The palace examination

"Strange thing?"

Xu Qi'an pulled out a chair and sat down, instructing Su Su to pour him some water.

"I'm not even your concubine yet, and you're already ordering me around like this?" Yan Gui Su glared at him and obediently went to pour water, after all, they were talking about the massacre of her family.

She needed this man's help; otherwise, even if she and her master, Li Miaozhen, investigated for ten years, they still wouldn't get to the bottom of it.

After Xu Qi'an took a sip of tea, Li Miaozhen said:

"Su Su's father was named Su Hang. He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the 29th year of the Zhende era. In the 14th year of the Yuanjing era, for unknown reasons, he was demoted back to Jiangzhou to serve as the prefect. He was executed the following year for accepting bribes and embezzling."

Xu Qi'an stroked the teacup and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes," Li Miaozhen turned to look at Su Su, "She doesn't remember ever staying in the capital. Su Su's soul is intact. When my master found her, she was absorbing the Yin Qi of the mass grave to cultivate and had achieved some success. As long as she doesn't leave the mass grave, she can continue to exist forever."

"A vengeful spirit with such cultivation wouldn't have lost any memories, unless those memories were erased before she died."

Su Su said, "Perhaps, perhaps I really have never been to the capital."

Xu Qi'an shook his head. "Whenever someone goes to the capital to serve as an official, their family members have to move there. I'm more inclined to believe that Su Su's memories from before her death were faulty. Hmm, that's interesting."

The two men and the ghost were silent for a moment. Xu Qi'an said, "Since he is an official in the capital, the Ministry of Personnel should have his information. The Ministry of Personnel is the territory of Chief Minister Wang. He and Wei Yuan are political enemies. Without sufficient reason, I have no right to access the files of the Ministry of Personnel."

So don't rush, wait for your opportunity.

Li Miaozhen and Su Su nodded.

Xu Qi'an took a sip of the warm tea and asked, "What's your brother's name? How old was he when the Su family had that accident?"

Su Su tilted her head and thought for a moment, "His name is Su Chengzhi. He was probably eleven or twelve years old when the family suffered that tragedy."

He's probably around thirty-one or thirty-two now, so finding a brother-in-law like that is impossible; it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. "If only Great Feng had a well-developed public security system, "Xu Qi'an hinted.

I'll try to find one for you, but don't get your hopes up too high.

Su Su hummed in agreement, knowing that finding relatives was too difficult, and did not insist.

After resolving this matter, Xu Qi'an brought up the second issue, looking at Li Miaozhen and asking, "When do you plan to begin the battle between the Celestial Person and humans?"

Li Miaozhen didn't hesitate. "Let's issue a challenge first, then set a time, within seven days."

Xu Qi'an nodded slowly and stated his thoughts directly. "Before the battle between Celestial Person and Man ends, you'd better leave the capital. No matter what letters you receive or who you come into contact with, don't leave."

Li Miaozhen raised an eyebrow. "You mean someone is going to harm me?"

"That's obvious." Xu Qi'an sighed. "If something happens to you in the capital, do you think the leader of the Heavenly Sect will let it go? A first-rank Daoist School immortal is probably no less powerful than the Supervisor."

Su Su puffed out her paper-thin chest, her expression haughty. "Knowing that our Daoist leader is a first-rank official, who would dare to harm our master?"

Xu Qi'an felt sorry for the female ghost's intelligence. "Your father was at least a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), but you didn't inherit his intelligence at all. It's precisely because Miaozhen is the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect that she attracts people's attention."

"His Majesty is obsessed with cultivating Daoism, and in order to maintain the stability of his power, he has fostered the current situation of factional infighting in the court. Some people have long harbored resentment about this. The conflict between the Celestial Person and the human is a golden opportunity for them to exploit."

"Furthermore, this matter has become common knowledge, and martial arts figures are flocking to the capital, among whom there must be foreign spies mixed in. These people would love for Li Miaozhen to die in the capital."

Su Su suddenly realized.

"You are a fourth-rank Daoist School, no ordinary person can defeat you. Any foreign expert of fourth rank or higher who wants to come to the capital to kill you is dreaming. As for the experts in the imperial court, they would never make a move in the capital unless they are prepared to die."

"Thank you for reminding me, I understand," Li Miaozhen said. "I will arrange for ghostly guards to patrol the vicinity of the Xu Residence. If any suspicious persons approach, they will immediately issue a warning. I will then take action in advance or leave the Xu Residence to avoid harming your family. Although the possibility of this is not high."

Then, she couldn't help but sneer, "Damn Emperor Yuanjing."

"Hey, watch your mouth! That's just something to say online." Xu Qi'an smiled and nodded, then stood up and said, "Well then, I, an outsider, won't disturb the two ladies' sweet dreams any longer."

They left the room amidst the slightly bewildered gazes of Li Miaozhen and Su Su.

March 27th is an auspicious day for consecrating objects, tailoring clothes, traveling, and weddings.

Today is the day of the palace examination, exactly one month after the provincial examination ended.

As dusk settled, my aunt got up, wearing an exquisitely embroidered long dress, her hair slightly disheveled, held back only by a gold hairpin.

Her beautiful eyes were somewhat vacant, as if she hadn't slept well, and her eyes were puffy.

While arranging for the cook to prepare breakfast for Erlang, the aunt, accompanied by her personal maid Lü'e, knocked on Erlang's door.

Xu Xinnian, dressed in a light white robe with a purple jade pendant given to him by the Layman Ziyang hanging at his waist, came to open the door for his mother in high spirits.

"Erlang, you're up so early?" Auntie said, yawning.

"Mother has told the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Erlang, do you want to sleep for another fifteen minutes? Mother will come and wake you."

"Need not."

Xu Erlang, being an eighth-rank Confucian scholar, possessed far more energy than the average person. He reassured his mother, "Mother, don't worry. The palace examination is a ranking test. With my status as the top scholar, my score won't be too low."

The aunt felt relieved and led Lü'e out of the room. As they crossed the threshold, she suddenly screamed.

Xu Erlang was taken aback and rushed out of the room to check the situation. He saw a woman in white holding a red umbrella standing quietly in the courtyard.

It was just past midnight, before dawn. The woman, holding a scarlet umbrella and dressed in white, exuded an eerie aura.

"Mrs. Xu."

Su Su smiled sweetly and gave a graceful bow.

The aunt breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself, "Why is she out here at this hour instead of sleeping in her room? I almost thought she'd encountered a ghost."

Xu Erlang stared at Su Su for a moment, then subtly looked away and said to his aunt, "Mother, go back to your room and rest."

After seeing his aunt off, Xu Erlang looked at Su Su in the courtyard and asked, "Does my elder brother know your identity?"

He recognized me as a charmer? No wonder he's a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. Su Su smiled faintly, revealing two dimples, and said sweetly:

"Yes, I know. He said he would rebuild my body and then become my concubine for three years."

This is truly something only the eldest brother would do. Are the courtesans of the Imperial Academy of Music no longer enough to satisfy his tastes? He's even eyeing ghosts now.

Xu Xinnian was dumbfounded and speechless for a long time.

Knowing that today was the imperial examination, candles were lit at the Xu Residence just after midnight. Li Miaozhen, having heard of this, also came out to join in the fun. After everyone had breakfast, they saw Xu Xinnian off at the residence.

"Erlang, today is not only the imperial examination that concerns your future, but also your chance to prove your innocence and completely clear your name. You must do well on the exam." Xu Pingzhi, wearing armor and holding a helmet, earnestly instructed him.

Xu Xinnian nodded as he walked out, "I know, Dad, don't worry, I..."

The second half of his sentence suddenly caught in his throat. He stared stiffly at the street across the street, where two "old acquaintances" stood. One was a tall, burly monk wearing a faded white robe.

One was a swordsman in a green robe, with a wisp of white hair hanging down his forehead. He wasn't very old, but he gave off a sense of having experienced many hardships.

It's those two again! It's those two again!!

Xu Xinnian was roaring inside.

"That's Big Brother's friend," Xu Qi'an patted his shoulder, calming his younger brother's anger.

Previously, there was no contact with Number Four, so Xu Xinnian was made to take the blame and cover for him. Now that Xu Qi'an's identity is gradually becoming stable, Chu Yuanzhen is gradually accepting the persona of his third cousin.

Once a preconceived notion is formed, Chu Zhuangyuan won't deliberately scrutinize it, nor will he question whether "character number three is strange." This is why people are always more likely to trust friends and familiar people.

Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen smiled and nodded, exchanging greetings before their gazes fell on Li Miaozhen.

This Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect had a fair and clean oval face, without any makeup. Her eyes were like black pearls, clear and bright. Her sharp eyebrows highlighted her seemingly fierce temperament.

Rather than a holy maiden of the Heavenly Sect, she was more like a seasoned female general, having served in the army in Yunzhou for a year. Monk Hengyuan clasped his hands together and smiled at Li Miaozhen.

Her aura was contained, not revealing a trace, and her cultivation level was impossible to discern. However, since she had come to the capital, it meant she had already entered the fourth rank. Heh, after my crushing defeat against Zhang Kaitai back then, I haven't fought against a fourth-rank opponent for many years.

Chu Yuanzhen wore a smile, but a fighting spirit quietly ignited in his eyes.

The bald man is number six, and the one carrying the sword is number four. Hmm, as number one said, number four is not following the orthodox path of the Human Sect. Li Miaozhen nodded, which can be considered as a greeting.

As for Lina, number five, she was still fast asleep in her room, just like her apprentice, Xu Lingyin.

"Da da da"

The three men from the Xu Household rode away. Li Miaozhen watched them go, and Hengyuan's voice reached her ears. "Amitabha, I hope number three will pass the imperial examination with top honors."

Chu Yuanzhen chuckled, "Getting a second-class ranking is already quite good; after all, he's a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. However, number three has a big secret."

Hengyuan asked in surprise, "A secret?"

Chu Yuanzhen smiled and nodded, saying inscrutably, "If I'm not mistaken, the strange phenomenon of the pure aura soaring to the sky in the Sub-Saint Hall of the Cloud Deer Academy is related to Number Three."

"Of course, these are just my guesses, without any basis. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

Hengyuan suddenly realized.

Li Miaozhen's expression suddenly turned strange. Number Four and Number Six did not know that Xu Qi'an was Number Three, and always thought that Xu Xinnian was Number Three.

If they find out the truth in the future, and recall these words today, will they feel the same shame I did, wanting to beat Xu Qi'an to a pulp, yet forced to keep it a secret for him?

Because this way, everyone can pretend that nothing happened.

Thinking of this, she looked at Number Four and Number Six with pity.

The darkness before dawn was the deepest, and four hundred candidates gathered outside the Meridian Gate, awaiting the imperial examination.

Two rows of imperial guards, each holding a torch, stood motionless like statues.

Civil and military officials gathered, scrutinizing the candidates participating in the palace examination from a distance, occasionally whispering among themselves. Only the officials from the Ministry of Rites diligently maintained order at the scene.

The third verification of identities and headcount was conducted.

The Meridian Gate has five gate openings: three main gates and two side gates. During court sessions, civil and military officials would enter through the side gates, while only the emperor and empress could use the main gates.

Of course, the top three scholars (first, second, and third place) also enjoy the honor of entering through the main gate once.

Xu Xinnian, the top scholar in the imperial examination, stood at the head of the list of successful candidates, head held high, expressionless. His demeanor made it seem as if everyone else present was trash.

However, scholars still appreciate this approach, especially when a highly talented scholar, a top scholar, adopts such a posture. Even officials in the distance couldn't help but admire him inwardly.

This child is extraordinary.

As the drums sounded and the three rounds of prayers were completed, the civil and military officials were the first to enter through the Meridian Gate. Subsequently, the tribute students, led by officials from the Ministry of Rites, also passed through the Meridian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, and stopped in the square outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Xu Xinnian squinted, gazing at the distant Golden Palace. He could only see the civil and military officials on the steps, but he had no chance to see the audience or debates inside the Golden Palace.

After a long while, the civil and military officials left the court, and the palace examination was to follow.

Even Xu Xinnian couldn't help but feel nervous at this moment.

"Gurgle."

From Gongshili, the sound of swallowing saliva could be heard.

In this tense atmosphere, everyone suddenly heard a commotion behind them, with shouts and curses.

Unable to resist looking back, through the gate of the Meridian Gate, one could vaguely see a white-robed Warlock blocking the path of the civil and military officials.

The man in white stood with his back to the crowd, ignoring the shouts and reprimands around him.

Xu Xinnian, Confucian School of the eighth rank, even faintly heard the reprimands.

"Yang Qianhuan, are you trying to rebel? Get out of here right now!"

"Yang Qianhuan, what are you trying to do? This is the Meridian Gate, today is the Imperial Examination, are you trying to cause trouble?"

Amidst the angry curses, a low sigh rang out, and the man in white slowly said, "Your bodies and names will perish, but the rivers will flow on forever! Bah!"

There was a brief moment of silence, then the civil and military officials erupted in uproar, creating a chaotic scene.

"What happened?" a scholar asked, bewildered.

"This... isn't this the poem by Xu Qi'an, the Silver Xu Qi'an, mocking you gentlemen? And that man in white seems to be from the Bureau of Astronomy?"

He's gone.

The more than four hundred candidates could no longer remain silent, whispering among themselves and constantly turning their heads to look back at the Meridian Gate.

"Silence!" an official from the Ministry of Ministry of Rites shouted. "This is none of your business. Just focus on the exam. Anyone who whispers again will be expelled from the Meridian Gate and sent home to wait another three years."

The scholars immediately fell silent.

The officials who had just dispersed returned, some with gloomy faces, some with agitated expressions, and some filled with righteous indignation, as they entered the Golden Palace. Then, the sound of arguing came from inside.

A quarter of an hour later, the officials came out of the Golden Palace and did not return.

Yang Qianhuan. This name sounds so familiar, it's like I've heard it somewhere before. Xu Erlang thought to himself.

"Xu Xinnian, a successful candidate in the imperial Cloud Deer Academy in the capital."

At this moment, the voice of an official from the Ministry of Rites interrupted Xu Xinnian's thoughts. He came back to his senses, took the sealed examination paper from the official in charge of the Honglu Temple, and strode into the Golden Palace.

The palace examination only tested policy questions, lasted for one day, and the papers were due at dusk.

Xu Xinnian walked out of the palace in the afterglow of the setting sun, he saw his elder brother sitting high on horseback at the gate of the imperial city, holding the reins of another horse and waiting with a smile.

"I've already spoken to my second uncle; I'll come pick you up." Xu Qi'an asked, "How did the exam go?"

"Good!"

Xu Xinnian said calmly, "If I were a student at the Imperial Academy, I would be a shoo-in for the top rank."

"Stop showing off!" Xu Qi'an nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, this is more befitting of your elder brother's reputation. In the future, no one will call you a tiger brother and a dog brother."

Xu Xinnian sighed, "Although my elder brother is renowned, he is ultimately not a scholar. Xu Residence wants to gain a foothold in the capital and earn respect, we still need a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations."

Xu Qi'an hummed in agreement. "Erlang, keep up the good work. I just came from Princess Lin'an's residence."

Xu Xinnian cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

He lost; he couldn't out-pretend with his older brother.

Xu Qi'an tossed the reins to Xu Erlang and said, "Erlang, you've already passed the imperial examination path. Tonight, your elder brother will treat you to a celebratory feast at the Imperial Academy of Music."

"What about Mother and Sister?" Xu Xinnian frowned.

"I told my aunt I'd be on patrol tonight. And you, after the imperial examination, isn't it normal to be drinking and having fun with your classmates?" Xu Qi'an said.

"Big brother is right," Xu Xinnian laughed.