Chapter fourteen 

Five years later

Fifteen-year-old Ying Zetian step into the Hanlin academy where she will be in studying for the next two years of her life. In Tai Ping, if one wanted to be a government official, Hanlin academy is a place that one definitely must pass through. At the age of thirteen, males of Tai Ping must pass the provincial exams. And if the male rank in the top ten of their provincial exams, they will be able to go into the Hanlin academy where they will need to study for two years.

And if a male wanted to go into the military, he will need to be in the top ten of the military exams of the Hanlin academy. And similarly, males wanting to be normal officials will need to rank in the top ten of official's exams. Then these ten males will need to go through a final imperial exam where the emperor is the final decision maker on their positions in court.

Of course, even since Tai Ping exists, juicy positions will already be taken over by the four gentry families and any dirty positions will than be released to the males who have passed through the exams. Ying Zetian had delay going for the provincial exams for Changan as she needed more time to ensure her normal empire is working well before she could go into the Hanlin academy. It was only recently when the previous Rouran third prince had ascended to the Khan throne of Rouran when Ying Zetian decide that it was time.

After all, now that she has three countries in her control, Ying Zetian knew there was no need for her to delay anymore. it was Ying Zetian Devil identity that helped the Rouran third prince ascend to the Khan throne, so he helps Ying Zetian in her bid to extend her empire into Rouran. After passing the hellish provincial exams where Ying Zetian needs to stay in one place for three days while wearing a binding on her body and successfully ranking in the top ten.

Ying Zetian then uses her Devil identity to let the Hanlin principal arranged for her to stay in a single room. After all, the Tai Ping court is just a mess and special privileges could be given to anyone just as long as one is powerful or wealthy. Although by right only the first in ranking in the exams could have their own single room. But Ying Zetian never expected what will happened when she steps into the Hanlin academy.

Someone rush into her embrace and almost knocked her onto the floor. Ying Zetian instinctively wanted to attack the person, but she pulled back in time. As Ying Zetian had raised her head to see Tang Wudi standing there grinning at her while his hand was raised to let her hold for her to pull herself up.