The nine days and nights of the metropolitan examination had truly exhausted Zhao Baozhu. After returning to the Ye residence, he took a thorough bath, washed away all the grime from head to toe, changed into clean sleepwear, and almost blacked out the moment his head touched the pillow.
He slept like that for an entire day and night. Everyone in the Ye residence knew he was utterly exhausted and let him sleep as he pleased. It wasn’t until the evening of the next day that Fang Qin, seeing that this kind of deep slumber couldn’t go on, woke Zhao Baozhu, coaxed him to eat some easily digestible food, then had him drink a large bowl of red date and ginseng soup before letting him go back to sleep again.
The entire time, Zhao Baozhu was groggy, not even knowing what he had eaten. With his eyes half open and half closed, he swallowed everything down, tilted his head, and fell asleep again.
Fang Qin stepped lightly out of his room and shook his head at Deng Yun: “This metropolitan examination is truly torturous, I think half his soul was tested away.”
Zhao Baozhu usually ate with great appetite, gobbling like a little pig. Seeing him now eating without taste, his small face pale and wan, Fang Qin couldn’t help but sigh repeatedly. The old saying goes, “The sea of learning has no bounds; one must toil as a boat upon it.” Only now, seeing it with his own eyes, did he truly feel how difficult it was. For a moment, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration for Zhao Baozhu.
Deng Yun’s expression was also complicated: “That day when he collapsed at the gate, I thought he was some beggar… Who knows how much hardship he endured on his journey to the capital.” After saying that, he forced a smile, a hint of guilt on his face.
Seeing this, Fang Qin raised a hand and patted his shoulder in comfort: “Don’t overthink it. That day we were the same, fortunately we didn’t commit any serious mistakes… Baozhu is kind-hearted; he won’t blame you.”
Deng Yun nodded, then grew worried again: “But after suffering like this, if he doesn’t pass…”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Fang Qin immediately scolded him. “Don’t say such inauspicious things.” He turned his head to glance at the door, confirming Zhao Baozhu was still fast asleep, then continued, “Are you stupid? If he doesn’t pass this time, he can take it again in three years. Would the young master possibly not support his studies?”
Deng Yun suddenly understood: “Oh, right.”
Fang Qin snorted: “Calling you a blockhead really suits you!” Before Deng Yun could get annoyed, he sighed and said quietly, “The young master must be tired too, I just wonder how he is in the palace.”
Deng Yun froze, only then remembering Ye Jinghua. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Consort Chen is in the palace, she definitely won’t let the young master overexert himself. He’s probably asleep right now too.”
The emperor’s favor toward Ye Jinghua was exceptionally rare even among the imperial relatives in the capital. Back when Ye Jinghua served as study companion to the Fifth Prince, Emperor Yuanzhi, considering how far he lived and how he had to enter the palace before dawn every day, specially granted him a residence near the palace walls. At this time, Ye Jinghua must also be staying there, attended by servants sent by Consort Chen.
The two chatted a while longer before parting ways.
***
The next day, when the first ray of morning light fell across Zhao Baozhu’s eyelids, he woke up. With a “thump,” he sprang up from the bed. The pallor and fatigue from the previous days were completely gone, and he looked radiant. After washing away all the grime from his body and having a good sleep, Zhao Baozhu stretched lazily, feeling so comfortable he almost wanted to hum aloud.
When a person encounters happy events, their spirits are high. Zhao Baozhu found even the tender buds on tree branches pleasing to the eye, and even thought the turtle flipping over in the courtyard pond looked adorable.
“Baozhu.”
Seeing him walk out into the courtyard looking flushed and full of energy, Deng Yun waved at him from afar: “You’re awake? Come over and eat.”
Zhao Baozhu walked over happily. With a glance downward, he saw the round table filled with all kinds of delicate dishes. He exclaimed “Wow,” and before even sitting down, reached out and grabbed a piece of golden char siu pastry and stuffed it into his mouth.
Fang Li, sitting beside him, raised an eyebrow and said to his brother, “He’s recovered.”
Seeing this, Fang Qin smiled slightly as well: “It seems the ginseng sent from Tongzhou is indeed good.”
With his cheeks stuffed full of food, Zhao Baozhu looked up in confusion: “What?”
Seeing his appearance, Fang Qin laughed: “You don’t remember a thing.” Deng Yun chimed in from the side: “Look at how drowsy you were last night, what could you possibly remember?”
Hearing them take turns teasing him, Zhao Baozhu pouted unhappily: “What are you sayin’ about me?”
As he spoke, his cheeks moved like a hamster, chewing rapidly. Deng Yun laughed at him: “Just eat your food!”
After breakfast, Zhao Baozhu contentedly rubbed his stomach. Although he had food prepared by the Ye residence during the exam, his mind had been entirely focused on writing, every word carefully weighed, staying up until his eyes turned red, so he neither ate well nor slept well.
Now that he had fully recovered, Zhao Baozhu suddenly turned his head and asked, “Where’s the young master? Has he returned?”
Fang Qin replied, “Not yet. I heard he’s still in the palace attending the emperor.”
“Oh.” Zhao Baozhu felt a little disappointed. It seemed Ye Jinghua wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
He wondered what urgent matter the emperor had, just after the exam ended, he summoned him to the palace. He also wondered whether the young master could rest properly.
Now that Zhao Baozhu was clear-headed again, his mind began to turn once more. With the heavy burden of the exam lifted, many earlier doubts resurfaced one by one. Zhao Baozhu slowly frowned and asked Fang Qin: “You said yesterday that Steward Li returned to the main household?”
“Yesterday? That was the day before yesterday,” Fang Qin teased first, then frowned as well. “Yes. Come to think of it, it is strange. After we sent you and the young master into the exam grounds that day, when we came back, Steward Li was gone. The people below only said he had returned to the main household, nothing more.”
Hearing this, Deng Yun also came over, curious: “It really is strange. Baozhu, what exactly happened that day? When did you find your name card? Does the young master actually know?”
Zhao Baozhu frowned more deeply at this. The events of that day were indeed full of oddities. When he took out the name card at the exam grounds, he had clearly seen Ye Jinghua freeze for a moment. Though it lasted only an instant, that expression looked as if he didn’t know Zhao Baozhu was a juren. Combined with what happened that morning…
Zhao Baozhu had always been quick-witted. He only seemed foolish at times due to limited experience. Now that his mind was clear, connecting everything together, he immediately realized.
Something must have gone wrong with the letter he had asked Steward Li to deliver.
Zhao Baozhu’s expression turned grave. Could it be that Steward Li hadn’t delivered the letter? No, that couldn’t be, Ye Jinghua had clearly read it… Or perhaps he had tampered with it, concealing the part where Zhao Baozhu confessed to losing his name card and hiding his juren status?
The more Zhao Baozhu thought about it, the more it seemed likely. But why would Steward Li do such a thing? Zhao Baozhu had always found him kind and amiable, treating him well and being meticulous in serving Ye Jinghua, hardly someone who would act rashly.
If he really did it, there must be a reason.
Zhao Baozhu couldn’t figure out what it was. The letter was likely impossible to find now. Steward Li had returned to the main household, and Ye Jinghua was in the palace; he wouldn’t be able to see him anytime soon.
He would have to wait until Ye Jinghua returned to ask about it properly.
Since he couldn’t see him now, thinking more was useless. After breakfast, Zhao Baozhu returned to his room and began packing his things.
Previously, by a twist of fate, he had stayed in Ye Jinghua’s residence under the identity of a servant for many days. His food, clothing, and daily expenses had all been paid for by them, he had already received immense kindness. Now that the spring examination was over and his identity had been revealed, there was no reason for him to continue staying.
Zhao Baozhu didn’t have many belongings. He changed back into the coarse cloth clothes he had worn when he first entered the residence, wrapped his few books and brushes into a small cloth bundle, slung it over his back, and headed out.
At this time, he would go find an inn and stay a few days while waiting for the results. If he passed, he would wait for an official appointment; if not, he would pack up and return to his hometown. It was only a pity that he hadn’t been able to see Ye Jinghua. But that wasn’t difficult, he could simply come by every day to ask, and visit once Ye Jinghua returned from the palace.
At that time, they would interact properly as scholars. Having eaten and used so many good things from the young master, he must explain it clearly and repay everything in full.
Thinking this, Zhao Baozhu walked out with his small bundle. Glancing back at the plaque reading “Ruilai Courtyard” hanging on the gate, he felt a bit reluctant.
He wondered if he would ever have the chance in this lifetime to live in such a fine place again.
After a brief sigh, Zhao Baozhu turned back, only to suddenly bump into Deng Yun, who was heading toward the back courtyard.
Deng Yun was holding several registers, likely on his way to take attendance early in the morning. But upon seeing Zhao Baozhu like this, he stopped abruptly, even stepping back two paces, staring at him in confusion: “Baozhu, where are you going?”
Zhao Baozhu glanced at him and said, “I’m leaving. No need to see me off, you go ahead and do your work.”
Deng Yun was completely stunned by his words. Watching Zhao Baozhu walk past him with his small bundle, he quickly reached out and grabbed him: “Wait, wait, ” Deng Yun’s eyes widened. “What do you mean you’re leaving? Where are you going?”
Pulled off balance, Zhao Baozhu turned back to explain, “I’m going to find an inn to stay at. Thank you for taking me in during this time, I’ll come back another day to properly express my gratitude.”
Deng Yun stood there with his mouth open, completely dumbfounded. After a long moment, he said, “What nonsense are you talking about?” Gratitude? Inn? What was this guy doing?
Zhao Baozhu frowned: “What are you talking about? I really am leaving.” With that, he shook off Deng Yun’s hand and turned to go. This time, he wouldn’t take the wrong path. But the inn Lan Yu had pointed out was still quite a distance from the Ye residence. Walking there would take a good amount of time. While it was still early, he needed to set off quickly.
Seeing that he was truly leaving, Deng Yun panicked. He rushed forward and blocked him again: “What are you doing! Why are you leaving? You’re not allowed to go!”
Pulled back once more, Zhao Baozhu nearly stumbled. Turning around helplessly, he said, “Hey, it’s not like I’m never coming back. Once the young master returns, I’ll come to visit.” Seeing Deng Yun flushed red with anxiety and sweating profusely, he sighed and explained softly, “I’ve been freeloading here for so long. Now that the spring examination is over, how can I continue staying? I have to go, otherwise, if it gets dark later, it won’t be easy to travel.”
Zhao Baozhu had thought it through clearly. Though on the surface he had been treated as a servant, in truth he hadn’t done much work. If it were someone like Cao Lian, a friend with mutual exchanges, staying for a day or two could be considered a matter of sentiment. But as for him, he had eaten their food, lived under their roof, and even his studies had been taught by Ye Jinghua. Thinking about it himself, he felt ashamed of his own conduct. If he left now, it would also spare Ye Jinghua the difficulty of having to say anything after returning from the palace.
It would have been better if he hadn’t explained, once he did, Deng Yun was nearly angered to death. Zhao Baozhu kept saying he was leaving, and even planned to walk to an inn by himself? Taking ten thousand steps back, even if he were truly leaving one day, would the Ye residence begrudge the cost of a carriage?
Deng Yun was so angry he nearly fainted, his whole face flushed red. After a long while, he squeezed out through clenched teeth: “What do you mean ‘troubling us’? You, you think our Ye residence is what? Do you think we can’t even afford to feed one person? Not to mention one, even ten we could support!”
Zhao Baozhu grew even more baffled, widening his eyes: “What are you talking about? What does that have to do with anything?” As he spoke, he tugged at his arm, trying to break free from Deng Yun’s grip.
Too angry to speak, Deng Yun saw that Zhao Baozhu was determined to leave. He simply threw the registers in his hand aside, lunged forward, and wrapped both arms tightly around Zhao Baozhu, shouting: “Someone come quickly, someone come quickly, Baozhu is rebelling!!”
“What are you doing!” Zhao Baozhu was startled out of his wits and shouted, “Let me go!”
Deng Yun was much taller and sturdier than Zhao Baozhu. His arms were like iron hoops, clamping him in place. Zhao Baozhu couldn’t move at all; his feet were even lifted half an inch off the ground.
After struggling in vain, Zhao Baozhu shouted angrily: “Deng Yun! You scoundrel! Let me down this instant!”
Naturally, Deng Yun did not let go. Fang Qin and Fang Li, hearing the commotion in the front courtyard, hurried over, only to see Zhao Baozhu trapped in Deng Yun’s arms, kicking his legs in the air.
Fang Qin frowned: “What are you making a fuss about now?” He immediately stepped forward and scolded Deng Yun in a low voice: “What are you doing? Hurry and put Baozhu down! Have you no sense of propriety?”
Deng Yun wrinkled his nose in dissatisfaction but reluctantly released Zhao Baozhu, immediately complaining: “And you’re blaming me? If I didn’t stop him, he’d already be gone! He’d never come back!”
The moment Zhao Baozhu landed and steadied himself, he heard this and immediately turned back to glare at him: “When did I say I wouldn’t come back? Don’t slander me!”
Fang Qin frowned: “Leaving? You’ve only rested for one day, where is it so urgent that you need to go?”
Zhao Baozhu could argue confidently with Deng Yun, but now that Fang Qin and Fang Li were both here, he felt a bit embarrassed and stammered without answering. Seeing this, Deng Yun became even more animated and recounted the matter with embellishment, how Zhao Baozhu felt he was troubling them, thought the Ye residence was too grand for him to belong, and even planned to walk to an inn by himself. Hearing this, Fang Qin and Fang Li’s expressions changed, their brows gradually knitting together.
Unable to listen any longer, Zhao Baozhu glared at him angrily: “Stop making things up about me!”
Fang Qin frowned deeply and looked down at him: “Where are you going? You’re living here just fine, why leave?” Seeing him lower his head in silence, he softened his tone: “You were fine yesterday, what’s all this about today?”
Then, with a meaningful glance at Deng Yun, he added: “Did someone make you unhappy?” Deng Yun, inexplicably kicked while passing by, widened his eyes and shouted from the side, “What does it have to do with me?!”
Zhao Baozhu shook his head: “No one made me unhappy. It’s just that I really can’t stay any longer…”
Fang Qin’s brows furrowed even tighter. After a pause, he lowered his voice further: “Are you afraid you didn’t pass? Don’t overthink it, no matter how many times it takes, the young master will definitely support you.”
Zhao Baozhu was stunned upon hearing this, not knowing how Fang Qin had come to that conclusion, and hurriedly explained: “That’s really not it. I’ve already stayed in the residence for so many days and received care from you all and the young master. Now that the spring examination is over, how can I, a grown man, continue to rely on your support every day?”
Hearing this, Fang Qin paused, his serious expression gradually easing. So that was the reason. He sized Zhao Baozhu up from head to toe, finding it somewhat amusing that Zhao Baozhu so bluntly called himself a grown man, yet at the same time feeling a headache over this scholar’s stubborn integrity. He had long thought the boy was clever in daily life but occasionally obstinate, now it seemed the root of it lay here.
Seeing him silent, Zhao Baozhu pressed his lips together and glanced at Fang Li and Deng Yun: “Good brothers, just let me go.” With that, he reached out to push away Fang Qin’s hand that was blocking him and moved toward the door.
Though Zhao Baozhu pushed casually, his strength was not small. Fang Qin staggered half a step to the side, his brows twitching, first startled by Zhao Baozhu’s calf-like strength, then immediately chasing after him to block his way again: “Wait!”
Zhao Baozhu paused, looked up, and saw Fang Li turn to stand in front of him, his expression serious as he said, “Have you forgotten what happened last time with the young master?”
Zhao Baozhu froze, his expression changing slightly. Seeing that he remembered, Fang Li continued: “When you said you wanted to leave the residence, the young master was quite angry. If you leave like this and he comes back to find you gone, wouldn’t he be upset?”
Zhao Baozhu’s expression shifted subtly. Thinking back to Ye Jinghua’s frost-covered face that time, he immediately felt a slight chill. Ye Jinghua rarely got angry with him; that incident had indeed left a lingering shadow in his heart. Now that Ye Jinghua was in the palace, he didn’t know what he was thinking. If Ye Jinghua was angry, leaving first would preserve both their dignity. But if he wasn’t angry, then returning to find him gone might make him think Zhao Baozhu was being distant. Thinking this, he hesitated: “I… then this…”
Fang Qin seized the moment: “No matter what, wait until the young master returns before deciding. You’ve already stayed in this residence for so long, since you want to repay him, there’s no rush for just a day or two.”
Zhao Baozhu felt this made sense, and gradually began to hesitate, his stubbornness slowly fading. Taking advantage of this, Fang Qin reached out and finally pulled him back.
***
At the same time, the examination papers from the spring examination were collected one by one by the academic officials, bound and anonymized. After checking against the registry to ensure nothing was missing, they were presented to the chief examiner and associate examiners for marking. In the Hanlin Academy, a room was specially set aside for over a dozen examiners to review the papers.
At this moment, the examiners stood before the tables, one hand stroking their beards, the other holding brushes, each reviewing the paper before them. There was only one long wooden table in the room, and everyone stood around it, so that anyone at the head could see everyone’s expressions at a glance, who wore a smile as if bathed in spring breeze, and who furrowed their brows as if wanting to tear out their beards, all clearly visible to the chief examiner.
At this moment, one examiner with a broad face, fine beard, and tightly knit brows seemed unable to endure any longer. He raised his hand and slammed the exam paper onto the table: “Incoherent and incomprehensible!”
He was clearly furious, his face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead. Seeing this, another examiner beside him leaned over curiously and asked, “Yang Hanlin, what’s the matter?”
Yang Hanlin took several deep breaths, shoved the paper toward his colleague, and angrily pointed at the inked text: “Look at what this is supposed to be!”
The colleague was also curious what kind of essay could anger him so much. Taking the paper, he quickly skimmed it. They were seasoned Hanlin scholars who dealt with essays daily, reviewing countless candidates’ papers each year, so a quick glance was enough to grasp the general quality. This candidate’s two policy essays were indeed poorly answered. In the first, he compared Emperor Yuanzhi to the sage-kings Yao and Shun, seemingly trying to flatter the emperor, yet restrained himself due to the subsequent question, resulting in an essay that was neither here nor there. The writing was shallow and vague, never daring to address substance directly. The entire paper looked ornate, but in reality, it circled endlessly around poetic allusions, truly “incomprehensible.”
The colleague frowned as well: “No need to examine this further, just eliminate him.”
Yang Hanlin nodded: “Such sycophantic flatterers must absolutely not be selected!”
While the two were engrossed in discussion, they didn’t notice someone quietly approaching from behind. Suddenly, a hand reached out and lightly tapped Yang Hanlin on the shoulder.
Both turned around at once. Upon seeing who it was, they immediately bowed with cupped hands: “Greetings, Lord Shangshu.”
The newcomer wore a crimson robe embroidered with flying birds, had a round and kindly face, at first glance resembling Maitreya Buddha. He was none other than the current Shangshu of Rites and chief examiner of this spring examination, named Liang Kang. He appeared to be over sixty, with white hair and beard, yet showed no sign of frailty. His long, smiling eyes faintly gleamed with sharpness.
“No need for formalities. Rise,” he said with a wave of his hand.
Familiar with his temperament, the two straightened easily. Seeing his first-rank official attire and jade belt, they exchanged a glance and guessed, “Lord Shangshu, have you just come from the palace?”
Liang Kang smiled and nodded, sitting down in the sandalwood grand chair at the head. The two exchanged another look and, no longer in a hurry to read papers, stepped forward to inquire: “Has His Majesty… already reviewed that person’s paper?”
Liang Kang, seated in the grand chair as if dozing, opened his eyes slightly at this. His gaze lingered briefly on their faces before he somehow produced an exam paper and handed it to them: “See for yourselves!”
He then closed his eyes again, ignoring their astonished expressions, and returned to his rest.
Yang Hanlin and his colleague held the light sheet of paper, exchanging a startled look. Liang Kang had simply handed them the paper of the young master of the Ye family? Amid their surprise, they looked down, and saw the masterful handwriting on the page. It was unmistakably Ye Jinghua’s hand.
Setting everything else aside, Ye Jinghua’s calligraphy was unforgettable. Among all scholars in the realm, there were likely very few who could surpass him in this art. This was undoubtedly Ye Jinghua’s own spring examination paper.
The reason for their astonishment was that on the same day the papers were collected, Ye Jinghua’s had been singled out and sent to the palace.
That the emperor wished to see Ye Jinghua’s paper was not unexpected. The emperor’s favor toward the Ye family was well known throughout the court, and when Ye Jinghua had served as a study companion in the palace, Emperor Yuanzhi’s affection for him had been astonishing. It was said that the emperor summoned him almost every other day, asking about his studies above, and his food and clothing below. His attitude was less like that toward a subject, and more like toward a biological son, no different from how he treated the long-expected crown prince.
In recent years, things on the surface have become much more low-key. But anyone even slightly close to the court who made inquiries would know that the emperor’s attention toward this Second Young Master Ye had not diminished in the slightest. At a whim, he would send people out of the palace with edicts, and from time to time summon him into the palace to attend him. The imperial favor he received was truly unmatched.
Thus, when it was heard that only Ye Jinghua’s examination paper had been sent into the palace, the examiners all began to form their own judgments. They had also heard of the undercurrent of rivalry between Ye Jinghua and the legitimate grandson of the Chang family. They had read that young man’s paper as well, it was indeed brilliantly written. So everyone privately speculated that, most likely, fearing Ye Jinghua might be overshadowed, His Majesty had sent his paper into the palace early. They themselves only needed to sort the papers at hand into the top ranks, after all, the choice of the first-ranked candidate had long since been decided by the emperor.
But they had not expected that today, after Liang Kang entered the palace, he would actually bring the paper back.
“This…” Yang the editor held the paper in his hands, glancing somewhat hesitantly at the dozing Liang Kang. “Lord Shangshu, this paper is…”
Liang Kang sat motionless in the grand chair, as if impatient, lifting a finger slightly: “Read it through first.”
Hearing this, the two did not ask further, lowering their heads to read the paper. In truth, among the examiners, curiosity toward this widely renowned prodigy, the Second Young Master Ye who had topped the provincial exam at just twelve, had long been difficult to suppress. For a moment, all the examiners in the Hanlin Academy gathered around, reading the paper together.
At the head, Liang Kang lifted his eyelids slightly, then closed them again, tacitly permitting their neglect of duty.
The room fell so silent that even a pin drop could be heard. These examiners had read not tens of thousands but at least thousands of spring examination papers; they usually skimmed rapidly, reading ten lines at a glance. But soon, their gazes slowed, their expressions growing increasingly grave, astonishment surfacing on their faces.
After a long while, Yang Hanlin, standing at the front, held the edge of the paper with a trembling hand. Raising his brows, he opened his mouth and suddenly exclaimed: “Excellent!”
