"Isn't it risky to try and predict the questions?"
Ye Qing'an had been quite impressed by Yun Shu's earlier explanation, even feeling a surge of excitement at how viable the plan sounded.
But the moment she uttered the phrase "predict the questions," his enthusiasm abruptly cooled.
"The intention is good, no doubt, and it certainly provides the examinees with valuable practice. But what if... what if the predictions are accurate?"
"Ye Daren fears that if our predictions are too accurate, people might accuse us of leaking the examination content and we would have no way to defend ourselves?"
In modern times, teachers could freely predict exam topics. The more accurate the predictions, the better. With established systems in place, any suspicion of leaks could be investigated and resolved quickly.
But this era was different.
Yun Shu, as a princess and the chief examiner of this year's Spring Examinations, would inevitably draw scrutiny if her predictions matched the actual questions. At such a politically sensitive moment, accusations would come swiftly.
Naturally, Yun Shu had considered this.
A subtle, unreadable smile formed on her lips as she turned to look Ye Qing'an in the eye.
"What I want... is precisely for someone to try and slander me."
Using herself as bait to lure enemies into a trap?
Ye Qing'an immediately grasped her intent. Still, waves stirred within him.
He had suspected as much yesterday when he heard the Crown Prince had recommended Princess Sheng An as the lead examiner. It was clear the Crown Prince was up to something again.
In fact, this was not the first time he had targeted Princess Sheng An.
Yet, until now, she had always chosen defense over offense.
But this time, her approach had clearly shifted.
She was striking first.
Was it that the Crown Prince had finally provoked her too far? Or...
A strange glint flickered in Ye Qing'an's eyes, a thought flashing through his mind. But he said nothing. Instead, he gave a slight nod and followed her lead.
"Then, has Your Highness decided who will write the annotations and breakdowns for the 'Five Years of Simulated Exams' section?"
"No answer sheets for this portion. Only the analysis."
The courtyard had long devolved into endless debate, with not a single correct answer offered. There was no point in lingering. Yun Shu turned and began walking back.
"Just outline the problem-solving method and the general approach to answering. The Hanlin Academy still has plenty of idle scholars from past examination rounds. Let them handle it."
...
As Yun Shu and Ye Qing'an continued discussing the logistics of their "Three-Year Imperial Exam and Five-Year Simulation" project on their return path, a young man stood outside the Charity Courtyard, looking both confused and suspicious.
His clothing was plain but clean, not a single patch in sight. His gaze kept returning to the imposing guards and the finely groomed horses stationed outside.
He entered the courtyard with visible hesitation, glancing around every few steps.
Yet inside, everything appeared as usual.
Dou Jifei quickly approached a middle-aged woman carrying a heavy basin of water, stopping her in her tracks to ask in a hushed voice,
"Auntie, do you know what's going on outside? Who are those people?"
"No idea," the woman replied curtly.
She was the same one who had earlier led Yun Shu's party through the courtyard. The basin of water in her arms was heavy, and the young man had chosen the worst possible moment to block her path.
Her tone was irritated.
"Move. If this spills, it'll be on your face."
"But those people clearly aren't ordinary. You've been in the front courtyard. How can you not know anything?"
Dou Jifei persisted, still blocking her way.
"Those guards out front—no regular household could afford such protection."
"What's it to you?"
Her patience snapped.
"Move or I swear, I'll splash this water right in your face!"
"You...!"
Furious, Dou Jifei looked like he was about to argue, but something stopped him. He grit his teeth, reached into his sleeve, and pulled out thirty copper coins.
"How about now? Surely that jogs your memory."
Thirty coins meant little to someone like Yun Shu. But to this woman, it was a windfall—enough to buy over twenty catties of white rice.
She swallowed hard, lowered the basin with a grunt, then quickly snatched up the coins and stuffed them into her bosom.
"They're important people. A young man and a girl. Said they were sent by the court to observe you scholars' conduct.
Never seen anything like this before, though. That girl looks like she's barely past fifteen. If you ask me, this whole thing is probably a ruse. They're just here to find her a husband."
"She's here... to find a husband?"
Dou Jifei's heart leapt. Then doubt crept in.
"But with guards like that, surely such a noble lady wouldn't be searching for a match in a place like this."
"Aren't you all here for the Spring Examinations?"
The woman stomped a foot, as if afraid he might take the money back. Her tone turned earnest, like she was explaining a great truth.
"If you pass, you'll be an official. That changes your whole status, doesn't it?
Every year, after the results come out, aren't there always nobles sending people to snatch up talented grooms from the ranks?
But what if they end up with someone clever but morally rotten? Wouldn't it be better to scout in advance?
Look them over now, remember the promising ones, and then after the results, go pick from the list. Much safer that way, isn't it?"
"It makes perfect sense... brilliant, actually."
Dou Jifei was immediately convinced.
He considered himself quite handsome. Compared to the other scholars in this courtyard, he was undoubtedly one of the best-looking.
And he was confident—utterly certain—that he would rank high in the exams.
This was it. His chance had come.
As long as that noble girl wasn't hideously ugly, this position as a "dragon-in-law" was his for the taking.
Dou Jifei made up his mind. As he strode toward the rear courtyard, he began strategizing ways to catch the young lady's attention.
Just then, a soft mewling sound drifted down from a tree.
Dou Jifei turned instinctively and spotted a scrawny kitten clinging to a low branch, trembling.
The little tabby couldn't have been more than a few weeks old. No bigger than his palm. It was a mystery how it even got up there.
Though the branch wasn't particularly high off the ground, the kitten seemed too frightened to descend.
Dou Jifei approached, raised a hand, and plucked the creature off the branch by the scruff of its neck.
Then he glanced around, eyes scanning the area.
A moment later, he picked up a fist-sized rock, weighed it thoughtfully in his palm.
Satisfied that no one was watching, Dou Jifei's mouth twisted into a cruel grin. He raised the stone.
"Miaow!!"