"Brother Feng is truly a man of exceptional talent."
Song Yu and Feng Kuizhi stood outside the Feng residence, exchanging praises, leaving those around them who wished to curry favor with no opportunity to interject. The two continued their mutual admiration all the way into the house, neither willing to stop.
It was as if they had met too late in life.
"If not for Brother Feng’s scheduled meeting with Grand Tutor Shen tomorrow, I would insist on drinking with you until we’re thoroughly drunk today."
At the mention of his upcoming audience with Shen Mingwen, Feng Kuizhi grew even more excited.
"Brother Guo, Grand Tutor Shen is the person I admire most in this world. He rose through the imperial examinations as the top scholar, achieved the position of Grand Tutor, and even has a son like Young Master Shen—truly, his life is without regret."
Song Yu gave Feng Kuizhi a meaningful look. "Will Brother Feng be participating in next year’s metropolitan examinations?"
"Of course."
Brother, the title of top scholar is already out of your reach.
Song Yu regarded Feng Kuizhi with sympathy—after all, he himself was determined to claim next year’s top honors.
"Good luck to you."
"And to you as well, Brother Guo." At this moment, Feng Kuizhi remained blissfully unaware of the gravity of the situation.
"Wait, did you just say... you envy Grand Tutor Shen—" Song Yu nearly blurted out the rest but caught himself just in time. "You envy him for having such a son? That’s the first time I’ve heard someone say that."
"Young Master Shen is decisive in love and hate, firm in action—exactly the kind of pillar the court needs."
Feng Kuizhi’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Well, I never would’ve guessed." Song Yu’s expression twisted slightly. Feng Kuizhi appeared refined and noble on the outside, but inside, he was as cunning as Shen Qingping—a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
"Forgive my frankness, Brother Guo."
"Kuizhi, the yamen has sent someone again."
Feng Kuizhi’s father’s voice rang out, prompting him to hurry outside. "Has His Excellency sent any instructions?"
The yamen runner’s gaze shifted to Song Yu behind Feng Kuizhi. "Grand Tutor Shen heard that Young Master Guo has come to congratulate Young Master Feng. He requests that both of you attend tomorrow—he and Magistrate Ye will receive you together."
"Excellent! Brother Guo, come quickly and express your gratitude."
Several moments passed with no response from Song Yu. Feng Kuizhi turned to look and was met with a face on the verge of tears.
Can I just... not go?
......
"Feng Kuizhi has good taste, I’ll give him that."
That evening, Shen Qingping remarked with a straight face. "A discerning man can see at a glance that my father is blessed to have a son like me."
"Shen Qingping, can you focus on the actual problem here?"
Song Yu’s features were twisted in distress. With both elders present tomorrow, whom should he bow to? And how?
For Ye Shijie, he would naturally perform the disciple’s bow—but what about Shen Mingwen?
If he bowed as a disciple to Shen Mingwen as well, it would seem like he was fawning over the Grand Tutor despite having no prior connection to the Guo family.
But if he didn’t, Shen Mingwen’s face would likely darken on the spot.
Song Yu sighed deeply. Being human is so hard.
"Father, I have a plan."
At Song Shihuan’s words, Song Yu’s eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"No matter what, your attitude must be made clear."
Song Shihuan then whispered into Song Yu’s ear for a long while, and as she spoke, his smile grew wider and wider.
"As expected of my clever daughter."
Unlike someone who couldn’t take two steps upon hearing praise.
Look at Shen Qingping—utterly shameless.
......
The next morning, Song Yu and Feng Kuizhi arrived at the yamen together.
Naturally, Song Yu had no intention of stealing the spotlight. He quietly stood to the side as Feng Kuizhi bowed to Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie.
"This humble student pays his respects to Grand Tutor Shen."
"This humble student pays his respects to Magistrate Ye."
"Good, good. Rise." Shen Mingwen was clearly pleased with Feng Kuizhi, even personally helping him up. "A man who refuses to yield to injustice—I admire that."
Had Feng Kuizhi wallowed in self-pity at the slightest setback, he would never have come this far.
After exchanging a few more words with Feng Kuizhi, Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie both turned their attention to Song Yu.
......
"This humble student pays his respects to Magistrate Ye."
Song Yu stepped forward, first bowing to Ye Shijie, then swiftly turning to Shen Mingwen before anyone could react.
"This commoner does not know if he is worthy to address himself as your student before the Grand Tutor, but first, he pays his respects to Your Excellency."
Before Shen Mingwen’s face could even begin to darken, it was already breaking into a smile.
"I grant you permission to call yourself my student."
At this point, Ye Shijie began to sense something amiss.
"Then this student pays his respects to the Grand Tutor."
Not Grand Tutor Shen, but the Grand Tutor.
Thanks to Song Shihuan’s advice, that single word made all the difference—Shen Mingwen’s beard practically quivered with delight.
His Highness is subtly acknowledging my position!
"Rise. I have read your essays. A golden dragon is no mere pond creature—I await the day you leap through the Dragon Gate."
The sight of Shen Mingwen chatting amiably with Song Yu left Ye Shijie puzzled. The old man was hardly known for his warmth—why was he treating Guo Feng with more enthusiasm than Feng Kuizhi?
Is he trying to steal my disciple right under my nose?
Instantly, Ye Shijie refused to stand for it.
"Guo Feng, let us take a walk outside. The Grand Tutor and Young Master Feng should speak privately." With a genial smile, Ye Shijie pulled Song Yu out before Shen Mingwen could react.
Shen Mingwen wasn’t the least bit annoyed.
Old Ye doesn’t even know His Highness’s true identity—how does he plan to compete with me?
Pathetic.
......
With the provincial examinations in Guanzhang Prefecture concluded, it was time for the group to depart.
"Guo Feng, I shall return to Ji'an Prefecture first. Do not linger here too long—next year’s metropolitan examinations require thorough preparation." Ye Shijie reminded Song Yu one last time before leaving.
"Your Excellency need not worry. This student will spare no effort."
Only after Ye Shijie had gone did Song Yu collapse into a chair.
"His Majesty was overjoyed to hear of Your Highness’s success as the provincial champion. No doubt he eagerly awaits your and the Princess’s return to the capital," Shen Mingwen said with a smile.
"Once I’ve dealt with those who have tarnished the integrity of the examinations, I will return to the capital immediately."
A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Song Yu’s eyes. The ledger hasn’t been settled yet.
Several days later, the verdicts for the Lu Family and the implicated officials arrived from the capital.
Guan Ji and his associates were sentenced to the execution of their entire families. Emperor Yuanyou further decreed that no male descendant of these families would be permitted to sit for the imperial examinations for fifty years—they were to be exiled to the frontier.
The Lu Family was ordered to be exterminated to the last member.
With that command, Guanzhang Prefecture ran red with blood, heads rolling in the streets.
Shen Qingping even gave special orders for the heads to be displayed at the market square for seven full days—a warning to all who might dare undermine the imperial examinations.
"My son, this method of yours..."
Shen Mingwen hesitated for a long time, unsure how to phrase his thoughts.
Such brutality—and from a descendant of the Shen family?
Shen Qingping merely smirked. "Father, if we’re being technical, Chief Shen is also a descendant of the Shen family—and he’s far more ruthless than I am."
Shen Mingwen deflated like a punctured balloon, rendered speechless.
