Before leaving, Master Ci'an gave Song Yu a protective talisman.
"Take it back and give it to someone destined to receive it. It will keep her safe."
Song Yu accepted the talisman and clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Master."
After Song Yu left, Master Ci'an suddenly swayed, and the young monk behind him hurriedly supported him. "Master, let me help you rest."
"No, take me to the prayer hall."
Master Ci'an knelt before the Buddha statue, chanting prayers incessantly.
Heaven's secrets must not be revealed.
But that child... was truly pitiful.
Meanwhile, Song Yu returned to the Qin Prince's Mansion, appearing no different than usual. He even took a detour to bring Song Shihuan some candied hawthorns.
"Did Father seek a fortune stick?" Song Shihuan asked between bites of the sweet treat.
"No, just a protective talisman," Song Yu replied affectionately. "One shouldn't be too greedy before the Buddha."
"Here, let me put it on you."
He tied the talisman to Song Shihuan's waist and joined her for a hot pot meal.
Only after the little girl, her belly full and face content, returned to her courtyard did Song Yu's expression darken.
"Sanxi, what’s the latest on the Ping Prince's Mansion?"
Sanxi had been keeping close watch on the affairs there.
"Your Highness, Concubine Chang and Chang Ling'er remain as usual. Song Yanchao is tormented by Song Xiyan every few days, while Song Yanming drinks himself into a stupor in his room, occasionally causing drunken scenes." Sanxi knew the Ping Prince's Mansion inside out.
"However... Song Yanchao's health is deteriorating. Sometimes he faints for half a day or longer, and the physicians say there’s no effective treatment."
Song Yu nodded. "If Song Yanchao were to die one day, it would be too merciful."
"What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"You mentioned Song Yanming’s drinking. Find a way to frame him for killing Song Yanchao in a drunken rage."
With that casual remark, Song Yu sealed the fates of both Song Yanchao and Song Yanming.
Using Song Yanchao’s death to drag Song Yanming down—that would be making the most of his life.
"This servant will arrange it immediately."
Sanxi, ever taciturn, never questioned Song Yu’s intentions, simply carrying out his orders.
After Sanxi left, Song Yu sat before the chessboard where Song Shihuan often played.
He began playing both sides, pitting himself against himself.
Midway through, he smiled. He had grown fond of the strategic calculations of chess.
There was one question he hadn’t asked Master Ci'an today.
If one day his merits were fulfilled, could he be granted a chance... to return to his past life and hold his beloved Ah Huan from that time?
Elsewhere, Madam Chen initially insisted she alone was responsible, claiming Chen Ye knew nothing.
But Shen Qingping presented evidence of Chen Ye’s servant meeting with Madam Chen’s confidant multiple times. Under severe torture, Madam Chen finally broke and confessed everything.
Within a quarter-hour of her signing the confession, Chen Ye was imprisoned.
Zhou Kun was suspended from office.
The matter inevitably reached Emperor Yuanyou, who was furious.
During the morning court assembly:
"Such vile acts under my rule!" the emperor roared. "Poisoning imperial examinees to gain an advantage—if such men were allowed into office, what would become of the court?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
The entire court knelt in fear of the emperor’s wrath.
"Zhou Kun, Chief of the Court of Judicial Review, failed to govern his household. He is stripped of his position and banished from the capital."
"Chen Ye is stripped of his scholarly rank, barred from imperial examinations for life. Madam Chen is demoted to the lowest caste, and the Chen family’s assets are confiscated."
Emperor Yuanyou’s decree left no room for sympathy. Zhou Kun, as Chief of Judicial Review, had allowed his household to spiral out of control—his dismissal was well-deserved.
When the news reached the Zhou household, Zhou Kun collapsed in a dead faint.
He had struggled tirelessly to secure the Zhou family’s foothold in the capital, only for it all to vanish because of a foolish woman...
He couldn’t accept it.
At Prince Qi's Mansion:
"Your Highness, the emperor has personally decreed the punishment. Chen Ye has lost his eligibility for the exams. Even if he passes this round, his name will be struck from the list."
Listening to his servant’s report, Prince Qi fell into silence.
"Tell me... is there anything I succeed at?"
The servant bowed his head, not daring to respond.
"When my third brother acted, I lacked the courage to follow. Now, even my ambitions have withered." Prince Qi laughed bitterly. "Those who side with me meet only misfortune."
Everything he attempted seemed doomed to fail.
Even this auspicious sign he orchestrated for the imperial exams would likely only benefit Guo Feng.
"As if Heaven itself denies me. Meanwhile, those under the Qin Prince's Mansion thrive effortlessly."
After muttering to himself for a long while, Prince Qi ordered his servant to warm some wine.
At this moment, only alcohol could numb his senses and ease the pain in his heart.
When Emperor Yuanyou's decision reached the ears of the common people, their initial reaction was one of jubilation. If even the imperial examinations were unfair, what future could scholars from humble backgrounds possibly have?
But gradually, some began to realize the implications.
"Then those of us who bet on Chen Ye winning—aren’t we losing everything?"
In an instant, the crowd’s spirits sank, especially among those who supported the northern scholars—each one looked as withered as frostbitten eggplants.
The southern scholars’ supporters weren’t faring much better. Very few of them had placed their bets on Guo Feng, even though Guo Feng had clearly been in excellent spirits during the metropolitan exams...
And so, both groups waited with the same anticipation for the moment the results would be announced.
Meanwhile, inside the Ministry of Rites...
Dozens of officials tasked with grading the examination papers were locked in heated debates, arguing as fiercely as commoners haggling in the marketplace.
"This paper deserves to pass."
"This one is clearly superior."
"And this one—"
Ye Shijie couldn’t help but glance at Shen Mingwen. The Grand Tutor Shen was remarkably composed—despite days of quarreling, he hadn’t once stepped in to intervene.
His only response was, "Let them argue. The rankings will settle themselves in the end."
Only the papers that emerged victorious from such debates could truly be considered outstanding.
Shen Mingwen kept his head down, silently reviewing the papers in his hands—until he came across a new one. His eyes gradually brightened.
This was it. After searching for so many days, he had finally found it. Upon closer inspection, Shen Mingwen nodded repeatedly—the answers were truly exceptional.
Clearing his throat, he signaled for silence, and the room immediately stilled.
Holding up the paper, Shen Mingwen declared, "I believe this examination paper should take first place. Does anyone have any objections?"
He braced himself for another round of chaotic debate.
But after everyone had examined it, they fell silent. In the end, they could only offer a dry, unanimous response:
"Grand Tutor, we have no objections."
Unanimous approval—just like that?
Shen Mingwen couldn’t help but smile.
