Chapter 119: The Awaited Result
The Emperor’s schedule is very busy.
Grand Court Assembly every three days, requiring him to rise early.
Even without Grand Court Assembly, he still rises early; the morning court has even more matters to discuss than the Grand Court Assembly.
After noon, the Emperor begins receiving ministers in the Imperial Study until dusk falls, when court affairs finally conclude.
For over ten years since his ascension to the throne, the Emperor has done this day after day without slacking.
But today, right after court adjourned, the Emperor stopped receiving ministers.
Because today the Princess is taking the exam at the National Academy.
“Have you told her?”
The Emperor looked at the eunuch who ran in and asked hurriedly.
The eunuch paid respects: “The Empress said she won’t go.”
The Emperor was displeased: “Such a big event—how can she, as the mother Empress, not go?” Then he urged again, “What about the Prince of Donghai?”
The eunuch smiled obsequiously: “Your Majesty, the Prince of Donghai has gone to inspect the Capital Garrison.”
“This boy—I told him Princess Pingcheng has an exam today,” the Emperor said discontentedly.
The eunuchs hurriedly said: “We’ve already sent someone to fetch him; he can make it back by evening.”
The Emperor nodded reluctantly: “That’s fine; he can make it for Princess Pingcheng’s celebratory banquet.” As he paced in the hall, he said, “The exam should be starting now.”
The chief eunuch smiled beside him: “Your Majesty, you should have accompanied the Princess there early in the morning.”
The Emperor waved his hands hurriedly: “No, no—that would make Princess Pingcheng nervous and affect her exam.”
The chief eunuch looked at the water clock nearby: “Then let’s set off now; by the time we reach the National Academy, the Princess will have finished her exam.”
The Emperor shook his head again: “That’s not good either. If I go to the National Academy, people will misunderstand it as influencing the judging.” He stroked his beard, his expression proud: “My daughter earned first place with her own true ability.”
The chief eunuch nodded with a smile: “Naturally. Everyone knows of the Princess’s intelligence and diligence.”
The Emperor said to the chief eunuch: “We’ll set off at noon; we’ll arrive at the National Academy just as the results are being judged.”
The chief eunuch clapped his hands laughing: “Then Your Majesty arrives to celebrate for the Princess.”
The Emperor nodded with a smile: “Princess Pingcheng didn’t have an easy time with her reading; I should personally go congratulate her.”
In less than two months, so many things had happened around Princess Pingcheng’s reading.
At this point, his expression darkened again.
“It’s also to speak frankly with the Libationer about some matters that disgrace the sacred teachings, to remove those who shouldn’t be there, and give my daughter a clean place for reading.”
……
…….
“Do we really need to go for something like this?”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife was pulled onto the carriage, somewhat unwilling.
“Once the results are out and His Majesty tells the Libationer, those three will leave the National Academy and never appear again. Why do we still need to go?”
Duke Ding’an glared at her: “Such a grave mistake—as their elders, of course we must go to the National Academy and admit our fault to His Majesty.”
Then His Majesty will forgive them to show magnanimity.
If they don’t go, how will this matter end? Make the Emperor admit fault to the National Academy?
That naturally can’t happen. Duke Ding’an’s Wife could only get on the carriage, pressing her head with her hand, frowning bitterly: “What a sin—we still have to lose face publicly.”
Duke Ding’an’s face wasn’t much better as he comforted Duke Ding’an’s Wife, also comforting himself: “Once this is over, it’ll be fine. Hui’er continues school, and those master and servant will be confined at home—perfect for their wrongdoing. They’ll no longer be allowed out, and there will be no more trouble in the future.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife chanted a Buddha’s name, then thought of something: “Has that Liu family gone? Drag them there.” She said hatefully, “It’s all because of their daughter causing trouble!”
If she hadn’t lent the calling card to others, today wouldn’t have happened.
Duke Ding’an hurriedly said: “They’ve gone, they’ve gone. Servants escorted them there early this morning.”
…….
…….
The Liu father and son had actually come early in the morning with Yang Luo.
Yang Luo went in for school, while they stayed outside waiting.
Disciple Cheng Yuan sat under the carriage holding up a steamed bun: “Teacher, eat something.”
Liu Changqing sat in the carriage leaning against the compartment and glared at Cheng Yuan: “All you think about at the National Academy is eating!”
Cheng Yuan shrank back and muttered: “What else? We can’t go in either.”
Actually, they could go in. Though hard to enter, the National Academy doesn’t bar scholars; scholars from under heaven who come to the Capital City can all enter to discuss the Dao with instructors and even attend the Libationer’s lectures if there’s a suitable chance.
But Liu Changqing had no face to present a calling card.
His daughter impersonating someone to read inside was truly a scholar’s shame.
He closed his eyes: “Can’t go in—you can’t listen? Listen attentively! Listen to the recitation voices inside!”
The National Academy is so big—how could they hear! Cheng Yuan muttered, but still raised his head to gaze at the grand palace before them.
“Ah, today is Junior Sister’s last day here.” He couldn’t help sighing, then chuckled: “No matter what, hearing the Libationer lecture isn’t bad.”
Yes, that’s enough. The Liu family isn’t greedy. It was because of their own reasons they didn’t take the exam. Liu Changqing looked toward the National Academy doorway: after the exam, he’d tell the Libationer the truth, apologize to him, and take his daughter away.
As he thought this, he saw scholars moving inside the National Academy toward one direction, with noisy voices following.
“Quick, go see—the companion reader ladies’ exam results are out.”
……
……
“I dare not look!”
“Heavens! Why publicize the answer sheets for all to see? I have no face to live!”
The schoolroom where the companion reader ladies were was filled with noise and wails.
Today’s exam was actually very simple—just two classics questions. After finishing, they were told to return to this schoolroom; no need to read, just relax and play as they wished.
Palace maids brought chess, qin, pitch-pot, and such items, but since they knew the judging results would come out today, everyone was nervous.
They hadn’t expected the judging results so soon.
Even more unexpected was that they were publicized.
Though only within the National Academy, with so many scholars watching, it would immediately spread through the Capital City.
“That’s how reading is; the National Academy publicizes answer sheets for every major exam for all to see and even debate on the spot,” Princess Pingcheng’s voice rang out. “It’s not the Libationer deliberately making things hard for us—on the contrary, it’s treating us the same as all scholars, which is respect for us.”
An instructor also came in: “The Libationer personally graded them. Ladies, rest assured—nothing bad was said; good points were specially commented on.”
No matter what, since it was already published, they had to look. The ladies steeled themselves and looked to Princess Pingcheng.
Princess Pingcheng smiled: “Let’s go take a look.”
Yang Luo lingered at the end, wondering whether to go look or find A Sheng and Liu Chan to look together.
Those two hadn’t come to the schoolroom to relax after the exam but went straight to the Library.
“Whether we can come tomorrow is unknown—go see more books in the Library; one more is one gained,” Liu Chan had said.
Yang Luo had A Sheng accompany Liu Chan there, while she came here to keep watch in case of any mishaps.
“How did you do on the exam?”
A voice came from behind.
Yang Luo looked up to see Jiang Rui walking over.
This was the two speaking again since that day.
Yang Luo smiled: “Do one’s best and leave it to fate.”
Meaning not well? Jiang Rui thought, about to say something when Yang Luo spoke again: “You should reconsider that marriage arrangement with Zhu Yunxiao.”
Jiang Rui’s face stiffened; she opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and looked at Yang Luo: “Does Miss Liu have a prejudice against Young Lord Zhu?”
Yang Luo said: “It’s not prejudice—he just has poor character. You’re blinded by being close to him.”
Jiang Rui exhaled: “Miss Liu has been in the Capital City a short time; I’ve known him since childhood, over ten years. You have your prejudice, I have mine—in my prejudice, he is the best man in the world.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Sure enough, the two had nothing to say to each other. She had even initiated conversation—better not to speak again in the future.
Yang Luo watched Jiang Rui’s back and didn’t follow.
On the plaza before the covered walkway, many scholars were gathered. When they saw Princess Pingcheng and the others arrive, they immediately made way.
Someone shouted loudly: “Princess, you got Grade A.”
Grades A, B, C, D—Grade A was the best.
The companion reader ladies immediately congratulated her one after another.
A smile also bloomed on Princess Pingcheng’s face. Though it was the result she expected, she couldn’t help quickening her steps, wanting to see with her own eyes the “Grade A” marked by the Libationer.
“Only two Grade A,” another voice shouted.
Only two Grade A.
Princess Pingcheng’s steps paused slightly.
Someone matched her?
This made the companion reader ladies curious too; they quickened their steps and looked toward the notice ahead.
Indeed, at the very top were two answer sheets posted.
“Who? Who?”
“Is it Jiang Rui?”
Everyone asked as they surged forward, and those at the very front also shouted out.
“Yang Luo.”
Yang Luo?
The companion reader ladies froze, expressions stagnant.
“Not right!”
Immediately another voice shouted.
Not right? So it was a misread. Yang Hui, who hadn’t squeezed through yet, felt her sunken heart soar again—just as she thought, how could that Yang Luo score so well!
“This Yang Luo is Top Grade A.”
Grade A is also divided into levels: top, middle, lower.
All the companion reader ladies reached the notice; their gazes converged on the two scrolls at the very top.
Though both at the top, one was a bit higher, the other a bit lower.
The higher one was naturally Top Grade A, the lower Lower Grade A.
Princess Pingcheng’s gaze looked at the bright red mark on Lower Grade A and her own name.
She was Lower Grade A.
She wasn’t first.
Princess Pingcheng only felt a buzz in her ears, chaotic, then instantly silent.
Was she dreaming?
She wasn’t first?!
