APSIL -Chapter 72 An Eight-Legged Essay Convention?

“Moonflower Pavilion is three stories high. Every corner of each roof is decorated with specially crafted glazed tiles. Whenever the moon reaches its zenith, all the lights inside the pavilion are extinguished, and under the moonlight those glazed corners emit a soft, misty radiance. That’s how the pavilion earned the name Moonflower.”

Although a large group was headed to Moonflower Pavilion that day, Zhang Shou eventually persuaded the Grand Madam and Zhu Ying that they should split into two parties.

One group would first wander around the area surrounding Moonflower Pavilion and enjoy the festivities, while the other would head directly inside. That way they wouldn’t draw too much attention by moving together.

He never specified who should go where, but the Grand Madam immediately understood his intentions and simply dragged Zhu Ying away with her.

Now, listening to a bystander explain the origins of Moonflower Pavilion, Zhang Shou couldn’t help wondering whether Princess Yongping had chosen this place because she’d been born on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month and thus held a special fondness for the words moonlight.

If Nanny Li hadn’t explained things beforehand, he would almost have thought this monthly literary gathering was actually the princess’s husband-selection assembly…

Wooden barricades had already been erected around Moonflower Pavilion.

Every entrance was guarded by fully armed soldiers. Whenever a scholar produced an invitation and was admitted inside, cheers would erupt from the crowd.

Bathed in those cheers, the invited scholars naturally held their heads even higher, looking immensely proud.

Of course, Zhang Shou could also hear plenty of sour remarks from those who hadn’t received invitations.

Today he once again wore his bamboo hat and face veil.

With Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai acting as attendants and A-Liu silently protecting him, he managed to secure a small space against the wall amid the packed crowd.

Even so, he made no move to present his invitation and join the successful invitees beneath Moonflower Pavilion.

Instead, he listened with great interest to the conversations around him.

Soon enough, five or six young scholars approached together.

The surrounding crowd instinctively stepped aside for them.

The scholars themselves talked loudly, completely unconcerned with anyone else.

“I wonder what topic Princess Yongping will assign this time! Last month’s theme was ‘The Master’s Writings.'”

“The best opening argument last time came from Imperial Academy’s Xie Wanquan. Too bad that country bumpkin angered him so badly he’s shut himself indoors and probably won’t come today. Hmph! So what if he’s Grand Tutor Ge’s disciple? Being good at mathematics alone doesn’t amount to much. Didn’t Grand Tutor Ge first become famous because of his outstanding examination essays?”

“Exactly! Princess Yongping’s monthly literary gatherings let everyone discuss the Four Books and the Confucian classics while reviving the ancient traditions. Those people who’ve forgotten their own heritage should take a good look! How could the strange scribbles of foreign barbarians compare to the teachings of our sages? The imperial examinations test only examination essays—that’s the system handed down by our ancestors. How could it possibly be changed?”

“I’ve heard more and more renowned essay critics have been invited to Moonflower Pavilion every month. If this continues, the finest examination essays will be compiled into books immediately after each gathering and become famous throughout the capital—even the whole empire. What a marvelous policy! Since His Majesty even sends an imperial eunuch to attend, it’s obvious he supports examination essays as well.”

Qi Liang had once explained to Zhang Shou what these so-called essay critics were.

Simply put, they were editors of collections of exemplary eight-legged essays.

After every examination, they selected the finest compositions, annotated them, compiled them into volumes, and sold them to aspiring examination candidates.

Naturally, anyone engaged in this business had to possess considerable prestige in the world of examination essays.

If not for the bamboo hat and veil concealing his face, Zhang Shou was certain everyone around him would have seen the utterly unconvinced expression he wore.

Earlier, when joking with the Zhu family, he’d merely felt it somewhat misguided to rank essays above poetry.

Now…

He realized he’d actually been far too charitable.

Today’s Moonflower Pavilion gathering wasn’t merely a competition in eight-legged essays.

It was a complete industrial chain—competition, critique, publication, and commercialization.

No wonder so many scholars flocked here like moths to a flame.

A handful of students helping each other improve their examination essays before facing the imperial examinations?

Perfectly reasonable.

Private academies emphasizing eight-legged essays because they wanted more successful candidates?

Also perfectly reasonable.

Professional editors collecting the best essays, publishing them, and making money?

Entirely understandable.

After all, every level of the imperial examination still relied on that very style of writing to select officials.

But for a princess—a princess!—to hold a monthly eight-legged essay competition…

Judging from everyone’s tone, it had somehow become the banner of a grand movement to “restore antiquity.”

It had become the stronghold resisting those so-called reformist officials who had “forgotten their roots.”

What kind of restoration is this?

The Shang and Zhou dynasties didn’t have eight-legged essays.

Neither did the Spring and Autumn period.

Nor the Warring States.

Certainly not the Han or Tang dynasties.

Being able to write an excellent eight-legged essay was undoubtedly impressive.

But go ask any truly great statesman whether he’d proudly proclaim that the achievement of which he was most proud in his entire life was writing eight-legged essays well.

The moment most people passed the examinations, they immediately threw eight-legged essays into the trash.

As for Teacher Ge…

Zhang Shou honestly had no idea how well the old man could even write one nowadays.

He glanced toward Qi Liang.

The young man’s expression had grown solemn.

Deng Xiaodai, meanwhile, wore an obvious look of disdain.

A-Liu, as always, remained expressionless.

Chuckling softly, Zhang Shou removed both his bamboo hat and face veil.

That single casual motion immediately attracted countless gazes.

After all, hats and veils weren’t uncommon here.

Many noble families’ advisers, as well as low-ranking officials soon to be assigned elsewhere, often came in disguise to scout promising talent.

But Zhang Shou was obviously far too young to be one of them.

His refined, elegant appearance only inspired even greater hostility.

“Hmph! Another pretty face hoping to get lucky.”

“Everyone knows Princess Yongping values talent and character—not appearance.”

“This little brat’s barely out of the cradle, and he wants to imitate famous scholars?”

As the whispers grew into open ridicule, Zhang Shou calmly beckoned to Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai behind him before leisurely walking toward the entrance to Moonflower Pavilion.

The two guards immediately stepped forward.

Hearing the mocking laughter behind him grow even louder, Zhang Shou simply nodded slightly toward Qi Liang.

Qi Liang stepped forward and produced the invitation—a carefully polished slip of bamboo.

The instant it appeared, everyone who’d been mocking him suddenly fell silent, as though someone had squeezed their throats shut.

The two guards exchanged glances.

One carefully accepted the invitation.

After taking a single look, his expression changed.

Respectfully, he said, “Young Master… Princess Yongping’s invitations each admit only one person. You may enter yourself, but your attendants…”

As murmurs immediately rose once again behind him, Zhang Shou smiled nonchalantly.

“Oh, I see.”

“But the person who delivered the invitation specifically told me to bring my students.”

“If they can’t enter, then never mind.”

Turning to Qi Liang, he said, “Qi Liang, you go in on my behalf.”

“I was planning to visit my teacher and work through a few mathematics problems anyway.”

“Let’s go.”

He nodded once to Qi Liang before beckoning Deng Xiaodai and A-Liu.

Then, without the slightest hesitation…he turned around and walked away.

The two guards stood frozen.

The surrounding scholars and spectators were even more dumbfounded.

That handsome youngster actually has students? At his age?

Even if he does… he just handed such a precious invitation to his student and left?

Without giving Princess Yongping even the slightest face?

Holding the weighty bamboo invitation, Qi Liang himself stood there completely stunned.

He couldn’t decide whether he should persuade his teacher to stay or simply obey his instructions.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to struggle with that dilemma for long.

Someone came running frantically out from inside.

“Young Master Shou, please wait! Please wait!”

A plump middle-aged man hurried over with a face full of smiles.

Seeing Zhang Shou stop and turn around, he immediately rounded on the two guards.

“Are you blind?”

“Did you even read the invitation properly?”

“It clearly says Young Master Shou and his disciples!”

“Did neither of you notice the words ‘and his disciples’?”

“You nearly offended an honored guest!”

“What punishment do you deserve?”

Zhang Shou secretly snorted to himself.

Since when did those words appear on the invitation?

That had clearly been Consort Yu’s verbal message, not anything written on the bamboo slip.

After thoroughly scolding the guards until they dared not even raise their heads, the newcomer immediately turned back with a beaming smile.

“Young Master Shou, please forgive these ignorant servants.”

“This way, please.”

“And these three young gentlemen as well…”

“Please come inside.”

Seeing A-Liu casually lumped together with the “disciples,” Zhang Shou couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

To be honest…

He had intended to use the guards’ refusal as the perfect excuse to leave.

Leaving Qi Liang behind would have been simple enough.

The Grand Madam and Zhu Ying would undoubtedly look after the young man.

But now that someone from inside had reacted so quickly…

Even if this literary gathering truly proved to be a dragon’s den…he had no choice but to walk into it first.