FIRST-RANKED IN THE SPRING EXAM

DECEMBER 11, 2021 SLEEPCHASER LEAVE A COMMENT

“We remember someone saying that they saw the Hua family’s girl as their own little sister. In this world, how could there be an older brother who saw their little sister as a woman? Wouldn’t that make them no better than a beast?” mocked Emperor Changlong, unable to hold himself back when he saw his son full of smiles. “Great. You deceived the girl into going out to play with you, and still didn’t want to come home. Speak, just what did you do?”

“Imperial Father, such an unexpected event isn’t something Son-Official can control.” The crown prince gave Emperor Changlong a grand salute, shameless as he said, “Didn’t Son-Official tell you a few days ago that Son-Official felt like a beast? There’s a good saying among the people: If a man’s words are trustworthy, then pigs can climb trees.”

“So you’ve already had these thoughts at that time?” said Emperor Changlong, interrupting the crown prince. He frowned. “Yuansu, you should know that she almost became your eldest brother’s princess consort. If it wasn’t for the fact that Consort Xian was unwilling, perhaps even their wedding date would have been set.”

“Imperial Father, Eldest Brother is already engaged to the Lin family’s precious daughter. His marriage has nothing to do with Commandery Princess Fushou.” The crown prince took a seat in a chair, putting on an attitude of not leaving until the matter was settled. “Imperial Father, Son-Official is already this grown, and it was very difficult to take a fancy to a young lady. If your honored self does not help Son-Official, then there will be no one to act for me.”

“You’ve already used this excuse in front of Us countless times. It won’t work anymore,” said Emperor Changlong with disdain. “She is the daughter of Great General Hua, not one of the women selected from the people to fill the imperial harem. So what if you like her? We cannot force her to marry you. If We were truly to do so, wouldn’t that strain the relationship between Us and Our loyal ministers?”

“Son-Official understands.” The crown prince had long since foreseen that Emperor Changlong would use this reason. A smile across his entire face, he said, “It’s good enough that you don’t oppose Son-Official’s feelings for Commandery Princess Fushou.”

Two seconds of silence. Then Emperor Changlong grabbed a book and hurled it at the crown prince. “We knew you, stinky youngster, were talking in a roundabout way to make Us fall into your trap. On an ordinary day, you won’t even budge to read memorials, but when it comes to your own interests, you’ve got schemes upon schemes.”

“How could marriage not be treated as something serious? Son-Official would naturally put a lot of thought into it.” The crown prince had tilted his head to avoid the book Emperor Changlong had thrown. Then he stood and picked it up. Made his way before the emperor and bowed with his hands held in front of him. “May Imperial Father help Son-Official accomplish this task.”

A sight left Emperor Changlong’s lips. He grabbed the book from the crown prince’s hands. “Yuansu, before the Hua family’s girl  arrived at the capital, We did not know she was this debilitated. You are the crown prince, Great Jin’s future emperor. Marrying such a sickly crown princess consort brings you no benefits.”

“Imperial Father, your honored self’s harem lacks an empress, yet was able to pass the days without issue for years. What does Son-Official marrying a crown princess consort who is a bit frailer than others have anything to do with other people?” A pause. “Although Commandery Princess Fushou has a bit of a weak constitution, if we nourish her body slowly, one day her condition will improve.”

“What’s to be done if your feelings change, and the harem welcomes other women while her health remains the same?” said Emperor Changlong, a serious gaze upon the crown prince. “By then, the imperial harem would have become her tomb. The you of that time would not remember the feelings and patience you have now. Just a moment ago, you said if a man’s words are trustworthy, then pigs can climb trees. We believe that you are serious about your feelings right now. But what about tomorrow? What about the day after that?

“Can you guarantee that in the future you would never change?

“You are Our most beloved son. Yingting and Mingyue are great generals whom We trust. During Our times of trouble, they did not put distance between us because of rumors. Instead, they did so much for Us. After We ascended the throne, they defended the border for Us. Despite having a vast amount of wealth, they never had the time to enjoy it.” Emperor Changlong took a seat in front of the imperial desk. “Yingting loves and treats his daughter the way We love and treat you. In the future, if you treat her poorly, how could We face her parents?”

Back then, it was because Emperor Changlong had thought of this point that he decided to have his simple-natured eldest son marry the Hua family’s daughter. That way, it would give Hua Liuli even more status and position while not restraining her in the imperial harem.

What a pity that his eldest son and Consort Xian were unwilling to go through with this marriage. And Emperor Changlong did not want the Hua clan’s girl to have a mother-in-law who saw flaws in everything to do with her. As such, he could only pretend such an idea had never occurred.

“Many men are passionate and given to lust from birth. Oh Yuansu, it’s not that We can’t trust you. It’s that We can’t trust men.” Across Emperor Changlong’s face was the physical manifestation of the words “we’re both men, you understand?” Sincere and earnest, he continued, “We won’t stop you. However, We also won’t help you by saying a few good words to Yingting.

“That’s right,” added Emperor Changlong, deeply cherishing his son. “You mustn’t rush when pursuing the person you fancy. In particular, you mustn’t offend your mother-in-law. In Wei Mingyue’s presence, you must pay attention to your words and actions. If you provoke her by accident and she wants to put hands on you…” He seriously considered it. “…Remember to run faster. Don’t argue with her.”

“Imperial Father?” Try as he might, the crown prince could not decipher what Emperor Changlong meant.

“We are merely talking a bit. It’ll be fine if you just remember this well.” Emperor Changlong picked up his teacup. “We are terribly busy and do not have the leisure time to speak too long with you. Return and sleep earlier, and don’t forget to be on time for morning court tomorrow.”

Driven out of Chenyang Palace by his own father, the crown prince did not appear angry at all. So long as Imperial Father doesn’t oppose my plan of marrying Liuli, then everything is fine.

As for Imperial Father’s other misgivings, only the future can tell.

It didn’t matter how strong or moving a vow was; only time and actions could prove whether he was serious or not.

“The crown prince returned to the imperial palace so late. For His Majesty to not punish him is already enough, yet he actually had the crown prince stay in Chenyang Palace and spoke for ages,” said Consort Xian, unhappy. “Why don’t men have any limits when spoiling their children?”

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.　

More than half of the crown prince’s bad habits came from His Majesty’s coddling.

A compassionate father ruined the child.

But let him be ruined. In any case, she didn’t give birth to him. Consort Xian looked forward to the crown prince acting unbridled, causing trouble everywhere and the discontent of all the court’s high-ranking ministers. At that time, even if the emperor didn’t want to depose Ji Yuansu as the crown prince, there was nothing he could do about it.

Noticing her master smiling brightly from her imagination, Consort Xian’s personal palace maid reminded in a soft voice, “Your Highness, the Lin family’s daughter has arrived. Does your honored self want to see her?”

“Allow her entry.” Although Consort Xian wasn’t too satisfied with the Lin family’s daughter, she disliked Hua Liuli even more. Not to mention, Lin Wan’s father was rather respected among the civil officials. Thus, with much difficulty, she could tolerate Lin Wan.

What was more important was this: She wanted to borrow Lin Wan’s identity to rope in Consort Lin and Fourth Prince, so that they could support her son from the shadows. Therefore, having her son take Lin Wan as a wife would garner them more benefits.

Once Lin Wan entered the palace, Consort Xian greeted her intimately. She had the palace maids give Lin Wan the damasks, silks, and cosmetics that had been prepared in advance, then bring Lin Wan to a side palace hall to rest.

“Your Highness, a messenger was sent from Second Princess’ side. They said that because Young Miss Lin only had one servant girl waiting on her, Second Princess sent two of her capable palace maids to Young Miss Lin’s side. After that… they discovered something strange.”

Seeing the palace maid humming and hawing, Consort Xian developed an unpleasant premonition. “Speak.”

“Today, as Young Miss Lin was appreciating the scenery, she encountered His Highness Prince Ying by chance. However, His Highness treated her with indifference, as though he was very dissatisfied with her.” The palace maid mentioned everything that occurred, saying, “Come noon, His Highness, Crown Prince, Commandery Princess Fushou, and Young Miss Lin shared the noon meal together. Once they were finished eating, Commandery Princess Fushou went to admire the flowers. Young Miss Lin chased after her and said a few words to her. But because the two palace maids stood too far away, they could not catch what Young Miss Lin said. After that, the crown prince reproached her with an unsightly expression, frightening Young Miss Lin to the point of kneeling and begging for forgiveness…”

“Why is she provoking Hua Liuli?” Before she had even heard the whole story, Consort Xian burst in anger. “The first time she came to pay respects to this palace, this palace told her that Hua Liuli was sickly, and to give her some space if she ever saw her. That she must never provoke her. Why did she pick a fight with her?”

That Hua Liuli was crafty to the max. Both Consort Xian and her paternal family had received trouble due to provoking Hua Liuli, so why was there still someone who dared to mess with her?

“P-perhaps it’s because Young Miss Lin hasn’t been in the capital city for long, and doesn’t have much contact with Commandery Princess Fushou. So she doesn’t know how serious things are.” The palace maid thought, The most serious part of this situation should be that Young Miss Lin knelt in front of the crown prince and begged for forgiveness.

“Our Great State of Jin isn’t that little country to our side called Yinshan Country, where women would kneel for the most trivial things. She’s the future main consort of my son. Why is she kneeling in front of other people so casually?” Consort Xian frowned. “Lin Zhou has always had a good reputation. His complexion won’t even change in front of evildoers. So why does he have such a weak daughter? Could there have been a misunderstanding?”

Indeed, Great Jin wasn’t a place where people had to kneel for every little thing. Even if it was in the emperor’s presence, one did not have to kneel just because they saw him.　　　　‌

“Your Highness is correct. Perhaps there truly was a misunderstanding,” blurted the palace maid. “This slave has noticed that Young Miss Lin has great manners and a meek personality. After she and His Highness are married, they will definitely share a harmonious relationship.”

“Hopefully,” said Consort Xian, heart somewhat in a mess. As a mother, how could she not tell that her son disliked Lin Wan? Yet for the same reason, she didn’t want her son to fancy a woman like Hua Liuli.

A sigh escaped her lips. Pity the parents of the world. It wasn’t easy being a mother.

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“Spring Exam” in the title refers to the metropolitan level of the imperial examinations for civil service in ancient China, usually taking place in the spring. It goes from provincial/prefectural (usually in the fall) to metropolitan to the Palace Exam, which takes place right in front of the emperor. Typically, I use spring exam/ metropolitan exam/ THE imperial exam interchangeably when referring to this particular examination. The reason why I refer to it as THE imperial exam, because 1) it’s less wordy and 2) passing that exam basically guaranteed the scholars a good job. Those who ranked in the top three typically stayed as top three in the Palace Exam, though the emperor could switch around the ranks as he wished.

Also, I kind of split up the chapter unevenly due to the author’s scene breaks. Next release should be longer.