Top Scholar
It's late autumn now.
But it's not time to relax yet.
Because he still had the imperial examination to take.
The palace examination was held a few days after the results of the provincial examination were announced.
To have a proper audience with the emperor, they would be given questions by the emperor himself, and they would have to answer them on the spot.
Shen Wenqiu already disliked the emperor because of Jiang Heng's affair, not to mention that this was a feudal society and the other party's identity was the emperor.
He was still somewhat afraid, and after working so hard for so long, he was a little nervous about the imperial examination, wondering if he could get a good ranking.
The difference between the first and second rank is significant. Whether one stays in the capital or is assigned to a post outside the capital, and which government office one is assigned to, all these factors will influence the outcome.
Shen Wenqiu became increasingly nervous as she thought about it. After returning from Zhaoming Hall, she stayed at her desk in Zhaolin Palace to read.
Half a day passed, and the books on the table remained untouched.
He doesn't look like he's reading a book.
Jiang Heng noticed Shen Wenqiu's unusual behavior early on. He stood aside and observed for a while before walking over and sitting down next to him.
Shen Wenqiu sensed someone beside him, looked up and saw it was Jiang Heng. He tugged at the corner of his mouth and asked, "Your Highness, is there anything you need me to do?"
Jiang Heng chuckled, took Shen Wenqiu's hand, and moved closer, saying, "Qiuqiu, you look so distracted. Even if you had something to ask of you, would you still be in the mood to do anything?"
Shen Wenqiu blushed and was about to explain when he saw Jiang Heng's gaze fall on the book he hadn't touched in a long time, and his ears turned red even more.
Was his dazed look just now really that obvious?
Actually, after thinking about it, I've already passed through all the levels of the imperial examinations.
It's rather embarrassing to be this nervous during the imperial examination.
In modern terms, this is like overcoming numerous obstacles to reach the final stage.
Shen Wenqiu felt increasingly ashamed as he thought about it, and lowered his head, not daring to respond to Jiang Heng's words.
Jiang Heng observed Shen Wenqiu's expression, then shook his head with a light laugh.
He knew all too well what his study companion was thinking.
Despite being so intelligent, she doesn't know how to hide her feelings at all; whatever she's thinking, she wears it on her face.
Isn't it just because of the tension of the palace examination?
That's normal.
Even a prince like Jiang Heng rarely saw the emperor.
Others rarely had the opportunity to meet the emperor, and this was a crucial moment for them to decide their first step into officialdom.
It's understandable to be a little nervous; there's nothing shameful about it.
Jiang Heng held Shen Wenqiu's hand, looked at him earnestly, and called out, "Qiuqiu."
Shen Wenqiu looked up and her eyes met Jiang Heng's.
With just a glance, in that one instant, he felt that nothing else mattered.
I don't know why, but just that one look.
strangeness.
That's really strange.
Shen Wenqiu's hand, which Jiang Heng had taken, froze. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he also wanted to hear what Jiang Heng had to say.
"The palace examination is just around the corner, so it's understandable that you're nervous. There's nothing wrong with saying it." Jiang Heng hesitated for a moment, but still chose to tell Shen Wenqiu frankly.
“I know that, but sometimes when emotions come, I just can’t control them,” Shen Wenqiu said, her eyes lowered and her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"What does it mean when emotions come and can't be controlled?" Jiang Heng asked with a curious expression, asking Shen Wenqiu to explain these words.
“It’s just…” Shen Wenqiu was silent for a while, then her eyes lit up and she explained with a smile, “It’s just that when you like someone, your heart starts pounding when you see them, and that’s when you can’t control your emotions.”
Jiang Heng was taken aback by Shen Wenqiu's words. He stood there, stunned, staring intently at the person in front of him.
When you like someone, your heart starts pounding when you see them.
Jiang Heng pondered these words for a moment.
He could think of anyone who shared this sentiment.
Perhaps it was Shen Wenqiu.
Therefore, he liked Shen Wenqiu.
In an instant, Jiang Heng had the answer in his heart.
But Jiang Heng also knew that his Qiuqiu was timid. If he rashly expressed his feelings before knowing how Shen Wenqiu felt, it would surely scare her away overnight.
This matter needs to be handled gradually; we cannot rush it.
As Jiang Heng sized up Shen Wenqiu, Shen Wenqiu looked back at Jiang Heng.
He felt that Jiang Heng's reaction to these words was a bit off.
Could it be...?
Does his ninth prince have someone he likes?
When this guess came to Shen Wenqiu's mind, he was startled.
Although Jiang Heng was always very well-behaved in front of him, he still couldn't connect Jiang Heng with the fact that he liked someone.
He always felt... that it would be rather strange if Jiang Heng liked someone.
Shen Wenqiu didn't think about it himself, and Jiang Heng didn't intend to say anything at this time.
They quickly brushed aside the topic of who they liked and instead started talking about the imperial examination.
Jiang Heng had little experience in this area in his previous life, but he was extremely knowledgeable about the entire court. When Shen Wenqiu had questions about politics, he could always point out some minor details that Shen Wenqiu had not noticed, broadening his thinking and helping him understand how to handle the matter.
During this period, the capital was very peaceful, and nothing unexpected happened.
The palace examination began and ended uneventfully.
Shen Wenqiu became the top scholar in the imperial examination. He rode through the streets on horseback, with a big red flower hanging on his chest. People from all over the capital came out to see him.
The people were overjoyed. They felt that seeing the top scholar brought them good fortune, and that their lives might improve in the future.
Aunt Qin was even happier, knowing that Shen Wenqiu was a diligent student and always excelled in her studies.
Little did they know that their son would become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Shen Wenqiu, however, was not so excited, and after the tension subsided, he achieved the best result.
Despite achieving such a remarkable result as the top scorer, he remained remarkably calm, as still as an autumn lake.
Perhaps because he no longer cared about the results of the imperial examination, and as a modern person, Shen Wenqiu did not have any particular excessive admiration for the title of "top scholar".
For Shen Wenqiu, riding through the streets with people watching him on the roadside was actually more shameful.
Jiang Heng was also among the crowd watching Shen Wenqiu, staring intently at Shen Wenqiu on horseback.
So spirited, so triumphant.
Such a wonderful, beautiful person.
Tell everyone to look at it like this.
He was so jealous.
Jiang Heng suppressed his emotions, preventing his distorted possessiveness from surfacing.
He was happy that Shen Wenqiu was receiving so much attention and that his talent was being recognized.
He was unhappy, and he wanted to hide Shen Wenqiu away, preferably in a secret room at home, where no light could see her, and only he could see her.
Under Jiang Heng's gloomy gaze, Shen Wenqiu walked across the street.
According to regulations, the top scholar in the imperial examination would enter the Hanlin Academy after entering officialdom.
However, Shen Wenqiu remained Jiang Heng's study companion, accompanying him to school one last time before taking office.
Of course, after this, Jiang Heng will also have to go to court to serve the country, which will be the last time for him.
Upon arriving at Zhaoming Hall, Shen Wenqiu sat beside Jiang Heng, diligently tidying up the writing implements on the table for him.
Neither of them said anything, treating this class as just another ordinary one.
The Grand Tutor walked in and saw Shen Wenqiu sitting there calmly, unperturbed by praise or criticism, as if he were not the one who had passed the imperial examination.
Even the Grand Tutor couldn't help but praise him when he saw him looking like that.
"I heard that Young Master Shen has become the top scholar in the imperial examination, yet he remains so calm and composed, without becoming arrogant about it. This truly pleases me." The Grand Tutor looked at Shen Wenqiu with a smile, his eyes full of admiration.
"Grand Tutor, you flatter me. I participated in the imperial examination simply because I wanted to serve the country. As for my ranking, it is nothing to boast about," Shen Wenqiu replied, standing up with neither arrogance nor servility.
“Good, good, that’s a very good idea. Sit down, we won’t delay the class, let’s look at the questions I gave you last time.” The tutor agreed with a smile, and then changed the topic back to the course.
No one mentioned the matter again, and they focused on their lessons.
Shen Wenqiu originally thought that her last day at Zhaoming Hall would pass by uneventfully.
No sooner had the Grand Tutor left than they saw Crown Prince Jiang Yunyan walking toward them with a displeased expression.
Shen Wenqiu couldn't recall what he had done to offend the Crown Prince, wondering if it was related to the flood in the south last time.
If that's the case, then the Crown Prince has been holding a grudge for far too long, and he doesn't seem very bright.
"You two, master and servant, are birds of a feather, with the same temperament." Jiang Yunyan looked at Shen Wenqiu and Jiang Heng, gritting his teeth in hatred. "One stole my credit, and the other stole the top scholar position from the person I had my eye on."
no.
The emperor decided on the top scholar position, so how can you blame him for this?
Shen Wenqiu couldn't help but complain in his heart.
Seeing this, Jiang Heng frowned, stepped forward, and said, "Your Highness is mistaken. The results of the palace examination are decided by Father Emperor alone. Wen Qiu is just a young master of the Marquis of Huai'an. How could he have such great ability to influence Father Emperor's wishes?"
Jiang Yunyan disliked Jiang Heng to begin with, and now that he was not obediently accepting the situation and even dared to talk back, she was even more dissatisfied. She sneered and said, "You, the son of a disgraced concubine, are quite a match for him, the son of a whore. I just hope that the two of you will not follow in your mother's footsteps and disgrace the royal family in public!"
Jiang Heng's expression turned cold, and before he could speak, Shen Wenqiu stepped forward.
Shen Wenqiu said seriously, "Although His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, there is no reason for him to speak nonsense to the concubines in the palace. After all, she is the Emperor's concubine and His Highness the Crown Prince's stepmother."
Jiang Yunyan was well aware of the stakes involved. Even if the emperor wanted to protect him, the ministers' spittle could drown him.
For a moment he didn't know what to say, and just stared blankly at Shen Wenqiu.
Despite her fear, Shen Wenqiu stood firmly in front of Jiang Heng, shielding him from the wind and rain.
Realizing this, Jiang Yunyan became even more unhappy.
Although Shen Wenqiu's background was not good, his attitude towards the princes was unique in the Zhaoming Hall.
Why?
Such a person is too good for Jiang Heng!
It's all Father Emperor's fault for not marrying such a person to him, the Crown Prince.
Jiang Yunyan looked at Shen Wenqiu and immediately started complaining about everything again.
Then, Jiang Yunyan walked step by step toward Shen Wenqiu, meeting his eyes, which were clearly filled with fear but showed no sign of backing down.
He said, "If I were in Jiang Heng's current position, my study companion... would never risk being implicated to stand up for me."
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