Because the Emperor Qi declared that defending the territory was not a crime, they were all pardoned.

As Jiang Wang walked by slowly.

The hand of Chu Yulong, who was holding a pen, suddenly froze; his heart almost stopped.

Zhongxuan Pang once harbored intense animosity towards him during wartime, but after the war ended, he did not trouble him. After all, wartime and peacetime are different.

Jiang Wang merely walked by this young man a few extra times on purpose, as a small act of revenge.

Chu Yulong’s uncle, Chu Shuo, was undoubtedly a talented person, receiving high praise even from Zhongxuan Sheng.

However, the Touch Clan, being a noble family of the Old Summer, had nearly the entire clan, from their old ancestor Chu Gongyi to the young genius Chu Min, perish for the nation during the Qi Xia War. Even though members like Chu Shuo and Chu Yulong eventually surrendered, it was still difficult for the Qi Court to trust members of the Touch Clan.

Nevertheless, as they were able to participate in this final civil exam, they must have passed the test of the Nanxia Governor’s Mansion.

Of course, Jiang Wang had no intention to interfere.

He shifted his gaze, specifically searching for Chu Shuo, whom he had only seen in portraits before, to make up for the regret of not meeting him in person at Huyang Pass. That time crossing Huyang Pass, he and Zhongxuan Sheng had prepared thoroughly, but the other side did not give them any opportunity.

However, as his gaze shifted, it was caught by another languid gaze.

Jiang Wang then saw—

A woman with a cold expression, dressed as a man, her hair bound with a jade ring, wearing loose-fitting scholar’s robes. One hand held a pen with an exceptionally proper posture. The other, with fingers splayed out, tapped softly on the rice paper. Her eyes were on him.

There was some curiosity in her gaze, but it was very faint.

A hint of scrutiny, also very faint.

Her features were actually quite beautiful, yet not noticeably so.

This was contradictory.

How could a very beautiful woman not stand out?

Unless she had the power to not stand out.

But at this moment, Jiang Wang did not think about these things, considering it natural that there was nothing wrong with this.

No matter what, daring to observe the chief examiner with such a scrutinizing attitude in a civil exam that decides destiny truly exhibits uncommon courage.

Jiang Wang nodded to her and moved his gaze away.

With the Governor of Nanxia, the military overseer of Nanxia, and Marquis Wu’an personally overseeing, cheating in the civil exam was naturally impossible.

Jiang Wang did not concern himself with how the two high-ranking officials on the platform were talking and chose not to go up and take a seat, instead patrolling the entire venue.

Until, "Bang! Bang!"

The sound of the exam’s end echoed.

"The test is over! Put down your pens!" Xue Rushi, with his sword sheathed at his waist, shouted loudly.

Three hundred candidates simultaneously set down their brushes; this was no time for joking. Anyone daring to continue writing after time was up would be treated as defying exam regulations.

Armored soldiers stepped forward and sealed the candidates’ papers on the spot, collecting them one by one.

The entire process was orderly and demonstrated the beauty of the system.

"Next is the martial exam." After patrolling the venue, Jiang Wang stood in the center of the aisle with hands behind his back and said to the candidates present, "Everyone, take half an hour to meditate, and then we will begin."

No one wasted time; all closed their eyes and adjusted their states rapidly.

The performance at this moment would determine how many fewer steps one could take in the future. No amount of caution could be excessive.

Jiang Wang casually glanced left and right. Somehow, his gaze again fell on the woman he had noticed earlier—she had a languid look, seemingly questioning the meaning of life.

The woman happened to open her eyes, a serene reflection in the clear pond: "Marquis, my name is Zhao Zi."

Jiang Wang, a bit surprised, nodded as he acknowledged the self-introduction, "I am Jiang Wang."

The candidates nearby chuckled. Who doesn’t know the name of Marquis Wu’an?

"I want to ask the Marquis." The woman with the odd name merely looked at him calmly, "Is this exam fair?"

Jiang Wang, not offended by the daring question, kindly replied, "You have all made your way here through exams, from the city exam to the provincial exam, and now today’s official exam. My cavalry is here, I am here. Those who lost their heads... are also here. Whether this official exam is fair or not, I think you all have the answer in your hearts."

The woman showed a strange persistence, "I want to hear how the Marquis himself says it."

This was a question Jiang Wang didn’t have to answer at all. The woman’s demeanor was somewhat impolite, asking questions while everyone was meditating, and could be expelled from the exam hall immediately.

But Jiang Wang still took the question seriously, thought for a moment, then said, "I believe there might not be absolute fairness in the world, but for this official exam, I am doing my utmost to ensure the existence of the word ’fair.’"

"Because I came from nothing, I deeply understand how vital opportunities are. I understand what fairness means."

He stood there, speaking to Zhao Zi, as well as to everyone participating in this exam: "This world may be unfair, some differences exist from birth. I am not someone extraordinary, unable to do what sages throughout history have not achieved."

He earnestly said, "I cannot provide you with a fair birth, I cannot provide you with a fair talent, I cannot provide you with fair encounters... but this time, at least in this official exam I am presiding over, I am doing my utmost to give you a fair opportunity."