First, she took an ox cart from Chongzhou to Wutian Prefecture, then traveled by water from Wutian to Shouzhou, and finally shared a horse carriage with others, heading straight for the capital.

The day she entered the capital was the eighth day of the fourth month, coinciding with Buddha’s birthday. The capital’s nine great Chan monasteries each held Buddha bathing ceremonies, giving out Buddha bathing water mixed with fragrant medicine and sugar to visitors. The city streets were packed with people. Pomegranate flowers and slender willows adorned the landscape, the air was clear and mild, a gentle breeze blew, and colorful flags waved lightly—truly a scene of peace and prosperity.

Meng Tinghui alighted from the carriage and immediately saw the magnificent three-story Yitai Building at the end of the street. She stood in place, slightly dazed, before picking up her bundle and walking forward.

She had always heard about the capital’s prosperity, but without seeing it with her own eyes, how could she have imagined such scenes?

A waiter in front of the Yitai Building spotted her and came forward from a distance, greeting her warmly: “Young lady, are you here for the women’s jinshi examination at the Ministry of Rites?” Seeing Meng Tinghui nod, he gestured with his hand, “Please come in, miss.”

Meng Tinghui entered and saw that the first floor of the restaurant was quite peaceful, which made her smile. “Could it be that since all female candidates for the Ministry examination are staying at the Yitai Building, it has suspended business until the examination ends?”

The waiter took her bundle and led her to the counter, shaking his head with a smile: “Miss is from outside the capital and doesn’t know local customs. Today is Buddha’s birthday, and many people in the city went to the monasteries early to receive Buddha’s bathing water, so the restaurant has fewer customers.”

Meng Tinghui now understood and walked smiling to the counter, saying to the manager: “Meng Tinghui, from Chongzhou Prefecture, Chao’an northern route.”

The manager glanced at her, turned to retrieve a letter from the back desk, and handed it to her: “It arrived just yesterday. I was wondering since we hadn’t yet had someone by this name staying at the Yitai Building.”

Meng Tinghui was surprised, took the letter, and opened it.

A thin sheet of paper filled with bold, unrestrained characters, paragraph after paragraph rebuking her for leaving without saying goodbye, ending with a final sentence to take good care.

She smiled at the corner of her lips, her gaze sweeping to the signature.

She didn’t need to look—who else would write such a letter to her but Yan Fuzhi?

Leaving without saying goodbye was indeed wrong of her, but farewells were the one thing in life she was least capable of doing.

What use was a farewell anyway?

From then on, they would be worlds apart—if fate allowed, they would meet again.

Just like…

As an image of someone had just flashed in her mind, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted—

“Are you Meng Tinghui? The Meng Tinghui who was appointed by the Crown Prince as the top scholar of Chao’an’s northern route?”

Several plainly dressed young women had entered the hall, and one was squeezing beside her, having noticed the name the manager had written down. Her face showed extreme surprise.

Meng Tinghui considered for a moment, then nodded slightly, “Miss…”

Before she could finish, the young woman exclaimed again: “You are Meng Tinghui!”

Meng Tinghui frowned, not understanding her meaning.

The young women whispered among themselves for a few moments before smiling at her: “Female candidates from all regions have been here for quite some days now, and someone has already spread your name throughout the Yitai Building.”

Meng Tinghui froze, forcing a smile. “I just arrived outside the capital this morning. After the tiring journey, please allow me to rest first before chatting with you ladies.”

She asked the waiter a couple of questions, then took her bundle and went upstairs.

The group still whispered among themselves below—

“She just had a stroke of luck, what’s there to be proud of?”

“Exactly. Chao’an’s northern route has never produced a female zhuangyuan. Even if she’s the top scholar of that route, her essay might not be better than that of any random candidate from the capital region!”

“Everyone who comes to the capital for the Ministry examination has real talent and learning. Just wait and see if she can become a tribute student when the Ministry results are announced.”

…

She pretended not to hear as she went upstairs. When she pushed open the door, her fingertips were trembling slightly.

Though she knew the capital would be much more complex than Chongzhou Prefecture, she hadn’t expected that even the small Yitai Building would have such turbulent undercurrents.

Before the examination had even begun, she had become a target, with just the rumor of the Crown Prince appointing her as the top scholar pushing her to the forefront of controversy.

Was this meant to tell her that while her talent was valued, her earlier clever tactics were not appreciated?

Was it a warning that she shouldn’t break the rules on her authority during the Ministry examination?

Or was it to make her carry this heavy burden into the examination hall, to see if she truly had the talent of a pillar of state?

Though the room was small, it was neat.

She tossed her bundle aside and threw herself heavily onto the bed.

The flowered curtains above her head swayed precariously, the gilt hook giving off a faint gleam. The window was half-open, and she could faintly smell the sweet aroma of wine being sold on the street outside.

She closed her eyes, her fingers lightly tracing the red wood of the bed frame.

This Crown Prince,

truly had unfathomable thoughts.

At lunchtime, the first and second floors of the Yitai Building became noticeably livelier.

Many who had gone to the monasteries to worship Buddha in the morning had returned to the city, gathering downstairs to discuss the interesting sights they had seen in the city that day. Many female candidates staying at the Yitai Building also came down in twos and threes for meals, their laughter constant.

When Meng Tinghui went down, all four sides were noisy with people of all ages, both men and women. She chose a seat in a corner, ordered a bowl of porridge and a plate of vegetable dishes, and ate slowly by herself, quietly listening to what people around her were saying.

Someone said: “This morning I went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the western part of the city and saw many people who had specially rushed from counties near the capital just to get a share of the Buddha bathing water!”

“The Buddha bathing water from the Imperial Ancestral Temple is said to be presented to the palace as well. Since the Emperor drinks it, naturally everyone wants to partake in this dragon essence.”

“In recent years, the world has been prosperous, and the Emperor has been compassionate toward the people—no wars, no increased taxes. Recently, I heard that the northern border will have free trade with North Jian. I truly hope these peaceful days continue…”

“Hey, have you heard that after the Crown Prince establishes his official consort, the Emperor intends to abdicate and transfer power!”

“Where did such a rumor come from?”

“Whether it’s a rumor or not, just for the position of Crown Princess, tell me, which daughter of which noble family in the capital would be fortunate enough?”

“That goes without saying! It must be the eldest daughter of the Shen family!”

“Which Shen family?”

“Which Shen family could it be? Naturally, the daughter of Grand Tutor Shen…”

Everyone at the table nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Madam Shen, née Ceng, earned merit in blood following the Emperor on his military campaigns years ago. Grand Tutor Shen and the Emperor have been in harmony as ruler and minister for decades. In terms of feelings toward the royal family, who in the court would dare compare? The Shen family’s daughter has grown up playing in the palace with her brother since childhood, and her relationship with the Crown Prince is especially deep. Moreover, with the Duchess of Ying as her godmother, she would certainly be considered a noble relative. Furthermore, the Shen family’s daughter is already twenty years old and still not betrothed—why do you think that is? Naturally, she’s waiting for the position of Crown Princess…”

As they spoke, several women who appeared to be female candidates returned from outside. After sitting down, they looked dejected and gloomy.

A circle of women who were eating nearby saw them and gathered around to ask: “How was it? Did Official Gu accept your introductory note?”

One woman gave them all a cold glance. “Accept what? Who do you think Official Gu is? He’s someone who doesn’t consider anyone’s connections except Prince Ping’s!” She paused, then added with a pout: “For this Ministry examination, the Emperor has appointed Official Gu to supervise the examination. I suggest you all save your energy, spend more time studying, and don’t hope to submit introductory notes in advance to ask for guidance!”

All the women sighed loudly and returned to their seats, disappointed.

Meng Tinghui listened impassively, slowly putting down her chopsticks, taking out her handkerchief to gently wipe her mouth, and preparing to go back upstairs.

At the table beside her, where they had just been discussing the Crown Prince’s consort, someone suddenly said in a low voice: “Look, we were just talking about it, and here she comes!”

“Who’s here? Could it be the Shen family’s daugh—”

“Tsk, didn’t you see the carriage that just stopped outside the Yitai Building? A four-wheeled imperial gift! Isn’t that young woman who just stepped out the one?”

Hearing this, Meng Tinghui turned to look toward the entrance of the Yitai Building.

A young woman in a rose-red jacket and skirt, with a light arm scarf wrapped around three jade rings, a gold-embroidered purple lined garment just above the knee, her hair loosely arranged in the fashionable flowing cloud style of court ladies, was gracefully stepping across the threshold.