Chapter 84

The spring examination in the capital city was much stricter than the provincial examination. There were watchtowers at each corner of the examination hall to monitor the entire situation. Guards were stationed to prevent any cheating, and anyone whispering or communicating was considered cheating.

The answer sheets required two entries. The first entry, a personal identification number, was filled out by the candidates themselves. Each number was different and was issued by the local government office in their hometown. It was sealed with wax by the magistrate and delivered to the candidates by court officials, ensuring that the number remained confidential and avoiding any confusion with candidates of the same name.

The second entry was the candidate’s name, which was written by the examiner while holding a portrait of the candidate.

Once both entries were completed, they were sealed with a strip, covering the identification number and name. The edges were aligned along a black line, and from that point until the end of the grading process, the seal was not to be opened privately. This method effectively prevented impersonation and mix-ups.

These measures to prevent cheating began with the standard practice of body searches, which involved examining the hairline and even exposing the knees and ankles.

However, there were hardly any candidates who were caught smuggling cheat sheets, as there were not many deliberate offenders. Therefore, although Jian Yujue and Shangguan Yan ranked at the end, it didn’t take long for their turn to come.

When Jian Yujue entered the room and was about to undress, a young attendant from the Ministry of Rites stopped him, smiling and saying, “Scholar, there’s no need for a search. Please proceed inside.”

Jian Yujue felt puzzled but, out of habit, remained silent. He refastened his loosened waistband and glanced back when he left the dark room, only to find the young attendant smiling strangely at him.

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Mbl assx yppktdle vs Kkyd Zwfwl oyp dyaaso yde zso, yde bl bye vs pvssr vs ldvla. Rdpkel, vblal oyp sdzu sdl vyczl yde sdl nbyka. Mbl oyzzp olal aswtb yde nawel, xyel sq tayukpb caknjp. Gp kv oyp aykdkdt, vblal olal plhlayz cwnjlvp sq iwknjzkxl rzynle kd vbl nsadlap vs ycpsac xskpvwal, xyjkdt vbl yzalyeu nayxrle prynl lhld pxyzzla.

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Kkyd Zwfwl’p assx oyp vbl qwavblpv zlqv. Mbl lmyxkdla oyzjle wr vs bkx yde rzynle vbl lmyxkdyvksd ryrla sd vbl vyczl, qszzsole cu vbl xspv kxrsavydv ydpola pbllvp.

“Kkyd Zwfwl, qkzz kd uswa keldvkqknyvksd dwxcla blal.” Mbl lmyxkdla blze y rsavaykv yde, yqvla nsxryakdt kv, oyvnble yp Kkyd Zwfwl qkzzle kd bkp keldvkqknyvksd dwxcla okvbkd vbl plyzle zkdlp. Xdzu vbld eke bl oakvl esod vbl dyxl yde kxxlekyvlzu plyz csvb vbl dyxl yde vbl dwxcla.

“Slxlxcla, es dsv srld kv alnjzlppzu.”

“Zlp.”

Kkyd Zwfwl dseele yp bl alnlkhle vbl plyzle ydpola pbllv qasx vbl lmyxkdla.

Mbl lmyxkdla, pllkdt Kkyd Zwfwl’p dse, vbswtbv vbyv vbl xyvvla bye qkdyzzu clld bydezle rasrlazu. Tsolhla, qsa psxl alypsd, bl qlzv y pldpl sq wdlypl ellr okvbkd bkx.

Earlier, he had written the name of Mr. Lu’s son, Lu Guanlin. As for the identification number written by the scholar in front of him, he suspected that it had been tampered with by the local government office in Qingzhou. It should have been written for Lu Guanlin. This way, all the answers given by Jian Yujue would belong to someone else, while Lu Guanlin’s answers would naturally become Jian Yujue’s.

This was the most common form of impersonation, as it was difficult for the Ministry of Rites to make changes once the examination papers were sealed. Therefore, such actions were most convenient at this time.

This was something Mr. Lu had asked him to do. As a low-ranking official who depended on others for support, he had no choice but to comply. However, he still felt anxious, especially when he saw the red lucky talisman placed on the inkstone beside Jian Yujue. The scriptures engraved on it made him inexplicably uneasy, yet he couldn’t help but pick it up and take a look.

Although the examiner couldn’t speak much to the candidates, he knew without asking that this talisman had been obtained from a family temple. The candidate’s appearance was handsome, and despite his worn-out clothes, he exuded an air of refinement. It was said that he was the top scholar in Qingzhou, with a bright future ahead. However, after today, he would probably have to wait another three years.

Ultimately, the examiner was also involved in this matter. His mind was in chaos, and his hand trembled, causing the silk bag containing the lucky talisman to fall onto the inkstone on the table. Some scattered incense powder also fell into the ink, turning the whole red bag into a mixture of red and black ink.

After sealing the examination papers, Jian Yujue began to carefully read and answer the questions. The examiner stood there for a while, and he didn’t notice much. However, when the inkstone moved, and with the addition of the lucky talisman given by shopkeeper Li, he paused for the first time, looked up at the examiner, and his eyes carried a polite yet questioning

 expression.

“May I ask, Examiner, is there something wrong?”

“Sorry, sorry.”

The examiner felt even more guilty as he sensed Jian Yujue’s aura. He didn’t even have time to pick up the silk bag and hurriedly left his assigned room, almost as if fleeing from it.

Jian Yujue watched his hasty departure, furrowing his brows. He pulled out a piece of rice paper from under the table, folded it several times, and gently removed the lucky talisman from the ink, placing it on the white paper. It remained in the same position on the corner of the table, as he had promised Li. Although he didn’t believe in such things, it was a token of goodwill, and he had made a promise to keep it.

As Jian Yujue dipped his brush into the ink again, he suddenly caught a whiff of the distinctive scent of a temple. His gaze followed the scent, and unexpectedly, it emanated from the ink.

Meanwhile, in another room, Shangguan Yan’s examiner was different. Shangguan Yan hadn’t filled in the prepared identification number; instead, he randomly chose nine digits to fill in. Taking advantage of the lack of people around, he whispered to the examiner what they had agreed upon.

“Young Master Shangguan, did you really replace the scholar with this substitute?” The examiner asked, feeling curious. He had handled many substitution cases before, but this was the first time he encountered a last-minute substitution.

Shangguan Yan looked at the three characters “Jian Yujue” written by the substitute and softly replied, “Yes.”

***

In the residence of Prime Minister Zhang Huaian, Lu Wenguang had already come for the third time, this time bringing a large mahogany box with him. He sat below Zhang Huai’an.

“My Lord, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it.”

“The previous two times, when I wasn’t here, you already presented your gifts. Why spend more this time?”

“My Lord, when I come to your residence, whether you are here or not, I always bring my appreciation. Not just two times, even if it’s ten or a hundred times, I will always show my respect to the Prime Minister.”

Zhang Huaian poured tea and wore a contented smile on his face. He had put effort into protecting Lu Wenguang in the past because this person was sensible and understanding.

“Alright then. The previous two times, when I wasn’t here, what was it about? Speak.”

Lu Wenguang forced a smile and said, “My Lord, it’s all because of my incompetent son. He has confidence in the provincial examination this time, but he’s afraid of making mistakes in the palace examination due to his timid nature. Although I work in the Ministry of Rites, I have to avoid suspicion at that time, so I wanted to ask for your guidance.”

Zhang Huaian took a sip of tea. The statement was amusing — his son was confident in the provincial examination but sought his opinion for the palace examination. Without much thought, Zhang Huaian knew that Lu Wenguang had manipulated the spring examination for his son. However, Lu Wenguang’s son would be on his side once he entered officialdom, so he was willing to turn a blind eye.

“The Emperor’s health is weak. The palace examination questions will definitely be deliberated upon by my cabinet. I will inform you in advance and let you prepare.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenguang realized that as long as he knew the questions in advance, everything would be secure.

“Thank you, My Lord. I will definitely come to express my gratitude several more times!”

…

Ling An stood on the rooftop and listened to the conversation between the two. After seeing Lu Wenguang leave the residence, he disappeared among the layers of tree shadows and returned to the study where Qin Yan was.

“Master Supervisor, Lu Wenguang just discussed the palace examination with Zhang Huai’an.”

When Ling An reported this, Zhou Zheng was also present.

He had thoroughly investigated the top scholar in the Qingzhou matter. He admired Jian Yujue, a young man of such a tender age who had earned his respect. Despite his poor family background, he maintained the integrity of a scholar, refusing both assistance and complaints.

From this, it was evident that he had been completely kept in the dark about the substitution matter. It would be a great pity if someone like him was buried.

Originally, Zhou Zheng thought that even if Lu Wenguang’s son couldn’t pass the palace examination, it would still be a missed opportunity. However, hearing Ling An’s words, he realized that Lu Wenguang had already made arrangements for his son in every aspect.

Zhou Zheng wanted to interject several times, but having been transferred to the Jinyiwei for almost two years, he knew Qin Yan’s temperament and had to suppress his words. After all, the chief had his considerations.

Qin Yan listened to Ling An’s report and waved his hand lightly, and Ling An disappeared into the darkness.

Zhou Zheng continued his unfinished words, saying, “Chief, regarding Jian Yujue’s identity, there is not much to investigate about his poor family background. However, he was an abandoned baby picked up by the Jian family. We can further investigate his true family background.”

“No need,” Qin Yan said, leaning back in his chair with an uncertain expression.

“Yes, chief.” Zhou Zheng could already guess Qin Yan’s response. After all, they only wanted to know whether this scholar named Jian was truly writing on behalf of someone or being used. Other matters were not important, and it would be a waste of effort to investigate them.

Qin Yan sat in the darkness, seemingly lost in thought. Zhou Zheng patiently waited for a while, but he couldn’t resist looking at Qin Yan. “But, chief, should we not take action now to investigate? Otherwise, I’m afraid it might affect this scholar.

“That is his fate.” Qin Yan raised his gaze and looked at Zhou Zheng, his voice cold. “Wait until Lu Wenguang’s son passes the palace examination, then reexamine this case.”

“Understood…”

Zhou Zheng understood in his heart. If things were not yet accomplished, there was no way they could pin down Lu Wenguang, no matter what. But if it was accomplished…

He sighed. What should they do with this scholar?