Early the next morning, several great scholars who were involved in grading the imperial examination, arrived outside the Emperor’s sleeping palace.
After the eunuch announced their arrival, the Emperor invited them into the Nurture-the-Mind Hall.
Presenting their thoroughly sealed list for the Emperor’s review, the Emperor, leaning against his pillow, accepted the list. Upon examining it, he paused in surprise, looking to the three scholars, "Are the scores tied?"
The three scholars nodded in agreement.
One of the scholars, a man of great virtue and respect, said, "The young master Zhou Gu of the Duke Residence and young master Su Xingze of the Jiangzhou Inspector Residence, despite their different approaches, they both stand out with their unique interpretations. All of us have spent three full days discussing and were unable to decide the winner. Ultimately, we concluded in agreement that their result would be a tie."
The Emperor nodded, "Did they bring their examination papers?"
"Yes, they have." A scholar presented three examination papers.
The Emperor asked, "Why are there three?"
"There is another candidate from the Duke Residence, named Lu Fengyan. He scored slightly lower than the two, hence he takes the second place." said the scholar. "We decided to bring his paper as well, for Your Majesty’s review."
The Emperor nodded, taking three examination papers. He first read Lu Fengyan’s paper and repeatedly nodded his approval, "Impressive, a rare talent indeed."
Then, he set Lu Fengyan’s paper aside and reviewed Su Xingze’s paper. After reading it, he gave a clap and exclaimed the word "good" three times.
Next, he spent quite some time reviewing Su Xingze’s paper before setting it aside, finally looking at Zhou Gu’s paper. After he finished reading it, he broke into laughter, "Now I understand why you graded them as tied, it turns out that Zhou Gu did not waste his years in the Eastern Palace, Grand Tutor Qin’s diligent tutoring has not been wasted after all."
The three scholars nodded in agreement.
The Emperor spent another few moments observing Zhou Gu’s paper, shaking his head and saying, "This young lad truly is something." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
Laying down the paper, he looked at three scholars, "Has the Crown Prince reviewed this list and these papers?"
All three shook their heads in unison.
The Emperor asked again, "What about Grand Tutor Qin?"
They shook their heads again.
The Emperor seemed satisfied, "Then, let’s go with your list, we shall announce the results tomorrow."
All three of them agreed respectfully.
After they retreated, the Emperor gave orders, "Summon the Crown Prince."
Anticipating that the Emperor would grant him an audience today, like yesterday, Yan Huisheng eagerly stood outside Nurture-the-Mind Hall to pay respect to the Emperor. Accompanying him were the second and fourth Princes.
Once the three scholars had left, the eunuch invited the Crown Prince inside alone. Seeing the eunuch close the hall doors after Yan Huisheng entered, leaving him outside, the second Prince, Yan Lin, almost ground his teeth in anger. Despite knowing that times had changed and he needed to bear with it, Yan Lin couldn’t accept this change after being courted by the Emperor for several years. His face almost distorted with ire.
Inside the hall, Yan Huisheng greeted the Emperor with his usual calm composure, neither humble nor arrogant.
Looking at the son standing before him, the Emperor felt keenly his own aging. He had always feared old age, feared someone seizing power from him, but now, the case of Imperial Concubine Zhen made him feel sick to the core. Even after resting for a full day, he still felt too unwell to leave the couch.
He did not speak, and neither did Yan Huisheng.
After some time passed, the Emperor asked, "I hear you haven’t reviewed the exam papers or the list. Guess who is in first place?"
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "I cannot make an accurate guess."
"What if I insist you make one?"
Hanging his head slightly, Yan Huisheng replied, "Young Master Su Xingze of Jiangzhou Inspector Residence."
The Emperor asked, "Have you interacted with him much? Are you well acquainted?"
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "I have not spent much time with him. I’ve only met him at banquets in the Duke Residence. I don’t know much about him personally. However, I have read the articles he has published and he is indeed an exceptional scholar."
The Emperor nodded, "Why didn’t your place your bet on Zhou Gu? Does Zhou Gu’s usual writings fall short of his?"
Yan Huisheng shook his head again, "You ought to know, Father, Zhou Gu rarely writes. His latest piece was published three years ago."
The Emperor choked back a gasp.
Yan Huisheng added, "For someone who doesn’t write much, I wouldn’t dare speculate that he could surpass Su Xingze in the examination despite knowing him for many years."
The Emperor sneered, passed the list to him and said, "Look for yourself!"
Upon receiving and examining the list, Yan Huisheng too showed a look of surprise. He looked up at the Emperor who was looking back at him. Yan Huisheng turned his gaze back to the list, noting several familiar names. In this round, the number of scholars from Jiangzhou was the highest, some of whom Zhou Gu made acquaintances with during his visit to Jiangning County at Su Xingze’s behest.
From this list, it is clear that the three scholars were very fair in their grading. Based on what he knew about these scholars, he felt that their placements fit their usual academic performance.
Yan Huisheng cast his gaze on the papers spread out next to the Emperor after reading the list.
The Emperor, making a gesture, signaled him to take and read the papers.
Thus, Yan Huisheng picked up and read the three papers. He allowed himself a rare smile in the presence of the Emperor, "If Tutor Qin sees Zhou Gu’s paper, he will surely be delighted."
The Emperor nodded, and commented, "Grand Tutor Qin’s efforts on him were indeed worthwhile."
After saying that, seeing the laughter in Yan Huisheng’s eyes, he felt a confluence of emotions that he couldn’t articulate, "I have already given the orders, following this list, the results will be announced tomorrow. These three papers will also be posted so that scholars from all over can read them."
Yan Huisheng nodded.
The Emperor motioned for him to sit.
In the past, every time Yan Huisheng met the Emperor, he would leave after listening to a lecture or instructions. Now that the Emperor asked him to sit, he understood the Emperor had something to say and he complied accordingly.
After he sat, the Emperor, looking at him, said, "Yesterday I asked your mother, after years of neglecting her, if she harbored any resentment. She said she didn’t. Today I ask you the same thing, over the years, I have held certain grudges against you, do you resent me?"
Yan Huisheng met the Emperor’s gaze, "Do you wish to hear the truth, Father, or do you wish to hear fair words?"
"Of course, the truth."
Yan Huisheng calmly said, "I consider myself to have acted fittingly as Crown Prince, yet, I unjustifiably received many years of your reprimands and neglect, I naturally hold resentment."
The Emperor’s faced darkened, "You dare to admit it."
"If you dare ask me, Father, then I dare answer." Yan Huisheng replied calmly, "Just because mother does not hold resentment, does not mean I don’t."
The Emperor took a deep breath, his expression sour, "You’re more straightforward than your mother. She might not be without resentment, she just didn’t dare speak it before me."
Yan Huisheng’s gaze was calm as he retorted, "Is my resentment misplaced? I am your son, and the Crown Prince that you personally appointed. You’ve been teaching me how to be a good Crown Prince since I was a child. When did Father start disliking me?"
The Emperor fell into silence.
It seemed that Yan Huisheng had no intention of saying more. Seeing the Emperor’s silence, he stopped talking too, waiting for the Emperor to speak next.
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