Prince Qi's Mansion.
"Did he accept it? Did Guo Feng accept it?"
Prince Qi asked impatiently.
"Your Highness, he did. Young Master Guo even asked this humble servant to convey his thanks to you," the attendant replied, though his expression clearly showed something was amiss. "But..."
"But what?" The smile on Prince Qi's face froze.
"The message you instructed me to deliver... Young Master Guo did not give any response."
Upon hearing the attendant's words, Prince Qi shot to his feet. "So this Guo Feng took my gifts but refuses to do what I ask?"
Preposterous!
How could there be such a shameless person in this world?
The attendant was too frightened to speak further, but that was indeed the fact.
He had even emphasized the message, but the servant from the Guo Mansion had acted as if he were deaf.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger."
"His Majesty looks down on me, those fools hold me back, and now, even a newly minted top scholar dares to ignore me!"
"If it weren't for Song Yu backing this Guo Feng from behind, where would he get such audacity!"
A gentleman prefers death to humiliation.
Prince Qi was so angry his nostrils flared. A top scholar, is he? Then he would crush Guo Feng's dream of becoming the Number One Scholar!
...
A few days after the results were posted, Song Yu received news from the palace.
"Young Master Guo, please proceed to the Ministry of Rites in three days. Special officials will be there to instruct you on the etiquette and protocols for the palace examination."
Looking at the messenger official, Song Yu nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, sir."
Before the palace examination, the court always sent officials to instruct the new scholars on etiquette and protocols. This included the process of the palace examination, the proper courtesies to observe in the Emperor's presence, and so on, to prevent anyone from making mistakes due to ignorance.
Therefore, everyone attached great importance to this instruction session. Everyone except Song Yu.
"That person's explanation definitely won't be as clear as mine would be," Song Yu pouted, having just learned that training was required before the palace exam.
"Your Highness should go and listen properly. Who knows, something interesting might even happen during this session."
Shen Qingping had said it offhandedly, little knowing she was predicting the future.
Three days later, Song Yu, Zheng Fang, and several others headed to the Ministry of Rites together. Along the way, Zheng Fang and the others were nervously rubbing their hands.
"What's wrong? Are you cold?" Song Yu asked, somewhat puzzled.
"No, it's just that the thought of seeing the Emperor makes us excited," Zheng Fang said, deliberately lowering his voice. "Have you all heard about the scandal in Prince Ping's household?"
"We have," Song Yu replied with an innocent smile. Not only had he heard, he was the one behind it.
Ling Ming and Feng Kuizhi also nodded.
"So besides getting to see the Emperor, I also hope to see His Highness Prince Qin," Zheng Fang said, a flash of respect in his eyes. "Prince Qin cares for the people like his own children. He is both the legitimate eldest son. He is the worthy leader in my heart."
"Brother Zheng speaks my mind," Ling Ming chimed in, expressing his stance. "Prince Qin helped us greatly in Yong'an County, and he has looked after us since we came to the capital. I, Ling Ming, am also willing to serve His Highness Prince Qin."
"I... I feel the same. I heard that during the flood in Laijin Prefecture, His Highness personally entered the water to rescue people."
Ouch—
Each of the three had their heads flicked one by one. They covered their heads and looked at Song Yu.
"Brother Guo, don't you admire someone like Prince Qin?"
"Discussing factional allegiances in broad daylight? If someone hears you, none of you will make it into the palace," Song Yu said with exasperation.
They said he didn't admire Prince Qin?
For goodness' sake, he was Prince Qin himself!
"Brother Guo is right," Zheng Fang realized, casting a grateful look at Song Yu before quickly lowering his head and shutting his mouth.
But in his heart, he couldn't help thinking...
If only he could see His Highness Prince Qin again.
...
Ministry of Rites.
The three hundred new scholars stood in neat rows, listening to instructions as they were divided into several groups based on their native places. The group Song Yu was in had very few people—just Zheng Fang and the others, plus a few scholars from Ji'an Prefecture.
Only six people in total.
The other scholars glanced in Song Yu's direction, assuming this was special treatment for the top scholar, and no one said anything.
Song Yu also raised an eyebrow. This setup looked like they were getting special coaching.
"Honored Scholars, next, each group will have someone explain in detail the courtesies to be observed before His Majesty and the procedures of the palace examination. Everyone must remember them well."
The official from the Court of State Ceremonial spoke, and the scholars nodded one after another.
Then, everyone began the instruction session according to their groups.
The one instructing Song Yu's group was a minor official from the Court of State Ceremonial, at least someone Song Yu had no impression of at all.
"My surname is Zhao. I will be responsible for instructing you all in the coming days."
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhao."
After the instruction began, Song Yu listened absent-mindedly at first. But gradually, his expression changed, and a sharp gaze shot towards this official named Zhao.
What this person was saying... seemed off.
After half a day of instruction, Song Yu's face was completely dark. Some dog was definitely trying to bite him again.
"Brother Guo, why does your face look so bad?" Ling Ming asked with concern. "Could it be that the residual poison hasn't cleared?"
"The person who just instructed us has a problem," Song Yu said, a chill in his voice.
"The pauses in the 'three kneelings and nine prostrations' are wrong."
"The posture for bowing while walking is also wrong."
If they performed the movements incorrectly, they would stand out glaringly in the crowd. And the attention they would attract... would not be a good thing.
Unexpectedly...
“Brother Guo, we all grew up in Yong'an County. How could we know more than Lord Zhao?” Ling Ming patted Song Yu. “We should just do as Lord Zhao says.”
"Yes, Brother Guo. Professional matters should be left to professionals," Zheng Fang added.
"Brother Guo, why would Lord Zhao deceive us about something as important as the palace examination?" Feng Kuizhi was even amused by Song Yu's words.
Watching the retreating backs of his companions, Song Yu stamped his feet in frustration.
This move was risky, but its chance of success was high!
And in matters like this, no one was more professional than him. No one!
Song Yu returned to the Qin Prince's Mansion in a huff.
"Father, weren't you at the Ministry of Rites for the instruction? Why are you so angry?"
Song Shihuan, unaware of what had happened, quickly asked.
After Song Yu gave an embellished account of the events, Song Shihuan fell silent.
This kind of brainless scheme was probably something only her dear Fourth Uncle could come up with.
So, Song Shihuan turned to Liuxi and said:
"Liuxi, go investigate whether that Lord Zhao from the Court of State Ceremonial has had any recent contact with Prince Qi's Mansion."
Liuxi was very efficient.
By evening, he had brought back the results for Song Yu and Song Shihuan:
"Your Highness, My Lady, that Lord Zhao had a private meeting with someone from Prince Qi's Mansion a few days ago."
"A'Huan, tell me, does Old Fourth have a screw loose?"
Song Yu was almost laughing from anger.
"If Father truly were Guo Feng, Prince Qi's scheme would have actually succeeded."
Song Shihuan looked at Song Yu with a serious expression:
"It seems fate is toying with Prince Qi."
Fate specializes in toying with big, stupid pigs.
