2726 The Third Test
It was unclear who among the esteemed attendees had caused His Excellency to involuntarily spew a mouthful of liquor. However, this unexpected incident was quickly followed by a chorus of discreetly stifled laughter erupting from multiple sources within the main hall, as these individuals pretended to cough in a bid to conceal their amusement.
Madam Guo’an’s countenance shifted to a shade of green, the manifestation of her intense anger.
/The phrasing employed by this Crown Prince Consort was rather forthright, bordering on provocation./
Across her five decades of life, she had encountered a diverse array of personalities, but never had she encountered a woman so exasperatingly audacious.
/Very well, very well, very well!/
/Initially, my intention was to afford you a measure of respect and ensure you did not suffer undue embarrassment./
/However, if that is the stance you wish to adopt, then there’s no need to extend any remnants of respect!/ A cold and calculated reflection passed through Madam Guo’an’s mind.
“Guo’an,” the Emperor chided, his brows furrowing with displeasure, as he called her name.
Conducting an inquiry into the authenticity of the three examination questions was acceptable within the realm of confidentiality. However, such an interrogation seemed rather misplaced in the context of the present gathering.
/The Crown Prince Consort has emerged victorious. Does this not lead the Emperor to perceive that he has endured a public humiliation of sorts!/
Should the Crown Prince Consort have emerged as the unsuccessful party, her son’s forthcoming demeanor indicated that he would have disregarded any sense of respect towards her.
Ultimately, the Emperor harbored reservations regarding the appropriateness of this situation, regardless of its outcome.
There lingered an element of dissatisfaction within the Emperor regarding Guo’an’s impromptu decision to introduce the issue of the examination.
Yet Madam Guo’an found herself ensnared in a predicament. Having already disclosed the content of the three test questions, was she now expected to retreat to her seat, overtaken by disappointment? Would she retrospectively deem her earlier assertions as mere pretense?
Clearly, this line of action was untenable.
Consequently, with a purposeful pivot away from the Emperor’s penetrating gaze, Madam Guo’an steeled herself to persevere. She proceeded, confronting the Crown Prince Consort with unwavering resolve, “Crown Prince Consort, are you prepared to openly embrace this third trial before our distinguished assembly?”
The young Crown Prince Consort regarded her counterpart with a frigid expression, displaying no restraint as she posed a pointed question, “Do you possess an ego of boundless magnitude? Daring to impose your examination upon me? Whom do you believe yourself to be?”
The assembly remained in a collective silence, a tableau of muted responses.
Internally, the censors found a streak of irony in the situation.
Recollections of the past, within the precincts of the imperial study, where the young Crown Prince Consort and her counterpart had even dared to reprimand the Emperor himself, underscored the inconsequential nature of a figure like Madam Guo’an in comparison.
/She is woefully ignorant of her own standing!/
“Guo’an, withdraw.” The Emperor interjected, a flicker of impatience evident in his voice. He was growing increasingly weary of Madam Guo’an’s persistent folly.
Madam Guo’an pivoted to face the Emperor, her gaze suffused with a melodramatic sense of pathos. She executed a deferential curtsey and offered her words, “Your Majesty, I’ve heard rumors that Your Majesty remains undecided concerning the third Dao test. Guo’an merely seeks to extend a fraction of concern for Your Majesty’s peace of mind.”
The Emperor’s impulse to throttle her grew undeniable.
/Concern? My foot! We haven’t declared our intent to test the Crown Prince Consort at this juncture!/
The event at hand was intended as a celebratory gathering, orchestrated to honor both the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince Consort, while graciously hosting officials and prominent families.
It was a setting befitting a trial for the Crown Prince Consort.
Yet now, thrust into the glaring light by Madam Guo’an’s injudicious proclamation, they found themselves ensnared in a quandary.
“As for the matter of the examination questions, We need further contemplation…” The Emperor, opting for evasion, attempted to extricate himself from the predicament.
Yet, contrary to expectations, Madam Guo’an, who typically demonstrated astuteness and finesse, stubbornly persisted in pitting herself against the Crown Prince Consort on this occasion.
As if entirely oblivious to the Emperor’s intention, Madam Guo’an proceeded with unwavering determination, “Guo’an does have an interesting suggestion. It is common knowledge that Guo’an possesses expertise in the realm of perfumery.”
“If, within a span of two hours, the Crown Prince Consort is able to disperse the fragrance I emanate, I shall consider it indicative of her successful passage through this stage of evaluation. How does this proposition resonate with Your Majesty?” Madam Guo’an offered, accompanied by a smile that conveyed an air of benevolence, as though she were genuinely striving to alleviate the Emperor’s concerns. A trace of sincerity graced her countenance.
/This is a terrible idea!!/
Even though he harbored an unspoken desire for the young Crown Prince Consort to falter in the undertaking, such sentiments were confined to his private thoughts.
/How could he possibly wish for his own son to be publicly embarrassed, with the Crown Prince Consort’s defeat serving as the catalyst for such humiliation?/
The Emperor’s admonitory gaze bore down upon Madam Guo’an.
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