Chapter 136: Proposing in the Imperial Hall

Wu Qingluan did not ask any further questions. Obediently, she forced out a drop of fresh blood and let it fall onto the glowing orb. The orb then transformed into a ray of light that merged into her body. Closing her eyes for a moment, she comprehended the functions of the Morphing Divine Armor, and her heart was filled with profound shock.

"Such a precious item—why didn't you keep it for yourself? Your cultivation is stronger than mine, so you should be the one to use it," Wu Qingluan said.

"Since I was able to acquire one, I can naturally secure one for myself as well. Rest assured," Fang Xian said with a smile. He was determined to procure one for every single close subordinate around him, as this would enhance their ability to preserve their lives in times of chaos.

After Wu Qingluan departed, Fang Xian returned to his room and summoned a Divine Armor Puppet. Instantly, information about it flooded his mind: Divine Armor Puppet, a weapon of war, forged from refined iron, powered by sunlight, and also rechargeable with internal energy or other forms of power. Fully charged, it could engage in continuous combat for eight hours and possessed the strength of a top-tier martial artist.

The Divine Armor Puppet standing before Fang Xian was roughly one meter and eighty centimeters tall, with a sturdy and robust build. Its entire body was encased in black iron armor. It would obey Fang Xian's commands unconditionally, possessed basic analytical capabilities, and was equipped with coordinated attack abilities to form battle arrays.

Fang Xian tested its durability by delivering a punch with all his strength, which left only a shallow fist mark on the black iron armor without causing any internal damage to the puppet whatsoever. Furthermore, the puppet could be set to a self-destruct sequence, detonating automatically if it suffered severe destruction.

"What a formidable Divine Armor Puppet. If five hundred of them form a battle array, it would be enough to withstand tens of thousands of enemy troops," Fang Xian thought in secret shock. If the system store allowed him to exchange for Divine Armor Puppets, he would gladly redeem another five hundred to form a thousand-puppet battle array, which would be sufficient to hold off a hundred thousand elite soldiers.

At the same time, Fang Xian grew even more curious about the system. Now that Divine Armor Puppets had been introduced, would there be cavalry puppets in the future? Would there be even more powerful weapons of war and armaments?

Regardless, possessing these items would make it much easier for Fang Xian to survive in the troubled times ahead, while also granting him a greater capacity to protect himself and those around him—which had been his original intention all along.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Fang Xian remained secluded within the medical hall. Although officials and people from all walks of life came in an endless stream to pay their respects, he refused to see any of them. As for gifts, he accepted nothing save for various medicinal herbs. Gradually, everyone learned to bring only rare and precious medicinal herbs when visiting.

"Brother Fang, the grand court assembly is being held today. What official title will the Emperor bestow upon you?" The breakfast had been brought over by Situ Yan, who asked with a face full of adoration.

"I do not know either. It will depend on His Majesty's mood, I suppose?" Fang Xian said with a smile.

"Didn't they say His Majesty allowed you to choose your own official position? Have you decided yet? Will you be staying in Wudu?" Situ Yan asked with a hint of anticipation.

"That was merely His Majesty's kindness; how could I dare to truly choose my own post? Putting that aside, your medical skills have improved greatly of late. In the future, you can assist Lord Situ more often and run the medical hall well," Fang Xian replied, shaking his head before offering her a parting instruction.

"Brother Fang, are you leaving the medical hall? Of course, that makes sense—since you are entering government service at court, you will surely be assigned an official residence. However, this medical hall is yours; we are merely guarding it on your behalf, and we will always be waiting for your return." Situ Yan paused, seeming to guess something, and her expression turned somewhat pale as she spoke.

"Scholar Fang."
"Greetings, Scholar Fang."
"This way, please, Scholar Fang."

When Fang Xian arrived outside the Meridian Gate, the sky was just beginning to brighten. Many officials had already arrived in advance. Upon seeing Fang Xian, they greeted him warmly and enthusiastically, their attitude vastly different from the previous occasion.

As the sole dual scholar in both civil and military examinations in history, this identity left countless people astonished while also instilling awe in the court ministers. Barring any unexpected mishaps, Fang Xian would undoubtedly become either a grand marshal or a prime minister in the future. This was unquestionable, which was why building a good relationship with him now might prove useful down the line.

"My lords, you are too polite. This humble junior dares not accept such praise," Fang Xian said, devoid of any arrogant demeanor. Instead, he conversed with everyone very courteously, keeping his posture remarkably humble.

"Brother Fang."
"Good day, Brother Fang."

Following that, the top thirty scholars of the imperial examination and the top thirty martial arts graduates arrived one after another. Today, the Emperor would uniformly announce the rewards, and the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War would also make their official appointments.

These fifty or sixty individuals would become the future elite of the State of Wu. In another ten or twenty years, this very group would dominate the imperial court and military of Wu, serving as the core backbone and the ultimate pillars of the nation.

"Greetings to all my fellow imperial classmates," Fang Xian said, cupping his hands in a general salute to the crowd with a calm and faint smile on his face.

"Brother Fang, why did you run away that night? The next morning, the top four courtesans were acting like aggrieved wives, hoping for you to stay the night again," Xia Zhenghong whispered as he sneaked up to Fang Xian's ear.

"You brat, watch yourself. I heard you spent two whole days and nights at the Academy of Music; you had better be careful of the censors impeaching you," Fang Xian said, casting a sideways glance at him.

"Heh heh, you have no idea about the skills of those courtesans; it was seriously damn amazing. By the way, what's the deal with that Brother Wu? Could he be a royal prince of the imperial family?" Xia Zhenghong asked, realizing things a bit too late.

"You'll find out soon enough." Fang Xian did not tell him the truth, though he figured that when he asked Wu Qingdi for his hand in marriage shortly, this group of people would surely connect the dots.

Just like the previous occasion, civil and military officials entered the Taiji Hall first, followed closely by the thirty scholars and thirty martial arts graduates. Needless to say, Fang Xian walked at the very front of the scholars and martial arts graduates as they entered the hall, while the others formed rows behind him, with Xia Zhenghong closely following his footsteps.

"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live our Emperor!" Once inside the hall, everyone bowed in reverence to Emperor Wu Qingdi.

"Rise, my lords and subjects," the voice of Wu Qingdi rang out.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After expressing their gratitude, everyone stood up and respectfully assumed their respective positions.

"This year, the civil and military examinations were held successively, selecting a vast number of talents for the nation. My heart is exceedingly gratified. Today, new official positions will be appointed for all of you. While it may not entirely fulfill everyone's wishes, it certainly will not bury anyone's talents," Wu Qingdi said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Grand Princess Wu Qingluan had also entered the hall today. Usually rather lazy, she was clad in armor on this occasion, standing at the very front of the military generals, even a step ahead of Minister of War Chen Lin, quietly awaiting this historic moment.

"Thank many thanks, Your Majesty," the scholars and martial arts graduates said respectfully in unison.

"Scholar Fang, my esteemed official, you are the dual civil and military champion. I previously instructed you to consider what official post you desired—have you made up your mind?" Wu Qingdi inquired.

"Thank you for your immense favor, Your Majesty. This subject has already decided. I wish to request the hand of the Grand Princess in marriage, and I beseech Your Majesty to grant your approval." Fang Xian stepped forward and spoke loudly and respectfully. His voice echoed throughout the grand hall, and instantly, absolute silence fell upon the assembly.

Whether it was Emperor Wu Qingdi, the various ministers, or the scholars and martial arts graduates, every single person stared at Fang Xian in disbelief. Some thought they had misheard, some had drastic changes in their complexions, and others were struck dumb with astonishment.

"My esteemed official Fang, what did you say? I did not catch that clearly. Repeat it once more," Wu Qingdi said, momentarily stunned as he tentatively asked.