Aunt Juan kindly reminded, “Your Highness, you should rest early. Don’t you have an appointment with Young Master Lin to go to the Chunfeng Teahouse tomorrow?”

“Huh? Why are we going to Chunfeng Teahouse?” Jiang Ruotang looked up in confusion.

“To see Young Master Bai, of course. Tomorrow, Master Wang will be debating with several of the capital’s great scholars at Chunfeng Teahouse, and naturally, Young Master Bai will be by his side. If you get up early, you can go with Young Master Lin and get a good seat.”

Jiang Ruotang grinned. “Master Wang’s pedantic arguments? I’ve no interest in listening to that. Perfect excuse to sleep in tomorrow. Aunt Juan, please help me decline the invitation politely. Lin Lu is so fond of Bai Yingchuan, let him go on his own.”

How could Jiang Ruotang not know what Lin Lu was planning?

Tomorrow, the candidates favored by Lin Chengdong would also attend. If Lin Lu introduced them to Jiang Ruotang and they sat together for tea, it would be like announcing to the world that these candidates were the Crown Prince’s preferred future talents—using chicken feathers as command tokens, what a trick.

Jiang Ruotang had no intention of being that chicken feather.

Aunt Juan didn’t say more. She simply helped grind ink beside him, praising the elegant and spirited lines of the crabapple blossoms Jiang Ruotang was painting.

After putting down his brush, Jiang Ruotang yawned and finally went to bed.

A few hours later, as expected, Lin Lu arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence—only to be stopped by Aunt Juan.

“Young Master Lin, I’m afraid His Highness won’t be able to go to Chunfeng Teahouse today. He was so absorbed in reading his storybooks last night, he only went to sleep a couple of hours ago.”

Lin Lu hesitated. Thinking of his father’s instructions, he grew anxious—if he couldn’t bring the Crown Prince along, today’s gathering would be meaningless.

But Aunt Juan stood firmly at the door, wearing a kind smile, but her eyes clearly telling him to leave.

Unable to contain himself, Lin Lu raised his voice and shouted, “Your Highness! I heard Young Master Bai will be playing High Mountains and Flowing Waters today—are you really not coming?”

“Young Master Lin, you’re being inappropriate.” Aunt Juan’s expression turned cold.

Lin Lu’s throat bobbed, eyes fixed longingly on the shut door, but there was no response. The Crown Prince was clearly sleeping deeply.

He had already annoyed Aunt Juan. Two palace attendants stood at either side, making a clear gesture for him to leave.

Lin Lu took a deep breath and turned to leave, his heart sinking.

Everything seemed to have changed since the day Jiang Ruotang jumped out of the carriage. Had he waited in the carriage too passively? Did that make the Crown Prince angry?

But he had once admired Bai Yingchuan so much—how could Jiang Ruotang say he wasn’t interested anymore and just move on?

When Lin Lu had gone, Jiang Ruotang turned over happily in his blanket. Of course he had heard Lin Lu’s shouting, but Bai Yingchuan was no bait for him.

If Lin Lu had managed to invite Lu Guifan to the debate, then even if he hadn’t slept a wink, Jiang Ruotang would’ve gone just to see him in action.

That afternoon, Lu Guifan took a nap. As he was about to resume studying, Steward Wang came by.

“Young Master Lu, look—another painting has arrived for you. The sender said this is the name of the gentleman who’s been helping you.”

Lu Guifan quickly got up and accepted the scroll with great care. When he unrolled it, he found it was a painting of a weeping crabapple tree—graceful and elegant, like a handsome young man smiling gently. Lu Guifan’s heart gave a slight tremble.

“So this gentleman’s name has the character ‘Tang’ (crabapple) in it?” Lu Guifan guessed.

Steward Wang smiled. “That I don’t know.”

“I’ll treasure this painting. I just don’t know how to return the favor,” Lu Guifan said, eyes still lingering on the artwork, imagining how the other man must have looked while painting it. How he wished he could see him in person.

“The lady who brought the painting said her young master admires your calligraphy. If you wish to return the favor, why not write something for him?”

Lu Guifan nodded. Steward Wang quickly laid out the paper. Lu Guifan thought for a moment, then picked up his brush and wrote a short piece. After letting the ink dry, Steward Wang carefully rolled it up and brought it to Aunt Juan, who had been waiting at the back door.

Jiang Ruotang received the calligraphy and hung it in his study, propping up his chin and gazing at it for half the day.

Aunt Juan brought in snacks and tea with a smile. Jiang Ruotang said, “The chief examiners this year are Chancellor Qin, Scholar Yang, and Minister Qi, right?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Ruotang stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Chancellor Qin is a veteran of three reigns. I hear he’s been coughing recently. I’ll bring him some pear and lily soup tomorrow to show my concern.”

The next day, Jiang Ruotang rode in a carriage to the Qin residence.

Hearing of his arrival, Chancellor Qin came out to personally greet him. Qin Zhanchao, the Chancellor’s grandson, couldn’t help but grumble to his mother while receiving the soup: “What’s the Crown Prince up to? It’s just pear soup—our kitchen can make that easily enough.”

Madam Qin shot him a sharp look. “He’s the Emperor’s only son. A visit from the Crown Prince, even with just a bowl of soup, represents the imperial family’s support.”

Qin Zhanchao simply thought the Crown Prince was a foolish dandy obsessed with art, clueless about state affairs. In the end, wouldn’t it still be Grandpa who had to do all the work?

Inside the study, Jiang Ruotang and Chancellor Qin spoke in private.

No one knew what was said, but when the Crown Prince left, Chancellor Qin stood at the door, beaming, watching the carriage go until it disappeared from sight.

Confused, Qin Zhanchao asked, “Grandfather, why are you so happy today?”

Chancellor Qin stroked his beard. “Everyone thought the Crown Prince was mediocre, but it turns out he’s been playing the fool all along. Zhanchao, when he ascends the throne in the future, you must assist him well—respect him, and trust him.”

Qin Zhanchao frowned, puzzled by his grandfather’s sudden change of heart.

Meanwhile, Lu Guifan finished preparing everything he needed. Steward Wang double-checked everything, even the food and drinks, before letting him depart.

Outside the gates, a carriage was waiting.

Aunt Juan stepped forward and said softly, “Young Master Lu, my master invites you for a meeting.”

Lu Guifan, normally calm and confident, suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. He knew the gentleman in the carriage was the one who had supported him all this time, the one who had exchanged paintings and words with him.

With each step closer, Lu Guifan’s heart pounded harder—until he stood before the carriage.

A servant set down a footstool. A young man in white lifted the curtain and stepped out. He had a handsome and approachable face, and as he clasped his hands in greeting, he said, “Brother Lu.”

His voice was pleasant. His hands were elegant—slender fingers, neatly trimmed nails. As Lu Guifan imagined the way this person must have painted, he felt an inexplicable flutter in his chest.

“I am Lu Guifan. Thank you for all your help. May I know your name?”

Jiang Ruotang only smiled. If he said his name aloud, especially with the crabapple painting he had sent, Lu Guifan would surely guess his identity.

Aunt Juan brought out a beautifully crafted three-turtle basin. Jiang Ruotang took it and offered it to Lu Guifan. “Brother Lu, please cleanse your hands.”

Lu Guifan paused. He knew this was part of the ritual many other examinees had gone through. Since he’d been kept apart, he hadn’t thought much about it.

Seeing his hesitation, Aunt Juan explained with a smile, “Young Master Lu, though you’ve never visited Confucius’ temple, he surely lives in your heart. Washing in this three-turtle basin, you’ve already become the ‘origin winner’ of Yuanhe. My master wishes you to achieve the top honors, and place first in every exam.”

The basin was quite heavy—Jiang Ruotang could barely hold it. Lu Guifan quickly stepped forward to wash his hands carefully.

Then came a wave of soft fragrance. Jiang Ruotang smiled, “Brother Lu, pick a branch.”

Lu Guifan understood and picked one full of osmanthus flowers.

Jiang Ruotang smiled again, “Brother Lu, you shall surely pluck the laurels of success.”

Lu Guifan’s ears flushed red. He had so much to say.

Why had this person treated him so kindly? What if he failed the exams—would the other be disappointed?

“I’ll accompany Brother Lu a short way. May you rise to great heights.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Ruotang took his luggage and lifted the carriage curtain.

The interior was comfortable and spacious. Lu Guifan wanted to hear him speak more—his voice was pleasant—but he wasn’t good at small talk and didn’t know what else to say. Especially since the other clearly didn’t want to reveal his name.

“Brother Lu, I’ve heard this year’s palace exams will be strictly monitored. Whatever you see or hear, don’t let it distract you. Just focus on the test.”

Lu Guifan nodded. “Thank you for the reminder.”

“I know you’re curious about my name, but I fear it might distract you. Once the exams are over, I’ll tell you everything.”

Lu Guifan’s heart felt much lighter after hearing that.

Jiang Ruotang accompanied him to the examination gate, then departed.

Candidates queued up for inspections and entered the exam grounds.

Just as Jiang Ruotang said, the checks were extremely thorough.

When it was Lu Guifan’s turn, they even cracked open his brush handles to see if anything was hidden inside.

The chief proctor was Chancellor Qin, a dignified elder still full of vigor. A candidate was kneeling before him, head bloodied, begging for mercy.

“Isn’t that Meng Yang? I heard he had won Minister Lin’s favor.”

“Sigh, turns out he was a fraud. He hid cheat sheets in his brush handle!”

“This is the palace exam! Has he gone mad?”

Minister Qi, sitting beside Qin, laughed, “Chancellor Qin is shrewd. The brush handle looked seamless—who’d have thought it could hide cheats?”

Scholar Yang added, “No wonder the Chancellor suddenly changed the guards. He must’ve feared collusion between the original guards and cheating candidates.”

Chancellor Qin remained calm. “Any writing tools damaged during inspection must be replaced immediately.”

By the time Lu Guifan was done, most of his belongings had been swapped out.

Other candidates were anxious and nervous. Lu Guifan alone felt at ease.

Such strictness—wasn’t it all for fairness?

As long as one conducted oneself properly, there was no need to fear such inspections.

After passing through layer upon layer of checkpoints, Lu Guifan finally took his seat in the examination hall.

When the exam ended, that familiar carriage was still waiting to take him back to the regional hall. Tea and refreshments were prepared inside the carriage, but he was the only one there.

Outside the curtain, the coachman’s hearty voice rang out.

“Yo, judging by that glum, silent look on your face, are you disappointed that my sworn brother didn’t come to pick you up?”

“So that gentleman is your sworn brother? Forgive me—I didn’t know. May I ask your name, brother?”

“My surname is Zhao. Just call me Brother Zhao!”

Lu Guifan remained silent. Judging from the voice, the other man sounded very young—probably about the same age as him, maybe even younger. To ask him to call him “big brother” felt a bit cheeky.

For a while, Zhao Changfeng, who was driving, didn’t hear a reply and grumbled, “Tsk, how stingy. Calling me ‘big brother’ wouldn’t cost you anything. I’ll have you know, I was last year’s military top scorer!”

Though the last part was said in a softer voice, the carriage curtain happened to sway just then, and the words clearly reached Lu Guifan.

The top military exam scorer from last year, and with the surname Zhao—wasn’t that the current deputy commander of the imperial guards, Zhao Changfeng?

To be sworn brothers with Zhao Changfeng meant that the man who had helped him was of an even higher status than Lu Guifan had imagined.

After that, all that remained was to wait for the exam results. Lu Guifan stayed in the side residence, but he didn’t receive any letters or paintings from Jiang Ruotang again.

Unable to hold back, Lu Guifan asked Steward Wang about Jiang Ruotang.

Steward Wang reassured him, “Master Lu, just rest here peacefully and wait for the announcement. If fate allows, you’ll meet again.”

Unlike the other candidates who anxiously awaited the results, Lu Guifan stared at the painting of the weeping crabapple blossom every day, imagining what Jiang Ruotang might be doing now.

Not long after, a major scandal broke out. One candidate, Geng Yu, had submitted a policy essay that matched one written years ago by Scholar Yang almost word for word. When Qin Xiang personally interrogated him, Geng Yu collapsed in fear and admitted that he had long been under Minister Lin’s tutelage.

Minister Lin, who had grown up with the emperor and knew his thoughts well, had predicted ten possible exam questions and given Geng Yu ten model essays to memorize. Instructed to adapt those essays according to the question on the actual test, Geng Yu was guaranteed to place high.

Qin Xiang was furious and immediately ordered a secret investigation into other candidates favored by Lin Chengdong. He submitted a memorial to the emperor demanding a thorough investigation.

Although Lin Chengdong cried innocence, the emperor, under pressure from officials and examiners alike, was forced to set aside their past friendship and agreed to a formal inquiry.

This, naturally, opened the floodgates. Not only were this year’s candidates implicated, but even those from previous years were scrutinized.

Lin Chengdong had been selling exam questions, accepting bribes, and embezzling funds.

Zhao Changfeng led troops to surround the Lin residence. The womenfolk were terrified.

Madam Lin nearly fainted. Lin Lu supported her and tried to appear calm, thinking that their wealth was well-hidden and Zhao Changfeng might not find anything.

Sure enough, report after report said nothing had been found. Even the household accounts matched Lin Chengdong’s salary.

But Zhao Changfeng remained composed and barked, “Turn over the lotus pond!”

Lin Lu’s eyes nearly popped out. How did Zhao Changfeng know the bribes were hidden in the lotus pond?

Sure enough, after a thorough search, several chests were hauled out. Beneath the waterproof linings were silver and gold.

Zhao Changfeng sneered, “Impressive. Minister Lin’s wealth management skills could’ve funded the national treasury for a year.”

Only then did Lin Lu remember that when Jiang Ruotang had visited and fed the goldfish in the pond, one fish had a string of pearls tangled around it. Jiang Ruotang had laughed and said the fish was a lucky omen.

Lin Lu had claimed it was a necklace Madam Lin had dropped into the pond earlier, and they were lucky to find it.

But now it was clear—Jiang Ruotang had suspected them all along and had waited for Zhao Changfeng to arrive to thoroughly search the pond.

With such damning evidence, Lin Chengdong couldn’t talk his way out. Once the news spread that treasure had been found in their pond, many rushed to distance themselves and exposed other instances of his corruption.

Soon, Lin Chengdong was imprisoned. Out of old affection, the emperor sentenced him to confiscation of property and exile.

Scholars across the land rejoiced at the news.

Qin Xiang sat having tea with his grandson, Qin Zhanchao.

Qin Zhanchao asked, “Was it the Crown Prince who gave Grandfather that list of cheaters?”

“Of course. That Lin Lu tried to cozy up to the Crown Prince and often mentioned his father’s protégés. His Highness quietly remembered all the names and gave them to me for investigation.”

“But Lin Chengdong swore the essay he gave Geng Yu didn’t include Yang Scholar’s essay at all.”

Qin Xiang chuckled. “That was swapped in by the Crown Prince, of course.”

Qin Zhanchao sighed. “Though they were small tricks, at least His Highness still believes in justice. That’s enough for our Qin family to continue serving him.”

After the storm passed, the top scorers were announced.

Crowds gathered at the listing board, heads bobbing like waves—one could barely get close.

Lu Guifan wasn’t in a rush. He quietly stayed in his courtyard. Whether he passed or not, it was up to fate. If he did make it, someone would tell him soon enough.

“You passed—you passed! Master Lu, you passed!” Steward Wang came running, ecstatic.

Lu Guifan asked calmly, “Oh? Passed what?”

“You’re the top scorer! You’re the zhuangyuan!”

Lu Guifan paused. He remembered when Jiang Ruotang handed him the triple-turtle basin to wash his hands before the exam, wishing him triple top honors and a blossom from the laurel tree.

And now, everything had come true.

Joy surged through him—he wanted to share this with someone. But that person was nowhere to be found.

There had been no news for so long that Lu Guifan began to wonder if that person had vanished from his life entirely.

Soon, Scholar Yang arrived with the imperial edict. Lu Guifan dressed in the robes of a zhuangyuan and entered the palace to meet the emperor.

The emperor was more kind than he had imagined, but still carried the majesty of a ruler. Lu Guifan kept his eyes down and did not glance around.

Amid all the congratulatory cheers, Lu Guifan rode a horse through the streets. From the balconies of teahouses, women threw flowers—and even embroidered balls—at him.

“My God, that’s the top scorer? He’s too handsome!”

“They say he’s brilliant, too—his essay impressed both the emperor and Qin Xiang!”

“With looks like that and a bright future, I’m in love already!”

“Why doesn’t he smile? He’s achieved triple top honors—shouldn’t he be beaming?”

But atop his tall steed, Lu Guifan felt empty. He had fame and glory, but the person he longed to see had disappeared.

How could he ever find him again?

Just then, a voice echoed above: “Guifan—!”

Lu Guifan instinctively looked up. On the top floor of the Spring Breeze Pavilion stood a radiant young man, eyes bright as the moon and smile dazzling like stars.

In that moment, Lu Guifan’s heart soared. He wanted to ride up and embrace him.

A flower fell from above. Lu Guifan rushed forward and caught it before it hit the ground.

It was a weeping crabapple blossom.

He brought it to his nose and inhaled its scent, then waved up at Jiang Ruotang, finally smiling—and that smile seemed to dim the light of the entire capital.

As night fell, Aunt Juan approached Lu Guifan and said with a smile, “Zhuangyuan-lang, my young master invites you. Will you come?”

Lu Guifan still held the blossom in his arms and replied, “I will come—no mountain will stop me.”

Smiling, Aunt Juan helped him into the carriage. But as it neared the palace, Lu Guifan began to understand who Jiang Ruotang truly was.

A name with “Tang,” sworn brother to Zhao Changfeng, residing in the palace—who else but the Crown Prince?

Lu Guifan thought he would be nervous, knowing his beloved stood far above him. But when he touched the crabapple in his arms, his heart was calm. Between them, status had never been a barrier.

He was led to the prince’s study.

Inside, he immediately saw a painting on the wall—it depicted him riding through the city in triumph as zhuangyuan.

That familiar stir of emotion rose again. Lu Guifan gazed at the painting and whispered in disbelief, “I never thought I’d appear so glorious in His Highness’s eyes.”

Jiang Ruotang entered, still wearing the white robes from earlier.

“Lu Gongzi, at this moment, we are not zhuangyuan and crown prince.”

Lu Guifan’s throat tightened. When he finally spoke, his voice trembled. “Then… what are we?”

Jiang Ruotang walked slowly toward him, placed his graceful hand gently over Lu Guifan’s chest, and said:

“My surname is Jiang, my given name is Ruotang—the ‘Tang’ of the crabapple that lives in your heart.”

Then he tilted his face and gently kissed Lu Guifan’s lips.

---

Gold is easy to obtain. A night like this is not.

Just then, someone tapped his shoulder. A voice whispered in his ear:

“Ruotang, Ruotang, wake up! It’s already noon. Aren’t you hungry?”

Jiang Ruotang opened his eyes reluctantly—and was met with Lu Guifan’s deep, handsome gaze.

“Why did you wake me? I was so close—so close to succeeding!”

“Succeeding at what?” Lu Guifan looked puzzled.

“I was going to bed the top scorer! Roll in the sheets! Ecstasy on earth!”

Lu Guifan’s face instantly darkened. “What top scorer?”

He wondered if Jiang Ruotang had been watching historical dramas lately.

The next moment, Jiang Ruotang’s arms wrapped around him, toppling him over, and he began kissing him wildly.

“You! It’s you! The top scorer in my dream was you! Since I couldn’t do it in the dream, I’ll do it now!”

Lu Guifan burst out laughing. “If His Highness insists, I, your humble servant, have no choice but to comply.”

“Ahhh! What are you doing! I’m the one doing you, not the other way around! I’m still sore from playing badminton yesterday! Ahhh!”