Kong Shen thought for a moment. He nodded in understanding. While his brows relaxed he still showed some hesitation. “If the emperor learns that A Jiezhan suffered a massacre after leaving the capital back then he will probably be the first to suspect you master.”
Mei Sanghai replied, “A Jiezhan’s son has entered the capital. Since a survivor was left alive do you think it can still be concealed? To the emperor those old matters from years ago are no longer important. What matters is my stance. Perhaps the emperor even prefers that I have some handle for him to grip.”
Kong Shen suddenly understood but he still reminded him, “Master the top scholar has already been decided. The emperor will find it hard to go back on his word.”
Mei Sanghai said, “There are hundreds of candidates. Deciding the top three rankings is not that fast. Until the imperial seal is applied it remains under discussion. There is still time.”
Kong Shen reminded him again, “Master even with names concealed the one selected as top scholar must have an outstanding essay. When the papers are made public later how can the emperor not worry about public opinion?”
Mei Sanghai replied, “You worry too much. Decisions rest with the central authorities. Do you think the court keeps a bunch of literary officials just for show? No matter how excellent something is they can always find fault in it. There will be respected figures who come forward to criticise. Whoever the emperor says is the top scholar will naturally be the top scholar. These are minor matters. Do not worry. Go and handle it quickly.”
“Good.” Kong Shen obeyed and withdrew.
…
The moon was full and the flowers were in bloom. That described the mood of the four members of the Zhong family at this moment.
The family of four admired the moon in the inner courtyard. The topic of conversation still centred on A Shihueng and inevitably turned to his marriage with Zhong Ruochen.
They discussed whether the couple would live here after the wedding or buy a separate residence outside, how much dowry was needed, how many servants would be required to attend them, and similar matters. The elders asked their daughter, the person directly involved, for her opinion.
Zhong Ruochen had no opinions at all. From beginning to end she remained shy and answered every question with the words, “Everything is up to father and mother to decide.”
Her parents were satisfied with the groom and she herself was extremely satisfied with him. She truly had no further requests and only waited to be married.
Only Wen Ruowei chattered non-stop beside them. She interrupted like a finger that could split into two, pointing left and right. She seemed afraid others would forget her presence, like a sparrow that refused to sleep even late at night.
Just as the family was enjoying this harmonious moment Steward Li appeared outside the moon gate and called out, “Master.”
Zhong Su immediately stood up and walked over. Once outside he asked, “What is it?”
Steward Li wore a broad smile. He spoke softly, “Congratulations master. Just as you expected, with the young master’s ability someone has indeed come to report the good news. The golden list ranking is as anticipated. His Majesty has personally designated the young master as the new top scholar. It only awaits public display on the golden list tomorrow.”
“Good!” Zhong Su clapped his hands lightly. He smiled so widely he could not close his mouth. “This lad has lived up to expectations and has finally seized first place as the top scholar in one stroke. People say a son-in-law is half a son. My half-son surpasses countless real sons and can console me for the regret of having no son.” Thinking of all the benefits and honours that would keep coming he smiled even more happily.
After they finished speaking and parted Zhong Su returned to the family and sat down again. He already seemed a little distracted.
The three women in the house naturally noticed. Wen Jianhui kicked her husband’s foot and asked, “It is rare to see you so out of sorts. What are you grinning foolishly about?”
Zhong Su would not normally reveal such things in advance but this matter truly deserved celebration. Besides there were no outsiders present so in his excellent mood he spoke softly, “Keep what I am about to tell you to yourselves. Do not mention it outside beforehand. I have just received news that A Shihueng’s palace examination results are out.”
The three women’s eyes lit up instantly. From Zhong Su’s expression they knew the result was extraordinary.
Wen Jianhui was even more anxious than her younger daughter. She jumped in first and asked urgently, “How did he do?”
Zhong Su immediately placed a finger to his lips to signal silence. “Why are you shouting? Although this is not exactly a secret it is still news leaking from the palace. It could be serious or minor. Are you tired of living too comfortably?”
Wen Jianhui quickly patted her own mouth in apology. Then she asked softly again, “How did he do?”
Zhong Su looked at the expectant eyes of the three women. He pointed one index finger toward the sky and said softly, “His Majesty personally designated him with his golden mouth as the new top scholar.”
“Oh my!” Wen Jianhui immediately covered her mouth with both hands. She smiled like a blooming flower. That feeling was perfect, truly perfect.
Zhong Ruochen felt honoured by association. She could not contain her shy joy. Her face was full of it and she fell into endless reverie. Her gaze subconsciously turned toward the east courtyard. She wondered whether that person was sharing this same bright moon with her. She had imagined countless times the day she would walk hand in hand with her beloved under flowers and moonlight.
Wen Ruowei, who had been slightly frozen, suddenly exploded. She spread her arms, jumped up and cried out, “Wow!”
Not only was her voice loud but she kept jumping without stopping. She waved her arms repeatedly to vent the excitement in her heart.
Zhong Ruochen quickly tried to pull her but failed to stop her.
Wen Jianhui acted in time. She grabbed a round fan, rushed over, seized Wen Ruowei by the ear and beat her soundly over the head and face with the fan. While hitting her she scolded softly, “I told you to keep your voice down. Are you afraid others cannot hear? Do you want to turn good news into bad news? You act like you have eaten rat poison all day long…”
Wen Ruowei dared not fight back. All she could do was cry out “Ouch” repeatedly and beg for mercy.
In an instant Wen Ruowei’s wild and unruly nature was suppressed by her mother. Like a wild dog that had retreated to lick its wounds she shrank back into her chair with a face full of resentment. She felt that among the family she was always the most unlucky one.
People say three women make a play. Zhong Su, who pinched his forehead, truly felt a headache.
Yet it did not take long for Wen Ruowei to forget the pain once the scar healed.
That night she refused to sleep in her own room. She slipped into her sister’s room and insisted on sleeping together.
On the bed she tossed and turned. From time to time she hugged her sister like a cat in heat. “Ah, top scholar, top scholar, top scholar. My sister is marrying a top scholar. Let me hug you more now. In the future the one hugging you like this will be the top scholar.”
“Stupid girl, if you do not shut up right now get out!” Zhong Ruochen, who was embarrassed beyond endurance, pinched her sister hard.
…
Before dawn the Minister of Works Mei from the Mei residence had already risen. He needed to attend the morning court.
After he finished washing and dressing Steward Kong Shen dismissed the servants and personally helped Mei Sanghai put on his official robes.
Taking this opportunity Kong Shen reported, “Master the palace examination top three list is out. First rank has three people, second rank has fifty seven, third rank has one hundred and fifty seven. A Shihueng did not make the first rank. After the emperor changed his mind he was demoted to third place.”
Mei Sanghai, who held his arms out to let the clothes be adjusted, remained silent for a moment. He sighed, “It seems the influence of the full mark top scorer is too great. The emperor wanted to suppress him but could not. He could not even kick him out of the first rank so he could only place him as the last in the first rank.”
Kong Shen said, “Yes. Master guessed correctly. After the emperor’s attitude reversed at first he wanted to push A Shihueng into the third rank. A group of court officials involved in drafting the golden list refused. They insisted the emperor give a reasonable explanation and even argued with him directly in the imperial study.
Someone confronted him directly and said A Shihueng’s full mark top scorer strength was obvious. If the emperor acted this way how would the entire Jin nation understand it once the golden list was published? He asked whether the emperor could silence public opinion and what fairness would remain in the court’s selection of officials in the future.
Others said the emperor had indulged the rebellion in Sinan Prefecture which caused many examinees from Liezhou to die or be injured on the road. The court had just granted Liezhou five extra tribute list spots only to take away one top scholar in exchange. Did he think the people of Liezhou were all dead and that its scholars were easy to bully and dared not complain?”
Mei Sanghai heard this and gave a cold laugh. “It seems quite a few people want to protect A Shihueng.”
Kong Shen continued, “To some extent the emperor is in the wrong here. He is going back on his word. But master knows the emperor’s character. Once he decides to act he will not yield easily even under pressure. In short he absolutely refused to let A Shihueng remain top scholar. Still he made some concessions. He really had no choice but to concede. If the matter grew too big the pressure would only increase. So A Shihueng was kept within the first rank after all.
Additionally a tribute scholar from Liezhou named Zhan Muchun benefited from A Shihueng’s incident this time. It is said this Zhan Muchun was originally the top provincial scholar of Liezhou. His results in both the metropolitan and palace examinations ranked only behind A Shihueng among all Liezhou candidates. His overall palace examination ranking had originally been set at seventh. Simply because the emperor wanted to silence the voices from Liezhou he was directly promoted from the second rank to first place as the top scholar.”
Mei Sanghai, now fully dressed, shook his sleeves. “Is forcing the emperor to yield a good thing? The real show has only just begun. I want to see how A Jiezhan’s son manages to gain a firm footing in this capital.” With that he loosened his collar and strode away.
In the late morning the entire Zhong residence was immersed in a special atmosphere.
This time Zhong Su and his elder daughter sat quietly waiting in the main hall of the inner residence. Wen Jianhui and her younger daughter paced back and forth under the eaves.
“Half the morning has passed. Why is there still no news from those checking the list?” Wen Jianhui grumbled from time to time as she walked back and forth.
Whenever anyone passed outside the courtyard Wen Ruowei would stretch her neck to look.
After waiting and waiting Steward Li’s figure finally appeared at the courtyard gate.
Wen Ruowei immediately rushed over. She circled around Steward Li asking nonstop, “How is it? How is it? How did he do?”
Steward Li pressed his hands down to signal her to calm down. Once he reached the eaves Zhong Su and his elder daughter also came out.
Zhong Su noticed Steward Li’s expression was off. He asked, “What is wrong? Did something unexpected happen?”
Steward Li forced a smile. “The golden list is out. The young master did quite well. He placed third in the first rank as the third place flower. I personally went to verify it again. There is no mistake.”
Zhong Su was stunned. “Third?”
Wen Jianhui said, “Third place flower?”
Wen Ruowei cried out in surprise, “Was he not supposed to be the top scholar?”
Zhong Ruochen also looked greatly surprised.
Zhong Su hesitated. “Then last night…”
Steward Li smiled bitterly. “When I went to verify just now I specially found the person who reported the news last night and asked what happened. He said at first it was correct but later for some reason the emperor changed his mind again. He said it was the first time he had encountered such a thing.”
Zhong Su remained silent for a while. Finally he sighed and stared at Steward Li. “I am afraid it is still because of his father’s influence.”
Steward Li nodded. “I think so too.”
The family looked at one another. They could not say they were happy nor could they say they were unhappy.
In truth the result was still very good. Yet he had been first as top scholar only to suddenly become third as the third place flower.
There was some disappointment simply because it fell short of the initial expectations.