Chapter 344: The Palace Examination (Part Three) Within the grand hall of the palace examination, the atmosphere was already tense with the rustle of brushes on paper. Many candidates had begun drafting their essays, thoughts pouring forth like an endless spring, their eyes glimmering with determination. Some, well-versed in the livelihood of the common people, […]
Chapter 343: The Palace Examination (Part Two) The paper was as white as freshly fallen snow, layered seven times in fine mounting, and as it slowly unfurled, a faint fragrance of ink mingled with the delicate scent of sandalwood, seeping into one’s heart and mind. Upon it, the flawless characters—so precise and elegant they seemed
Chapter 342: The Palace Examination (Part One) The palace gates swung wide with solemn majesty. From within, a line of little eunuchs in yellow robes filed out like a stream of orderly fish, their voices sharp and carrying as they proclaimed the imperial decree: the gathered tribute scholars were now permitted to enter the Western
Chapter 341: As Your Brother, This Is All I Can Do for You On the Fifteenth Day of the Third Month, the Palace Examination Commenced as Scheduled At this moment, it was just past the fifth watch of the night. Outside, the sky was still shrouded in darkness, and the pale moon lingered at the
Chapter 340: If I Am Well, You’ll Be a Backup Forever Night had thickened like ink, so black that not a single glimmer could be seen. The streets lay in utter silence, with only the faintest whisper of wind and the soft rustle of drifting fog hinting at movement. Gradually, the quiet of the deserted
Chapter 339: The Palace Examination Begins a Day in Advance (Part 3) Under the warm and seemingly enthusiastic greetings of Yan Shifan and the others, Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands one by one in salute to the distinguished guests already seated. Only then did he take his seat, pretending to be “overwhelmed with honor,” though
Chapter 338: The Palace Examination Begins a Day in Advance (Part 2) By midmorning, the sun had already climbed high into the sky, its warmth spreading gently across the city. Rays of golden light poured down like streams of molten metal, gilding the streets and rooftops of the capital. Outside the gates of the Marquis
Chapter 337: The Palace Examination Begins a Day in Advance (Part 1) “‘Two-Sleeved Breeze’ Yan Maoqing…” “Looks like our gift was a little too heavy, hahahaha…” The moment Zhu Ping’an and his two companions stepped out of Yan Maoqing’s residence, they exchanged glances. That single look was enough to break their composure—laughter burst out of
Chapter 336: Yan Maoqing, With Only the Clear Wind in His Sleeves Zhu Ping’an and his two companions did not linger long at the Xu residence. They only stayed long enough to show their faces before excusing themselves. On the one hand, there were other newly admitted scholars waiting outside with calling cards to pay
Chapter 335: It Turns Out to Be Him At the front hall of the Xu residence, the guests and hosts were seated according to rank. Naturally, Xu Jie sat at the main seat. To his left, on a carved pearwood chair, sat Yang Jisheng. On his right, in another carved pearwood chair, was the handsome