Jiang Wen enthusiastically invited Song Zhi to join them for the poetry competition and entertainment.

But having just arrived, he felt somewhat embarrassed.

They weren’t familiar with each other after all!

Moreover, he’d only just met Fang Tong and Jiang Wen.

So he politely declined, “I’d better not go.”

“Brother Song, no need to stand on ceremony.”

“I… haven’t.”

“Everyone here today came for this year’s metropolitan examination. Gathering together is fate itself. Brother Song, why not come with me? We’re all just friends.”

“I…” Song Zhi was at a loss for words.

He didn’t know how to refuse.

Just as Jiang Wen was about to continue—

Fang Tong interrupted, “Alright, Jiang Wen, Brother Song has only just arrived and isn’t quite accustomed yet. Don’t press him.”

Jiang Wen had no choice but to give up. “Alright then! I’ll head over first. You come soon too—don’t just sit here drinking tea the whole time.”

“I know.”

Then Jiang Wen cupped his hands toward Song Zhi. “Brother Song, I’ll go ahead then.”

“Mm.”

After Jiang Wen left, Fang Tong pulled him to sit down again, saying, “Brother Song, don’t be too formal.”

“Am I?”

“Everyone’s just here to discuss academic matters. If there’s anything we don’t understand, we can ask each other.”

“Brother Fang is right.” Song Zhi smiled, then asked with confusion, “By the way, who organized this poetry gathering?”

“Not clear. I heard… it’s some important personage.”

“Oh!”

Fang Tong seemed to think of something and asked him, “By the way, Brother Song, have you entered any official’s household as a disciple?”

Disciple!

Speaking of this touched a sore spot for Song Zhi.

He said, “I’ve only just arrived in the capital and don’t know any court officials, so I haven’t become a disciple under any official. Besides, as a poor struggling scholar, I probably couldn’t even cross the threshold of those officials’ homes before being driven out. I can only hope for three full meals—how could I be so extravagant as to aspire to become a disciple?”

A bitter smile.

Speaking of it was truly heartbreaking! For each metropolitan examination held every three years, in the six months before the test, students would arrive in Gaoding one after another to first explore connections, trying to find opportunities to approach court officials. Ideally, they’d approach an official from the Ministry of Rites, since the examination proctors and question-setters were all officials from the Ministry of Rites. Knowing one meant having one more avenue! If they could be fortunate enough to be recognized by some official and taken as a student under their household, it was equivalent to having one foot in the imperial court, and they could receive patronage.

To put it bluntly, it was using the back door!

So many students were desperate to meet a few high-ranking nobles, even willing to use silver to pave an official career path for themselves.

Even if in the end it might all be for nothing!

They spared no expense.

But—

There were also students like Song Zhi.

First, no money!

Second, no influence!

Third… no luck!

They were born into humble circumstances, lived at the bottom of society, and had no connections to rise in the world!

Only hard work!

After hearing his words, Fang Tong deeply empathized. He sighed and said, “Brother Song is right. People like us, how could we know any important personages! We probably couldn’t even get near those officials. Counting it up, I’ve already taken the examination twice, from six years ago until today, failing twice. But I’m not resigned to it! I hope this year… I can have my name on the list! I can return home in glory.”

Six years!

Two examinations.

Such perseverance—Song Zhi feared he himself couldn’t match it.

It was truly admirable.

Song Zhi said, “Brother has persisted for six years—Song cannot compare.”

“But the suffering in it, I fear no one can understand. If I don’t pass this year, I probably… won’t come to Gaoding again.”

“Brother Fang, don’t be discouraged. You’ll definitely succeed this year!”

His tone of comfort was rather stiff.

Fang Tong smiled slightly. “Then I’ll borrow your auspicious words.” He took a sip of tea, then said, “People born like us are nothing like those wealthy young masters from renowned families. They’re born with golden spoons in their mouths, their starting line is higher than ours. For us to rise in the world… we can probably only rely on our own abilities.”

“…” Song Zhi smiled bitterly.

But Fang Tong’s expression darkened, staring at the tea before him. “But sometimes, even relying on one’s true abilities doesn’t necessarily lead to smooth success.”

In his tone was more helplessness!

Sighing!

As the saying goes, money makes the world go round. Having money and influence equals obtaining everything. Though the imperial examination emphasizes fairness and is strict and rigorous, making it impossible to exploit loopholes, everyone knows in their hearts what hidden calculations go on behind the scenes!

They just don’t speak of it openly!

The two stopped continuing this topic.

The more they talked, the more distressed they felt.

They exchanged some insignificant pleasantries instead.

They talked for quite a while.

Just at this moment—

A commotion came from not far away!

Hearing the sound and looking over, they saw some students gathered in a group, all looking at something.

Hm?

What was happening?

Then from within the crowd came a man’s voice: “If anyone can complete this verse, then these twenty taels of silver will be his.”

Twenty taels of silver!

For those poor students, it was practically a fortune.

Song Zhi stretched his neck to look over there and saw a man swaying slightly as he stood in the middle.

The man wore purple brocade robes made of fine satin, with an expensive jade pendant at his waist.

Clearly his status was not low.

He held a writing brush, one hand rolling up his sleeve. Before him was a large table with paper spread on it, on which he had just finished writing a line of characters.

Too far away to see exactly what was written.

And just upon hearing that voice, Fang Tong’s expression instantly darkened.

“How is it him?” He muttered softly.

Song Zhi happened to hear.

Turning his head, he asked, “Brother Fang knows that person?”

Fang Tong quickly shook his head.

Denying it, “Don’t know him.”

Obviously lying.

Song Zhi wasn’t stupid, but he wouldn’t get to the bottom of things either, so he let it go.

He heard the purple-robed man ask the crowd again, “What? No one can complete it? It seems these twenty taels of silver—no one will be able to claim them.”

Everyone looked at each other, staring at that line of verse spread on the table.

Discussing among themselves.

They seemed unable to think of good verses to match it!

Song Zhi was quite curious. He stretched his neck to look, hoping to see the verse the man had written on the paper, but it was just too far away, and with people blocking, he definitely couldn’t see.

Just as he was considering whether to go over for a look—

Fang Tong across from him had already stood up and walked over.

Song Zhi watched him go, sitting in his chair and hesitating for a moment.

Then he also followed.

Walking into the crowd.

Fang Tong found Jiang Wen, who was also watching, and bumped him with his elbow, then nodded with his gaze toward the man in purple silk, asking in a low voice, “Why didn’t you tell me he was here too?”

Jiang Wen lowered his voice, saying, “I forgot to tell you.”

“You…”

“It’s fine. It’s been six years since we last saw each other. Who still brings up things from the past!”

Fang Tong’s expression was ugly. He asked again, “So… he’s also here to take the metropolitan examination this year?”

“Yes! Strange, isn’t it?”

Indeed strange!

And so—

Fang Tong fell into silence.