As the date of the provincial examination drew nearer, Song Yu, who had already taken the exam several times before, appeared much calmer. He continued to follow his usual routine for reviewing his studies.
Song Shihuan, having accompanied him on these exams multiple times, also seemed quite at ease.
Even Liuxi and Baoxia showed no signs of unease.
The only exception was Shen Qingping.
He was several times more nervous than Song Yu, the actual examinee.
"Liuxi, you must be extra careful with His Highness's meals these next few days to prevent anyone from tampering with them," Shen Qingping said, his eyes filled with worry. "I'll taste everything before it's served to His Highness."
"N-no, that won't be necessary!" Liuxi shook his head frantically, as if it were a rattle drum. The idea of letting the young Master Shen test for poison on behalf of the prince?
He might as well hand over his own head.
"Young Master Shen, this servant will taste everything in advance."
Seeing this, Shen Qingping didn’t press further and instead turned his attention to inspecting the items in the room. "Has everything His Highness needs for the exam been prepared? Pack enough dry rations—my father always said it’s best not to drink too much water during the exam to avoid frequent trips to the latrine."
"Oh, and—"
Watching Shen Qingping flit about like a headless fly, Song Yu slowly set down his brush, while Song Shihuan lifted her gaze from her book.
Father and daughter exchanged a glance before turning their eyes to Shen Qingping.
Wasn’t this fellow/teacher a little too worked up?
"Liuxi has prepared my things for all the previous exams. You needn’t worry—he’s quite experienced," Song Yu said with a light chuckle, warmth blooming in his chest.
Back when he took the county-level exam for the first time, hadn’t Ah Huan been just the same?
"Your Highness, the provincial exam is no trivial matter. My father has told us stories about the dangers he faced during his own imperial examinations—you mustn’t take this lightly."
Hearing this, Song Yu and Song Shihuan exchanged an understanding look. So, he’d been frightened by Master Shen’s warnings.
That explained it.
Shen Qingping took deep breaths to steady himself. "This exam requires an overnight stay at the examination hall. Your Highness should bring some calming incense to ensure a good night’s rest and avoid affecting your performance."
"Father, let’s listen to Teacher," Song Shihuan said, stepping forward to tug at Shen Qingping’s sleeve. "With Teacher handling things, you won’t have a single worry."
Shen Qingping nodded emphatically. "Your Highness and the young mistress can rest assured—I will make sure everything is perfectly arranged."
Just look at how nervous he was!
Outside the room, Liuxi and Baoxia exchanged amused glances. It was always like this the first time—a few more rounds, and he’d get used to it.
......
Over the next few days, Shen Qingping even set aside his casework to focus entirely on researching what should go into Song Yu’s exam-day satchel.
Even the prisoners awaiting interrogation found it bizarre.
"Where’s the magistrate? Wasn’t I supposed to be questioned today?"
"The magistrate is swamped lately—no time for you," the jailer barked. "Stay put and don’t get any ideas."
"Fine, fine."
The prisoner turned away, stifling a chuckle. If only Young Master Shen could stay so busy that he forgot about him entirely—that’d be even better.
He had no desire to face that living judge of the underworld!
On the eve of the provincial exam, Song Yu and Song Shihuan stared at the mountain of items piled on the table, lost in thought.
"Teacher, if Father has to carry all this, he’ll be exhausted before he even reaches his examination cell."
Song Shihuan tried to imagine Song Yu hauling a satchel larger than himself and shuddered at the mental image—it was too absurd to bear.
"Shen Qingping, I’m going to take an exam, not on a leisurely trip. And the examination cells are tiny," Song Yu added, stumbling over his words in disbelief. With a resigned sigh, he said, "Come, let’s go through these items one by one and decide what’s actually necessary."
"...It does seem a bit excessive."
Shen Qingping finally caught on.
Nian’an, witnessing this, covered his face. His usually sharp-witted lord was acting uncharacteristically foolish—would he end up being teased by Liuxi and Baoxia too?
After half an hour of patient deliberation, Song Yu finally succeeded in lightening his load.
"Your Highness, what time will you leave tomorrow?"
"I’ll rest for another two hours, then set out before dawn," Song Yu replied matter-of-factly. "You and Ah Huan needn’t see me off—the crowds will be huge, and the two of you would draw too much attention."
"That’s out of the question. We must see you off," Shen Qingping insisted. "And I already have a plan for how to do it."
"Ah Huan, talk some sense into him."
Song Yu shot Shen Qingping a look that said, I give up—you handle this.
......
The next morning, the day of the provincial exam.
Before dawn, Song Yu packed his things and set off for the examination hall with Zheng Fang and Ling Ming.
The usually dark roads were now brightly lit by lanterns hung overnight.
"Why are there lanterns this time?"
"I heard Young Master Shen ordered them put up—said it was to light the way for the examinees."
"How thoughtful of him."
Hearing the murmurs of the other candidates, Song Yu couldn’t help but smile, glancing around for any sign of Song Shihuan or Shen Qingping.
They really had gone all out.
Just as Song Yu assumed Shen Qingping had been persuaded not to come, the closer he got to the examination hall, the louder the commotion grew.
"Since when does the examination hall allow such noise?" Zheng Fang muttered.
"Let’s go see."
A short while later, Song Yu’s heart skipped a beat—there, outside the gates, stood two familiar figures.
Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping waited at the entrance, behind them a fresh batch of "Champion’s Incense."
"Good heavens—the young mistress and Young Master Shen are personally handing out Champion’s Incense!"
The excited whispers of the examinees reached Song Yu’s ears, and the last traces of his nerves melted away.
When it was Song Yu’s turn to enter, Song Shihuan handed him the incense herself. Shen Qingping leaned in and added softly,
"May you pluck the laurel from the moon."
Song Yu tightened his grip on the incense, gave a firm nod, and strode into the examination hall.
The top spot in this exam? He, Song Yu, had already claimed it in advance.
......
Inside the hall, Song Yu followed the attendants’ directions to draw his assigned cell number.
With the Champion’s Incense in hand, he reached into the box without hesitation and pulled out a slip.
"Cell A-80."
"What?" Song Yu’s voice rose in disbelief, earning a sharp glare from the presiding official, Ye Shijie.
"Examinee, you’ve been assigned Cell A-80," the attendant repeated kindly, noting the incense in his hand. "It’s the foul-smelling cell, but with this, you’ll manage just fine."
Song Yu stood frozen.
This shouldn’t be happening.
Had the ancestral graves of the Song family stopped emitting their lucky smoke?
