"That kid is arrogant, but not in an annoying way. He's got substance. I'm really looking forward to the end of the palace exams. Befriending such a young lad would surely be interesting."
The extroverts flaunted their flamboyance upfront, while the introverts huddled awkwardly in the back, shrinking into themselves.
Zong Wenxiu glanced at the red ribbons and sashes flying wildly ahead and quickly averted his gaze, his scalp tingling with discomfort. He was immensely grateful his younger brother hadn’t dragged him into the chaos—otherwise, he might never dare to step outside again.
Even Xu Wan gulped nervously. "I had no idea they prepared all this… And those towering horses—don’t they look familiar? Aren’t those military steeds?"
Zong Zhao quietly revealed the truth: "Sponsored by Luo Jingfeng."
Xu Wan: "…"
This was madness.
One was reckless, the other indulgent.
The four young troublemakers had successfully transformed into the four young prodigies, flaunting their triumph all the way back to the manor.
Inside the carriage, Zong Wenxiu kept peering outside, though his gaze wasn’t fixed on Jin Cheng and the others.
Xu Wan asked, "Wenxiu, are you looking for someone?"
Zong Wenxiu replied honestly, "I didn’t see Qin Shi or Qin Ye at the results announcement. I’m a bit worried about Qin Shi—it seems he didn’t pass."
Both he and Qin Shi were elder brothers, bound by the same responsibilities, striving not to fall too far behind their younger siblings.
But Qin Shi’s situation was worse. He was two years older than Qin Ye, yet while his younger brother had topped the exam rankings, Qin Shi hadn’t even made it into the top 366.
Xu Wan frowned and said, "Qin Shi’s ranking in the provincial exams was already low. He must have anticipated failing the metropolitan exam."
Zong Wenxiu nodded but still felt sorry for Qin Shi.
In the beginning, Qin Shi’s grades had been inferior to Qin Ye’s, but he was still the second-ranked scholar at Hanlin North Academy, outperforming Zong Wenxiu.
But after Zong Wenxiu received intensive tutoring from Xu Wan’s "elite class," he quickly caught up and even surpassed Qin Shi, earning the title of Childhood Scholar a year earlier and steadily climbing higher in the provincial rankings.
Qin Shi had been like a benchmark, marking his progress.
Yet they were good friends, and Zong Wenxiu couldn’t help but feel regret over Qin Shi’s failure.
Xu Wan patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don’t dwell on it. Qin Shi can try again next time. By then, Qin Ye will have paved the way in his career. Maybe this outcome isn’t so bad for him."
Zong Wenxiu considered Qin Shi’s temperament and agreed that this might indeed be for the best.
He nodded and said, "Thank you for comforting me, Aunt Xu. I understand now."
Throughout the journey, they never caught sight of the Qin brothers.
Zong Wenxiu assumed the crowd had obscured them, but in truth, the brothers hadn’t gone to see the results at all.
Their father, Qin Yi'an, had been summoned to the palace the previous night and hadn’t returned since. The entire family was too worried to think about anything else.
The palace, inner court.
Eunuchs and palace maids bustled about, each unable to resist stealing glances at the kneeling figure. Rumor had it that a high-ranking official had erred and was being punished by the Emperor.
Eight hours had passed.
Qin Yi'an knelt there, mentally reviewing every task he’d undertaken in the past six months, yet he couldn’t pinpoint where he’d gone wrong.
Today was supposed to be the day of the metropolitan exam results. He had planned to accompany his sons to check their rankings, but now this had happened. He doubted they’d even gone—Qin Ye’s performance had been stellar, likely placing him near the top, but his elder son… was another matter entirely.
"Minister Qin, His Majesty summons you. Please follow me." Eunuch Huang helped him up, his face lined with concern.
Qin Yi'an hastily expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Eunuch Huang."
His legs were weak from kneeling, and he leaned heavily on the eunuch as they made their way to the imperial study, where he immediately dropped to his knees again. "Your servant, Qin Yi'an, pays homage to Your Majesty."
The Emperor sat on the high throne, his presence imposing even without anger.
With a wave of his hand, even Eunuch Huang was dismissed.
As the doors closed, Qin Yi'an’s heart pounded. Serving the Emperor was like taming a tiger—he understood that now.
Truly terrifying.
The Emperor’s voice was cold. "Qin Yi'an, do you know your crime?"
So, he had indeed erred!
Qin Yi'an trembled. "Your Majesty, this servant is ignorant… Please enlighten me…"
The Emperor flung the metropolitan exam rankings at him, the scroll hitting Qin Yi'an squarely.
He flinched, hands shaking as he unrolled it. His younger son’s name was at the very top—Qin Ye had placed first in the metropolitan exam… But what was wrong with that?
The Emperor accused him of a crime, yet his son had excelled. There was no law barring officials’ descendants from taking the exams—why was he being punished?
Qin Yi'an racked his brain and considered Qin Ye’s age.
He hurriedly defended, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. While it’s extraordinary for an eleven-year-old to top the metropolitan exam, my son is genuinely talented. He began studying at three, rising early to read with me. By nine, he earned the title of Childhood Scholar, and by ten, he topped the provincial exams. Every step was earned through his own merit. If Your Majesty doubts this, summon him and test him yourself—or have the Grand Scholars examine him. There’s no falsehood!"
The Emperor grew angrier the more he listened. This man was still playing dumb.
He snapped, "Yesterday afternoon—where was your son, Qin Ye?"
Qin Yi'an paused, then answered, "At home! Knowing he’d likely pass, I was instructing both sons on the palace exams. Every servant in the household can attest to this!"
The Emperor frowned. "Did he not accompany Luo Jingfeng to storm the Ministry of Rites?"
Qin Yi'an’s eyes widened in shock, his voice rising several pitches. "Your Majesty, I beg you to see reason! My son is reserved and taciturn—he rarely even leaves the house, let alone storms a ministry! And as for the Duke of State Protection… Neither my son nor I have ever spoken to him!"
Suddenly, Qin Yi'an understood the Emperor’s fury.
Storming the Ministry of Rites.
Associating with Luo Jingfeng.
Either offense alone would enrage the Emperor—let alone both combined.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "If not your son, then who went to the Ministry of Rites to have Qin Ye’s ranking adjusted to first place?"
Qin Yi'an: "!!!"
Qin Ye’s top ranking was arranged by Luo Jingfeng?!
Another blow struck, nearly making Qin Yi'an spit blood.
He kowtowed frantically. "Your Majesty, I knew nothing of this!"
Qin Yi'an’s plea gave the Emperor pause. The man had served in the Hanlin Academy for years—honest and unassuming, unlikely to lie.
The Emperor ordered, "Look through the list carefully. See if any of your son’s friends are on it."
"Yes, yes, of course." Qin Yi'an scrambled to scan the names.
Just then, Eunuch Huang hurried back in and whispered to the Emperor, "Zong Jincheng, the eldest son of General Zong, placed second in this year’s metropolitan exam. He’s currently leading a lion dance in the streets, throwing money in celebration."
The Emperor’s brows lifted. "Zong Jincheng? That ten-year-old child? I recall the Crown Prince once took him to investigate the brothel case. I even gifted him a purple-haired brush."
Eunuch Huang confirmed, "Your memory is correct. It’s that boy—eleven years old now."
"Eleven years old..." The Emperor murmured the age, his gaze locking with Qin Yi'an, who knelt below.
