Chapter Nine: A Promise in the Depths of Spring
In the spring of the 138th year of the Great Town, the magnolias in the capital were in full bloom. Amidst the falling blossoms, the annual imperial examination arrived as scheduled. On this day, Zhuque Avenue was bustling with carriages and horses, as over a hundred sons of princes and nobles from all over the country gathered in the imperial city to take the exam. In the soft morning light, Huairou and Binghui walked side by side on the bluestone path leading to the examination hall, their sleeves gently brushing against each other in the spring breeze.
"Are you nervous?" Binghui asked, turning his head slightly. Today, he was dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe, which made him look even more elegant and refined.
Huairou gently shook her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips: "After preparing for these past few days, I feel at ease." Today, she had specially chosen a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with only a simple silver hairpin in her hair, exuding a scholarly and refined air in its simplicity.
The examination hall was set up in the front hall of the Wenhua Hall, with a hundred desks neatly arranged, each equipped with the Four Treasures of the Study. After three chimes, the candidates took their seats in turn. Huairou's seat was located under a blooming white magnolia tree, where petals occasionally drifted down, adorning the edges of the Xuan paper and adding a touch of poetry.
The exam question was handed out: "On the Way to Govern a Country and Bring Peace to the World." Huairou held her pen, deep in thought, watching the sunlight filter through the shadows of the flowers, casting dappled patterns on the paper. She recalled the days and nights she had spent studying diligently at the academy, the times she had discussed scholarship with Binghui, and even more so, the lonely figure standing under the crabapple tree. Her pen dipped in ink, and her thoughts flowed like a spring.
Binghui sat not far away, occasionally glancing up to catch a glimpse of Huairou's focused profile. The sunlight gilded her features, and her earnest contemplation reminded him of the spirit she displayed when debating classical texts with him at the academy. He smiled slightly, then lowered his head to continue writing.
On the day the results were announced, the area in front of the Wenhua Hall was packed with people. Huairou stood on the outskirts of the crowd, and from afar, she saw her own name and Binghui's name prominently listed at the top of the first tier. Binghui stood beside her and whispered, "Congratulations."
"Same to you." Huairou replied with a faint smile, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the depths of the palace.
According to custom, top-ranking students were eligible to be selected as companions to the princes. However, when Binghui learned that his father had already arranged a career for him, he could only politely decline the invitation to be a companion and concentrate on preparing for the upcoming palace examination.
"It's a pity I can't go with you." Binghui's tone carried a hint of regret.
Huairou replied, "Everyone has their own ambitions; you have your own world to explore."
On the day of the selection of study companions, Huairou stood with the other seven selected students in the main hall of Jinxiu Palace. Four princes sat upright above them, and the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Huairou stood quietly with her head bowed, feeling the scrutinizing gazes from above.
The Second Prince, An Tai, chose the son of the Minister of Personnel, while the Fourth Prince, Ying Qi, selected the son of the Minister of Justice. The Thirteenth Prince, Ren Heng, was still young, so Consort Qi selected a grandson of the Grand Tutor on his behalf. Finally, all eyes fell on the Seventh Prince, Yun Ji.
Huairou quietly raised her eyes and met Yunji's calm gaze. Today, he was wearing a light blue casual robe, and sat in the last seat, his expression as calm as ever. Sunlight streamed through the carved windows, casting dappled patterns of light around him.
He slowly rose, bowed to the Grand Tutor, and then his gaze swept over the remaining students before finally settling on Huairou.
"I have chosen Miss Guo Huairou."
These words sparked a murmur of discussion within the hall. Historically, princes' study companions were mostly men, as their studies involved riding, archery, and military strategy, areas where women often fell short. Even Huairou herself was slightly taken aback. While she had hoped for a female companion, several other male scions from prominent families had also been shortlisted, and she worried that no one would choose one. She hadn't expected Yunji to be so decisive.
Yunji seemed to sense everyone's doubts and calmly added, "I had the pleasure of reading Miss Huairou's essay in the imperial examination. Her writing was brilliant and her insights were unique, just what I needed."
Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor and the officials of the Hanlin Academy nodded slightly.
After the selection ceremony, Yunji walked up to Huairou. The warm spring sun shone through the camphor tree leaves in front of the corridor, casting dappled light and shadow on his handsome face. He smiled inwardly and turned to instruct the attendant beside him: "Prepare the best guest room in Guanghe Palace for Miss Huairou to stay in."
Having said that, he turned and left with the other princes. As he passed Huairou, he paused slightly and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don't let the young lady's talents go to waste."
Huairou's heart skipped a beat; she had waited so long for these words. Watching his departing figure, she finally understood that what the prince had said in the arena that day was not a polite refusal, but a promise.
On his first day at Guanghe Palace, Huairou wandered around like a child. While not as opulent as the other princes' residences, it possessed a unique tranquility and elegance. The courtyard was lush with greenery, several crabapple trees in full bloom, their pink and white petals drifting in the breeze, carpeting the cobblestone path. A clear pond held a few koi carp swimming leisurely. In the distance, pavilions and towers were scattered in a pleasing arrangement, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.
"What a wonderful place to cultivate one's mind and body." Huairou gently stroked the guqin under the eaves, her heart filled with joy. Finally, she was by her "son's" side, and she felt all the knots in her chest disappear.
Unbeknownst to her, Yunji was standing by the window of his study, quietly watching her joyful figure leaping about in the courtyard. He was delighted, but never revealed it. That day, when Guo Qilianyu and Huairou came to make their request, he was tempted, but dared not immediately agree. He knew that although he was a prince, he was in reality a discarded son of the palace, so much so that even a servant wouldn't want to be assigned to this desolate Guanghe Palace. Huairou was kind and charming, intelligent and virtuous, and the daughter of a high-ranking official; if he readily granted her request, he feared he would jeopardize her future.
Years of neglect had made Yunji extremely quiet. The more he cared about someone, the more he knew he couldn't easily get close. Now, fate had intervened, perhaps fulfilling his longing for the first time in his life.
"Your Highness." Huairou had arrived outside the study at some point and gently knocked on the door.
Yunji composed himself and regained his usual composure: "Please come in."
Huairou pushed open the door and entered, holding a scroll in her hands: "I just saw this book, 'Commentary on the Waterways Classic,' in the guest room. Is it the book Your Highness usually reads?"
Yunji nodded slightly: "I browse through it occasionally. If you like it, you may take it."
“Then Huairou will not stand on ceremony.” She smiled sweetly, her gaze falling on a map spread out on the desk. “Is Your Highness studying the terrain of the Northern Border?”
A hint of surprise flashed in Yunji's eyes: "You know about this too, young lady?"
“My elder brother often explains border defense to me, so I know a little about it.” Huairou walked closer to examine it closely and pointed to a pass on the map, saying, “This place is strategically important. If we were to defend it, it would be best to station light cavalry.”
Upon hearing this, Yunji couldn't help but take a closer look at the girl before him. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her earnest profile. A slight smile unconsciously crept onto his lips. The Guanghe Palace, which had been so desolate for so long, finally seemed to have a touch of warmth.
As the sun set, Huairou returned to her guest room. It was the best room in Guanghe Palace, and opening the window revealed a garden full of spring colors. She sat by the window, reflecting on the day's events, a smile unconsciously appearing on her lips.
The lamp in the study was still lit in the distance, and Yunji's figure was reflected on the window paper, tall and lonely. Huairou gently stroked the "Commentary on the Waterways Classic" in her hands, the warmth of his fingertips still lingering on the pages.
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