The examination subjects for the Examination of Outstanding Talent differed from those of the regular examinations. The regular examination consisted of three sections: the first was a literary composition — one poem and one rhapsody; the second was a text-comprehension test, resembling a basic assessment of literary and historical knowledge; the third was a policy essay, divided into written and oral components. The examination subjects and format were fairly fixed. The Examination of Outstanding Talent was considerably more flexible. Its subject categories alone were “numerous in name and exceedingly varied in type” — by incomplete count, there were sixty-three subjects available for selection, among them: the Discipline and Integrity Like the Frost of Autumn category, the Peerless Talent category, the Literary Statecraft category, the Exceptional Excellence category, the Thorough Mastery of the Classical Texts with Penetrating Understanding of Teachings category, the Grand Military Strategy with Capabilities Befitting a Border Commander category — an eclectic assortment, each with its own elaborate label, falling broadly into five major types: literary and poetic arts, classical learning, administrative governance, military affairs, and personal conduct. (Note)

The category Hua Yitang had entered — the Exceptional Excellence category — was the most unusual of all sixty-three. Of the three hundred and thirty-seven candidates registered for this year’s Examination of Outstanding Talent, Hua Yitang was the only person who had entered this category.

This category had two sections. The first was a literary composition — the requirements were straightforward: in plain terms, write a floridly worded rhapsody, lavishing praise to the utmost extent of one’s ability. For any candidate with self-respect, this category amounted to a “flattery and empty rhetoric” section that genuinely compromised a scholar’s dignity, which was why no sensible person would ever choose it. But for the “one of a kind” Hua the Fourth, it seemed almost tailor-made for him — not choosing it would have been an insult to his reputation as the foremost dissolute young master of Yangdu.

The second section’s policy essay, though sharing a name with the regular examination’s “policy essay,” was more specific in content. In general, it required candidates to write a personal account of their own “exceptional excellence,” with vivid illustrative examples attached. There were no restrictions on length or format — the aim was simply to highlight the theme of “the Examination of Outstanding Talent selecting the extraordinary talents of the realm.” For most candidates — ten years of grinding through the classics, day after day with their noses buried in texts — there had been little opportunity to develop any unusual “exceptional excellence.” Hua Yitang’s rich experience investigating and solving cases, however, was quite well-suited to the subject.

The examination ran for twelve hours in total. Candidates simply needed to complete both sections — how to divide the time was left entirely to the individual. Hua Yitang answered the policy essay first, writing furiously for three hours and selecting six of the most representative cases from his memory. In an expansive, flowing style he wrote over ten thousand characters, then read it through once and was quite satisfied with himself.

By this point, it was past midday — the special examination period known as “the Imperial Gift of Food,” which was simply mealtime. Jinwu Guards personally delivered tables and meals to each examination room. Four dishes, one soup, one main course: the four dishes were steamed fresh fish (fresh mandarin fish topped with ginger, steamed whole), steamed young lamb (with a small dish of black pepper imported from the Western Regions), steamed sweet water eggs (one small bowl each of goose egg, chicken egg, and duck egg), and steamed greens (with three dipping sauces: sweet, salty, and sour). The soup was mutton broth. The main course was a combination platter of flat noodles, flatbread, layered pastry, and plain rice. The dishes were simple, but the preparation was exquisitely refined — one taste was enough for Hua Yitang to recognize the hand of the imperial kitchen, and his appetite promptly opened wide. He immediately called for three more servings.

The Jinwu Guard delivering meals was greatly taken aback. Every candidate sitting the examination was in a state of extreme anxiety, and almost none had any appetite. Some could not even get down a mouthful of broth. How was it that this particular candidate had absolutely no nerves about him — was he here to sit an examination or here to freeload meals?

When Hua Yitang called for a fifth serving, it even alarmed the chief examiner — the newly appointed Vice Minister of Rites, Xiong Danian — whose name lived up to his appearance, for he had the look of a bear about him, round-headed and wide-set. He hurried over to verify Hua Yitang’s identity, and immediately relaxed. He told the Jinwu Guards not to make a fuss and to let the candidate eat as he pleased.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Hua Yitang belched twice in contentment, lay down on the examination room’s resting platform for half an hour, and then began the literary composition section. This section was not his strong suit, and he wrote in fits and starts over five hours, only finishing after nightfall.

By this time it was approaching the end of the fifth night watch. Night had deepened, dew was heavy, and wind cold.

Jinwu Guards went in turn to deliver warming braziers to candidates. Nearly all the scholars were racking their brains, writing with full concentration, giving everything they had for the sake of their futures. But when the Jinwu Guard arrived at the examination room of the particular glutton, they found him bundled up in his knee warmers and hand-muffs, covered with his shoulder cape, lying on the resting platform in sound and comfortable sleep. The sight was quite astonishing.

This person wasn’t just a glutton — he was also an idler!

Just past midnight, the candidate in examination room two hundred and twenty suddenly broke down and tried to hang himself. Fortunately the examination hall had long experience with such things and had sealed every crossbeam that could bear a belt. The candidate’s hanging failed. He burst into loud sobbing and attempted to beat his head against the wall, and was knocked unconscious and carried out by the Jinwu Guards.

An incident of this kind inevitably disturbed the other candidates to some degree. Several were frightened and started shaking, muttering incoherently. The harried Vice Minister Xiong immediately ordered a calming herbal broth to be brewed and sent to every examination room. Most candidates at the Examination of Outstanding Talent came from aristocratic families — there could be no risk of anything happening to them.

When the Jinwu Guard arrived at Hua Yitang’s room, he found the candidate still asleep, his position essentially unchanged, except that his hands now held a rough green bamboo tube.

The Jinwu Guard could not help but look at this person with new admiration. Unruffled in the face of upheaval, steady as a mountain — this person’s future prospects were surely boundless.

The night passed. When the first ray of daylight fell on the two gilded characters above the examination hall’s gate, Hua Yitang woke. He lay on the resting platform listening to the morning drums vibrate through the sky, then raised his arm and looked at the bamboo tube in his hand, and smiled softly.

The once-in-three-years Examination of Outstanding Talent officially concluded. Dejected and drained, resolute and composed, ashen-faced, flushed and bright, or simply well-fed and well-rested — the candidates picked up their examination baskets and poured out of the examination hall, passed through Yongfu Gate, and stepped out into the light of the newly risen sun.

Hua Yitang drew a long, deep breath of free air outside the Imperial City, and smiled at the group walking toward him. Fangke had not fully woken up yet and was wearing a very long face. Mu Xia and Yita both looked eagerly expectant. Jin Ruo was chewing a hot, freshly steamed bun and handed him one. Lin Sui’an tilted her head to one side and looked at him with eyes curved into a smile. “Master Candidate Hua — how did it go?”

“Excellent!” Hua Yitang took the fan Mu Xia offered, opened it with a crisp snap, and gave it a couple of pleased waves. “Back to the residence — three days of feasting!”

After the grand court assembly for the new year, the officials of the Tang Kingdom who had labored through the year each returned home to enjoy ten days of annual rest, recharging their strength to fight anew in the coming year. Ling Zhiyan volunteered to keep watch at the Court of Judicial Review, and every day his first errand upon entering the Imperial City was to stroll past the east wall of the Southern Court of the Ministry of Rites. He knew the results of the Examination of Outstanding Talent would not be posted until the fifteenth of the first month, yet he could not help going to look.

The results board was mounted on the east wall of the Southern Court — a wall specially built for the purpose, standing over one zhang tall, with a low rammed-earth wall around its base and a large open space before it. The wall had been freshly whitewashed, tinged faintly pink. Ling Zhiyan still remembered how it had felt six years earlier, to see his own name written on this wall. A decade’s worth of painstaking study, hardship and tears, had turned in that one instant into a radiant, overflowing glory.

Could the name of Hua Yitang of the Hua Family of Yangdu also appear on this wall?

Ming Shu could not understand Ling Zhiyan’s behavior.

“If Hua the Fourth passes with highest honors, the Hua Family’s connections will surely be able to secure Lin Niangzi a government post as well. Lin Niangzi would certainly decline the Court of Judicial Review’s position, wouldn’t she.”

Ling Zhiyan did not quite know his own mind — on one hand, he was eager for talent and genuinely hoped Lin Niangzi would join the Court of Judicial Review, while on the other hand, he hoped Hua Yitang would pass with highest honors. The two were fundamentally at odds.

But Ming Feng saw straight to the heart of things with a single remark.

“The way I see it — whether Hua the Fourth passes with honors or not, Lin Niangzi won’t be coming to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Ming Shu: “Why not?”

Ming Feng: “Two thousand gold a month versus one thousand coins a month — if it were you, which would you choose?”

“Ahem — I… I would naturally choose to stay with Inspector Ling!”

“Ming Shu, when did you get so slippery with your words!”

“Go on, get away with you — I said it out of genuine sincerity.”

“Ugh——”

There was no denying that Ming Feng was right. Ling Zhiyan thought — not that he considered Lin Niangzi to be a person who chased wealth, but rather because he sensed some peculiar bond between Lin Niangzi and Hua the Fourth — as though an invisible thread had woven their fates tightly together.

Thinking of this, Ling Zhiyan also found himself quietly amused.

When had he become the sort of person who “believed in fate?”

Yet at times, one simply could not help but believe.

Such as how Hua Yitang always had the extraordinary luck of stumbling across murder cases.

Such as how Lin Niangzi always said things that seemed to predict the future — or as though she could see with her own eyes what the dead had seen.

Such as how, between the two of them, there always seemed to be that wordless understanding that could uncover the faint and hidden truth beneath layers upon layers of illusion.

And then there was Doctor Fang — based on Zhang Shaoqing’s description, bringing him to the Court of Judicial Review seemed like a long shot.

Ten full days passed before the reply finally arrived.

Before even opening the letter, Ling Zhiyan already knew what the answer would be.

The letter tube contained two letters. One was from Lin Sui’an, writing that “after careful reflection over several days, Lin finds herself of mediocre abilities and not equal to the responsibilities of the post, and must regretfully decline.” The other was from Fangke — his tone was rather less courteous: “The pay is too little. Not interested.”

Ling Zhiyan burst out laughing.

Ming Shu was perplexed. “Both turned you down — why are you still so cheerful, Inspector?”

Ling Zhiyan shook his head and gave no answer.

He did not know either. It simply felt — this way was also quite good.

In four days it would be the day the Examination of Outstanding Talent results were posted. He was determined to stake out a good spot early and see for himself what manner of extraordinary virtue and ability the foremost dissolute young master of Yangdu possessed, that these two — one scholar, one warrior — would follow him with such wholehearted dedication.

The fifteenth of the first month. Every household adorned with bright lanterns and festive décor, ready to welcome the most lively holiday in the Tang Kingdom — the Lantern Festival — which, over the next three days, would see the night curfew lifted, the Jinwu Guards standing down, and the citizens of the Eastern Capital free to go out at night to admire lanterns, gaze at the moon, sing and dance, watch acrobats, see a hundred kinds of performances, and join in ritual celebrations, reveling day and night for three full days.

For the candidates who had sat the Examination of Outstanding Talent, this day meant the moment that decided the second half of their lives. Any candidate with any sense at all would have spent the previous night tossing and turning sleeplessly — and the moment the morning drum beat and the ward gates opened, they would be riding or driving their carriages to the east wall of the Southern Court of the Ministry of Rites to read the results of the Examination of Outstanding Talent.

So when Lin Sui’an discovered that Hua Yitang was still sitting in the water pavilion taking his morning tea at a leisurely pace, she was quite startled. “Why are you still here? Why haven’t you gone to see the results?”

Hua Yitang held his tea cup and tilted an eyebrow at her. “I’m afraid certain individuals will not give up easily and will come pestering and poaching. I need to stay home and keep watch!”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

It was her own fault. Three days earlier, she had let something slip while helping Jin Ruo with his basic strength training. Jin Ruo, that chatterbox, had immediately relayed the news of the Court of Judicial Review’s intention to recruit both her and Fangke to Hua Yitang — word for word, without omitting a syllable. As a result, for the past three days she had gotten a firsthand education in what “shameless clinging, wheedling, and constant hovering” truly looked like. From the moment she opened her eyes each morning, Hua Yitang was circling in front of her — sighing dramatically one moment, wallowing in self-pity the next, then breaking into poetry and song, putting on a display of wretched, sobbing misery so convincing that one would have thought she was a heartless, faithless scoundrel and Fangke a treacherous, oath-breaking ingrate, until the two of them were worn down with four times as many headaches as heads. Unable to endure the psychological assault any longer, she had written the letter of polite refusal to Judicial Inspector Ling under Hua Yitang’s supervision, and Mu Xia had personally delivered it to the Court of Judicial Review.

Even after all that, this person still did not feel reassured, insisting that Ling the Sixth was relentless and that one could not let down one’s guard — and had spent from morning to night at home, guarding the gate like a watchdog. Jin Ruo complained, “The one with the surname Hua is like a watchdog — barks at everyone.”

Lin Sui’an felt she ought to at least partially restore Judicial Inspector Ling’s reputation. “Judicial Inspector Ling is not that kind of person.”

Hua Yitang gave a dismissive huff. “My elder brother was absolutely right — don’t be fooled by the Ling clan’s fine, honest-looking eyebrows and features. Every single one of them is full of scheming and the most skilled deceivers!”

Lin Sui’an was caught between laughter and exasperation. Fangke rolled his eyes. “Small-minded.”

Jin Ruo, his mouth stuffed full of flatbread, looked contemptuous. “If you ask me, he just doesn’t have the confidence — he’s afraid he’ll fail and embarrass himself. He doesn’t dare go, so he’s using Judicial Inspector Ling as an excuse.”

Yita was having none of it. “Steelhead Brother wrong! Fourth Young Master — very impressive! Definitely pass! I believe Fourth Young Master!”

“It’s Big Brother Jin.”

“In any case, Steelhead Brother wrong!”

Mu Xia poured Lin Sui’an a bowl of steaming mutton broth and smiled. “The news delivery and celebratory announcement are handled entirely by the Graduate Society — there’s no need for us to concern ourselves with it. Besides, the Southern Court of the Ministry of Rites will certainly be a sea of people today — even if we went, we’d never be able to push through to the front. Better to wait comfortably at home for the good news.”

Lin Sui’an asked with curiosity: “What is the Graduate Society?”

Mu Xia: “After a candidate passes with honors in the examination, there are always certain fixed activities — delivering the good news, thanking the presiding examiner, paying respects to the prime minister, the flowers tour through the city and the celebratory banquet, and so on. The whole process is complex and full of formalities. Since the Ministry of Rites officials have no time to handle all of this personally, these activities are delegated to a private organization to manage. That is what is called the Graduate Society. They are experienced, their service is excellent, and they save a great deal of effort.”

Lin Sui’an: So it was a privately run event-planning and PR organization dedicated to serving successful examination candidates.

“What you’re not saying is that the Graduate Society doesn’t come cheap,” Jin Ruo muttered. “Though it doesn’t matter, I suppose — you with the surname Hua are not short of money anyway.”

“On the contrary — for me, the Graduate Society is complimentary,” said Hua Yitang, waving his fan.

Jin Ruo’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me the Graduate Society is one of the Hua Family’s businesses too?”

Hua Yitang raised an eyebrow. Mu Xia poured Hua Yitang a ladle of tea. “The head of the Graduate Society, Old Gao, came to pay his respects the day before yesterday and said that Fourth Young Master need not worry — he will personally accompany the fastest herald when the time comes, and this residence will be the first in all of the Eastern Capital to receive word.”

Jin Ruo gave a dismissive click of his tongue. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Before the words were fully out of his mouth, a servant boy came running in at the gate, calling at the top of his voice, “They’re here, they’re here! The herald’s gong can already be heard!”

Everyone sprang to their feet in great excitement and ran outside. Jin Ruo and Yita were the fastest and had already vanished in a blink. Mu Xia and Fangke followed right behind. Hua Yitang, however, showed no hurry at all — he rose to his feet unhurriedly, smoothed his sleeves, straightened his collar, adjusted his belt, and stood composed and unruffled.

Lin Sui’an noticed the fan in his hands trembling faintly. She forced herself not to smile.

Out of the water pavilion, along the covered walkway, through the main hall, and out the main gate. From a great distance they could already see a cloud of raised dust, hoofbeats shaking the street, and a gong reverberating through the sky.

Fangke: “This is excessive, isn’t it?”

Lin Sui’an stretched her neck to look. She could make out a mounted group, the two leading riders recognizable faces — Ling Zhiyan and Tianshu, both galloping at full tilt. Even more outlandish, seven or eight more riders followed close behind, also mounted on tall horses, beating copper gongs and shouting as they rode: “Who in blazes are you people — how dare you come muscling in on the Graduate Society’s business!”

Horses whinnied. Ling Zhiyan and Tianshu pulled up in a swirl of dust, one behind the other, and both reined in at the gate. They swung down from their horses simultaneously.

Ling Zhiyan’s face was radiant: “Fourth Young Master — you passed!”

Tianshu was out of breath: “Of the seventeen new examination graduates, Hua Yitang ranks third!”

Ling Zhiyan: “First class!”

Tianshu: “First place is Bai Ruyi, second is Zeng Xuanhai, fourth is Ning Rui, fifth is Wan Feiying. Su Yiyun ranks seventeenth. Bai Xiang of Qingzhou failed.”

Hua Yitang froze. The fan in his hand loosened and dropped. Lin Sui’an reached out and caught it, then pressed it back into his hand, smiling. “Congratulations, Hua Yitang.”

Hua Yitang blinked once, then twice, then gave his little fan a satisfied, self-pleased wave. “As expected — that is only right for Hua the Fourth of the Hua Family.”

Ling Zhiyan laughed, and gave Hua Yitang’s shoulder two solid, affectionate slaps.

“Fourth Young Master is magnificent! Fourth Young Master is magnificent!” Yita danced around Fangke in circles, whooping with delight. Fangke let out a breath of relief, and a rare flicker of a smile crossed his face.

The eight heralds from the Graduate Society had finally arrived. They stood clutching their copper gongs — each gong decorated with a large red satin flower — their expressions caught between indignation and embarrassment. The man at the front, clearly working himself into a state, must have been Old Gao from Mu Xia’s description. “Manager Mu, Lord knows where these two louts came from, running faster than rabbits and racing here to steal the announcement — how — how does this look?!”

Mu Xia distributed red envelopes that had been prepared in advance to all eight. “No matter — the good news has arrived, and that is what counts.”

Old Gao glared fiercely at Ling Zhiyan and Tianshu, visibly disgruntled.

Jin Ruo stood with hands on hips. “As expected, the Pure Gate is the fastest.”

Mu Xia bowed with hands clasped together. “Refreshments are prepared inside — please, everyone, come in and rest a moment. Tokens of gratitude will be presented as well.”

Everyone was in high spirits, surrounding Hua Yitang and walking in together — but before they had even reached the main hall, a voice called out from beyond the gate: “Is this the Hua Family residence? Is the new examination candidate Hua Yitang present?”

A company of gleaming golden Jinwu Guards had arrived at the gate. At their head was a female official dressed in scarlet robes, with delicate, lovely features and a face like a peach blossom. She held a rolled scroll trimmed with gold foil. Lin Sui’an found her face familiar — after a moment’s thought she recalled: the last time the reigning sovereign had traveled incognito along the Yunshui River, the female official who had come to escort the sovereign back to the palace had been this very person.

Hua Yitang hurried forward to bow. “I am Hua Yitang. I pay my respects to Vice Minister Jiang.”

The female official’s gaze swept over Hua Yitang and she gave a nod. “Hua Yitang of the Hua Family, fourth son — receive the imperial decree.”

Everyone dropped to their knees at once.

“The candidate Hua Yitang of Yangdu is outstanding in literary accomplishment and excellent in both talent and virtue. He is an extraordinary talent in the investigation and resolution of cases — a cause for great imperial satisfaction. Today being the fifteenth of the first month, the full moon, the day of reunion, the sovereign has specially arranged a banquet at Yingtian Tower, to invite the newly passed examination graduates to gather together and celebrate the Lantern Festival in common joy.”

Hua Yitang knelt to receive the imperial decree and gave his acknowledgment in a clear, carrying voice. The female official looked at him with a pleased smile, then added, “I and Hua Yifeng were classmates in our youth. I often heard her speak of how her youngest brother at home caused such headaches. I did not expect that only a few years would pass and you would have grown so tall. Today, seeing you pass the examination with high honors, I am truly glad for her.”

Hua Yitang also smiled. “I heard long ago from my second eldest sister that the eighth daughter of the Jiang Family is brilliantly gifted and holds the realm in her heart — the sovereign’s left hand and right arm. I have long wished for the opportunity to pay my respects. Today I am fortunate enough to see Eighth Daughter Jiang in person — and indeed, she inspires nothing but deep admiration.”

“You and your second sister are alike — words like honey on both your tongues.”

“Eighth Daughter Jiang flatters me! Fourth Young Master dares not presume to deserve such praise!”

Jiang the Eighth also exchanged a greeting with Ling Zhiyan, and then looked toward Lin Sui’an. “You are Lin Sui’an?”

Lin Sui’an was greatly surprised. She hurriedly clasped her fists in salute. “I am.”

“Jiang the Seventh asked me to pass you a message. She says — if you find yourself free tonight, perhaps you and Hua the Fourth would honor the banquet at Yingtian Tower with your presence. She is deeply grateful for your rescue of her before, and wishes to thank you in person.” Jiang the Eighth smiled and gave a playful wink. “There is a big, big surprise in store.”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

……I have a big, big sense of foreboding.

Note: Reference work — “Tang Dynasty Imperial Examinations and Literature”