“Canceling the exam results of Dong and Wu is not difficult, but what should we do about the other student, Xiao Jingduo?”
This was indeed a thorny problem.
For a moment, the people in the palace fell silent. After pondering for a while, one official from the Ministry of Rites spoke up:
“Although Xiao Jingduo’s essay appears to be his own work, who can say for sure whether he saw the note or not? Cheating is a serious matter, and if handled poorly, it could provoke widespread outrage among scholars. In my opinion, it’s better to revoke his qualification as well. Better to avoid more trouble.”
This was indeed a simple and convenient solution. After the official from the Ministry of Rites finished speaking, no one else responded, clearly showing their tacit agreement. The Grand Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, who was also involved in reviewing the exam papers, frowned upon hearing this.
“Gentlemen, while it may seem biased to speak up for him, I must say a few words. I remember this student, Xiao Jingduo, quite well. During his time at the Imperial Academy, he was diligent in his studies, self-disciplined, and never joined others in seeking entertainment. He is a rare talent. If you still doubt him, I can provide his archived essays from the Academy for comparison. You’ll see that his exam style is consistent with his usual work.”
For the Grand Chancellor to vouch for him so readily showed that Xiao Jingduo was indeed exceptional. His words brought the Ministry of Rites official to a thoughtful silence. After some consideration, someone voiced a concern:
“However, this note did circulate from his hands. If we punish the other two students but ignore the instigator, it might be difficult to convince the public.”
“If he truly intended to cheat, why would he report the matter himself? Frankly, if Xiao Jingduo had such intentions, this note would never have ended up in the hands of the other two. I believe he was likely unaware of the situation at first and, upon realizing it later, hurried to report it.”
“Even if Xiao Jingduo is innocent, cheating is no small matter. Since he is the source of the leak, we cannot let him off entirely. The imperial exam is under intense scrutiny; even a minor misstep could cause an uproar among the people. Given the current situation, only by punishing him can we swiftly and effectively quell the scandal.”
Though harsh, these words were logical. The officials in the Eastern Palace were divided in their opinions and debated endlessly. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, seated above them, paid no attention to their lack of decorum. Instead, his thoughts turned to another matter.
How exactly did Xiao Jingduo come into possession of this leaked note?
..
In a small, elegant courtyard not far from the Eastern Palace, Rong Ke delivered a critical blow.
“Be honest. Where exactly did this note come from?”
Standing below, Xiao Jingduo let out a slight sigh in his heart.
As expected, this topic was inevitable.
“This was originally a family matter, and I had no intention of troubling the Princess with the affairs of the Marquis’ household. However, it seems now that if I don’t explain clearly, the Princess may not trust me.” Xiao Jingduo paused for a moment and said, “I suspect that my cousin has the ability to foresee the future.”
Rong Ke’s gaze suddenly became sharp. She didn’t speak but locked her eyes firmly on Xiao Jingduo.
Xiao Jingduo continued, “This matter showed signs long ago. In the fifth year of Qiyuan, there was a major plague in Chang’an. At the time, I had just returned from Qingyuan Temple and was running around the southern part of the city every day, trying to trace the source of the disease. One night, while I was studying medical texts, my cousin unexpectedly visited me and brought a sachet. She claimed that wearing it could ward off the plague known as ‘ghost handprints.’ My cousin has no knowledge of medicine, so I naturally didn’t believe her. But when I examined the sachet, I found that the herbs inside were quite special. Together, they formed a remedy recorded in my maternal grandfather’s medical journal. I had never shown that journal to anyone, so I found it strange. I spent the whole night studying it and eventually discovered that the remedy might actually counteract the plague in Chang’an. Later, I modified the formula, adding and replacing a few herbs, and that became the Red Heat Powder that both the Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince are familiar with.”
“So that’s how Red Heat Powder came about!” Rong Ke was astonished. She had only known that Xiao Jingduo produced the formula, but now she understood that it was his cousin’s intervention that had led to its discovery. Still, this alone proved nothing. Rong Ke said, “Folk remedies often spread in inexplicable ways. What if your cousin happened to hear about Red Heat Powder by chance?”
“That’s what I thought at first, so I didn’t dwell on it. But her behavior became increasingly strange. Once, she hurried to my grandmother, crying that my second brother was in danger, saying he had hit his head on a rock in the garden and would be beyond saving if they delayed. My grandmother was startled and rushed with others to the spot my cousin described. Sure enough, they found Xiao Jinghu playing near the rockery. Startled by their sudden arrival, he indeed fell and hit his head. There were several such instances later, and every word my cousin said came true. When asked about it, she always claimed it was something she saw in a dream. My grandmother believed it was divine guidance and doted on her even more. Of course, none of this is important.” Xiao Jingduo quickly shifted to another topic, not wanting to bother Rong Ke with these trivial family matters. “The cheating incident was the same. My cousin, while I wasn’t paying attention, slipped a note containing an essay into my book box. After I moved it outside, Dong Peng discovered it and secretly took it. Following the exam, Dong Peng and Wu Tai made some drunken remarks, which made me suspicious. I immediately questioned my cousin, and sure enough, she admitted she had been divinely inspired in her dreams, saw this year’s exam topic in advance, and wrote it down to give to me.”
“No wonder. I thought the essay on the note was incoherent, as if written by different hands. Your explanation makes sense,” Rong Ke nodded. She glanced at Xiao Jingduo, then suddenly smiled. “Your cousin is quite devoted to you. If you were truly inclined, you could have easily aced the exam and even taken the top scholar title without anyone noticing.”
Though her tone was teasing, Xiao Jingduo’s expression grew solemn. He replied seriously, “The Princess jests. I lost my mother at a young age and have always known I’m different from others. There are too many goals I need to achieve. I have no time for indulgence. Every step I take is cautious and deliberate. How could I risk my career for something so uncertain?”
Rong Ke hadn’t expected Xiao Jingduo to react so strongly to a casual joke. Realizing she had misspoken, she chose to drop the subject and, with a hint of displeasure, reminded him, “What do you mean by risking your career? You haven’t even passed the imperial examination yet.”
Xiao Jingduo, who had more to say, was rendered speechless by her remark.
After all, she was right—he had yet to pass the exam.
Momentarily at a loss for words, Xiao Jingduo was left in an awkward silence. Rong Ke, pleased to have turned the tables, smiled contentedly. “Alright, I’ve got a handle on this matter. You can leave now.”
Xiao Jingduo hesitated. To be honest, with the cheating scandal unresolved, he couldn’t feel at ease going back. If this threat, capable of ruining his entire career, wasn’t resolved, how could he relax?
Rong Ke, seeing his hesitation, said nothing but glanced toward the door. Following her gaze, Xiao Jingduo noticed the slanted rays of the setting sun and the darkening sky.
Unknowingly, night was falling. If he didn’t leave soon, he would risk breaking curfew. Realizing this, Xiao Jingduo quickly said, “My apologies, Princess. I’ve been impolite. I’ll take my leave now.”
It was already late—any further delay would be inappropriate.
…
At the Marquis Dingyong’s residence, Cheng Huizhen had been anxiously sending her maidservants out to gather news on Xiao Jingduo.
Finally, a maid returned with the news Cheng Huizhen had been waiting for. “Miss, the young master just returned. He’s already headed to Gaoshou Hall.”
Cheng Huizhen let out a sigh of relief. “Good.”
Ever since Xiao Jingduo had pried information from her and left without returning, Cheng Huizhen had been on edge. Now that she knew he was back, she could finally relax.
The maid, noticing her mistress’s expression, tentatively suggested, “Miss, perhaps we should also go to Gaoshou Hall to pay respects to the matriarch?”
The young master had finally returned after a whole day of inquiries; the maid assumed Cheng Huizhen must be eager to see him.
However, Cheng Huizhen didn’t take the bait. After a moment of thought, she shook her head. “Forget it. I’m not feeling well right now. I won’t disturb Grandmother.”
The maid was both disappointed and confused, unable to fathom her mistress’s thoughts. Dutifully, she replied, “If Miss isn’t feeling well, I won’t trouble you further. Please rest well. I’ll take my leave.”
The maids filed out of the room one by one. Only then did Cheng Huizhen let out a long sigh, revealing a glimpse of her true emotions.
Where had her cousin gone? Whom had he met? What had he said? And how did he plan to handle this matter?
Cheng Huizhen couldn’t answer any of these questions. She felt frustrated. She had always hoped to gain an advantage and grow closer to her cousin, but now, it seemed, she had only pushed him further away.
Lost in thought for a moment, Cheng Huizhen couldn’t help but recall the paper she had painstakingly memorized. She had meant well—why wouldn’t her cousin accept her help? She had given him not only an essay capable of securing his success but also insider knowledge of this year’s policy debate topic. Opportunities like this were what countless others could only dream of.
Cheng Huizhen’s ability to write those notes stemmed from the fame of a particular year—Year Nine of the Qiyuan Era. That year’s imperial examination had brought forth numerous brilliant talents, and not long after, another young prodigy rose to prominence in court.
The ninth year of Qiyuan marked the beginning of Xia Sanlang’s meteoric rise. He made his name through the Jiangzhou corruption case, a feat that catapulted him to success. His career thereafter was smooth and swift, eventually leading him to the highest ranks of power. Though his status played a role, there was no denying that the Jiangzhou case was a pivotal moment in his career. Without such a remarkable start, his path wouldn’t have been so untroubled.
The Jiangzhou case and Xia Sanlang became popular topics of conversation. Everyone knew the story: Xia Sanlang, while touring Jiangzhou, inadvertently uncovered the local government’s concealed crimes. Braving numerous dangers and evading the local officials’ attempts to silence him, he finally returned to the capital to expose their corruption to the emperor.
Jiangzhou had suffered a disaster, yet the officials had concealed it to protect their performance evaluations. As a result, more than half of Jiangzhou’s population perished, and the land was left in devastation. When the emperor learned of this, he was furious. He ordered the execution of all implicated officials, and Xia Sanlang’s name spread across the nation, marking the start of his illustrious career.
Cheng Huizhen snapped out of her thoughts. She couldn’t understand why Xiao Jingduo wouldn’t seize the opportunity she had given him—an opening as significant as the Jiangzhou case had been for Xia Sanlang. Why would he reject such a promising start?
…
In the palace, the candles were already lit. The Crown Prince, dressed in his usual attire, sat at his desk, reviewing memorials. The flickering light illuminated his jade-like features, enhancing his noble and dignified presence.
The palace was quiet until the heavy doors creaked open, and a young girl’s voice echoed in the hall: “Father.”
The Crown Prince barely glanced up before returning his attention to the documents. “Why are you here again?”
Rong Ke, familiar with the setting, slid over to sit beside her father, leaning against his arm. “Why are you alone? When did the ministers leave?”
“Since the end of the court session is near and no conclusion was reached today, they left earlier.”
Rong Ke paused before asking, “What did the ministers say today?”
“The two students caught cheating will undoubtedly be disqualified. As for the third one, a decision hasn’t been made yet.”
“Father, I have something to say.”
The Crown Prince turned his head, his refined and gentle eyes betraying no emotion. He calmly asked, “Oh? What do you want to say?”
Rong Ke’s heart skipped a beat, and the words she initially planned to say quickly shifted. “I came this time to talk about that note.”
Rong Ke recounted what Xiao Jingduo had said, and the Crown Prince’s expression gradually grew serious. “Ke Ke, Confucius warned against speaking of strange occurrences, supernatural powers, and unfounded predictions. Being able to foresee future events is no trivial matter.”
“I understand, but aside from this explanation, no one can make sense of the leaked exam question, can they?” Rong Ke took out Cheng Huizhen’s note, spread it on the table, and pointed it out to the Crown Prince. “Father, look, this is the exam question.”
“Corruption in Jiangzhou, local officials concealing disaster reports—how should governance be improved?” The Crown Prince read it without finding anything unusual. “Agricultural policies and governance are always key topics for the imperial exams. Many people would guess along these lines. This alone doesn’t prove the girl can predict the future.”
“Father, look again. The question mentions a disaster in Jiangzhou, which local officials covered up. Ordinary guesswork either draws on past events or makes baseless claims. Without certainty, who would dare to fabricate such serious accusations against officials? Concealing disaster reports is a crime of deceiving the emperor. If it were baseless, the officials of Jiangzhou wouldn’t take it lightly.”
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment and then said, “You’re suggesting this is something that will happen in the future, and the girl inadvertently revealed it without realizing.”
“That’s the only plausible explanation. This year, the flood season along the Yangtze River came earlier and more fiercely than usual, yet Jiangzhou has reported no issues. The official reports sent to the court are full of praise, barely mentioning the state of the dikes.”
The Crown Prince looked at Rong Ke in disbelief. “Are you saying Jiangzhou has suffered a disaster?”
Even the Crown Prince was shaken by Rong Ke’s words, but she remained calm. She nodded with a serene and unflinching expression. “It’s highly likely.”
The Crown Prince could no longer stay seated. He rose and began pacing in the hall. After two rounds, he stopped and turned to Rong Ke, speaking sternly. “Ke Ke, your words are too bold. To speculate about court officials based on an unverified note—if anyone hears this, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
“I know, but given the Yangtze River’s usual patterns, Jiangzhou should not be this quiet at this time of year. With the emperor far away, if a disaster struck and the local officials suppressed the news to avoid blame, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility.”
The Crown Prince, ever cautious, shook his head. “No, this is all conjecture. If we falsely accuse Jiangzhou’s officials, it will be a serious matter.”
“That’s easy to handle—we won’t send anyone from the Eastern Palace,” Rong Ke said as she straightened up. “A few days ago, Third Uncle was scolded by Grandfather. Half of Chang’an knows he loves traveling. We’ll send him to Jiangzhou to investigate discreetly. If the matter turns out to be false, it will just seem like the Eastern Palace funded a leisure trip. But if it’s true…”
Rong Ke didn’t continue, but the Crown Prince already understood.
“If this is true, then the officials in Jiangzhou are incredibly audacious.” The Crown Prince paced a couple of steps, his decision already made. “I’ll arrange for someone to handle this tomorrow. Ke Ke, your mother hasn’t been in the best mood recently. Tomorrow, accompany her to the Xia family to relax.”
The “Third Uncle” Rong Ke mentioned was from the Crown Princess’s family. He was raised in the Xia household and ranked third among the Xia sons. Xia Sanlang had no interest in officialdom and only loved traveling. Old Master Xia was constantly worried about this grandson, frequently getting angry over his behavior. If Xia Sanlang were to suddenly decide to visit Jiangzhou for sightseeing, it would align perfectly with his usual habits.
Rong Ke blinked at the Crown Prince and smiled. “Father, I understand.”
The Crown Prince smiled back after finishing his instructions. “Now, tell me—what was it you originally wanted to say?”
No one knows a daughter better than her father. The Crown Prince could easily tell that Rong Ke had changed the topic midway. Rong Ke gave an embarrassed smile and said, “Father, I think all three examinees should be spared. Punishing just two students for the exam leak is too lenient. Who’s to say there aren’t others who slipped through? Since the essay and policy exam questions were leaked, why not have all the candidates retake the test?”
The Crown Prince frowned. “Retake the exam for everyone?”
“Exactly. Give them the chance to prove themselves. Let them show who’s truly innocent and who took shortcuts. Besides, weren’t some of the candidates complaining that the essay topics were too unusual? Well, now they’ll have another chance. Let them see whether the problem was with the exam questions or their own lack of preparation.”
It was a reasonable suggestion. Although cumbersome, it was fair. After all, the Ministry of Rites conducted the imperial exams annually and could afford to do it again. The Crown Prince looked at Rong Ke, tapping her on the forehead with a resigned smile. “Holding grudges.”
Not long after the much-anticipated imperial exam concluded, when candidates were eagerly awaiting the results, another announcement sent shockwaves through them.
The Ministry of Rites posted a public notice: there had been cheating during the imperial examination. After thorough deliberation, the Ministry had decided to nullify the essay and policy exam results for the jinshi degree, requiring all candidates to retake the exams.
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