"Imperial Grandfather, your grandson is guilty."
Before Wu Qi in the hall could respond, Song Yanzheng abruptly knelt and spoke loudly, startling Shen Mingwen and Shen Qingping beside him.
What kind of performance was the eldest imperial grandson putting on now?
The hall fell eerily silent.
Then Song Yanzheng spoke again, "Your grandson failed to secure the top rank in the prefectural exam. I beg for Imperial Grandfather’s punishment."
"Cough—cough—" A fit of coughing erupted as Emperor Yuanyou nearly choked on his own saliva. "Is Yanzheng outside? Bring him in."
The top rank he had inquired about wasn’t meant for Yanzheng.
Moments later, Song Yanzheng and Shen Hua'er knelt in the center of the hall, while the Shen father and son kept their heads lowered, desperately suppressing their smirks.
"No matter. Passing is enough."
Emperor Yuanyou studied Song Yanzheng’s tearful eyes and silently mused that the examiners had been fair this time, giving him the rank he deserved.
"Imperial Grandfather, rest assured. Next year, in the provincial exam, your grandson will surely earn a high rank."
Emperor Yuanyou chuckled dryly. The provincial exam... passing it would make one a true scholar.
Given Yanzheng’s abilities, even passing was questionable.
"Good, go back and study."
Running out of patience, the emperor dismissed Song Yanzheng and Shen Hua'er with a few words.
Only after they left did Emperor Yuanyou perk up, his eyes gleaming as he turned to Wu Qi.
"Tell me, was he the top rank?"
......
"He truly was the top rank!"
With confirmation, Emperor Yuanyou paced excitedly around the hall.
"I reviewed His Highness’s exam papers personally. His answers were excellent, fully deserving of the top rank."
Shen Mingwen’s words made the emperor’s aged face crinkle with joy.
That rascal had finally made him proud for once.
"The provincial exam is next April. I shall write to Yu'er and ask if he wishes to return to the capital to prepare." Emperor Yuanyou immediately sat at his desk and began drafting a letter.
The emperor’s delight spread to the entire court, and officials basked in the reflected glory.
"Minister Shen, His Majesty has been in unusually high spirits lately. Has something auspicious occurred?"
As soon as court adjourned, officials swarmed Shen Mingwen.
Why not approach Shen Qingping?
Better not to ask—no one dared.
Before Shen Mingwen could answer, Shen Qingping stepped forward. "His Majesty has taken a keen interest in talent lately, frequently inquiring about the imperial exams. If any of you have recommendations among this year’s candidates, presenting them to His Majesty might bring rewards."
With that, Shen Qingping strode off, leaving the officials bewildered.
If they recalled correctly, the recent exam was merely the prefectural level...
A minor prefectural exam, where passing didn’t even grant the title of scholar—why would they need to scout talent from it?
But the mention of rewards piqued their interest.
......
The next morning’s court session.
"Present your memorials if you have any. Otherwise, court is dismissed."
"I have a memorial." A minister stepped forward. "The recent prefectural exam in Ji'an Prefecture, under Chief Examiner Ye Shijie, was notoriously difficult. After reviewing the papers of the successful candidates, I found the top-ranked Guo Feng to be an exceptional talent."
The courtiers watched Emperor Yuanyou’s reaction closely.
If the emperor deemed the prefectural exam too insignificant, they wouldn’t follow suit with recommendations.
But if...
Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes lit up. "Guo Feng? Where is he from?"
Encouraged, the minister replied, "He hails from Yong'an County."
He then recounted Guo Feng’s feud with the Wu family in detail.
"To have even A-Huan stand up for him—remarkable indeed." Emperor Yuanyou was inwardly overjoyed. "But he’s only passed the prefectural exam. He must strive harder."
Praise from the imperial lips was the highest honor for a commoner.
Soon, the name Guo Feng spread across the entire Great Qi.
......
Meanwhile, Song Yu had no idea his father had thrown all subtlety to the wind.
He ordered the Guo household to shut its doors and focus solely on preparing for the provincial exam.
Ye Shijie sent over several practice booklets, which Song Yu treated like sacred texts, studying them day and night.
"Your Highness, a letter from the capital."
At Liuxi’s announcement, Song Yu and Song Shihuan set down their books. After the letter was read aloud, Song Yu’s lips twitched.
"A-Huan, with your imperial grandfather making such a fuss... the pressure is immense."
If he failed the provincial exam next year, the humiliation would be unbearable.
"Imperial Grandfather is just happy for you." Song Shihuan brimmed with confidence in him. "Besides, with Father’s scholarly prowess, the provincial exam is no challenge."
"But... Imperial Grandfather also asked if we’d return to the capital."
Song Shihuan blinked. She missed her imperial grandfather.
"Return? Of course we’ll return!"
Song Yu crouched before her, cupping her small face in his large hands, making her delicate features appear even tinier.
"Next month is A-Huan’s birthday. I’ll host the grandest celebration for you."
Birthday?
Song Shihuan froze. In both her past and present lives, she had never celebrated one.
Before being recognized, her foster grandmother hadn’t known her birth month.
After returning, no one had cared to celebrate it.
Noticing her daze, Song Yu gently pinched her nose.
"I’ll petition His Majesty to hold a grand banquet in the palace, inviting all officials to celebrate."
"We’ll also host public feasts so the people may share in A-Huan’s blessings."
"I’ll ensure the entire Great Qi knows that Princess Fu'an of the Qin Prince’s Mansion is the most noble young lady in the realm."
He had never forgotten that May was A-Huan’s birth month.
It drove him to study even harder for the county and prefectural exams.
"Not celebrating properly before was my fault." Song Yu’s eyes shone intensely. "This year, I’ll make up for all ten lost years."
"Thank you, Father."
Song Shihuan smiled. Father and daughter gazed at each other, their similar faces mirroring joy. Even the usually oblivious Baoxia wiped her eyes.
......
By late April, the ancestral temple renovations were complete. Song Yu and Song Shihuan departed Yong'an County.
No crowds had greeted their arrival, but now, the streets were packed with well-wishers.
"Farewell, Your Highness. Farewell, Princess."
"Yong'an County will never forget Your Highness and the Princess’s kindness."
Outside the county, the once-muddy paths had been paved into two broad roads.
At the crossroads, Song Yu and Song Shihuan lifted the carriage curtain to wave goodbye.
The people knelt in reverence.
"Long live Prince Qin! Long live Princess Fu'an!"
