"Your Highness, Young Master Zheng paid a visit and brought you a ginseng root."
In the study, Song Yu's eyes were filled with confusion.
After Zheng Fang's falling out with the Zheng Family, he barely had any money left—how could he suddenly afford to gift ginseng? Was he trying to bribe him for help with the exam questions?
"Your Highness, Young Master Ling also visited and brought pastries from Zhengmingzhai."
Song Yu's headache grew worse—it felt like one head wasn’t enough to process this.
Buying pastries from Zhengmingzhai? Ling Ming must have splurged.
"Your Highness, Young Master Feng also—"
This time, before Liuxi could finish, Song Yu interrupted,
"Has something happened to me?"
After staring wide-eyed at Liuxi for a full three seconds, Song Yu realized how inappropriate his words sounded and quickly cursed himself inwardly.
(Bad omens be damned, good luck prevail.)
"Did something happen to Guo Feng?"
Liuxi nodded.
"Your Highness, Young Master Guo has fallen ill."
For some reason, hearing Liuxi say this gave Song Yu the surreal feeling that the world had gone mad—wasn’t he Guo Feng himself?
"How did Guo Feng get sick?"
"Someone tampered with his food, causing a severe headache. Now the whole capital knows," Liuxi answered honestly. "That’s why the young masters sent gifts."
Song Yu began to understand.
Someone with a black heart was trying to harm him.
But how was he the last to know about his own illness?
"Does the Princess and Shen San know about this?" Song Yu asked again.
"They do."
Hearing this, Song Yu immediately buried himself back in his books. Since Ah Huan and Shen San were aware, whether he knew or not... didn’t make much difference.
Still...
"Liuxi, make sure all food in the Qin Prince's Mansion is thoroughly inspected from now on."
He couldn’t afford to actually fall ill.
Just as Liuxi was about to leave the study, Song Yu suddenly spoke again,
"Who was behind it?"
He couldn’t possibly remain ignorant of his enemy and greet them like a fool with a smile, could he?
"Your Highness, it was the trusted aide of the concubine of the eldest son of the Minister of Justice... This concubine is the cousin of Chen Ye from Shuofang Prefecture."
"Who is Chen Ye? Is he formidable?"
Faced with Song Yu’s question, Liuxi hesitated.
"An ordinary candidate for the imperial exams, not even a thousandth as remarkable as Your Highness."
Liuxi’s flattery was loud and clear.
......
In the residence of Zhou Kun, the Minister of Justice.
"Madam Chen, does Guo Feng’s sudden illness have anything to do with you?" Ever since hearing the news of Guo Feng’s illness, Zhou Kun’s right eyelid hadn’t stopped twitching.
"My lord, how would this humble servant dare?" Madam Chen suppressed her panic. "Perhaps Guo Feng was simply unlucky, falling ill at such a critical time. Now my cousin’s chances of topping the exams are even higher."
Zhou Kun’s eldest son, Zhou Mi, chimed in, "Father, Madam Chen is just a delicate woman—how could she possibly orchestrate such a thing?"
Hearing their reassurances, Zhou Kun relaxed slightly.
The Zhou Family, though rising in prominence, still lacked the deep-rooted influence of established noble houses. If they could produce a top scholar—or even the top candidate—it would bring immense benefits to the family.
Thinking this, Zhou Kun’s gaze toward Madam Chen softened. "Back then, Mi was determined to marry you—it seems fate truly brought you together."
"It is this servant’s fortune to serve the young master."
Madam Chen’s unease gradually faded. She had covered her tracks well—no one would find out.
Her cousin was the most promising of the Chen Family. Once he succeeded, his blessings would surely extend to her as well.
"Father, what about Prince Qi’s recent..." Zhou Mi eagerly began, but Zhou Kun silenced him with a look.
"Madam Chen, you may leave now."
Once she was gone, Zhou Kun sighed heavily. "Now that Prince Qi’s faction... has weakened considerably, especially after Mr. Gou’s departure."
"Mr. Gou was a brilliant strategist—why would His Highness discard him?" Zhou Mi was baffled.
"There must be more to it than meets the eye." Zhou Kun’s expression darkened. "In a few days, I’ll visit Prince Qi again to gather more information."
The Zhou Family couldn’t compare to prestigious clans like the Shen or Gu Families, which was why even Prince Qin looked down on them.
Only Prince Qi...
Was willing to show the Zhou Family some favor.
......
On the streets of the capital.
"Did you hear? Young Master Guo suddenly fell ill. Now this year’s top scholar will likely go to someone from the north," lamented a commoner.
"Just because he’s sick doesn’t mean he can’t win!"
"Then go bet on him at the gambling house."
When it came to real money, most placed their bets on Chen Ye. A few stubborn southerners defiantly wagered on Zheng Fang and others.
Liuxi and Baoxia, carrying pouches of silver, ran into Nian’an near the gambling den.
All three looked awkward.
"His Highness told me to place a bet."
"The Princess told me to place a bet."
"Third Master told me to place a bet."
All had bet on Guo Feng’s victory.
After placing their bets, Nian’an suddenly sighed.
"Hey, why the long face?" Baoxia grumbled.
"You don’t understand," Nian’an said gloomily. "My Third Master has made a fortune betting on His Highness’s success in the exams. But now that His Highness is about to become the top scholar, Third Master will have to rely on his meager official salary from now on."
Third Master had it rough—his father refused to give him any money.
"Young Master Shen truly has it hard," Baoxia mused, finding it surreal that the illustrious Crown Prince’s tutor would worry about finances.
Nian’an shot Baoxia a resentful look.
The Princess was richer than a kingdom—she’d never know such worries.
How enviable.
......
By late January, the imperial exams had grown even more tense.
But the most nervous person wasn’t Song Yu—it was Emperor Yuanyou.
"I wish to take a walk alone. None of you need follow."
Hearing this, Wu Qi nearly dropped his eyeballs in shock. If the Emperor traveled without his entourage, Wu Qi’s head would roll.
Besides, why would His Majesty choose to stroll outside in this freezing weather?
"Your Majesty, wherever you go, this servant must accompany you."
Wu Qi forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
Emperor Yuanyou glared at him but had no choice but to let him tag along.
The Emperor headed straight for the ancestral hall housing the Song Family’s memorial tablets. Wu Qi, unworthy of entering, waited outside.
Emperor Yuanyou shut the door expressionlessly, blocking all outside view.
Inside, he picked up three sticks of sandalwood incense and knelt with utmost reverence.
"Ancestors above, though my son is unruly, his journey to the imperial exams has been arduous. I beg for your blessings—let him achieve his wish."
"May my son place first in the metropolitan exams, and then become the top scholar."
The Emperor prayed with deep sincerity.
Creak—
A cold wind blew the door open. Emperor Yuanyou startled and quickly stood, pretending nothing had happened.
What a joke—if anyone saw the Emperor praying to his ancestors for that rascal’s success, his impeccable reputation would be ruined!
