Song Shihuan glanced at the poised Song Yu, then at Shen Qingping, whose smile had vanished, and quietly took a few steps back.
"Ah Huan, come to my side."
Emperor Yuanyou's voice rang out at just the right moment, clearly signaling no intention to intervene.
Shen Qingping smiled, though the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. "Censor Han, are you familiar with the Ji'an Prefecture examinations?"
"Naturally, I know of them—they were overseen by Lord Ye," Censor Han replied without hesitation.
"Since you hold the Grand Imperial Grandson in such high esteem, I have a question. Between the top candidate of the Ji'an Prefecture exams and the Grand Imperial Grandson, who do you think is more accomplished?"
Silence.
The entire hall fell into a hush.
At that moment, Emperor Yuanyou’s murmurs to Song Shihuan became unusually clear.
"Ah Huan, I’ve prepared an even more beautiful gown for you. Would you go and change into it?"
The words reached Song Yu’s ears, and his expression twisted instantly.
The emperor, in all his dignity, was resorting to such underhanded tricks—luring a child away while his back was turned.
Emperor Yuanyou awkwardly averted Song Yu’s glare but quickly justified himself. Why should Ah Huan only wear the clothes prepared by that scoundrel? His own gift was far more splendid and regal.
Song Shihuan blinked, then nodded with a bright smile.
She had already honored her father’s gesture—now it was only right to accept her grandfather’s as well.
Fairness was key!
As Song Shihuan left the hall to change, Song Yu’s fury surged from five to ten.
"Why isn’t Censor Han answering?" Song Yu kicked the dining table before the censor.
"Ji'an Prefecture is far less prosperous than the capital, and the top candidate there was hardly remarkable during the county exams. Compared to the Grand Imperial Grandson, he must be slightly inferior."
Once Censor Han spoke, not a single official dared to echo his sentiment.
Only Song Yu laughed aloud.
To say he was inferior to Song Yanzheng?
Had Censor Han been pecked blind by birds?
"It seems Yanzheng is truly exceptional, to earn such praise from Censor Han!" Song Yu clapped mockingly. "Father, why not take advantage of Ah Huan’s birthday banquet and let Yanzheng showcase his talents?"
"How would you propose he do so?"
Now envisioning his granddaughter in the gown he’d prepared, Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t be bothered to argue with Song Yu.
"Let’s randomly select a question from the Ji'an Prefecture exams for Yanzheng to answer on the spot. Afterward, the court officials can judge whether his response surpasses that of the Ji'an Prefecture’s top candidate."
Dark venom dripped from Song Yu’s thoughts.
That old man Ye’s questions—today, he would make sure Song Yanzheng suffered their full weight.
"Granted."
Emperor Yuanyou waved his hand in approval.
......
Song Yanzheng’s expression was far from pleased. He’d heard of the Ji'an Prefecture exams’ notorious difficulty.
But now, forced into the spotlight, he could only desperately signal Censor Han, hoping for an easier question.
An incense stick’s time later, Wu Qi entered with a handful of exam questions.
Song Yu strode over. "Since I don’t know which questions are hard or easy, it’s only fair that I choose."
With that, he deliberately picked the most challenging one.
Then, with feigned innocence, he handed it to Song Yanzheng. "Yanzheng, here’s your chance to shine."
He emphasized the word "shine" with relish.
As time passed, Song Yanzheng’s face grew paler. Censor Han, catching sight of the chosen question, also stiffened.
That Ye Shijie—his questions were downright merciless.
"No need to wait idly for Yanzheng. Let the music and dances continue—celebrate my daughter’s birthday!"
The festivities resumed, cups clinking and laughter rising—all while Song Yanzheng, hidden behind a screen, wrestled with the impossible question.
"I heard your elder brother is returning in a few days?"
Song Yu had somehow sidled up to Shen Qingping. "Your easy days are numbered."
At the mention of Elder Shen, Shen Qingping’s brow furrowed slightly.
"Brother has served outside the capital for three years. His recall is a good thing."
His tone was indifferent—until his gaze landed on the hall’s entrance, and his smile returned. "The Junzhu has returned."
Song Yu’s eyes followed, lips pursed. "The old man remembered Ah Huan loves red, too."
Every gaze in the hall locked onto Song Shihuan, breaths held.
She stood there in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, embroidered with clouds and pheasant patterns—a gown so grand it rivaled those of imperial princesses.
The wooden hairpin had been the late empress’s gift. But this—this was Emperor Yuanyou’s true masterpiece, prepared for over a month.
"Last year on this day, Ah Huan had no proper gown to wear in the palace. I swore never to let that happen again!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice boomed. "And at the last grand sacrifice, I promised her another set. Ah Huan, do you like it?"
"I love it."
Song Shihuan beamed. "Thank you, Grandfather. I might even sleep in it tonight."
Her words left the emperor utterly charmed.
Her almond eyes sparkled mischievously as she turned toward the screen. "Has Eldest Brother finished his answer? If the question’s too hard, it’s alright if he can’t solve it."
The moment the words left her lips, Song Yanzheng’s brush flew across the paper.
He refused to let her look down on him.
Fifteen minutes later, Shen Mingwen frowned at Song Yanzheng's answer sheet.
"What was the name of Ji'an Prefecture’s top candidate again? Something with Guo..." Song Yu grinned broadly.
"Your Highness, it’s Guo Feng."
"Right! Pass around Yanzheng's answer sheet and compare it to Guo Feng's. Let's see who did better." Song Yu reveled in the officials' pained expressions.
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Young Master Guo’s response is superior."
Shen Mingwen spoke honestly.
With his lead, the other ministers dared not falsely praise Song Yanzheng. One after another, they extolled Guo Feng’s brilliance.
After all... without comparison, they might have managed some compliments. But side by side? The difference was like clouds and mud.
......
"Today is my birthday, and you’ve all come to celebrate. In return, I’ve prepared gifts—dried flowers unique to Yong'an County—to share this joyous occasion with you."
As Song Shihuan spoke, palace attendants presented small lacquered boxes to every official.
During my months in Ji'an Prefecture, I witnessed several imperial examinations. Before returning, I collected the top answer sheets from every prefecture’s exams across the realm.
A stack of answer sheets rested in Yingchun’s hands, with Song Yu’s prominently displayed at the top, labeled "Ji'an Prefecture."
This was Guo Feng's answer sheet!
"May they bring luck to your families’ young scholars."
“And may all candidates achieve their dreams, their names inscribed on the golden list!”
