Substitute Bride Phoenix, The Tyrant's Pampered Demon Empress

The first scholar on the left looked like a dignified person around thirty years old.

“Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, I am forgiving, good at making friends, meticulous, and hard-working,” answered loudly.

The second scholar was the youngest. He had a small, delicate, handsome face which broke into a faint smile.

“Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, I am honest, extroverted, sincere, modest, and studious,” he said with a clear voice.

After the final scholar finished speaking, the state officials in the great hall were all drowsy and nodding off. Lian Jiuhua as the most obvious of them all by yawning and giving everyone full marks.

Han Moze shot a glance at Lian Jiuhua and smirked wickedly.

“For the next question, I want to ask each scholar to respectfully raise a cup of wine to Lord Lian one after the other. As you raise your wine, please share an impromptu poem of cheers. Lord Lian… please rise and stand in the center of the hall for the scholars to drink to you.”

Lian Jiuhua’s whole body tensed up, then shot a glance at Han Moze with an evil glare. His face scrunched up, unwillingly walked over to all the scholars, and secretly gritted his teeth. He couldn’t sleep no matter what, however, he would feel sleepy and couldn’t help but discreetly let out a yawn whenever he thought about reciting poems.

Han Moze noticed that the wine had been prepared, then flatly said, “Everyone, whoever is ready to raise their cups may start.”

Qiu Ying’an grinned with confidence and equitably got ready to raise his cup. He quietly walked over to Lian Jiuhua and spoke in a steady voice.

“I raise my cup and sing a song, for no one knows if life is short or long. It is but like morning dew, the days of past and future are few. My heart mourns pensively and cannot forget. Who can unravel my sorrows? Only the god of wine. I respectfully raise a cup to you Lord Lian.”

Lian Jiuhua smiled, then downed the cup of wine and waved Qiu Ying’an back.

Qiu Ying’an calmly stepped back.

The youngest scholar Chu An’an complimented Qiu Ying’an inside for his literary grace, then raised his wine cup to Lian Jiuhua and spoke with a clear voice. “Have a drink milord and keep it coming. Like the refreshing spring breeze, how could you not drink some more? I respectfully raise a cup to you Lord Lian.”

Lian Jiuhua glanced at Chu An’an, drank the wine, and waved his hand again for him to also step back.

…

After about half an hour, each scholar finished raising their glasses and Lian Jiuhua’s was left completely flushed. His gaze was a little hazy and he tried hard to blink it stay awake. He couldn’t sleep no matter what, otherwise that’d be too embarrassing.

Han Moze smiled wickedly. “Lord Lian, you may take a seat now.”

When Lian Jiuhua heard this, he swayed slightly back to his seat.

Han Moze and Liu Rushuang continued to propose several more questions, then ended court proceedings by the time it was almost noon.

Lian Jiuhua had fallen asleep, sprawled on the desk a long time ago and was murmuring quietly in his sleep. “Piao Piao, hug hug.”

Han Moze and Liu Rushuang walked over to Lian Jiuhua and held in their laughter.

“Men, send Lord Lian back,” Han Moze ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After the imperial examinations ended, Han Moze and Liu Rushuang dined at the Deities Palace.

In his seat, Han Moze hugged Liu Rushuang with a bright smile, picked up a piece of meat and put it near Rushuang’s mouth.

Liu Rushuang’s whole body felt numb, as she bit the meat in one-go. “When will you stop hugging me whilst you eat? It’s really annoying alright?” She said agitatedly.

Han Moze hugged Liu Rushuang tighter. “Losers get no right to negotiate terms,” he said with an evil smile.

“If you weren’t so despicable, I would have flown far far away a long time ago and lived a life of freedom,” Liu Rushuang said in anger.

“So that’s why I call you a laser. Stay obediently by my side. I’ll pamper you well,” Han Moze said with a cold smirk.

Liu Rushuang sighed helplessly. “Whatever, I’m like a flower you grew in a greenhouse. Whenever you’re bored, you just mess with me a few times and don’t care if I’m willing for you to do so or not.”