Zhan Feiyu not only excelled in her opening statement but also wrote with astonishing speed, putting the other candidates to her, especially the chubby Qi Heng, whom she had met before, under considerable pressure.
The first time Zhan Feiyu visited Qingya Academy, Qi Heng, along with a group of fellow students, had blocked her path, intending to engage her in a literary duel. However, they were stumped by Zhan Feiyu’s challenge: “There are seven authors; please respond in the names of the seven.”
Not only did Qi Heng retreat in defeat, but he was also punished by Tutor Ming to copy the Analects three times. Qi Heng secretly glanced at Zhan Feiyu and hurriedly picked up his brush to write, fearing he would be overshadowed by her again at the prefectural examination.
Time ticked by, and the sound of the cloud board signaled a break for water, rest, or a visit to the latrine. Yet, the candidates, seated in their designated spots, continued to write with fervent dedication.
The essay required the character "shan" (mountain) to be incorporated into the phrase describing the gaps in the misty mountains, a five-character verse in eight rhyming couplets.
Zhan Feiyu’s fluid writing speed was finally halted by this formidable obstacle, the test poem.
“Hoo…” Seeing Zhan Feiyu pause, the rushing candidates finally breathed a sigh of relief. Some secretly rubbed their wrists, their hands aching from writing too quickly!
Completely unaware of the pressure her speed had caused others, Zhan Feiyu frowned, contemplating how to compose the poem. The prefectural examination consisted of three rounds, with the first day being the most crucial.
This particular session prioritized the four-book questions, followed by interpretive essays, with the test poem ranked last. However, Zhan Feiyu dared not be careless.
“Emerald green cut, roundness broken, mist enters the fractured mountains, filling the gaps, layers of peaks merge, where it aligns, a lone cloud returns…” As Zhan Feiyu was still deliberating, someone suddenly stood up.
“Your Excellency, this student wishes to submit his paper early,” Kou Yuanxing, a remarkably thin young man whose blue robe seemed to hang loosely on him, spoke with an air of extreme arrogance. He then cast a provocative glance at Zhan Feiyu, seated diagonally opposite him.
The candidates who were seated in their designated spots were generally pre-selected for the Tong Sheng (county scholar) title. This was the prefect’s way of accommodating the county magistrates, as it would reflect poorly on a magistrate if their county’s top scholar failed the prefectural examination. However, there was only one top scholar for the prefectural exam.
Sensing Kou Yuanxing’s unconcealed hostility once more, Zhan Feiyu rolled her eyes and lowered her head to continue composing her poem.
Kou Yuanxing sneered with arrogance and placed his paper on the public desk before Prefect Zhang. “Your Excellency, this student takes his leave.”
He just left? Qi Heng, being young, watched Kou Yuanxing stride away with wide eyes. He suddenly understood what his tutor had said about there always being someone better.
“Focus on your answers!” Prefect Zhang said sternly.
The slightly flustered candidates snapped back to attention, concentrating on their papers and no longer affected by Kou Yuanxing’s early submission.
Prefect Zhang’s eyes held a hint of a smile as he glanced at the steadfast Zhan Feiyu before turning his attention to Kou Yuanxing’s paper. Although the prefectural exam papers were anonymized, Kou Yuanxing’s early submission rendered the anonymization meaningless.
The prose was ornate, the structure rigorous, from the opening statement to the overall composition, it was undoubtedly a superior work! Prefect Zhang’s expression grew more satisfied as he read. To produce such an essay, combining literary flair and profound meaning, was worthy of being the top scholar of Huaixian.
With Kou Yuanxing leading the way, a number of other candidates also submitted their papers early and left the hall. However, as the Dragon Gate had not yet opened, they could only wait in the courtyard.
Qi Heng, the chubby lad, was a year younger than Zhan Feiyu. Still a bit miffed about their previous encounter, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you submit first? You are Scholar Gu’s disciple!”
“It’s not that submitting first guarantees being the top scholar,” Zhan Feiyu replied with a smile. She glanced at Kou Yuanxing, standing ramrod straight but radiating aloof arrogance, and wondered if his hostility stemmed from scholarly rivalry or from Wang Linlang.
Following Zhan Feiyu’s gaze, Qi Heng lowered his voice and confided conspiratorially, “I heard he boasted before that he would become the ‘Little Triple Crown’ winner this year.”
Even though everyone had submitted their papers early, Kou Yuanxing had finished a full half-hour ahead, indicating he had the capital for such arrogance.
Zhan Feiyu nodded.
“That’s it?” Qi Heng was stunned and glared angrily at the unperturbed Zhan Feiyu. He thought back to how he had challenged Zhan Feiyu with his classmates out of sheer stubbornness. Although he had lost, Qi Heng was still convinced of Zhan Feiyu’s talent.
But Zhan Feiyu seemed utterly indifferent to Kou Yuanxing’s blatant arrogance. Was she conceding defeat? Qi Heng glared at Zhan Feiyu, muttering in exasperation, “Don’t you have any competitive spirit! Kou Yuanxing is clearly targeting you!”
Zhan Feiyu also lowered her voice, boasting with a smug grin, “But even if I’m not the prefectural top scholar, I’m still Scholar Gu’s disciple!”
Qi Heng stared blankly at Zhan Feiyu. Her statement was so logical that it left him speechless!
Several candidates nearby exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile wryly. Indeed, even the ‘Grand Triple Crown’ wouldn’t be as prestigious as the title of Scholar Gu’s disciple.
Kou Yuanxing suddenly approached them. Despite being a young man, his voice was hoarse and strangely unsettling, making one’s heart palpitate. “Zhan Feiyu!”
Seeing his aggressive demeanor, Qi Heng immediately stepped in front of Zhan Feiyu, puffing out his chubby chin and projecting a fierce aura. “What do you want? This is the examination hall!”
Disdainfully looking at the obstructive Qi Heng, Kou Yuanxing’s sinister gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu and continued, “I heard you had a martial arts duel with the young master of the Chen family and made a bet. Do you dare to compete with me? If I win the prefectural top scholar title, you will never participate in the imperial examinations again in your life! And vice versa!”
Are all young men these days so full of animosity? Several seventeen or eighteen-year-old candidates looked at Kou Yuanxing, who had issued the challenge, with surprise. He was only thirteen, and Zhan Feiyu was even younger. Standing next to Qi Heng, they both looked like plump, short children.
“No bet!” came the crisp, decisive refusal. Zhan Feiyu looked at the furious Kou Yuanxing as if he were an idiot. “Thirty years old to become a Mingjing scholar, fifty to become a Jinshi scholar. So many people try again and again. Why should I gamble my future with you? Whether you become the top scholar or fail, it’s your business, not mine!”
“Yes, we’re not betting!” Little Fatty Qi Heng’s voice was loud as he glared at Kou Yuanxing. “It’s just the Huaixian top scholar, as if no one here is a top scholar!”
There was only one prefectural top scholar. What was the point of betting? To give up the imperial examinations after one loss would be foolish! All those years of studying the sages had been in vain.
A tall young man frowned and reprimanded, “First Scholar Kou, please speak with caution!”
“This is between Zhan Feiyu and me. I don’t need your brother to meddle!” Kou Yuanxing retorted coldly. His gaunt face and sinister, cunning eyes were highly displeasing.
Kou Yuanxing’s target of hostility was Zhan Feiyu alone. He sneered provocatively, “Are you afraid to bet? Or do you only dare to bet with those pampered simpletons?”
Zhan Feiyu nodded obediently, “First Scholar Kou is right!”
Qi Heng stared at Zhan Feiyu, dumbfounded. Had she just admitted it?
“You!” Kou Yuanxing felt as if he had punched cotton. His eyes blazed with anger as he glared at Zhan Feiyu. If they weren’t in the examination hall, judging by his ferocious expression, he would have probably resorted to violence.
However, several people nearby began to laugh. Zhan Feiyu wasn’t admitting defeat; she was simply refusing to engage in Kou Yuanxing’s nonsense. Gambling with one’s imperial examination future was the act of a fool.
The first round of the prefectural examination concluded, and the Dragon Gate opened wide. Kou Yuanxing cast a venomous glance at Zhan Feiyu, flicked his sleeve, and was the first to exit through the gate.
Zhan Feiyu patted Qi Heng on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Qi Heng caught up to her in a few strides, curiously looking at Zhan Feiyu beside him. “Do you have a grudge against Kou Yuanxing? Or is he planning to make a name for himself by stepping on you?”
“I wouldn’t dare to say about other things, but I can guarantee that Kou Yuanxing will not be the prefectural top scholar,” Zhan Feiyu declared. Seeing He Nuan not far away, she quickened her pace towards him.
No way? Would Prefect Zhang be biased?
Little Fatty Qi Heng was dumbfounded. He wanted to ask for clarification, but as thousands of candidates emerged from the Dragon Gate, jostling each other, he suddenly lost sight of Zhan Feiyu.
“Young master,” the page boy shouted loudly upon seeing his young master. Relying on his strength, he squeezed through the crowd. “Young master, there are too many people, and the carriage is parked at the end of the street. Let’s hurry.”
Qi Heng, frowning, hesitated. “Don’t go home yet. I need to go to the academy. Tell Mom and Dad when you get back.”
Two quarters of an hour later, Qingya Academy.
“Oh, Little Fatty Qi, looking at your complexion, did you not do well in the prefectural examination?” Ming San teased Qi Heng, who arrived in a hurry with a tense, chubby face.
If it were in the past, Qi Heng would have haughtily replied, “I will definitely be the prefectural top scholar!”
But after losing to Zhan Feiyu and now witnessing the arrogant Kou Yuanxing, Qi Heng glared angrily at Ming San and bowed to Dean Ming and Tutor Ming beside him. “Dean, Tutor.”
Dean Ming looked at Qi Heng with affection. “Did something happen?”
“Replying to the Dean, during the prefectural examination today…” Qi Heng quickly recounted the events and asked doubtfully, “Dean, why is Zhan Feiyu so sure that Kou Yuanxing won’t be the top scholar? Could Prefect Zhang be showing favoritism?”
As a disciple of Scholar Gu and favored by Prefect Zhang, there had been many rumors before the prefectural examination that Zhan Feiyu would undoubtedly be the top scholar.
However, Zhan Feiyu’s policy question had defeated Wan Yunhao, so even if some suspected favoritism, they only dared to murmur privately, and no one dared to openly accuse Prefect Zhang of being biased.
If such words were to spread, regardless of whether Zhan Feiyu became the top scholar, questioning the chief examiner would mean her prefectural examination was likely doomed.
Although Qi Heng knew Zhan Feiyu’s talent surpassed his own, if Prefect Zhang were indeed showing favoritism, he felt a pang of dissatisfaction.
“Haha, second brother, you’ve turned Little Fatty Qi into a blockhead,” Ming San mocked Qi Heng, who looked flustered.
Feeling that his tutor was being ridiculed because of him, Qi Heng’s face turned red with anger. However, the one speaking was Ming San, his junior uncle.
Tutor Ming cast a reproachful glance at the unreliable Ming San and then gently explained to Qi Heng, “Kou Yuanxing said those words at the Dragon Gate, and there were yamen runners around. They will surely report truthfully to Prefect Zhang. Treating the prefectural examination as child’s play and the imperial examinations as a bet, even if Kou Yuanxing is exceptionally talented, how can he be the prefectural top scholar after uttering such presumptuous words?”
“Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, bring peace to the world. Kou Yuanxing, merely the Huaixian top scholar, is already so arrogant, and he dares to dream of becoming the prefectural top scholar. Utterly foolish!” Ming San scoffed disdainfully. Did he really think Prefect Zhang was a pushover?
Qi Heng was young, but with Tutor Ming’s guidance, his vision was not limited. He understood now but couldn’t help but ask, “Then, at Li Ji, why didn’t Prefect Zhang stop Zhan Feiyu from making a bet with the young master of the Chen family?”
Although Qi Heng was not present, he had sent his page boy to inquire. If Zhan Feiyu lost, she would forfeit the prefectural examination. Wasn’t that also gambling with her imperial examination future?
Ming San smiled and looked at the bewildered Qi Heng. “That girl is full of mischief. She first donated the money from Meiren Zhuang to the wounded soldiers on the border without compensation. Moreover, if Fatty Chen lost, he had to donate one hundred thousand piculs of grain from Chen Ji Rice and Grain to the border.”
This was no longer an ordinary bet; it concerned the provisions for the soldiers at the border. The key was that Zhan Feiyu won. If anyone dared to speak ill of this matter, let alone the soldiers at the border, the people of Nanxuan Guard would likely skin them alive.
Therefore, one could be mischievous, but one must stand on the moral high ground!
Qi Heng finally understood. The image of Zhan Feiyu’s jade-like round face, coupled with her clear, dark eyes, came to his mind. She looked like a well-behaved and beautiful young girl.
…
The prefectural examination consisted of three rounds. The first two rounds each lasted one day, while the third round, the policy question, required two days. The candidates had to stay overnight in the examination booths. Kou Yuanxing’s early submission in the first round was intended to allow Prefect Zhang to review his paper and directly name him the top scholar.
Unfortunately, after the three rounds of the prefectural examination concluded, no news emerged. Instead, unfavorable rumors began to circulate among the scholars.
“I heard Kou Yuanxing is in trouble this time. Forget about being the top scholar; it’s uncertain if he’ll even pass,” said several scholars sitting around a table in a private room of a wine shop. Since the examination had ended, they were having a small gathering for lunch, naturally discussing the prefectural examination.
“Did Prefect Zhang name Zhan Feiyu as the top scholar?” the young man who replied asked, his brow furrowed. Although he knew that the county top scholars seated in their designated spots were pre-selected Tong Sheng, and barring any surprises, the prefectural top scholar would also come from this group of county top scholars.
But knowing it was one thing; as scholars, they naturally felt displeased.
The young man sitting by the window, already in his early twenties, lifted his wine cup with a bitter smile and drank it down. “Three watches of lamplight, five watches of roosters crowing; this is the time for a man to study. Not knowing the diligence of study early, one regrets the lateness of learning in old age. Whether it’s Kou Yuanxing or Zhan Feiyu, I am too late, too late…”
“Brother Han, you shouldn’t be so disheartened. The questions in this prefectural examination were not tricky. With your profound foundation, you will surely be selected as a Tong Sheng!” his companion patted his shoulder in comfort.
Their families were well-off. Although they started their education early, they were mischievous in their youth, wasting their precious time. When they finally had a change of heart, they failed the examinations for various reasons.
Now, the youngest among them had undergone the capping ceremony this year. Brother Han had married early, and his eldest son was already of an age to start his education. Yet, he had to participate in the prefectural examination alongside Zhan Feiyu. The key was that Zhan Feiyu might be the prefectural top scholar, while their own success in becoming Tong Sheng was still unknown.
Brother Han slammed his wine cup onto the table with a thud, already slightly drunk. “Ultimately, we only have surplus wealth. Zhan Feiyu is mentored by Scholar Gu, and Prefect Zhang will surely…”
The rest of his words were left unspoken, but they all understood the implication: Prefect Zhang, in order to curry favor with Scholar Gu, would show favoritism and pre-emptively name Zhan Feiyu as the prefectural top scholar. This would constitute corruption in the imperial examinations!