Qionglin's Shocking Change
In the warm spring of March, apricot blossoms fill the capital city.
Beneath the outer wall of the examination hall, a huge crowd thronged, their clamor almost lifting the clouds in the sky.
"The notice has been posted! The notice has been posted!"
With the solemn shouts of the master of ceremonies and the sound of the gong, the enormous yellow imperial edict was slowly unfurled. Countless gazes, as if drawn by a magnet, were instantly fixed on the three boldly written names at the very top—
Huiyuan: Shen Yu.
The top scholar in the palace examination was Shen Yu.
Dead silence.
It was as if time had suddenly frozen for a moment.
Immediately, as if boiling oil had been poured into ice water, a huge uproar erupted!
"Shen Yu?! It's that genius Shen Yu from the Marquis of Anping's mansion?!"
"My God! Thirteen years old! A thirteen-year-old top scholar!"
"A triple crown in the imperial examinations! This is the first time in our dynasty! No, it is unprecedented in all of history!"
"The God of Literature! This is the true God of Literature descended to earth!"
The crowd erupted in a frenzy, jostling and pushing forward, all eager to catch a glimpse of that legendary name. The servant sent by the Marquis of Anping screamed with ecstasy, nearly losing his shoes as he frantically squeezed through the crowd to rush into the mansion and deliver the good news.
Inside the Anping Earl's residence, Shen Yan was sitting with her legs crossed, listening to Yang Sijian tell stories in a haphazard manner, but her mind had already wandered to the examination hall outside.
Suddenly, the gate was flung open, and the messenger rushed in, panting, but his face was beaming with joy. He shouted in a high-pitched voice, "He passed! Lord! Madam! Master Yang! He passed! First place! Top scholar! Our Yu-ge'er is the top scholar! He achieved the triple honors!"
With a loud "boom," the main hall erupted in chaos.
"Really hit?!"
Shen Yan suddenly sprang up from his chair, his peach blossom eyes wide open. The next second, he was overwhelmed with joy. He grabbed Shen Yu, who was still in a daze, and swung him around three times, laughing wildly: "Hahaha! Good lad! You really made your father proud! I knew my son, Shen Yan's son, was born to be a top scholar!"
Yang Sijian's hand trembled violently as he stroked his beard, repeatedly saying, "Heaven has eyes! Our ancestors have protected us! Well done, Brother Yu!" Zhou Wenqing was so moved that tears streamed down his face, and he kept wiping them away with his sleeve. Shen Xing, Chen Chen, and Xiao Man Niu cheered and hugged each other tightly.
Ling Zhan stood under the eaves, watching the bustling scene in the courtyard. The corners of his lips curved slightly upward, and his clear eyes were filled with sunlight.
"A generous reward! A very generous reward!"
Shen Yan put down her son, waved her hand triumphantly, and her voice was so loud it could pierce the sky, "Everyone in the manor, their monthly wages will be increased tenfold! No, twentyfold! Even that big yellow dog that guards the gate, give it three extra meat bones today!"
Before he finished speaking, he had already swept out of the mansion gate like a gust of wind.
Outside the Earl's mansion, a large number of neighbors and onlookers had already gathered to offer their congratulations.
Anping Earl Shen Yan strode out, wearing a flamboyant crimson-purple brocade robe embroidered with gold lotus patterns. His fair skin and black hair were accentuated by the robe, and his peach blossom eyes shone with joy, captivating the eye with every glance.
When he stood on the high steps of that vermilion gate, he truly looked like a banished immortal descended to earth, exuding an air of ultimate wealth and elegance.
It instantly drew everyone's attention.
"Neighbors! Fellow villagers!" Shen Yan grinned from ear to ear, his voice clear and resonant, "My son! Shen Yu! He's become the top scholar in the imperial examination! A triple crown winner! The first in history! I'm overjoyed! Today, everyone who sees this gets a share!"
As he spoke, he abruptly lifted the hem of his robe, revealing several exquisitely embroidered money pouches hanging inside. Without even glancing at them, he casually tore one off, untied the ribbon, grabbed the gleaming, brand-new copper coins inside, and with a flourish of his arm—
"Let's all share in the joy! Let's all soak up the good fortune!"
Splash!
The brand-new copper coins, like golden raindrops, were scattered onto the crowd with a pattering sound!
The crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into even bigger cheers and commotion!
"Thank you for the reward, Lord Xie!"
"Congratulations, Your Excellency! Congratulations, Your Excellency!"
May the top scholar be blessed with good fortune!
People laughed and scrambled, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Shen Yan seemed to thoroughly enjoy the thrill of being surrounded by a crowd and showered with money, his smile growing increasingly blatant and dazzling. As he distributed the money, he shouted, "Grab it! Grab it all! The more you grab, the more good fortune you'll have! Go to 'Shen Ji Grain Shop' later to collect your wedding cakes! Plenty to go!"
One money pouch was empty, and he casually tore off another, continuing to scatter the coins. The golden rain of money was almost non-stop, shimmering with a captivating light in the spring sunshine, reflecting off his almost otherworldly handsome face and his undisguised, extravagant arrogance nurtured by his immense wealth.
Inside the mansion gate, Ling Zhan looked at the guy outside showing off like a peacock displaying its tail feathers and shook his head helplessly.
But in the end, she said nothing, and a very faint hint of indulgence, which she herself did not notice, even flashed in her eyes. Yang Sijian was both amused and annoyed, and repeatedly said to Zhou Wenqing, "This is improper, improper..." but there was not much real blame in his tone.
Seeing her father so happy and "embarrassing" for her, Shen Yu's face turned red with embarrassment and warmth.
Shen Yan emptied four or five bulging money bags before the steward, with a pained expression, leaned over and whispered, "My lord, the ten baskets of new coins we just exchanged for rewards are almost empty!" Only then did he reluctantly stop, dusting off non-existent dust, and bow to the still-celebrating crowd with a smug and dashing air: "Congratulations today! Now it's time to disperse, there will be more wedding cakes later!"
Only then, completely satisfied, like a victorious general returning from a great battle, did he stroll back to his mansion and continue to hug his son and grin foolishly.
The Qionglin Banquet was held in the royal garden, amidst willows and painted bridges, where elegant attire and graceful figures filled the air. The newly appointed scholars, dressed in their official robes, were either excited or reserved, but all eyes were drawn to the youngest figure, clad in a crimson scholar's robe.
Shen Yu's face still held a youthful innocence, and his figure was not yet fully developed, but the specially made robe he wore gave him a composure beyond his years. He sat quietly in the seat, responding to the congratulations around him with appropriate words and neither servility nor arrogance.
When the emperor arrived, all music ceased. The crowd knelt to welcome him.
The young emperor, supported by palace attendants, took his seat on the throne. His face was as pale as ever, and his eyes held an inescapable weariness, but today he seemed to have mustered some spirit for the grand occasion. His gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling precisely on the brightest and youngest figure in red.
The palace attendant announced loudly: "Summon Shen Yu, the top scholar in the first class, to an audience!"
All eyes instantly focused on him. Shen Yu took a deep breath, stood up, straightened his robes, and under countless gazes, some envious and some inquisitive, walked steadily to the emperor's presence and bowed in accordance with etiquette: "Your subject, Shen Yu, the newly appointed top scholar, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
His voice was clear and bright, still carrying the tone of a young boy, yet he showed no stage fright whatsoever.
The emperor leaned forward slightly, scrutinizing him closely. His gaze held a mixture of amazement, admiration, and a complex, indescribable emotion.
"Rise."
The emperor's voice was gentle, but it couldn't hide his lack of strength, and he sounded a little breathless. "Raise your head and let me see for myself what kind of demeanor the youngest top scholar in the history of my Great Yin Dynasty is."
Shen Yu looked up as instructed, his gaze respectful and calm.
"Excellent, what a promising young talent." The Emperor nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I have read your essay for the palace examination, your views on the Grand Canal and the promotion of new agricultural tools are insightful, practical, and profound, far beyond the reach of those who merely study by rote. What is even more commendable is your vibrant spirit. Seeing you, I feel that this world ultimately belongs to the young, and the future is bright."
He paused, seemingly a little short of breath, before continuing, his tone even more solemn: "Shenyu, you have achieved the highest honor in the imperial examinations before reaching adulthood, a rare and auspicious sign for the nation. I hope you will remain humble and not waste this gift from heaven. The Hanlin Academy is a prestigious place, a place for cultivating talent. I hope that after you enter, you will devote yourself to your studies, cultivate your character, and become a true pillar of the nation, living up to my expectations and the reputation of being a model for all scholars."
Shen Yu bowed again, his voice clear and firm: "Your subject, Shen Yu, will obey Your Majesty's decree. I will certainly work diligently and fulfill my duties to repay Your Majesty's kindness and serve the country."
These words of exchange, when heard by the many officials attending the banquet below, evoked various thoughts in their minds.
Some praised it, some felt a pang of bitterness, but many seasoned officials discerned an unusual meaning in it—His Majesty's praise was perhaps too eager, even carrying a hint of…entrustment? Considering that none of the top three or even the top two in this year's imperial examinations were Grand Secretary Jiang's nephews or protégés, the underlying message sent a chill down many spines.
After the banquet, the Earl's mansion was bustling with visitors. Excited scholars practically wore down the threshold.
"My lord! My lady! Great news! This is an extraordinary and joyous occasion!"
An elderly scholar with white hair was beaming with excitement. “According to custom, the top scholar should be appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy! This is the path to becoming a prime minister! Yu’er has entered the Hanlin Academy at the young age of thirteen and has devoted himself to his studies for ten years. He will surely become a literary master in the future, enter the cabinet and become a prime minister, bringing glory to the family!”
“That’s exactly right!” another headmaster of the academy chimed in. “This is a story that will be celebrated for generations to come! Lord and Madam, please don’t refuse. You should let Yu’er enroll in the academy as soon as possible!”
The people in the hall stared intently, as if they could already see Shen Yu in his purple robes in the future.
Despite the intense gazes and high expectations of the crowd, Ling Zhan remained remarkably calm.
She raised her hand and pressed it down slightly, silencing the crowd's commotion.
"Entering the Hanlin Academy is acceptable." Her voice was calm, yet it instantly silenced the hall.
The scholars all looked pleased.
But her next words stunned everyone: "But only two years."
"Two years?" The old scholar thought he had misheard. "Madam, this... the compiler of the Hanlin Academy is..."
"Two years later, he will have to leave the Hanlin Academy and the capital,"
Ling Zhan's tone left no room for argument. His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Shen Yu. "Travel the world alone. Go to the border to see the hardships of soldiers guarding the frontier, go to the sea frontier to hear the dangers of the waves and storms, go to the fields to touch the seedlings and soil, go to the canal docks to see the forest of sails and the myriad aspects of people's lives. Fifteen years old, not young anymore, it's time to read this wordless book of the world."
"Madam! You mustn't!"
Another great scholar stood up anxiously, "Traveling certainly broadens one's horizons, but the Hanlin Academy is the foundation! How can we abandon it so easily? Two years is too short; our learning is not yet solid. What if..."
"Talking about war on paper is ultimately superficial."
Ling Zhan interrupted him, his voice low, his cold gaze making the man who wanted to persuade him swallow his words. "My son cannot be just a Hanlin official confined to his study, spouting empty theories. Two years is enough for him to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the court. The road ahead is for him to measure with his own feet and see clearly with his own eyes. This matter is settled."
Her decision was resolute and carried an unassailable air.
Although Shen Yan felt sorry for her son and opened her mouth to speak, she swallowed her words after seeing Ling Zhan's gaze, and only patted Shen Yu's shoulder forcefully. Shen Yu himself, after his initial surprise, had a bright and eager flame ignite in his eyes.
Just as the excitement of the results announcement had barely subsided, and the world's attention and discussions were focused on this youngest-ever top scholar, while within the Earl's mansion the aftershocks of the debate over Shen Yu's future were still raging—
A rapid, almost frantic sound of horses' hooves approached from afar and suddenly stopped in front of the Earl's mansion!
Steward Liu Quan scrambled into the hall, leading a pale-faced eunuch... Shen Yan immediately recognized him as the imperial kitchen eunuch who was on good terms with Xiao Man Niu. His voice trembled with immense panic, and he even forgot to bow: "Lord! Madam! Something terrible has happened! Brother Niu sent me to deliver a message to all the mansions... His Majesty... His Majesty suddenly vomited blood and fainted. The imperial physician... the imperial physician said... I'm afraid..."
Before he could finish speaking, the extreme fear had already filled the entire hall like ice water.
The smiles and arguments of everyone froze on their faces instantly.
Shen Yan suddenly stood up: "His Majesty was perfectly fine this morning..."
However, bad news came like a flood bursting its banks, one wave after another.
In just seven days, the palace tolled mournfully, tearing the sky above the capital!
The emperor, who was only twenty-one years old and had no children, passed away at the young age of twenty-one.
Before the nationwide grief could spread, a terrifying vortex of power vacuum had already formed in an instant. The atmosphere in the capital city plummeted from extreme clamor to a deathly silence. Every household closed their doors, and the only sounds on the streets were the heavy footsteps of the city patrol and the imperial guards on their strict patrols. The air was so oppressive that it was suffocating.
The day after the emperor's death, with almost no time to spare, civil officials led by Grand Secretary Jiang, military generals led by General Huo, and some elder members of the imperial family quickly "reached a consensus" and jointly submitted a memorial on the grounds that "the country cannot be without a ruler for a day," supporting the only prince remaining in the capital and the one with the highest seniority—Prince Wei Jie of Changyi—to succeed to the throne.
Flattering memorials to the new emperor flooded the new center of power, while those who had received favors from the old emperor or had been on good terms with the Marquis of Anping kept their doors and windows tightly shut, a silent fear filling the air. Amidst this widespread anxiety and the powerful push of the court officials, fueled by absolute military force and swift, decisive action, virtually no effective resistance was formed, and Wei Jie, the Prince of Changyi, donned the yellow robe and ascended the throne.
Inside the Anping Earl's mansion, all joy vanished, leaving only a deathly silence.
Shen Yan stood by the window, gazing at the sudden increase in the number of patrolling soldiers in the direction of the imperial city, their eyes sharp and their killing intent palpable. His expression was more solemn than ever before. He turned to look into the hall: Ling Zhan's face was ashen; Yang Sijian closed his eyes and sighed deeply, as if he had aged ten years in an instant; Zhou Wenqing's face was deathly pale, and he kept muttering to himself; Shen Yu, who had just experienced the peak of his life, also pursed his lips, his eyes filled with a melancholy and solemnity that did not match his age.
"What I feared... has finally happened."
Chen Yan's voice was dry and hoarse, with a hint of weariness that was hard to hide, "And they came so quickly, so urgently, so... without any room for resistance."
Ling Zhan walked over and stood steadily beside him.
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