It was no easy feat to write characters so small with a brush, yet here they were. Even someone like Yun Shu, who had seen a great many things, was thoroughly astonished.
She shook the slips of paper in her hand, each scrawled with minuscule handwriting, and looked around the cramped examination cell that had just been thoroughly searched.
"Could there still be places left unchecked in here?"
The moment she spoke, Qing Tian appeared once more, this time carrying out a table.
"Reporting to Your Highness, there are knife-etched writings beneath the table."
Yun Shu blinked. "What?"
Tang Muzhi stood frozen.
And the other examinees who had gathered around could not suppress their shock.
"Who could hate him this much? Are they trying to destroy Young Master Tang completely?"
"Is it just Young Master Tang they're targeting? Looks to me like Princess Sheng An is also caught in this."
A more perceptive scholar muttered quietly, "Since the examination cell is compromised, Princess Sheng An, as the chief examiner, bears unavoidable responsibility. From the looks of it, she must have offended the powerful families for the sake of us poor scholars, and now she's being framed."
"Thankfully, the Princess discovered it in time. Those aristocrats are truly vile."
"There's writing carved into the bottom of the table. What if there's something under the bricks, too? This is terrifying. If it were me, I wouldn't dare step into that examination cell. Feels like danger lurks in every corner—one careless move and you're finished."
"This examination cell is clearly unsafe."
As if she had heard the murmured concerns of the scholars, Yun Shu looked solemnly at the table Qing Tian had brought out. She sighed softly.
"This Princess cannot allow such doubts to linger. Tang Muzhi of the Capital,"
Tang Muzhi clasped his hands. "This commoner is present."
"To ensure absolute fairness, you shall not return to that cell. This Princess shall personally arrange a desk and chair for you in the open space between these two rows of cells. That way, no one can accuse you of cheating, nor can anyone frame you."
She slowly crushed the slips of paper in her hand into a ball of waste, then turned to face him with a serious expression.
"However, this means your every movement will be visible to all the other examinees. This may bring undue pressure upon you. Are you willing?"
"This commoner is willing. Many thanks to Princess Sheng An."
"In that case," Yun Shu raised her hand. "Make the arrangements."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
…
Half an hour later, all the examination cells were rechecked and declared free of hidden dangers. The Spring Examination formally commenced.
Yun Shu remained on-site to personally oversee the exam. From time to time, she would rise and make a circuit around the grounds.
At the same time, the news that an entire unit of the Imperial Guard had been dispatched to inspect the Gong Yuan under Yun Shu's orders reached the Crown Prince.
Yet, perhaps because victory already felt within reach, the Crown Prince did not erupt in anger as expected. He merely let out a cold laugh.
"Father Emperor has become thoroughly biased, beyond all reason. Our fifth sister is not without her little tricks, after all. Even something as subtle as tampering with the examination cells did not escape her notice."
He shook his head slowly, then scoffed.
"Too bad she's run her course."
The larger trap was already set. Escaping a minor one would change nothing. She was still doomed.
"Your Highness speaks true," the Crown Prince's Preceptor replied, visibly more at ease now. He had worried that Princess Sheng An would prove difficult to deal with, but it appeared she had merely held back a small hand. In the end, their side had still played the better move.
"Today's subject is the Classics, is it not? Once the policy essay portion is released, the Gong Yuan will surely erupt in chaos."
Unfortunately, now that the Spring Examination had officially begun, no one was permitted to approach or inquire. Any such attempt would be deemed an act of cheating.
If it were otherwise, he would have gladly sent more men to enjoy the show.
The Preceptor stroked his graying beard with deliberate calm. He and the Crown Prince exchanged a knowing smile.
"Now, we simply await the ninth day, when the Spring Examination ends."
Indeed. After nine days, that so-called fifth sister of his would no longer pose any threat.
The thought was almost exhilarating.
…
The imperial examination consisted of three rounds, each lasting three days, totaling nine days in all. During this time, the scholars would eat, sleep, and write entirely within the Gong Yuan.
As chief examiner, Yun Shu enjoyed slightly better accommodations, with a private room that was modestly more spacious and airy. Still, it was nowhere near the comfort of the palace.
By the time the nine days were over, she felt she had lost weight just from the effort.
With all official business finally wrapped up, Yun Shu yearned for nothing more than to return to her Fengyang Palace and collapse onto a soft bed. However, just as she stepped through the palace gates, she was intercepted by Eunuch Sun Fu, who came rushing toward her.
"Your Highness, His Majesty summons you."
Yun Shu sighed inwardly.
"The wretched Crown Prince could not wait even a moment longer, could he?"
He moved so quickly that Yun Shu even began to suspect he had no idea what had actually happened.
Helpless, she followed Sun Fu through the winding corridors. As they neared the imperial study, Yun Shu ran into the Crown Prince's Preceptor, whose expression was riddled with anxiety.
Their gazes met. Understanding dawned in Yun Shu's eyes. She curved her lips into a smile and offered him a cheerful greeting.
"A pleasant afternoon to you."
Pleasant? My foot.
The Preceptor's face twitched. He very nearly swore aloud, but in the end, he could only bow stiffly, his expression contorted with frustration.
"This old subject greets Princess Sheng An."
"No need for such formalities."
Yun Shu waved him off with a grin and, without slowing her pace, entered the imperial study at Sun Fu's signal.
The Preceptor attempted to follow, but had only taken two steps before Sun Fu blocked his path.
"Preceptor, please remain here. His Majesty has stated he will receive only Princess Sheng An."
The Preceptor froze.
His Majesty refused to see him?
What now?
Anxiety returned to his face, more visible than ever. He began pacing restlessly outside.
Inside the study, Yun Shu approached Emperor Xuanwu with light steps and bowed.
"Your daughter greets Father Emperor."
"You may rise."
Emperor Xuanwu's gaze lingered on Yun Shu. Though thinner, she radiated energy and confidence. A trace of satisfaction flickered in his eyes, though his tone abruptly turned stern.
"Do you know, there are now widespread rumors beyond the palace walls. Many claim that this year's Spring Examination has been compromised once more. They say that you, as chief examiner, leaked the essay topics and openly facilitated cheating."
"Leaked the questions? Openly cheated? And the rumors are widespread?"
Yun Shu responded with dramatic disbelief.
"Who started these rumors? Your daughter has just returned from outside the palace and heard nothing of the sort."
"Still trying to deny it?"
Emperor Xuanwu slammed the table, voice low and sharp.
"Even the Crown Prince has heard the rumors from within the palace. Do you truly expect me to believe you heard nothing beyond it?"
"But your daughter truly did not hear anything."
Yun Shu blinked innocently.
"And I certainly never leaked any exam questions. Crown Prince elder brother, could it be that you misheard?"