"…The candidates on Fourth Prince's side are all quite impressive, each excelling in both literary and martial arts. The most outstanding among them is Chen Li, the second legitimate grandson of the Duke of Zhenguo. He ranked third in the literary examination and second in the martial examination—truly accomplished in both fields," Yunzuo concluded."However, the candidates on my side are not inferior either. Fu Yuchen from the Jingbei Marquis family took first place in the literary examination, while Cheng Defang from the Duke of Yiguo family secured first place in the martial examination. Unfortunately, Fu Yuchen's martial skills are somewhat lacking, and Cheng Defang's literary abilities are even weaker. Xie Yucheng, on the other hand, is balanced in both, only slightly behind Chen Li."Noble Consort Xie smiled. "So, my son, are you inclined toward Xie Yucheng?"Yunzuo shook his head, chuckling as he continued, "Although Fu Yuchen only achieved a 'good' grade in the martial examination, I could tell that he received assistance from Zhang Chuyang, the youngest son of the Vice Minister of War, at every turn. Even the martial examination instructors likely received instructions from someone to discreetly boost his results. However, I quite admire his literary talent, which truly lives up to his first-place ranking in the literary examination."Noble Consort Xie's eyes flickered. "So, my son, do you prefer the legitimate son of the Fu family?"Yunzuo thought for a moment and replied, "Both Xie Yucheng and Fu Yuchen are acceptable. I have no particular preference and will leave the decision entirely to you, Mother."After dinner, the mother and son chatted for a while longer. Seeing that it was already late, Yunzuo finally took his leave.Noble Consort Xie gazed outside the hall until her son's figure disappeared from sight. Then, she softly asked, "Nanny Zhao, what do you think about the matter of the study companion?"Nanny Zhao was an old servant whom Noble Consort Xie had brought into the palace from her maternal family. She was the most trusted lifelong servant of her mother and had practically watched her grow up. Since entering the palace, she had served the consort diligently and faithfully. Clever and articulate, she was the most trustworthy person around.Throughout the entire conversation, she had stood silently behind her two masters, almost unnoticeable. Only when Noble Consort Xie asked did she step forward and reply softly with a smile, "If Your Highness wishes for His Highness to live a carefree life as a prince in the future, you must not choose the Xie family descendant, who excels in both literary and martial arts."A flicker of realization crossed Noble Consort Xie's eyes. "You're right! Fourth Prince has chosen someone accomplished in both fields. My son should not compete with him. Moreover, the Xie family has many officials serving in the court, which is already cause for concern. We absolutely cannot choose another study companion from among the Xie descendants!""But…" Noble Consort Xie seemed puzzled. "I sent someone to inquire, and the legitimate son of the Fu family was not particularly outstanding in either literary or martial achievements. How did he manage to take first place in the literary examination this time? It's truly unexpected."Nanny Zhao chuckled softly. "Since ancient times, there has never been a definitive 'first' in literary pursuits. These young men are taking the palace examination for the first time, so it's natural for them to feel nervous. In such a short time, it's entirely possible for the Fu family's son to have performed exceptionally well by chance and secured first place.""Moreover, let's not forget that the Fu family's son is exceptionally handsome. This is the first time the examiners are meeting these candidates, and scholars often judge people by their appearance. It's only natural for them to show a bit more appreciation for someone with outstanding looks. Haven't there been many cases in palace examinations where candidates with exceptional appearances later rose to become the third-place scholar?"Noble Consort Xie nodded repeatedly. "That makes sense! Nanny, you always see things so clearly!""You flatter me, Your Highness!" Nanny Zhao replied with a smile.Noble Consort Xie thought about it and felt somewhat pleased: "His Majesty values talent above all, excelling in both literary and martial arts. I originally thought it would be difficult to persuade His Majesty to choose a less outstanding study companion for our son. Unexpectedly, the Fu family's son happened to take first place in the literary examination. Even if his martial skills are slightly inferior to Xie Yucheng's, with this literary achievement, it will be much easier to have His Majesty appoint him as the study companion!""Yes!" Nanny Zhao chimed in agreeably: "Moreover, it seems that compared to the Xie family's son, His Highness is more interested in the Fu family's son. They will surely get along more harmoniously in the future. This is heaven's will aligning with human wishes—a blessing for you and His Highness."Just then, Eunuch Zheng, the chief eunuch from Qianming Palace sent by Emperor Yuan'an to inquire about the selection of study companions at Yanning Palace, arrived. Noble Consort Xie wrote a brief memorandum stating her choice of Fu Yuchen and her reasons, then handed it to him.In the palace, there was a new regulation jointly established by the Empress Dowager and the Empress, stipulating that the emperor must spend at least five days each month, including the first and fifteenth days, in the Empress's palace. Noble Consorts were allotted at least three days, while the other four consorts each received at least two days.However, the emperor often did not strictly adhere to this regulation. Even the Empress rarely saw the emperor outside of the first and fifteenth days, and Noble Consort Xie had not seen the emperor for a long time.Watching the chief eunuch by the emperor's side accept the memorandum and withdraw indifferently, Noble Consort Xie could not help but sigh softly.Nanny Zhao gently consoled her: "Your Highness, the way to preserve one's health lies in thinking and worrying less.""I know. His Majesty has always held the late Empress in his heart, while the rest of us carry little weight…" Noble Consort Xie smiled helplessly: "Fortunately, I still have my son. As long as my son is well and can live peacefully as a carefree prince in the future, this life will not have been in vain."Qianming Palace was divided into front and rear halls. The rear hall served as the sleeping quarters, while the front hall, the Hall of Diligent Governance, was where Emperor Yuan'an habitually reviewed memorials and summoned officials.In the Hall of Diligent Governance at this moment, Emperor Yuan'an, nearing fifty with graying temples but still robust and upright, was once again bent over his desk handling memorials. Holding a vermilion brush, he occasionally circled a few points or added brief comments on the open memorials.When Eunuch Zheng entered, the young eunuch attending to the ink and brushwork stood silently nearby, not daring to breathe loudly.Emperor Yuan'an stacked the memorial he had just reviewed beside him and looked up at Zheng Ze: "Have they all been collected?""Yes!" Zheng Ze bowed and stepped forward, presenting all the memorandums from the consorts regarding their choices of study companions for their princes and princesses.Emperor Yuan'an flipped through the memorandums one by one. When he reached Noble Consort Xie's submission, he was slightly surprised: "The Noble Consort chose the Fu family's son for the Sixth Prince? Why not the Xie family's son… Hmm? The Fu family's son topped the literary examination, and Master Ji praised him highly?""The Xie family has been a scholarly lineage for generations, yet their son lost in the literary examination?" Emperor Yuan'an was taken aback. He had already received the literary examination results submitted by Ji Ze, which recorded the final scores of all candidates, but he had not examined them closely.Zheng Ze replied with a smile: "Your Majesty, the Fu family's son indeed performed exceptionally well in this literary examination. His youthful discourse and writing are invigorating to read.""Oh?" Emperor Yuan'an showed a hint of interest: "Fetch his examination paper."Ji Ze seemed to have prepared in advance. Turning around, he retrieved the examination papers submitted along with the results of the literary assessment from the other side of the bookshelf. From them, he extracted Fu Yuchen's answer sheet and presented it to Emperor Yuan'an.Emperor Yuan'an was reputed to be a ruler of both literary and martial talents, but in truth, he was a warrior emperor who had seized the throne through military campaigns. His grasp of literary knowledge such as poetry, classics, and historical texts was broad but not deep, so he had never intended to review the children's literary examination papers. This time, however, he made an exception.Emperor Yuan'an glanced at Fu Xuechen's "Spring Dawn" and offered no comment. But when he read the response to the topic about youth, he genuinely felt a sense of appreciation: "When the youth are prosperous, the nation prospers; when the youth are strong, the nation grows strong… Well said! No wonder the Xie family's son lost."Shaking his head, Emperor Yuan'an smiled. "I originally thought that dismissing the Xie family's son and forcibly selecting the Fu family's son might be unfair to the Noble Consort and the Sixth Prince. Now it seems the Fu family's son is not lacking either. The Noble Consort's choice was rather astute."Emperor Yuan'an first set aside Fu Xuechen's examination paper, then reviewed all the memorials from the imperial consorts. Having made up his mind, he immediately instructed Ji Ze: "Very well, draft the decree. Command Chen Li, the youngest grandson of the Duke of Zhen, to enter the palace as a study companion for Fourth Prince Yunzhen… and Fu Yuchen, the eldest legitimate son of Jingbei Marquis, to enter the palace as a study companion for Sixth Prince Yunzuo…"
Chapter 11
The Prince Does Not Compete for the Throne