TSWPF -Chapter 277 Top Scholar

On the day of the palace examination, Li Qingling got up early again and personally prepared breakfast for Liu Zhimou.

After eating the heartfelt breakfast made by Li Qingling and changing into the new robe she had made for him, Liu Zhimou confidently climbed into the carriage.

When they arrived outside the palace, he got off without a glance elsewhere and followed the young eunuch straight inside.

They walked for an unknown distance until finally stopping outside the Golden Throne Hall.

Liu Zhimou stood in place for a moment, and gradually, other examinees began to arrive.

“Brother, you’re quite early,” one of the examinees greeted him.

Liu Zhimou smiled and replied that he had just arrived as well.

“My name is Shen Changsheng. And you?”

“Liu Zhimou.”

Upon hearing the name, Shen Changsheng’s eyes widened. “So you’re the top scorer! I didn’t expect it. I really admire you…”

Liu Zhimou felt a little embarrassed by the compliment and quickly smiled, saying it was undeserved.

Just as they were chatting pleasantly, someone rudely interrupted.

“Hmph… so what if you’re the top scorer? What’s the big deal?”

Liu Zhimou looked up and saw an examinee in a white robe, casually fanning himself with a folding fan.

For people who disparage what they cannot attain, he simply ignored them.

“Brother Liu, this is Lai Guangzhong, he is…” Shen Changsheng rattled off everything he knew about him, hoping to give Liu Zhimou a heads-up and prevent him from unknowingly offending someone influential.

Liu Zhimou nodded, understanding. So Lai Guangzhong was the younger brother of the Virtuous Consort. No wonder he was so arrogant—he was just leaning on his sister’s favor.

“Thank you for telling me, Brother Shen.”

“Ah, don’t mention it,” Shen Changsheng waved off casually. He genuinely liked Liu Zhimou and couldn’t help saying a few extra words.

Because of this, Liu Zhimou thought Shen Changsheng could indeed become a friend.

Seeing that Liu Zhimou ignored him, Lai Guangzhong’s irritation grew. With a snap, he closed his fan and strode up to Liu Zhimou, arrogantly asking why he hadn’t responded.

Liu Zhimou looked at him in confusion. “When did you speak to me?”

He was no masochist—why should he respond to someone who was being rude?

“You…” Lai Guangzhong pointed at Liu Zhimou. “Just wait!”

Liu Zhimou’s expression darkened. With a snap, he struck Lai Guangzhong’s hand away and coldly said, “Brother, is this how your family teaches you? People with basic manners wouldn’t point at someone’s nose like that.”

“Do you know who I am?” Never having been treated like this before, Lai Guangzhong’s anger intensified.

“No,” Liu Zhimou replied decisively. “Brother, are you sure you want to quarrel with me here? Hmm?”

This was the Golden Throne Hall—any misstep could be noticed by the Emperor. He had no intention of leaving a bad impression.

Lai Guangzhong, though not completely enraged, glared at Liu Zhimou before stepping back a few paces.

He would have to speak to his sister and let her handle this. If someone dared offend him, they would bear the consequences.

Shen Changsheng couldn’t help but chuckle. He gave Liu Zhimou a thumbs-up, impressed that his knowledge and eloquence had easily made Lai Guangzhong turn green with frustration, powerless to retaliate.

“Brother Liu, in the future, avoid Lai Guangzhong if you can. He’s petty and might try to trip you up.”

“These are Brother Shen’s reminders,” Liu Zhimou said. Although he wasn’t afraid of Lai Guangzhong, he appreciated Shen Changsheng’s advice.

Shen Changsheng smiled and waved it off, then shifted the conversation to continue chatting with Liu Zhimou.

It wasn’t until Eunuch Gao Song emerged that they paused.

Gao Song swept a glance over the now-quiet examinees and called in a sharp voice, “Everyone, please follow me inside.”

The group followed him into the Golden Throne Hall, knelt, and shouted in unison, “Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand more years!”

“Rise…” The Emperor glanced at the examinees, lingering briefly on Liu Zhimou, then offered some encouraging words that stirred the students’ hearts. Finally, he posed the highlight of the day: “I have a question that has troubled me and hope you all can help me resolve it.”

He scanned the examinees. “Regarding the land system—should we maintain the old ways or innovate?” He had long wanted to implement a new land system but faced resistance from most ministers.

This examination would show him the views of the new generation.

Master Gong had discussed this with him before. Liu Zhimou thought for a moment, picked up his brush, and began writing.

Sitting next to him, Lai Guangzhong grew anxious seeing how quickly Liu Zhimou began. The more anxious he became, the less coherent his thoughts.

Among all the examinees, the Emperor noticed that only Liu Zhimou had started immediately. He nodded in approval, curious to see what surprise Liu Zhimou would present.

The palace exam lasted one shichen (two hours). After finishing, Liu Zhimou carefully reviewed his work, found no errors, and submitted it.

He then went outside the Golden Throne Hall to wait.

Seeing Liu Zhimou finish so quickly, other examinees felt greater pressure and hurriedly wrote, fearing they would run out of time.

After reviewing Liu Zhimou’s submission, the Emperor almost applauded if he weren’t in the hall with others. His nephew had answered perfectly, worthy of being the son of his junior disciple.

Such talent was exactly what the court needed.

With fresh blood injected into the bureaucracy, implementing the new land system would become much easier.

Every three years, the imperial exams existed to provide the Emperor with new talent to support his rule.

Old ministers often had divided loyalties, but newly promoted ones tended to align with the Emperor.

“Brother Liu, how did you answer the question about the land system?” Shen Changsheng asked quietly after submitting his paper and joining Liu Zhimou outside.

Liu Zhimou looked at the curious Shen Changsheng and candidly explained.

Shen Changsheng felt both frustrated and envious—how had he not thought of that?

“Brother Liu, you truly are the top scorer. I really admire you.” Some people were just naturally gifted.

“Don’t forget modesty, Brother Shen. You did quite well yourself.” Shen Changsheng had ranked in the top seven of the spring exams, a testament to his talent.

Shen Changsheng smiled, feeling somewhat comforted despite not shining as brightly as Liu Zhimou.

“Hmph…” Lai Guangzhong emerged, scowling at their cheerful conversation. He felt even worse recalling his own answers.

Before attending the palace exam, his father had told him much about it, but never about the land system. He could only improvise.

Even he himself wasn’t satisfied with his own answer.

Time was short, and he couldn’t start over, so he reluctantly submitted.

Shen Changsheng glanced at Lai Guangzhong and whispered to Liu Zhimou, “Does he have a throat problem? He keeps humming.”

Liu Zhimou’s smile deepened. “Maybe.”

People like Lai Guangzhong could only be met with a “hehe.”

Perhaps constrained by the Emperor’s presence, Lai Guangzhong dared not act against Liu Zhimou, instead shooting him hostile glares with his eyes.

Liu Zhimou ignored these and continued chatting with Shen Changsheng.

Eventually, Lai Guangzhong grew bored and looked elsewhere.

After a short wait, Liu Zhimou was called back in.

The Emperor personally praised him and appointed him Zhuangyuan—top scholar.

“Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand more years!”

“Rise.” The Emperor looked upon Liu Zhimou affectionately, then named Shen Changsheng Tanhua—third place.

Shen Changsheng was stunned but bowed to thank the Emperor. This was an unexpected delight.

The second-place scholar was a man in his early thirties with a simple appearance. Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, he fell to his knees and loudly proclaimed the Emperor’s longevity, prompting the Emperor to laugh and tell him to rise.

The Emperor then announced the rankings of other examinees before concluding the court session.

When the news of Liu Zhimou becoming Zhuangyuan reached the Xue residence, Li Qingling and the others jumped with joy.

Old Master Liu clasped his hands on his waist and laughed heartily. “As expected of my grandson—just as clever as me!”

“My apprentice grandson inherited his father’s cleverness,” Mr. Luo teased gently, slightly cooling the old man’s enthusiasm.

Old Master Liu nodded earnestly. “Indeed, as clever as his father.”

It was a pity that his youngest son never lived to see his grandson’s success. Thinking of this, Old Master Liu’s eyes reddened.

“Today is a day of celebration—why the theatrics?” Mr. Luo glanced at him silently. He knew the old man must have been thinking of his late little disciple. “Come on, let’s go watch Zhimou parade through the streets.” Fortunately, he had reserved an excellent box at Feng Man Lou, where his young apprentice, riding a tall horse, would pass by and be clearly visible.

He patted Old Master Liu on the shoulder twice, silently comforting him.

Old Master Liu wiped his eyes and shouted, “Let’s go see my grandson parade through the streets!”

The group hurried to Feng Man Lou, waiting for Liu Zhimou to arrive.