Chapter 35: The First Scholar of the High School Examination

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Gu Tingye cast a sidelong glance at Zhao Han and laughed carelessly. “Brother Zhao, you worry too much. I may be a good-for-nothing, but I would never let a woman distract me from my studies.”

“I’m going there to study. The academy is full of men, so where would I encounter feminine temptation? Besides, I have no taste for men.”

Zhao Han hesitated. He remembered all too clearly that it was during Gu Tingye’s time at White Deer Grotto Academy that he had been beguiled by Zhu Manniang.

The woman appeared weak and delicate, but in truth her heart was venomous as a serpent’s. She had brought Gu Tingye no end of misery.

“Zhonghuai, you must still proceed with caution. As the legitimate son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, you are an easy target for people with ulterior motives.”

Gu Tingye set down his wine cup, his teasing expression fading. He nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m going there only to study in peace. I won’t lay a finger—not even a single strand of hair—on any woman!”

“You had better not forget what you have said today.”

Zhao Han let out a quiet breath. There was nothing more he could say.

After three rounds of wine, the night deepened. The two men bade each other farewell beneath the moonlight, then climbed into their respective carriages and set off for home.

At that very moment, the Examination Compound was ablaze with light across its nine successive courtyards. Its vermilion gates were tightly shut, while imperial guards stood at attention with halberds in hand, lending the place a solemn and forbidding air.

Once the examination papers had been sealed, they were sent to the Transcription Office, where clerks copied them out in red ink.

They were then taken to the Collation Office, where examiners compared the red and black versions character by character to ensure that the transcription contained no errors.

Any mistakes were marked in yellow ink and reported for correction.

After passing inspection, the papers were sent to the Numbering Office. There, clerks assigned numbers to them so that the examiners could not identify the candidates.

When the entire process was complete, the original papers were sealed away, while the red copies were delivered to the Examiners’ Hall, where the chief examiner, deputy examiner, and associate examiners would review them together.

This year’s chief examiner for the Spring Metropolitan Examination was Han Zhang, Lord Han, Minister of Rites. The deputy examiner was Hai Yanping, Vice Minister of Works.

One held the rank of Senior Second Grade, the other Junior Third Grade. The associate examiners were all Hanlin Academicians and officials from the Six Ministries, men well versed in the classics, poetry, and essays.

The examiners marked each paper as pass, mediocre, or fail, and added brief comments.

“Pass” meant acceptable, “mediocre” meant ordinary, and “fail” meant unsuccessful.

Within the Examiners’ Hall, candlelight flickered.

Han Zhang sat alone in the main chamber, before him a pile of red copies that the associate examiners had already marked as passing.

At times he stroked his beard in deep thought; at times he dipped his brush to add a comment; now and then, he uttered an astonished exclamation.

In the eastern and western side chambers, several associate examiners bent over the papers with meticulous concentration.

They often became deadlocked over a single policy essay, arguing until their faces flushed and they sprang to their feet, silently cursing each other’s entire families in their hearts.

And so half a month passed. At last, the day of the posting of the results arrived.

Elm Lane, the Sheng residence.

As he walked toward the gate, Sheng Wei said, “My younger brother Sheng and the others have already entered the Bian River. They should arrive in another two or three days. For now, I can only go with you in his place to see the results.”

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“My worthy nephew, are you nervous?”

Zhao Han smiled and shook his head.

“Whether I am nervous or not, the ink has already dried and the essay is already decided. Worrying now cannot change anything. I would rather conserve my strength.”

Sheng Wei threw back his head and laughed, then patted him on the shoulder. “You are remarkably clear-sighted, Nephew. It is getting late—hurry and get into the carriage.”

Before long, three carriages set off slowly toward the Examination Compound.

By the time Zhao Han and the others arrived, the great gates of the compound were still tightly shut, but the area outside was already filled with clamoring voices and passing carriages.

There were candidates and their families waiting to see the results, as well as many merchants and wealthy households hoping to select a successful candidate as a son-in-law.

The moment the carriage came to a halt, Pinlan eagerly lifted the curtain and sprang lightly to the ground.

“Brother Zhao, I’m going to help you look for your name!”

She turned and saw Shulan carefully lifting her skirts as a maid assisted her down from the carriage. Unable to contain her impatience, she urged, “Second Sister, hurry up!”

With that, she seized Shulan’s hand.

“You little rascal, there are so many eyes watching us out here. Can’t you show a little decorum?”

Though Shulan said this, the instant she stepped down from the carriage, she too quickened her pace.

Sheng Wei and Zhao Han stood beside the carriage, watching the two girls disappear into the bustling crowd. They could not help shaking their heads and laughing.

At the beginning of the Hour of the Dragon, the vermilion gates of the Examination Compound slowly opened amid the expectant gaze of the crowd, emitting a heavy creak.

When the Rites Bureau clerk crossed the threshold carrying the yellow results placard, the crowd surged forward like a tide.

Several elderly candidates stumbled as they were shoved to the very front. Their fingers clutched the corners of their robes, while beads of sweat covered their foreheads.

“Silence!”

The clerk’s solemn voice cut through the uproar, and the surroundings fell quiet at once.

Everyone unconsciously held their breath, their eyes fixed on the yellow placard in the clerk’s hands.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Zhao Han saw Pinlan’s petite figure skillfully making her way toward the front.

Shulan followed close behind. Her jade-like cheeks were tinged with a faint flush from running, and her eyes glittered with a long-forgotten excitement.

Before long, the yellow placard was slowly unfurled, and constables used long poles to drive the crowd back.

Only after the list had been fully posted and the clerk had departed did everyone dare surge forward to examine it.

“Father! Mother! I passed! I passed!”

“Thirty-fourth in the Second Class!”

A young candidate in blue suddenly pushed his way out of the crowd.

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He clasped his hands, raised his face to the heavens, and bowed repeatedly, murmuring, “Thirty-fourth in the Second Class. Heaven has eyes! After ten years of hard study, my aspirations have not been in vain!”

Those around him offered congratulations with cupped fists, while others secretly mourned their failure. After wiping away a tear, they lowered their heads and quietly departed.

An elderly candidate whose hair had long since turned white shook his head and sighed. “This old man has failed for the fifth time. Fate is unjust…”

Then, leaning on his cane, he tottered away.

“Why didn’t I pass? This can’t be right! Where is my name?!”

“Impossible!”

A candidate stood before the list in disbelief.

He examined it repeatedly from top to bottom, then from bottom to top, his eyes sweeping over every name.

Suddenly, he seized the sleeve of the person beside him. “Look for me. My name is Wang Fugui. Am I seeing things? How could my name not be here?”

At that moment, Pinlan rose onto her toes. The instant she saw the list, she cried out in excitement.

“He passed! Brother Zhao passed! Second Sister, look!”

“Where? Where?”

Shulan narrowed her eyes, her willow brows drawing together as her gaze darted back and forth.

“Look! He’s first in the First Class, right at the top. He’s the Examination Laureate!” Pinlan replied, her voice overflowing with undisguised delight.

“I see it! I see it!”

“Brother Zhao is so impressive!”

Shulan’s face blossomed into a radiant smile as bright as spring flowers.

Just as the two girls were preparing to call Zhao Han over, they found themselves surrounded by a crowd of wealthy merchants.

“What? The Examination Laureate! Young lady, where is your brother? Is he already married?”

“My daughter is sixteen, beautiful, gentle, and virtuous. Our family also possesses considerable wealth…”

“My daughter is accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and as beautiful as a flower. Quickly call your brother over, and let us arrange a meeting somewhere…”

“…”

“Go away! Brother Zhao is already betrothed. He is the very Lord Chengzhilang who is about to take office!” Pinlan said bluntly, stepping in front of Shulan.

At these words, a trace of regret flashed through the merchants’ eyes. They immediately turned their attention to another successful candidate.

After all, no matter how bold they were, they would never dare snatch a government official’s future son-in-law into their own household.

Even so, quite a few people continued staring at Shulan and Pinlan. They had no other intention; they merely wanted to catch a glimpse of this year’s Examination Laureate.

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