The triennial palace examination ended.
Among the top three scholars, only Nie Meng convinced everyone. The other two had never previously distinguished themselves.
A group of students specifically went to view the two men’s essays. Those two essays could only be described as conventional and proper, with some novelty but not much—completely unable to bear the prestigious titles of first and second place.
But since His Majesty had personally selected them, though the students felt dissatisfied in their hearts, they could only accept it, offering congratulations with false sincerity on their faces.
At the same time, court ministers also gathered around the Prince Regent.
“This year’s top scholar and second place scholar are both the Prince Regent’s relatives. Congratulations to Your Highness.”
“The Feng and Lin families have taught their sons well—it makes others envious.”
“These two will directly enter the Hanlin Academy. Their future prospects are limitless!”
“…”
Chu Rui sneered coldly.
These people were congratulating him on the surface, but in reality, they must have cursed him a thousand times ten thousand times in their hearts.
Originally, he just wanted to restore the former prosperity of the Feng and Lin families. Since Yun Chu had given him this opportunity, he would take it.
“No need for congratulations, no need.” Chu Rui cupped his hands toward everyone. “This prince still has some matters to discuss with His Majesty, so I’ll take my leave first.”
As soon as he left, the faces of those court ministers changed.
“The Prince Regent has gone too far—actually interfering with the imperial examinations.”
“He already promoted someone from the Lin family to be commander of the Imperial Guards, and now he’s made another Lin family member second place scholar. Is he trying to restore his maternal clan’s former status?”
“What exactly is the Prince Regent trying to do? I can’t understand it.”
“That’s because you’re stupid. I suspect he’s aiming for that position.”
“He has neither proper name nor justification…”
“If he had proper justification, would he need to scheme so much…”
“No, I need to go talk with Chief Minister Li.”
“Hey, I’ll go too.”
A group of people walked toward Chief Minister Li.
Chu Rui walked before Chu Hongyu: “Your Majesty.”
After court was dismissed, Chu Hongyu was talking with Meng Shen and Yun Zhenjiang.
In this palace examination, Meng Shen ranked first in the second class, Yun Zhenjiang in the middle of the third class—both their rankings were quite good. There was also Dai Hong, also in the third class.
He was asking the two where they wanted to go, so he could make arrangements.
Just as they were talking, Chu Rui arrived. Chu Hongyu immediately changed the subject, smiling: “Brother Shen, Brother Yun, you’ve worked hard all morning. Go ahead and withdraw first.”
The two cupped their hands, lowered their heads, and withdrew.
“Your Majesty increasingly resembles an emperor.” Chu Rui displayed a gratified appearance. “The late emperor didn’t choose wrongly.”
Chu Hongyu put on an innocent appearance: “It’s because the Prince Regent teaches well.”
“This subject doesn’t dare accept such credit.” Chu Rui revealed a smile. “Your Majesty is a good emperor, and the Empress Dowager is also a good Empress Dowager. Unfortunately, they are not biological mother and son—just like the relationship between the late emperor and the former Empress Dowager.”
Chu Hongyu’s small face immediately tensed up.
He was clearly born to his mother.
But Father and Mother both said this matter couldn’t be publicized.
Because at the time of his birth, Mother was still Madam Xie, the wife of Xie Jingyu. As such, he might be suspected of not being of imperial bloodline.
If that happened, the situation would be even more difficult.
He said coldly: “If the Prince Regent has something to say, you might as well speak directly.”
“The Empress Dowager surely would prefer her own biological son to be emperor.” Chu Rui lowered his voice. “When Prince Yan grows older, Your Majesty’s position may become unstable.”
Chu Hongyu tilted his head: “Sowing discord is a trick girls like to play. I never knew the Prince Regent also enjoys playing this trick. How boring.”
Chu Rui’s expression immediately darkened.
“The Empress Dowager asked me to dine at Kangning Palace. I’m leaving first.”
Chu Hongyu turned and walked away, truly unwilling to exchange another word with Chu Rui.
When he arrived at Kangning Palace, Lady Lin had also come with Yun Ran.
After Yun Ran married Dai Hong, she had been constantly pregnant, giving birth, and raising children. She rarely returned to the Yun family and hadn’t seen Yun Chu in a long time.
“Greetings to the Empress Dowager.” After Yun Ran paid her respects and sat down, she called out: “Elder Sister.”
“Dai Hong is now a third-class presented scholar with quite good results.” Yun Chu smiled. “How about letting him train in the Ministry of Revenue first?”
Yun Ran had just sat down but hurriedly stood up: “Elder Sister, I’m afraid that’s not appropriate…”
The Ministry of Revenue was first among the Six Ministries, with every position highly coveted. Her husband was only a third-class presented scholar—how could he be qualified to enter the Ministry of Revenue? She was afraid Elder Sister would be criticized by others.
“The Minister of Revenue will be dismissed sooner or later.” Yun Chu’s voice became deeper. “One turnip, one hole. The hole that opens up in the Ministry of Revenue naturally goes to one of our own.”
Currently, people in court had their attention drawn away by the matter of Feng and Lin becoming top scholar and second place scholar. Her merely arranging for Dai Hong to enter the Ministry of Revenue as a minor official wouldn’t attract much attention.
“Since your elder sister has said so, don’t decline.” Lady Lin smiled. “Just have Dai Hong work diligently and not disappoint your elder sister’s kind intentions.”
Yun Ran nodded: “Elder Sister, rest assured. The Dai family will absolutely remain loyal to His Majesty.”
Yun Chu discussed with Lady Lin and arranged Yun Zhenjiang into the Ministry of War. After all, he was still young and still needed to learn and observe more—there was no rush to go to the battlefield.
They chatted about court matters for a while.
Finally, Lady Lin sighed, took a letter from her sleeve, and handed it to Yun Chu: “This is a letter sent by your father’s trusted aide.”
After Chu Yi disappeared last year, Yun Chu had written to her father asking him to arrange for trusted aides to go to the Dongling area to gather information. Finally, news had come.
But seeing Lady Lin’s expression, Yun Chu was somewhat afraid to open this letter.
“Chu’er, accept the truth. He didn’t disappear—he… died.” Lady Lin’s heart also ached. “Fortunately, Brother Yu is capable and has firmly secured his position as emperor. You’ve become Empress Dowager and can enjoy blessings with him. Just stop thinking about him…”
Yun Chu lowered her head and opened the letter.
Just a few sparse words, like a heavy club striking the top of her head, making her unable to breathe.
“We searched everywhere but couldn’t find him…” Lady Lin sighed. “Bodies wash ashore at the seaside every day—all people who died in battle. The corpses are waterlogged and horribly mutilated, impossible to identify. Chu’er, you…”
“Mother, I understand.”
Yun Chu’s voice was very flat, revealing no excess emotion. She folded the letter and placed it in her sleeve.
Lady Lin stroked her hair: “Then I’ll have your father’s people withdraw.”
“No, continue searching.” Yun Chu raised her head. “Don’t look for corpses—look for a living person. He must still be alive.”
“You…” Lady Lin shook her head. “Fine, I’ll write a letter.”
If searching for him was Chu’er’s sustaining hope, then let this hope continue indefinitely.
Yun Chu thought to herself.
After all this time, there had been no news of Chu Yi. It was possible he had truly died.
He had always been a responsible man—to his country, to his subjects, to his family, he had an extraordinary sense of responsibility.
If he were still alive, he would surely return to her and the children’s side.
She believed he was still alive, but why hadn’t he returned?
Had he lost his memory like Xie Shiyun?
This possibility wasn’t impossible, but it was too remote.
There was another possibility—he had fallen into enemy hands, been captured by the enemy, lost his freedom, and therefore couldn’t return.
The only thing she could do was conquer the Kingdom of Dongling.
The next day at court, extremely good news arrived.
The emperor of the Kingdom of Dongling had actually been assassinated. Having not established a crown prince, the Kingdom of Dongling instantly fell into chaos.