254 Topping the Honor Roll (First Update)_2

"Yes." Grand Tutor Zhuang bowed.

Minister Li tactfully said, "Then we ministers will retire first."

"Mmm." The Emperor agreed.

Minister Li and others left the Imperial Study Room, but did not go far. They took tea in a side hall nearby.

The Emperor's gaze fell again on Grand Tutor Zhuang's face. "What is so urgent that it cannot wait for me to finish reviewing the test papers?"

Grand Tutor Zhuang surreptitiously glanced at the test papers on the table. Seeing Xiao Liulang's paper appearing as the second one to be reviewed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He stepped forward and said, "I suddenly remembered on my way back home that the Empress Dowager's birthday is in a few days. I... intend to visit the Empress Dowager in the palace."