Mother, Your Son Has Made You Proud

The slightly chubby scholar scratched his head and said, "Your grades have always been the best, so of course you have nothing to worry about. Unlike me, always at the bottom of the list—if luck isn't on my side this time, I'll be eliminated for sure. Sigh, I don't care about being Top Scholar or anything; I just hope I can quietly make it into the Royal Academy."

The young man surnamed Zhang silently sipped his tea, paying no attention to anything outside the window. It wasn't until two hours later that the eunuch arrived to announce that all scholars were to enter the Golden Throne Hall.

Dozens of scholars stood neatly beneath the grand hall, while on the lofty throne sat the young emperor—Emperor Leonard the Enlightened.

The young man surnamed Zhang lifted his eyes slightly, gazing at the figure on the throne. As if recalling something, a hint of depth flashed in his eyes before he composed himself and stood quietly.

Emperor Leonard's dignified gaze swept over the group of scholars. This was the first batch of candidates to enter the Palace Examination since his ascension. The top three would become personal disciples of the emperor—future pillars of the empire.

When Emperor Leonard's gaze landed on one particular youth, he paused slightly, marveling inwardly: Such a young scholar!

So young, yet able to stand in the Golden Throne Hall—he must be exceptional indeed. Truly, heroes are born young.

The young man surnamed Zhang, feeling Emperor Leonard's gaze, couldn't help but look up, meeting the emperor's eyes for a brief moment.

Emperor Leonard looked at the youth, his gaze deep and thoughtful. The young man was mature beyond his years, without a trace of youthful arrogance—again, the emperor was secretly impressed.

After noticing the astonishment in Emperor Leonard's eyes, the young man surnamed Zhang lowered his gaze: Indeed, the emperor had already forgotten who he was, forgotten that he was once a boy bought as a servant.