At the inn.
This was an inn specially designated for the scholars taking part in the Imperial Examinations. After the end of the Palace Examinations, some scholars that had entered the gold rankings would leave for their hometowns to report the joyful news, while those that did not make the rankings would quietly pack their belongings and return to where they had come from.
Currently, the top scorers of the Palace Examinations have already been announced, including the Tanhua. Only the zhuangyuan and bangyan were still undecided. [1]
Normally, these would have been announced a few days ago, but this year, there were several things that happened at the same time. Prince Yi also just got married, so the delay dragged on for several days.
To an outsider, this was rather abnormal.
There were still many people still staying in the inn, all curious about who would finally take the top position of zhuangyuan. They wanted to bask in the festive atmosphere for now, and come back in three years' time to duke it out once more.
Right now, everyone was crowded around the tables, discussing who would finally be the person declared top of the rankings. Someone said, “I’m certain it will be Shang Zhuo.”
“Why?”
“He’s capable! I have my eye on him.”
“I beg to differ. I think that Lin Shu would win. Last time when we competed in linking poems, he beat all of us.”
“But the examination question this time has nothing to do with composing poems, so he might not have an advantage. Furthermore, consider that in previous years, the list of the top three would have been published by now. Thus, I’d expect that the decision took so long precisely because both answers are excellent! So at this time, the Ministry of Personnel and the Hanlin Academy surely would base their choice on their character, then make their recommendations to His Majesty. However, if we consider it based on their character, Shang Zhuo surely would become the choice for zhuangyuan.”
This type of situation wasn’t unprecedented. A few years ago, the Emperor felt that the top two scholars were equally matched, so he based his final decision on their character. This year might well be the same situation.
Everyone was insistent on their own viewpoints and separated into two different camps. However, they did not dare to casually speak of it in public in fear that, if the zhuangyuan did not end up being the person they had envisioned, they would offend him and have to face the consequences.
Besides, these people who didn’t make it onto the rankings still intended to retake the examinations in three years’ time. If they could curry favor with the zhuangyuan now, it would be much easier for them the next time they would take the examinations.
These people continued their fervent debates over several days, but there were two people who acted as if this matter had nothing at all to do with them. They ate, drank, and slept as usual; not doing anything out of the ordinary.
Shang Zhuo borrowed an authentic rare painting from the antiques’ shop, and was busy making a replica in his room. It had been a long time since he had painted. Now that the Palace Examinations were over and he had free time again, he started practising his painting again.
Lin Shu pushed open the door and entered, sitting himself down unceremoniously next to the table as he started to complain, “I say, Shang Zhuo, you’ve been cooped indoors the past few days doing nothing but painting; is it really that interesting?”
“Why? Should I be like you and be idle all day long instead?”
“With which eye did you witness me being idle? I’ve actually walked all over the entire capital in the past few days as I waited for the results to be announced.”
“Mn.”
“Do you know which mountain is the most famous in the capital?”
“Don’t know.”
“Then do you know which is the largest pavilion?”
“Nope.”
“Then do you know which restaurant serves the best drunken duck?”
“I don’t.”
……
Lin Shu nattered on for a long while, and Shang Zhuo patiently answered every one of his questions. At the end of the questioning, he started smiling wordlessly.
Lin Shu thought for a moment, then seemed to have an idea as he leaned forward. “Everyone is discussing how we will be ranked. What do you think?”
Shang Zhuo continued painting attentively, never sparing a single glance in his direction as he replied lightly, “It’s already a great honor to be part of the top three. Both of us are students of Mingshan Academy, so it’s all the same no matter which of us is the zhuangyuan or bangyan.”
One could tell that he sincerely did not care about the results. To him, it’s already an honor to be amongst the top three. He had been born from a poor family, so he would already bring honor to his family just by taking up a position in court.
However, Lin Shu disagreed. “How open-minded of you! But I don’t think the same way. Didn’t we study so bitterly for years all for the chance to become the zhuangyuan one day? Our goal is to one day establish ourselves in the Imperial Court and a.s.sist the Emperor; if you were truly so indifferent to fame and profit, you shouldn’t even have some to partic.i.p.ate in the Examinations. Don’t occupy the ranking if you’re not going to s.h.i.+t.”
“This phrase of yours is rather refres.h.i.+ng.”
“I learnt it recently.”
“Lin Shu, in future when you become an official in court, you must still be more careful with your speech and behavior.” Shang Zhuo reminded him.
However, Lin Shu remained nonchalant and just casually replied, “I know. You don’t need to remind me.” He heaved a long sigh again and propped his chin up with his hand. “However, this long wait is rather vexing. What do you think His Majesty is thinking? How has he not made his final decision now that Prince Yi’s wedding had already concluded?”
“There’s no hurry, wait patiently. By the time I finish replicating this painting, I reckon the result will be out.” Shang Zhuo replied mildly.
Lin Shu craned his neck to take a good look at that painting. Barely half of it had been completed. How much longer would it take?!
Lin Shu’s attention quickly switched back to the topic of the rankings as he started muttering again, “Now that Prince Yi is the sole power remaining in the Imperial Court, do you think that Prince Rong would never be able to return?”
Shang Zhuo’s hand suddenly paused. “Why would you suddenly mention this?”
“It’s not sudden. I’ve always been thinking about it, from the first day I arrived in the capital. When we become officials in the future and start working in Hanlin Academy, wouldn’t we have to be like those ministers and support Prince Yi’s faction?” He wrinkled his brows, as if he weren’t too willing to do so.
However, Shang Zhuo didn’t think as deeply into this matter as he did. He continued drawing as he answered, “Lin Shu, whoever said that we must support a particular faction when we become officials? Neither of us have yet entered the Imperial Court as officials; why are you worrying so much about it now? Besides, even if we started working in Hanlin Academy, it would be at least half a year to a year before we could be conferred a formal official’s position. Look at who Prince Yi is - does he really need our support?”
Dream on! The people that Prince Yi would want to entice to this faction were all major players like Ji Li and Ji Huan. The two of them were merely inexperienced newcomers to the arena that was the Imperial Court; why would Prince Yi want to garner their support? It would already be a mercy if he didn’t just kill them off.
Lin Shu reflected on his words, and agreed with his reasoning.
Later, Shang Zhuo reminded him again, “You’re naturally impulsive, which isn’t ideal and you must restrain yourself. When we left the Academy for the capital, Teacher reminded us again and again that when we become officials in the future, we must be careful how we do things.
“For some things, we should endure it as much as possible, and never allow impulsiveness to rule us and create trouble. After all, the capital isn’t like the Academy where mistakes are forgiven after a few whacks from the discipline ruler; instead, the capital is as treacherous as a tiger’s lair where a single mistake could have consequences as serious as losing your head.”
When Shang Zhuo finished speaking, Lin Shu wrapped his hand around his own neck with a gulp and drew in a long breath. Phew! He had always been afraid of dying.
[1] reminder: 1st = zhuangyuan 2nd = tanhua 3rd = bangyan