Chapter 6: The Examination Trap (Part II)

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The examination rooms were marked with serial numbers at the entrance, and candidates were seated according to their assigned spots. It was not uncommon for talented individuals to be "pre-selected" before the exam—not that their exam results were rigged, but regardless of their performance, they could rely on those who had chosen them, securing positions as retainers or gaining a minor official post.

Since this was the Imperial City, there were naturally many places where scholars gathered to discuss current affairs. The most famous of these was the "Hall of Worthies." It was frequented not only by candidates but also by many officials and princes, and there was no concern about the mix of people.

The Hall of Worthies had clear demarcations; the floors frequented by commoners, ordinary officials, and members of the imperial family were separate. It is worth noting that in recent years, other venues where scholars gathered had mostly shut their doors if they lacked strong backing, yet the Hall of Worthies remained completely unaffected. Thus, rumors abounded that the establishment was likely owned by imperial relatives.

As soon as Shen Xunqing stepped out of his sedan, he headed straight for his designated room. The rooms for the invigilating officials were also separate, with each responsible for a specific zone. It was quite clear who was accountable should an incident occur in their respective area.

Besides Shen Xunqing, there were four other invigilators, and the entire examination site was divided into five zones. As luck would have it, the zone where Yan Yunqing was taking his exam was the very one under Shen Xunqing’s supervision.

The invigilators arrived at their assigned zones one by one, and the candidates entered the examination hall in sequence. The area surrounding the exam site was under martial law, and no unauthorized persons were permitted to approach.

The sound of a bell rang out, "Dong, dong, dong," signaling the start of the examination.

Many candidates immediately began to think and write the moment the exam started. Yan Yunqing alone sat dazed in the room he occupied by himself. After a long while, he blankly began to look at the content on the exam paper.

When Brother Xunqing had asked him if he wanted to participate in the exam, he had intended to refuse. Yet, a voice in his heart begged him to go. Even so, he knew his presence was of no use; he didn't really understand these matters...

Just as Yan Yunqing was about to dismiss the thought, his eyes seemed to brighten. The test paper, which had made no sense to him a moment ago, suddenly became simple. It was as if enlightenment had dawned upon him; his pen moved with divine grace, and his vacant gaze gradually sharpened into focus.

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His somewhat messy handwriting gradually became neat and vigorous. His earnest expression was nothing like the slightly deficient little Yunqing; rather, it was the spitting image of Yu Huan. Finishing with a few perfect strokes, he slowly set down his pen, his eyes brimming with sorrow. In the slightly cavernous room, only his hoarse voice could be heard calling out, "Xunqing..."

Inside the rooms, the candidates took their exams with composure, while outside, various factions engaged in a battle of wits.

After the Dark Slave had concealed his presence and swapped the nameplate on Yan Yunqing’s door with the one next to it, he watched from the shadows. Sure enough, not long after the exam began, a man dressed in guard’s attire walked toward the room that had just been swapped. He nodded to the guards outside, who then departed. The man slightly opened a crack in the door to peek at the person answering questions inside.

After apparently confirming that everything was in order, the man took a small bamboo-like tube from his robes and blew sleeping incense into the room. Holding his breath, he entered, placed a pre-filled answer sheet from his sleeve onto the desk, crumpled the half-finished paper that had been on the desk, and tossed it outside. Having done all this, he immediately slipped away.

The Dark Slave’s eyes dimmed, and the curve of his lips bore a striking resemblance to Shen Xunqing’s. He glanced at the master who was answering questions in the room next door and let out a cold, internal sneer.

The Dark Slave suddenly spoke to the empty air beside him, "Well? How did it go?"

With a "tsk," Chi rolled his eyes in frustration and said, "Brother Slave, you really are a bore, the likes of which are seen once in a century! Rest assured, the task the Master entrusted to me was simple enough; I handled it perfectly. I guarantee it will be a fine show."

The Dark Slave glanced at Chi impatiently and said in a low voice, "I hope so."

Elsewhere, at the Crown Prince’s residence.

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince were still in the pavilion when a servant stepped forward and whispered a few words to the Second Prince. The Second Prince’s face lit up with joy.

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The Crown Prince had intended to ask what was happening, but upon seeing this, he understood the gist of it. The Second Prince laughed and said, "Congratulations, Imperial Brother, congratulations! It is done. This time, we shall certainly show that so-called Prince what we are capable of!"

The Crown Prince sneered and turned to head back to his own quarters.

The examination continued. Candidates were not allowed to leave during the exam period and had to sleep in designated rooms, as did the invigilators. The first day of the exam thus passed.

Yan Yunqing followed the others to the assigned quarters—which was, in reality, just a large room where the candidates slept on communal beds. Yan Yunqing felt very troubled; why hadn't he seen his Brother Xunqing all day?

Having stayed in that room for the whole day, for some reason, he felt exhausted. Yan Yunqing climbed into a corner of the communal bed and fell into a deep sleep. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Shen Xunqing, filled with surprise.

Yan Yunqing gripped Shen Xunqing’s sleeve tightly, refusing to let go, "Brother Xunqing, why have you only just come? You didn't even think to come and see Yunqing."

Shen Xunqing smiled, though in a moment of distraction, he seemed to see Yan Yunqing’s arm becoming somewhat translucent. Shen Xunqing felt a tightening in his heart and asked, "Tell Brother Xunqing, did you encounter anything strange today?"

Yan Yunqing frowned in thought for a moment, then shook his head. Suddenly, he smiled brightly and said, "Brother Xunqing, Yunqing was very clever today! At first, I couldn't understand the questions, but suddenly I understood them all at once. I finished the questions very quickly; those things were so simple."