On the stage, the "Selection" for the male group was still ongoing.
The Classics and Contemporary Essays sections were conventional, attracting many challengers. As long as one had an excellent memory or had studied thoroughly, it was generally easy to stand out. In contrast, very few chose the Strategy and Discourse section.
Strategy and Discourse involved proposing arguments on current state affairs, making it highly practical. This section was also the closest to real governance. Most of the young students present were still ignorant of court matters, except for a few who had begun receiving private tutoring from their families. Few could offer sound strategic advice, making this section the most challenging. Yet, if one truly excelled, it was akin to having one foot already in the door of officialdom.
Shen Miao gazed at the chessboard before her.
Back then, Pei Lang's Conduct and Law Strategy had been composed during the third round of the "Challenge." In this segment, males could challenge females, females could challenge males, and students could even challenge their teachers.
One male student had challenged Pei Lang, the teacher. Pei Lang, a man of extraordinary talent, had swiftly crafted a discourse in just a few moves on stage—eloquent, well-reasoned, and grounded in classical references without being ostentatious, each point striking at the heart of the matter. It was truly breathtaking.
At the time, it had caught the attention of several princes. But Pei Lang was an eccentric; he insisted he only wished to remain a teacher of calligraphy and arithmetic at the Hall of Extensive Learning, with no further ambitions. His stance was firm. If not for Fu Xiuyi’s repeated gestures of humility and even Shen Miao’s advice later on, Pei Lang might never have entered officialdom at all.
The chessboard was a crisscross of moves, much like her past life. She lightly brushed her sleeve, scattering the pieces.
Shen Miao placed a piece down. Starting a new game—how about beginning with her?
Gao Yan adjusted his sleeves and smoothed his hair, asking his attendant, "How do I look?"
"Young Master is dashing and handsome, a true gentleman..." The attendant was quick with flattery.
Gao Yan smirked smugly and was about to rise and step onto the stage when Gao Jin, sitting beside him, grabbed his arm and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Going for the Selection," Gao Yan replied.
Gao Jin frowned. He knew his younger brother’s capabilities all too well. Not only was he incompetent, but he also loved showing off. With the Gao family’s influence in the capital steadily rising, now was not the time for mistakes. "What exactly can you do?" Gao Jin pressed.
To Gao Yan, these words stung. Though they were brothers born of the same mother, whenever people spoke of the Gao family, it was always Gao Jin who received praise. Gao Jin was refined and handsome, while he was rough and dark-skinned. Gao Jin had been assisting their father with official matters from a young age, while every time he tried to discuss court affairs, their father would shake his head impatiently. Though there had been no real conflict between them, the disparity in others' perceptions had created a rift. Gao Yan, already sensitive and insecure under his brother’s shadow, was now infuriated by Gao Jin’s words. Any hesitation he had about whether his prepared essay was too impressive—too flashy—vanished instantly.
With a sharp tone, he retorted, "Elder Brother, though I may not be as clever as you, I’m not a complete incompetent either. There’s no need to stop me—it’s not like I’ll steal your spotlight."Gao Jin sensed the implication in Gao Yan's words and paused. Before he could speak, Gao Yan pushed past him and leisurely stepped onto the stage, loudly declaring from afar, "I choose 'Policy Discourse'!"
Policy Discourse?
There were those in the Hall of Extensive Learning who recognized Gao Yan, and naturally, all eyes turned toward him. Strangely enough, though Gao Yan himself lacked talent, he performed decently in the Hall. This was because his assignments and essays were always ghostwritten. While he couldn’t be called a great scholar, he was still considered excellent.
Thus, when he took the stage, no one was particularly surprised. After all, the "Selection" was meant to showcase one’s best-prepared work. However, "Policy Discourse" was inherently difficult, so the previously noisy hall fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the young man in green standing on the stage.
The few students who had chosen "Policy Discourse" earlier had already recited their policies aloud, but none were particularly impressive. As Gao Yan stepped forward, Gao Jin frowned.
"I didn’t expect Gao Yan to dare challenge 'Policy,'" Feng Anning remarked curiously. "If it were Gao Jin, I’d feel more at ease."
Shen Miao paused her chess game and looked toward the stage.
Once everything was ready, Gao Yan pulled out a sheet of paper and began reading slowly.
"Laws are the framework of a nation, much like the beams of a house, supporting its rise to the heavens..." His recitation was rhythmic and measured, and the initially amused expressions of the audience gradually faded. Especially the officials seated at the front, who now regarded the young man on stage with solemn attention.
"Gao Jin’s younger brother is indeed not lacking," Prince Zhou remarked, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Such a policy discourse—even the ministers at court might not have such incisive insights."
"Truly impressive," Jing Wang nodded in agreement. "Moreover, this young man is quite youthful. Given time, he will surely rise above the ordinary."
Fu Xiuyi watched the figure on stage quietly. Though his expression remained unchanged, his fingers unconsciously rubbed together—a habit whenever he was deep in thought or forming a new plan.
Clearly, Gao Yan’s actions had given him fresh considerations.
As for Pei Lang, he stiffened the moment Gao Yan uttered his first sentence. For some reason, he felt an inexplicable familiarity with Gao Yan’s policy discourse. Yet, despite his exceptional memory, he couldn’t recall ever having read it before. Still, this overwhelming sense of déjà vu unsettled him, usually so composed. It was as if he could predict every next line Gao Yan spoke—so familiar it felt like his own work.
Shen Miao smiled faintly and turned her gaze away from the young man on stage, refocusing on the chessboard. She picked up a piece and placed it casually at the edge.
"What kind of move is that?" Feng Anning asked. "You’re just playing randomly, aren’t you? Who places a piece so far away?"
"Far?" Shen Miao shook her head.
Every chess piece has its purpose. This seemingly useless, discarded piece—how far could it go? Even if it now appeared miles away from the heart of the game, in the future, it might prove indispensable for the general’s strategy.
Could anyone see it now?
In a distant pavilion overlooking the stage, Su Mingfeng fanned himself lightly and remarked, "I wonder where Gao Yan found this policy discourse. It’s written with remarkable flair. I’d like to meet the person who composed it.""So what if we know him?" Across from him, the youth in the purple robe spoke lazily. He sat entirely by the window of the pavilion, leaning casually against the frame, half his body almost hanging out.
"Must be a well-informed and erudite gentleman," Su Mingfeng said dismissively. "If we could befriend him, it would surely be of great benefit."
Xie Jingxing scoffed and glanced toward the stage, a crabapple blossom appearing in his hand.
The flower had yet to wither, as fresh and lovely as if it had just been plucked. It seemed to carry a faint fragrance, yet there was something chilling about it.
"That’s not necessarily true."
...
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