Chapter 149 Wild Fox: Allowing you to return to Dahuang and complete the reform is the bottom line.

The imperial examination system, to put it bluntly, is an arena for fame and fortune, behind which lies the officialdom. The officialdom controls the imperial examination system; if the officialdom is corrupt, the imperial examination system cannot be clean either. Preventing candidates from cheating is only the beginning of maintaining the fairness of the imperial examinations.

Students from impoverished backgrounds make up only a small portion of the examinees; the majority of students from wealthy families are backed by deeply entrenched and complex forces, making it no easy task to completely eliminate their cheating.

Inside the Hengjian Hall of the Imperial Examination Hall, eighteen ram's horn lamps illuminated the long vermilion-lacquered table. The thirty-six examiners, arranged in six rows, cast flickering shadows on the screen as they bent over their desks.

Feng Tan dipped his wolf-hair brush in ink and spread it across the vermilion paper. As he reviewed the paper, he said in a clear voice, "Gentlemen, please remember: the people are the foundation of the nation, and officials are the pillars of the nation. All the emperor's students come from this. A single mistake can cost a student ten years of blood and tears!"

The thirty-six examiners were taken aback and unanimously agreed. They all recognized the importance of this imperial examination to Lady Feng. Since the reform of the Golden Palace, she had suffered setbacks because she had no female allies in the court. She urgently needed a fresh batch of blood to inject into the court and carry out the reform.

But how many women are needed in the court to make the goal of equality possible?

Feng Tan didn't know the answer, because this wasn't a simple numbers game, but a comprehensive transformation from quantity to quality, from the imperial court to the common people.

Her ultimate goal was not to pursue gender equality in the court, but to create a political environment where everyone, regardless of gender, could compete fairly based on their talents, and where women's perspectives and needs could be naturally incorporated into all decision-making considerations.

The number of women in the court is an important factor in promoting gender equality, but not the decisive one. To achieve gender equality, it is not enough to simply increase the proportion of women participating in politics; a fair institutional system is also needed to break down feudalistic notions held by the general public…

That day will be the day when the reforms are completely successful, and that day is still a long way off in the current political environment of the Daehan Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Feng Tan rubbed her temples. She had been busy for several days without rest, and her head was a little sore.

Menghenabor brought over a cup of calming soup and said to her, "Rest, go, sleep, don't stay here, go home."

Feng Tan looked at the stubbornness in Meng Henabuer's eyes and said "Okay".

The clapper struck past midnight, and the night was already deep. A lonely crescent moon hung in the sky, its edges gray and frayed. Two large lanterns in front of the Vice Minister's residence cast a crimson glow, illuminating the clean, blue stone steps in front of the gate.

In the shadows at the edge of that halo stood a tall male figure.

Xiao Changgeng, dressed in a slightly worn blue cloth robe, was slender and tall. He neither paced nor looked around, but simply stood quietly at the foot of the steps waiting.

Feng Tan had no idea how long Xiao Changgeng had been standing there. It wasn't until she approached that Xiao Changgeng turned his head to look at her, his deep-set eyes appearing especially cold and brooding in the silent night.

A cold wind swept through the alleyway, swirling up a few withered leaves that silently fell between Feng Tan and Xiao Changgeng's intersecting gazes.

She stared at him for a moment and said, "Xiao Changgeng, what are you doing in front of my mansion?"

Xiao Changgeng said, "Having just returned to secular life, I have nowhere to stay in the capital. I would be grateful if Lord Feng would take me in for a few days."

When he said this, there was no shyness or humility in his eyes, but rather a restrained sense of modesty.

It wouldn't hurt to take him in for a few days. Feng Tan gestured for him to enter, and Xiao Changgeng readily complied, following her into the mansion.

Yu Ruxi came over when she heard the commotion. She was slightly taken aback when she saw the man behind Feng Tan and asked, "Who is this?"

Feng Tan briefly explained, "The students who are going to the capital for the imperial examinations have run out of money and have nowhere to stay. They have come to my place to stay for a few days."

Yu Ruxi said "Oh," addressing Feng Tan while her gaze fell on Xiao Changgeng. "If everyone did this, our Feng family's small plot of land wouldn't be enough to go around."

Feng Tan said, "Not everyone can make this request."

“Indeed, he is the only one who could be expected to stay at Lord Feng’s residence.” Yu Ruxi withdrew her gaze from Xiao Changgeng, took the letter from the servant behind her, handed it to Feng Tan, and said, “Here is Arslan’s letter.”

After Feng Tan and Arslan parted ways, they each devoted themselves to their own careers, and Da Huang and Suo Taha were thousands of miles apart, so they had no time to meet.

“He’s coming to Dahuang,” Feng Tan said after reading the letter.

Yu Ruxi patted Meng Henabul on the shoulder and teased, "Oh my, our Lord Feng's lover, who is far away on the grasslands, has finally dared to come to the Celestial Empire to see her father-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Feng Tan's eyes lit up with a smile. He flicked Yu Ruxi's forehead and said, "It seems General Yu has become the top scholar in the martial arts examination. All the anxiety of the past few days has vanished, and you've come here to tease me!"

Before the martial arts test was concluded, Yu Ruxi didn't want to talk about this topic that made her nervous. She snorted coldly, pretended to yawn, turned around leisurely, and said as she walked away, "It's late at night, not a good time to deal with stingy people. I'd better go back to sleep."

The two women were talking in front of him, neither of them noticing the strange malice that had crept into Xiao Changgeng's eyes, his pupils appearing almost pure black.

He stood in the courtyard, watching her delicate profile in the moonlight, and the gentle smile on her lips as she joked with her friend about Arslan.

Allowing you to return to Tai-Huan and complete the restructuring is already the bottom line.

No matter how much more you have, it won't give you what you want.

***

There was no elimination in the palace examination; only rankings were determined. The top three were called "Jinshi Jidi" (进士及第), namely Zhuangyuan (状元), Bangyan (榜眼), and Tanhua (探花); the second class were called "Jinshi Chushen" (进士出身); and the third class were called "Tong Jinshi Chushen" (同进士出身).

The difference in rankings is like heaven and earth.

Xiao Changgeng had achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations in nine generations, and his success in achieving the triple crown in this life was entirely within his expectations.

When the announcer proclaimed the rankings, his gaze met Feng Tan's from afar.

Minister of War Mao Bingjun cut off their gaze and walked up to Feng Tan, saying to her, "A total of 400,000 people participated in this imperial examination. From the preliminary examination to the palace examination, Lord Feng personally oversaw every step. In the end, as many as 20 women were able to enter the central government level of Dahuang. This is truly commendable. With the laws of previous dynasties changed, what will be the future of Dahuang? Does Lord Feng have a clear idea?"

Mao Bingjun emphasized the phrase "personally involved." He was a subordinate of Prince Jing, and Feng Tan had suffered many times over the past three years, either openly or secretly, so he must have helped Feng Tan every time. Feng Tan said with a forced smile, "Changes in the heavens are nothing to fear, ancestral laws are nothing to follow, and public opinion is nothing to heed."

"You..." Mao Bingjun choked for a moment, and before he could speak, he was pushed aside by Jin An, who was passing through the crowd of people congratulating each other.

Jin An hadn't seen Feng Tan much lately, knowing she was busy, so he didn't bother her. Now that she was finally done, it would be impolite not to take her out to play, so he meticulously planned out Feng Tan's schedule for the day: "Tan-ge'er, how about we go check out the 'Marriage Selection' event later, and then go to the Qionglin Banquet tonight!"

Having just won a minor victory, and with many of the students from the Imperial Dragon Camp who came to the capital for the imperial examinations passing with flying colors, Feng Tan felt it was only right to congratulate them, so he nodded in agreement.

When Jin An saw that she had agreed, he immediately beamed with joy. He turned to Xiao Changgeng, raised his chin, and said, "Top scholar, I heard that you recommended yourself to Lord Feng and became her disciple?"

Xiao Changgeng said, "It is true that I have become your disciple, but you have refused to accept my offer of a bedmate."

Jin An speaks without thinking, and Feng Tan interrupts his rambling, "Jin An, your father is calling you."

Jin An's hair stood on end. "Where?"

Feng Tan said, "Look behind you."

Jin An obediently turned around. Behind him, red, green and blue official robes were in full bloom, and the newly appointed scholars were chatting and laughing. Where was his irritable old father who was forcing him to get married?

Xiao Changgeng stood in front of the golden pillar with nine dragons coiled around it, watching Feng Tan slowly walk down the hundred-meter-high steps. The nine coiled dragons on the relief of the imperial road beside her lay at her feet as if they had been tamed. She passed over the churning dragons, over the layers of imperial steps, and walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony without any hesitation.

Whether she ascends to the pinnacle of power or descends from it, she doesn't really care.

A lone wild goose soars above the clouds, its spirit soaring high and its heart expansive.

Jin An stood beside Xiao Changgeng, his voice laced with laughter but carrying a hidden warning, no longer the teasing words he had just uttered: "She is not someone you can covet. Don't get attached to her, or you'll suffer the most when you can't have her."

Eat the cause, cook the effect, the taste of wanting but not getting... Xiao Changgeng raised his hand to reveal his smooth wrist. The ugly scars had long since disappeared, but he could still feel their presence.

......

The Qionglin Banquet was an honor bestowed by the emperor upon the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). The three hundred newly appointed Jinshi, dressed in blue silk robes and bound with white silver belts, stood in formation like geese in flight below the jade steps.

Emperor Chongming arrived in a palanquin, with Sheng Honghai attending him. Bells and chimes rang out in unison, and the crowd lined up in order of rank to perform the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

Emperor Chongming glanced at Feng Tan standing among the officials, then at Zhu Qi beside her, and said to Sheng Honghai, "Why is Xiao Yinshi's assassin still following her?"

Sheng Honghai said, "Without Zhu Qi, Lord Feng cannot control the Rakshasa Army."

Emperor Chongming did not ask any further questions and waved his hand to signal the start of the banquet.

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, acting on imperial orders, had palace maids and eunuchs arrive in an instant, bringing with them a lavish array of delicacies from land and sea. Jade bowls from Lantian were filled with chilled sashimi, and jade cups held amber wine. The food was plentiful and the aroma was irresistible.

The musicians of the Imperial Music Bureau played the elegant music "Chao Tian Zi," with the clanging of drums and the harmonious sounds of sheng and xiao. The dancers, with their flowing sleeves, moved gracefully, like startled swans and swimming dragons, dancing to the music.

Emperor Chongming disliked such occasions, and each time he visited, he would stay for no more than a quarter of an hour. He would say, “You young men have achieved great things and should follow the example of the sages of the past to assist me in governing the world. I always feel uncomfortable here with you young men, so I will return to the palace first.”

Jin An nudged Zheng Qingru's arm, watching Emperor Chongming come and go quickly, and said, "His Majesty has not attended court for many years, nor does he like to attend ceremonies. Indeed, those who cultivate themselves do not like worldly affairs."

Zheng Qingru said, "We must not speak ill of His Majesty."

Jin An, feeling awkward, pursed his lips in exasperation. Prince Jing, having overheard their conversation, smiled at Jin An and said, "His Majesty has always been this cold-hearted since childhood. Back when Emperor Jianming was choosing a Crown Princess for him, he was so anxious that his lips were practically burning with vesicles. As for his temperament... Yongle is just like His Majesty."

After saying that, he looked at Feng Tan beside him.

After her loved ones passed away one by one, Feng Tan became increasingly taciturn, her cold face almost expressionless, ignoring Prince Jing's teasing.

Having made a fool of himself, Prince Jing turned his gaze to the newly appointed third-ranked scholar, Cheng Ruihui. Holding a rhinoceros horn cup, he pointed to the banquet hall and loudly proclaimed: "The jade steps are cold, reflecting the bright light of the nine heavens; the palace flowers have been worn down, and the night is not yet over. Do not say that the women's makeup is weak; the inkstone is frozen, and the brush writes of dukes and ministers!"

This poem was written by Cheng Ruihui a few days ago when he was disliked by other scholars who spoke of him with disdain. It was used to scold them. Now, when Prince Jing read it aloud at the banquet, everyone paused in their toasting.

King Jing clapped his hands and laughed. The python-patterned jade belt gleamed coldly in the candlelight. He continued, "Rouge dyes the blue collar, yet you dare to compete with men for the top spot. What a boastful tone you have."

Cheng Ruihui, who was always composed, said, "Now that His Majesty has opened up a new imperial examination, allowing women to hold the pen, it is evident that His Majesty has the virtue of embracing all rivers."

This implies that if King Jing were to hold a grudge, he would be petty. King Jing was not annoyed, but instead changed the subject to embarrass her, saying, "The ancient Book of Rites says, 'The father is the son's heaven,' but the Book of Etiquette also says, 'The husband is the wife's heaven.' You shall discuss this: husband or father, which is closer?"

Cheng Ruihui is a disciple of Feng Tan, and Prince Jing is using various methods to suppress Feng Tan's influence.

Cheng Ruihui's jade hairpin trembled slightly as she calmly gathered her robes and said, "The bond between father and wife lies in the bloodline and the nurturing grace; the bond between husband and wife lies in mutual affection and support. However, the Classic of Filial Piety says, 'The utmost filial piety and brotherly love reach the divine.' For children, filial piety is their nature; for wives, respecting their husbands is their duty. Both are the closest of relatives, so why distinguish between them? It's simply a matter of fulfilling one's responsibilities and upholding one's principles in different circumstances."

King Jing squinted, stroking his cup, and said, "What a fine way of trying to smooth things over! If one is faced with a conflict between father and husband, how should one choose? One cannot choose both!"

Cheng Ruihui remained calm and said, "In such a situation, one should prioritize righteousness. If the father walks the right path and the husband is wrong, then advise the husband to follow the father; if the husband adheres to propriety and the father deviates from the proper way, then advise the father to obey the husband. Reconciling contradictions demonstrates wisdom, rather than necessarily distinguishing between close and distant relationships."

Feng Tan raised his cup to King Jing and said, "Filial piety and loyalty are one. Whether father or husband, they should take 'harmony,' 'filial piety,' and 'righteousness' as the foundation. This is the way to govern a family and a country."

Prince Jing was speechless. He personally poured a cup of wine and handed it to Feng Tan, smiling broadly. "It was my uncle's narrow-mindedness that led me to apologize. Let's drink this cup of wine to the end, for our uncle-nephew relationship must never be broken!"

Beneath the grand pronouncements lay an ambiguous liquid, the cup reflecting Feng Tan's hesitant expression. Suddenly, a pair of slender fingers took the cup, and Xiao Changgeng tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing as he downed the wine in one gulp.

Xiao Changgeng's dark eyes seemed to swell with a hint of drunkenness as he looked down at Prince Jing and said, "Lord Feng has been working hard these past few days. When he took his medicine, the imperial physician instructed him not to drink alcohol."

King Jing paused for a moment, his mischievous gaze shifting back and forth between Feng Tan and Xiao Changgeng. "Today, the list of successful candidates is being compiled, and women in red dresses are vying to see the top scholar. The top scholar has rejected all of them, apparently he already has someone he loves! However, Lord Feng has an immense capacity for alcohol. I wonder how the top scholar's capacity is, since this is a soul-capturing, immortal-falling wine."

Xiao Changgeng lowered his eyes and did not refute Prince Jing's words.

Upon hearing the name "Soul-Hooking Immortal Wine," Feng Tan subconsciously looked at Xiao Changgeng. Years ago, she had been tricked by Yu Ruxi into drinking Soul-Hooking Immortal Wine, which had a very strong aftereffect; one cup was enough to make one drunk.

Before he could finish speaking, he saw a cold glint appear on Feng Tan's face.

"careful!"

More than a hundred assassins emerged like ghosts from street corners, rooftops and other dark places, their figures closing in on Feng Tan. Their faces were covered, revealing only pairs of cold eyes, and the curved swords at their waists gleamed eerily in the moonlight.

At the same time, the Imperial Guards, who had been lying in wait in the shadows and were ordered by the Emperor to protect Feng Tan, immediately appeared to defend him. The leader of the assassins was agile and swift, leaping forward with his sword like a gust of wind to attack Feng Tan. Zhu Qi was the first to block, but due to his lack of strength, he was forced to the side.

Upon seeing this, Arslan immediately drew a long arrow from behind and fired it, aiming it directly at the assassin's back.

At the same time, Feng Tan had already gathered his strength in his feet, preparing to retreat at top speed!

At this critical moment, Feng Tan's shoulder was suddenly gripped by a pair of strong and powerful hands, and she was turned around. Then came the sizzling sound of a long sword piercing flesh, and Xiao Changgeng's blood from his shoulder splattered all over Feng Tan.

Immediately afterwards, Arslan's long arrow, carried by a sharp wind, pierced the heart of the assassin.

Out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Changgeng saw Arslan running towards Feng Tan. All his strength suddenly vanished, and he collapsed into Feng Tan's arms. "Lord Feng, are you alright?"

Feng Tan covered the bleeding wound on his shoulder, looked at his cheeks stained red by the Soul-Hooking Immortal Wine and his thin lips that were rapidly losing their color, and said with a complicated expression, "I'm fine, just hang in there, don't fall asleep, Menghe Nabul will be here soon."

Arslan crouched down with his bow in hand, took Xiao Changgeng's pulse, and said to Feng Tan, "He wasn't hit in a vital spot, he won't die."

After putting down Xiao Changgeng's arm, Arslan picked up a dry towel he carried with him to wipe Feng Tan's blood-stained face. Suddenly, Xiao Changgeng murmured in Feng Tan's arms, "My lord, it hurts so much."

Feng Tan lowered her head, the cool, woody scent of the person in her arms filling her nostrils, along with a hint of intoxicating wine aroma. He leaned weakly against her, his breath spraying onto Feng Tan's neck, bringing a tingling, itchy sensation.

Xiao Changgeng was injured while saving her, and he was now a rising star in the court, a very popular figure. There were also many eyes and ears at the alley entrance. If he acted too ungrateful, it would have a bad influence. Feng Tan did not push him away. Instead, she tightened her grip on his wound and turned her head to say softly, "Bear with it for a while and take a wound medicine first."

Arslan's fingers, which were wiping Feng Tan, paused in mid-air. Then she heard Feng Tan say, "Arslan, the medicine is in my embroidered pouch. My hands are full, so please take it out for me."

With his male instincts, Arslan determined that the man in Feng Tan's arms was a male fox of unknown origin. His amber eyes gleamed, and he grinned as he looked at Xiao Changgeng slumped in Feng Tan's arms. "Come on, open your mouth, I'll feed you."

Xiao Changgeng saw Arslan approach with ill intent through his half-closed eyes. He tilted his head towards Feng Tan's chest, and as he closed his eyes, his fingers gripped her wrist tightly before he lost consciousness.

Feng Tan hurriedly checked his breathing, and breathed a sigh of relief when she confirmed that he was still alive. She then said to Arslan, "Arslan, you are strong, help me carry him into the bedroom."

Arslan gritted his teeth inwardly, but his movements were swift and smooth. When he picked up Xiao Changgeng, he found that Xiao Changgeng had fainted but was still holding onto Feng Tan's arm and refusing to let go. Arslan was amused by this wild fox.

After everyone had left, Zhu Qi looked at the bloodstains on the ground, touched his nose, and wondered what his master was up to this time.

However, it seems that Feng Tan has been tricked.

That's true, though. His behavior is ambiguous, making it really hard to tell what's going on.