The Hall of Purple Radiance.
"Fourth Imperial Grandson, perhaps you should return. His Majesty is currently discussing matters with Minister Shen and will be occupied for some time."
Wu Qi showed unusual patience toward Song Yanhong, who had always been exceedingly low-key.
Snowflakes had already settled on Song Yanhong’s sleeves, yet he merely shook his head. "Thank you, Eunuch Wu. I’ll wait here."
A trace of helplessness flickered in Wu Qi’s eyes. Why torment oneself like this?
Even among ten fingers, some are longer than others—how could anyone’s heart remain impartial? The Emperor’s favor clearly lay with the Prince of Qin’s household. In such circumstances, accepting reality was the wisest choice.
Song Yanhong endured the bitter wind for a full hour.
By the time Shen Mingwen emerged from the hall, Song Yanhong’s face had nearly frozen stiff.
"Fourth Imperial Grandson, His Majesty summons you inside."
Upon entering, warmth enveloped him, but before Song Yanhong could even offer his greetings, Emperor Yuanyou’s displeased voice rang out:
"Yanhong, do you have urgent business?"
Song Yanhong shook his head.
He had no urgent matter—only his father’s insistence that he make himself more visible before the Emperor.
At this, Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened further. "If it’s not urgent, why stand outside in the cold? The empire I fought so hard to build was not meant for my descendants to suffer hunger and frost."
The sight of Song Yanhong only stoked the Emperor’s irritation.
"Your grandson begs forgiveness for his transgression."
As he knelt, Song Yanhong’s eyes reddened. "I only wished to spend more time with you, Grandfather."
A heavy sigh escaped Emperor Yuanyou before he spoke again. "Go home. At your age, you should devote yourself to studies, not waste effort on me. In the future, serve as a commandery prince and guard a corner of Great Qi—that would satisfy me."
When Song Yanhong left the Hall of Purple Radiance, his mind was in a daze, clouded with gloom.
Not a single word of the speech he had prepared made it past his lips.
A commandery prince...
His grandfather had laid bare his plans for the Prince of Chu’s household. If his father persisted in contesting the throne against his uncle...
A shudder of clarity jolted through Song Yanhong. No—such a scenario must never come to pass.
......
Meanwhile, back in the Hall of Purple Radiance.
Emperor Yuanyou had already dismissed Song Yanhong’s visit from his mind. He pored over the roster Shen Mingwen had submitted, scrutinizing candidates for the new magistrate of Yong'an County.
This would be the chief examiner for Song Yu’s county-level imperial exams.
He had to choose carefully.
But the more he looked, the more indecisive he became. In the end, he summoned Shen Qingping to the palace.
Watching Shen Qingping stride into the hall, Wu Qi couldn’t help but marvel.
The roster had been prepared by Minister Shen, and now his son was called to advise—both father and son stood as pillars of the court.
Truly a rare sight.
"Come, help me deliberate. Who would be best suited as magistrate of Yong'an County?"
Emperor Yuanyou beckoned, and Shen Qingping approached with the composed air of someone recently recovered from illness.
His gaze swept over the names, pausing at one in particular. Anyone his father included in the roster was undoubtedly competent.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Qingping spoke evenly, "Your Majesty, I believe whoever among them is the most learned should take the post."
Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes widened.
"How could that be?"
"Ye Shijie—few can rival his scholarship, but with Song Yu... When I once appointed him as Song Yu’s tutor, the boy drove him to the point of spitting blood in fury. Have you forgotten?"
The memory made Emperor Yuanyou’s palms ache—literally.
Why?
Because he’d personally taken a rod to Song Yu’s backside.
"Your Majesty has already sought out the finest mask artisans in the land. The prince will not sit for the exams under his true identity, so there’s no need for concern." A faint smile touched Shen Qingping’s lips.
Was the Emperor afraid Song Yu would be crushed by Ye Shijie?
Clearing his throat to mask his embarrassment, Emperor Yuanyou said, "I worry their temperaments clash. Moreover, Ye Shijie demands perfection in scholarship and has an eccentric, reclusive nature. He’s better suited to compiling texts in the Hanlin Academy."
If he became magistrate, that rascal would likely fail the county exams outright!
"Your Majesty, the entire realm knows of Ye Shijie’s erudition. If the prince can pass the exams under his scrutiny, who would dare raise doubts?" A glint flashed in Shen Qingping’s eyes.
Bribing the examiner?
At the mere mention of Ye Shijie’s name, it was clear not even the gods themselves could sway him.
He was the perfect choice!
"In my opinion, Ye Shijie should oversee not just the county exams but also the prefectural and provincial ones. This is the optimal strategy."
Shen Qingping’s measured words piled yet more boulders onto the already treacherous path of Song Yu’s imperial examination journey.
"Then let it be as you advise."
After issuing the decree, Emperor Yuanyou spared a moment to pity Song Yu—and felt a twinge of relief.
Thank heavens he’d already bestowed the crown prince’s seal in advance, rather than waiting for the boy to earn his qualifications.
Otherwise, it might never have been granted at all...
......
Achoo!
At that very moment, far away in Yong'an County, Song Yu sneezed violently.
Since arriving, he had barred all visitors, burying himself in his study—sleeping later than dogs and rising earlier than roosters.
His spirits burned with determination to conquer the county exams in one stroke.
Until—
"Your Highness, Princess—the new magistrate has arrived in Yong'an County." Liuxi’s announcement drew the attention of both father and daughter in the study. "Liuxi, who did Grandfather appoint?"
"Former Hanlin Academy compiler Ye Shijie."
"Who?!"
Song Yu’s voice cracked as his eyes bulged like copper bells.
Surely not that Ye Shijie...
"Ye Shijie," Liuxi repeated dutifully, raising his volume for emphasis.
Song Yu collapsed into his chair like a puppet with its strings cut, his face the picture of despair.
"It’s over, Ah Huan. You may never have a father who’s a top graduate."
Grief flooded Song Yu’s heart like a raging river.
"Your Highness, is Magistrate Ye unsuitable? I heard it was Young Master Shen who personally recommended him to Your Highness."
Liuxi’s anxious words only thickened the suffocating silence in the room.
"Young Master Shen?" Song Yu ground his molars, then threw a furious punch toward the capital’s general direction.
That bastard Shen Qingping was trying to kill him!
He was doomed!
