No matter how much Zhao Jing had displeased the Empress Dowager, as long as he possessed true talent, Sheng Mingchuan would protect him. If a scandal erupted because this candidate for top scorer failed to even pass the Provincial Examination, the fallout would surely be no less severe than if Tao Yanxun had been named the top scorer.
Cold sweat streamed down Gong Yuanxiu's forehead. He pushed himself up straight with his hands on the table, then turned to the kneeling constable in the room.
