Initially thinking this was merely a scheme targeting the Minister of Rites, the situation spiraled out of control by the next day. Rumors spread like wildfire that the top candidate in the imperial examination was not only incompetent but had even purchased his provincial scholar title...
These shocking accounts were so vividly detailed that disbelief became impossible.
"Who is the top candidate in the metropolitan examination?" Shen Xihe hadn’t paid much attention the day before.
"A man named He from Wuzhou, said to be a distant relative of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy..." Zhenzhu relayed the basic information.
"To the Eastern Palace." Shen Xihe’s expression turned grave upon hearing this.
This was no hastily devised plan by Xiao Huayong—it was a long-brewing scheme involving officials from the capital to the provinces. One misstep could result in half the court officials being replaced.
"Youyou, why didn’t you inform me earlier of your visit? I would have prepared more of your favorites." Xiao Huayong presented a plate of cherries.
As the first fruit of spring, cherries were the most sought-after delicacy in the capital. Newly appointed scholars were even honored with "Cherry Banquets" upon the release of examination results. These rare, precious fruits were typically served in small portions.
The cherries, glistening and ruby-red in a multicolored glass bowl, looked irresistibly tempting.
"Your Highness, you..." Shen Xihe was taken aback.
If she remembered correctly, Xiao Huayong had suffered from twelve years of lingering poison due to a bowl of Cheese Cherry. She assumed he would detest or even avoid cherries, never expecting him to offer them so openly.
Xiao Huayong saw through her thoughts instantly: "Youyou thought I’d avoid them?"
He wiped his hands, picked up a cherry, deftly removed its stem, and split it without spilling a drop of juice. After pitting it, he placed it in another glass bowl and pushed it toward Shen Xihe.
"Before meeting you, I never allowed myself weaknesses." He had indeed loathed cherries initially. But when he resolved to stand firm, his first act was to eat cherries until they no troubled him—a practice that honed his skillful preparation.
Nothing and no one had ever made him hesitate or fear... until Shen Xihe.
He believed everyone should have a soft spot in their hearts, and for him, Shen Xihe was the tenderness he had long lost and could not refuse.
"Try them. These cherries are grown in the Eastern Palace’s garden." Xiao Huayong had planted many fruit trees there, always in pairs—originally for aesthetics, but now he saw it as a symbol of union. "In a while, we’ll have loquats too.Shen Xihe admired his calm attitude toward cherries. She didn’t decline, picking up her chopsticks to taste one: "Sweet and mellow, with a lingering richness."
These were exceptional cherries. She had eaten them in Linchuan before, but none from the northwest could compare—Linchuan’s cherries were never this juicy or addictive.
"These two cherry trees were planted seven years ago. At first, the fruit was sour and astringent. I consulted experienced farmers and spent three to four years cultivating them into sweetness." Seeing her enjoyment, Xiao Huayong continued preparing more cherries for her. "Starting tomorrow, I’ll have Tianyuan deliver a plate to you daily."
Cherries stayed freshest on the tree, and moderation was key—one plate per day was ideal.
"But these are precious. What about the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty...""This is my treat. Grandmother and Your Majesty need only accept this filial devotion. Grandmother should not eat too much, as it may cause bloating." Xiao Huayong interrupted Shen Xihe. "I also know several dishes made with cherries. Another day, I shall invite Youyou to share them."
"I shall certainly come." Shen Xihe thought she would bring other delicacies when the time came. She then reflected on how remarkable it was that Xiao Huayong had even sought advice from elderly farmers. "Your Highness, have you visited many rural areas?"
"Yes." Xiao Huayong replied. "Once I asked my tutor how one becomes a true ruler. He said if I could understand the common people, the merchants, the relationship between citizens and officials, and the divide between rich and poor, then I could become a sovereign."
At that time, he merely wanted to become someone who held power over life and death. His tutor saw the fear and resentment in his eyes, so he sent him to observe these aspects of society. Through extensive observation, he gradually opened his mind, and with greater knowledge, he became someone who no longer blamed heaven or others.
"There is no one in this world I cannot understand." Xiao Huayong lowered his gaze, his hands never ceasing their movement. "I know Youyou came today regarding the imperial examination fraud case. This is something I began planning three years ago."
"Your Highness, is your goal merely to replace some court officials and cultivate your own influence?" Shen Xihe admitted she couldn't fully comprehend all the implications of Xiao Huayong's actions, which was why she came directly to the Eastern Palace to ask him.
"That is merely a secondary benefit." Xiao Huayong spoke candidly with Shen Xihe. "Did you know I once participated in the imperial examinations under an assumed name? Your Majesty, in his efforts to suppress the noble families, discovered the advantages of promoting scholars from humble backgrounds. While this indeed greatly benefits the court and the nation, anything pursued too hastily will not achieve lasting success."
After purging the eunuchs, Your Majesty held Special Imperial Examinations for two consecutive years, rapidly cultivating a group of scholars from poor families. Subsequently, large numbers of talented individuals were admitted each year to dismantle the powerful families. However, he didn't realize that his emphasis on candidates from humble origins drove many to take desperate risks in hopes of achieving instant success.
There were merchants' sons who paid large sums to have substitutes take the exams, wealthy families who bribed examiners with vast amounts of money, and even those who paid off inspectors to smuggle materials into the examination hall. Yet these weren't the worst offenses. The most egregious case was what Xiao Huayong personally experienced - his examination paper was replaced right in the examination hall.
"Replaced!" Shen Xihe exclaimed in shock.
"Replaced, precisely in Wuzhou." That was why he was now making an example of Wuzhou. "The grading examiner brazenly replaced my examination paper with someone else's. When I went to the authorities to seek justice, I was treated as a troublemaker disrupting court proceedings and thrown into prison."
At that time, Xiao Huayong endured in silence because he knew he could clean up corruption in that particular place, but couldn't deter others elsewhere.
To make these people understand how heinous their actions were and ensure they wouldn't dare entertain such wicked thoughts in the future, only a bloody purge would suffice. For at least ten years, the mere mention of it would strike fear in people's hearts, allowing truly aspiring scholars to emerge.
"So that's how it is." Shen Xihe felt increasing admiration for Xiao Huayong. Perhaps due to their different positions and experiences, Xiao Huayong possessed greater clarity and thoroughness than His Majesty. What he learned from his tutor reached heights other princes could never achieve in their lifetimes.
If he were to become the sovereign in the future, no one would likely be able to deceive him about anything.As they chatted, Xiao Huayong unknowingly finished sorting a plate of cherries, and Shen Xihe had eaten them all. When Xiao Huayong looked up and met Shen Xihe's admiring and appreciative gaze, his smile suddenly took on an ambiguous hint: "If Youyou keeps looking at me like this, I might not be able to restrain myself..."
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