"Your disciple is deeply grateful for your guidance, my lord. Without you, I would not be where I am today."
Song Yu spoke these words with utmost sincerity. Truthfully, without Ye Shijie, he would never have come this far.
Hearing Song Yu's words, Ye Shijie felt a warmth in his heart. "Now that you’ve achieved first place in the provincial examination, your parents must be eagerly awaiting your return. However, in a few days, there will be the Deer Banquet—you must not miss it."
The Deer Banquet, hosted by the government to honor the newly appointed provincial graduates, was a symbol of elevated status.
"Thank you for the reminder, my lord. I will return to Ji'an County tonight and come back in three days."
At the mention of the Deer Banquet, Song Yu's spirits lifted. He was to be the star of the event.
This was his chance to make a grand impression.
"Go on, then."
Ye Shijie waved him off with a smile. "When you return to Yong'an County, don’t let success get to your head."
At first, Song Yu thought Ye Shijie’s warning about arrogance was unnecessary.
But when he arrived at the gates of Yong'an County, Song Yu couldn’t help but feel a rush of pride.
The county magistrate himself, along with his officials, had gathered at the city gates to welcome him. The townspeople had also flocked there, bringing along their children who were studying.
The moment Song Yu stepped forward, a deafening drumroll erupted, startling him so much he nearly stumbled.
"Congratulations, Master Guo, for achieving first place in the provincial examination!"
The magistrate beamed, his eyes crinkling into narrow slits. "Your father and mother have prepared a grand feast outside your estate to celebrate your return—it’s said they’ll keep it going for seven full days!"
Yong'an County had seen its share of provincial graduates, but a first-place scholar? That was exceedingly rare.
"Seven days of feasting?" Song Yu’s voice rose in surprise. Guo Feng’s honest and humble parents were throwing such an extravagant celebration?
Even more lavish than the one he had once arranged for A'Huan!
"Come, I shall personally escort you home."
The entire way, Song Yu was surrounded by admirers. Children darted up to him, giggling with excitement just from brushing their fingers against his sleeve.
"I touched the top scholar!"
Song Yu found this far more satisfying than his old man being hailed by court officials.
No wonder Ye Shijie had warned him not to let it go to his head.
......
In the shadows.
"Is this the kind of reception a top scholar gets?" Shen Qingping stared in disbelief. Had he known, he would’ve taken the imperial exams alongside the prince.
"I... I didn’t expect it to be this grand either."
Song Shihuan swallowed hard. She could see her father was beside himself with excitement.
"Maybe a top scholar who rose from humble beginnings carries more prestige."
She murmured, her gaze lingering on Song Yu.
The Guo Residence.
The usually quiet estate was now bustling with activity. Sixteen long tables laden with fine wine and delicacies were set up outside, while Master Guo and Madam Guo stood at the gates, eagerly awaiting their son’s return.
"The top scholar is back!"
A child ran ahead to announce his arrival. Master Guo and Madam Guo took several steps forward, their eyes brimming with tears the moment Song Yu came into view.
If only Feng’er were still here, he would’ve been overjoyed too.
"I have lived up to your hopes and earned the title of top scholar."
The face before them was identical to Guo Feng’s—just as spirited and proud.
"Good child, your suffering wasn’t in vain. You’ve finally made it." Master Guo looked at Song Yu as if he were his own son. "Come inside and change your clothes. We heard you fell ill—we were so worried."
To Song Yu’s own surprise, he found their fussing oddly comforting. Back in the palace, he would’ve covered his ears the moment Emperor Yuanyou started lecturing.
But now, as a top scholar, even his ears had grown more tolerant.
Just as he was about to go change, Song Yu paused and turned back. "How much will this seven-day feast cost?"
"Not much—just a year’s earnings for the Guo family."
Madam Guo smiled gently. Song Yu was stunned.
Such extravagance—almost rivaling his own.
......
The next morning, Song Yu slept in unusually late. When he finally stretched and stepped into the courtyard, he was met with the grim expressions of Master Guo and Madam Guo.
The sight jolted him awake instantly.
"Did something happen at the feast? Did someone fall ill?"
The memory of the tainted horse meat porridge still haunted him.
"No, the feast is going smoothly." Master Guo sighed, looking embarrassed. "It’s the other members of the Guo clan. They heard of your success and have come to offer their congratulations in person."
Song Yu’s eyes flickered. "May I ask how your relationship with these relatives is?"
"To be frank, Your Highness, none of them are good people."
Madam Guo’s voice was laced with resentment as she shot her husband a glare. "Ever since Feng’er was labeled a wastrel, the clan looked down on him. And after the rumors spread that he caused his wife’s death, they wanted nothing to do with us."
"Not a single one of them came when we held Madam Wu’s funeral." The memory still weighed heavily on her.
"I see."
Song Yu had already formed a plan as he strode toward the front courtyard.
Front Courtyard.
"Feng’er is here!"
"I always knew Feng’er was destined for greatness! Now that he’s a top scholar, he brings honor to the Guo name!"
The moment Song Yu appeared, the relatives showered him with praise—some even bordering on flattery.
"Thank you, uncles and elders." Song Yu’s smile was polite but distant.
"Feng’er, now that you’re a provincial graduate, your land is exempt from taxes. Do you think..." It didn’t take long for their true intentions to surface. "You could register the clan’s land under your name?"
"No."
Song Yu shook his head regretfully. "Our family has too much land—we don’t even have enough tax-exempt acres for ourselves."
The crowd’s expressions stiffened.
"Well, then... Feng’er, now that you’re qualified for an official post, if any clansmen wish to purchase a position in the future, perhaps you could..."
"Also no."
Song Yu shook his head again. "I have no interest in an official career."
Apologies, but he was destined for the throne—not some petty bureaucratic post.
Master Guo quickly added, "Madam and I defer entirely to Feng’er’s wishes."
By now, the relatives’ faces were flushed with anger.
Finally, the elderly clan leader, unwilling to give up, spoke again. "Then at least allow us to erect an honorary arch in the clan’s name to commemorate your achievement. Surely that’s acceptable?"
It would elevate the Guo family’s standing in the eyes of others.
"Still no."
Song Yu studied the old man before him. If he agreed to let the Guo clan build an arch in his name, the ancestors of the Song family would rise from their graves in outrage.
"Again?" The clan leader’s cane struck the ground. "Why not?"
"Because you mistreated my family. I refuse."
Clatter—
The cane clattered to the ground.
The clan leader fainted from sheer fury.
"Guo Feng! Just because you’re a top scholar doesn’t mean you can act so arrogantly! You’ve driven the clan leader to collapse!" Another relative shouted indignantly.
"Go shout outside. Not here."
Song Yu crossed his arms, his posture deliberately insolent. "In fact, shout as loud as you can—let everyone know that Guo Feng stands apart from the rest of you."
He even considerately stepped aside to clear their path. "Go on."
