jue and Ji Mingyuan grinned widely, shouting loudly, “Thank you for the guidance, Sir Eunuch!”