Lu Yuanzhao entered the examination hall and was escorted by the guards to his assigned cubicle.
"If you need to relieve yourself, just ring this bell, and an attendant will take you to the latrine."
"Thank you for the reminder, brother."
Lu Yuanzhao cupped his hands in gratitude. Once the guard left, he let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, his cubicle was far enough from the latrine that the stench wouldn’t reach him. When the guard had led him past it earlier, he’d glanced sideways and immediately regretted it—just imagining how foul it would smell after three days made him shudder.
Soon, other examinees began filing in around him. Too preoccupied to feel nervous, Lu Yuanzhao quickly lit some mugwort and started boiling water.
Outside the examination hall, Lu Chao and Lu Yuanyi watched their family’s carriage depart before leisurely strolling through the capital.
As they passed a wonton stall, the aroma stopped Lu Chao in his tracks. They found seats, and Lu Yuanyi leaned in eagerly.
"Chao, Elder Brother is taking the imperial exams today, yet Uncle hasn’t shown up. What exactly have you been up to lately? Spill the details!"
"There’s no grand scheme—just keeping them busy, that’s all."
Lu Chao’s answer might fool others, but not Lu Yuanyi, who’d grown up with him.
Seeing his curiosity, Lu Chao beckoned him closer and whispered the truth.
It turned out that Aunt Song, seeing the Third Prince’s downfall, had regretted her earlier actions and set her sights on Lu Yuanzhao again. She’d planned to fake her daughter’s grave illness to break off the engagement, hoping to strengthen ties with the Lu family.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince’s Consort’s family, fearing the emperor’s wrath, was desperate to flee the capital. Hearing the Songs wanted to annul the marriage, they didn’t put up much resistance—just demanded some silver in compensation. Uncle and Aunt Song scrambled to gather the money while buttering up Lu Yuanzhao and Lu Yuanyi.
But then, within days, the Third Prince’s Consort’s family changed their minds, refusing to return the eldest niece’s betrothal document. This left Uncle and Aunt Song in despair, their hair graying from stress. The thought of their daughter being tied to such a family far from the capital drove Aunt Song to near-collapse.
Just as she was about to hang herself with a white sash, news arrived: the Third Prince’s Consort’s youngest brother was no gentleman—frequenting brothels and gambling dens, even loan-sharking under the Third Prince’s name. Revived by this revelation, Aunt Song and her husband threw themselves into gathering evidence to blackmail the family into returning the betrothal document. With this crisis at hand, they had no time to spare for Lu Yuanzhao’s exams.
Lu Yuanyi’s eyes widened, and he silently gave a thumbs-up.
"What did you leak to the Third Prince’s Consort’s family? And the loan-sharking—that was your doing too, wasn’t it?"
Lu Chao swallowed his wonton before answering.
"They’re still Mother’s relatives. Once Elder Brother finishes the exams, the engagement should be dissolved. I couldn’t just stand by and watch a girl thrown into a pit of fire."
Though the Songs had acted dishonorably, sacrificing a girl’s future out of spite would be too cruel. Hopefully, this ordeal would teach Uncle and Aunt Song a lesson.
At least Father Lu and Lu’s mother had made their stance clear—the Songs wouldn’t easily take advantage again.
Soon after Lord Lu and Lady Lu arrived in the capital, they sent a formal visit notice to the Songs. Since the Song household only had women, Lady Lu only brought Xingyao along.
When Aunt Song heard Lord Lu had been promoted and returned to the capital, she nearly kicked herself in regret. Realizing the marriage was beyond reach, she slyly probed the Lu family’s finances. Lady Lu, already wise to her ways, offered a polite but dismissive smile.
During the visit, Lady Lu finally met her brother’s three nieces. The eldest niece bore some resemblance to her brother but had a frail, delicate air. Lady Lu kept her thoughts to herself but inwardly rejoiced the marriage hadn’t gone through—this girl didn’t seem fit to manage a household. With that in mind, she slipped off a fine jade bracelet and handed it over, calling it a wedding gift. The eldest niece paled, her eyes welling up again.
Lady Lu frowned discreetly—this girl was far too sensitive. Back home, she hugged Xingyao tightly, reaffirming her preference for spirited, straightforward girls.
After finishing his last wonton, Lu Chao sighed contentedly and stood to leave—until he overheard chatter from the next table.
"The imperial exams started today. Look how empty this stall is compared to usual!"
Another voice chimed in.
"True! If any candidate passes, Boss, you ought to rename these ‘Success Wontons’ for good luck! Your business will boom!"
The stall owner beamed, clasping his hands in gratitude.
"Ah, you flatter me! If such fortune comes, I’ll treat everyone to a little bonus!"
Then, an older scholar in the corner set down his bowl and shook his head with a heavy sigh.
"Pah! What does passing the exams even matter these days? Even the most learned struggle to serve the court properly. Meanwhile, those who can barely read waltz into official posts, lazing in their positions. It’s disgraceful!"
"Brother Chen speaks truth!" His companion nodded bitterly.
"Alas, we still have some dignity—we won’t stoop to their crooked ways!"
Lu Yuanyi’s expression darkened. Chest heaving, he slammed the table and retorted,
"If you’re so talented, why not study harder and earn your place through the exams?"
Lu Chao tugged his sleeve, baffled but eager for drama.
"Who are they talking about? Who?"
The scholar, noting their youth and lack of attendants, scowled.
"Young man, where are your manners? Which academy do you attend? I’d like to ask your teachers how they’ve raised such insolence!"
Though clueless about the context, Lu Chao wasn’t about to let anyone bully Lu Yuanyi.
As onlookers gathered, Lu Chao smiled sweetly.
"How was he rude?"
Before the scholar could answer, he continued,
"My brother merely suggested you focus on your studies and take the exams honorably. What’s wrong with that? Meanwhile, you’re here disparaging the court and the emperor’s judgment. Now, what exactly did you mean by that?"
The scholar spluttered, "You—how dare you twist my words! I never disrespected the court!"
"Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you just complain about illiterate officials being appointed? Sounds like you’re dissatisfied with His Majesty’s decrees."
Lu Chao’s grin never wavered as the scholar’s face drained of color.
With the crowd growing, the man faltered, his companions pulling at his sleeves. Gritting his teeth, he bowed stiffly to Lu Chao.
"Young masters, my apologies. I was... still muddled from last night’s drink. My words were out of line. Forgive me."
Lu Chao pointed a finger at Lu Yuanyi standing beside him. The others, understanding the unspoken cue, promptly bowed and cupped their hands in deference to him.
Lu Yuanyi had no desire to escalate the situation. With an impatient wave of his hand, he dismissed them.
"Go on. Spend more time with your books in the future and less on slandering others."
Watching the group slink away in defeat, Lu Chao turned to Lu Yuanyi with renewed curiosity.
"Who were they talking about? Who did they mean?"
