The inn.

This was an establishment specifically set up to house scholars participating in this year’s imperial examinations. After the palace examination concluded, some of the successful candidates who made it onto the honor roll left one after another to return home and announce the good news, while those who failed packed up their bedding and returned to wherever they came from.

By now, all the scholars who had entered the palace examination had already been granted titles, and the third-place scholar had also been announced—only the top scholar and second-place scholar remained undetermined.

In previous years at this time, the results would have been posted long ago, but this year was somewhat exceptional. Originally, it should have been decided a few days ago, but because various matters got tangled together, plus Prince Yi’s wedding, the delay stretched on for several days.

To outsiders, this seemed rather unusual!

Many people still remained at the inn, all wanting to stay and see who would ultimately claim the top scholar position. They wanted to share in the celebratory atmosphere and wait for the next battle three years hence.

At this moment, everyone gathered in small groups of two or three around tables, all discussing who would become the top scholar.

Someone said, “I think it’ll definitely be Shang Zhuo.”

“Why?”

“Because he has real ability! I’m betting on him.”

“I don’t think so. I actually believe Lin Shu has a chance. During the poetry competition last time, he defeated all of us.”

“But this examination topic had nothing to do with poetry composition, so he may not necessarily have the slight edge. Furthermore, look—in previous years at this time, the top scholar rankings would have been announced already. Presumably both men’s answers were excellent, which is why they still haven’t decided who it should be! So at this point, the Ministry of Personnel and the Hanlin Academy will definitely select based on the character of the two men, then recommend to the Emperor. But when it comes to discussing character, Shang Zhuo will definitely become the top scholar.”

This situation wasn’t unprecedented. A few years ago, the Emperor felt that both the top scholar and second-place scholar’s essays were excellent, so in the end he made his decision based on character.

This year would likely be the same situation.

Everyone held to their own views and picked sides, but didn’t dare openly gossip about it outside, fearing that after openly taking sides, if the top scholar turned out not to be the person they favored, they would offend people and end up having to bear the consequences.

Moreover, these failed candidates planned to take the examination again in three years, so if they could curry favor with the top scholar now, it would be convenient to make connections when they competed again in the future.

The people below discussed endlessly, debating for several days, but the two parties involved acted as if it had nothing to do with them.

Eat when it was time to eat.

Drink when it was time to drink.

Sleep when it was time to sleep.

In any case, they didn’t neglect a single thing.

Shang Zhuo had borrowed an authentic calligraphy masterpiece from an antique shop and was now in his room making a copy.

He hadn’t painted in a long time. With the palace examination concluded and free time available, he wielded his brush in his room.

Lin Shu pushed the door open and plopped himself down at the table edge, beginning to mock him sarcastically. “I say, Shang Zhuo, these past few days you’ve just been painting in your room without going out. Is that interesting?”

“What? Should I be like you, idle all day?”

“Which eye of yours saw me being idle? While waiting for the results these past few days, I’ve walked through the entire capital city.”

“Oh.”

“Do you know which mountain is the famous mountain of the capital?”

“No.”

“Do you know which pavilion is the largest?”

“No.”

“Then do you know which wine shop has the best醉鴨?”

“No.”

…

Lin Shu prattled on for quite a while, and Shang Zhuo responded to him with great patience.

After asking everything, he simply smiled without speaking!

Lin Shu pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of something. He leaned forward and said, “Everyone is discussing your rankings. What’s your view on it?”

Shang Zhuo continued painting carefully, not even glancing in his direction, saying calmly, “Being selected for the first class is already an honor. You and I are both students from Mingshan Academy. Whether it’s you or me who becomes top scholar or second-place scholar—it’s all the same.”

One could tell he truly didn’t care about these things.

Being selected for the first class was already an honor for him. Coming from a poor family background, entering government service would already bring glory to his family.

But Lin Shu said, “You certainly see things openly, but my thinking is completely different from yours. We’ve studied diligently in cold windows for many years—wasn’t it all for the day we could achieve the top scholar position? To establish ourselves in court in the future and assist the emperor—that’s our pursuit. Someone like you who’s so indifferent to fame and fortune shouldn’t have come to participate in the imperial examinations at all. Don’t occupy a title and do nothing with it.”

“That’s quite a fresh expression you’ve used.”

“Just learned it recently.”

“Lin Shu, if you become an official in court in the future, you really need to be more careful with your words and actions.” Shang Zhuo reminded him.

Lin Shu acted nonchalant and casually tossed out, “I know, you don’t need to remind me.” He let out a long sigh, propped up his chin and said, “It’s just that this long wait is somewhat torturous. What do you think the Emperor is thinking? Now that Prince Yi’s wedding has passed, why hasn’t he decided yet?”

“No rush, wait slowly. By the time I finish copying this painting, the results will probably be out.” Shang Zhuo’s tone was calm.

Lin Shu craned his neck to look at the painting.

Not even half was copied yet.

This would take until the year of the monkey and month of the horse!

Then Lin Shu’s attention shifted away from the matter of the rankings, and he began muttering, “Say, now in court Prince Yi stands alone in dominance. Doesn’t that mean Prince Rong can never return?”

Shang Zhuo’s hand suddenly paused. “Why are you suddenly bringing this up?”

“Not suddenly—I’ve been thinking about it all along. I started thinking about it from the day we entered the capital. Say, when we become officials in the future and take positions in the Hanlin Academy, won’t we also have to learn to support Prince Yi like those ministers do?” He frowned, seeming somewhat unwilling.

Shang Zhuo hadn’t thought about it as much as he had. While painting, he replied, “Lin Shu, who says that once you become an official, you must definitely support someone? You and I haven’t even entered government service yet—why are you worrying about this? Furthermore, even if we enter the Hanlin Academy for employment, without a year or two, we won’t be promoted to any high position. Prince Yi is such a person—does he need us to support him?”

Stop dreaming!

The people Prince Yi wants to win over are all important figures, like Ji Li and Ji Huan.

And the two of them had just entered official circles, inexperienced in worldly affairs. How could Prince Yi win them over? Not killing them would already be quite good.

Lin Shu pondered his words and thought this reasoning made sense.

Then Shang Zhuo reminded him again, “Your impulsive nature is not a good thing. You must exercise restraint. When we came to the capital from the academy, the teacher repeatedly instructed us that when serving as officials in the future, we must act carefully. For some matters, endure if you can endure them. Never act impulsively and ruin things. After all, the capital is not like the academy. If you made a mistake there, the teacher would just strike you with a few warning sticks and that would be that. But this is the capital, deep in the tiger’s den. If you make a mistake, it could very well be a matter that costs you your head.”

Just as Shang Zhuo finished saying this, Lin Shu covered his own neck with his hand, swallowed hard, and sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

Whew!

His fear of death wasn’t just a day or two old matter.