The county examination consisted of five sessions, with the first session primarily determining whether candidates would pass and qualify for the prefectural examination. The remaining four sessions were only used to rank the candidates.
After the first session concluded, magistrates across the regions began grading the papers.
In the government office of Yong'an County, Ye Shijie flipped through the candidates' papers and addressed the clerks seated on either side:
"Have any of you come across particularly outstanding papers?"
The clerks remained silent for a moment.
Perhaps because the difficulty of this year's examination had increased abruptly, leaving many candidates unprepared, the overall quality of the answers was flawed.
Reluctantly, they selected a few relatively better papers—though Song Yu's was not among them.
Ye Shijie skimmed through the recommended papers, pondered for a while, and finally said:
"In that case, allow this official to review them further."
......
While Ye Shijie was still examining the papers, Song Yanzheng's results had already been posted.
"The results are out today—do you think the Grand Imperial Grandson will pass?"
"He's an imperial descendant—how could he possibly fail?"
"I heard this year's Yong'an County examination was shockingly difficult, which is why the results were delayed."
The crowd buzzed with chatter, pressing tightly around the examination hall, each person eager to be the first to see the rankings.
"Make way—I am here on behalf of the Ping Prince's Mansion to check the results!"
At the sound of this announcement, the crowd quickly parted to let the speaker through.
You En dismounted and hurried forward, squinting at the posted list. When he saw the name at the top, his face lit up with overwhelming joy.
"My lord is ranked first!"
Song Yanzheng had secured the top spot in the first session of the county examination.
The crowd erupted in excitement. After You En returned to the mansion to deliver the good news, people swarmed the list again to confirm Song Yanzheng's ranking. Some scholars even enthusiastically recited his answers aloud—though after finishing, they offered only a few perfunctory praises before falling silent.
Whispers spread among them.
Not only were this year's examination questions unusually simple, but the Grand Imperial Grandson's answers were not particularly outstanding either.
Could it be... that he was given first place solely because of his imperial status?
"Brother Zhao, in my opinion, we should turn our attention to Yong'an County's examination—that one promises to be far more interesting," remarked a scholarly-looking man with a smile.
The others nodded in agreement.
Where Magistrate Ye was involved, things were bound to be intriguing.
Thus, Song Yanzheng's top ranking failed to stir much discussion among scholars. Instead, more eyes turned toward Yong'an County.
......
Ye Residence.
"Magistrate Ye, why has Yong'an County's examination results not been posted yet?"
Song Shihuan, once again playing the role of a spy, studied Ye Shijie closely. She couldn't reconcile the kindly old man before her with the fiend who had devised such a difficult examination.
Ye Shihuan produced a wrinkled examination paper, clearly having been read multiple times.
"To be honest with you, County Princess, there is one paper for which this official is unsure how to assign a ranking."
Song Shihuan stood on her tiptoes to peek at the familiar handwriting on the paper in Ye Shijie's hands—her heart skipped a beat.
This was her father's paper!
"Why is Magistrate Ye hesitant?"
"This candidate's approach to the questions is exceptionally unconventional, and his perspective is unlike anyone else's. He is a rare talent—based on his answers alone, he could easily be given first place."
Ye Shijie's eyes gleamed with admiration, completely unaware of the grudge between him and the man he was praising.
But then his tone shifted. "However, his foundational knowledge appears shallow. Though he cites classics, his analysis lacks depth. If I award him first place, he may attract undue attention from other factions too soon, which could hinder his scholarly pursuits."
After hearing Ye Shijie's words, Song Shihuan straightened up and bowed respectfully.
"Magistrate Ye's dedication to nurturing talent is truly admirable."
Two hours later.
When Song Yu heard Song Shihuan relay Ye Shijie's exact words, he was at a loss for words. "He really said all that?"
Had he been cursing Ye Shijie for nothing all these days?
"Every word is true. Magistrate Ye thinks your answers are excellent. He may not give you first place, but it's out of concern for your future."
Song Yu's mood lifted instantly.
Days of frustration melted away.
"Someone! Magistrate Ye is newly appointed, and I have yet to offer my congratulations. Take those dozen large chests gifted to me from my courtyard and deliver them to Ye Residence as my gift," Song Yu declared grandly.
"Also, Ye Residence seems a bit small. Hire laborers to renovate and expand it—let the magistrate live more comfortably."
"Father, didn't you dislike Magistrate Ye?" Song Shihuan teased, blinking innocently.
"When have I ever disliked Ye Shijie?"
Song Yu refused to acknowledge any past grievances, even the incident where he had once angered Ye Shijie to the point of spitting blood.
Thus, Song Yu's brief goodwill toward Ye Shijie lasted—until the day Yong'an County's results were posted.
Not only locals but people from other regions flocked to the examination hall, curious about the candidates who had survived Ye Shijie's rigorous grading.
In a teahouse several streets away from the hall, Liuxi paced anxiously before speaking up again.
"Your Highness, perhaps I should go check the results in person."
"No need." Song Yu exuded confidence.
"I will undoubtedly rank high."
Song Shihuan had already told him—Ye Shijie had even considered giving him first place. Even if out of caution, his ranking couldn't be too low.
At this moment, Song Yu was brimming with unfounded confidence.
When the results were posted, reactions varied—some rejoiced, eager to spread the news of their success, while others lamented their perceived lack of talent, beating their chests in despair.
From the teahouse window, Song Yu observed these contrasting emotions, realizing this was only the simplest level of the imperial examinations—the county test.
"First place—Ling Ming of the Ling family!"
"Second place..."
The announcements continued, but Guo Feng's name was conspicuously absent. Song Yu grew impatient.
"Liuxi, go check!"
Song Shihuan, too, sensed something amiss. A thought struck her, and she glanced at Song Yu with a strange expression.
Could it be... Magistrate Ye's "concern for talent" had gone too far?
Half an incense stick later, Liuxi returned, stammering:
"Your Highness... you are ranked... last."
"What?!" Song Yu's shout nearly blew the roof off the teahouse.
To make matters worse, a messenger arrived just then with Emperor Yuanyou's reply—along with news from afar:
"Your Highness, the Grand Imperial Grandson has taken first place."
Song Yu froze.
This... couldn't be right.
