Two days later was the announcement day, with crowds swarming before the Examination Hall.
The Crown Prince sat in an unremarkable carriage dressed in plain clothes, accompanied by Hua Zhi and Hua Bolin.
"Elder Sister, isn't that our cousin?"
Hua Zhi nodded. Not only had their cousin come, but she also spotted many familiar faces—Shen Qi, Jiang Huanran, Liu Ruyi, Chu Sheng... all scions of noble families. Could it be that these people had also taken the imperial examination?
"They participated in this year's Restricted Hall Examination." The Crown Prince had also noticed them, his smile broadening. Although the Great Qing Dynasty wasn't jointly ruled by the imperial family and noble clans, their relationship wasn't easily disentangled. From his position, he was pleased to see noble sons striving for advancement.
Hua Zhi was quite surprised. Though this path remained a shortcut compared to ordinary scholars who studied diligently for over a decade, very few noble scions were willing to take it. Ultimately, it required both confidence and mental preparation for potential humiliation—two qualities many noble heirs lacked.
"The results are posted!"
With the strike of a gong, two officers carried out a large red paper and pasted it on the wall. Instantly, everyone surged forward. Soon, a servant squeezed out from the crowd, jumping gleefully before running off with a wide grin—undoubtedly signaling his master's success. Others displayed tension, disappointment, or affected nonchalance through loud debates, creating a complete spectrum of reactions.
The three observers watched this microcosm of human emotions in silence.
When the second and third notices were posted, the remaining candidates grew truly anxious.
The Great Qing Dynasty selected eighty candidates per imperial examination, with twenty names on each announcement. Only one final notice remained.
As the last gong resonated, conversations dwindled. Some minds went completely blank—this final notice would determine whether years of effort had borne fruit.
"I passed! Brother Yuan, you passed too! Look here, right below my name!" A booming voice shattered the cautious atmosphere. Hua Zhi found it familiar, while Hua Bolin exclaimed joyfully, "Elder Sister, it's Brother Yu!"
Yu Xiasheng? He actually passed. And that "Brother Yuan"—could he be the one betrothed to Second Sister? Hua Zhi felt complex emotions. These two had grown close even before becoming relatives.
Still, she felt pleased. With this achievement, their future paths would be smoother. Her younger sister was still young—by the time she married, the Hua family would be at its peak, ensuring a prestigious match. If sisters' status differed too greatly, resentment would inevitably follow.
"Hahaha! This young master passed!" Jiang Huanran emerged from the crowd nearly delirious, looking ready to shout his triumph to the heavens.
Several more passing announcements followed. Watching the jubilant faces, Hua Zhi chuckled softly, "If the chief examiner weren't the Grand Tutor, I'd suspect intentional leniency."
Surprisingly, everyone she knew seemed to have passed. Their cousin was understandable—he'd always been diligent—but Jiang Huanran was Beijing's notorious wastrel! How many jaws would drop at this news!
"The Grand Tutor did show leniency."
Hua Zhi looked over in surprise. The Grand Tutor wasn't known for being accommodating!
"These years, noble families have grown too rigid. While seniority matters, incompetent heirs shouldn't occupy positions while talented ones face suppression. Continuing this decline benefits no one.""Have you discussed this matter with the Grand Tutor? He actually agreed?"
"I only wanted to give them a chance after learning they had registered for the Lock Hall Examination. Though each has their flaws, they still possess genuine passion. Grand Tutor, have you noticed how much weight Jiang Huanran has lost? That he could persevere through these months of intense study already earns my admiration." The Crown Prince leaned lightly against the carriage window, a faint smile gracing his features. "The Grand Tutor is well aware of the shortcomings of noble families. Perhaps he also feared dampening my enthusiasm and thus indulged my whims this once. As for the outcome, we shall have to wait and see."
Observing the elated scholars outside, Hua Zhi also smiled. "Your Highness is wise."
"All credit goes to your excellent tutorship, Grand Tutor."
Such vibrant vitality—whether in the Crown Prince or those scholars outside—they would all become the hope of Daqing. If we can repel the Chao Li Tribe, Hua Zhi thought, if we can drive out the foreign invaders, Daqing will usher in its golden age.
Zhu Ziwen sensed something and turned toward the carriage, his gaze meeting Hua Zhi's directly. Having not seen each other for some time, he was momentarily stunned by the unexpected encounter.
Hua Zhi inclined her head slightly toward him before lowering the carriage curtain. "Let us return to the palace."
"Brother Ziwen, what is it?"
Shen Qi followed his gaze toward the departing carriage. That was...
"My eyes deceived me," Zhu Ziwen deftly changed the subject. "To think all of us passed without anyone falling behind—shouldn't we properly celebrate with drinks?"
"Let's drink! Come, I know a place with excellent wine and even better company, haha!" Jiang Huanran waved to his servant, and the gathered attendants hurried over with their horses.
Shen Qi remained motionless. That was the young lady in the carriage, wasn't it? Her earth-shattering words from days prior had already spread throughout the capital. He couldn't help but wonder how profoundly moved he would have been had those words been directed at him—likely willing to lay down his life for her. Such profound devotion! How could he have imagined that the seemingly timid girl from their first meeting would possess such fortitude.
"Let's go, let's go! Brother Shen, hurry up!"
"Coming." Mounting his horse, Shen Qi urged it forward with a light press of his heels, allowing the growing emptiness in his heart to sink deeper into unfathomable depths.
"The Palace Examination is scheduled in five days," the Crown Prince announced upon their return to the palace, getting straight to business. "What does the Grand Tutor think?"
It was rather rushed—conventionally, the Palace Examination should be held twelve days after the release of the metropolitan exam results. However, given current circumstances, delay was inadvisable. Hua Zhi nodded. "Acceptable. Will the examination questions remain unchanged?"
"Unchanged."
Once the official notice was posted, Zhu Ziwen—who had just indulged in celebratory drinks—was sobered by a bucket of cold water from Minister Zhu. Fearing his grandfather's reprimand, he hastily revealed having witnessed his cousin and the Crown Prince sharing a carriage.
Minister Zhu frowned slightly. "You saw clearly?"
"Yes, I'm certain I wasn't mistaken." Zhu Ziwen grew serious. "If others were to see, there would inevitably be gossip."
"Was the carriage curtain open?"
"Yes."
Minister Zhu paced back and forth several times before finally sighing. "Zhi Er has always conducted herself with propriety. Since she dares to act this way, she isn't afraid of gossip. You need not mention this when you see her next."
"But for siblings to accompany the sovereign together... shouldn't they maintain some distance?""One as Grand Tutor, one as study companion—how to avoid it?" The Hua family shouldn't be thinking about how to avoid it, but how to retreat. Only when Hua Yizheng returns and the Hua family fully restores its position will it reach its peak. Yet after reaching the peak comes decline—this principle Hua Yizheng understands, and Zhi Er must surely understand it too. Perhaps it's precisely because she understands that she seizes the opportunity to do what she can while she still can.
Thinking of that audacious granddaughter of his, Minister Zhu felt both pride and a headache. Glancing at his grandson reeking of alcohol, he found him even more displeasing. "You are not to leave home before the Palace Examination. We'll settle accounts with you later."
PS: Having explained what needed to be explained, the major plot developments will follow.
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