In the examination hall of Ji'an Prefecture, Song Yu finished his paper earlier than the other candidates. After completing it, he set down his brush and began carefully reviewing his answers.
This scene was observed by Ye Shijie from the elevated platform.
It seems this young man had a smooth time with the exam.
Ye Shijie then turned his gaze to the other candidates, who were scratching their heads in frustration. The faint trace of amusement in his eyes gradually faded. Could it be that they didn’t even understand the questions?
As the sun set, the main session of the provincial examination came to an end.
Once the gates of the examination hall opened, the candidates filed out one after another, all with dejected expressions, not uttering a word even to their waiting families.
An elderly man staggered out of the hall, only to collapse to his knees after a few steps. "How could the exam questions be so difficult?" he lamented.
At his age, he wasn’t sure if he’d get another chance to take the exam.
Witnessing this, the others felt an even heavier weight in their hearts. Some even had reddened eyes, wiping away tears with their sleeves.
Seeing this, Liuxi couldn’t help but grow anxious.
Why hadn’t the prince come out yet?
The next moment, Song Yu strode out of the examination hall with his head held high, bathed in the glow of the setting sun like a triumphant hero—a stark contrast to the others’ disheartened state.
"Young master, please board the carriage," Liuxi hurriedly said, taking Song Yu’s bag. Seeing his master in high spirits, Liuxi finally allowed himself a smile.
Song Shihuan had been waiting inside the carriage all along. The unassuming vehicle gave no hint that it carried the highly favored Princess Fu'an, who had waited outside the examination hall for a full hour like everyone else.
"Did Father put all his knowledge to good use?"
Song Shihuan quickly handed Song Yu a cup of water, which he drained in one gulp, his face brimming with confidence. "Old Ye’s questions couldn’t stump me," he declared.
"The divination was right—this examination is an auspicious one."
......
Meanwhile, Song Yanzheng’s situation was the complete opposite of Song Yu’s.
After the exam ended and his papers were collected, two bailiffs had to hold their noses as they carried Song Yanzheng out, the stench clinging to him unbearable.
When the gates opened, the first thing the crowd saw was Song Yanzheng being carried out on a stretcher.
"Whose candidate is this? He went in standing and came out lying down!"
"What a foul smell—he must’ve been assigned the ‘stench cell’ and passed out from it."
Amid the murmurs, the window of the Ping Manor’s carriage slid open, and Shen Hua'er’s voice rang out. "What’s all this commotion about?"
"My lady, a candidate was assigned the stench cell and fainted from the smell."
Shen Hua'er nodded in understanding. Everyone in the examination hall knew Yanzheng—there was no way he’d be given the stench cell. "Keep an eye out for the eldest imperial grandson. Report to me the moment he emerges."
"Yes."
The servant widened his eyes, fixed on the examination hall’s entrance.
But instead of Song Yanzheng, he saw the two bailiffs carrying the unconscious candidate—straight toward their carriage.
"Is this the Ping Manor’s carriage?" one of the bailiffs asked.
"Yes."
By now, the servant had a sinking feeling.
"The eldest imperial grandson was assigned the stench cell during the exam. He fainted after finishing his paper. Please take him to see the imperial physician at once."
"What?" Shen Hua'er’s shrill voice cut through the air, her face twisted in disbelief. "You dared to put Yanzheng in the stench cell?"
The surrounding crowd frowned at her words.
What did she mean, "dared"?
Exam seating was assigned randomly. It wasn’t unheard of for candidates to faint from the stench—it was simply bad luck.
"My lady, examination seating cannot be chosen," Qiu Ri interjected, making Shen Hua'er’s expression darken further.
She dreaded to think how much ridicule the Ping Manor would face once this got out.
"Then why didn’t you call a physician sooner? Letting Yanzheng lie unconscious in the hall—what if something had happened to him? Could you bear that responsibility?"
"If any harm had come to the eldest imperial grandson, this official would take full blame."
Qiu Ri’s tone turned firm as he stood his ground. "But the examination hall’s gates cannot open before the exam concludes. That is the rule. This official could not disrupt the exam for thousands of candidates just for one person."
Scholars had their pride, after all.
"Your name is Qiu Ri?" Shen Hua'er fumed.
"Indeed, it is."
Qiu Ri straightened his official robes. "My lady, please take the eldest imperial grandson for treatment immediately. Lingering here any longer is unacceptable."
In the end, Shen Hua'er left in a huff with Song Yanzheng, leaving behind a crowd of onlookers buzzing with gossip.
The one who’d fainted from the stench cell was an imperial grandson!
......
In the Purple Palace Hall.
"What? He fainted from the smell?"
Emperor Yuanyou stared at the tearful Shen Hua'er, once again convinced that the Ping Manor’s feng shui must be cursed.
Misfortune seemed to cling to them like a shadow.
"Here’s what you should do—secretly hire a Taoist priest to inspect the Ping Manor. See if there’s any malevolent energy lurking about," the emperor suggested, pleased with his own thoughtfulness. "But keep it quiet. We don’t need more rumors spreading."
Shen Hua'er’s breath hitched.
Not a word of sympathy for her son—just a suggestion that the manor was haunted?
"Your Majesty, Yanzheng surely didn’t perform well in the exam this time. If he fails because of this..."
"Then it’s just bad luck."
Emperor Yuanyou waved a hand dismissively. "Do you expect me to hold another examination just for him?"
"Go home and call a priest. And Yanzheng is too pampered—he can’t even handle a little stench. His uncle Song Yu once jumped into floodwaters in Laijin Prefecture to save people—now that was filthy..."
As the emperor launched into yet another praise of Song Yu, Shen Hua'er’s heart turned to ice.
She never should have come.
Back at the manor, Song Yanzheng slowly regained consciousness, forcing his eyes open. "My lady, what did Grandfather say? Did he grant me another chance to take the exam?"
Shen Hua'er gave him a smile more bitter than tears. "Your grandfather told us to hire a Taoist priest... to check if the manor is haunted."
A few seconds later, Song Yanzheng let out a furious roar.
Shen Hua'er could only grasp his hands, offering feeble words of comfort.
Suddenly, his fingers tightened around hers. "I finished the exam before fainting. Maybe I still passed. Right?"
Feeling the desperation in his grip, Shen Hua'er’s heart raced, her voice trembling.
"Yes, Yanzheng. You will pass."
......
When news of Song Yanzheng’s ordeal reached Ji'an Prefecture, Song Yu nearly choked on his food.
"Liuxi, what did you say?"
"Your Highness, Princess—the eldest imperial grandson was assigned the stench cell, fainted from the smell, and was carried out of the examination hall horizontally!"
Liuxi’s voice rang out loud and clear.
