"Crack the whip."
The two words dropped by Emperor Yuanyou exploded like a bomb in everyone's ears.
According to ceremonial rites, the ceremonial whip is only cracked upon the arrival of the Emperor. To crack it now...
It was against protocol.
Yet no one had the courage to speak up and advise against it at this moment. Even the censors, who usually insisted on remonstrating to the death, fell silent.
To speak now would be no different from seeking death.
Besides, a Prince who is also the Top Scholar—there was no reason he wouldn't be the Crown Prince.
And so.
Three crisp and pleasing cracks of the whip sounded once more.
Prince Qi felt as if struck by lightning. How was this any different from announcing the Crown Prince candidate in advance?
Song Yu's expression, however, showed not the slightest hint of surprise, as if all this had been agreed upon in advance with Emperor Yuanyou.
In reality...
Song Yu's mind was filled with nothing but relief that Ah Huan had Liuxi wash his face with bath beans yesterday, making him exceptionally handsome today.
"You may proceed with the parade. I shall await your return at the palace."
Song Yu nodded and returned to the position designated for the Top Scholar. During the process, he exchanged a glance with Zheng Fang, whose face had stiffened to the point where he couldn't even force a smile.
Brother Guo, with whom he had fraternized daily, was the illustrious Prince Qin?
Was this right?
Zheng Fang recalled all his interactions with Song Yu and could only think how formidable Prince Qin was, having not revealed even the slightest clue.
No wonder he had previously guaranteed there would definitely be another chance to enter the palace.
Numerous thoughts burst open in Zheng Fang's mind. A flash of inspiration struck, and his eyes lit up.
As the saying goes, when a man attains the Dao, even his pets ascend to heaven. If his brother is a Prince...
Then, could he also smoothly ascend?
He wouldn't mind serving as an ox or a horse.
With this unexpected turn of events, everyone present began to contemplate their own future plans.
On the golden plaque, the line for the Top Scholar was stamped and inscribed with the name Song Yu.
With the seal stamped, the matter was settled.
...
At the same time, in Yong'an County, Ji'an Prefecture.
"Fire! There's a fire!" someone shouted, pointing in a direction.
"That's... that's the location of the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
Recognizing the place, some commoners, disregarding their own safety, rushed to the county office. Before long, a crowd carrying buckets of water hurried towards the direction of the fire.
If the ancestral temple burned down... the Emperor's wrath might level the entire Yong'an County.
But when the crowd arrived, they were all stunned by the sight before them.
This wasn't a fire...
It was smoke.
"Your Honor, 'green smoke rising from the ancestral grave'—this is an auspicious omen!" The county magistrate's advisor was the first to react, addressing the magistrate. "I urge Your Honor to swiftly write a letter and have it delivered post-haste to the capital. If His Majesty learns of this, he will surely be overjoyed."
"Indeed!"
The magistrate also became excited. "I shall return and write it immediately."
To tell the truth, this was the first time he had encountered the phenomenon of "green smoke from an ancestral grave."
The Imperial ancestors were truly extraordinary.
Yong'an County was completely abuzz because of this green smoke.
News of the green smoke from the Imperial ancestral graves spread from Yong'an County in all directions. Everyone began to wait and see what good fortune would befall the Imperial family and the Great Qi.
Meanwhile, the capital was in an uproar over different news.
"What? Young Master Guo Feng is Prince Qin?"
"Prince Qin has won the title of Top Scholar?"
These messages, more shocking than any storybook tale, spread rapidly. Father Guo and Mother Guo, who had been brought to the capital, promptly came forward to confirm the news.
They even produced a suicide note written by Guo Feng before his death.
The handwriting was completely different from Song Yu's answers in the several imperial examinations.
In the letter, Guo Feng expressed immense gratitude to Song Yu, stating outright that for the kindness of investigating the cause of his deceased wife's death, the entire Guo family was willing to repay with their lives.
At the same time, under Song Shihuan's orders, red lanterns were hung at the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"He did it. Father really did it."
Song Shihuan's eyes were rimmed with red as she clasped her hands together. "Heaven be praised."
"Your Ladyship, will our Prince soon be parading through the streets on horseback?" Baoxia asked, her face full of anticipation.
"Yes. 'The spring breeze is pleased with the swift pace of the horse's hooves'—there is no day more fitting than today."
...
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Song Yu looked at the three horses before him, saddled with red silk and adorned with gleaming bridles, then glanced at the large red silk ribbons and flowers on the tray held by a palace attendant. He couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Why did this look so much like a wedding procession?
"Your Highness, this servant will drape the silk ribbon and pin the flower for you."
Seeing Song Yu decked out in extremely festive attire, Shen Qingping in the crowd lowered his head and smiled.
Later, he would beg the young lady of the Gu family to paint a portrait of the Prince in his current state to hang in the Prince's Mansion—it would surely ward off evil spirits.
The Second and Third Place Scholars were similarly attired.
The only difference was that Song Yu's horse was a white steed with a golden bridle, while the other two rode chestnut horses.
Second Place Scholar Lin Xia had regular, proper features, though he seemed somewhat aloof in temperament.
As for Zheng Fang...
Song Yu couldn't help but take an extra look. Indeed, since ancient times, Third Place Scholars were often handsome gentlemen. Zheng Fang, with his standard scholarly, refined appearance, truly was a sight to behold after this adornment.
However... there was still a bit of a gap compared to himself.
Song Yu thought to himself, indulging in a moment of silent vanity.
The three of them exited through the main gate of the palace and began proceeding along the capital's most important and bustling streets. Imperial Guards personally cleared the way and provided protection on both sides, while palace musicians beat gongs and drums. At the very front of the procession, Shen Xiao personally held aloft a giant banner proclaiming "Top Scholar, Having Passed the Imperial Examination" to lead the way.
The spectacle was extremely grand.
Wherever the procession went, there were screams and shouts of acclaim.
The common people's usual awe of the Imperial family diminished considerably at this moment. In their eyes, Song Yu at the head of the procession was simply the Top Scholar revered by the world. Countless handkerchiefs were thrown towards Song Yu.
Lin Xia and Zheng Fang also received many handkerchiefs.
However, upon entering one particular street, the previously lively atmosphere suddenly turned quiet and solemn. Lifting his gaze, Song Yu was so startled by the scene before him that he didn't know how to react.
Those white-haired veterans, who had once fought to establish the empire with Emperor Yuanyou and had long since retired from public life, had all appeared as if by prior agreement.
Some were supported by younger family members.
Others were carried on stretchers.
But as long as they still had a breath of life, they had all come, silently watching the high spirits of the only son of the Emperor and his late Empress as he paraded as the Top Scholar.
In the past, the world said Prince Qin was a good-for-nothing wastrel. But in their eyes, Prince Qin was the... only remembrance left by the late Empress, a weight that no other Prince could replace.
They were subjects and could not comment on the matter of establishing the Crown Prince. All they prayed for was Prince Qin's lifelong peace and safety.
Song Yu was watched by them all along the way, and his eyes grew slightly warm.
So he had always been remembered by so many people.
After passing through this street, Song Yu spoke slowly:
"Commander Shen, this Prince wishes to pass by the Qin Prince's Mansion."
Seeing Shen Xiao's somewhat puzzled look, Song Yu smiled and glanced up at the banner in Shen Xiao's hand:
"Today is the Top Scholar's parade. This Prince has a treasure he forgot to bring."
