Chapter 65
A newly ascended emperor holding an extra imperial examination would demonstrate his eagerness to recruit worthy men and grant scholars across the realm another chance to enter court.
This had been a tradition in Da Qi since the time of Emperor Taizong, but during the reign of Emperor Jing, such additional examinations ceased.
When Emperor Jing first took the throne, someone proposed this very idea. Emperor Jing replied, "The court is already packed with officials. Why hold another examination? Even if we select talents, no one will vacate their seats for them."
The mockery was undisguised. It was said that some thin-skinned officials wept openly in court, covering their faces, and declared that if the emperor chose worthy men, they would gladly yield their positions. Emperor Jing snorted coldly, did not punish the man, and simply dismissed the court.
Qi Junmu's situation was unlike Emperor Jing's. When he ascended the throne, some veteran ministers from Emperor Jing's era had retired to their hometowns, while others had been suppressed. Moreover, holding an additional imperial examination was the perfect opportunity to cultivate his own power base.
An emperor needed to nurture his own faction. The talents selected in the first examination after his ascension would usually receive great attention from him. In time, most of this generation would gradually replace the older ministers at court—new forces rising as the old ones faded.
Once this transition was complete and the dust settled, the era truly belonging to Qi Junmu would fully unfold.
This matter was beneficial to both the emperor and his confidants—a perfect opportunity. Furthermore, when word spread, it would greatly enhance the emperor's reputation.
In his previous life, an additional examination had indeed been held, and it was highly successful, selecting many talented individuals. In this life, although Qi Junmu did not care much for reputation, who would refuse a touch of glory? Naturally, he had no objection.
Speaking of this additional examination, it reminded him of an amusing story.
After that examination was announced, competition was fierce. After all, it was a rare opportunity. The metropolitan examination was both mentally and physically taxing, and many candidates could not even last the three days.
Even being able to take one more exam was good for gaining experience.
Moreover, anyone could imagine the benefits of being selected this time.
All the scholars descended upon the capital to take part, each striving with all their might. The sons of noble houses were no exception—anyone with even a shred of learning stepped into the arena.
In the end, the top scorer of the metropolitan examination was an ordinary man named Lin Jiu. He was called ordinary because his family background was unremarkable, though his looks were extraordinary. Lin Jiu's past academic record was average—neither outstanding nor poor—but the metropolitan examination made his name in one stroke.
Ultimately, Lin Jiu achieved the rank of tanhua (third place) in the palace examination.
Due to his humble origins, many people had reservations about Lin Jiu, and quite a few secretly pressured him, hoping to crush him.
Later, by a twist of fate, Lin Jiu saved Lin Xiao's life and seized that opportunity to become Lin Xiao's disciple, which put an end to the underhanded schemes against him.
Perhaps because Lin En had been barred from office due to his appearance, Lin Xiao took great pains to mentor Lin Jiu. Yue shi even entered the rear palace to complain to the Empress Dowager, saying her own son was neglected while an outsider was favored.
The Empress Dowager scolded Lin Xiao, but Lin Xiao valued talent and reasoned with her clearly, stating that he only wished to support Lin Jiu—and the matter passed.
Lin Jiu was naturally sharp, modest in demeanor, erudite without being rigid, and witty in speech. Even Qi Junmu often enjoyed conversing with him—Lin Jiu was one of the rare younger men with whom he could truly connect.
Thus, Lin Jiu thrived in court circles.
After a year in the Hanlin Academy, he was sent out to Jiangnan as a magistrate. Even in his later years, Qi Junmu still received memorials from him, in which Lin Jiu would humorously recount the curious tales and local novelties of Jiangnan.
Thinking of Lin Jiu, Qi Junmu smiled.
Lin Xiao caught the smile in the emperor's eyes and thought to himself that the Emperor seemed quite pleased with the idea of an additional examination.
He breathed a sigh of relief. He had worried that the emperor might be concerned about following a path Emperor Jing never took, fearing gossip. He had even prepared arguments to persuade him—but they proved unnecessary.
Qi Junmu quickly collected himself and said to Lin Xiao, "This is a good thing. Draft a memorial with the specific dates and details, Uncle. Once we set the schedule, those wishing to participate can prepare early."
Lin Xiao said, "This humble subject obeys."
For the metropolitan examination, scholars from across the realm would have to come to the capital.
Usually, they would arrive half a year early to acclimate and secure lodgings—arrive too late, and there would be no decent place to stay.
If anything delayed them on the road, it would mean wasting another opportunity.
After Lin Xiao withdrew, Qi Junmu turned part of his attention to the upcoming additional examination. Upon reflection, the previous one had been quite successful—besides Lin Jiu, Lin Xiao had selected many other talents.
They came from all walks of life and truly filled the official ranks. Since it was the first such examination, oversight had been strict, and no corruption or favoritism occurred.
All in all, it could be counted as a fairly successful endeavor.
With that, Qi Junmu set the matter aside.
This would take time to come to fruition, requiring various preparations in advance. He would make his final decisions after Lin Xiao had consulted with the Six Ministries on the specifics.
Turning his mind from official business, it naturally drifted to personal matters.
Qi Junmu thought of Shen Nian.
Not of anything Shen Nian had done in particular—just the person himself.
Qi Junmu was no longer flustered or unsettled by what lay between them. Upon patient reflection, he had arrived at this conclusion: if it were Shen Nian, then perhaps it was not impossible.
Qi Junmu was not one to dither in matters of the heart. Once he had thought things through, he would make it clear to Shen Nian.
So Qi Junmu summoned Ruan Jiqing. "Is Shen Nian asleep?"
Ruan Jiqing hurriedly replied, "Your servant asked earlier—the Marquis had already retired. If Your Majesty needs him, your servant will wake him at once."
"Wake him for what?" Qi Junmu said casually. "He stayed up all night. If he heard good news and couldn't sleep afterward, even an iron body would give out."
Ruan Jiqing: "..."
His lips twitched, but he dared not speak, afraid that the "good news" from the emperor's mouth would make his legs buckle.
"You may go," Qi Junmu said, half-closing his eyes. "When he wakes, have him come see me."
Ruan Jiqing withdrew.
The imperial study fell silent once more. Qi Junmu did not look at the memorials. He tapped his fingers absently on the desk.
He was thinking of nothing, yet everything swirled in his mind.
---
Shen Nian slept straight through until noon, and it was hunger that finally roused him.
When he had returned that morning, he'd only taken one bite of the refreshments the emperor had prepared—he'd had no appetite then. Now, he was truly famished.
After washing up and changing clothes, Shen Nian stepped out of the side hall. Ruan Jiqing was waiting outside. The eunuch smiled and said, "The Marquis is awake. His Majesty is waiting for you to share the meal."
Shen Nian glanced at the sky but made no remark about why no one had urged the emperor to dine earlier.
When he arrived before the emperor, Ruan Jiqing withdrew, explaining that the task of tasting for poison would fall to Shen Nian.
For the first time, Shen Nian served the emperor food with his own chopsticks. His movements were a little awkward, but exceedingly careful and earnest. Qi Junmu watched from the side, his eyes brimming with warmth.
After eating what Shen Nian had offered, Qi Junmu smiled and pointed to the spot beside him. "Sit here with me."
This was the seat closest to the emperor. Shen Nian did not hesitate and sat down.
Then the two ate in silence—quiet, yet warm.
Shen Nian had a hearty appetite. Watching him eat always seemed to make others eat a little more as well.
In Shen Nian's presence, Qi Junmu felt much more at ease.
When he had eaten his fill, Qi Junmu set down his silver chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a fine cloth, and waited for Shen Nian.
Qi Junmu had never waited for anyone before. The feeling was rather novel.
Not unpleasant—and even carried a trace of quiet delight.
When Shen Nian finished, he looked up at the emperor, who had been watching him all along, and said openly, "What is Your Majesty looking at?"
"At you," Qi Junmu replied with equal candor. "I find this rather pleasant. I have not experienced it before. There is no harm in experiencing it more often in the future."
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