“Nonsense!” Xiao Jue slammed down his chess piece. “You’re a military noble—how can you serve as literary examination chief? Moreover, the chief examiner is already appointed. How can we change midway?”

“That old scholar Hong Jiashi—what good questions could he set?” Yu Zixi disdainfully wrinkled his nose with infinite charm, lazily raising his orchid fingers to point at the invisible scholar in the air. “He loves grandiose, magnificent prose most, delights in citations, making scholars rack their brains for flowery compositions to suit his taste for wordplay. In a five-hundred-character policy essay, three hundred characters are allusions, one hundred fifty are parallel phrases, splitting hairs with tortuous, difficult language—is this good?”

“Enough—I say one sentence, you say a dozen,” Xiao Jue frowned. “Don’t I know you? If the chief examiner were Tang Huanwang, you’d certainly say this person favors plain substance without elegance, making scholars write shabby articles like starving people, failing to reflect our great nation’s prosperous style. If it were Xiang Zhihen, you’d say this triple-first graduate took shortcuts—he was first-rank in the first year of Tianbi, when the nation was newly founded with everything awaiting revival, and examination standards were loose. His real learning wouldn’t fill a vegetable basket—anyway, you always have something to say.”

“Your Majesty understands perfectly,” Yu Zixi smiled charmingly without shame. “So this minister brazenly recommends himself. The ways of literature and martial arts needn’t be rigidly separated. Moreover, if this minister serves as chief examiner, there are additional benefits for selecting national talent…”

“What benefits?”

“This minister’s beauty.” Yu Zixi matter-of-factly brought his flower-like face close to Xiao Jue. “Look—genuine, authentic, incomparable beauty. This minister has even thought of the exam question: ‘I have not seen one who loves virtue as much as beauty.’ This minister’s face represents the pinnacle of beauty. When scholars see this minister’s face, they’ll naturally have profound, appropriate feelings about ‘beauty,’ inspiring literary thoughts and brilliant writing, creating magnificent essays—truly Western Liang’s fortune…”

…

Xiao Jue stared at Yu Zixi. How could such a shameless, conceited person exist who so brazenly praised his own beauty?

Also, why did he suddenly want to be chief examiner today?

He’d heard that a few days ago on Tianqu Avenue, a scholar mistook him for a woman and molested him. This person had always been willful and unwilling to suffer losses. His insistence on being chief examiner today—was it related to this?

Moreover, according to Shadow Guard reports, this was caused by Rong’er. So was that audacious scholar Chang Ge?

Thinking this, Xiao Jue’s heart felt like an overturned spice jar, strange flavors bubbling up—sour, spicy, bitter, salty—indescribable feelings.

Chang Ge molested Yu Zixi in the street? Though it was to rescue Rong’er, such methods… fine, she could do it, but…

Glancing at Yu Zixi’s stunning beauty that could inspire both anger and joy, Xiao Jue’s face darkened slightly. Now wasn’t like before. After this life-and-death ordeal, Chang Ge’s thoughts had grown deep as the sea. Whose heart she’d ultimately give—he truly couldn’t be too confident. Though she’d known Yu Zixi before without seeming moved by his beauty, people change. Reborn in another life, might she fall for this face that, though seen many times, still amazed upon each encounter?

These years in the deep, cold palace with solitary lamps against walls, he’d grown accustomed to loneliness—just freezing himself deeper, learning to ignore or walk away when painful winds occasionally swept through his chest. But once knowing he could possess and regain those unforgettable sweetness and warmth from the past, he suddenly became anxious about gains and losses, unable to help minutely chewing and weighing every small change and expression. The fearless, unrestrained heroic courage of the past had been worn away by guilt after years of self-righteous mistakes…

The human heart is like water, easily stirred to waves. Those startled ripples and spreading concentric circles never cease…

Across from him, Yu Zixi stared intently at Xiao Jue’s expression.

What was he… thinking?

What was making him… unhappy?

He’d seemed strange lately—still bright but less gloomy, yet often absent-minded and restless, with hints of excitement and anticipation beneath his calm stability. But that excitement and anticipation seemed tinged with unease and uncertainty, as if something he desperately desired and prayed for remained uncertain, causing worry.

After observing him all day, Yu Zixi grew more certain something was wrong. His thoughts raced—Crown Prince’s return, Ruiyi’s survival, lessening gloom—reasonable. Since Ruiyi lived, she’d return someday—excitement and anticipation—reasonable. But where did the unease and uncertainty come from?

His seductive eyes sparkled with shifting light as Yu Zixi showed a barely perceptible smile. Chief examiner? Ridiculous—even thinking with his fingers, he knew Xiao Jue wouldn’t agree. He was only pestering here all day hoping to see the Crown Prince he’d never met.

He’d missed the investiture ceremony, sent by Xiao Jue to inspect military preparations in Youping provinces. With Northern Wei restless lately, and his prestige in the army as their old opponent, His Majesty wanted him personally at the border to see which Northern Wei general’s handiwork the border provocations represented. Returning to find dramatic changes—that palace maid Ming Shuang he’d noticed had brought down Xiao Chen, and the Crown Prince had returned. He’d asked about the Crown Prince’s appearance and character, confirming it was indeed that black-hearted, thick-skinned little fellow beside Ming Shuang. But where was Ming Shuang?

This woman’s legendary, mysterious appearance—engaging him repeatedly as a princess’s accompanying nun with modest courtesy yet unyielding resolve, light as clouds yet hiding sharp wit—had increasingly fascinated him. The feeling resembled his first encounter with Qin Chang Ge—first fighting, then arguing, then mutually scheming against each other, finally…

Forget that woman… He believed Ming Shuang could accomplish that earth-shaking feat of bringing down Xiao Chen, but he didn’t believe the later story. What? Legendary heroine dying to repay kindness? Assassinated by Prince Zhao’s posthumous revenge? The marketplace spread this story extensively. After waves of sorrow, regret, and admiration, it was gradually forgotten. Those troubled by mundane affairs, daily trapped in boring, monotonous worries and life, always chased the freshest stories. The solitary girl who’d once occupied most of their speech and energy quickly vanished from their tongues and memories like foam.

But he didn’t believe it, didn’t forget.

Ridiculous—this woman was safe beforehand but killed afterward, after Prince Zhao’s downfall? Fine, it was possible. With Xiao Chen’s remaining forces and ability to buy hearts, killing her was feasible. But from his few encounters with her—was this woman so easily killed?

So where had she gone? What was her next move?

Also, His Majesty had been moved by her. Were his current strange behaviors related to her?

Yu Zixi had always felt the best approach was meeting the Crown Prince to find flaws in the little rascal.

Unfortunately, whenever he intentionally or accidentally tried to encounter him, the answer was either “Crown Prince is practicing martial arts” or “Crown Prince is studying.” Going to the study hall Zaowen Pavilion, he wasn’t there either—”went to relieve himself.” When he sat to wait, old Jia with flying beard told him not to bother—the Crown Prince’s relief sessions always lasted all day.

He immediately sent items with digestive benefits out of deep sympathy for the Crown Prince’s constipation: black sesame, walnuts, hemp seeds, bush cherry seeds, almonds, cucumber root juice, donkey-hide gelatin, honey, and sheep butter. Expecting the bad little boy to be furious and seek revenge, instead within a day the Eastern Palace sent someone with courteous ceremony to express gratitude, including the Crown Prince’s personal thank-you note and return gift.

The note’s paper was soft and long, completely lacking Crown Prince luxury, with dripping ink in crooked large characters: “Many thanks, Your Highness. I’ll treat you to bitter melon banquet another day.”

Upon careful examination, the paper was confirmed as palace toilet paper.

The gifts seemed standard—mostly Chinese medicine. But Yu Zixi, disbelieving this bad boy would obediently send gifts, opened every package for careful inspection:

First package: red dates, longans, angelica, ginseng, goji berries.

Second package: inula flowers, cyperus, angelica, ligusticum, salvia, licorice.

Third package: tree peony bark, lycium bark, rehmannia, bupleurum, angelica.

Fourth package: angelica, white peony, cassia twig, codonopsis, licorice.

Fifth package: green papaya, avocado.

Sixth package: peanuts, red dates, astragalus.

Yu Zixi, somewhat versed in medicine, saw these were common herbs for clearing stagnation, moistening dryness, warming, supplementing, generating fluids, regulating qi, and activating blood. But the green papaya’s purpose was unclear. Consulting his mansion’s physician, who was also puzzled after examining all six packages, the doctor thought briefly then quietly asked Yu Zixi: “Your Highness, does Princess Xiang suffer from menstrual blood deficiency and irregular flow?”

What?!

Yu Zixi smiled pleasantly and nodded: “Yes. Are these medicines appropriate?”

The physician replied solemnly: “Princess Xiang seems to have a cold, weak constitution. Has she eaten cold foods recently? It wasn’t this severe before. The first package nourishes yin and blood, the second treats menstrual chest swelling and qi stagnation, the third treats menstrual blood heat, the fourth regulates menstrual blood stasis, the fifth and sixth are… cough cough… cough cough…”

The physician looked reluctant to speak until Yu Zixi’s stare forced him to say: “For women’s skin enhancement…”

But his gaze ambiguously swept Yu Zixi’s chest area, implying “enhancing this area too.”

!!!

Menstruation? Breast enhancement? Calling me a woman?

Yu Zixi smiled sweetly, dismissing the physician. Propping his chin, he gazed at the medicine packages before gently blowing—the breast enhancement and menstruation regulation packages immediately turned to powder.

After several setbacks, Yu Zixi stopped visiting Guanhua Palace. The little rascal was obviously avoiding him, but he couldn’t avoid forever—there’d be chances to catch him.

Then came that street forced-kiss incident… Yu Zixi slowly wound his black hair around his fingers, holding chess pieces while contemplating silently. Who was that guy? Clearly plotting against him, the behavioral style somewhat resembling that girl’s. The incident’s instigator was also a child of similar age to the Crown Prince. Though appearances differed, appearance was the least reliable thing…

But when pressed tightly against him, the chest bones were hard and uncomfortable, and the breath wasn’t that girl’s cool mint fragrance—clearly a man in every way. Could a woman disguise herself so convincingly as a man?

Yu Zixi frowned, crushing a chess piece.

Mm… today he’d scattered all Guanhua Palace toys and eaten all snacks without forcing out the black-hearted Crown Prince. His Majesty seemed very strange… what relationship could exist between him, Xiao Rong, and that scholar?

Yu Zixi frowned again, crushing another piece.

Across from him, the emperor—immersed in self-doubt, seriously considering whether Prince Jing’an’s beauty might threaten his future happiness, and very depressed that Chang Ge still wouldn’t reveal her new identity—casually grabbed a chess piece, slowly grinding it between his fingers. Would Chang Ge really take the examination? What if she failed? Her current actions were increasingly incomprehensible…

Crack!

The two chess players—one grinding his teeth plotting to find the kiss thief, the other absent-mindedly thinking of wooing women—unconsciously ground their game into two piles of black and white powder during their contemplation.

Sixth day of second month—examination hall awaits entry. Whose names will appear on the apricot list?

On examination day, scholar-candidates staying throughout the city carried test baskets and oil cloth with excited faces, converging on the Tribute Hall from all directions.

Qin Chang Ge was naturally among them.

According to Western Liang regulations, spring examination candidates could be those who passed regional tests or local-recommended talents. Having never taken regional exams, Qin Chang Ge naturally chose the latter shortcut—with Phoenix Alliance’s vast merchant network, buying a talent’s identity and requesting local official recommendation was extremely easy.

Thus on examination day, Dezhou scholar Zhao Moyan leisurely came to test.

The Tribute Hall entrance was packed with people as scholars underwent body searches in turns. For some reason, the line moved extremely slowly. Before Qin Chang Ge could squeeze in, she spotted eighteen Red Armor Guards on horseback in the distance, coldly watching the entrance like nails.

Sensing trouble, Qin Chang Ge stood on tiptoes trying to see if Yu Zixi had actually come, but was too short. She sent a secret signal, and soon a Phoenix Alliance guard protecting her squeezed close, making a gesture.

Indeed it was him—this person was truly petty, unable to suffer any loss.

Qin Chang Ge quietly instructed the guard beside her, who left on his mission.

At the hall’s main entrance, Chief Examiner Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Hong Jiashi, Deputy Chief Examiner Academician Xiang Zhihen, and eighteen room examiners surrounded the Prince Jing’an who’d “whimsically” come to “help” with searches, sweating profusely with bitter expressions, trying to persuade him.

“Your Highness, we dare not trouble Your Highness—please return.”

“Your Highness, body searches are handled by Ministry-assigned laborers. How dare we trouble you to personally search each person? Besides, searching like this truly delays time…”

“Your Highness… body searches only check for smuggled materials. Having people strip—this… dishonors scholarly dignity!”

Yu Zixi lounged in a rosewood armchair inlaid with precious flowers and covered in luxurious brocade—clearly brought from his own home—brazenly placed at the Tribute Hall entrance with black-clothed Jing’an Palace guards standing rigidly on both sides.

His gorgeous face showed complete laziness, chin propped on elbow, black hair flowing like water over his smoky crimson brocade robes. His beauty rivaled five-colored flowers blooming brilliantly on branches—the slightest movement created seductive radiance, enchanting to suffocation.

Leaning in his chair, Yu Zixi ignored the surrounding chatter, only watching his subordinates’ searches with interest. For robust, tall candidates, he didn’t spare a glance. For petite, handsome ones, his gaze shot over intensely.

On the ground lay piles of confiscated books, stinking shoes and socks removed in their smuggling duties, plus some items with special preferences like small embroidered shoes and belly-bands carried close to hearts—all dumped by dutiful Jing’an Palace guards, emitting nose-covering strange odors. Yu Zixi frowned and waved—servants immediately burned everything, ignoring barefoot scholars’ wails in February’s cold wind.

Most examination candidates were first-time visitors to the capital. After nearly ten years of cold study—as the saying goes, “to the celibate scholar, even the neighbor’s sow looks like a fairy”—these bookworms who never ventured beyond their doors had never seen such brilliant, dazzling beauty. Each stood dazed with unblinking eyes. Told to remove shirts, they complied; told to remove pants, they obeyed. Even after passing, they turned back, hissing as they swallowed saliva.

Hong Jiashi’s sweat poured down like rain. With only an hour until gate closure, one-third of scholars remained unsearched. This demon king had arrived since the hall opened this morning with his formidable guards, interfering ruthlessly with everything, absolutely determined to examine every person.

This was clearly about the famous Tianqu forced-kiss incident—he wanted to find that scholar?

But continuing this way, they’d never finish in time. Delaying examination hours was a capital offense—how could he bear such responsibility?

Yu Zixi had always opposed them—his dislike of scholars was notorious. Eighteen room examiners’ earnest pleading probably sounded like mosquito buzzing to him!

Sighing and signaling, he ordered Xiang Zhihen to personally report to His Majesty while approaching himself.

“Your Highness,” Hong Jiashi, born to former dynasty nobility, was a standard hereditary young master with family scholarly tradition, elegant interests, skilled in all musical arts, himself a seven-aperture exquisite crystal heart. Reading Yu Zixi’s expression somewhat, he whispered: “Is Your Highness seeking someone about six feet tall, fair and thin, with refined features?”

“You know him?” Yu Zixi immediately awakened, suddenly turning. “Old Hong, who is it?”

Hong Jiashi smiled bitterly—how would I know? Glancing at the sky, unable to entangle further, he had to dismiss this demon king first. Steeling himself: “I know—Pingzhou scholar Ban Yue…”

“Hey! You!” Yu Zixi suddenly leaped up, red as a cloud, instantly floating gracefully into the crowd. With a sleeve wave, surrounding people tumbled away, leaving only one thin, cloth-dressed man in the crowd, turning with complete bewilderment.

“You,” Yu Zixi smiled with great satisfaction at Qin Chang Ge, “body search, body search. You may cut in line.”

“Oh…” Qin Chang Ge slowly agreed, asking: “Sir, what should I remove first?”

“Remove your shirt—wait,” Yu Zixi tilted his head. “You don’t recognize me?”

Staring wide-eyed in bewilderment, Qin Chang Ge looked completely confused: “This student arrived in the capital today, never having had the honor of seeing imperial grandeur. How would I know Your Honor?”

“Mm… you don’t recognize me? But I recognize you, so that’s enough,” Yu Zixi drawled: “Strip, strip. Finish early for early rebirth.”

“Oh,” the foolish scholar obediently began unbuttoning.

Yu Zixi’s gaze burned intensely with an ambiguous smile, watching Qin Chang Ge’s slow movements and shaking his head: “Slow, too slow. With so many people behind you, what if we can’t start the exam on time? Delaying the schedule is a serious crime!”

Hong Jiashi cursed silently—you bastard, now you remember about delays!

“This king will personally search you,” Yu Zixi reached for her belt. “Two people work faster than one.”

“That’s not appropriate…” Qin Chang Ge demurred. “This student has body odor too.”

“No problem,” Yu Zixi pulled off the belt and threw it down, then yanked with both hands, breaking all the fabric ties. Observers collectively gasped.

This… was called a body search?

“What’s wrong with body odor?” Yu Zixi smiled happily. “Unique charm, distinctive style—this king loves this scent.”

Observing scholars immediately raised their arms to sniff their armpits.

…

“His Majesty arrives!”

The eunuch’s voice had extreme penetrating power. Even in this chaotic, boiling crowd, it clearly reached everyone’s ears.

Hong Jiashi immediately sighed with relief, first kneeling and loudly kowtowing: “Long live our lord!”

Scholars stunned by the imperial guards finally awakened, kneeling in disorder. These people didn’t understand imperial audience etiquette, shouting “Long live,” “Your Majesty,” and “Emperor” chaotically. From the nine-dragon imperial palanquin ahead, Xiao Jue in dragon robes and golden crown, still in fresh court attire, had already stridden down.

His gaze swept once, immediately fixing on Qin Chang Ge in the crowd’s center being tugged by Yu Zixi, uncertainly looking up and down.

Was that Chang Ge?

A ball rolled down from the imperial palanquin, tugging his sleeve and making an OK gesture.

Xiao Jue naturally didn’t understand the Crown Prince’s mysterious gesture, but seeing his manner confirmed this was Chang Ge. Apparently Yu Zixi, resentful about the Tianqu Avenue forced kiss, had charged to the Tribute Hall seeking revenge.

His eyes caught Qin Chang Ge’s opened collar, then Yu Zixi’s claws still positioned at her front opening. After a moment’s shock, his gaze darkened.

You’re being too presumptuous, aren’t you? Do you think this former husband is a decoration?

Beside him, someone quietly tugged his clothing—naturally the Xiao Crown Prince reminding him not to lose composure here, not to let this fox see anything, or he’d ruin mother’s plans and definitely be struck out.

Pursing his lips and tightening his jaw, Xiao Jue resumed his gracious, calm imperial demeanor, saying lightly: “All rise—I was going to the Temple of Heaven for incense, passing by coincidentally. Thinking of today’s spring examination opening, I came to look. Why are so many people still outside? Also, Prince Jing’an, why are you here?”

“Your Majesty, this minister also passed by,” Yu Zixi replied without changing expression. “Seeing Old Hong short-handed here, fearing examination start with scholars still outside—Old Hong would lose his head for delays. As fellow ministers, how could this minister bear Old Hong’s fate? So I came to help… mm, Old Hong, don’t thank me.”

Hong Jiashi nearly spurted suppressed blood—Yu Zixi, from now on we’re mortal enemies!

“Oh,” Xiao Jue said noncommittally, first frowning at Hong Jiashi: “Time approaches. I permit you to open five gates, add personnel, let all scholars enter for examination first. You’re chief examiner—ignore other matters.”

Hong Jiashi immediately kowtowed gratefully, reorganizing scholar inspection. As crowds dispersed, Xiao Jue coldly regarded Yu Zixi: “Temporary passing? You brought a chair for temporary passing?”

He seemed to step forward casually, passing Yu Zixi and yanking him over with one hand.

“What are you causing trouble for? Keep this up and I can’t protect you anymore!”

“Your Majesty, are you nervous? Are you angry? Why are you angry?” The fox seemed to completely ignore his threat, only looking him up and down with extremely meaningful eyes. “He’s not your woman—why be nervous?”

He smiled, spinning to Qin Chang Ge’s side and grabbing her, smiling at Xiao Jue: “Your Majesty, since you’re here, it saves this minister trouble. Ever since this youth molested me in the street, I’ve suddenly developed masculine desires, wanting to try male taste… This scholar insulted a prince in the street—normally punishable by beating. Seeing Your Majesty seems to care for him, this minister will do you a favor—no beating needed. Instead of punishment, please grant him to this minister as compensation?”