The Imperial Examination was not merely a contest of innate talent and ability, but also a competition of resources. The price of the Four Books and Five Classics was cheaper than ordinary people imagined; if one had no higher demands regarding the quality or even the printing of the books, the price could be halved again.
However, the Imperial Examination was not just about the Four Books and Five Classics. Even if one could recite them flawlessly from memory, it was still impossible to truly answer a single question on classical interpretation.
Punctuation and phrasing had to be taught by someone, and the meanings derived from translations required instruction from a teacher. Moreover, various annotations were constantly emerging, with no fewer than ten different interpretations alone being officially recognized.
The analyses published by various great Confucian scholars were even more expensive. Those that could be bought with silver were considered relatively accessible, while many others were not even available on the market.
When faced with a question on current affairs—for instance, "What is your opinion on soldiers in a remote northwestern town farming to be self-sufficient?"—those lacking resources had never even heard of such a town, let alone attempted to formulate an answer based on the prevailing trends in the imperial court.
Whether from the perspective of He Yunzhao's desire to attain an official rank or for her long-term development, Old Master Ding was undoubtedly the best mentor and one of her finest choices.
Old Master Ding was highly respected and virtuous, with a character and conduct that were widely acknowledged. Moreover, having withdrawn from the court years ago, he would not drag He Yunzhao into unnecessary conflicts.
In reality, high-ranking officials in prominent positions were almost impossible to take on disciples while still serving in the court. Given the demands of their official duties, they hardly had the time to guide a student through the entire examination process.
As for the so-called master-disciple relationships in the court, they were mostly a means to forge closer ties for factional alliances.
The only concern for He Yunzhao was… She gave a helpless smile, placing her hands on her waist. "Sir, are you still sulking?"
Liu Yuan plopped down on the desk, his back turned to Ding Hanzhang and He Yunzhao. His increasingly rounded silhouette exuded an unusual air of sorrow.
The middle-aged man wiped his tears, his lips pouting higher than the eaves. Liu Yuan was genuinely displeased. "My disciple has become my junior fellow disciple, and I'm not even allowed to be angry?"
When He Yunzhao first entered the Academy, she was not the youngest in age, but she was the most well-behaved and sensible. Diligent and eager to learn, coupled with the fact that Liu Yuan had some friendship with He Yunzhao's father, he felt sorry for the child who had lost her father at a young age and took extra care of her.
From the beginning, he often dropped hints to his master, periodically praising Yunzhao's virtues in the hope that Ding Hanzhang would take her on as a disciple.
Liu Yuan was a disciple of Ding Hanzhang, having studied under him since the age of five or six, back when Ding Hanzhang was still a Cultivated Talent.
In his youth, Liu Yuan had also served as an official in another region. Though he was knowledgeable, he was somewhat muddled as an official. At that time, Ding Hanzhang was still young himself, cautiously navigating the court and unable to spare any effort to look after Liu Yuan.
Thus, Liu Yuan was assigned by the Ministry of Personnel to serve as a county magistrate in Guinan, where he was immediately overwhelmed by the local chieftains.
After a year in office, not only had he achieved no political accomplishments, but he had also lost half of his family's wealth! In the end, it was Father He who, unable to stand by, advised him to feign illness and resign from his post.
After returning to the capital, Liu Yuan developed a profound psychological aversion to holding office. Even when Ding Hanzhang was serving as the Minister of Rites, Liu Yuan had no desire to resume an official career.
It was only after Ding Hanzhang established the Han Zhang Academy that Liu Yuan came to serve as a teacher.
Status required mutual reinforcement. Although Ding Hanzhang had not entered the Grand Secretariat during his official career, he had held the position of a first-rank Minister. After beginning his teaching career, he had mentored numerous students, including four who became Presented Scholars!
Although Liu Yuan knew perfectly well that it would be an immense blessing for He Yunzhao to be accepted as Ding Hanzhang’s disciple, he couldn’t help feeling unsettled inside.
He lowered his head, using his sleeve to cover his eyes. Ding Hanzhang narrowed his eyes briefly, then turned to He Yunzhao with a cheerful smile and instructed, "Xiao Zhao, take the day off today. When you return, discuss the details of the apprenticeship ceremony with Old Madam He."
He Yunzhao was taken aback but had no choice but to agree. She instinctively glanced at Liu Yuan but could only see his back.
Liu Yuan’s voice was low, betraying no emotion. "Yes, go back and prepare. Wear something nice for the occasion. We’ll invite some guests—it’s rare for us to have such a lively gathering."
He Yunzhao withdrew her hand, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.
As soon as she was gone, Ding Hanzhang dropped his playful old man act. The elderly man stepped forward and poked Liu Yuan’s back sharply with his finger.
He snorted, "You’re old enough to know better! What’s with this tantrum? Making a child coax you—you’re regressing with age!"
Liu Yuan wasn’t intimidated. He twisted his plump frame to avoid the old man’s finger, turning around with an indignant expression. "Master," he demanded, "how many times did I beg you to take Yunzhao as your disciple before? Each time you refused, saying you’d never accept another student. And now?!"
Yunzhao was such a fine child!
No matter how many times he had pleaded before, his master had always refused. Now that Yunzhao had composed such an exceptional poem and gained fame as 'Meng Lang,' his master suddenly wanted to take her as a disciple.
It wasn’t that Liu Yuan opposed his master taking on a new disciple—it was the principle of the matter that irked him.
Ding Hanzhang could read his expression instantly and felt a wave of exasperation. This disciple of his couldn’t hide anything! His heart was in the right place, but still—!
"You really have the brains of a pig!"
"How old are you, and still this foolish!"
"Thank heavens you never pursued an official career. If you had, I’d surely be the white-haired sending off the black-haired!"
Liu Yuan stared in shock, pointing at his own chest in hurt disbelief. "Master, how could you say that to me? How could you curse me like that, Master!"
Fortunately, the Academy was empty at the moment. The old man clutched his head, his face scrunched up in frustration, and decided to cut to the chase. "The reason I’m taking Xiao Zhao as my disciple is her character."
"To remain grounded after achieving fame across the capital overnight, and to come to the Academy early the next morning to review her studies—that’s why I’ve chosen her."
"And you!"
"Blockhead!"
"Fool!"
"Even a pig wouldn’t eat that dog-brain of yours!"
"Even if you had suspicions, why voice them? Do you want to sow discord between us, master and disciple?"
Liu Yuan had initially felt relieved after resolving his inner conflict, but at these last words, his jaw dropped in utter disbelief. "Master, I’ve been your disciple for over thirty years! How can you say 'us, master and disciple' now?!"
Ding Hanzhang glanced around to confirm no one was nearby, then finally gave in to frustration, grabbing his own white topknot and shaking it violently. "Ah!"
Why had he ever accepted this fool as a disciple all those years ago, just for a bit of silver?!
Both master and disciple lost themselves in their respective frenzies until a hesitant voice broke through: "Um… Dean… Sir…"
He Yunzhao looked bewildered at her soon-to-be master and senior. "I… forgot my book."
In an instant, Ding Hanzhang composed himself—though his disheveled white hair was the only evidence of his earlier meltdown.
Liu Yuan gave a light cough, smiling as he neatly arranged the books and handed them steadily to He Yunzhao. With gentle concern, he said, "Hurry home now, it'll be dark soon."
Stepping out of the Academy gate, He Yunzhao looked up at the morning sun, surrounded by fellow disciples who had just arrived early for their studies. She tilted her head to glance at the plaque above the gate.
He Yunzhao laughed until tears streamed from her eyes, leaning against the doorframe and barely able to move. Her stomach ached from laughter, "Hahahahahahahaha!"
…
Meanwhile, Qu Zhan had stayed up all night, channeling his feelings of shame and embarrassment into writing a parallel prose.
It contained all his emotions—the impulsive anger of that day, the subsequent shame, the sense of inadequacy in facing He Yunzhao, and a vague, indescribable sentiment, perhaps envy or admiration.
But when he set down his brush, all these emotions became detached from him. The essay was now left for readers to judge.
Attending the Literary Gathering as a disciple of Fang Hongwen, it had been predetermined that he and a few other disciples would shine. Achieving this was no small feat for someone of ordinary background.
Qu Zhan's grandfather, Qu Jin, was one of the six Grand Secretaries of the court. His father, Qu Kan, held the position of Assistant Ceremonial Officer in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, a minor ninth-rank post. This was largely because his grandfather, Qu Jin, still served as a Grand Secretary, and under his grandfather's shadow, his father's advancement was hindered.
The great scholar Fang Hongwen was not only his teacher but also his maternal uncle.
With such a background and at the young age of seventeen, it was hardly surprising that Qu Zhan was somewhat impulsive.
He Yunzhao had never harbored any strong dislike for him, of course. Had Qu Zhan resorted to humiliation or caused a scene instead of merely questioning her, she wouldn't have hesitated to thoroughly disgrace him!
It was merely a casual move on her part, useful or not.
But for Qu Zhan, it was the greatest shock of his life. Though young and arrogant with a prestigious family background, Qu Zhan had been strictly disciplined under his uncle's tutelage.
Recently, spurred by his peers in preparation for next year's provincial examinations, he had begun to grow somewhat conceited.
Unfortunately, the first time he displayed arrogance or even jealousy, He Yunzhao thoroughly defeated him. Fortunately, this tendency was curbed just as it emerged.
When Qu Kan read the parallel prose his son had written, he frowned and examined it carefully, then looked up in surprise, "Zhan'er."
Beaming with satisfaction, he patted Qu Zhan's shoulder. The prose was ornate yet sincere, not only capable of redeeming his immature behavior at yesterday's Literary Gathering but also poised to earn him significant acclaim.
"My son has finally come to his senses. Reputation needs cultivation, and by a twist of fate, if we had stuck to the original plan, even if Elder Qi praised you, it would only have been within the capital."
Qu Kan smiled as he looked at the prose in his hand, "Thanks to that poem by the He family lad, your essay can spread throughout Da Jin."
Qu Zhan was taken aback, his lips trembling slightly, his eyes filled with confusion, "Father, I…"
Thinking he was dissatisfied, Qu Kan patiently patted his shoulder to reassure him, "Don't be too anxious. We've just received news that Elder Ding has taken the He family lad as his disciple. Our family must show some respect, otherwise, it wouldn't be difficult to maneuver things so your reputation surpasses his."
Qu Zhan took the parallel prose and turned to leave, but just before stepping out of the courtyard gate, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to advise: "Zhan'er, once this matter unfolds, you must build a good relationship with that He family boy. Only then will it be complete."
"Father sees that boy is not ignorant of worldly affairs—he will surely accept you."
Yes…
One was frivolous and provocative, the other countered with talent; one was magnanimous, the other sincerely repentant. Everyone would assume they were a pair of close friends.
Moreover, with the Qu family's status clearly established, He Yunzhao, unless he were a fool, ought to recognize the immense benefits of befriending Qu Zhan.
Qu Zhan detected the arrogance beneath his father's gentle words, just as he had once contemptuously wondered how a boy from a fallen marquis household could act so boldly. Father and son shared the same ingrained pride.
Watching his father's broad retreating figure, Qu Zhan felt an inexplicable stifling in his heart, as if his father had diminished slightly in his esteem. He murmured to himself, "But I am sincere."
Did anyone care about sincerity or pretense? Qu Zhan didn't know.
He Yunzhao… He Yunzhao wouldn't care whether he was sincere or not. It would be better if he cooperated with the publicity stunt; if not, it was fine too. Everyone understood—once they reached a certain stage, the "couple" image would inevitably be dismantled.
She had her hands full preparing for her apprenticeship.
Upon hearing the news, his brother-in-law Ning Qian brought his elder sister He Jinshu back to her maiden home for a visit.
"Xiao Zhao!"