TN: bonus chapter💕
After the morning court session ended, the sky was just beginning to brighten.
Emperor Kaiping Zhao Fu, surrounded by eunuchs, left the Hall of Imperial Benevolence and went to the Spirit Invoking Platform to meditate. Eternal lamps were placed in a row on iron racks, and the young eunuchs carefully added oil to the lamps, fearing the flames might go out. Inside the Spirit Invoking Platform, the surroundings were draped in white curtains, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
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After meditating for an hour, Zhao Fu softly asked, “What time is it?”
Ji Fu immediately came in from outside the hall to assist the emperor with changing clothes, as the emperor was about to go to the Hall of Diligent Governance to review memorials. He replied, “It’s already chenshi (7-9am), Your Majesty.”
Zhao Fu responded with a soft “hmm” and was again surrounded by eunuchs as he proceeded to the Hall of Diligent Governance.
The Great Song Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, with favorable weather and good harvests. Twenty-six years ago, when Zhao Fu first ascended the throne, he was very diligent, handling everything personally. But twelve years ago, one late night while reviewing memorials, Zhao Fu suddenly fainted. After waking up, he became obsessed with cultivating immortality, seeking eternal life, and delegated much of his political power. Minor matters were handled by the Six Ministries, while major affairs were managed by the Palace Secretariat and the Privy Council.
The number of memorials sent to Zhao Fu each day was no more than a hundred.
Zhao Fu held a vermilion brush, writing comments like “Reviewed, approved” on the memorials.
After reviewing forty or fifty memorials, Zhao Fu reclined on a Luohan couch, and Ji Fu gently massaged his shoulders. The two had known each other for over forty years, and Ji Fu, with the eunuch’s distinctive high-pitched voice, softly said, “Your Majesty, do you still remember the student from the Imperial College?”
A glint of light flashed in Zhao Fu’s half-closed eyes, but he lazily replied with a “hmm.”
Ji Fu said, “This servant found out that the student’s name is Tang Shen, from Gusu. He’s a well-known talent at the Imperial College and ranked first in the academic classes.”
Zhao Fu showed little interest and did not respond.
Ji Fu inwardly cursed but maintained a respectful and attentive demeanor.
The emperor’s mind was difficult to fathom. Just last night, the emperor was interested in Tang Shen, but after just one night, he lost interest. Ji Fu didn’t particularly pity Tang Shen; to him, someone who wasn’t even a juren was insignificant. However, the effort he put into getting information from Dean Lin seemed wasted, and the favor spent was for naught!
Zhao Fu sat up, and Ji Fu poured water for him.
Seeking some gain, Ji Fu continued, “This servant heard that Tang Shen is a student of Fu Wei daren.”
Zhao Fu finally showed interest, took a sip of tea, and looked at him: “Is that so?”
Ji Fu replied, “Indeed.”
“Since when did Fu Xiru take another student? A few years ago, he told me that having one student like Wang Zifeng was enough, and he wanted to retire and return to his hometown.”
Ji Fu laughed along, “Perhaps Fu daren cherishes talent. This servant acquired a poem written by Tang Shen. Though I am illiterate, I still found it remarkable and wanted to recite it for Your Majesty.”
Zhao Fu scolded with a smile, “If you’ve prepared it, then recite it quickly.”
“Yes.”
Ji Fu recited Tang Shen’s examination poem. Zhao Fu’s expression changed subtly, and Ji Fu couldn’t guess his thoughts. Despite serving Zhao Fu for many years, Ji Fu found it increasingly difficult to understand the emperor’s mind as he aged. After a long pause, Zhao Fu gently placed the tea cup down and stroked his long, graying beard: “For fear of startling those in heaven. This Tang Shen is quite interesting.” He said this with a slight smile.
Only then did Ji Fu breathe a sigh of relief, seeing that the emperor was in a good mood.
The emperor’s visit to the Imperial College became a widely praised story.
The thirty-two students personally taught by the emperor felt like they were walking on clouds for a month, even waking up from dreams filled with joy. Tang Shen, however, didn’t think much of it. Mei Shengze was worried that Tang Shen’s comment about “a gentleman’s friendship” might get them punished by the emperor, but a month passed with no reaction from the emperor, as if he had forgotten the three students who met him.
Mei Shengze felt both relieved and regretful: “Jing Ze, we didn’t seize this opportunity.”
Tang Shen replied, “With your talent and foundation, Sheng Ze, you’ll definitely top the dianshi examination next spring. His Majesty once personally praised you as the ‘pillar of the country’, and maybe he can still remember you.”
Mei Shengze smiled and said: “I accept your good wishes. How are you preparing for next month’s autumn exam?”
Tang Shen immediately grimaced: “Sheng Ze, don’t bring it up and we’re still good brothers.”
“Haha, if I truly believed your nonsense, Jing Ze, I’d be a fool!”
Tang Shen blinked innocently.
As the days grew cooler, the triennial autumn examination approached.
In mid-July, Tang Shen registered at the Imperial College to participate in the autumn examination. Most students at the Imperial College were already holders of the juren title, with only three or four who were still xiucai. The xiangshi examination was on August 8th. On the 4th, Tang Shen took leave from the Imperial College to return home and study. But instead of going home immediately, he went to the Fu Residence.
Te page boy Wen Shu led Tang Shen to Fu Wei’s study, saying, “Tang gongzi, are you going to take the xiangshi examination?”
Tang Shen replied helplessly, “Yes.”
Wen Shu wished him success, “May you achieve great results!”
Tang Shen said, “Thank you for your kind words.”
Entering the study, Tang Shen saw Fu Wei standing at a wide sandalwood desk, painting. Tang Shen’s gaze fell on Wang Zhen, who stood nearby. He paused and greeted, “Senior Brother Zi Feng.” Receiving a nod from Wang Zhen, he addressed Fu Wei: “Sir.”
Fu Wei looked up briefly, “Jing Ze, come quickly and see this painting I made for you.”
Tang Shen approached to take a look.
Fu Wei had painted a scene of mountains at sunrise, with rolling green hills and strong pines. A red sun emerged between the mountains, casting golden light. Tang Shen had seen only a few paintings before, mostly those collected by his professor from his previous life and some by Liang Song. Two years ago, during the Double Ninth Festival, he saw Fu Wei’s painting “Chrysanthemums by the East Window” and found it impressive, although Liang Song deemed Fu Wei’s painting skills “mediocre.”
Now, after visiting Wang Zhen’s residence regularly and seeing many of his collections and often preparing ink for him while he painted, Tang Shen had a better appreciation.
Fu Wei eagerly stamped his seal in the corner, signing it as the “Master of Insignificant Talent.” He asked, “Jing Ze, what do you think of this painting?”
Tang Shen sincerely replied, “It’s magnificent, truly a masterpiece!”
Fu Wei sighed, “It’s been a while since I painted. Creating this in one go was invigorating. Come, Zi Feng, you appraise it.” Then he quickly added, “Actually, forget it, you can’t appraise anything. Just write a poem and inscribe it for me.”
Wang Zhen smiled gracefully, “I dare not refuse sir’s command.”
Wang Zhen rolled up his sleeves and took a brush from the rack. Tang Shen instinctively picked up the ink stick and prepared the ink for him. Wang Zhen looked up at Tang Shen, who didn’t realize anything was amiss, as he often did this in the Minister Residence.
Wang Zhen’s eyes showed a hint of smile, and he softly said, “Thank you, Little Junior Brother.”
Then he dipped the brush in ink and inscribed on the upper left of the mountain sunrise painting.
Fu Wei commented, “The Five Peaks rise in a hazy mist, the setting sun falls among the paulownia and mulberry trees. Once there was a man who found a rotten ax, leaning against the osmanthus tree, he asked about Shang Tang. The poem is good, but the writing is average. It’s a pity for my mountain sunrise painting.”
Tang Shen: “…”
Wang Zhen put down his brush and smiled, saying, “Sir is quite right.”
Fu Wei, with his extremely thick skin, did not refute, looking as if to say, “Indeed.” Once the ink dried, he instructed Wen Shu to roll it up and hand the painting to Tang Shen. He said, “In a few days, you will take the xiangshi examination. I gift you this ‘Rising Sun’ painting, wishing you a brilliant future and success in the exams.”
Wang Zhen also looked at Tang Shen and said, “May you achieve high honors.”
Tang Shen, feeling flattered. Previously he hadn’t thought much of it, but now suddenly he felt a tremendous amount of pressure.
He took the painting home, hung it on the wall, and looked at it every day to motivate himself to study hard.
The next day, Yao San arrived north from Gusu.
Yao San said, “Little boss is about to take the xiangshi exam; how can I not come? I must take care of the little boss!”
On the morning of August 8th,
Feng Bi packed his things, prepared the long-eared exam basket, and went out with Yao San to see Tang Shen off. When they arrived at the examination hall, Tang Shen found that the steward of the Minister Residence was also present. The old steward had prepared a long-eared exam basket and, upon seeing Tang Shen, walked over and said, “Gongzi is at the morning assembly, so he sent me here. Since this is Tang gongzi‘s first time taking the xiangshi exam, you might lack some things, so I’ve prepared some extra supplies.”
Feng Bi took the exam basket, and Tang Shen inspected it closely.
Inside the long-eared exam basket were high-quality writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and filling dry food, with even incense included.
Tang Shen said, “Please thank Senior Brother Zi Feng for me.”
The steward replied, “Tang gongzi is too kind. Gongzi wishes you success in achieving high honors.”
Hearing “high honors” for the second time, Tang Shen suddenly had a realization, “So that’s what it meant!”
The xiangshi exam was always held in August, also called the autumn examination. When the results were announced, the fragrance of osmanthus flowers could be smelled, hence the name ‘Osmanthus List’. Osmanthus, or ‘muxi’. When Wang Zhen wrote ‘Leaning against the osmanthus tree, he asked about Shang Tang’, he was congratulating him on his future success!
Tang Shen felt immense pressure. He took a deep breath and entered the examination courtyard with the exam basket.
Yao San and Feng Bi anxiously waited outside. Tang Shen had only been inside for a quarter of an hour yet they were already framing their necks.
The steward of the Wang Residence said, “No need to worry. Tang gongzi won’t be out for a few days; we just need to wait patiently.”
The sky was still dark, and stars were scattered across it.
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Outside the examination hall, a government officer struck a brass gong and loudly declared, “Autumn exam, doors closed!”
With a creak, the doors shut.
In the 26th year of the Kaiping era, the xiangshi exam officially began.
AN: Neighbor Wang: I just remembered a phrase, ‘Red sleeves add fragrance.’ (TN: A phrase to describe the presence of a beauty accompanying you in your studies)
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