The first time Master Gu saw Shi Huai, he froze for a long while, the teacup in his hand suspended halfway to his lips.
“Is this the Young Master of the Shi family?” Master Gu turned to Shi Yuanping, his voice trembling slightly.
Shi Yuanping smiled. “That’s right. He is my nephew. I’ll have to trouble you to take good care of him, Master Gu.”
Master Gu turned back and scrutinized Shi Huai from head to toe, as though he were looking at a rare treasure.
“This child’s appearance…”
Master Gu stroked his beard, his brows knitting into a tight knot. “In all my years, I have never seen such extraordinary looks and bearing.”
Shi Huai gave him a proper bow, his voice clear and gentle. “Shi Huai pays his respects to Master Gu. I hope you are well, Master.”
The way he called him “Master” left Master Gu feeling weak in the knees. He nodded repeatedly, even the hand stroking his beard trembling.
“Good child, good child. Sit down. I’ll test your learning first.”
Master Gu’s examination lasted the entire morning. From the Four Books and Five Classics to the various schools of philosophy, from poetry and prose to the laws and institutions of past dynasties, he tested nearly everything that could be tested.
Shi Huai answered every question with ease. His voice was unhurried and steady, like a quiet stream flowing calmly over every stone in its path.
“Ding! Current appearance rating: 89. Knowledge absorption efficiency increased by 12%. Memory storage capacity enhanced by 8%. The combined effects of [Intermediate Charm] and [Aura Purification] are significant.”
After the examination, Master Gu remained silent for a long time. The stern expression he had worn during the test changed first to shock, then from shock to wild delight.
He suddenly stood up and seized Shi Yuanping’s hand, his voice trembling.
“Second Master Shi, this child is no mere prodigy. He is a heaven-blessed genius—a true genius! I have taught for my entire life, and I have never seen such talent!”
The smile on Shi Yuanping’s face remained faint, but Shi Huai could see in his eyes the light he had been waiting for.
The day of the imperial examination drew nearer with each passing day. Shi Huai rose before dawn to study and did not go to bed until late at night. The lamp in his study was almost never extinguished.
Qinghe felt terribly sorry for him. Every night, she carried in a bowl of hot soup and refused to leave until Shi Huai had finished it.
“Young Master, please don’t push yourself so hard. Your health is more important.” Qinghe set the bowl on the desk and looked at Shi Huai’s gaunt cheeks, her eyes reddening.
Shi Huai looked up and smiled at her, gentle as moonlight.
“Sister Qinghe, I’m fine. It’s only a few more days. Once the examination is over, I’ll be able to rest properly.”
Qinghe sniffed and forced back her tears before turning to leave the study. The moment she closed the door, the tears fell anyway.
On the day of the imperial examination, a light snow was falling from the sky. Shi Huai wore the new padded robe Qinghe had made especially for him.
The moon-white satin was embroidered with several sprays of ink-dark plum blossoms, creating a look that was both elegant and pleasing to the eye.
He stood at the entrance of the Marquis of Yongning’s household, with Qinghe and Nanny Zhou behind him and Shi Yuanping and Shi Yuanzhi before him.
It was rare for the two brothers to appear together, yet that day they stood side by side at the gate.
“Do your best. Don’t be nervous.”
Shi Yuanping said nothing. He simply reached out and straightened Shi Huai’s collar.
Shi Huai climbed into the carriage, lifted the curtain, and waved at them. “Father, Second Uncle, I’m leaving.”
The carriage rolled slowly out of the marquis’s residence, passed along the main street, and headed toward the examination compound.
Shi Huai leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes, reviewing every important point in his mind. Only after confirming that there were no problems did he open his eyes and lift the curtain to look outside.
A long line had already formed outside the examination compound. Every child there was under twelve years old.
Some were fat, some thin; some tall, some short. Some were reciting their lessons, some were crying, and some were eating candied hawthorn skewers.
When Shi Huai jumped down from the carriage, the area around him fell silent.
He was already used to that sort of silence.
Whenever he appeared in a crowded place, there would always be a brief hush, followed by waves of astonished exclamations and whispered conversation.
“Whose child is that? He’s far too handsome!”
“I think he’s the Young Master of the Marquis of Yongning’s household. I heard he’s a prodigy. He ranked first in last year’s county examination.”
“My heavens! He’s good-looking and knows how to study too. Is he trying to leave the rest of us no way to live?”
Shi Huai paid them no attention and entered the examination compound at an unhurried pace.
Snowflakes settled on his shoulders and hair, setting off the moon-white padded robe. He looked as though he had stepped straight out of a painting.
After three days of examinations, Shi Huai emerged from the compound. His face was a little pale, but his spirits were still good.
Qinghe rushed over, shoved a hand warmer into his hands, and draped a heavy cloak over his shoulders.
“Young Master, you must be cold. Hurry and get into the carriage. There’s ginger soup warming inside. Have a bowl to warm yourself up.”
Shi Huai was half pushed and half pulled into the carriage. With the hand warmer tucked against him, a bowl of ginger soup in his hands, and the cloak wrapped tightly around his body, he looked like a cat bundled up from head to toe.
“Sister Qinghe, I only went to take an examination, not to fight a war.” Shi Huai sighed helplessly. He took a sip of the ginger soup and frowned at its spiciness.
Qinghe glared at him, her eyes rimmed red.
“You don’t know how worried I was. I couldn’t sleep for three days, afraid you’d be cold or hungry in the examination hall.”
Seeing her reddened eyes, Shi Huai’s heart softened. He reached out and patted the back of her hand.
“All right, all right. See? I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry anymore.”
The pat made Qinghe’s tears spill over again. She hurriedly wiped them away with her sleeve and sniffed.
The results were announced on the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, ten days before the New Year.
Shi Yuanping brought the news back himself. He rode his horse all the way from the examination compound, galloping wildly through the streets. The thunder of hooves drew startled looks from every passerby.
He dismounted, did not even bother to tie up the horse, and rushed straight into the marquis’s residence. He ran all the way to Shou’an Hall, pushed open the study door, and stood in the doorway, gasping for breath.
“First place.” Shi Yuanping’s voice trembled. “Huai’er, you came in first.”
Shi Huai had been practicing calligraphy. His brush paused, and the ink spread across the rice paper like a black flower.
He lifted his head and looked at Shi Yuanping’s flushed face and reddened eyes. An indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
“Second Uncle, I understand.” Shi Huai set down his brush and rose, giving Shi Yuanping a bow. “Thank you for all your hard work these past few days.”
Shi Yuanping shook his head, walked over, and swept Shi Huai up into his arms. He spun around once, laughing like a child.
“My son. He truly is my son.”
Holding Shi Huai in his arms, Shi Yuanping lowered his voice until only Shi Huai could hear him.
Shi Huai rested against his shoulder without saying anything. He merely reached out and patted his back.
News of the top result in the imperial examination spread throughout the capital as swiftly as if it had grown wings.
The Young Master of the Marquis of Yongning’s household had not only ranked first in the county examination, but had also come first in the imperial examination. The Emperor had personally named him and ordered him to study at the Imperial College.
The entire marquis’s residence was decorated with lanterns and banners, livelier than it was during the New Year. Shi Yuanzhi even ordered an extra month’s pay to be given to every servant in the household.
Madam Liu sat in her own courtyard, listening to the firecrackers and laughter outside. Her expression twisted like a sheet of paper crumpled into a ball.
Shi Lingyi had also returned.
