He was, after all, half a son to him. Gu Huaiyu’s expression softened slightly. “Where did you learn to discard public interest for private grudges? When did I ever teach you that?”
Yuan Zhuo’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He almost blurted out: Imperial Father taught me.
In the court, anyone who dared to oppose you was thrown into the Zhao Prison by Imperial Father under some pretext.
Imperial Father killed countless ministers for you. You were corrupt and sold government offices, yet Imperial Father never cared; he shielded you in everything.
But those words rolled around in his mouth before finally turning into a low, hoarse, “We know Our mistake.”
Seeing him like this only made Gu Huaiyu more annoyed. He lightly slapped Yuan Zhuo’s cheek a few times. “Would I be afraid of him entering the court to deal with me? One more member of the Pure Stream Faction changes nothing.”
“Even Grand Preceptor Dong isn’t afraid of seeing his son die before him. What am I afraid of?”
Yuan Zhuo’s face turned a faint red from the slaps. He nodded slowly. “The Chancellor is right. When the results are posted tomorrow, We shall name him the Third Scholar.”
Gu Huaiyu knew the boy wasn’t truly convinced, but he didn’t feel like lecturing him further. He waved his hand and looked down to organize the scrolls. “Go then.”
Yuan Zhuo responded with a submissive “Yes.” He bowed and retreated two steps, his movements steady and his posture perfectly regulated, beyond reproach.
His expression remained unchanging as he walked quickly ahead, with Eunuch Xu following behind in small, hurried steps.
Only when they were far away did he suddenly stop. He carefully touched his burning earlobe, his face showing an unusual flush. “What does it matter if I discard one person for him? If he were willing, We would even give him the empire…”
Eunuch Xu trembled, nearly dropping his fly-whisk. Oh Heavens, please don’t say any more!
The Emperor’s fingers slowly brushed over his own lips, which had just touched that person’s skin. The youth’s voice was as soft as a sigh, containing a faint, hidden grievance: “Companion Xu… tell Us… must We cut out Our heart before he can understand?”
Eunuch Xu looked at the sky, his heart filled with despair.
The next day, the ritual music of the Ministry of Rites concluded, and the Golden List of the Hall of Gathered Heroes was finalized.
Eunuch Xu unfurled the decree and announced the top three winners in a loud voice. “First Class, First Place: Xie Shaoling!”
Standing beneath the Golden List, Xie Shaoling merely arched an eyebrow upon hearing he had won Top Scholar. His expression remained as calm as ever.
The other scholars nearby couldn’t help but stare. Such great glory had been bestowed upon him, yet he didn’t show even a hint of joy?
Yuan Zhuo sat high upon the throne, his gaze lingering coldly on Xie Shaoling for a moment. A mere Top Scholar, nothing more.
“Bestow the gold-flowered black gauze cap and an imperial horse for the street parade.”
“Your Majesty.”
Xie Shaoling suddenly bowed in salute, his voice clear. “Your servant is bold, but I wish to exchange these rewards for a favor.”
The hall fell into a sudden silence.
Yuan Zhuo tapped a finger on the armrest of the dragon throne. “Oh?”
“Your servant wishes for Your Majesty’s help in finding a person.” Xie Shaoling lifted his head, a rare trace of urgency in his eyes. “A month ago, your servant encountered a Master Plum at the Heyue Restaurant. A man from Jiangnan, we felt like old friends at first sight.”
Eunuch Xu couldn’t help but cough, asking in a low voice, “Does Top Scholar Xie remember any identifying features of this gentleman?”
Xie Shaoling’s gaze didn’t waver. “He writes with his left hand, and his Yan Style calligraphy is exquisite beyond compare, a rarity in this world.”
He paused for a moment, then added as if casually, “His writing is beautiful, but the person is even more so.”
“Scholar Xie is quite sentimental.”
Yuan Zhuo’s lips curled up. He didn’t care about the person Xie was looking for; he had already seen the person with the best calligraphy and the most beautiful face in the world. “We grant it. Companion Xu, pass a decree to the Imperial Guards to conduct a thorough search in the capital.”
Hearing this, Xie Shaoling immediately knelt in a solemn kowtow. “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”
“Your Majesty…” Xie Shaoling spoke again, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation. “If this person is found, your servant boldly asks for one more favor.”
Yuan Zhuo raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Your servant wishes…” Xie Shaoling showed a rare bit of embarrassment and coughed. “If he is willing, I ask Your Majesty to grant a marriage between your servant and Master Plum.”
The hall instantly erupted into an uproar.
Although the Great Chen Dynasty did not lack those who favored male beauty, it was mostly nobles privately keeping a few handsome young actors in their back courtyards for play. Even the most outrageous playboys would never bring such a thing into the light of day.
If one truly married a man as a wife, they would be cursed for a lifetime. Not only would their career be ruined, but their entire family would be disgraced.
The fly-whisk in Eunuch Xu’s hand hit the floor with a thud. Why is it that every single one of them is like this…
Several elderly scholars, who had just been praising Xie Shaoling’s incomparable literary talent, were now shaking with rage, their beards trembling. Some were even turning red in the face, on the verge of fainting, as if Xie Shaoling’s single sentence had insulted the reputation of the entire literary world.
Yuan Zhuo’s eyes suddenly turned cold. “Do you know where you are standing?”
Xie Shaoling’s expression remained composed, neither humble nor arrogant. “This is the Hall of Gathered Heroes, the most solemn place in Great Chen. Every word your servant speaks here comes from the bottom of my heart.”
