Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 658: Chapter 322: Originally, It Was a Single Move _2

Zhao Yao didn’t let the attendant leave, but instead asked him about the famous personalities in Jinling City.

When it came to the famous people of Jinling City, the attendant got even more enthusiastic. He chattered away, telling Zhao Yao and the others about the five great talents and five beauties of Jinling.

Song Jicai and the others listened with great interest. As Zhao Yao listened, he lamented in his heart that no matter where one is, people love to hear gossip about talents and beauties.

As they were speaking, a commotion came from downstairs. Then, they heard many people shouting ’Mr. Li.’

Upon hearing that Mr. Li had arrived, the attendant’s expression became somewhat excited and he quickly informed Zhao Yao and the others that the Mr. Li downstairs was none other than Li Jue, the foremost of the five great talents of Jinling.

Listening to the repeated calls of ’Mr. Li’ from downstairs, Zhao Yao was a bit curious about what kind of person this ’Mr. Li’ truly was.

In a short moment, Mr. Li came upstairs. The attendant promptly reminded Zhao Yao and the others.

Zhao Yao glanced over at Li Jue and was startled. It was the first time he’d seen someone even more handsome than his eighth brother. Most importantly, this Mr. Li had an immortal-like aura, appearing as if untouched by earthly dust.

Li Jue sensed the gaze from Zhao Yao and his group, and naturally looked over. When his eyes landed on Zhao Yao, there was a hint of surprise in them.

The attendant who led Li Jue upstairs escorted him to a private room.

"Mr. Liang, isn’t our Jinling City’s Mr. Li a godly figure?" The attendant spoke with a tone and attitude full of pride and smugness.

"Indeed a godly figure." Zhao Yao praised generously, "It’s the first time I’ve met someone so handsome."

"Mr. Liang, let me tell you, Mr. Li is also very talented..." The attendant went on and on about Mr. Li, eager to exalt him to the heavens.

The attendant spoke some more and, seeing that Zhao Yao and the others were about to have their meal, withdrew.

After he left, guests at other tables also started talking about Mr. Li.

Zhang He and the others listened but were quite unimpressed: "Isn’t it just that he’s a bit better looking? What’s the big deal?"

Chu Huan glanced at Zhang He and the others, saying, "This Mr. Li is not a simple man."

Shen Sen scoffed and said, "These noble family sons just love doing this sort of thing." After speaking, he sneered, "Truly, whether it’s the noble sons of the capital or the noble sons of Jinling, they’re all the same."

Seeing Zhao Yao lost in thought, Chu Huan asked with concern, "Boss, what’s wrong?"

Zhao Yao snapped back to reality and said to Chu Huan, "It’s nothing, just amazed that someone could be even more handsome than my eighth brother." Just now, when their eyes met, he felt a chill. For a moment, he felt as if he’d been eyed by a venomous snake.

Song Jicai, while eating meat, said, "Boss, what does a man need to be so handsome for?"

"Exactly, we men rely on our abilities, not on our looks."

Chu Huan mockingly retorted, "You two are just jealous because you’re ugly."

This remark angered Song Jicai and the others, and they began to argue with Chu Huan.

Zhao Yao quickly intervened to calm them down, urging them to eat properly.

Guests at other tables started talking about other talents, and gradually the topic shifted to the imperial examinations.

From their conversation, there seemed to be a hesitant attitude toward the imperial examinations. They also mentioned that the five great talents, led by Li Jue, were unwilling to participate in the exams. On the other hand, many scholars from impoverished backgrounds were eager to take them.

Many noble family sons were reluctant to take the imperial exams alongside scholars from poor backgrounds, feeling it demeaning to their status.

Although reading scholars held high status, there were distinctions among them. Scholars from noble families looked down on those from impoverished backgrounds, feeling there was a shabby air about them and thinking they shouldn’t even pursue studies.

Zhang He and the others wanted to say something but were stopped by Zhao Yao’s glance.

While scholars from noble families were unwilling to take the imperial exams, those from humble backgrounds participated enthusiastically.

After finishing their lunch, Zhao Yao and the others didn’t linger long at the First Tower.

Zheng Xilin thought Zhao Yao and the others would play until nightfall, but they unexpectedly returned in the afternoon.

"Third Uncle, did you know that the scholars from noble families in Jinling are unwilling to take the imperial exams?"

Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s question, Zheng Xilin wasn’t surprised at all. With a gentle tone, he replied, "You’ve heard?"

"Is this a tactic used by the Jinling Family to resist the imperial exams?" Zhao Yao said coldly, "They claim that taking the exams demeans their status. They really do think highly of themselves."