'He dug this grave when he decided to play the famous scholar,' Heena replied coldly in her mind, taking a sip of soup. 'Let him lie in it.'
Seeing that his terrifying wife was not going to save him, Samuel let out a loud, highly dramatic sigh. He stood up from his cushion, his movements clumsy and hesitant. He nervously smoothed out the wrinkles in his black and silver robes, looking around the hall as if he were completely out of his depth.
"Well... uh... I suppose I cannot refuse an imperial request," Samuel stammered, his voice slightly higher than usual. He offered a messy, slightly crooked bow to the Emperor. "This lowly one will... do his best, Your Majesty."
The civil officials sneered openly. The Minister of Rites leaned over to his neighbor, whispering loudly enough for the front rows to hear. "Look at him tremble. He is a complete fraud. The Dongji province must have bribed the examiners."
