The next day.
Early in the morning, Song Yu met up with Zheng Fang and Ling Ming, all three sporting dark circles under their eyes.
"Seems like Brother Guo didn’t sleep well last night either," Ling Ming remarked with a hint of schadenfreude. He had assumed someone as carefree as Brother Guo would have slept soundly.
Song Yu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let’s go check the results!"
His sleepless night had been due to sheer exhilaration.
During the county-level exams, he had been content to wait at the inn for the official messengers to announce his success. But now, at the provincial level, he was burning with the desire to see the results with his own eyes.
He was about to become the first person assigned to the dreaded "stinky cell" to claim the top spot on the list—vindication for all those who had suffered in that foul-smelling examination booth!
"Sounds good, let’s go together."
Though they had risen early, stepping out of the inn revealed that the road to the examination hall was already packed to the brim.
"Seems we should’ve camped out here the night before," Song Yu sighed, shaking his head. "No way we’re squeezing through now."
And so, after the time it took to burn a stick of incense, the three found themselves back in the inn, thoroughly resigned.
Outside the examination hall, when the officials carrying the results appeared, every pair of eyes locked onto the scroll in their hands, blazing with anticipation.
The provincial exam results were known as the "Dragon and Tiger List," a testament to their significance.
"Make way! The list is going up!"
After pasting the results on the wall, the officials swiftly retreated—any delay and they’d be swallowed by the surging crowd.
"Stop shoving! I can’t see a thing!"
"Are you done? Move aside if you’ve seen enough!"
A chaotic scene unfolded, filled with jostling bodies and tiptoeing onlookers.
"I passed!"
An elderly man with graying hair and beard wept openly, dropping to his knees and kowtowing to the heavens. "Twelve attempts... finally, I’ve made it!"
Not far from him, a man in his thirties sobbed uncontrollably, refusing to believe his failure as he ordered his servant to check the list again:
"How is this possible? How could I not have passed?"
But even after a second look, his name remained absent.
In that moment, the area outside the examination hall became a stage of human drama, where joy and despair played out side by side.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention:
"Heavens... the top scorer this time is... him."
All eyes turned to the list. The highest honor in the provincial exams, the title of "Jieyuan," was written in bold vermilion at the very top.
Guo Feng!
The same Guo Feng who had been the talk of the town recently—the one assigned to the notorious "stinky cell."
At the same time, Ye Shijie dispatched three messengers on horseback to Song Yu’s inn, their gongs and drums announcing the news as they shouted in unison:
"Announcement! Congratulations to Master Guo for achieving first place in the provincial exams!"
Wherever they passed, crowds gathered. Within half an hour, the news of Song Yu’s triumph had spread throughout Ji'an Prefecture.
"Congratulations, Master Guo. The prefect invites you to visit his residence tomorrow."
Under the weight of countless gazes, Song Yu felt his blood surge with excitement. He handed out pre-prepared celebratory coins. "Thank you, sir."
As the Jieyuan, it was customary for him to don formal attire and pay respects to the chief examiner, accepting words of encouragement as a disciple would from a mentor.
"Then I’ll bask in Master Guo’s good fortune," the messenger said with a smile.
No sooner had the messengers left than the inn flooded with townsfolk.
"Master Guo, could you spare some calligraphy for my child?"
"Master Guo, might I have the honor of receiving your guidance?"
"Master Guo..."
The people looked at Song Yu as if he were a golden treasure, eager to touch him for good luck.
For a moment, Song Yu was overwhelmed. What was one to do with such fervent admiration?
Meanwhile, Zheng Fang and Ling Ming stood dumbfounded. While they were genuinely happy for their friend, they were also desperate to know—had they passed too?
"Magistrate Shen Qingping has arrived—!"
Nian'an’s voice cut through the noise, and the crowd immediately parted, clearing a path for Shen Qingping.
"Greetings, Magistrate Shen." Song Yu’s eyes shone with triumph, his demeanor radiant.
"Word has reached me of Master Guo’s achievement. I’ve brought a gift to congratulate you and wish you continued success in next year’s metropolitan exams."
Continued success—such high praise!
The onlookers’ gazes grew even more fervent.
"Thank you, Magistrate. I will strive to live up to your expectations."
Shen Qingping then turned to the anxious Zheng Fang and Ling Ming with a smile. "Ah, and congratulations to Master Zheng for placing second, and Master Ling for third."
For a moment, Zheng Fang and Ling Ming’s ears rang in disbelief.
Second and third!
"Is this real...?" Ling Ming muttered, his thoughts in disarray. He had considered merely passing a stroke of luck.
"I do not deal in falsehoods," Shen Qingping said. "Nian'an, prepare gifts for Masters Zheng and Ling as well."
With that, he turned leisurely. "Now, why is everyone crowding this inn? Go about your business."
The crowd dispersed, leaving Zheng Fang to suddenly slap his own face in stunned realization.
"Brother Zheng, have you lost your mind?" Song Yu's eyes were filled with astonishment—who would hit themselves like that?
"It hurts..."
Zheng Fang's eyes reddened. "It's real. I'm not dreaming."
"You're not dreaming. You really came in second."
Song Yu grinned so widely it seemed his smile might reach the back of his ears. He couldn’t wait to return to his guest room.
Sure enough, when he pushed the door open, he saw Song Shihuan smiling at him.
"Ah Huan, I did it."
"Father is amazing, the greatest dad in the whole world."
Song Yu felt his eyes grow warm—every ounce of effort had been worth it in this moment.
...
The next day.
"Once the formal ceremony is over, Father will officially become Master Ye’s disciple," Song Shihuan declared. Beside her, Shen Qingping’s lips twitched.
Thank goodness his own father hadn’t heard that.
"Old Man Ye taught me a great deal. It’s only right to pay my respects."
Song Yu adjusted his robes and studied his reflection in the bronze mirror, suddenly eager to see Ye Shijie’s reaction when he learned his true identity.
Ye Residence.
Ye Shijie was uncharacteristically nervous, sending a servant to the gate every so often to check if Song Yu had arrived.
Finally—
"Master, Young Master Guo is here."
At the servant’s words, Ye Shijie straightened in his seat. As Song Yu’s figure slowly came into view, the older man’s smile deepened the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
"Disciple Guo Feng pays his respects to the Master."
"Rise."
Ye Shijie personally helped Song Yu up.
"I’ve watched you progress from the county exams and know the hardships you’ve endured. But with such remarkable talent, you must work even harder than others. One day, when you serve in court, you will become a pillar of the Great Qi."
"You, my boy, will go much farther than I ever did."
Through the young man before him, Ye Shijie seemed to glimpse the shadow of another. He chuckled inwardly.
If that particular lord had ever applied himself to his studies, his talent might have rivaled this disciple’s.
Alas, not even the Emperor could control that one.
It seemed Ye Shijie was destined never to be a royal tutor in this lifetime.
