The capital, Ping Prince's Mansion.
"Has the princess consort been having nightmares again?" Seeing the mansion physician leaving the main courtyard, Song Yanzheng frowned and called out to him.
"Your Highness, the princess consort has been suffering from night terrors daily. Despite several prescriptions, there has been no improvement." The physician looked uneasy, fearing Song Yanzheng might vent his frustration on him.
"I see."
With the provincial examination approaching, Song Yanzheng hadn’t visited the main courtyard to see Shen Hua'er for several days. Today, however, he sensed something was amiss.
"Bi'er, why has the princess consort’s condition worsened so much?"
Outside the room, Bi'er stood guard, her eyes reddened.
"Your Highness..." The moment Bi'er saw Song Yanzheng, it was as if she had found a savior. "The princess consort’s condition has deteriorated rapidly. She was fine on the day you registered for the examination, but the very next day, the nightmares began. I wanted to inform you, but the princess consort feared distracting you and forbade it."
In Bi'er’s words, Shen Hua'er was the epitome of a devoted and selfless consort.
Song Yanzheng hadn’t felt such warmth in a long time.
Overcome by impulse, he strode into the room.
"Princess Consort, why do you look so pale?"
At the sight of Shen Hua'er, Song Yanzheng’s expression darkened.
"Yanzheng..."
Shen Hua'er, who had suppressed her emotions for days, finally broke down. "The Shen family... the Shen family may be in trouble. Father sent word that someone is encroaching on our business. This person operates covertly and strikes ruthlessly—likely a powerful figure in the capital."
"Business? What business?" Song Yanzheng dared not even think of illegal salt trafficking. "Whoever dares challenge the Shen family has a death wish. Once I pass the provincial examination, I’ll plead for justice before His Majesty on behalf of your family."
"No!"
Shen Hua'er paled in horror.
This was a matter they should conceal from the Emperor at all costs—how could they expose it themselves?
"This business... is somewhat unsavory. But you know as well as I do, Yanzheng, that every noble family has its shadow dealings." Shen Hua'er dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "Father is furious, convinced the perpetrator intends to annihilate the entire Shen family."
Her fears were justified. If the illegal salt trade were exposed, the Shen family would be doomed.
"Rest assured, Princess Consort. The Ping Prince’s Mansion and the Shen family are bound together now. If anyone dares move against you, they’ll have to answer to us."
Hearing this, Shen Hua'er felt a surge of relief.
"Once I become the most outstanding imperial grandson of Great Qi, no one will dare touch the Shen family lightly. This provincial examination—I will conquer it."
"Yanzheng, your words alone bring me peace."
Shen Hua'er clutched his sleeve. Her father had emphasized the urgency of strengthening the eldest imperial grandson’s influence and rallying allies.
This examination was pivotal.
......
Meanwhile, at the Shen residence.
"Third Master, Scarface sent word. The Shen family has noticed our men and has begun targeting them frequently."
At the servant’s report, Shen Qingping merely smirked. "Tell Scarface to keep encroaching on their business. Provoke them further."
Timing it right, the net could close just after the examination results were announced—a fitting congratulatory gift for the prince’s success.
"By the way, Third Master..." The servant hesitated. "Liu'er from the Ping Prince’s Mansion sent word. She suspects the princess consort and the eldest imperial grandson may be... overly intimate."
Shen Qingping’s brow arched, his face cast in a sinister glow by the candlelight.
"I wonder if Song Ling’s coffin lid can still contain his rage."
"Then again, Shen Hua'er initially aspired to be an imperial grandson’s consort. It makes sense."
The servant beside him lowered his head, not daring to comment on such matters.
"Fascinating. Keep watching them."
Shen Qingping tapped the table rhythmically with his middle finger. The storms this year were truly monumental.
But the greater the chaos, the better...
At the same time, in Ji'an Prefecture.
"The fiercer the storm, the more valuable the fish!"
Song Yu closed his book, eyes gleaming.
Future ruler and subject shared the same thought at this moment.
"By assuming Guo Feng’s identity for the imperial exams, I’ll inevitably face scrutiny when the truth comes out. The stricter Ye Shijie’s standards, the more advantageous it is for me." Song Yu had an epiphany. "Liuxi, don’t you agree?"
"Absolutely!"
Liuxi replied enthusiastically. "Earning the top rank under Lord Ye’s scrutiny will make your name known across the land. Ordinary exams offer no such glory."
"His Majesty truly favors me."
Song Yu now viewed Ye Shijie in an entirely positive light, even forgetting his own past grievances.
Time flew, and soon it was the eve of the provincial examination.
"Father, you’ve already drunk two full pots of water."
Song Shihuan watched as Song Yu’s trembling hands lifted the teacup, his nervousness contagious.
"Ah-Huan, I’m just... parched."
Song Yu hadn’t been this anxious during the county or prefectural exams. But today, his heart had been pounding since dawn.
"Ah-Huan, do you think I’ll pass?"
"Ah-Huan, do you think His Majesty will secretly pray for me?"
"Ah-Huan..."
He rambled like a headless fly, spouting nonsense.
"Father, I secretly consulted a fortune-teller last night." Song Shihuan grinned, revealing pearly teeth.
"What was the divination?" Song Yu asked eagerly.
"Extremely auspicious."
Song Yu chuckled in delight.
The next day, before dawn, Song Yu shouldered his pack and left the inn with Zheng Fang and Ling Ming.
On the day of the exam, all his anxiety vanished.
The streets, illuminated by lanterns, bustled with crowds. Song Yu congratulated himself for not letting Ah-Huan accompany him—what kind of father needed his daughter to escort him to an exam?
Outside the examination hall, guards cross-referenced candidates’ identities with portraits before granting entry.
As Song Yu stepped inside, memories of his relentless studying flashed through his mind.
After a few deep breaths, he approached the official assigning examination cells.
Ancestors, grant me fortune.
Cell A16.
Song Yu exhaled in relief—the cell was far enough from the latrines to spare him the stench.
With lighter steps, he strode toward his designated spot.
The cell, long unused, was dusty and worn, but Song Yu arranged his belongings meticulously, unfazed.
Then...
He lay his head on the desk and dozed off.
As one of the earliest arrivals, he had at least a quarter-hour before all candidates were settled.
Might as well nap!
