The Zong Family, General's Mansion.
Qin Ye stood at the gate, waiting to be announced.
His father had been detained in the palace for nearly an entire day before being released, only to return and say it was related to him—someone had altered his imperial examination results, which had provoked the Emperor's fury.
Though it was never explicitly stated whether Zong Jincheng was behind it, Qin Ye couldn’t shake the feeling that he was involved.
The students of the advanced class were still studying, preparing for the palace examination. It was Xu Wan who knew Qin Ye had arrived and personally came out to greet him.
"Auntie, hello," Qin Ye greeted her.
Xu Wan smiled warmly. "Come in, I’ll take you to Jincheng."
"Thank you."
This was Qin Ye’s first time visiting the Zong residence. Unsurprisingly, it was far larger than his own home. They walked for quite a while before reaching the grand study, where a beautiful two-story pavilion stood.
Inside, the voices of young scholars debating policy proposals could be heard.
It was unclear what they were discussing, but fragments about "livelihood" and "governance" drifted out—sometimes sounding like arguments, other times like earnest discussions.
Following Xu Wan inside, Qin Ye hadn’t even stepped past the threshold when Zong Jincheng’s voice rang out: "Alright, alright, enough debating! Let’s chant the class motto to clear our heads!"
The boys, well-practiced, roared in unison: "Defeat Qin Ye! Top the rankings!"
Qin Ye: "…………"
Their class motto… was something like this?
He stared at the group of boys, utterly speechless, regretting that he’d walked in too quickly—otherwise, he wouldn’t have heard such an absurd slogan.
Zong Wenxiu had initially found the motto embarrassing, but after blending his voice into the chorus day after day, he’d grown accustomed to it—until he turned around with full enthusiasm and saw the very person they were vowing to defeat.
Zong Wenxiu: "!!! Qin… Qin Ye!"
"Qin Ye is here!!"
"????"
The boys erupted into startled exclamations, shocked and bewildered by his sudden appearance.
Even Qin Shi, who was closer to them, had never visited.
Who could’ve expected Qin Ye to show up unannounced?
Zong Jincheng dashed over, eyeing Qin Ye warily before turning to Xu Wan. "Mother, why is he here? He’s not joining our class, is he??"
That would be his worst nightmare.
Absolutely no way Qin Ye was joining!
Never!
Xu Wan chuckled. "The palace exam is in half a month—what are you thinking? Qin Ye is here to see you. He probably has something to discuss. Why don’t you two talk in the small pavilion?"
"Oh…" Zong Jincheng exhaled in relief, then scrutinized the aloof Qin Ye. "You’re not here to gloat about being the top scorer in the provincial exam, are you?"
Qin Ye, unable to comprehend his logic, strode coldly toward the pavilion. Zong Jincheng hurried after him.
Back in the study, the shaken boys buzzed with curiosity.
"Why would Qin Ye suddenly seek out Jincheng? Other than flaunting his first-place score, what else could it be? It’s not like he’s here to challenge him to a fight, right?"
"If they were competing, it’d be over policy debates. But why keep it secret? They could discuss that right in front of us."
"I really want to eavesdrop…"
"Me too."
Xu Wan laughed. "Give it up. The study’s soundproofing is excellent."
"…!"
In the small pavilion, Zong Jincheng lounged casually against the railing, one leg propped on the seat, idly rolling two walnuts in his hand. "What do you want?"
Qin Ye didn’t beat around the bush. "Did you go to the Ministry of Rites to change my results?"
Zong Jincheng was surprised Qin Ye had come about this. He hadn’t given his name at the ministry—how did Qin Ye know it was him?
But after being tricked by Zong Zhao before, the little troublemaker’s reflexes were razor-sharp.
He scoffed. "Nonsense. You think the Ministry of Rites is my family’s property? You’re really something—flaunting your first place right at my doorstep? Well, don’t get too cocky. That top spot won’t last. The palace exam’s number one will be mine!"
Seeing him evade the question, Qin Ye understood the matter was delicate.
After a long silence, he said, "The Emperor has already traced it back to you."
Zong Jincheng looked up.
Qin Ye continued, "Last night, my father was summoned to the palace and made to kneel in punishment until this morning. The Emperor thought I was the one who stormed the Ministry of Rites with Luo Jingfeng."
Realizing Qin Ye and his father had taken the blame for him, Zong Jincheng’s careless demeanor faltered.
He stood up quickly. "Are you and your father alright?"
Qin Ye replied calmly, "We’re fine. My father has returned, and the Emperor didn’t punish our family. But before we left the palace, the Emperor guessed it was you who went to the ministry."
The Zong household might seem peaceful now, but there was no guarantee the Emperor wouldn’t suddenly turn against them.
So Qin Ye had come for two reasons: to ask Zong Jincheng for the truth and to warn him.
Zong Jincheng blinked, already planning to tell his parents later. With them handling it, surely nothing major would happen.
Qin Ye turned to leave but paused. "Was I really first?"
The Emperor had said someone had pushed him to the top—meaning he hadn’t been first originally?
Zong Jincheng gazed at his rival, the one he’d chased for three years, his expression complex yet resolute. "The imperial exams are fair. The published rankings are the truth."
No matter how badly he wanted first place, he would never use underhanded means to pull Qin Ye down.
He wouldn’t allow it—and neither would he let anyone else do so.
Qin Ye understood.
Reversing the logic, his score had been raised to first because… it had been unjustly lowered before.
And Zong Jincheng had gone to set things right.
Two young men, walking side by side on the same path, chasing each other yet sharing the same goal, their strides in sync.
"Thank you."
After Qin Ye left, Zong Jincheng told his parents everything. Zong Zhao reassured him to focus on his studies and leave the rest to them.
With that, the little troublemaker plunged back into his books.
But having read Qin Ye’s policy essay at the ministry, he couldn’t help recalling its arguments as he refined his own. Merging their approaches would undoubtedly make him stronger than Qin Ye—but that would be unfair.
For the first time, Zong Jincheng felt the burden of a photographic memory.
He knocked his head lightly, trying to clear his mind of Qin Ye’s words…
Over the next two weeks, everyone stayed indoors, studying relentlessly.
Zong Jincheng grew restless and wanted to go out for a ride, but Zong Zhao stopped him, saying the capital was too chaotic lately and leaving could invite trouble.
Zong Jincheng conceded—it was just until the palace exam. After that, he’d have over a month of leave to do as he pleased!
The day before the palace exam, Xu Wan briefed everyone on the rules:
"Assemble at the palace gates by 7 a.m. Once inside, you’ll be seated and provided with writing materials. You’ll answer under the Emperor’s supervision. Before writing your responses, you must first provide a personal biography, tracing back three generations."
"During the exam, you’ll kneel while writing, without food, drink, or breaks, until the examination concludes."
