The county exam was held as scheduled in the second lunar month of the New Year. The examination venue was set at the county school, presided over by the Magistrate of Yongcheng. After the previous magistrate had been escorted to the capital, the clerk of the magistrate’s office had temporarily managed the county’s affairs, but shortly before this, the former magistrate had been sentenced to dismissal and exile to Lingnan, and a new magistrate had been quickly appointed.

The new magistrate wore his official robes with a solemn expression, looking quite majestic and upright.

The content of the exam covered the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as poetry composition, spanning five days, with one session per day. As the doors of the county school swung open and the bailiffs called for entry, the scholars—having had their reference documents verified—poured in, taking their seats in the assigned partitioned cubicles.

Unlike the provincial or metropolitan exams, examinees had to provide their own brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. However, officials would inspect them—not just the stationery, but the candidates themselves. If any crib sheets or prohibited materials were discovered, the candidate would be dragged out and disqualified from all future exams. Despite the severe penalties, some still refused to give up hope. After several people were dragged out one after another, a command to “Silence!” was issued, and the atmosphere instantly turned deathly quiet.

The new magistrate glanced over the crowd. “Begin distributing the papers.”

Upon receiving his paper, Ji Linxi took a covert glance at the magistrate’s blue robe, embroidered with flowing water patterns. He then gripped his brush, took a deep breath, and bowed his head to answer the questions. He had practiced his calligraphy diligently, but he lacked the natural talent he possessed for reading; the results were merely neat and orderly, still lacking true spirit and structure.

However, he had read and memorized enough books. After only a few questions, his confidence grew, and his brush flowed with the agility of a swimming snake. The county exam lasted five days, one session a day, with poetry or prose composition required almost every single time.

Poetry was, like his calligraphy, a weak point for Ji Linxi.

Before this, he hadn’t been without practice. When he first encountered “lewd stories” at fifteen or sixteen, he felt as if he had entered a brand-new world and dove headlong into them. However, he didn’t care for the ones with illustrations—the people in the pictures weren’t him, nor were they the people he liked.

He preferred reading pure text. Since he had swindled a wealthy young master and run off with a sum of money, he had immediately bought paper and brush, determined to “do it himself to be well-fed and well-clothed.” While he had some ink in his belly, his literary talent was non-existent. But that didn’t matter; he could copy. He would strip away the excessive descriptions of appearance, leaving only a line saying “extremely beautiful, like a fairy or a demon,” and then copy and paste the rest from various writers, editing and revising until he had a “lewd story” that satisfied him.

Many of these writers used suggestive poetry to show off their literary flair, and because these poems were beautiful and left room for imagination, they became Ji Linxi’s primary targets for mimicry. Because he had imitated enough of them, he could piece together a template even if he couldn’t create something original. Huai Xiuyong knew there wasn’t time to hone his true literary style, so he had force-fed Ji Linxi a stack of poems to memorize to cultivate a “poetic sense,” teaching him the rules of tone, rhyme, and parallelism to ensure no errors were made.

When the fifth session ended, Huai Xiuyong and Mistress Qi were waiting outside the school with their two children. After living together for a while, Mistress Qi genuinely looked upon Ji Linxi as an adopted son; after all, he called her Shiniang, and in a way, wasn’t that like a mother?

“This is likely the first important exam of his life. He’s bound to be nervous. Don’t ask him how he did the moment he comes out; don’t pressure him.”

“Alright, we’ll ask after we go home and eat.”

Mistress Qi glared at Huai Xiuyong, but before she could speak, the exam finished. A tide of people surged forward. “I can’t be bothered with you.”

The couple each picked up a child and looked for Ji Linxi. It didn’t take long to spot him walking out with the flow of the crowd, his face weary, making it impossible to tell if he had done well or poorly. Huai Xiuyong felt a surge of tension. While he was confident in Ji Linxi, it wasn’t impossible for a student facing such a big stage for the first time to have a mental breakdown. When Huai Xiuyong had taken his first metropolitan exam, he had trembled for quite a while before he could even begin.

“Teacher, Shiniang.”

Ji Linxi walked up to them and bowed. “I have finished the exam.”

He now carried a scholarly, gentle air—even more deceptive than before. Huai Xiuyong suppressed the urge to ask about the results and kept a straight face. “Since you’re done, let’s go home and eat.”

Back at their humble home, Mistress Qi served the chicken soup she had been simmering over a low fire and ordered Huai Xiuyong to help in the kitchen. When Ji Linxi tried to help, Mistress Qi brandished her spatula. “Go outside and watch the children. Don’t do anything today; let your teacher do it.”

Huai Xiuyong wanted to huff and puff about how a teacher shouldn’t be ranked lower than a student, but he eventually crumbled under her gaze and told Ji Linxi, “Listen to your Shiniang; go outside and watch the children.”

Ji Linxi agreed.

Once the meal was ready, Huai Xiuyong set it on the table. Looking outside, he saw Ji Linxi sitting on the steps, weaving grass dragonflies out of fresh粽 (zong) leaves.

“Here, for you.” He had woven one for each child.

“Thank you, Brother Linxi.”

Ji Linxi rested his chin on his hands, smiling at the two children. Watching this scene, the scholarly Tutor Huai couldn’t help but feel moved, his expression softening as a smile touched his lips. What a heartwarming scene.

Of course, if he knew what Ji Linxi was thinking, he probably wouldn’t find it so heartwarming. While Ji Linxi sat there smiling like a proper gentleman, in his mind, he was “gazing into a mirror,” fantasizing about the future of having children with his beautiful noble.

He imagined them in love, the beauty carrying his child. When he was out working hard to climb the ladder of success, the beauty would be leaning against the door at home, his slender fingers resting on his slightly convex belly, gazing into the distance, missing his “husband.” Perhaps the child would kick, and the beauty would frown and whisper, “Behave yourself; don’t torment me like your scoundrel father.”

When the child was born, he would take care of them. The two children would have to look like both the beauty and himself, so that others would know at a glance they were born of “his wife” and him. He imagined the beauty sitting on a rocking chair under the eaves, covered in a soft blanket, yawning with lowered, dense eyelashes—a painting of a beauty sleeping in spring. He would feel an itch in his heart, send the servants away to put the children to bed, then hold his immortal-like “wife” in his arms, close the door, and—well, the rest was bliss.

“Linxi, come inside and eat.”

The call pulled Ji Linxi from his fantasy world. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and let out a sigh of disappointment. The beautiful noble wasn’t a woman and couldn’t bear children. It was all just his impractical, lewd daydreaming. What a pity, a great pity. Still, his devotion and longing for the beauty remained as clear as the sun and moon, and heaven and earth could bear witness.

Thinking of the sun and moon, Ji Linxi looked up at the sky where the moon was already faintly visible, then looked down at his own rough, calloused hands.

The moon between the clouds remains the moon between the clouds.

The mud on the ground remains the mud on the ground.

But who is to say that I, Ji Linxi, will be mud on the ground for the rest of my life, unable to reach the moon in the clouds?

…

Having completely sobered up and revitalized himself, Ji Linxi stood up and went inside to eat with the Huai family. Knowing he had a big appetite, Mistress Qi served him from a soup bowl heaped full of rice. The slow-simmered chicken soup was clear and fragrant, the surface grease skimmed off. Setting aside the few days he spent at the Wang family’s house, this was, to Ji Linxi, no different from a royal feast.

He ate two large bowls of rice with the soup, chicken, and other side dishes. Once he finished, Huai Xiuyong couldn’t help but ask, albeit cautiously: “How did you feel about the county exam?”

“Ahem.” After asking, Huai Xiuyong cleared his throat to soften the tone. “It doesn’t matter if you didn’t pass. There is always the next time. You’ve only just started studying, so it’s normal if you don’t pass. Don’t feel pressured. You’re still young; there is plenty of time. These imperial exams are not easy; there are many who remain mere scholars (Xiucai) until they are old and gray.”

Ji Linxi set down his chopsticks. “Teacher, I don’t think there will be any problems.”

“No problems at all?”

Ji Linxi nodded.

“Are you truly sure?”

Because Huai Xiuyong and Mistress Qi were truly kind to him, Ji Linxi’s answer was honest: “After finishing the exam, I felt quite relaxed. There should be no problem passing the county exam.”

Huai Xiuyong trusted him, but just as joy appeared on his face, he pulled a stern expression again and warned him: “You are too confident. What if you don’t pass? Before the results are posted, you must not say such things to others as you have to me. In life, one must know how to be humble.”

Ji Linxi understood this. He didn’t argue and bowed his head obediently. “This student understands.”

…

The results of the county exam would not be announced for a month. When March arrived, with peach and pear blossoms in full bloom, crowds of people gathered before dawn where the government office posted the notices. These were the candidates waiting to see their results.

“Why haven’t they come out yet?”

“It’s just a county exam; you all are so nervous and impatient. With such a lack of composure and patience, I doubt any of you will pass the provincial exams.”

“Heh, brother, you have such composure and patience, yet here you are at this hour, waiting just like the rest of us.”

“You!…”

Amidst the noisy clamor, Ji Linxi was squatting in a corner of the government office steps, biting into a steamed bun like a passerby, rather than a candidate anxious for his results.

A fellow academy student saw him and nudged his companion. “Look, the history tutor’s student, Ji Linxi.”

“Standing so far away. Hmph, I bet he knows there’s no hope and is just waiting here to have something to say to Tutor Huai when he gets back.”

“I haven’t forgotten his report card full of ‘Grade C’s at the start of the term. If someone like that can pass the county exam, I’ll eat…”

Creak—

The main gate of the government office was unlocked and slowly pushed open.

“They’re coming!! They’re coming!!”

“The Magistrate is coming to announce the results!”

“I must pass, I must pass! I don’t want to wait for the next county exam!”

Hearing the commotion, Ji Linxi immediately stood up, wiped his hands clean, and smoothed his clothes and hair. He assumed a refined, scholarly posture. Feeling that wasn’t enough, he narrowed his eyes, recalled the behavior and manners of the beautiful noble and Marquis Yan, and upon reopening his eyes, he projected two parts of an aristocratic air. Though he was far from a real noble, it was enough to fool ordinary people.

He masked the excitement in his eyes and stepped aside.

The new magistrate led his bailiffs out, looking quite imposing. Seeing the sea of people blocking the way, he turned cold and commanded sharply: “Step aside! If you block the way and delay the auspicious time for the announcement, who will take the blame?”

To ordinary scholars and commoners, a cold, sharp reprimand was far more effective than a gentle request. Under this command, the crowd slowly dispersed, clearing a wide path.

The new magistrate’s expression softened. He led the bailiffs to the notice board, some carrying red silk banners with the names of those who passed, others setting up the board. As the last of the bailiffs stepped down from the platform, Ji Linxi followed them with sharp eyes. The bailiff noticed someone behind him and was about to curse, but seeing Ji Linxi’s striking features, handsome appearance, and an air that set him apart, he became unsure of his identity. Not daring to offend him, he looked away.

Thus, Ji Linxi passed through the crowd with the bailiffs. By the time the others swarmed back in, he was already inside the inner circle of the notice board.

The bailiffs applied the paste and neatly posted the red silk banners with the names of the successful candidates. The new magistrate turned to face the crowd of scholars. “Those who have passed must continue to study diligently. Do not become complacent. Remember, passing the county exam only grants you the qualification to participate in the imperial examinations. You are still a long way from the top. There are still the provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams ahead.”

“Those who haven’t passed, do not give up. There will be another county exam. Go back and continue studying; you will have another chance next time.”

“You have studied for many years. I hope you will achieve high rank and dedicate yourselves to serving the people and the nation.”

After the lecture, the magistrate left with his bailiffs, and the crowd lost all control. People pushed to get to the front; someone blocked the person behind them while pushing forward; others cried out in joy upon seeing their names, only to be shoved aside.

Ji Linxi refused to budge. He stood in the very front, scanning the names one by one. People pushed and shoved him, but he wouldn’t move.

Ji Linxi felt proud. A joke. If I were pushed away, how could I become the husband of the beautiful noble? Only the strong deserve to possess him, and the strong must be strong in every aspect. A strong physique is essential.

He was someone who never missed a day of reading or exercise.

A weak-bodied scholar who had spent his life hunched over books couldn’t match his strength. Seeing him standing there for so long, the man mocked, “Brother, you’ve looked for so long and haven’t found your name—could it be that you didn’t pass? If so, wouldn’t it be better to move aside? Why occupy the space of two people by yourself?”

This hit exactly where Ji Linxi felt vulnerable. Although he was confident, having not seen his name after searching for so long made him panic. He glanced at the man with a dark look in his eyes and continued scanning down. Finally, he saw his name.

【Ji Linxi】

Passed!

I really passed!

I passed!

Even though it was expected, Ji Linxi couldn’t help but be excited. He laughed out loud, turned to the man who was still standing on his tiptoes looking for his name, and put on a kind expression. “Brother, I’ve found my name. Would you like me to help you look for yours?”

Hearing this, the man was overjoyed and hurriedly gave his name: “My name is Zeng Lian.”

He said with a look of shame: “Little brother, I was rude just now. You are a kind person to offer to help me look. Truly, thank you.”

“It’s nothing. We are all people working hard for the imperial exams. Helping is only right.” Ji Linxi pretended to look for a while, and under the urging of the people behind him, he covered his mouth and gasped in shock: “Oh my, Brother Zeng Lian! This red silk has Wang Lian, Li Lian, Zhao Lian, and Zhu Lian, but your name, Zeng Lian, is nowhere to be found!”

The man froze, then his face turned deep red. “You! You!!”

He now realized Ji Linxi had been playing him.

Ji Linxi was full of disdain and glanced at him coldly. I am a small person who repays every grievance and refuses to concede an inch—so what? Besides, his name wasn’t on the list to begin with.

He curled his lips, turned, and walked out of the crowded area. He felt the banknotes in his pocket and decided to buy some meat, vegetables, and snacks to take home to share the good news with Tutor Huai and Mistress Qi.

…

In the Capital.

Since this was news His Highness wanted, Yunsheng immediately sent men to investigate. He knew who Chu Xi was—a down-and-out man he had seen in a pathetic state on the ground at the Wang residence. Because he had helped His Highness, His Highness had granted his wish for Liangji status and sent him to the county school.

Yunsheng had never seen this man be disrespectful to his master; he only knew the man had helped His Highness and still held a shred of favor for him. He drew a portrait based on his memory, then told his subordinates to take it to Yongcheng to investigate. Remembering His Highness’s instructions, he added: “After you arrive, stay until the county exam results are announced. See if the name ‘Chu Xi’ is on the list. Report back to me regardless of whether it is there or not.”

The subordinates set off, and after the results were out in Yongcheng, they returned on horseback.

Hearing the news that the name “Chu Xi” was not on the list, Yunsheng wasn’t very surprised. What surprised him was: “You say, there is no one named Chu Xi in Yongcheng County now?”

“There is indeed no such person, Master Yun.”

“Not just Yongcheng County; I checked other counties, the county schools, and other academies. There are no records or portraits of anyone named Chu Xi.”

“We checked outside the schools too. This person only appeared briefly last year. According to intelligence, he was a vagrant hoodlum without a residence who swindled and lied. Ever since His Highness left Yongcheng, there has been no news of him.”

Yunsheng frowned: “Did you ask the clerk at the Jinzhou government office?”

The subordinate froze: “This… I didn’t.”

Yunsheng: “That is my fault.”

He had only told them to use the portrait and the name, forgetting to mention that the man had last been seen at the prefectural government office. He thought that since His Highness had bestowed Liangji status on him, it would be easy to find him using his name and portrait. He hadn’t expected the man to have “vanished.”

Yunsheng frowned and told his subordinate: “You may go.”

He turned and entered the Eastern Palace. After Eunuch Chen announced him, he stepped into the hall. Without waiting for Chu Yu’s instruction, Eunuch Chen tactfully led the other servants away.

Winter turned to spring, and the warmth returned. The underground heating in the palace had been turned off, but as it was still early spring, the air carried a slight chill.

Chu Yu wore silver-white robes and sat on the couch reading. Beneath his hem was a glimpse of black trousers. Half of his dark hair was tied up with a silver crown, while the other half fell behind him. Because he had been reading for a long time, a few strands had scattered onto his shoulders, winding along the lapel of his chest.

The warm sunlight fell upon his jade-like, creamy white face. Viewed from the side, the contours of his face seemed to possess a golden radiance, noble beyond measure.

Yunsheng, kneeling on the ground, reported the news from Yongcheng one by one, then hesitated: “Your Highness, should I send someone to investigate again?”

“No need.” Chu Yu let out a yawn.

His wish to investigate Chu Xi that day had been a momentary whim; on any other day, he wouldn’t have bothered to send Yunsheng.

“Since even with the portrait you cannot find him, he must have left Yongcheng and the surrounding counties.”

After a pause, Chu Yu asked: “Is it really true that the name ‘Chu Xi’ was not on the county exam list?”

Yunsheng looked up in surprise, then quickly lowered his head. “According to those who returned, they checked three times and didn’t see anyone named Chu Xi.”

“Not there…”

Just as Chu Yu was deep in thought, Eunuch Chen’s voice came from outside the palace doors: “Your Highness, the Sixth Prince has sent a palace attendant to invite you to view birds. He hopes you will give him the honor.”

Yunsheng, kneeling on the ground with his head down, could not see the expression on His Highness’s face, only heard the order: “Go back, Yunsheng.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”