On the Yufu County side, all was calm and peaceful—tender affection and harmonious joy.

But at this moment in the capital, dark clouds hung overhead.

During this period, two major events occurred in the capital.

The first matter: in the seventh month imperial examinations, the palace examination had concluded.

The list of the top three names and their examination papers were delivered directly to Emperor Qizhen’s hands by the transcription officials from the Hanlin Academy.

He opened the register.

Three names were prominently displayed on it.

Lin Shu!

Shang Zhuo!

Jiang Huaixin!

All three stood in the first rank.

Lord Lin Si, the transcription official from the Hanlin Academy, stood waiting. From the moment the Emperor opened the register, he had been observing secretly.

Because he too was a student of Master Yu from Mingshan Academy, seeing Shang Zhuo and Lin Shu’s names on the list naturally made him pay closer attention.

However, the ranking competition within the first rank still needed to be decided by the Emperor.

Emperor Qizhen opened the examination papers written by those three people and reviewed them one by one.

The three essays weren’t very long, yet he spent roughly half a shichen reading them.

More precisely, he read them carefully and thoroughly.

Lord Lin asked, “Your Majesty, has the top scholar of this imperial examination been decided?”

Emperor Qizhen’s brow furrowed deeply—it was difficult to make a decision.

After a long while, he only selected the title of third place.

He directly handed Jiang Huaixin’s examination paper to Lin Si, saying, “This person’s prose is quite orthodox, and his learning is good. However, regarding poetic theory, compared to the other two, he still lacks somewhat. Award him third place and appoint him as compiler at the Hanlin Academy.”

“Yes!” Lord Lin received the examination paper and asked again, “Then what about the top scholar and second place?”

Emperor Qizhen was still deliberating. “Students taught by Master Yu are indeed exceptional. Every year in the imperial examinations, at least two people come from Mingshan Academy, including Lord Lin himself.”

“Master’s teaching encompasses numerous students. We ministers are extremely honored to be accepted as disciples.”

What a smooth talker!

Simply put—

Emperor Qizhen temporarily tossed this difficult problem to him, saying, “Shang Zhuo and Lin Shu are evenly matched. Their discussions of the six principles all demonstrate appropriate degrees of light and shadow. Both answered the examination questions I posed quite well. Lord Lin, you’ve also read their two essays. Tell me, who would be qualified to serve as compiler-in-chief at the Hanlin Academy?”

Since ancient times, the top scholar entered the Hanlin Academy as compiler-in-chief, while second and third place were appointed as compilers at the Hanlin Academy.

After serving as compiler-in-chief for half a year, one could take on official positions in the court between third and fifth rank. Compilers served for two years, and after completing their term, would be assigned to various prefectures and provinces as local officials, or hold court positions below sixth rank.

As for the others who made the list, according to their rankings in this palace examination, they would be granted titles such as bachelor, secretary, scribe, messenger, reviewer, erudite scholar, judicial commissioner…

Emperor Qizhen directly threw this difficult problem at him. Lin Si pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, “The first rank of the palace examination has always been determined by Your Majesty. This minister has read Shang Zhuo and Lin Shu’s essays—both are excellent. If we truly must distinguish between them, it is indeed quite difficult.”

“What is the Hanlin Academy’s opinion?”

“Awaiting Your Majesty’s decision.”

Emperor Qizhen was also troubled. He picked up those two essays and read them again. This time, he spent nearly a full shichen, truly pondering word by word.

Lin Si stood there until his feet went numb.

But in the end—

“Alright, you may withdraw first. I will think it over more carefully.”

Lin Si bowed. “Yes, this minister takes his leave.”

He departed.

Actually, whether Shang Zhuo or Lin Shu became this year’s top scholar didn’t matter. As both were students of Mingshan Academy, they would naturally look after each other in official circles.

The second major matter was Jing Yi’s marriage.

After resolving her daughter’s marriage arrangements, Consort Xiao had also raised with Emperor Qizhen the matter of her son taking a principal consort.

The title of principal consort would naturally go to Ji Muqing.

Emperor Qizhen had originally said he would carefully consider it, but because the assassin had died inexplicably in the Dali Temple prison at that time, along with the impeachment matter from the Ministry of Personnel, Jing Yi’s marriage matter had been suppressed and not mentioned again.

Seeing the timing was wrong then, Consort Xiao hadn’t brought it up again either. Now that the storm had passed, she mentioned it again during the evening meal.

“How is Your Majesty’s consideration of Yi’er taking a principal consort coming along?”

Emperor Qizhen’s expression immediately darkened, though he didn’t say anything.

He just had no appetite for eating anymore.

At bedtime.

While helping Emperor Qizhen remove his outer garments, Consort Xiao said, “Your Majesty, now that Xuan’er’s marriage has been settled, once everything is prepared, she will go to Huyi. This consort only has this one daughter—I truly can’t bear to part with her.”

“You were the one who proposed the suggestion at the time. I also agreed. You must prepare yourself.”

“Yes. Although as a mother, this consort’s heart is reluctant to have Xuan’er marry into Huyi, for her sake, anything is acceptable. This consort has devoted her entire life to thinking of Your Majesty and our children. Now Xuan’er has a destination, but this consort is very worried about Yi’er’s principal consort matter. Your Majesty, how is your consideration coming along?”

However—

Emperor Qizhen didn’t respond to her.

“Your Majesty?”

“Enough. I’ve already said I will carefully consider it. Don’t say any more.”

His tone was very stern.

Consort Xiao’s hands, which were removing his garments, paused for a moment. The corners of her mouth had no choice but to lift in a bland smile as she responded, “Yes, all according to Your Majesty’s wishes.”

Though she said this, Consort Xiao was unwilling to accept it!

Still haven’t finished considering—how long must she wait?

Though she didn’t bring it up again that night, the next day she continued her persistent nagging like an “unkillable cockroach.”

Taking advantage of Emperor Qizhen having just finished reviewing memorials and wanting to take a walk in the imperial garden, Consort Xiao appeared.

Following him like a shadow.

After walking together for a while, they sat down in a pavilion in the imperial garden.

What was unexpected was that this time she didn’t bring it up herself—she directly brought a living person over.

Ji Muqing’s figure appeared in the imperial garden at just the right moment.

Previously, during the Crown Prince selection, she had fallen ill and been sent out of the palace. She had remained at the General’s Manor without going out. Her appearance here today was naturally not a coincidence. Early in the morning, Consort Xiao had sent people to bring her into the palace, just waiting for this performance.

Different from her usual heavily made-up image, today Ji Muqing wore very natural makeup.

She wore a purple-red front-opening robe embroidered with beautiful peonies and narcissus, with a light gauze draped over it that lifted gently in the wind. The makeup on her face wasn’t like before with powder painted white—it was just lightly dusted. Her eyes curved slightly with spirit, her brows long and slender like willow leaves, her nose bridge high, her lips pale as cinnabar. Her entire person was elegant as a painting.

For a moment, she bore some resemblance to Ji Wanxin, just lacking the latter’s somewhat sickly beauty.

She walked to the pavilion with graceful steps and warmly performed a courtesy.

Not daring to look directly, her small lips said, “Commoner Ji Muqing greets Your Majesty, greets Consort Xiao.”

Her voice was like song.

Emperor Qizhen’s brow furrowed slightly.

Consort Xiao immediately explained, “Your Majesty, it’s like this. This consort knows that Miss Ji, aside from her eldest and second brothers, has no other relatives in the capital. So this consort thought to have her enter the palace more often to walk around and chat with this consort.”

Are you kidding me?

Coming into the palace but not staying in your palace, and running here for a chance encounter?