Chapter 25#
Chapter 25#
In the second month, the spring imperial examinations arrived, and in the blink of an eye, it was once again the season when flowers bloomed. The vast expanse of white in the capital had long been replaced by the vibrant spring scenery, and everyone had changed into light clothing.
Talented scholars from all over gathered in the capital, just to show their great ambitions.
“Brother Li! You’ve come too!” At the entrance of the examination hall, a student saw an acquaintance and stepped forward.
Li Zhong smiled and nodded: “Alas, I failed last year, so naturally I have to try again this year!”
Fang Zhixu smiled and said: “I believe Brother Li will surely have his name on the golden board this time!”
Li Zhong arched his hand: “Brother Fang is the one who can pluck the cinnamon from the Moon Palace. I’ve read your articles before; they are overflowing with talent, even better than the previous top scholar!”
Fang Zhixu said hurriedly: “I wouldn’t dare. The previous top scholar is already the Director of the Hanlin Academy; how can I be compared to that Lord? Brother Li is overpraising me.”
Li Zhong waved his hand: “I’m a person who never tells lies.”
As the number of students around them gradually increased, Li Zhong appraised the scene and said: “There are twice as many people participating in the examinations this year as last year; the competition has become greater again!”
Fang Zhixu nodded, also looking at the people queuing at the examination hall: “I heard it was a Lord surnamed Lin who supervised the examinations last year, and he was very fair. Previously, the top three were all sons of powerful officials or merchants who bought their positions. Last year’s top scholar and third-place scholar were both from humble backgrounds; we really have to thank that Lord Lin.”
Hearing Fang Zhixu mention last year’s examinations, Li Zhong said excitedly: “When I came last year, Chancellor Lin supervised the examinations. Chancellor Lin was truly handsome beyond compare, with an extraordinary temperament. Rumors said he was cold-blooded and ruthless, holding all power himself, but when I saw him at that time, I felt he was different from any official I’d seen. Later, when I heard about the examinations, Lord Lin was simply the savior of us humble scholars!”
Fang Zhixu followed with a nod: “It’s just a pity he’s already dead; otherwise, maybe I could still see this legendary great person this year.”
Li Zhong pulled Fang Zhixu and suddenly whispered: “Do you know how Chancellor Lin died?”
Fang Zhixu shook his head: “I don’t know much about the affairs of the capital; even the news of Chancellor Lin’s death was just something I heard from rumors on the road.”
Li Zhong said: “Chancellor Lin died in a fire in the back palace on the day of the sacrificial ceremony. It’s said that by the time the Emperor and the officials saw the fire, it was already too late! The soaring flames had already burned the person to ashes! But the Emperor rushed over immediately and even into the fire, getting burned all over. He’s been recuperating, and I don’t know if the Emperor will appear for today’s examinations.”
Fang Zhixu said in surprise: “The Emperor truly has deep feelings for Chancellor Lin.”
Li Zhong nodded: “Wanted posters have been posted all over Great Yong. Though they are wanted posters, they clearly state that Lord Lin cannot be harmed.”
Fang Zhixu didn’t understand: “Isn’t Lord Lin dead? Why look for him?”
Li Zhong sighed: “Naturally, the Emperor is grief-stricken and unwilling to believe the Imperial Teacher is dead. But I originally thought the Emperor would be fine after grieving for a while; it’s been a year, and the Emperor still hasn’t been able to come out of it.”
Fang Zhixu smiled, not saying much more: “Let’s go; the examination is the priority.”
The top three articles were delivered to Su Yang as usual. No matter how much Su Yang didn’t want to attend morning court, he was still present for such a major event as the examinations. He sat on the dragon throne in solemn black robes, his expression gloomy.
Compared to a year ago, the pressure around Su Yang was terrifyingly low, and there wasn’t even a hint of a smile on his face—even a mocking smile never appeared again. Only madness and obsession shrouded in gloom remained.
Sitting at the desk, he looked at the top three articles delivered, his expression weary as he flipped through them chapter by chapter.
Suddenly, Su Yang sat up straight. When he saw one of the papers, his gaze stopped abruptly, and his breathing quickened by a bit.
This article gave him a very familiar feeling—not that he had seen the content before, nor that the handwriting was very similar, but the feeling this article gave him was very familiar, very much like a certain person.
Su Yang’s heart pounded wildly. Ever since Lin Huaiyu burned everything related to himself, he had never been able to see anything related to Lin Huaiyu. Although this article only gave him a familiar feeling, it was enough to make him ecstatic.
He was taught by Lin Huaiyu; he knew what Lin Huaiyu’s writing style was like. Su Yang squeezed a corner of the paper and hurriedly looked at the name on the paper.
Fang Zhixu.
It wasn’t him.
It wasn’t the person he was longing for.
And yet, since Lin Huaiyu wanted to leave, how could he possibly send himself to his door again?
He had done those excessive things to Lin Huaiyu; that man loathed him and wanted to escape him as quickly as possible.
The light in Su Yang’s eyes quickly dimmed, but he still hadn’t completely given up.
A name could be faked, but a writing style couldn’t be hidden. Just in case…
Just in case Lin Huaiyu couldn’t stand to see him muddled for a year, neglecting even court affairs.
After all, Lin Huaiyu’s heart was set on the common people; he surely wouldn’t leave things alone.
If it really was Lin Huaiyu, if it really was…
He could not let any clue slip away.
Thinking of this, a trace of joy and expectation rose in Su Yang’s heart again, and he said to De Fu: “Summon them into the hall.”
De Fu saw that Su Yang, who had been like a pool of stagnant water for a year, suddenly became excited as if a pebble had been thrown into the pool.
He didn’t know what the top three articles had written; he only knew Su Yang had become interested and finally started handling national affairs.
De Fu was instantly relieved; he didn’t want Su Yang to keep being despondent. If he could shift Su Yang’s attention and stop him from always thinking about Lin Huaiyu, maybe he could get out of it faster.
He said with a smile, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The three walked in from outside, and Su Yang’s gaze was also fixed on the door until those three knelt down.
Su Yang’s heart pounded hard, but seeing the silhouettes of the three, he still felt a moment of disappointment.
He would never forget Lin Huaiyu’s silhouette even until death; that elegant figure—even if it turned to ashes, he could recognize it at a glance.
But among these three, not one was Lin Huaiyu.
The names were wrong, and the figures were wrong.
Su Yang heard the three shout “long live,” but a trace of hope still remained in his heart.
He hadn’t seen Lin Huaiyu for a year, and he really missed him; even just looking from afar would be fine.
Just in case… Lin Huaiyu didn’t want him to recognize him, and thinking of the people under heaven, thus… changed his figure?
Or… Lin Huaiyu had become even thinner this year, or had recuperated and become a bit more robust?
Even though he denied it countless times in his heart, Su Yang still kept that one point of hope. His voice even carried a hint of undetectable trembling: “Raise your heads.”
Hearing this, the civil and military officials below felt a sense of doubt.
This process was wrong…
Usually, they would be questioned first, and then their appearance would be judged to select the third-place scholar.
But even though they had doubts in their hearts, they didn’t dare have any objections.
The three slowly raised their heads, and those unfamiliar faces entered Su Yang’s eyes one by one, shattering all his hopes to pieces.
It wasn’t him; none of them were him!
No Lin Huaiyu…
But clearly, that article was so like him…
Su Yang looked at the article again, the fingertips squeezing a corner of the paper turning white. He picked it up and asked: “Which one is Fang Zhixu?”
Fang Zhixu hurriedly stepped forward: “This student is Fang Zhixu, greetings to Your Majesty.”
Su Yang looked at him, his gaze icy, and asked: “You wrote this article?”
Fang Zhixu was neither humble nor arrogant: “It was indeed this student.”
Su Yang’s gaze fell on the article, picked out one point, and asked: “In your article, you mentioned nation and family, sovereign and people. Then I shall use this as a topic to test you again: what is nation and family, what is sovereign and subject, and what is the foundation of the nation.”
Although Fang Zhixu’s face was respectful, the curve of his waist showed his proud bones. He spoke clearly about his thoughts and feelings, without any stage fright. Even facing the Son of Heaven, when discussing sovereign and subject, he didn’t have any flattering words; every word and sentence was for the nation and the people.
In that instant, Su Yang seemed to really see Lin Huaiyu.
Lin Huaiyu was always like this, with his heart set only on the nation and the people. Everyone was ranked before him as the Emperor; in Lin Huaiyu’s heart, he wasn’t important at all.
This was the part of Lin Huaiyu that he hated the most.
Su Yang looked at Fang Zhixu; he knew this person wasn’t Lin Huaiyu, but his speech was just a little bit like him.
Su Yang gave Fang Zhixu a deep look and soon dismissed the court.
This year’s top scholar was undoubtedly Fang Zhixu.
At the palace gate, people congratulated the new top scholar one after another. Zhao Xiangyi stepped forward and said: “Since the Emperor has handed you over to me, follow me from now on.”
Fang Zhixu bowed: “Please give me much guidance, Lord Zhao.”
Zhao Xiangyi shook his head with a shallow smile: “I wouldn’t dare give guidance. Just now in the court, seeing you talk eloquently reminded me of an old friend.”
Fang Zhixu blinked and said while walking with Zhao Xiangyi: “Lord Zhao’s old friend?”
Zhao Xiangyi said with a smile: “You are somewhat similar to the late Chancellor Lin Huaiyu.”
Fang Zhixu heard Lin Huaiyu’s famous name again and couldn’t help asking: “Is it that I look like Lord Lin?”
Zhao Xiangyi shook his head: “That’s not it. No one in this world can match Lord Lin’s beauty. But I also didn’t have a deep friendship with Lord Lin; it’s just that I felt your speech just now was somewhat similar to Lord Lin’s.”
Fang Zhixu realized: “I see. Hearing Lord say this, this Chancellor Lin must have been a person of both virtue and talent. But I previously heard that Chancellor Lin’s reputation wasn’t good.”
Zhao Xiangyi nodded: “At first I thought so too, but the way Lord Lin handled the matter of imperial examination fraud and selling of official positions was truly beautiful. At that time, I knew Lord Lin was a good official for the nation and the people. Without Lord Lin, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
The more Fang Zhixu heard, the more regretful he felt: “That’s really a pity; I really want to meet this Lord Lin.”
This Chancellor Lord named Lin Huaiyu would surely get along with his teacher.
His teacher was also a beautiful person full of talent, it was just that his health wasn’t very good…
At the thought of his teacher, Fang Zhixu’s expression softened. He must write a letter back in a while to tell his teacher the good news of his name on the golden board!
The next day, Fang Zhixu changed into the red robe of the new top scholar and stood behind the officials.
Many people told him that the Emperor wouldn’t attend morning court recently, and he would just register his presence and then report to the Hanlin Academy. He just didn’t expect…
Fang Zhixu looked at Su Yang sitting on the dragon throne and actually met the Emperor’s gaze at that moment.
Su Yang had not only uncharacteristically come to court, he was actually looking at him.
Fang Zhixu hurriedly lowered his head. The pressure of the Son of Heaven was full, making him not dare to meet his gaze, and he could only stand with his eyes downcast.
But that gaze never moved away.
“Your Majesty, the position of Chancellor has been vacant for a long time. I feel it’s time to fill this vacancy.” An official stepped out to speak. Since Su Yang had come to court, he had long wanted to mention this matter. It was just that first he hadn’t found the opportunity, and second he was afraid Su Yang would get angry over Lin Huaiyu’s matter.
As soon as he finished speaking, several officials hurriedly echoed: “I agree.”
Su Yang’s face darkened instantly. His gaze moved from Fang Zhixu to the position where Lin Huaiyu should have stood; that place had always been empty, with no one daring to stand there.
Su Yang curled his lips and asked with a cold smile: “Then which one do you lords think is suitable to sit in this position of Chancellor?”
Seeing Su Yang didn’t make trouble, the officials instantly let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward to suggest: “I feel that Lord Zhao Xiangyi, the Director of the Hanlin Academy, can take on this great responsibility.”
Everyone nodded and whispered: “Lord Zhao has much of Chancellor Lin’s style. His conduct can be called upright, and his heart is set on the people. The position of Chancellor belongs to no one but him.”
Su Yang then turned his gaze to Zhao Xiangyi, cold and dangerous.
Zhao Xiangyi sensed that danger in Su Yang’s eyes and hurriedly stepped out: “Many thanks for the lords’ kind intentions, but I have little learning; the position of Chancellor still needs a capable person to occupy it.”
Others said: “Lord Zhao is too modest. Previously, Lord Lin praised you highly; please don’t be modest.”
Looking at Su Yang’s gradually darkening face, Zhao Xiangyi’s cold sweat broke out.
Hearing everyone say Lin Huaiyu praised Zhao Xiangyi highly, Su Yang’s pressure dropped. He threw down the memorial in his hand, and the voices below stopped instantly. The entire hall was silent, and everyone knelt down.
Su Yang said in a cold voice: “I have never dismissed Lin Huaiyu’s position of Chancellor; he is still the Chancellor of Great Yong. This matter is not allowed to be mentioned again!”
De Fu saw this and said hurriedly: “Court dismissed!”
Su Yang turned and left, without caring about the officials looking at each other in dismay.
He walked quickly to Qinchun Palace, closing De Fu out the door.
There was a purple robe on the bed, which he had made for Lin Huaiyu before, but it was a pity there was no scent of Lin Huaiyu on it.
But he still held that robe in his arms and said: “Those officials all want me to choose a new Chancellor, but I’ve blocked them all. Teacher, I was wrong; I shouldn’t have imprisoned you and prevented you from attending court. Come back; I don’t want to give the position of Chancellor to anyone else.”
He spoke to himself again for a long time, holding the clothes in his arms and lying on the bed as if holding Lin Huaiyu and sharing the same bed.
“Teacher, today I saw a person who is very like you, equally… set on the nation and the people, and doesn’t have me in his heart. He reveres me, but in the end, what he thinks about is the nation and the people, just like you. In Teacher’s heart, I am also the least important.” Su Yang couldn’t sleep, and always spoke to Lin Huaiyu every day, telling him some things.
He seemed to remember something and said hurriedly: “Teacher, don’t misunderstand; I can tell the difference. The only one I want is you. I miss you very much; when can you come back and look at me?”
Su Yang spoke for a long time, but no one in the room would answer his words; he seemed to have long ago become accustomed to such a scene.