Chapter 2726 - 2726 The Third Test

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 amus.e.m.e.nt.

Madam Guoans countenance s.h.i.+fted 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 embarra.s.sment./

/However, if that is the stance you wish to adopt, then theres no need to extend any remnants of respect!/ A cold and calculated reflection pa.s.sed through Madam Guoans mind.

Guoan, 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 sons 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 Guoans impromptu decision to introduce the issue of the examination.

Yet Madam Guoan 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 a.s.sertions as mere pretense?

Clearly, this line of action was untenable.

Consequently, with a purposeful pivot away from the Emperors penetrating gaze, Madam Guoan 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 a.s.sembly?

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 a.s.sembly 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 Guoan in comparison.

/She is woefully ignorant of her own standing!/

Guoan, withdraw. The Emperor interjected, a flicker of impatience evident in his voice. He was growing increasingly weary of Madam Guoans persistent folly.

Madam Guoan 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, Ive heard rumors that Your Majesty remains undecided concerning the third Dao test. Guoan merely seeks to extend a fraction of concern for Your Majestys peace of mind.

The Emperors impulse to throttle her grew undeniable.

/Concern? My foot! We havent 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 Guoans 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 Guoan, 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 Emperors intention, Madam Guoan proceeded with unwavering determination, Guoan does have an interesting suggestion. It is common knowledge that Guoan 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 pa.s.sage through this stage of evaluation. How does this proposition resonate with Your Majesty? Madam Guoan offered, accompanied by a smile that conveyed an air of benevolence, as though she were genuinely striving to alleviate the Emperors 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 embarra.s.sed, with the Crown Prince Consorts defeat serving as the catalyst for such humiliation?/

The Emperors admonitory gaze bore down upon Madam Guoan.