Gu Qin watched her put away the brush and clean the inkstone, his gaze involuntarily drifting back to the characters on the paper. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Does Leyan have someone in her heart?"
His tone carried a hint of hesitation.
Shen Zhili let her sleeves fall, replying softly, "Indeed."
He was taken aback, then asked again, "From which family is the young master?"
But she remained silent, lowering her head to gaze at the scroll on the table.
Gu Qin turned and paced a few steps, his brow furrowing. "A few days ago, His Majesty and several senior ministers from the Secretariat were discussing the matter of the Crown Prince's consort selection. You..."
Shen Zhili’s expression abruptly darkened as she interrupted him, "I am honored that His Majesty and the Chancellor think so highly of Leyan. But has the Chancellor considered that the Crown Prince is not one to be manipulated in such matters? Rather than speaking to me about this now, why not ask the Crown Prince what he thinks?"
He hadn’t expected such a reaction from her, and his expression turned slightly displeased. "You and the Crown Prince grew up together since childhood. It’s not unreasonable for people to think this way..."
She sneered, "The Chancellor has watched me grow up since I was young as well. By that logic, what should become of the relationship between you and me?"
"Nonsense!" Gu Qin’s face flushed with anger. "How can such words be spoken so carelessly?"
Shen Zhili’s sleeves dropped abruptly as she turned and strode toward the door, her eyes already reddening uncontrollably. Suppressing her emotions, she spoke in a stiff voice, "I have said all I came to say today. It is inconvenient to stay any longer. I hope the Chancellor takes good care of himself."
Without waiting to hear another word from him, she rushed out the door.
The warmth of his hand where he had held the brush still lingered on her fingertips, the faint scent of vermilion ink still wrapped in her palm.
Scattered grass brushed against her skirt, the peach blossoms blooming in vain with no one to admire them.
·
On the eighteenth day of the fourth month of the twenty-fourth year of Qiande, the Female Scholar Examination administered by the Ministry of Rites commenced. A curfew was imposed on the seven streets south of the Imperial Academy near Nanque Gate and east of the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall, prohibiting carriage traffic by day and pedestrian movement by night.
Three days later, when the candidates emerged from the examination hall, Gu Qin, the chief examiner for the Ministry of Rites Examination, ordered the relevant officials to follow protocol by sealing the examination papers for grading. All affairs of the Secretariat were temporarily handled by the Right Chancellor, Xu Ting.
On the fifth day of the fifth month, the results of the Female Scholar Examination were announced. Meng Tinghui, the top candidate from the Chaoan North Circuit, claimed the highest position, judged as the principal graduate of the Ministry of Rites Examination.
The news spread throughout the capital in less than half a day, causing an uproar. No one had expected that Meng Tinghui, who had previously "struck luck" in the provincial examination, would once again take the top honor in the Ministry of Rites Examination.
For a time, opinions varied—some claimed she was the reincarnation of the literary star, while others insisted she was merely extraordinarily fortunate. Regardless of the speculation, nearly everyone eagerly anticipated the palace examination half a month later—
Could this Meng Tinghui also secure the top position in the palace examination, becoming the first female scholar in the history of the Great Ping Dynasty to achieve the triple crown?
·
Night had already fallen, and the area outside the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall was particularly desolate. Inside the courtyard, warm lamplight glowed, revealing through the paper windows that many officials were still busy at work.
As Gu Qin instructed the sealing and cataloging of examination papers, he asked an official from the Court of State Ceremonial beside him, "Having been confined to the examination hall for over half a month, I am unaware of the essay topic proposed by the Secretariat and the Chancellery for the palace examination. Has it been submitted for His Majesty’s review?"
The official from the Court of State Ceremonial shook his head. "It hadn’t been submitted as of yesterday. I don’t know if it has been presented today."
Gu Qin looked puzzled. "Not yet? In previous years, the topic would have been finalized by now, sealed by the Grand Academician, and placed on record. Why is it so delayed this year?"
Those around him shook their heads, indicating they did not know.
Suddenly, a young man’s voice came from outside the door—"A late-night disturbance, I wonder if Minister Gu would permit me to enter?"
Gu Qin turned and, recognizing the visitor, hurried forward a few steps, bending as if to perform a grand bow, saying, "I did not know Your Highness would come. I have failed to welcome you properly."
Ying Gua reached out to support him. "I came on a whim. Just now, leaving the Six Ministries, as my carriage passed the street corner, I saw the lights still on in the Examination Hall. I thought Minister Gu must be sealing the examination papers, so I came to take a look."
Gu Qin quickly stepped aside. "Your Highness, please take the seat of honor."
But he did not sit, instead walking to the desk and glancing over it briefly before turning to ask, "May I borrow the policy essay of Meng Tinghui, the top candidate in this year's Ministry of Rites examination?"
Gu Qin's expression stiffened slightly. After a long pause, he replied in a low voice, "Your Highness, forgive me, but this is against regulations."
Ying Gua glanced at the Honglu Temple officials nearby, then turned back to Gu Qin. "Minister Gu, you may not yet know that His Majesty has already issued an edict for me to preside over the palace examination in His stead."
Gu Qin was first stunned, then greatly alarmed, stammering, "This... this..." It took him a while to form more words: "...I truly did not know of this."
His mind, however, was churning with tumultuous thoughts.
Those personally examined by the Emperor for the jinshi degree had always been called "Disciples of the Son of Heaven." Now, the Emperor intended to have the Crown Prince preside over the palace examination—clear evidence that the Emperor had truly resolved to abdicate and transfer governance.
If so, wouldn't the female jinshi of this year's cohort become the first officials personally appointed after the Crown Prince's ascension, bearing extraordinary responsibilities?
He inwardly sighed bitterly but showed no expression, turning to order the nearby officials to bring over the sealed policy essays. He retrieved Meng Tinghui's paper and presented it with both hands: "Since Your Highness is to preside over the palace examination on His Majesty's behalf, there should be no harm in reviewing it."
Ying Gua took it, turned his back to the light, unrolled the paper, first examining it carefully, then scanning it quickly. His eyes darkened slightly as he turned back to Gu Qin. "Bring me the policy essays of the top five candidates on the list."
Gu Qin nodded, and the officials beside him hastily retrieved the papers and presented them.
After reading each one, Ying Gua's expression grew cold. He looked up at Gu Qin. "Although Meng Tinghui's essay is well-written, I fail to see how it significantly surpasses the others. Why did you judge her as the top candidate?"
As Gu Qin was about to speak, Ying Gua added, "Could it be that she had the opportunity to send an Invitation Card to your residence before the examination?"
His tone was icy, clearly accusatory.
Gu Qin lowered his head slightly. "I did receive her Invitation Card, but it was not delivered by her personally. Shen Zhili delivered it on her behalf."
Ying Gua abruptly turned, his eyebrows raised. "Is that true?"
Gu Qin nodded. "How would I dare deceive Your Highness? Although Meng Tinghui's policy essay is on par with the others, her understanding of worldly affairs is far more refined. Years ago, His Majesty decreed that grading for the jinshi Ministry of Rites examination should not be anonymized, intending to select officials more broadly. Since the aim is broad selection, we should not judge merit solely by essays. In my view, anyone for whom Shen Zhili would personally deliver an Invitation Card to my residence will surely not be an ordinary figure in the court."
Ying Gua's fingers tightened on the paper. He looked down again at the name on the essay, a furrow forming between his brows.
After a long silence, he placed the paper back on the desk without another word.
Gu Qin thought for a moment, then added, "As for the distinctions in talent and the quality of the essays, Your Highness may assess them in detail after the palace examination."
Ying Gua nodded slowly, clasped his hands behind his back, and prepared to leave.Gu Qin called out from behind, "Your Highness," and only when he stopped did he hurriedly add, "I just heard that the Grand Secretariat has yet to present the palace examination questions to His Majesty for approval."
Ying Gua turned his head and said quietly, "His Majesty's decree states that I am to set the questions for this palace examination."
Gu Qin was stunned once more, taking a long moment to collect himself. "Might I ask if Your Highness would allow me to review the chosen questions?"
He shook his head, his expression seeming unwilling to discuss the matter further. "You will know when the day of the palace examination arrives, Minister Gu."
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