Chapter 8
Imperial Examination
Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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Wei Lin turned to Han Zhen and said, “There’s a lantern festival over there with quite a big prize. Do you want to go take a look?”

Just as Han Zhen was about to step forward, he noticed the person he had bumped into was still standing there, dazedly staring at him. Frowning, he looked at the young man, who had an elegant demeanor and charming appearance, yet was just an ordinary person.

“Are you injured? I can have my subordinate take you to see a doctor,” Han Zhen said, surprisingly using an inquiring tone.

Tang Jiwei felt all the blood rush to his eyes. If it weren’t for the dim light under the tree, Han Zhen would definitely have seen the bloodshot and hateful gleam in his eyes.

But the fierce light radiating from those burning eyes truly caught Han Zhen’s attention. Alone, he was already a sight to behold as he moved against the crowd. With his tall stature and handsome features, he seemed untouched by the vulgarity around him, appearing ethereal and hollow, like a figure shrouded in mist.

Tang Jiwei had imagined countless scenarios of facing Han Zhen, whether it be a clash of swords or donning disguises, but he had never thought that they would meet in such a noisy crowd, in dim lighting that obscured their expressions. He still lacked the strength to confront Han Zhen, yet here stood Han Zhen, poised and full of vigor, directly opposite him—this was not the encounter he had envisioned.

Tang Jiwei offered a slight nod of thanks and quickly blended into the crowd under Han Zhen’s watchful gaze, eager to escape, no matter where the crowd might lead him, as long as it wasn’t here.

“What a strange person,” Wei Lin remarked.

Han Zhen briefly paused, then returned to his thoughts, not paying much attention to the small interruption, and continued moving forward with the crowd.

Finally, the day of the provincial examination arrived. Madam Xiao had prepared the materials needed for the exam the night before. At Tang Jiwei’s request, she only made a few pancakes and brought a small pot of water to place in the exam basket. Unlike other families who treated the day with great solemnity, Tang Jiwei and Madam Xiao went to bed early.

Madam Xiao accompanied Tang Jiwei to the exam venue. His cousins, Tang Mi and Tang De, were also sent by their uncle and aunt to encourage him. Tang Jiwei remained calm as he carried the exam basket. Madam Xiao, usually chatty, didn’t say much; a glance between them sufficed.

In contrast, Tang De, who was accompanying him to the exam, was awestruck by the grand and solemn atmosphere. He repeatedly told his sister how grateful he was that he hadn’t been sent to the academy, saying he would be utterly terrified in such a tense and serious situation, his mind going blank. Several candidates were already sweating profusely, trembling. Looking at his cousin, he felt a surge of pride, his admiration for him burning in his chest. Compared to the candidates who were still frantically cramming, his brother radiated a confidence that set him apart.

As the gates of the examination hall opened, well-ordered guards with drawn swords filed out from both sides. Instantly, the buzz outside fell silent as the candidates entered.

Tang Jiwei turned back and offered a reassuring smile to Madam Xiao and his cousins before stepping into the examination hall first.

After a thorough search and inspection, Tang Jiwei was assigned to a room near the front. The examination would last three days, during which they would eat, drink, and sleep in their designated rooms. For someone like Tang Jiwei, who had never experienced such treatment, this was the greatest challenge. He was meticulous about cleanliness and typically bathed every day, never wearing the same clothes for more than two days. For him, the toughest part wouldn’t be the examination itself but rather enduring this harsh environment.

Tang Jiwei had never participated in the imperial examination before; his high birth had spared him from it, and ultimately he was granted the title of marquis, which eliminated any opportunity for him to take the exam. He had little interaction with those who had risen from the bottom step by step to become successful scholars, and to him, the first, second, and third ranks were all the same—there was no distinction. He had even once been appointed by the late emperor to set the examination questions for the palace exam.

However, the tides of fortune change, and now he found himself in a position where he had to accept guidance and judgment from others, handing over control of his destiny to them—this was not something he was accustomed to. Yet for someone who had been wrongfully executed, whose family had been ruined and wiped out, just being alive was a stroke of luck. As long as he was alive, there was hope, and one day he could clear his parents’ names and take revenge for himself.

If everything was for the sake of vengeance, then no amount of suffering could compare to the days spent being whipped in that dungeon—the surreal sensation of dying, the feeling of being strangled, and the life slowly seeping away from his body. He remembered it clearly, and he remembered who had given him that experience.

The gate of the examination hall closed with a heavy sound, carrying with it all the hopes of a lifetime for the candidates.

In the imperial study, Han Zhen was reviewing the list of candidates for this year’s autumn examination, accompanied by their essays from when they were scholars. He placed great importance on his first recruitment of talent since ascending to the throne.

“Prime Minister, I do not wish to recruit those who can only read and write essays. Practical abilities and unique insights are the most important selection criteria for this autumn’s examination,” Han Zhen declared.

Prime Minister Song Ci, with his hair graying, knelt on one side as the emperor gestured to him to receive the edict. Had it not been for Gu Lin’s fall from grace, this old prime minister would not have returned to assist the new emperor. Despite his resentment towards the emperor for killing loyal ministers, the stability of the country took precedence, and he had no choice but to obey.

“For this year’s joint examination, I will personally set the questions. Every year, the imperial examination has the same format; to select talent, one must be unconventional. Does the Prime Minister have any good suggestions?” Han Zhen asked, observing the old prime minister nodding repeatedly but remaining silent. He quickly shifted the responsibility back to him. This old fox had the talent for governance but was reluctant to speak out, as if doing so would lead to blame.

“The old minister agrees with the emperor’s decree. Your Majesty is indeed a rare talent for ruling the nation, and I am sincerely in awe,” Song Ci replied.

Han Zhen knew that this old fox was still blaming him for the fall of the Gu family. Though he did not voice it, he was unwilling to help shoulder the responsibilities of the state and maintained his aloof demeanor.

“Then let’s talk about something else. Your granddaughter must be fourteen now, right? As a minister for three generations, the marriage of your granddaughter should reflect the royal family’s respect for you. How about I consider the second son of the Censor’s family? I’ve heard from the Empress that they are quite compatible,” Han Zhen suggested.

Before he could finish, Song Ci immediately rose and knelt again.

“As for my granddaughter’s marriage, with Your Majesty’s busy schedule, how can I trouble you with this? I was just thinking about some ideas regarding the imperial examination; may I present them for your decree?”

Han Zhen smiled subtly, suppressing the amusement in his eyes, and said, “Then let the Empress handle the marriage arrangements; I wouldn’t want to overstep my authority.”

Song Ci nodded in agreement and began to outline his ideas about the examination.

Three days later, the gates of the examination hall opened once more. Tang Jiwei was the first to exit the examination room. Without saying a word, he hurried back home. Madam Xiao watched him come out first, but her expression was gloomy, thinking he must have failed, and she followed silently.

Tang Jiwei boiled a large pot of hot water to bathe. Without a bathtub, he had to wash himself repeatedly, using quite a bit of mugwort before he finally changed his clothes and came out.

Seeing Madam Xiao preparing lunch, her back appeared somewhat forlorn, and for some reason, his heart ached. He had rushed back to wash off the foul stench of the examination hall, a place he could not bear to linger in for a moment. However, his expression must have alarmed his adoptive mother.

“Mother, did you think I failed the exam?” he asked.

Madam Xiao turned to wipe her tears, saying, “Isn’t it so?”

Tang Jiwei handed her a towel with a smile and replied, “Of course not! Just wait for the sound of gongs and drums coming to bring you good news. The environment inside was terrible; could you check if I have any live on my hair?”

Madam Xiao couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, ruffling her son’s dark hair as she teased, “What kind of young master are you that you can’t endure a little hardship?”

Tang Jiwei smiled brightly, handsome and graceful, illuminating the small space with warmth. Madam Xiao saw so much of her own face in him and suddenly felt the passage of time was relentless; she had aged, and her son had become so outstanding.

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Author’s Note: To those waiting and watching, hurry and grab a spot!