Dong Peng staggered back to the room, reeking of alcohol. He had never imagined he would fail the exams, and in his despair, he sought solace in drink.
He pushed the door open and had barely taken two steps when he felt something was amiss.
His back stiffened as he slowly lifted his head.
The room’s candles suddenly flared to life, illuminating a figure who sat facing him, nodding and smiling.
“Brother Dong, long time no see.”
Dong Peng’s face immediately turned cold and rigid. With a snort, he said disdainfully, “So, it’s you, Brother Xiao. Now that you’ve achieved your goal and passed the exam, what brings you here?”
Many examinees from other regions were still staying in Chang’an, waiting for the results to be officially released, leaving no empty rooms at the inns. As a result, Dong Peng had no choice but to remain in the same room he had used while preparing for the exam. After Xiao Jingduo moved out, Dong Peng had considered taking over Xiao’s old room, but the landlord’s asking price deterred him. In the end, he begrudgingly stayed where he was, continuing to share a room with Wu Tai. Though frustrated, Dong Peng consoled himself: No matter—I’ll pass the exams soon enough. Once I become a jinshi, I’ll be able to buy a grand three-courtyard residence. Why would I still have to share a room with anyone?
But reality had dealt Dong Peng a harsh blow. Not only had he failed the exam, but he’d also narrowly avoided being implicated in a cheating scandal. And now, the very person responsible for all this had the audacity to appear before him and gloat.
Thinking this, Dong Peng’s expression grew as frosty as ice. He said coldly, “Even if you’re a jinshi now, that doesn’t give you the right to trespass. Just tell me—what do you want?”
Xiao Jingduo smiled faintly and said, “Let’s wait a little longer. Brother Wu will be back soon. It’s best to explain things all at once rather than repeating them.”
“How do you know Wu Tai will be back soon?” Dong Peng’s already foggy mind grew even more muddled. As he mulled over Xiao Jingduo’s words, a creeping sense of fear began to rise within him.
Xiao Jingduo didn’t answer Dong Peng’s question. Instead, he seemed to hear something outside and glanced toward the door. Sure enough, moments later, Wu Tai’s voice came from the courtyard.
Wu Tai leaned heavily against the door, drunkenly pounding on it. “Dong Peng, why’d you lock the door? Open up! Open up!”
With a creak, the door opened. Wu Tai, unprepared, stumbled forward and fell into the room. The door to the wing room then closed tightly behind him.
Struggling to lift his head, Wu Tai squinted through his hazy vision. From his upside-down perspective, he saw a tall figure clad in black with broad shoulders and long legs. Even from the silhouette, it was clear the person was a strikingly handsome young man.
Shaking his head to clear it, Wu Tai focused his gaze and finally recognized him. His eyes widened in shock. “You’re… Xiao Jingduo?”
Xiao Jingduo stood to the side, chuckling lightly. “I’m flattered Brother Wu still remembers me.”
Xiao Jingduo had intended his remark as a light tease, but from Wu Tai’s perspective, it came across as cutting mockery. Even Xiao Jingduo’s smile seemed laced with condescension. Wu Tai’s expression darkened. Struggling to sit upright, he climbed to his feet and sneered, “Hah! You’re a newly minted jinshi, the fourth-ranked prodigy of the year. How could I dare forget you? Not only do I remember you clearly, but I also remember the things you did back then.”
Xiao Jingduo had anticipated this reaction—he knew these two wouldn’t let the matter rest so easily. Human nature is fickle; if all three of them had either passed or failed together, Wu Tai and Dong Peng wouldn’t feel so bitter. But as it happened, Xiao Jingduo alone had succeeded, while Dong Peng and Wu Tai had been cast back to their original status.
Fueled by jealousy, what these two might do was utterly unpredictable.
Xiao Jingduo said nothing at first. Just as Dong Peng and Wu Tai began to think he was at a loss, his voice rang out unexpectedly: “Do you know why the essay and policy examination had to be retaken?”
The mention of this topic immediately infuriated Dong Peng. “Wasn’t it because someone reported cheating? I don’t know who that busybody was—” He suddenly paused, suspicion dawning on his face before he sneered maliciously. “Oh, so you came today to find out who reported it? Well, let me tell you, give up that hope. Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you.”
How foolish—still unable to see the truth. Xiao Jingduo replied, “If that’s the case, let me make it clear. The person who reported the cheating was me.”
“What?!” Dong Peng and Wu Tai were stunned. “Are you insane? Why would you ruin your own future—and drag us down with you?”
“I was saving you. Otherwise, that would’ve truly been ruining your future,” Xiao Jingduo said coolly. “That note was something my family took upon themselves to send; I never saw it. But when I learned that you two had gotten hold of it, I couldn’t let the matter spiral further out of control. So after the exam, I reported the note to the Minister of Rites myself.”
Dong Peng and Wu Tai finally grasped the situation. They scrambled to think about retrieving the note, but Xiao Jingduo coldly cut them off: “Don’t bother looking. The note is already in the hands of the chief examiner.”
Dong Peng had no idea when Xiao Jingduo had taken the note from their room, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. Seething with anger, he accused, “It was you! You told the Minister about us, and that’s why Wu Tai and I failed the exams!”
“How self-important of you,” Xiao Jingduo scoffed. “Do you truly not know why you failed? Stop deceiving yourselves.”
Dong Peng and Wu Tai were utterly stunned by the revelation. To destroy someone’s future prospects was as unforgivable as taking their parent’s life. Enraged, Wu Tai sneered and said, “Do you think that by throwing us under the bus, you can walk away unscathed? No way! I’m going to spread the word that the fourth-place jinshi cheated during the exam. Let’s see how you’ll deal with it, even with your father’s connections!”
Wu Tai turned to leave, but as soon as he pulled the door open, a gleaming blade was thrust before him, blocking his path.
“Why stop now? Feel free to go out and spread whatever rumors you like,” Xiao Jingduo said coldly. “I have no shortage of people at my disposal. The moment I hear even the slightest whisper, I’ll have all the servants in the Marquis’s household go out and tell everyone that you are the one guilty of cheating. Not only did you steal someone else’s work, but you also passed it off as your own and submitted it as your exam answer.”
“You just said it yourself—I’m the legitimate heir of the Marquis’s household. Even if damaging rumors about me spread, I have an entire family to back me up. But what about you? If your reputation is ruined, how will you survive?”
Wu Tai froze in place, and Dong Peng’s face flushed red with anger. “Xiao Jingduo, you’re utterly despicable!”
Xiao Jingduo merely smiled faintly. If they thought this was despicable, they hadn’t seen how ruthless he could truly be.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t do something so foolish as to ruin my own future. I’ve already passed the imperial exam and earned my jinshi title. I may soon hold an official position in the court. But you? You’re just two ordinary students with no one to rely on. What do you think you’ll gain by opposing me?
“Besides, the Ministry of Rites’ announcement stated that the cheaters in the last exam won’t be pursued. However, if anyone cheats again, they’ll be permanently disqualified from taking the imperial exams for life. Think carefully—if you stay silent, this incident will blow over. You’ll still have the chance to take the exam next year, your reputations intact, and your futures preserved.”
Xiao Jingduo’s words were persuasive, planting seeds of doubt and fear in their minds. Dong Peng was clearly tempted but remained cautious, unwilling to trust him fully. “How do I know you’re telling the truth? What if the Ministry of Rites kept a record, and Wu Tai and I are barred from ever passing the exams again?”
“If the Minister of Rites said they wouldn’t pursue the matter, they won’t go back on their word. And in the future, exams might even adopt blind grading. Until the rankings are announced, who would know which paper belongs to whom? You have nothing to worry about.”
Wu Tai suddenly let out a cold laugh. “You’ve been talking for so long, but all you care about is us dragging you into this scandal and ruining your career. Why should I help you?”
“Help me?” Xiao Jingduo chuckled. “What makes you think you’re in a position to threaten me? Think about it—why do you think the Ministry of Rites issued such an unusual announcement, explicitly stating that the last cheaters wouldn’t be pursued?”
Of course, this was pure nonsense. Xiao Jingduo was fabricating all of it, knowing full well that Wu Tai and Dong Peng didn’t know the truth. But his calculated words and tone of authority had the intended effect. The color drained from Dong Peng and Wu Tai’s faces as they grew increasingly uneasy.”
Xiao Jingduo maintained his inscrutable air, nodding slowly. “I won’t say more. I only hope you two appreciate the rare opportunity you’ve been given. Cheating typically results in disqualification and public disgrace, but you’ve been lucky enough to escape that fate. Don’t waste this chance. Take the exams honestly next time and live with integrity.”
After leaving those words behind, Xiao Jingduo headed for the door. Just as he reached the threshold, Dong Peng’s voice chased after him:
“As it turns out, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought that someone so handsome on the outside could be such a person on the inside?”
“Dong Peng, I hope you remember one thing,” Xiao Jingduo said without turning around, his voice eerily calm. “The note was written by someone in my family acting on their own. It had nothing to do with me, and I never even opened it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten your hands on it.
“As for the retest, the essay topic was practically handed out in advance—it was as good as an official leak. If you couldn’t write something decent even then, you can only blame yourself. The grading was anonymous, and rankings were based solely on individual merit. I’ve said all this just to make one thing clear: my success in this exam is something I can take pride in without any guilt.”
“The Ministry of Rites has chosen to let you off this time. I hope you’ll cherish this opportunity and stop entertaining thoughts you shouldn’t have. As for that note, it’s already implicated far too many people. My final piece of advice: if you still want a chance to participate in future exams, then don’t bring up the note ever again.”
With that, Xiao Jingduo walked away without looking back. The evening wind swept into the room, making the candle flames flicker unsteadily.
After a long silence, Dong Peng asked Wu Tai, “Do you think we should really let this go?”
“What else can we do?” Wu Tai retorted. “He’s only seventeen, but he already has such ruthless instincts. Even if we expose him, it probably wouldn’t harm him much—if anything, it would make him our enemy for life. Since that’s the case, why not do him this favor? After all, it benefits us too.”
Hearing Wu Tai’s reasoning, Dong Peng finally gave up on the idea, deciding to bury the matter of the leaked note forever. Already troubled by his exam failure, Dong Peng felt even more dejected after meeting with Xiao Jingduo.
That boy is only seventeen—ten years younger than Dong Peng. Yet the decisiveness with which he reported the cheating and the mix of threats and persuasion he used earlier didn’t resemble the actions of a seventeen-year-old at all. Even compared to Dong Peng’s current self, he couldn’t hope to match Xiao Jingduo’s cunning or nerve.
The more Dong Peng thought about it, the more defeated he felt. He downed another mouthful of liquor, determined to stop thinking about Xiao Jingduo altogether.
Outside, Xiao Lin stood guard by the door, ready to assist Xiao Jingduo. He had been the one holding the blade earlier to intimidate Wu Tai. When he saw Xiao Jingduo stride out, he silently fell in step behind him. After they had walked some distance, he asked in a low voice, “Young master, the curfew is about to begin. Where are we headed now?”
“Back to the Marquis’s estate,” Xiao Jingduo replied. He glanced at the sky before mounting his horse in one smooth motion, tightening the reins. “If we hurry, we can still make it in time.”
When the servants at the Marquis’s estate opened the gate, they were shocked to see Xiao Jingduo standing outside. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. “Young master, why are you only just returning? The old madam has been waiting for you for quite some time!”
“Mm,” Xiao Jingduo replied vaguely. “I went out with my peers and lost track of time. Is Grandmother in Gaoshou Hall now?”
“Yes, she is,” the servant answered.
Xiao Jingduo handed the reins of his horse to a servant and quickly headed toward Gaoshou Hall.
Of course, Xiao Jingduo remembered that the old madam had repeatedly reminded him to return to the estate early today. The family had planned a banquet in his honor. Yet, he still managed to delay outside until this hour.
Keeping the elders waiting was a grave discourtesy, but when facing the old madam, Xiao Jingduo didn’t even blink as he said, “Grandmother, my peers invited me to a gathering today. It would have been rude to decline, which is why I’ve returned so late. Please punish me.”
“You were out with the other scholars?” The old madam softened at once upon hearing this. “Spending time with your peers is a good thing. You’ll be working together in the future, so such gatherings are important. The family banquet is just us—it’s no big deal to wait a little longer. That’s enough, pass the word: Duo’er is back. Tell Junru to begin the banquet.”
Xiao Jingduo accompanied the old madam as they walked toward the banquet hall. Just as they arrived, a line of maids came streaming out, bowing respectfully to the old madam. “Madam, you’re finally here. The ladies have been waiting a long time.”
The maids then turned their attention to Xiao Jingduo, greeting him with bright smiles. “Greetings to the eldest young master. Congratulations, eldest young master!”
Xiao Jingduo responded with a faint smile. He had never received such treatment before, but ever since he passed the imperial exam, it seemed that everything had turned upside down in a single day.
Inside, the room was already filled with people. At the sound of voices outside, they all stood up. “Grandmother, eldest brother,” they greeted.
With the help of Xuelan, the old madam took her seat. Xiao Jingduo instinctively moved to sit at the lower end of the table, but just as he was about to, the old madam stopped him. “Duo’er, you’re the star of today’s banquet. Sit beside me.”
Xiao Jingduo looked at the old madam briefly, then nodded calmly. “Alright.”
Life in the inner courtyard was far more complex than it seemed. Many seemingly trivial matters, such as seating arrangements or the old madam’s attitude, carried deeper implications.
The seat beside the old madam was traditionally reserved for her favorites. It had once belonged to Xiao Jinghu but was later given to Cheng Huizhen when she arrived, making her the second most favored person in the family.
Now that Xiao Jingduo was seated there, Cheng Huizhen and the others naturally had to move back. At this moment, the adults had not yet arrived, and only the younger generation was present. Cheng Huizhen, taking advantage of her youth, boldly sat beside Xiao Jingduo and playfully said, “Cousin, why are you so late? I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
Although Xiao Jingduo and Cheng Huizhen were cousins, no proper young lady would speak to her older brother in such a familiar manner—especially now that Xiao Jingduo was already seventeen. Glancing sideways, he noticed that the old madam was deliberately engrossed in conversation with Xuelan, pretending not to notice, while Xiao Su’s maid lowered her head as if entirely oblivious. He immediately understood.
It seemed the old madam and his aunt still wished to revisit old schemes.
Unfortunately, it was too late for that.
Xiao Jingduo’s expression turned cold. Ignoring the others in the room, he addressed Cheng Huizhen in an utterly detached tone, “I was meeting with my peers. Why are you asking about it?”
Cheng Huizhen was left speechless by his abrupt response, and Xiao Yumang couldn’t help but burst into laughter at her embarrassment.
“Elder brother,” Xiao Yumang called out affectionately. “I’ve heard that passing the imperial exam is incredibly rare, and you achieved it at only seventeen! That’s truly amazing. If I had even half your brilliance, Mother wouldn’t always call me foolish.”
“Sister Third, you must be joking,” Xiao Yuli interjected with a sharp laugh. “If you’re foolish, then none of the sisters can claim to be clever.”
The two sisters quickly started bickering, exchanging seemingly complimentary words that were, in fact, thinly veiled jabs at each other. Xiao Jingduo sat in the middle, silently listening, and became increasingly convinced that women were far from simple.
His two cousins’ skill in veiled insults was on par with the intrigue of court politics. Keeping them confined to the inner household almost seemed like a waste of talent.
Noticing Xiao Jingduo’s silence, Xiao Yumang grew a bit anxious. She had assumed her elder brother, who didn’t get along with the second branch of the family, would naturally side with her. But why hadn’t he said anything after so long?
“Elder brother, look at Second Sister! She’s always bullying me. You must stand up for me!” Xiao Yumang complained.
Xiao Yuli, quick to defend herself, retorted, “Do you think Elder Brother can’t distinguish right from wrong? He’ll make his own judgment. Brother, please tell us—was Third Sister in the right this time?”
Xiao Jingduo had no intention of involving himself in their petty disputes, nor did he appreciate being used as a pawn in their games. While some brothers might overlook their sisters’ scheming, Xiao Jingduo was not one of them. He held grudges and was decidedly petty.
Casually, he replied, “Matters of the inner household are none of my concern. If you’re seeking justice, go ask Grandmother.”
Both Xiao Yumang and Xiao Yuli were stunned into silence. They hadn’t expected their elder brother to treat them so indifferently, leaving them both feeling awkward and embarrassed.
Cheng Huizhen, ever experienced, smiled to herself at the scene and quickly stepped in to ease the tension.
Although Xiao Jingduo claimed he wouldn’t meddle in inner household affairs, it didn’t mean he was oblivious to the complexities and schemes within it. The earlier exchange between Xiao Yuli and Xiao Yumang was nothing more than an attempt to curry favor with him, hoping he would take them to attend the gatherings of his peers.
Xiao Jingduo had heard rumors that Xiao Yufang and Xiao Yuli were in the process of having their marriages arranged, with one of the suitors being a grandson from the Duke of Qi’s household. Xiao Jingduo had attended classes at the Imperial Academy with the Duke’s legitimate grandson and was somewhat familiar with the family. In truth, the marriage that Xiao Yuli and Xiao Yumang were fighting over wasn’t particularly desirable. While the suitor was indeed a grandson of the Duke’s household, he came from a concubine’s line and wasn’t highly regarded. He couldn’t even begin to compare to Xiao Jingduo’s classmate, the Duke’s legitimate eldest grandson.
However, marriage arrangements were a matter of parental authority and matchmakers. Since the second and third aunts didn’t mind, Xiao Jingduo, as a distant and not particularly close cousin, had no intention of interfering.
Before long, a crisp announcement came from outside the room.
“The Marquis and Marchioness have arrived.”
At the sound of the announcement, Xiao Jingduo looked up just in time to see Xiao Ying and Wu Junru lifting the curtain as they entered.
Xiao Ying’s gaze swept across the room and locked onto Xiao Jingduo’s.
For a moment, Xiao Ying observed him closely and noted with some surprise that Xiao Jingduo neither avoided his gaze nor showed the slightest sign of retreat.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Xiao Ying’s mouth. It seemed his eldest son, emboldened by his recent success in the imperial examination, now dared to stand his ground against his father.
Indeed, Xiao Ying mused, he had been far too lenient with his firstborn.
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