Jiang Huaichu entered Yixian Tower.
Ru Shi had already made all the necessary arrangements for him. After settling into his inn, Jiang Huaichu headed to Yixian Tower—the closest teahouse to his lodging.
With the imperial examinations only a few days away, the teahouse was livelier than ever. The place bustled with scholars from nearby inns and curious townsfolk eager to witness the spectacle.
It was the season of renewal, and the young examinees brimmed with energy, engaging in animated debates. Their voices filled the air with enthusiasm, their exaggerated gestures bordering on theatrics.
Jiang Huaichu chose a quiet corner and sat down. A woman dressed as a servant took a seat across from him.
In a hushed voice, Jiang Huaichu asked, “Is Niang Niang well in Northern Ning?”
Taifei, wearing a human-skin mask, smiled. “I’m doing quite well. While the men of Great Ning may not be as pleasing to the eye as those from Nanruo, they are certainly more useful.”
“…” Jiang Huaichu thought about the brothel she had established and fell into a brief silence. “As long as you’re well, that’s all that matters.”
Taifei scoffed, “You’re far too reserved—your brother has turned you into such a bore.”
Jiang Huaichu cleared his throat lightly.
Taifei didn’t press further and instead shifted to a serious tone. “That man is far too cautious and deeply calculating. We’ve lost many of our most highly trained spies trying to get close to him. Even beauties are useless—he doesn’t fall for mere physical charms. If you truly intend to approach him, you must be extremely careful not to expose your identity.”
A trace of worry surfaced in her expression. “If anything happens to you, I won’t have the face to see your brother… Actually, with your current plan, even if you succeed, I still won’t have the face to see him.”
Jiang Huaichu: “…”
“I understand everything,” he replied calmly.
Taifei studied him. “Have you thought through your next steps?”
Jiang Huaichu answered, “In the upcoming imperial and palace examinations, I must secure the top position as Zhuangyuan.”
She frowned. “You want to enter the Hanlin Academy?” In Great Ning, only the top scorer was guaranteed a position in the Hanlin Academy.
Jiang Huaichu nodded.
The Hanlin Academy was responsible for drafting imperial decrees and serving as the emperor’s literary advisors—those in it were close to the throne.
For someone of Xiao Yun’s status, a new official wouldn’t even have the qualifications to attend morning court. Without an official post, Jiang Huaichu wouldn’t even be able to see him.
He only had six months—he couldn’t afford to wait for a promotion.
“That makes sense. If you’re assigned to a provincial post, it’ll be over,” Taifei muttered, her brows still furrowed. “If it were purely a competition of talent, you would undoubtedly be the Zhuangyuan. But Great Ning is not like Nanruo.”
“I’ve been in Great Ning for years. The noble families here hold far too much power. Their influence is deeply rooted, and they work together to suppress scholars from common backgrounds. Passing the exams is one thing, but securing a top ranking depends on connections behind the scenes. Especially if you want to be Zhuangyuan…”
“The emperor has been favoring aristocratic candidates for years. He himself comes from a noble background—his royal mother was of distinguished lineage. I doubt he even considers commoners worth his attention… Ah, this is a headache.” Taifei sighed.
Jiang Huaichu merely smiled, his expression unwavering.
In truth, the situation was even more complicated.
If he accounted for everything, he had also offended Xiao Yun three years ago.
He had no idea whether the emperor held grudges—or whether he would refuse to appoint him outright.
Of course, he wouldn’t mention this and cause Taifei unnecessary concern.
“You wouldn’t believe how many examinees have booked private rooms in my establishment over the past few days, secretly hosting banquets for high-ranking officials. Many of them have close ties to the chief examiners. It’s all indulgence and excess—each gathering filled with songstresses and courtesans. How are you supposed to compete with that? The exams are just days away…” Taifei looked increasingly worried.
“Niang Niang need not worry for me,” Jiang Huaichu said calmly. “There is always a way.”
Taifei studied him for a moment. Now he seemed composed again. The young Wangye’s looks and demeanor were always deceiving—he evoked tenderness and sympathy, making people forget how calculating he truly was.
She sighed. “You asked me in your letter before, and I’ve taught you all I can. But everything I taught you is meant for the girls in my establishment—it may not work on Xiao Yun. To be honest, he’s been to our brothel before in disguise, and I’ve sent the best girls to him, but he never touched a single one. And I don’t mean ‘didn’t touch’ in the usual sense—I mean, not even the hem of their clothes. It’s as if he has some kind of affliction. You better not waste all your efforts on him, only to find out in the end that he’s… incapable.”
Seeing Jiang Huaichu remain silent, she knew he was embarrassed again. She chuckled. “I’m being serious.”
“I’ll do my best, but whether it works or not is another matter,” Jiang Huaichu said. “There are always unexpected variables. I never expected everything to go according to plan, nor do I think it’s guaranteed to succeed. If he truly… well, that too would just be another unexpected outcome. I’ll adapt accordingly. What I don’t want is to regret not having tried.”
Taifei considered this and nodded. “That’s fair. If anything goes wrong along the way, you can abandon the plan at any time. If he has any… unpleasant tendencies, or if it becomes unbearable, don’t force yourself. We don’t need him that badly.”
Jiang Huaichu lowered his head in silent suffering.
She laughed heartily. “And if it doesn’t work out, just treat this as a trip to Great Ning. It’s far more entertaining than Nanruo. You shouldn’t be buried in books all the time, nor constantly worrying over your brother. In fact, now that I think about it, this trip might actually be a break for you. I hear people say you’re usually so busy you’re never to be found.”
“It’s not so bad.”
“Xiao Yun is in the palace, and you won’t see him before the imperial exam anyway. If you’re free these next few days, come find me. I’ll show you around Northern Ning.”
Jiang Huaichu responded with a quiet acknowledgment.
She smiled and said, “If you run into anything confusing about this matter, come to me anytime. No one knows men better than I do.”
Jiang Huaichu hesitated, then nodded.
“What are you being so shy for? I’ve bathed you countless times when you were little—I’ve seen everything. You were always fair-skinned and pretty even back then. I remember telling your brother that his little brother was prettier than most girls, and that when you grew up, both women and men would be drawn to you.”
Jiang Huaichu looked up at her with a silent plea for mercy.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say any more,” she said, laughing. “No point thinking too far ahead when you haven’t even secured the Zhuangyuan title yet. By the way, when did you decide to take the imperial exam in Northern Ning? I had no idea.”
“I’ve been living near Northern Ning’s border. I had nothing better to do, and I wanted to understand the enemy better, so I took the exam. I didn’t overthink it at the time, but now it’s proving useful—”
“I’m telling you, His Majesty is the most handsome man in the world!” A loud voice suddenly interrupted, drowning out Jiang Huaichu’s words.
Both he and Taifei turned toward the source.
A group of young examinees sat around a table, clearly a little drunk, their faces animated with excitement.
“The Nanruo emperor is nothing! How could he even be mentioned in the same breath as our Northern Ning sovereign?”
Jiang Huaichu’s gaze turned cold.
“When Great Ning’s iron cavalry marches through, will Nanruo even exist anymore? Will there still be a Southern Huaiyi?”
The group of examinees burst into laughter, raising their voices in agreement.
Jiang Huaichu’s face remained expressionless, but his grip tightened around his teacup as he fought to restrain himself.
Young and arrogant scholars—always eager to debate every trivial matter, from state affairs to meaningless gossip, desperate to flaunt their intellect and curry favor with the right people. After more than a decade of studying, this was all they had to show for it.
Taifei placed a hand over his, speaking softly. “Great Ning people can be quite arrogant.”
After all, it was the most powerful nation in the world. Its citizens’ pride was only natural.
Jiang Huaichu’s voice was icy. “Do they insult my brother like this often?”
She was momentarily speechless.
Jiang Huaichu said nothing more, his expression unreadable.
“You’ll get used to it, there’s no hel—”
Before she could finish, the drunken scholars continued their jeering. But then, a clear and cool voice interrupted: “Southern Huaiyi is absolutely worthy.”
The already curious crowd immediately turned their heads in shock.
Upstairs, Xiao Yun had been idly observing the scene, just about to turn away, when he heard those words. Instantly intrigued, he narrowed his eyes.
A hush fell over the teahouse.
Someone was actually defending the Nanruo emperor here, in Northern Ning, of all places? And in the crowded Yixian Tower, where the conversation had revolved around the current sovereign? This person was either incredibly bold or utterly reckless.
Many examinees looked on with expressions of schadenfreude.
Although this man didn’t have an unfriendly face or demeanor, his features carried an overwhelming sense of threat. The current emperor was particularly mindful of appearances when selecting officials. Given that this person had appeared at Yixian Tower at this time, he was most likely an exam candidate — a rival. Naturally, the others didn’t show him any warmth; they could only hope he’d get himself into trouble.
The candidate who had just been flattering the emperor snapped out of his shock and shouted, “Who are you? A subject of Great Ning siding with Nanruo? Do you know the punishment for that?”
Taifei grew anxious for Jiang Huaichu.
“Who I am is not important,” Jiang Huaichu replied calmly, his tone serene. “What I said wasn’t to side with Nanruo, but for the sake of His Majesty — and for you, brother.”
“Utter nonsense!”
Laughter broke out around them as more and more people gathered to watch the commotion.
Jiang Huaichu remained unruffled, composed and graceful: “Southern Huaiyi, Northern Emperor’ — that phrase only refers to the two most handsome men in the land as acknowledged by the people. It’s clear to all that the North, Ning, is powerful while the South, Tuo, is weak, but that has no bearing on appearance. If you insist otherwise, then should a nation stronger than Ning arise, would His Majesty no longer be the most handsome man? Would you then shout that ‘His Majesty is nothing’?”
The candidate’s face blanched. “You—!”
Jiang Huaichu smiled. “Of course not. No matter the strength of a nation, His Majesty remains the most handsome.”
From his seat, Xiao Yun tugged up one corner of his mouth.
Jiang Huaichu continued, “The world judges for itself. Ordinary people may keep to themselves, say little, but in their hearts they know right from wrong. You think just because you say something about His Majesty, the world will follow your words? In front of everyone, you belittle a small, weak nation to elevate our Great Ning — isn’t that just making others resent His Majesty and our country, and losing the hearts of the people?”
Would you like a modernized version or one suited for a fantasy novel tone?
The one who had been loudly praising Xiao Yun recovered from his shock and snapped, “Who are you? A Great Ning citizen siding with Nanruo—do you know what that makes you?”
Taifei grew anxious for Jiang Huaichu.
“Who I am doesn’t matter,” Jiang Huaichu remained seated, unruffled. “And my words were not in support of Nanruo, but for the sake of His Majesty—and for your sake, too.”
“Bullsh*t!”
The room erupted with laughter, and more people gathered to watch.
Jiang Huaichu remained composed, his bearing as refined as ever. “‘Southern Huaiyi, Northern Emperor’—this phrase simply refers to the two most handsome men in the world, as recognized by all. It is obvious to everyone that Northern Ning is strong while Nanruo is weak, but what does that have to do with appearances? If you insist on equating the two, then should a more powerful nation rise, would that mean His Majesty is no longer the most handsome? Would you then cry out that ‘His Majesty is nothing’?”
The scholar’s face darkened. “You—”
Jiang Huaichu smiled faintly. “Of course not. No matter the strength of any nation, His Majesty remains the most handsome.”
Upstairs, Xiao Yun’s lips curled into a smirk.
Jiang Huaichu continued, “The world has its own opinions, and people live their lives as they see fit. Even if they do not speak aloud, they make their own judgments. Do you believe that just because you declare something, the world will conform to your words? If you publicly belittle a small and powerless nation while boasting about Great Ning, all you accomplish is making our emperor and our country detestable in the eyes of others, losing their goodwill and support.”
That person was both fearful and furious. “This is sophistry! You are openly praising the enemy nation’s emperor—what is your true intention?”
“That counts as praise? Brother, you must have a very narrow mind.”
The people around them were briefly stunned before bursting into laughter. The man grew even angrier. “You’re courting death!”
Jiang Huaichu replied, “A true man should not judge heroes by their looks alone. This is just idle chatter among the common folk—do you really think His Majesty is unaware of it? His Majesty knows all things but does not punish such talk, because he cherishes his people and possesses great wisdom. He does not bother with such trivial matters. His Majesty is a ruler of both literature and war, a sovereign for the ages—does he need to compete with others in terms of appearance? Or do you believe His Majesty has nothing but his looks to boast about?”
The man stammered in panic. “You…you, I-I certainly didn’t mean that—”
Jiang Huaichu sneered. “Setting aside whether His Majesty intends to wage war against Nanruo, if he does and Nanruo becomes part of our Northern Ning territory, then your words would be an insult to the citizens who have surrendered and joined us.”
“If His Majesty chooses not to go to war, then given Northern Ning’s strength, if Nanruo were to seek our protection and become a vassal state, your words would serve only to sow discord between Northern Ning and its allies. Can you bear such a crime?”
The examinee turned pale as death, his body beginning to tremble.
“Why chase momentary verbal victory at the cost of virtue, and disrespect His Majesty in the process? The world is won through strength and governance, not mere words. Insulting others only damages one’s own character and the nation’s dignity—what is the point?”
“A great nation does not bully the weak. A country belongs to its ruling family, but its people belong to the world. As scholars—the future pillars of the nation—every word and action represents Northern Ning’s reputation. Northern Ning is a vast and noble land, able to accommodate differences. If you lack even this degree of magnanimity, the world will only see us as a laughingstock!”
The entire hall fell into stunned silence, many lowering their heads in shame.
“What a statement—’The world is won through strength and governance, not mere words’!” In a private box, Xie Zhe exclaimed in astonishment.
He was visibly stirred, his eyes shining with admiration.
Xiao Yun chuckled. “What a sharp tongue.”
Xie Zhe noticed that the emperor remained composed, with an amused yet inscrutable smile. He hesitated before cautiously asking, “Your Majesty thinks he is wrong?”
After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat and added, “He did nothing but praise you.”
His Majesty had always been surrounded by sycophants, yet this person had praised him with precision, hitting every right note—even better than those who were trained in flattery. Normally, His Majesty would be enjoying this moment, laughing and calling the person perceptive.
Xiao Yun smirked and leisurely leaned back. “Xie Zhe, you’re still too inexperienced. When listening to people, you must pay attention not only to what they say but also to what they carefully avoid saying.”
Xie Zhe paused. “I am slow-witted.”
Xiao Yun looked up at him, a hint of mischief in his striking features. “He doesn’t think I’m the most handsome man in the world.”
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