The sound reverberated throughout the imperial palace.
Great Chu welcomed its new ruler.
Zong Zhao led Zong Jincheng away to change into the dragon robes for the enthronement, leaving Luo Jingfeng to handle the remaining arrangements.
Eunuch Huang addressed the assembled crowd: "The palace examination will proceed as scheduled in the Hall of Preserving Harmony. All officials responsible for the examination, please follow me. The rest shall wait in the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
This announcement effectively confined everyone to the palace.
Only after the palace examination concluded safely would the news be released.
The officials understood the implications and complied without question, while the scholars, after a moment of stunned silence, gradually grew excited.
"Can the palace examination really proceed as usual? Then who will preside over it? Zong Jin—no, the new emperor?"
"My competitor just became the examiner. I need a moment to process this—my heart’s pounding so hard I might underperform later."
"Relax, relax! We just befriended the new emperor. Maybe he’ll be in a good mood and pick an easy topic for us!"
"That makes sense!"
The teachers and students of the elite class exchanged glances.
He Zheng asked timidly, "Will our eldest brother be furious? He’s been shouting ‘Down with Qin Ye’ for over three years, and now he’s lost his chance at the palace examination."
Wei Xinglu scratched his head. "But he’s literally ascending the throne. Qin Ye will have to kneel and greet him from now on. Isn’t that a win?"
Zong Wenxiu shook his head. "That doesn’t count."
Shen Yibai swallowed hard. "The only thing I noticed is—no wonder Luo Jingfeng doted so much on Jincheng. I thought it was just a foster father-son relationship, but they’re actually uncle and nephew. Thank goodness I never foolishly tried to claim Luo Jingfeng as my foster father."
The other teachers: "..."
We didn’t know you were that bold.
Not far away, Qin Ye’s gaze swept over them, filled with complexity.
Clearly, he had overheard the discussion and finally pieced together the things he hadn’t understood before.
No wonder Zong Jincheng had such a close relationship with Luo Jingfeng. No wonder Zong Jincheng could alter his exam results so easily. And that speech during the debate—it all made sense now.
But just as the palace examination was about to begin…
Qin Ye, who had also been waiting for this day, felt a pang of regret. Would he ever get another chance to compete with him?
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, small desks and cushions had been prepared.
All the scholars stood at their assigned spots, awaiting the arrival of the new emperor. Before long, a eunuch’s voice rang out from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Everyone present knelt in reverence.
Zong Jincheng had changed into his new attire—a fitted, bright yellow robe symbolizing his imperial status.
Luo Jingfeng, to avoid impropriety, deliberately kept his distance.
Zong Zhao and Prime Minister Shen each took one of the boy’s hands, guiding him toward the throne.
Officials and scholars lined the path, kneeling with heads bowed as the imperial procession passed.
After ascending the steps, Prime Minister Shen released his grip and stepped back, but Zong Zhao held on a moment longer, whispering, "Are you afraid?"
Zong Jincheng’s heart ached, and he tightened his grip on Zong Zhao’s hand.
But… he simply disliked this outcome—it didn’t mean he was scared.
He knew the court officials below harbored ulterior motives, watching like tigers ready to pounce. He knew many were waiting for the spectacle of a child making a fool of himself. But so what?
The all-powerful Duke Protector and Prince of the South were his uncles. The illustrious General Zong, covered in military glory, was his foster father. The beloved Crown Prince was his elder brother. And the head of the civil officials, who held real authority, was the grandfather of his sworn brother.
This throne—I will sit firm.
The young boy released Zong Zhao’s hand and turned to take his seat.
"Rise," the new emperor’s voice rang clearly from above.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
All the examinees knelt on their cushions, awaiting the start of the palace examination.
Vice Minister Shao of the Ministry of Rites approached with a tray and presented it. "Your Majesty, five examination topics have been prepared. Please select one as this year’s palace examination question."
As the official overseeing this year’s imperial exams, Vice Minister Shao was inwardly panicking, but he forced his hands to remain steady to avoid any lapse in decorum.
Just half a month ago, he had mistaken this child for Qin Ye, crying injustice. But now, here he was—Zong Jincheng, the new emperor.
The injustice of the imperial examinations had been initiated by his father and now resolved by the new emperor.
Vice Minister Shao was overjoyed by this outcome, but he also feared the new emperor might resent him for his past inaction against tyranny.
Yet the young emperor merely glanced at him before turning his attention to the five topics.
Jincheng frowned as he read them—all five were variations of questions the elite class had practiced before.
In the six months following the provincial exams, Zong Zhao, a former top scholar, had worked with his mother to assign daily essay topics. The workload had been grueling, but the results spoke for themselves.
When similar questions appeared in the metropolitan exams, he’d thought it a coincidence.
Now, he knew better—his parents’ teaching was simply that exceptional.
Jincheng looked at Zong Zhao.
"What is it?" Zong Zhao asked.
"Nothing," Jincheng muttered, pouting slightly. "Just amazed at how well you and Mom predicted the questions."
Hearing this grumble, Zong Zhao felt as if the cheerful, lively child had returned. The corners of his lips curved upward. "Make your choice. The scholars are waiting."
"Mm!"
Jincheng deliberated over the five topics. They were all good, but for the elite class, some would yield decent answers while others could be truly outstanding.
He knew his classmates best—he could pick the question that suited each of them. But that wouldn’t be fair to the other examinees.
So, to avoid bias, he crumpled all five topics into balls and randomly selected one. "This one."
Vice Minister Shao: "..."
That seemed… rather casual.
He’d expected the new emperor to carefully deliberate—after all, this boy was a prodigy, well-versed in the imperial exams. Instead, after all that waiting, the decision came down to a random draw.
Vice Minister Shao fell silent but had no choice but to comply.
Such was the way between ruler and subject.
"Distribute the examination papers. Begin the test."
The palace examination commenced, and all the scholars picked up their brushes to write.
As the presiding examiner, the emperor was also the invigilator.
Seated on the throne, Jincheng looked down at the rows of kneeling scholars. Just yesterday, he’d listened to his brothers complain about having to kneel all day. Now, he didn’t have to kneel—he got to watch everyone else do it.
It was comfortable, sure, but also incredibly boring.
Eunuch Huang approached with a tray. "Your Majesty, the palace examination lasts the entire day. You may summon a meal if you grow hungry."
Jincheng glanced at the tray—it was laden with assorted candied fruits and preserves.
He recalled his mother’s instructions from the previous day: during the palace examination, one must refrain from eating, drinking, or using the privy. So he’d barely drunk anything since morning. And now… those rules didn’t apply to him.
The little troublemaker felt aggrieved.
No need to follow the rules. No need to take the exam.
His gaze shifted to Qin Ye, burning with envy.
Pure, unadulterated envy.
Envy that Qin Ye could still take the exam properly.
Envy that Qin Ye could still compete for the top honors.
That arrogant, aloof, unapproachable jerk—how did he get so lucky?
