The first imperial examination after the new Emperor’s ascension truly brought a bustling excitement to the capital. This examination was jointly presided over by the Western faction’s elder statesman Xu Ting and the rising contender Meng Tinghui. The scholarly world throughout the realm paid particular attention, and everyone both inside and outside the court was watching to see what results would emerge from these two examiners.

Outsiders all said this would be an open and hidden struggle between the elder officials and the new faction. They believed Xu Ting and Meng Tinghui would inevitably try to recruit talent for their factions during the examination, and that the conflict between them would inevitably erupt once they were sequestered in the examination hall.

Unexpectedly, after three days of examinations and the full ten days of grading papers in seclusion, not even a whisper of discord between Xu and Meng emerged from the Ministry of Rites examination hall. This thoroughly disappointed those in the capital who had been eagerly anticipating some drama.

Even Meng Tinghui herself, before entering seclusion, hadn’t expected Xu Ting to be so cooperative. The grading process followed all procedures according to tradition, and he had shown no dissatisfaction toward her from beginning to end. But while in the examination hall, upon further reflection, she immediately understood the reason—

It wasn’t that Xu Ting didn’t want to use this opportunity to recruit talent for the elder officials, but rather that he understood very clearly that Meng Tinghui’s control over personnel appointments in the Ministry of Personnel would not change. If he specifically selected certain candidates as successful examinees, how could Meng Tinghui not know that these people must be aligned with the elder officials’ faction? Even if these people later passed the palace examination and entered the court, how could they successfully pass through Meng Tinghui’s personnel evaluations to become court officials? Therefore, Xu Ting preferred to outwardly remain impassive and “concede” this round of the Ministry examination, waiting to secretly recruit those he favored in the future.

Meng Tinghui understood Xu Ting’s thoughts, but she also knew that Xu Ting must understand that she likewise could not seek private advantage. Although she was a co-examiner with Xu Ting, he was still the chief examiner, and she was the deputy. If she were to act improperly while Xu Ting was following all procedures, she would certainly face questioning from Xu Ting and various clerks of the Ministry of Personnel, which might then trigger another wave of condemnation from the elder officials.

Although she currently enjoyed the Emperor’s favor, it was precisely at such times that she could not give others any pretext for criticism. Moreover, this imperial examination was extremely important. Even if she didn’t care about her reputation in court, she was unwilling to let scholars throughout the realm view her as a powerful official who disregarded even the Sage’s teachings.

Therefore, throughout the Ministry examination, both she and Xu Ting acted strictly according to court protocols. The ranking of successful candidates was also determined after joint discussions with various clerks and Hanlin Academy scholars who had copied and graded the papers.

The cooperation between Meng Tinghui and Xu Ting as co-examiners proved unexpectedly smooth, contrary to everyone’s expectations. It was only when the results were about to be posted that people gradually realized the subtlety of the situation. They privately praised the Emperor’s skillful move in appointing two seemingly incompatible people as co-examiners, which ensured that this highly anticipated examination concluded fairly. Consequently, they grew even more respectful of the Emperor, and scholars throughout the realm spread word that the country had an enlightened ruler and the people need not worry.

However, on the night before the examination results were to be posted when Meng Tinghui saw the name that would be displayed at the top of the list as the Ministry examination had been evaluating the rankings, she couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

Yin Qing.

Only then did she recall that visiting card she had set aside at her residence and hadn’t looked at for many days. Seeing this name now, she felt somewhat surprised.

Yin Qing must possess genuine talent and learning, otherwise, Xu Ting would not have been allowed to be named the top scholar of the Ministry examination. And since Xu Ting acknowledged this person’s scholarship, he would certainly want to recruit him to the elder officials’ side in the future. Thinking of this, she suddenly felt some regret. If this person was truly a rare talent, she should have acted earlier to recruit him, lest the elder officials get to him first.

She immediately retrieved Yin Qing’s policy essay to review again. Upon reading it, she found it truly excellent. That night after returning to her residence, she dug out that dusty visiting card and discovered that his poetry and prose were not inferior to anyone in the court. She couldn’t help but clap her hands in admiration. No wonder Cao Jing had personally come to the Meng residence to present the card. Such talent would move anyone who encountered it.

Although she harbored intentions of recruiting him, her thoughts were focused on recommending him to the Emperor, even disregarding the protocols of the palace examination.

The next day, when the results were posted outside the Ministry of Rites examination hall, the more than a thousand examination candidates, capital residents who enjoyed watching such events, officials who didn’t need to attend court, and various female officials with their agendas all came to view the results. South of the Imperial Street stood a dense crowd, with heads bobbing like the tides, so numerous they couldn’t be counted.

As this was Meng Tinghui’s first time presiding over an examination, she wanted to personally witness the grand occasion. So she rose early, left her residence alone, and went to the examination hall, mixing among the crowd to wait for the results to be posted.

She wasn’t wearing her female official’s uniform, and her hair was arranged in the most ordinary style. Amid the incessant noise of the crowd, no one could recognize that she was the “Official Meng” who was the subject of much discussion in the capital. So she pretended to be a female candidate, looking around, quite enjoying her freedom. While waiting for the results to be posted, she occasionally overheard scholars from various regions privately discussing the Emperor’s virtuous governance, which made her even happier, a faint smile constantly playing on her lips.

When the Ministry officials came out to post the results, the crowd erupted. The densely packed names in black ink on the list were more eye-catching than an equal amount of pure gold. The noise gradually quieted down as everyone waited for those standing in front to read out the names on the list.

The Ministry examination had selected a total of one hundred and sixty-eight successful candidates, including twenty-three women. This number greatly exceeded people’s earlier estimates, and the crowd sighed and exclaimed in amazement.

Meng Tinghui heard everyone’s gasps, smiled faintly, and withdrew from the crowd, intending to return to her residence.

The crowd surged chaotically, and as she turned, someone happened to block her path. She looked up to see a man in plain robes and said softly, “Kindly let me pass.”

The man moved aside at her words, his lips curving upward slightly, but he didn’t speak.

As she passed by, she glanced at him casually and saw that although the man wore coarse clothing, he had refined features, a handsome face, and an upright bearing—truly an impressive demeanor.

And that faint smile on his face made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

She lowered her eyes and walked away quickly, but heard someone behind her call out loudly, “Brother Yin! Brother Yin, since you’ve topped the list, you should treat us to drinks!”

She stopped in her tracks and turned around sharply to look back.

Her gaze met that of the man, whose eyes had not moved away. His handsome face still wore a smile, and seeing her turn back, he smiled faintly at her.

She frowned as she watched the man being pulled away by several people amid laughter, then slowly turned around again.

Brother Yin, Brother Yin… Yin Qing was him?

She couldn’t help but be surprised.

With his talent, he would certainly place high in the palace examination. And once he entered the court as an official, such scholarship combined with such handsome features would undoubtedly cause quite a stir among the female officials at court.

Thinking of this, she found it somewhat amusing.

Shen Zhishu had been posted outside the capital for nearly two years, and few in the court could surpass his former brilliance. Now Yin Qing was not inferior to Shen Zhishu. Moreover, he didn’t have Shen Zhishu’s intimidating family background, so he would surely attract many female officials.

The peach blossoms by the street scattered their petals, covering her with a faint fragrance. As she walked, she couldn’t help but look up at the azure sky and bright sun, her lips curving into a smile again.

Seeing such talented individuals emerge from the first imperial examination after the new Emperor’s ascension created a scene of peace and prosperity that made everyone feel secure. She was happier than anyone.

Before the palace examination, she followed the imperial edict to copy and organize the policy essays from the Ministry examination and presented them to the Emperor for his review.

Although knowing she shouldn’t overstep boundaries too much, she couldn’t help but bring along that visiting card Cao Jing had given her to the Ruisi Hall, presenting it together with Yin Qing’s and others’ policy essays.

“Your Majesty,” she remained at the foot of the desk, waiting for him to look through the essays, carefully choosing her words: “Your subject happened to acquire some poems and prose written by Yin Qing, which showcase his talent even more than this policy essay. Would Your Majesty like to review them?”

In recent days, Yin Qing had become famous in the capital, known in scholarly circles as a talented individual from the Northern Chao’an Circuit and the top scholar of the Ministry examination. Rumors said that some court officials were already seeking him as a son-in-law. Although the palace examination had not yet taken place, it showed how highly court officials regarded him.

Hearing her words, he tossed aside the paper in his hand, leaned back in his chair, lowered his eyes to fix on her, and said, “Have you met Yin Qing in person?”

She nodded honestly, “I have seen him once.”

He waited silently for a moment, then suddenly said, “A few days ago, I heard people say this man is quite handsome.”

She thought for a moment, then nodded, “Your subject believes that even compared to Grand Scholar Shen, Yin Qing is not at all inferior.”

He slowly pulled the card from the desk, opened it with his finger, glanced at it lightly, and then looked back at her: “Is he worth you disregarding palace examination protocols to recommend him to me now?”

She heard the displeasure in his words and felt slightly embarrassed. Looking up at him, she explained, “Your subject fears Your Majesty might miss out on excellent talent. If Yin Qing doesn’t perform well in the palace examination and ends up outside the top three ranks, wouldn’t that be a great pity?”

His expression remained impassive as he said slowly, “If this person cannot write a good essay in the palace examination, even if his poetry and prose rival the best scholars from Chao’an, I will not make a special exception because of your words.”

She knew she had displeased him, so she lowered her head silently and said nothing more.

Court attendants had not yet withdrawn from the hall, but he extended his arm across the table toward her and said, “Come here.” When she approached, he said in a cool voice, “Not inferior even when compared to Shen Zhishu—what kind of handsomeness is this?”

Seeing his displeased expression and hearing his tone, she suddenly understood, and her face immediately reddened. She stammered, “Your subject… your subject finds neither Grand Scholar Shen nor Yin Qing handsome.”

“It seems you’re not afraid of the crime of deceiving your sovereign.” His voice remained cool, but his brow had slightly relaxed. “Before the palace examination, you are not permitted to meet privately with any examination candidate.”

She urgently said, “Your subject did not meet privately…” Seeing that her explanation was not getting through, she simply pouted and said, “Your Majesty sits on the throne of the Son of Heaven, yet you’re jealous over a mere examination candidate?”

Having been called out, his face immediately darkened. “You’re being impudent!”

She didn’t back down either, saying coldly, “Yes, your subject is being impudent. Your Majesty may punish your subject as you see fit.”

This was the first time she had ever openly defied him. He hadn’t expected her to become angry as if he was discovering another side of her for the first time. His expression suddenly softened, and after a moment he said quietly, “Yes, I am jealous. So what?”