Chapter 218 Prince Rui's Identity Revealed! (Supplement...)
A remote town in the Central Plains.
An elderly man with a small hoe squatted behind the house, carefully tending to a patch of lush, blooming flowers. It was still quite dark when a noise came from the servants' quarters; the young servant had woken up.
The servant who pushed open the door was taken aback: "Master? Why are you up so early?"
The old man didn't answer, but simply dusted off his hands, propped himself up on his knees, and gazed wistfully at the horizon in a certain direction: "The results should be released in the next few days."
The steward had accompanied his master all the way from the capital to his hometown during his exile. He understood his master's feelings best. He carried a heavy bucket of water, his steps unsteady, and several drops splashed out when he placed it on the ground. The steward sighed, knowing this all too well: "If our family were still in the capital, the young master and those other nephews favored by the master would already be at the Ministry of Rites looking at the list of successful candidates."
Their master was the former Minister of Rites, who was in charge of the imperial examinations during the Spring Festival. In previous years, their master had presided over this event. If nothing unexpected happened this year... well, it wouldn't be their master's turn to preside over it again. Since there were children in their families taking the exams, they had to step down from their positions to avoid suspicion.
"...Now that I'm not here, those families can still go see the list." The retired old man, Master Yu, revealed a weathered and calm smile. He spoke with a carefree air, but he was still somewhat concerned about the future of his old friends' children and nephews. "Zhi'er has his own ideas now, he should...protect them to some extent, right?"
This refers to Shen Shuzhi.
That year, Shen Shuzhi grew closer to the Mountain and Sea Society, but entrusted all matters concerning the Third Prince to his own son, Zong'er. At that time, Old Yu vaguely understood that those who shared different paths could not work together. In the end, he simply did a good deed and sent him off to pursue his future.
Sure enough, this disciple, whom he had treated like his own son, later severed ties with him.
Fortunately, it was cut.
...Therefore, even when His Highness the Third Prince was demoted to a commoner and his entire family was exiled, Shen Shuzhi was still active in the court. As long as he remembers even a trace of their past relationship in the future, Old Master Yu will not be completely without hope.
"Prince Rui... he's truly remarkable," Old Yu exclaimed again.
Although he had returned to his hometown to tend to his flowers and plants, news from the court and the capital never ceased. Entrusting the imperial examinations this year to Prince Rui was tantamount to placing countless talented individuals under his command. If the nephews and nieces that Old Yu cared about could rise again through this year's examinations… then they would have to call Prince Rui 'mentor,' a natural expression of loyalty.
Such immense popularity is something this old man can only do his best to add to, perhaps even enhance the already splendid situation. He can only hope that Prince Rui won't look down on this remaining glory.
Old Yu felt uneasy, but thinking of his son and his family who were still doing hard labor in Lingnan and in exile, he could only pray like this.
--Yes.
When Prince Rui was appointed to preside over the imperial examinations, Mr. Yu wrote several letters to his old friends in Beijing.
Most of these people held important positions in the Ministry of Rites and had connections with the Third Prince, being his old acquaintances. Old Master Yu wrote the letter to persuade them to dispel their concerns and be on good terms with Prince Rui. He urged them to take advantage of the spring imperial examination to cultivate good relations and not to be careless or negligent…
He was all too aware of the concerns of his group.
Who knows what trouble or slighted Prince Rui they did in the past? Even if they didn't, having been branded as the Third Prince, they would still be hesitant to curry favor with the opposing prince. No one knows if they will be purged and end up doing all the work for nothing.
Old Yu wrote to them to dispel their concerns and help them board the new ship. Prince Rui's journey went smoothly, and he completed his important mission. Old Yu gained two favors... If things could develop this way, it would be a win-win-win situation.
But all Mr. Yu can do now is wait.
...
Three days passed quickly, and the candidates were about to take the palace examination.
Perhaps this was the only opportunity for many scholars to enter the palace and meet the emperor in their lifetime.
That day, Qi Chengming received an imperial edict early in the morning, summoning him to the palace.
"...So there's no escaping it after all?" Qi Chengming sighed as he let Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Dezi help him get dressed and straighten his headdress. In his heart, he mourned for his friends who were about to face the challenges ahead.
Hopefully this won't affect their grades—if it does, there's nothing he can do about it.
"Please follow me, Your Highness." It was the same little eunuch who had previously curried favor with the Emperor, who was waiting with a smile at the palace gate early in the morning, leading Qi Chengming inside.
The majestic palace gates were wide open today, and a densely packed group of figures walked slowly into the palace, dressed in uniform robes and black gauze hats. This was actually the attire of officials, but the tribute students were entitled to enjoy this attire in advance.
The young eunuch in the imperial court was very clever. Seeing that Prince Rui glanced in that direction as if he was interested, he deliberately added, "Your Majesty has summoned this year's tribute students to the square in front of the royal city gate to take the exam."
Qi Chengming nodded without changing his expression.
Compared to the bustling atmosphere inside the examination hall a while ago, the number of people here is actually not that large, roughly the size of a large court assembly. He walked along, his demeanor very composed.
Today's situation is special. Emperor Hongren is no longer working in the side hall. Instead, he has moved to the main hall and summoned several examiners from the Ministry of Rites who are familiar to Qi Chengming to the main hall, ordering them to supervise today's palace examination.
"As dusk falls, the papers will be collected. You have only one day to select the top ten and bring them to me. Go and do it." As Emperor Hongren said this, he glanced at his two sons below, who were standing respectfully with their heads bowed. The young man stood there calmly.
"Yes," the officials from the Ministry of Rites replied in unison.
The newly appointed Minister of Rites, who was leading the group, was secretly anxious, glancing at Prince Rui a few times. He didn't know why His Majesty had summoned Prince Rui but then ignored him and didn't appoint anything.
Isn't this just making people lose face for no reason?
Qi Chengming stood calmly and composedly, knowing exactly what was going on.
What does "殿试" mean?
The emperor himself is selecting his protégés; naturally, the entire process must be handled without interference. If that's the case, what's the point of having this prince as the chief examiner? Is he just an eyesore to steal talent?
Emperor Hongren probably had other plans for him.
Qi Chengming had guessed this.
Everyone else in the hall withdrew. Emperor Hongren coldly observed his two sons for a long time, but he couldn't see any change in their emotions. He couldn't help but laugh with mixed feelings: "Alright, this big exam has nothing to do with you. You can go and act as an inspector. Come back and report to me when you see anything good... After we collect the papers, you can accompany me to meet the top ten."
"Your subject understands." Qi Chengming felt relieved.
This is like giving him a slap on the wrist and then offering him a sweet treat.
After relinquishing his role as chief examiner, he would inspect the candidates as a prince—an act that would only disrupt the candidates' concentration and throw them into disarray. However, this could also be seen as an opportunity; those he favored would be reported to Emperor Hongren, and their fate would be uncertain. But having him accompany the top ten candidates after the papers were collected was a genuine advantage.
The emperor named the top two scholars, which was to let the most outstanding talents of this generation see him, the Prince Rui, in person and know which prince the emperor favored the next generation of princes... If nothing unexpected happens, this action is paving the way for his future.
Qi Chengming felt no emotion whatsoever, only rolled his eyes.
He had no desire to experience the complex mix of emotions in the old emperor's heart—a mixture of awkwardness, apprehension, and suppressed satisfaction at promoting his son.
After a loud and long chime of an ancient bell, the palace examination began.
Qi Chengming was already very familiar with this solemn and silent atmosphere. Today, he was wearing a prince's court robe and walked quietly among the rows of tables and chairs. He could vaguely hear someone nearby knocking over an inkstone.
'...What bad luck.' Qi Chengming silently mourned for this person in his heart.
The man was frightened by the prince's approach, but he would not get a good ranking.
The participants in the palace examination were seated according to their rankings, and Qi Chengming was naturally most interested in the top ten. His gaze lingered on the person in the first seat, observing them intently.
Qin Liusong calmly ground the ink and wrote, not even raising his head, displaying extraordinary composure and unaware of any glances from those around him.
That's great.
Qi Chengming then carefully observed the remaining people.
Oh wow, what a surprise!
The young man sitting steadily at the end of the first row was none other than Zhang Ting.
He was writing something on scrap paper. The young man was extremely sensitive to gazes. His eyelashes trembled, but he did not look up directly. Instead, he put down his pen and quickly glanced to the side under the sound of blowing ink, and only then did he notice Qi Chengming.
Zhang Ting: "...!"
Zhang Ting lowered his head like a frightened mouse, feeling extremely guilty. Even though Qi Chengming's gaze didn't carry any reproach, he felt as if he had been caught slacking off, and began to concentrate on writing furiously.
However, Zhang Ting was not the one whose emotions fluctuated the most in this area.
Nearby, Huang Lan, who had been frozen in place with his calligraphy brush, remained expressionless, slowly and woodenly putting down his brush as if calmly pondering something. In reality, his mind was in turmoil, and he nearly cried out in shock: "..."
Who did he see?!
Who did he see at the imperial examination hall?!
What's Brother Qi doing here? What kind of clothes is he wearing? They're expensive and adorned with dragon patterns; a five-clawed golden dragon seems to be something only a prince could wear... Among His Majesty's children, only one has been granted the title of prince so far...
If I remember correctly, Liuzhou was the fiefdom of Prince Rui, right...?
So...
Brother Qi.
Could it be that Brother Qi is...?
Prince Rui?
Huang Lan's mind was so shocked that it turned into a complete mess.
Suddenly, every word and action of this mysterious fellow Qi Zhong flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern:
Qi Zhong, "Qi" is the imperial surname. "Zhong" is the "Zhong" in the family order of "Bo Zhong Shu Ji", referring to the second son born in the family... Isn't their second prince, who established the country, His Highness Prince Rui!
Not long after Prince Rui was ordered to return to the capital, Brother Qi said that he was also leaving to return to the capital to see his father and elder brother. That's right, he was leaving with Prince Rui's residence.
At that time, everyone assumed that Brother Qi's family was probably a merchant under the Prince Rui's mansion, which could explain their mysterious and illogical behavior, but...
but……! !
Who the hell dares to guess that Brother Qi is Prince Rui?! (Voice breaks)
Brother Huang Lan at least remembered his ranking and could still try his best. After the shock, he cast a resentful glance at the young prince, barely managed to keep his composure and continue answering the questions, forcing himself to put this earth-shattering matter out of his mind for the time being.
Calm down... answer the questions first, we'll talk about it later...
Zhang Ji, who was ranked extremely low and could only be described as hanging at the very bottom of the list, had fewer concerns.
Ever since he saw the young man who walked over with his hands behind his back, exuding an imposing aura... he seemed, possibly, probably, should, perhaps was a prince who looked exactly like his friend...
Zhang Ji was in a daze.
Unlike the two Huang brothers, Zhang Ji and Hu Hongcai were the closest classmates who addressed Qi as brothers.
Therefore, he is now particularly reluctant to recognize himself.
After a long while, only one sentence remained in Zhang Ji's mind:
—So that's why Brother Qi was so insistent on having the two of them take the exam in the capital! Ah?!
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Author's note: Hahaha, we finally got to the point where the secret is revealed!
[Bonus chapter, second update today]
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