“Huh, why aren’t you all shouting outside?”
Song Yu frowned. “What are you standing around for? My house doesn’t have a physician. If the old clan leader’s condition worsens because of the delay, I won’t take responsibility.”
After Song Yu reminded them several times, the petrified clansmen finally snapped out of it. Grumbling, they carried the old clan leader away, sneaking out of the Guo Mansion.
“Your Highness, this… they’ll surely spread all sorts of rumors behind our backs,” Master Guo said with concern.
“They won’t.”
Song Yu dusted off his sleeves, though there wasn’t a speck of dirt on them. “They’d love for outsiders to think they’re on close terms with me—that way, they can bask in the glory of this provincial exam champion.”
“But they’re mistaken.”
A few days later, rumors spread through Yong'an County that Guo Feng and his clansmen were keeping their distance. The old clan leader, who had just regained his senses, fainted again in fury.
“With Young Master Guo topping the provincial exams and no movement from the Guo ancestral temple, it seems the rumors are true,” people in the teahouses gossiped.
After all, he was the top scholar—who knew when he might become an official?
“I heard not a single Guo clansman attended the funeral of Young Master Guo’s wife,” another chimed in. “They clearly wanted to cut ties with him. Now that he’s riding high, why would he tolerate such humiliation?”
“Exactly. Such clansmen aren’t worth associating with.”
In an instant, public opinion swung in Guo Feng’s favor.
A guard lurking in the shadows breathed a sigh of relief. As a member of the imperial secret police, this was the first time he’d stooped to such underhanded tactics to sway public opinion.
At least he hadn’t failed His Highness’s expectations.
......
While the Guo clan faced scorn, Guo Feng was celebrated as a prodigy by the common folk.
The daily banquets were packed to the brim, and people even left precious gifts at the gates of the Guo Mansion as tokens of gratitude.
Amidst this adulation, Song Yu finally returned to Ji'an Prefecture, though not without reluctance.
Evening.
“You have no idea how popular I am in Yong'an County now!”
Dressed in a moon-white robe, Song Yu cut a dashing figure—if not for the exaggerated expression ruining the effect.
“Shen San, I told you to take the imperial exams with me, but you refused. Now you’ll just have to envy me!”
Even as he boasted, Song Yu couldn’t resist needling Shen Qingping.
Song Shihuan paused mid-sip. The bickering had begun.
To his surprise, Shen Qingping didn’t seem the least bit annoyed. Instead, he beamed. “Actually, I should thank you, Your Highness.”
Song Yu blinked, momentarily lost.
“Thanks to you topping the exams, I’ve made a fortune. It’s the easiest money I’ve ever earned!”
Shen Qingping gazed at Song Yu as if he were a god of wealth.
What an absurd bet it had been—assigned the worst examination cell, yet still emerging as the champion.
“Ah, I forgot about the betting pools.” Song Yu smacked his forehead. “I must have won a tidy sum too.”
“Father, the tutor placed an extra bet behind our backs,” Song Shihuan muttered, head bowed. “So he made at least twice as much as us.”
“Shen Qingping, you profited off my stench!” Song Yu’s expression darkened. “We agreed you wouldn’t bet more than me!”
“That’s right.”
Shen Qingping looked utterly innocent. “So the second round was placed under Nian’an’s name.”
Song Yu was livid!
......
The next morning, Song Yu dressed with extra care.
As the guest of honor at the Deer Banquet, he wore a scholar’s blue robe, his hair neatly tied, with only a white jade pendant at his waist to downplay his status.
“Father, all the new provincial graduates will attend today, along with local gentry,” Song Shihuan said, fiddling with the jade pendant. “If anyone dares provoke you, feel free to put them in their place.”
After all, to outsiders, Guo Feng was just a commoner with no powerful backing.
While the people of Yong'an County adored him, the wealthy but untalented might still try to humiliate him.
“Don’t worry, A’huan. Have I ever taken insults lying down?”
Shen Qingping nodded. That much was true.
“Then the tutor and I will await your return.”
Since he was to accompany Ye Shijie to the banquet, Song Yu headed to the Ye residence first—a privilege reserved for the exam champion.
Ye Shijie’s eyes brimmed with approval when he saw Song Yu. “Your hairpiece is perfectly straight. Excellent.”
“Let’s go.”
By the time they arrived, the other guests were already waiting outside.
Ding—
The chimes rang out. The deer cry, feasting on wild apples.
To the sound of ceremonial music, the guests entered in order of rank. As the champion, Song Yu led the procession of new graduates.
“Let the prefect personally announce the list of successful candidates.”
“Provincial Champion—Guo Feng...”
Guo Feng’s name was emphasized, and under the weight of countless gazes, Song Yu stood even taller.
“The wine ceremony.”
“The feast begins.”
The Deer Banquet’s rituals were ten times more elaborate than a normal banquet, but Song Yu didn’t mind in the least. If anything, he wished it would last longer.
After all, every moment put him in the spotlight!
Three rounds of drinks later, guests began mingling. Most came to toast Song Yu, and he drank every cup without refusal.
“Brother Guo, your unbroken streak in the exams is truly enviable.”
“I read your examination essays. No one but you deserved the top spot.”
“...”
Flattery was music to his ears. Song Yu happily downed several more cups.
“Just a landlord’s son with a dead wife. I don’t see why everyone’s fawning over him.”
In a corner, one graduate seethed with jealousy, though he kept his voice low—not low enough to escape Zheng Fang, who happened to be nearby, sobering up.
Zheng Fang, already grateful to Song Yu and slightly drunk, shot up and grabbed the man by the collar. “What did you just say about my friend?”
“Have you lost your mind?” The man scowled. “Get your filthy hands off me.”
The commotion drew everyone’s attention, including Song Yu’s. “What’s going on?”
“He insulted you,” Zheng Fang said indignantly.
“Did you insult me?” Song Yu smiled at the man. “And your name is?”
“Lu Wenchao of Guanzhang Prefecture. I said no such thing. He misheard.”
Lu Wenchao... Guanzhang Prefecture...
Song Yu placed him now.
A man no one expected to pass—yet he did, after his family bet on his success.
Song Yu’s smile widened.
“Brother Lu, I feel an instant connection. How about we compose impromptu poems on the Deer Banquet?”
Impromptu...
Lu Wenchao’s face paled.
