"Are you two ready? If so, I'll begin."
Hearing Song Yu's words, Feng Kuizhi and Lu Wenchao nodded simultaneously, though Lu Wenchao seemed visibly distracted.
"Today, there are many young children present," Song Yu remarked, glancing at the crowd of little ones around them. "These children are at the age where they're just beginning their studies of the Four Books and Five Classics. For the first round, I’d like both of you to explain the differences between the Four Books and Five Classics."
With that, Song Yu winked at the children. "Feel free to ask questions while they explain—don’t miss this opportunity."
The moment Song Yu said this, the crowd’s eyes lit up with admiration. This Guo Feng was truly kind-hearted, even taking the time to educate the children during the competition.
"Which of you would like to go first?"
"I’ll start," Feng Kuizhi volunteered.
Feng Kuizhi spoke eloquently, delivering a brilliant explanation of the differences between the Four Books and Five Classics. To make it easier for the children to understand, he even used witty little analogies.
When he finished, the audience erupted in applause.
Then it was Lu Wenchao’s turn. His face flushed red with embarrassment.
Most of the time, he had skipped his tutor’s lessons—how could he possibly know the differences?
So, Lu Wenchao could only recite a dry, superficial summary of what the Four Books and Five Classics were.
Silence.
The air was thick with silence.
"Brother Lu... is that all?" Song Yu raised an eyebrow, making Lu Wenchao wish he could vanish into the ground.
"Brother Feng already explained it clearly, so there’s no need for me to elaborate," Lu Wenchao said, still trying to save face.
"It seems I didn’t consider this properly," Feng Kuizhi said with a gentle smile. "In that case, Brother Lu can answer the next question first."
Song Yu’s eyes gleamed—Feng Kuizhi was clearly no pushover.
"Very well. For the second question, compose a poem that reflects your journey in pursuit of knowledge."
The question, relayed by guards to Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping, made both of them twitch their lips involuntarily.
"This question was clearly designed by His Highness to humiliate Lu Wenchao," Song Shihuan remarked with a smirk. "Every single one of these questions is meant to expose him completely."
"By the time he finishes answering, Lu Wenchao will probably have a breakdown right on the spot," Shen Qingping added.
Being publicly humiliated, coupled with the inevitable gossip... Lu Wenchao was in for a rough time.
......
"Brother Lu, you first."
Feng Kuizhi gestured for Lu Wenchao to begin, but Lu Wenchao was at a loss for words.
He had never taken his studies seriously—his scholarly rank had been secured through family connections. Forget composing poetry, even if he could, what would he write about?
"Perhaps Brother Feng should go first."
Feng Kuizhi saw right through Lu Wenchao’s hesitation and inwardly scoffed. "Then I’ll begin."
Feng Kuizhi’s family was neither impoverished nor wealthy, much like the Guo family.
His achievements were the result of years of hard work, so composing a poem about his decade of diligent study came effortlessly.
Time ticked by, but Lu Wenchao still couldn’t produce a single line.
As murmurs spread through the crowd, Lu Wenchao’s composure began to crumble.
"Lu Wenchao, how did you earn your rank as a provincial scholar?" Song Yu suddenly challenged. "I’ve seen your exam papers—the poetry you wrote then was exceptional. Why can’t you compose anything now?"
Seeing Lu Wenchao sway on his feet, Song Yu pressed on, "There’s a physician right here. Even if you faint, we’ll wake you up immediately."
"Every scholar who rises through the imperial examinations does so through blood, sweat, and tears. How dare a fraud like you tarnish the integrity of the system!"
Song Yu’s words spread like wildfire through Guanzhang Prefecture. The people now had their suspicions—something was amiss in this year’s provincial exams.
......
At the yamen.
Lu Wenchao knelt on the ground, his eyes hollow.
His father had promised that once he passed the provincial exams, he wouldn’t have to take any further tests. They would use silver to secure him an official post, and the matter of his cheating would be swept under the rug.
So why... was he now a criminal?
"Lu Wenchao, before the exams, your family placed heavy bets on you passing. Despite your lack of knowledge, you succeeded. How exactly did you cheat?"
This time, it was Song Shihuan herself conducting the interrogation.
The phoenix hairpin on her head marked her status, making Lu Wenchao feel as though he were staring into the depths of hell.
"Did you bribe officials to swap your exam papers? Did you smuggle in answers? Or did you use carrier pigeons?" Song Shihuan pressed relentlessly. "At this point, your reputation is already ruined. If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll have you publicly flayed alive as a warning to others."
"Tsk." Shen Qingping shook his head in mock pity. "Lu Wenchao, you probably don’t even know what flaying entails. It means slicing the flesh from your body piece by piece until you bleed to death. And the whole time, you’ll be in excruciating pain..."
"If you weren’t the mastermind, there might still be a way out for you."
"I’ll talk, I’ll talk..." Lu Wenchao was so terrified he wet himself. "It was my father! He colluded with the prefect to let me see the exam papers in advance. I was told to make a specific mark on my paper so the examiners would give me a high score!"
"I was forced into this! Please don’t flay me alive!"
Lu Wenchao’s mind was still filled with the disdainful and skeptical looks from the crowd after his defeat to Feng Kuizhi.
He had completely lost his ability to think straight.
Song Shihuan exchanged a glance with Nian’an, who immediately went to verify the confession.
"Your Highness... is there still a way out for me?"
"The first imperial examination fraud case in Great Qi will be judged by His Majesty himself."
At these words, Lu Wenchao collapsed to the ground.
The Emperor himself would be involved!
......
That night.
Song Yu couldn’t stop praising Feng Kuizhi.
"If it weren’t for the interference in this year’s provincial exams, Feng Kuizhi would have rightfully been the top scholar in Guanzhang Prefecture. The man is brilliant—just look at how he mobilized so many candidates to protest. It speaks volumes."
"His Highness certainly holds Feng Kuizhi in high regard," a certain Crown Prince’s tutor remarked sarcastically.
"The imperial exams have truly brought forth several outstanding talents," Song Yu continued, oblivious to Shen Qingping’s tone. "Zheng Fang, Ling Ming, and Feng Kuizhi—all of them will be valuable assets to the Qin Prince's Mansion in the future."
"Shen Qingping, you won’t have to handle everything personally anymore."
Shen Qingping sat up straight. At first, he had been pleased with Zheng Fang—someone to share the workload. But now, things seemed to be taking an unexpected turn.
With so many capable men, would he eventually be overshadowed?
His position as chancellor...
A crack seemed to form on Shen Qingping’s composed expression.
