An hour later, the exam papers of several candidates were collected with their names concealed.
"It will take time to grade the exams, and the results will be announced in three days."
Everyone looked exhausted, drained of energy by Shen Mingwen's so-called "simple question," their hearts filled with resentment as they speculated about who could have crafted such a merciless problem.
How hateful!
Only Song Shihuan walked out of the room unhurriedly.
"It seems Eldest Sister is confident, while Second Sister might be in trouble," Song Xiling's voice rang out behind her.
"Third Sister, you've been speaking more than usual lately."
Song Shihuan turned to look at Song Xiling, her dark eyes inexplicably sending a shiver down Song Xiling's spine.
Noticing this, Song Shihuan smirked mockingly. Her ambition had grown, but her courage... seemed as timid as before.
Less than half an hour after the exam concluded, all the papers were presented before Emperor Yuanyou.
In the Purple Palace Hall, Emperor Yuanyou swiftly sifted through the papers until he spotted familiar handwriting. Eagerly, he pulled out the exam to read.
Beside him, Shen Mingwen lowered his head guiltily, already imagining a thousand ways the Emperor might erupt in anger.
It was his fault—he had forgotten that the princess was just a ten-year-old child.
"Minister Shen, my Song family truly..."
Emperor Yuanyou sprang up from his throne, choking on his own saliva in excitement, his face flushed.
Shen Mingwen, taken aback, sighed. "Your Majesty, the princess is young, and this was her first time writing a policy essay. It's understandable if her answers aren't perfect."
Emperor Yuanyou gulped down some tea to steady himself.
"My Song family has produced a genius!"
Huh?
Shen Mingwen's expression froze completely.
The Emperor's eyebrows danced with excitement as he handed the exam to Shen Mingwen. "Top Scholar Shen, take a look at my granddaughter’s work!"
As Shen Mingwen read, his eyes brightened.
The essay was logically structured, with several references to classical texts.
She had even subtly praised Prince Qin in her response, using the idea that learning knows no age as her central argument.
The only flaw was a slightly immature writing style—but for a ten-year-old, polished prose would have been stranger!
"Your Majesty, the princess is exceptionally gifted. May I personally tutor her?" Shen Mingwen tightened his grip on the paper. "Given time, her scholarly achievements will surely surpass mine."
He swallowed hard.
What he didn’t say aloud was this: those with such talent in policy discussions...
Whether ruler or minister, which among them wasn’t immortalized in history?
Emperor Yuanyou glanced at him. "If I recall correctly, Ah Huan’s current tutor is your third son?"
Shen Mingwen remained unflinching. "That useless son of mine knows next to nothing about scholarship. He’d only hold the princess back. At best, he’s passable as a music instructor."
Forgive me, son.
Emperor Yuanyou snatched back Song Shihuan’s exam, rereading it with growing astonishment.
His Song family had never before produced such a prodigy.
"Let me think on it."
......
For once, Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t focus on reviewing memorials.
Pacing back and forth in the Purple Palace Hall, his mind was consumed by Song Shihuan’s exam.
"Your Majesty, Princess Fu’an has arrived."
At Wu Qi’s announcement, the Emperor snapped back to attention. "Ah Huan is here? Bring her in at once!"
His gaze fixed on the palace doors.
In just a few months, Song Shihuan had grown noticeably taller. With willow-leaf brows and almond eyes, her red robes made her glow like the morning sun.
And that face—so strikingly like his late wife’s.
Hope.
The word echoed in Emperor Yuanyou’s heart. For the first time in years, he felt true hope.
"Your granddaughter greets Imperial Grandfather."
Song Shihuan bounded over, spotting her exam and raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Imperial Grandfather, isn’t this my exam from earlier?"
"Ahem..."
Caught red-handed, the Emperor shifted uncomfortably. "This exam involved all three princesses, so I had them bring the papers for me to review."
"Then, does Imperial Grandfather approve of my answers?"
She blinked, her eyes clear as spring water.
"Very much so."
Most women in Great Qi married and bore children when they came of age. Those unlucky in love but gifted in learning often became tutors.
But now, Emperor Yuanyou felt none of these paths... suited Ah Huan.
"Ah Huan, let me ask you a few more questions, shall we?"
Three questions, three answers.
The Emperor’s fingers trembled slightly beneath his sleeves as he gave his heartfelt verdict: "Ah Huan has extraordinary talent for policy discussions."
"Then I must have inherited Imperial Grandfather’s wisdom." Song Shihuan tilted her head. "You deliberate policies daily—in court sessions, in memorials. The Son of Heaven is the most gifted strategist of all. Isn’t that right?"
"Ah Huan speaks truth!"
Emperor Yuanyou threw back his head and laughed. Heaven had been kind, blessing the Song family with a genius.
......
After leaving the Purple Palace Hall, Song Shihuan’s heart fluttered. She slowly touched her cheek.
Reborn into this life, she couldn’t rely solely on her resemblance to the late Empress to secure the Emperor’s favor. Beauty alone wouldn’t last.
So when she saw the exam, she gambled that the policy question wasn’t crafted by the women’s academy tutors. Though she held back, she still demonstrated sixty to seventy percent of her ability.
Now, it seemed her gamble had paid off.
The setting sun cast its glow upon her hair, and the palace attendants behind her held their breaths. Princess Fu’an seemed almost sacred—radiant, untouchable.
Prince Qin’s Residence.
No sooner had Song Shihuan entered the courtyard than Wu Qi arrived, beaming, with a trove of imperial gifts.
"His Majesty personally reviewed the princess’s exam. She has unquestionably earned her place among the top scholars."
Hearing this, Song Yu grinned from ear to ear. Truly, his daughter took after him—that cleverness was unmistakably his!
Even Shen Qingping beside him swelled with pride.
But then Wu Qi added, "However, His Majesty decrees that henceforth, Minister Shen shall tutor the princess. Neither this nor Prince Qin’s imperial examinations may be disclosed."
Shen Qingping’s face clouded with confusion.
"Am I not ‘Minister Shen’? Everyone knows I’m the princess’s tutor. Why the secrecy?"
"Ahem..." Wu Qi lowered his voice. "His Majesty meant... your father."
"What?!"
Shen Qingping nearly shrieked.
His own disciple—stolen by his father?!
"This was Minister Shen’s own suggestion," Wu Qi added, covering for the Emperor.
Enraged, Shen Qingping stormed off toward the Shen residence.
He was going to have words with that old man!
