“Who’s outside?” the princess snapped toward the door.
Outside, the melon-eating crowd had vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving only empty tables and chairs along with scattered bowls and chopsticks.
The princess still possessed some wit, knowing that imperial examination fraud was no trivial matter.
She immediately opened the door to check, and upon seeing no one, snorted coldly.
Inside the room, Xiao Yaozu didn’t immediately respond.
[Host, this princess is a complete love-struck fool.]
[Do tell more]
[The Xu Mingze she admires is a player, also a candidate in this Spring Examination. While considered somewhat talented in Xujia Village, his father arranged an early marriage so he could focus on the imperial exams.]
[Despite his impoverished background, his wife waits on him hand and foot. When tired from studying, he goes out to flirt with the widow next door.]
[After becoming a Recommended Man, he made his wife steal silver from her family for travel expenses, but he squandered it all on his way to Bianjing.]
[And then?] Xiao Yaozu prompted.
[He resumed his old ways and tried to seduce a married woman.]
[Was he discovered? Or beaten?]
[He was beaten, but not the kind you’re thinking of. He screamed all night and limped for half a month.] The System gestured vividly.
The minister who had been sweating nervously earlier returned to eavesdrop at his previous spot, instinctively covering his bottom upon hearing this.
The System continued, [Even injured, he didn’t rest upon reaching Bianjing, immediately pursuing various young ladies. He never paid for his own inn stays, and the princess is one of his big catches.]
Xiao Yaozu fell silent.
This man’s moral compass seemed to sink lower by the minute.
[Following Xu Mingze’s pattern, his virtuous wife won’t survive his success.]
Noting the Host’s silence, the System asked: [Host, what are you planning?]
[Girl help girl]
[Host, love-struck fools are peculiar creatures. Help them and you might get bitten – they’re classified among the five major diseases in the database.]
Xiao Yaozu hummed softly. She had her own methods.
She needed to make the princess see Xu Mingze’s true nature, otherwise with her background, replacing another candidate’s ranking would be entirely possible.
She lightly raised her palm, signaling the princess to sit.
The princess snorted before taking a seat beside her.
“Princess, may I boldly ask – do you believe Xu Mingze lacks genuine talent, hence you’ve come to me?”
“How could that be! Brother Xu is truly talented. It’s just that the examination hall is chaotic, and even with his erudition, accidents might happen. This princess must pave the way for him.”
“Did Xu Mingze teach you what to say?”
“How dare you think that of Brother Xu! He’s much more noble-minded than you.”
Xiao Yaozu narrowed her eyes, propping her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand, as if filled with curiosity about Shen Feiyan before her.
Her gaze swept over Shen Feiyan’s face like a hook – seemingly casual yet carrying an indescribable languidness.
“What does the princess see in Xu Mingze?”
Her voice rang like pearls falling on a jade plate, pleasant to the ear.
The sound traveled through the ear bone into the eardrum, making Shen Feiyan’s mind grow somewhat dazed.
Shen Feiyan bit her lip hard to snap out of the trance.
She glared at Xiao Yaozu.
“How bold! You dare seduce this princess? Watch your official robes!”
Xiao Yaozu was truly baffled—how could a single glance be considered seduction?
[System, when did I ever seduce her?]
The System glanced at Shen Feiyan, then back at its Host. When selecting a vessel initially, it had specifically chosen Xiao Yaozu for his appearance.
[Host, you’re underestimating the power of that face of yours.]
Puzzled, Xiao Yaozu locked eyes with Shen Feiyan again, and it felt like tiny electric currents sparking between them.
Shen Feiyan fled in a fluster.
Before running off, she sternly warned Xiao Yaozu:
If he didn’t handle her matter properly, his career as a lowly Compiler would come to an end.
It just felt a bit strange—the cafeteria, empty just moments ago, was now filled with people again.
[Host, maybe you should agree to the Princess’s request. Her connections are quite formidable. It’s just one slot anyway; we can just sit back and enjoy the drama.]
[Just one slot? System… “just one slot” could drive an ordinary person to despair.]
With that, he hurriedly packed the untouched pastries and tucked them into his robe.
The palace pastries were soft, glutinous, and delicate—simply delicious.
Imperial Study
After the Emperor and the Eighth Prince finished their midday meal,
Eunuch Rong attended to the Emperor as he rinsed his mouth. Observing both men’s expressions and finding nothing amiss, he reported that Lord Xiao had visited the Eighth Prince’s private chamber and taken all the pastries with him when he left. During that time, the Princess had also stopped by but departed shortly after.
The Eighth Prince calmly sipped his tea.
The Emperor remarked, “That fellow—would we really let him go hungry?”
The Eighth Prince replied, “He’s probably resentful that I indulged alone.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. “By the way, what was Feiyan doing there?”
Eunuch Rong bowed and said, “She claimed she was looking for the Eighth Prince, never expecting Lord Xiao to be there. Interestingly, several ministers who had just finished their meal returned to dine a second time.”
The Emperor understood—Xiao Yaozu must have shared another sensational piece of gossip, prompting those ministers to turn back. How irritating; he wanted to know too.
Sensing that his masters were about to discuss official matters, Eunuch Rong tactfully withdrew outside the Imperial Study.
The Eighth Prince asked, “Your Majesty, do you have some arrangement in mind for Lord Xiao?”
Instead of answering, the Emperor stroked his beard and countered, “How is Xiao Yaozu’s relationship with his family?”
The Eighth Prince privately pondered why the Emperor would ask such a question but showed no sign of it on his face:
“Xiao Yaozu was separated from his family since childhood and holds some resentment. His temperament around them is rather unruly and unappealing.”
“I find him quite appealing—he’s the first person to wish me to live ten thousand years.”
Though Xiao Yaozu was somewhat unconventional and fond of wealth, the key was… his heart was in the right place.
A strained relationship with his family made it difficult for others to exploit his weaknesses.
Yet, family was both a blessing and a curse—the best kind of fodder.
The Eighth Prince grasped the deeper meaning in the Emperor’s words. “Your Majesty, are you planning to use this Spring Examination to temper him?”
Instead of answering directly, the Emperor rose and turned his back to the Eighth Prince.
He gazed up at the plaque overhead inscribed with “Open and Aboveboard.”
“These years have not been entirely peaceful. We’ve encountered many troubles, and at times, even I grow weary.”
“Suddenly encountering someone like him, who always stirs your true nature—I must do something about it.”
After a few seconds of silence, the Eighth Prince spoke, “Xiao Yaozu is too young.”
The Emperor narrowed his dragon-like eyes. “People grow up. He’s already qualified to be Lord Xiao—that’s not so young. Besides, haven’t we given him a carriage?”
……
After finishing his midday meal, Xiao Yaozu excitedly circled the gifted carriage, muttering to himself:
【This royal carriage even has fragrant wood—System, can you smell it? Could it be golden nanmu?】
【They even assigned a new coachman. The Emperor is truly thoughtful.】
【From now on, I’ll be commuting to and from work side by side with the Eighth Prince.】
The System sighed helplessly: 【Host, you should focus on the Spring Examination first.】
【What’s there to worry about? With a handsome guy like the Eighth Prince around…】
Xiao Yaozu waved his hand dismissively, then shared half of his freshly packed pastries with the coachman.
“Have some.”
“Thank you, Lord Xiao.”
The coachman bowed swiftly and accepted the pastries.
“Brother, what’s your name?”
“Lord Xiao, this humble servant is called Fang Zheng.”
“Fang Zheng? A fine name. Who gave it to you?”
“A passing official in the palace when I was young. I never learned his name.”
Xiao Yaozu nodded vaguely before climbing back into the carriage.
He sprawled out like a starfish.
Though the wood was exquisite, it felt rather hard against his back.
“Fang Zheng, make the cushions softer tomorrow. My bones ache from sitting.”
“Understood, Lord Xiao.”
【Host, aren’t you afraid those seasoned ministers might scheme against you? They’re all old foxes—in every drama, the imperial exams are never without incidents.】
【You can secretly watch dramas? I have zero entertainment here!】
【Host, your priorities are… unusual.】
【What could possibly go wrong? As a mere Compiler, all I do is write and sing a little. The Eighth Prince is the tallest—if anything happens, he’ll take the hit.】
【Aren’t you curious why the Emperor chose you as an overseer?】
【Maybe the Emperor saw my potential and thinks I have a bright future.】
Xiao Yaozu nodded to himself as he spoke.
Before he knew it, the carriage had arrived near the Admonishing Official’s residence.
Xiao Yaozu found a perfect spot to observe the drama.
The street was quite crowded. He nibbled on his pastry intermittently.
Just as Admonishing Official Zhao reached his doorstep, he was blocked by a crowd. As he lifted the curtain, he heard…
【Host, the true daughter has arrived.】
Without even looking, Zhao knew Xiao Yaozu was nearby, so he didn’t bother scanning the area.
At the center of the crowd, a plainly dressed young woman knelt facing the main gate, her figure slightly frail—this was the true daughter, Zhao Zhirou.