"Father is going to take the imperial exams?"
Song Shihuan's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Song Yu nodded. "Old Man Shen said the imperial exams are a good path. I’ve decided to give it a try."
Song Shihuan mentally applauded Shen Mingwen.
Truly, someone who once topped the exams was brilliant!
"Wow! Does that mean Ah Huan will soon have a top-scoring father?" Song Shihuan's almond-shaped eyes gleamed like stars. "That would be absolutely glorious!"
Song Yu, too, began to daydream, as if he had already claimed the title of top scholar.
Only Shen Qingping buried his face in his paperwork.
At this point, all he could do was wish His Highness good luck.
The next morning at court.
Emperor Yuanyou had been in low spirits for several days. As soon as court adjourned, he strode toward the Zichen Hall.
As he walked, he noticed someone trailing closely behind him.
"What trouble have you caused this time?"
Song Yu quickly smiled in response. "Your Majesty, I bring good news."
Good news?
Emperor Yuanyou shot him a skeptical glance. Whenever this rascal wore such a grin, nine times out of ten, it meant trouble.
"It’s like this... I’ve decided to take the imperial exams."
Emperor Yuanyou nearly stumbled mid-step, almost twisting his ankle.
Wu Qi’s heart nearly leaped out of his throat. "Your Majesty, are you alright? Someone, fetch Imperial Physician Mei at once!"
"I’m fine."
The emperor waved Wu Qi off, then scrutinized Song Yu as if seeing him for the first time. "You want to take the imperial exams?"
Song Yu nodded without hesitation.
"Denied."
With those two cold words, Emperor Yuanyou turned and walked away.
Song Yu froze for a moment before hurrying after him. "Father, why not?"
Even Minister Shen had assured him that His Majesty would be overjoyed to see him finally applying himself.
So why the disapproval?
Emperor Yuanyou held his silence until they reached the privacy of Zichen Hall. Once only Wu Qi remained nearby, he finally erupted:
"If you take the exams and fail to even qualify as a scholar, where would that leave my dignity?"
"Since ancient times, no prince has ever sat for the imperial exams!"
Just imagining Song Yu making a grand spectacle of the exams, only for the results to reveal his name nowhere on the list—not even as a lowly scholar—made Emperor Yuanyou feel as though the entire populace was trampling his pride underfoot.
"Father, you truly have so little faith in me?" Song Yu clutched his chest, feigning heartbreak.
"If you had driven away even one fewer tutor in your youth, I might believe you."
Mention of his past misdeeds made Song Yu chuckle awkwardly.
"How about this—I’ll take the exams under an assumed name," Song Yu proposed. "If I rank highly, I’ll reveal my identity. If I fail miserably, no one will know it was me."
Emperor Yuanyou studied him for a long moment. "You’re truly set on this?"
"Absolutely."
Dressed in his violet robes, Song Yu cut an exceptionally noble figure.
"And what of your duties at the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War?" The emperor couldn’t help but steal another glance. Truth be told, the rascal did look rather dashing now.
Truly his and Fen’er’s son.
"No one will know I’m taking the exams. I won’t neglect my responsibilities, and Shen Qingping can assist me." Song Yu straightened, his expression earnest. "Please grant me this chance, Father. I want to prove to the world that your eldest son is no worthless wastrel."
"The crown prince of the empire is no idle fool."
"Well said!" Emperor Yuanyou was so moved he nearly choked on his own spit.
"Granted."
That declaration alone—that he was no wastrel—nearly made the emperor pull Song Yu up beside him on the throne.
Just look at how ambitious his son had become after turning over a new leaf!
......
Meanwhile, at the Shen residence.
Shen Mingwen stood frozen before three wagonloads of gifts, utterly bewildered. Was this... an attempted bribe?
He, Shen Mingwen, was a virtuous and incorruptible official!
"Minister Shen, our princess sent these as thanks for your guidance to His Highness," Liuxi said with deep respect. "She also mentioned that she may trouble you further in the future and humbly requests you accept these modest gifts."
Modest? The glittering gold made that description laughable.
Suddenly, Shen Mingwen had an epiphany. "Was it the princess who sent His Highness to seek me out yesterday?"
Liuxi nodded. "Before visiting you, His Highness also went to the Gu residence. The princess said you and General Gu are the pillars of the empire—one in civil affairs, the other in military—and thus the best advisors."
"The princess is wise beyond measure. I am unworthy of such praise."
In that instant, Shen Mingwen realized that Song Yu’s transformation had begun the moment Song Shihuan arrived at the Qin Prince’s Mansion. A shiver ran down his spine.
His youngest son had truly stumbled upon incredible luck, becoming the princess’s tutor.
The Shen family’s future... was now beyond estimation.
Overcome with excitement, Shen Mingwen rushed straight to the ancestral hall. He needed to pay his respects before the family tablets.
......
In the days that followed, Emperor Yuanyou’s mood improved dramatically.
Even when the occasional censor spoke out of turn, the emperor would merely chuckle and let it slide. The entire court buzzed with speculation—what joyous event had befallen His Majesty?
With the emperor in high spirits, the ministers grew bolder.
Since the Qin Prince showed no interest in marriage, perhaps they could... persuade him otherwise.
As the saying goes, a lazy genius is less dangerous than a scheming fool.
Finally, during one morning court, the ministers unveiled their masterstroke.
"If there are no matters to discuss, this court is adjourned."
"I have a petition, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuanyou glanced at the speaker—Sun You—and immediately lost interest.
No doubt another pointless rant.
"Your Majesty, it has been nearly a decade since the last imperial consort selection. With the empress’s position vacant, it is time to hold another selection."
The emperor’s eyes bulged like copper bells.
At his age, another consort selection?
"Indeed, Your Majesty," another fool chimed in. "Minister Sun speaks wisely. According to imperial tradition, a selection is overdue. The chosen ladies could either join the palace or be assigned to the princes. This would greatly benefit the continuation of the royal bloodline."
Ah. So they weren’t trying to burden him with more wives—they were targeting his troublesome sons.
Emperor Yuanyou nearly laughed in exasperation.
"Your Majesty, we humbly petition for a consort selection."
With the first voice raised, the rest of the court—emboldened by safety in numbers—knelt in unison.
The emperor’s face darkened instantly.
Only Song Yu remained unaffected. A selection? Fine by him. It wasn’t as if it concerned him in the slightest.
Though if his father had any sense, he’d assign a harpy to the Eastern Palace as crown princess...
The thought lingered.
A few breaths later.
In the dead silence of the court, Song Yu’s gleeful snicker echoed unmistakably.
