Liu Shan Men had been in a celebratory mood ever since the imperial examâs results were announced. Liu Shan Men hadnât had any luck in martial arts even though Shen Yiren had invested efforts into raising the level of combat competence.
In times of peace, Liu Shan Men was able to maintain its stance as one of the three offices, but His Majesty counted on the Qilin Guards and Emperorâs Entourage when push came to shove. Though Liu Shan Men contributed considerably in the recent debacle, they hadnât convinced His Majesty that theyâd be a mighty force in battle. That was the pain impetus for Shen Yiren seeking improvement outside the capital. His Majesty gave her a hand in that regard to ensure she had legitimate grounds to leave without rousing dissatisfaction from their rivals. She just never expected to suddenly have the big achievement.
The capital was in uproar after learning Liu Shan Men took home the two top spots in the imperial exams. Some people had started wondering if Liu Shan Men planned to abandon advancing in the military aspect and pushing for more involvement in civil politics. While some of the ignorant had starting inquiring how to excel as a civil servant, second place was wondering what led to such a tragic outcome.
So much happened that night that the imperial exam was virtually last in order of importance. Rather than fret over the placings, Ming Feizhen was more concerned about missing a brick he needed to repair at the time.
Ming Feizhen had no idea Shen Kuang partook in the exams. Shen Kuang most likely went dressed as a guy⊠Wasnât he a guy to begin with? Anyway, Ming Feizhen figured Shen Kuang mustâve dressed himself differently to usual, which wouldâve explained why Ming Feizhen didnât recognise him. With that said, it had nothing to do with the fact that Shen Kuang was surprisingly an uber-talented scholar. While Feng Shanshan was no longer in the top few, Feng Shanshan still placed, which meant that he was quite capable even without resorting to cheating. Even so, it was unthinkable for Wu Dayong to place third no matter what mental gymnastics Ming Feizhen tried if He Shi couldnât even make it into the top three.
Because he couldnât figure out who he gave He Shiâs paper to, Ming Feizhen dropped by Daren Academy. It was easy for him to sneak in since there werenât any elites who couldâve detected him present. Upon infiltrating He Shiâs room, he found Wu Dayong also sitting there with his chin in his hand and staring into the distance with He Shi. After the duo spent ages staring into the black ether, they sighed and voiced in unison, âWhyâŠ?â
âMaybe because of me.â
The two jolted when they heard Ming Feizhenâs voice behind them. He sat down between them and told them to hush, sniffed the teapot to check it was fresh, then poured himself a cup.
âRelax. I, too, am here to get to the bottom of this.â
It was hard for them to suddenly relax when someone suddenly crept up on them.
Wu Dayong exclaimed, âWhy do you walk without making a sound?!â
âIâd be busted if I made sounds, no?â Ming Feizhen had a drink, then calmed himself. âWhy are you two cooped up here instead of out celebrating?â
He Shi wagged his hand, then rubbed his temples. âCelebrate what? All the questions on my mind? We had the same paper. Someone placed second.â He then dropped onto the table and continued, âYet I didnât even place. Does that make sense?â
Ming Feizhen wanted to figure out the reason for that himself. He Shi wrote his paper. There was no way He Shi was just purely uneducated, so the only possible explanation was that Ming Feizhen mixed up the papers on the last day.
âAhaha, well, new problems arise daily. Some just arenât comprehensible. Dayong, why arenât you celebrating? Shouldnât your family be holding a massive celebration considering your achievement?â
Wu Dayong lifelessly answered, âM-my mother certainly is happy. My dad told me thereâs no need to place so high; he wants me to be modest, but he seems happy, as well. Itâs justâŠâ
âItâs just you donât look to happy,â Ming Feizhen patted his former classmate who was showing signs of guilt. âSpeak your mind so that we can brainstorm ideas. Youâll become a salted fish if you bottle it up for too long.â
Wu Dayong sighed. âIt wasnât my true capacity.â
âYou surpassed yourself?â
Wu Dayong shook his head. âThe truth is, I didnât know how to answer the last few questions. I wasnât sure I could finish my paper as the hours flew by. For some reason, I fell asleep on the last day. After I woke up, I couldnât remember anything, including what I was planning to write. I was going to pray to heaven for help when a few sheets of paper came into view in my peripherals. The papers had all the answers. I thought heaven pitied me, so I copied them.â
âYou copied an exam paper that appeared out of nowhere?â
âYes.â
Ming Feizhen flapped his eyelids because he finally realised what happened. Wu Dayong flapped his eyelids because he was still confounded. He Shi flapped his eyelids, then glared at Ming Feizhen.
âWhy would you copy an exam paper that appeared out of thing air?! Thereâs no such thing as heaven supplying you with an answer paper,â Ming Feizhen reproached.
âI didnât believe it, either, but I randomly fell asleep that night, and hours had gone by when I woke up. Thatâs not normal, either, so I assumed it was heavenâs blessings.â
That sounds logical⊠I think I finally know where it went wrong.
After ensuring his paper was secure, Ming Feizhen forgot to take care of everyone elseâs papers. After he made a mess of them while fixing the wall, He Shiâs paper landed in Wu Dayongâs room.
âI remember I put He Shiâs paper⊠Where was your room?â
âI was Ying Yangâs neighbour.â
Ying Yang was He Shiâs courtesy name.
This is all my handiwork!
Ming Feizhen filled the two in on what led to the results.
âUnderstood.â To their surprise, He Shi was the calmest despite being the one affected the most.
âWhat do you understand?â
âI understand why I didnât make the cut. Thatâs enough for me.â He Shi exhaled at the ether. âI was only bewildered over this matter. Now I donât have to sulk about it anymore. You donât have to give me those looks, do you?â
Ming Feizhen and Wu Dayong exchanged eye contact.
âYou sure donât take things to heart.â
âTo tell the truth, I was glad I wasnât on the list. As a matter of fact, Iâm glad Iâm not part of the celebrations.â He Shi stretched his arms over head. âI was never too keen on becoming a civil servant. I had contemplated whether or not to sit the exam before I even sat it. Given the state of the current imperial court, I donât believe becoming a civil servant is the best path to realising my ambitions. Even if I win, Iâll be dispatched to a distant place for a few years as the old fart stated. For all I know, I may never climb any higher. Iâd argue Iâm better off now. Youâve already passed on my views. If theyâre willing to earnestly consider them, Iâm satisfied. If I were to try implementing them myself, Iâd probably be devoured, which isnât my wish.â
Ming Feizhen and Wu Dayong nodded.
â⊠Ying Yang, how about you be my assistant?â suggested Wu Dayong.
âYour assistant?â
âIâve thought it through. Your talent shouldnât be stashed away and wasted. I canât achieve anything significant. I donât know what to do even if I become a civil servant. You donât like to stand out, while my skin is thick. Even if you donât help me, we can consult each other. That way, weâll always have each otherâs back. Besides, I used your paper to place, so the privileges should rightfully be yours.â
He Shi was taken aback. The offer was quite alluring. He was planning to hide himself in Blue Princeâs shadow whilst carrying out his ambition, after all. Compared to serving under a Prince, assisting at Wu Dayongâs side was a wiser choice by far. They were about the same age, classmates, and Wu Dayong had little income, all of which provided ample opportunities for He Shi to practice fulfilling his ambition. Moreover, since Wu Dayongâs prize was supposed to belong to He Shi, they both had dirt to use on each other, so there was no concern of backstabbing. Still, it was a surprise to learn that Wu Dayong didnât care for the glory.
âI⊠could consider that.â
Although he was left out, Ming Feizhen didnât interrupt them as he found it interesting. Instead, heâd sporadically opine in order to facilitate their plan coming to fruition. They had gone through pots and pots of tea, and reached a high point of a joyous atmosphere when Wu Dayong suddenly asked, âYouâve been considered a scholar for as long as I remember, and they were right in their assessment. If you only wrote one paper, you would have won first place, huh?â
He Shi shook his head. âMy two papers were actually similar. Not even I could decide which one was superior. Itâs quite possible His Majesty thinks highly enough of Ming Feizhen to still place him. Even if I was lucky, I wouldâve placed second. If not, I wouldâve placed third. I donât dare say I had a chance at first place.â
He Shi said to Ming Feizhen, âYour new winner from Liu Shan Men is truly capable. I met him at a few scholar meetings. He sports different appearances each time, presumably to avoid being recognised. Nobody has ever been his match, including myself. I heard he is not well known, which I am guessing is because he doesnât want to promote himself. Seeing as he took the exam, I suppose he has shed the mental weights holding him down and is ready to showcase his abilities. I genuinely hope to befriend him if the opportunity presents itself.â
Ming Feizhen haplessly smiled. âWeâll see.â
âWhat does that mean? Is he in danger?â
âThere are hardly any people in the capital who can hurt him or would dare to hurt him. Besides, nothing good will come out of hurting him. Iâm just saying that not being in danger doesnât necessarily mean heâll be able to enter the imperial courtâs employment.â
Neither Wu Dayong nor He Shi understood.
Ming Feizhen wagged a hand. âHe has to get past one person before thatâs even possible.â
***
At the same time at Liu Shan Men.
âWhat were you thinking?!â It was hard to imagine Shen Yiren could still stay seated in a graceful posture considering her tone. She exhaled to calm herself, then glared at her younger brother sitting opposite her, who was as cool as a cucumber.
Shen Yiren always considered her brother a sensible kid; she couldnât even recall ever getting so mad at him.
Shen Kuang had always hidden in his sisterâs shadow, trying to not stand out and only existing as an inferior copy of her. While she had to bear with more stress than him, she was also able to bathe in more glory. He always believed that she deserved the glory, contrary to her opinion.
Perhaps not even Shen Yiren herself was aware of her major transformation. Since returning from Nanjiang, Emperorâs Entourage had designated her as a target they had to maintain surveillance on and justified an assassination of.
Shen Kuang felt cold at his temples. Shen Yiren maintained a frosty demeanour notwithstanding having calmed down.
âIâve been planning and strategizing to revive Liu Shan Men and Shen Clan. You are a scion of Shen Clan. Why didnât you notify me you were going to take the exams?â
âWould I have been permitted to participate if I notified you?â
âYouâre in the right now?â
Shen Kuang didnât avert his gaze even though his sister was intimidating. He didnât come off as intimidating, but he wasnât shaken.
Martial Kingâs Retired Life â Vol. 13 Ch. 211January 23, 2023In "Martial King's Retired Life"
Martial Kingâs Retired Life â Vol. 13 Ch. 209January 20, 2023In "Martial King's Retired Life"
Martial Kingâs Retired Life â Vol. 1 Ch. 36June 10, 2017In "Martial King's Retired Life"