Chapter 11 Chapter 11 What a coincidence!
Sure enough, the emperor wavered after seeing the portrait.
"Is this what you meant by being exactly like the Crown Prince?"
The Emperor is starting to doubt the Crown Prince's appearance.
He looked at it several times: "Hmm, the eyebrows and eyes are quite similar. How old is that child this year?"
Why do you still look chubby? Are you an adult yet?
"Your Majesty, the top scholar from Qingyang is only sixteen years old this year."
Upon hearing the number sixteen, Emperor Jin Yuan did some calculations and his heart sank. Could it be such a coincidence?
But he still felt it was a bit hard to believe that a sixteen-year-old biological son of the crown prince would suddenly appear after all the previous silence.
"Let's talk about it after I see him."
Emperor Yuan of Jin hesitated.
Marquis Weiyuan said it looked similar last time, and he said it again this time. After looking at the portrait, he felt that the eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar, but the rest of the features were not similar.
"First, bring me the personal information of the top scholar from Qingyang."
Soon someone presented Ye Jianshan's information. Emperor Jin Yuan changed into his court robes and picked up the memorial to read it. It also contained a record of everything that had happened at the examination hall that morning.
"Is it not just the Crown Prince who thinks it looks similar, but also the other examiners?"
"Yes, I saw Ye Jieyuan back then, and he looked exactly like the Crown Prince when he was young."
The guard was not young, and had been on duty in front of the emperor for a long time. He was considered someone who could speak to Emperor Jinyuan, otherwise he would not have come to tell the emperor in person.
Emperor Yuan of Jin put down the memorial, somewhat incredulous: "Is it really that similar?"
"Yes, the portrait doesn't look like him. If His Majesty doesn't believe it, he can see Ye Jieyuan for himself."
"He was only sixteen when he became the top scholar in the provincial examination. He started taking the exams at thirteen and ranked first in several exams in just three years. Whether it's true or not, this young man has great potential."
When Emperor Yuan of Jin saw how promising Ye Jianshan was, his opinion of him improved somewhat.
This time it doesn't seem like a fake imperial grandson coming to claim his relatives; it feels more genuine. The quality of the imperial grandson claiming his relatives this time is quite high; it's the first time I've seen one who is a top scholar in the provincial examination.
"I will wait until he finishes the imperial examination, then we can meet privately without making a big fuss."
Before things are certain, the Emperor will not allow his actions to affect the outcome of the imperial examination.
Ye Jianshan passed the imperial examination at the age of sixteen, which shows that he was truly talented.
"The Crown Prince also conveyed this message to His Majesty. He said that they should not acknowledge each other and should wait until Ye Jieyuan finishes his exams to avoid affecting his results."
The Emperor was surprised that the Crown Prince had thought things through so thoroughly, and for a moment he even doubted whether it was his son who had said it.
For the past ten years or so, the Crown Prince has never given anyone a kind look, yet now he's actually sending someone to give instructions to someone whose identity is uncertain?
The fact that this imperial grandson is indeed real adds even more credibility to the story.
Outsiders may not know, but the Crown Prince, as the person involved, certainly knows something.
"Alright, I understand. It will absolutely not affect Ye Jieyuan's examination."
But he made it sound easy; he was already starting to worry about it.
Everyone said it looked like him, and Emperor Yuan of Jin couldn't wait to see what Ye Jianshan looked like.
But now that he's locked up in the examination hall and can't get out, they sent someone to fetch Marquis Weiyuan.
When Marquis Weiyuan entered the palace and heard the emperor's question, he was a little stunned. He had almost forgotten about the matter, as the past few months had been too peaceful.
“Your Majesty, this was discovered by my unfilial son. He and the second son of Minister Feng saw that person once at a literary gathering hosted by Chief Minister Cui. When he came back, he told me that he looked just like the Crown Prince. But after so long, I still don’t know his identity… It was only when you just said that he was the top scholar in the provincial examination in Qingyang that I learned about his background.”
After the emperor said not to worry about it, he didn't send anyone to investigate.
"Minister Feng also knows Ye Jieyuan."
Emperor Yuan of Jin summoned Minister Feng again, and the minister was extremely nervous. He wiped his sweat and recounted the events that Feng Xing had encountered.
Of course, it was embellished a bit. Since the emperor had already asked, the person must have some connection with the royal family. We couldn't let Feng Xing get involved, so we just said that he had accidentally bumped into him a few times.
Emperor Yuan of Jin stroked his chin: "They all say it looks very similar?"
"Yes, everyone thinks they've met His Majesty the Crown Prince, but Ye Jieyuan is younger than His Highness the Crown Prince."
Minister Feng was surprised to find that the man was actually the top scholar from Qingyang. He had heard of him before. He was the youngest candidate in this year's imperial examination and the youngest top scholar. He was destined for great things, and many people had already begun to pay attention to him.
But Ye Jieyuan was very low-key and never went out to socialize.
The Emperor was surprised by Ye Jianshan's composed demeanor: "Is this his first time in the capital?"
"Yes, his third uncle, Ye Lei, is traveling with him. General Guo is investigating him, but he hasn't been alerted yet. Should we summon him to the palace?"
The guards made sure they understood everything before reporting to the palace; even Ye Lei knew about it.
"No, let's not alarm them yet. Let's wait until I see Ye Jianshan before we talk."
It's all in vain to say anything now; everything will only be decided when the Crown Prince and Ye Jianshan come out of the examination hall.
"He's the top scholar in the provincial examination."
As the guards led Marquis Weiyuan and Minister Feng out, they faintly heard the Emperor muttering something.
While it's common to achieve the title of Jieyuan (top scholar in the provincial examination), it's rare to see someone Ye Jianshan's age, let alone one whose father already knows that Ye Jianshan has the potential to achieve the sixth-highest score in the imperial examination.
If this really is the emperor's grandson, then he's truly a source of pride.
He's much more successful than the children of the eldest, third, and fourth sons.
Although it is still unknown whether he is truly the emperor's grandson, the emperor is genuinely proud of the crown prince.
Heaven has eyes; it couldn't bear to let the Chen family line die out.
The Empress, having somehow obtained the news, rushed from Jiaofang Palace to Jingyuan Palace in a flurry of activity, not even waiting for anyone to announce her arrival, and exclaimed, "My son has an heir? I heard he's some kind of top scholar in the imperial examinations? Where is he? Take me to see him!"
"Calm down, you're so old and still so impatient."
The Emperor calmly took a sip of tea and offered his advice.
How could the Empress not be anxious? In order for the Crown Prince to get married, the Crown Prince now avoids her whenever he sees her, and she feels extremely aggrieved.
Who knew that such good news would suddenly come out: her son had not died out, and a sixteen-year-old son who looked just like him had appeared.
"Do they really look alike? Sixteen years old? That doesn't make sense, does it? Those were turbulent years, and the Crown Princess had an accident. The Crown Prince doesn't seem like the type to have affairs everywhere."
The Empress was once again uncertain because of the Emperor's attitude.
If it were true, the emperor wouldn't be able to sit still.
"It didn't say he was a womanizer. This child is most likely born to the Crown Princess, but we don't know if she's still alive..."
Reuniting with the child is not as simple as it seems.
Moreover, Ye Jianshan doesn't seem to lack love. I wonder if the Crown Princess is still alive. If she is, and still holds a grudge against the Crown Prince, it might be difficult to get her back.
The Emperor never intended to take a hard line. If he were to actually bring the person back, it would have to be the Crown Prince. Ye Jianshan would not only have to acknowledge the royal family, but the royal family and the ministers would also have to acknowledge him. This is not something that can be resolved simply by asking whether or not someone is acknowledged.
"Let's not talk about the future yet, let me meet the person first."
The Empress no longer wanted to think about the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince; she only wanted to see her grandson. Let the other two do whatever they wanted.
“I can’t even see him. Your son is in the examination hall with him day and night. He won’t be out for another nine days.”
The Emperor finally explained why he couldn't see the Emperor yet, and why he was so calm.
The Empress was anxious upon hearing this, but she knew that this matter could not be rushed. She sat down and slapped her forehead: "My brain! I already said that my grandson is the top scholar in the provincial examination. Today is the spring examination. He is really promising. He has become the top scholar at such a young age."
The Empress was proud; who wouldn't be happy if their child did well in school?
"By the way, what does the Crown Prince mean?"
The Emperor teased, "The Crown Prince is so eager for him to call him 'Father' in public. I've heard that the father and son look like mirror images. You have no idea how alike they are!"
"You saw it?"
No, not at all.
"Why are you laughing at my son? Alright, get back to your work, I'm going out of the palace to take a look."
The Empress couldn't sit still any longer and decided to go to the entrance of the examination hall. Even if she couldn't see anyone, it would be good to join in the fun and be closer to the examination hall.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately said, "I will go too. Ye Jianshan's third uncle said he has been waiting outside. Let's go and try to get on his good side."
The Emperor had been restless for a long time, but he hadn't found an excuse until the Empress spoke up, and he quickly followed suit.
The two disguised themselves as an ordinary middle-aged couple, and the guards also disguised themselves. When asked, they said they were waiting for their grandson to come out of the examination hall.
Surrounded by people like that, I didn't stand out.
Even those who recognized the Emperor and Empress dared not utter a sound, for the guards had already been appeased, and no one could be allowed to give themselves away.
As soon as the examination began, Guo Yu spotted Ye Lei at a nearby teahouse.
Just then, Ye Lei said, "Is today's Imperial Guard leader surnamed Guo?"
"Yes, it's terrifying to have Guo Yu work under the Crown Prince."
Those who answered lowered their voices, worried that someone might overhear and it would reach Guo Yu's ears.
Are there any other officials with the surname Guo in the capital?
"I haven't heard of that. The only famous one is General Guo."
Ye Lei suddenly realized that the Lord Guo he had been secretly looking for was this commander of the Imperial Guards, right? But why was he working under the Crown Prince?
His nephew's affairs are all related to that crown prince. Is it really credible for Yunniang to ask them to look for the Guo family?
Ye Lei hesitated.
Guo Yu was surprised to hear such a conversation; clearly, Ye Lei knew him.
Perhaps the Crown Princess arranged something when we came to the capital...
Just as she was about to do something, Guo Yu saw the Empress and Emperor, dressed in disguise, coming towards Ye Lei. There happened to be an empty seat for Ye Lei, so she sat down and started talking: "Are you also waiting for the children to be tested? I'm from out of town and not familiar with this area, so please bear with me."
Ye Lei felt that the couple had an extraordinary presence, suggesting they must have been officials. They were more imposing than any prefect or magistrate he had ever met. However, the couple spoke very kindly, so he smiled and said, "We are both from out of town, here to take the imperial examinations."
"My grandson is a top scholar in the provincial examination."
The empress's ostentation was impossible to hide.
"What a coincidence, my nephew is the same."
"Wow, everyone says that people in the capital are noble. The people sitting on both sides of me are the families of the top scholars. There are only a few of them in the whole country, and now two of them have suddenly appeared."
Ye Lei: "What a coincidence."
The Emperor and Empress: Unfortunately, these two top scholars are the same person.
A note from the author:
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