After leaving Xie Zhe’s residence, Jiang Huaichu finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
In the carriage on the way back, Rushi said softly, “Young Master, why didn’t you ask him to be your backer?”
Jiang Huaichu looked at him with gentle eyes: “Rushi, you don’t understand human nature. If someone likes you, they’ll consider you without you having to ask. If someone doesn’t like you, no matter how generous a gift you give, they won’t truly want to help from the bottom of their heart. When you can influence someone’s heart, never lightly test their morals—especially with high-ranking officials and nobles. Most of those who have reached such positions don’t possess much in the way of morals.”
Rushi nodded hesitantly, unusually disagreeing: “Young Master, you hold a much higher position and greater power than them. You have morals.”
Jiang Huaichu chuckled softly: “Haven’t you seen me be ruthless and vicious before?”
Rushi thought about it and realized it was true.
Xie Caiqing, with his mastery of strange poisons, had been in charge of Milo’s intelligence network in Nanchuo. When interrogating enemy spies, he showed no mercy—alternating between soft and hard tactics, attacking both mind and body. His ruthlessness was famous within the organization. Many spies, upon hearing he was the interrogator, were terrified out of their wits.
Xie Caiqing was famously a man of a thousand faces: sometimes gentle and kind, sometimes cold and merciless; sometimes righteous, sometimes sinful. No one knew which face was his true one.
Now close, now distant; now good, now bad—he was someone who seemed near at hand yet was actually far away.
Thus, although Jiang Huaichu wished to deepen their friendship, he stopped at offering service. Such a person made others hesitate to approach, because those who truly knew some of his deeds couldn’t help but secretly wonder in the quiet of night whether his kindness toward them was genuine.
The real him exerted too much pressure. Those with shallower minds or narrower hearts simply couldn’t withstand that pressure and possess him for long.
Especially since he also knew the Mi Luo Strange Poison… If they ever turned against each other, it would truly be killing without a trace. He would never allow someone who understood him well enough and could truly threaten him to remain alive in this world.
…
A few days later, Xie Caiqing headed to the examination hall with the tools he had prepared early in the morning.
The Consort Dowager, wearing a human-skin mask, accompanied him to the entrance of the examination hall. Without giving him a chance to refuse, she grabbed Jiang Huaichu and whispered sternly, “You must hand in your paper early, understand? Don’t talk about how showing too much brilliance is bad—is that even an exam for humans? Staying in that broken cage for three days at a time, and three consecutive sessions! Do you know how cold it is inside? If you dare to stay for the full nine days and six nights, I’ll barge in and drag you out myself, understand?”
The Daning Metropolitan Examination was divided into three sessions, each lasting three days. After each session, candidates rested for one night, totaling nine days and six nights of continuous examination. During the exam, if candidates grew tired, they could only nap briefly inside the cage—it was almost like going without rest for nine days and six nights.
The young prince had been pampered and cherished by the entire nation while growing up. When had he ever suffered such hardship?
Jiang Huaichu nodded helplessly: “I understand.”
The Consort Dowager had been nagging him for several days. Under her serious expression, he had no choice but to smile and assure her: “I’ll come out tonight, absolutely not staying overnight inside.”
Just then, a person surrounded by admirers passed by. He was fairly handsome, with a walk that radiated sharpness. Hearing this, he paused, turned to look at Xie Caiqing, and let out a scornful laugh: “Coming out tonight? So this must be the famous Brother Xie?”
The Consort Dowager was still anxiously tugging at him, wrapping him in a thick fur coat. Unable to move freely, Jiang Huaichu turned his head to look at the man, his expression slightly bewildered: “And you are?”
As candidates queued to enter the examination hall, someone suddenly burst into laughter—Xie Caiqing actually didn’t recognize Zhang Ninghan.
Zhang Ninghan, flushed with anger and humiliation, snapped, “You…”
Jiang Huaichu said calmly, “Caiqing is not from the capital and is unfamiliar with many people. Ignorance is no crime, so I hope you won’t take offense.”
The man suppressed his anger, leaned in close to Jiang Huaichu with a smile, and whispered, “Do you think catching the Commander’s eye means you can outdo me? The Commander is far above us—he won’t stoop to meddle in affairs within this examination hall.”
At most, Xie Zhe would offer a few words of care for Xie Caiqing, but the specifics would be handled by those below. As they say, distant water cannot quench a nearby fire.
Jiang Huaichu chuckled lightly. “Thank you for ‘running around’ on my behalf. I hardly deserve such attention.”
The surrounding crowd was taken aback, then erupted in laughter once more.
Zhang Ninghan, accustomed to being flattered, felt his pride flare up and was about to lash out when his companions held him back. Barely containing his fury, he sneered coldly, “I hope you can stay this bold later.”
Jiang Huaichu replied with utmost sincerity, “I’ll take that as your blessing.”
The crowd paused, then laughed for the third time.
Many had grown weary of Zhang Ninghan’s arrogance over time, so they were delighted to see Xie Caiqing—who usually remained silent but could shut people down with a single remark—stand his ground.
Zhang Ninghan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and entered the hall.
Xie Caiqing quietly took his place at the end of the line. Once inside his examination cell, he unpacked his belongings from his book bag, arranging them neatly one by one. Sensing someone’s gaze, he glanced up and met a pair of sharp, spirited eyes.
It was a vigorous, sturdy old man scrutinizing him without any pretense.
Xie Caiqing met his gaze briefly, feigning ignorance as he offered a gentle, polite smile.
Liu Yun was inwardly taken aback.
He had read his works thoroughly, yet Xie Caiqing clearly didn’t recognize him. That day at Yixian Lou, it couldn’t have been deliberate flattery.
…
As dusk fell, the examiners patrolled the hall. Liu Yun occasionally stole glances toward Xie Caiqing’s cell.
Another examiner, who had been observing Liu Yun for some time, approached with a hint of flattery in his tone. “The old master seems quite pleased with him?”
Liu Yun, revered for his scholarly works and esteemed reputation in the court, was universally addressed as “old master.”
Arrogant by nature, Liu Yun paid him little mind. Stroking his beard, he watched Xie Caiqing writing meticulously with his brush and gave a slight, imperceptible nod.
When provoked by others, he did not respond with malice, yet he was no pushover. Moreover, he cared deeply for the world—a disposition that truly appealed to Liu Yun.
Only someone like this could stand firm upon entering the court and bring blessings to the people.
If anything, his temperament was perhaps too gentle and reserved.
Liu Yun felt a twinge of regret but said nothing.
The examiner, reading his expression, felt a sudden unease. Liu Yun seemed to hold Xie Caiqing in high regard…
He glanced covertly toward Zhang Ninghan’s direction, his eyes flickering thoughtfully.
Suddenly, all the patrolling Hanlin scholars turned their attention to Xie Caiqing.
There, Xie Caiqing had packed his belongings and stood up without making a sound to disturb others.
Thinking he needed assistance, a Hanlin scholar hurried over. Instead, Xie Caiqing respectfully presented his neatly folded examination paper with both hands, gave a humble nod, and turned to leave.
The Hanlin scholar, holding his paper, was utterly astonished. Exchanging glances with his colleagues, they were all taken aback.
Only a few hours had passed—other candidates had barely begun—yet he had already finished writing!
Zhang Ninghan watched his departing figure, narrowing his eyes with ill-concealed hostility.
Many candidates broke into a sweat, their writing suddenly speeding up.
Liu Yun’s eyes lit up, and he impatiently waved over that Hanlin scholar. The man hurried over at a trot and handed Xie Caiqing’s exam paper to the old gentleman. The old man scanned through it rapidly, his hand holding the paper beginning to tremble slightly. Finally, he couldn’t help but slap the table and roar out a loud “Excellent!” Only after shouting did he realize he was still invigilating the exam and quickly stopped himself, calling a few people over to take a look.
An exam paper that could make Old Master Liu unable to resist shouting “Excellent!” immediately drew the others to crowd around and look. After reading it, their expressions were all filled with astonishment.
Xie Caiqing’s appearance was gentle and refined as jade, but his calligraphy was free-spirited, unrestrained, and naturally elegant in style. It carried ambition but not arrogance, with a broad perspective. The essay sharply criticized current malpractices, flowing smoothly and unconstrained by convention. It was incisive and thorough, spanning several thousand words with ease. Strategies for governing the country moved between the lines, and his broad-mindedness and sentiments leaped off the page, making anyone who read it exclaim in delight.
“This man’s talent far surpasses mine in my youth!” Liu Yun exclaimed excitedly, the sagging flesh on his face trembling slightly.
The Hanlin scholars had never heard Old Master Liu give such high praise to anyone before. Among them, someone’s gaze flickered strangely but immediately smiled in agreement.
It was no surprise that Liu Yun liked Xie Caiqing; they all knew Old Master Liu’s story.
When Old Master Liu took the Metropolitan Examination at twenty, he was also full of youthful spirit and overflowing talent, arrogant and confident, submitting his paper early and achieving the Triple First.
Xie Caiqing was already a Jieyuan. With this paper, the title of Huiyuan was sure to be within his grasp.
He seemed to be retracing Old Master Liu’s path step by step. How could the aged Liu Yun not adore such an extraordinarily talented young man?
Zhang Ninghan wrote furiously and finally managed to be the second to submit his paper.
In the subsequent two sessions, Xie Caiqing handed in his papers early each time, absolutely refusing to spend the night in the examination hall.
…
In the palace corridor.
Liu Yun, holding an exam paper, chased against the wind after the Emperor, shouting as he ran, while the Emperor walked faster the more he shouted.
Xiao Yun walked ahead: “Quick, tell me, has that old man caught up yet?”
Xie Zhe, panting heavily, looked back: “No, Your Majesty, hurry back. I’ll block him for you.”
That old man Liu Yun, despite his advanced age, was remarkably robust and ran faster than the twenty-something-year-old, strong and healthy commander of the Changling Guard. Whenever he sought out the Emperor, it was either to lecture him with classical allusions or to grab his robe, cling to his leg, and desperately admonish him to sleep with women and have children.
As the saying goes, the thin-skinned fear the shameless, and the shameless fear the fearless. Xiao Yun at most fell into the shameless category, while Liu Yun was the fearless one, afraid of nothing. Even when spanked, he felt it was serving the country and wished he could be spanked again. So, whenever Xiao Yun saw Liu Yun, he got a headache.
“Your Majesty, stop! This old man won’t urge you to enter the rear palace today!”
“Your Majesty!!”
“Your Majesty!! This old minister won’t lecture you with classical allusions today either!”
“Your Majesty!! Your Majesty, please wait for this old minister!!”
The old man’s voice was as loud as a bell; most military officers in the entire court didn’t have a voice as penetrating as his. Throughout the palace, whenever this voice was heard, everyone knew Liu Yun was chasing the Emperor again. They remained expressionless, shoulders twitching, silently moving to both sides to clear the runway for Liu Yun.
Xiao Yun slapped his forehead—this was truly endless. With a roguish look, he turned and pointed at him: “Agreed first, no forcing me—”
Before he could finish, Liu Yun nodded vigorously.
Xiao Yun stopped impatiently.
Liu Yun scurried up, smoothed out the already crumpled and nearly torn exam paper, and thrust it under the Emperor’s eyes. Panting heavily, he said: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, take a look quickly. This person has the talent to govern the world, the indisputable choice for Zhuangyuan!”
Xiao Yun had initially intended to brush him off with a perfunctory response to find some peace, but a casual glance caused his gaze to abruptly halt, and he carefully scanned the entire page.
Beside him, Xie Zhe couldn’t help but remark, “This handwriting is truly exceptional. Is this Zhang Ninghan’s exam paper?”
To ensure fairness in grading, the Imperial Examination System of Daning required that candidates’ names be omitted from their papers.
For once, Xiao Yun didn’t show impatience and also turned to look at Liu Yun.
“Why does the Commander think it’s his?” Liu Yun stroked his beard, smugly beginning to play coy.
“He is a descendant of the Zhang family of Yuanqi, and his grandfather was a master calligrapher. It’s no surprise he has such fine handwriting,” Xie Zhe said. “I’ve also heard he is arrogant and unrestrained in his talent. This writing is free-spirited and unrestrained, carrying an air of vastness, which somewhat matches his temperament.”
Liu Yun didn’t respond, only chuckling as he listened to the praise.
Xiao Yun asked with an ambiguous tone, “Is this Xie Caiqing’s paper?”
Liu Yun was first startled, then puzzled: “How does Your Majesty know of this person?”
The Emperor was occupied with countless affairs of state, often forgetting even his own name, yet he remembered a Candidate Scholar who had not yet entered officialdom.
Xie Zhe was also taken aback. Judging by Liu Yun’s words, this truly was Xie Caiqing’s paper.
Xiao Yun licked his upper lip, then his lower lip, likely trying to maintain his imperial dignity, but ultimately succumbed to the urge to speak. With an expressionless face, he said, “Xie Zhe, read the first character of each line.”
“The Holy Emperor is wise and mighty, his achievements surpassing a thousand…”
Xie Zhe and Liu Yun fell into silence.