The spring of Jianning’s fifth year was exceptionally lively in the capital.

In truth, the excitement had begun the previous winter.

The scholars participating in the Imperial Examination were arriving in the capital in waves. Some devoted themselves wholeheartedly to preparing for the examinations, but the majority were drawn by the capital’s bustling atmosphere—calling on friends, composing poetry together, appreciating scenery, and drinking wine in wagers.

Moreover, women also participated in the Imperial Examination, so besides men exchanging literary talents, there were also many competitions between men and women.

Whether due to Da Xia’s consecutive years of warfare or not, the temperaments of scholars seemed to have changed entirely. These gentlemen not only engaged in verbal disputes but physical ones as well. What began as refined literary gatherings would devolve into shouting matches, and shouting matches would escalate into brawls, with groups of scholars tearing at each other and rolling about on the ground, all refinement lost.

Even more exasperating was that it wasn’t just the men.

Several literary gatherings involving women also proceeded this way. The difference, of course, was that it was the servants and maids accompanying the women who descended into fights, while the women themselves shouted commands and directions from the sidelines.

The capital’s constables rushed about day and night, handling incidents of brawling everywhere.

They couldn’t arrest anyone, couldn’t beat anyone, couldn’t reason with these scholars—and after trying to reason with them, the whole group would come to argue with the authorities instead.

The officials of the Jingzhao Prefecture were plagued with endless headaches.

However, no aristocratic families or powerful nobles came to cause trouble—those who could afford education, especially those who could cultivate daughters capable of participating in literary gatherings, were invariably wealthy or noble.

Under the feet of the Son of Heaven, nobles were everywhere. Officials could encounter ten of their peers just walking down a single street. The capital’s young masters and misses were the most difficult to control; at the slightest incident involving one person, the entire family would create an uproar.

Yet this time, the officials of Jingzhao Prefecture were frustrated precisely because these families *weren’t* causing trouble. They even went to these households to demand: “Your sons and daughters are fighting and causing disturbances—what kind of behavior is this? Won’t the elders discipline them?”

The parents of the young men showed complete indifference, saying that fighting over scholarly matters could hardly be called fighting—it was the path of learning.

As for the parents of the young women, they were similarly unconcerned, retorting: “Who says women can’t engage in disputes? It’s all in pursuit of learning. What men can do, women naturally can as well. Back when the Empress—”

Whenever officials heard the phrase “back when the Empress,” they immediately stopped questioning, turned around, and left.

There was nothing more to say. With such an Empress, naturally there would be such female subjects.

Accompanied by this liveliness, they passed through the New Year. As even more scholars flooded in, suddenly a new rumor emerged. This rumor didn’t stir up much commotion but spread slowly like something concealed beneath water.

“The top scholar from Dengzhou.”

“Absolutely certain, that’s the name.”

“There are plenty of people with the same name and surname.”

“But his appearance is reportedly very similar too.”

“They say the Dengzhou Prefect secretly went to look, and after just one glance, was so frightened he twisted his ankle.”

“Is that really true?”

“I don’t know—I haven’t seen him myself.”

“But now that he’s come to the capital, many people have seen him.”

Accompanied by these strange whispers, on a certain day, the wine houses and teahouses lining the streets suddenly filled with people. They ordered fine wine and excellent dishes, yet each one stretched their neck to look outside.

“What’s going on?” the proprietor asked curiously, also looking outside. “Has some important person arrived?”

A customer whispered to him: “The top scholar from Dengzhou.”

The proprietor laughed. Yes, a provincial top scholar was quite impressive, but with so many top scholars gathering in the capital, what was so remarkable about it?

Was he exceptionally talented? Every top scholar deserved that description.

Was he stunningly beautiful? Or hideously ugly? Both would attract attention, but for scholars, these were merely superficial matters of appearance—not worth such shallow gawking.

But the man wouldn’t elaborate, only saying meaningfully: “Just wait and see. You’re from the capital—you’ll understand as soon as you see him.”

So mysterious and strange. The proprietor felt somewhat disdainful—as a native of the capital, what strange occurrence hadn’t he witnessed in recent years?

As they spoke, someone ran in, lowering their voice with some excitement: “He’s coming, he’s coming.”

Hearing this, everyone inside looked outside with nervous excitement.

The proprietor casually moved his counting rods, lifting his eyelids to glance outside. He saw seven or eight men approaching on the street, all dressed as scholars, dusty from travel, leading horses laden with book cases and luggage—just like all the other students arriving in the capital for examinations.

If this really was the Dengzhou top scholar, his entourage wasn’t as impressive as the others.

Though there were indeed poor students who could leap to first place, afterward they would invariably receive attention from officials and local aristocratic families, who would bestow silver, servants, and everything needed to ensure smooth sailing toward a brilliant future.

When top scholars from previous provinces and districts had entered the capital, they’d all arrived in fragrant carriages and precious horses, either surrounded by throngs of servants or escorted by crowds of fellow scholars.

This group before them looked no different from ordinary students. Was there really a top scholar among them?

The proprietor lowered his eyes—better to focus on the account books.

“That’s the one—”

“It’s him—”

“Look quickly—”

“Which one?”

“The one walking at the very back.”

When the group on the street drew near, the hall grew even more clamorous. The proprietor looked up again. Was the one at the back the top scholar?

Then this top scholar didn’t have very good relations with others.

Though they appeared to be traveling companions, the one at the back was clearly separate from the rest.

The others were pointing and discussing the capital’s excitement, but no one spoke to the last person. They were obviously deliberately maintaining distance.

At this moment, that person walked closer. The proprietor’s gaze fell on his face, and his hand gripping the counting rods froze.

This face—

This face wasn’t stunningly beautiful.

Nor was it hideously ugly.

This face appeared utterly ordinary.

This face bore not the slightest hint of a smile.

This face had slightly dark skin, thin eyes, thin lips.

Those thin eyes suddenly looked over.

The proprietor’s hand trembled, and the counting rods clattered to the floor.

“Grand, Grand, Grand Tutor—” he murmured.

At the same time, the customers craning their necks to look outside also froze instantly.

Until that person walked past.

The next moment, uproar erupted.

“Is it him?”

“It’s him—”

“I just shouted his name out loud.”

“You weren’t the only one—I heard many people cry out.”

Not just this establishment—it was the same throughout the street. The undercurrent that had been concealed beneath the surface finally leaped out of the water, stirring up whirlpools.

……

……

“Is it really Deng Yi, or just someone who looks like him?”

“Called Deng Yi and looking exactly the same—how can you say it’s just resemblance?”

The Imperial Academy was also filled with discussion. Compared to the common people, they had actually received news much earlier. Though many hadn’t had the opportunity to meet Grand Tutor Deng Yi, officials from provinces, prefectures, and counties had, to varying degrees, seen him at least once or twice.

However, the messages they sent were vague and ambiguous.

Still, everyone could understand this. After all, the court had publicly announced Deng Yi’s death.

If this person really was Deng Yi, he should be hiding under a false name. Yet he was brazenly coming to participate in the civil examinations, neither changing his name nor his appearance.

If there really was something wrong, the Imperial Guard couldn’t possibly be unaware.

By now, the Imperial Guard’s network extended to every province, district, and county—they could spy into deep mansions and grand courtyards, fields and countryside. Not even crickets or ants could escape their eyes, let alone a person who looked like Deng Yi and was also named Deng Yi.

Yet this Deng Yi had not only been able to participate in the civil examinations but had become top scholar, and now walked openly into the capital.

“Sir.” A minor official rushed in, interrupting the officials gathered inside enjoying tea and conversation. “He’s here, he’s here—that Deng Yi has arrived.”

Hearing this, the officials rose somewhat chaotically, each returning to sit properly at their desks.

“Student Deng Yi, here to register,” came a voice from outside the door.

An official trembled slightly. Even the voice sounded similar. He cleared his throat lightly: “Enter.”

Several officials stared at the door. They saw light and shadow shift as a person walked in, wearing a blue long robe, head and face clean and neat, his countenance as expressionless as before—neither joy nor sorrow.

His gaze swept over everyone before he walked to stand before one of them, producing a calling card.

That official instinctively stood up, extending both hands to receive it.

“My lord,” he blurted out.

Deng Yi suddenly smiled.

The official came to his senses, his expression stiffening.

“Calling me ‘my lord’ is premature,” Deng Yi said, placing the calling card in the man’s hands. “This student has come to register. After this student achieves high rank, I shall serve in court alongside you, my lords.”

That official said nothing, holding the calling card with both hands as he sat back down. Taking a deep breath, he picked up his brush to register the calling card, then passed it to another person. That person verified it, picked up his brush to annotate it, then passed it to the next person, who verified it and lifted the Imperial Academy’s seal to stamp it—

Deng Yi received the returned calling card and bowed: “This student takes his leave.”

Having spoken, he turned and walked out.

The room returned to silence, the frozen atmosphere dissipating. The three officials exhaled in unison.

“If he’s not Deng Yi,” one official said, “then I’ve seen a ghost.”

Another official felt this was wrong: “If he really *is* Deng Yi, wouldn’t *that* mean we’ve seen a ghost?”

That was true too. The three exchanged glances.

“Perhaps because the capital has endured so many tribulations,” an official said, “it seems we’re always seeing ghosts. Earlier, didn’t the Imperial Palace Guards have rumors that when Empress Chu returned to court, that Young Master Yanlai of the Xie clan also appeared?”

What was all this nonsense? The officials’ eyebrows twitched as they pressed their hands to their foreheads.

Never mind, never mind. They wouldn’t guess anymore. They were just responsible for preparing the Imperial Examination. Human affairs and ghostly affairs had nothing to do with them.

……

……

All the examination candidates’ registers were placed on the Emperor’s desk.

Xiao Yu’s gaze lingered on Deng Yi’s name for a moment.

“Is A’Yu afraid?” Chu Zhao asked from beside him.

Xiao Yu replied: “Not afraid at all.” He stroked his hand across the name and smiled. “If he can pass the examination, I dare to employ him.”

The young man’s long eyebrows lifted, full of spirited confidence.

Chu Zhao also smiled. No wonder Xie Yanlai hadn’t liked this boy—because they truly looked like members of the Xie family.

As Xiao Yu’s features had fully matured, he resembled Xie Yanlai even more.

……

……

At the end of April, green shade lined both riverbanks. The spring blossoms had reached their final days, petals scattering wildly with each breeze.

In the rushing river, a hand extended from an orchid boat, scooping up several flower petals from the water.

The petals, soaked through with water, seemed to regain vitality in the jade-white palm, crimson and enchanting.

“So, Deng Yi passed the examination?” asked the young master holding the petals as he leaned against the boat’s railing.

Uncle Cai gently rowed the oar from behind, nodding: “Yes, and he ranked in the top ten.”

Xie Yanfang turned back with a smile: “Having slept for over a year, I’ve missed quite a few interesting developments.”