"Your Highness, that man might—"
"Preceptor, do not worry."
The Crown Prince, already in high spirits, waved his hand before the Preceptor could finish speaking.
"We said he may go down—to receive his reward."
To know that much and still want to live?
Impossible.
He placed a deliberate weight on the word "down," and the Preceptor's eyes lit with immediate understanding.
"Your Highness is indeed thorough. In that case, allow this old official to congratulate Your Highness in advance."
"This occasion certainly calls for celebration."
The suffocating frustration brought about by Yun Shu in recent days evaporated in an instant.
The Crown Prince felt invigorated, as if he had just secured a great victory.
"And here We thought Yun Shu would be difficult to handle. Turns out, she is nothing of the sort."
"Indeed, Your Highness. That Princess Sheng An was once a neglected girl who had not even completed the Four Books and Five Classics. How could she possibly compare to Your Highness?"
Though the Preceptor offered flattery without pause, a sliver of doubt flickered in his eyes.
Was Princess Sheng An truly so easy to deal with?
Could it be that all the failed schemes from Her Majesty the Empress and the Crown Prince were due to mere luck on Yun Shu's part?
Something felt off, yet he could not quite pinpoint what it was. Still, with matters already progressed this far, he could not imagine how Yun Shu might overturn the situation.
Perhaps he was simply overthinking.
On the day of the Spring Examinations, the gates of the Gong Yuan were packed with candidates awaiting the Imperial Exam.
As chief examiner, Yun Shu was already well-acquainted with the layout, having personally overseen preparations in recent days.
She stood calmly at the entrance, watching with a relaxed smile as the eager examinees underwent checks for contraband items.
From time to time, when someone noticed her presence and offered a respectful bow from afar, she would lift a hand and return the gesture in kind.
Her air was entirely unhurried, a stark contrast to the visibly nervous Li Daren, Minister of Rites, who stood beside her dabbing sweat from his brow.
"Your—Your Highness."
In past meetings, Princess Sheng An had always seemed easy-going. She had said that he had long experience organizing the Spring Exams, that she was a newcomer unfamiliar with the process and would not meddle inappropriately, and that all decisions would follow his lead while she merely observed.
But now that the day had arrived, the Princess seemed determined to stir chaos.
Li Daren's expression was bordering on despair.
"Are you truly certain it is acceptable to begin admitting candidates into the Gong Yuan half an hour early?"
"Li Daren, this is the third time you have asked that question."
Still smiling, Yun Shu raised a hand again to greet another examinee.
She could not be bothered to even turn her head as she replied for the third time.
"What is it, Li Daren? Do you doubt This Princess's earlier statement that I had already reported the matter to Father Emperor?"
"This official dares not."
Li Daren quickly cupped his hands.
"This official is merely concerned. Such a procedure has never been done before. Should any mishap arise—"
"If something does happen, This Princess, as chief examiner, shall bear the brunt of it. Not you."
Yun Shu lifted an eyebrow.
"This Princess understands you wish only to see this task completed smoothly, with no unnecessary trouble. But have you considered—some people would prefer this year's examination not proceed smoothly at all?"
"Your Highness, please be cautious with such words."
Everyone knew the Crown Prince had recommended Princess Sheng An to preside over the exams. It was a battle between two royal siblings. They all pretended ignorance, playing deaf and blind.
Who would have thought Yun Shu would so boldly tear away that façade?
Li Daren startled visibly, glancing around with alarm. Only after confirming no one else had overheard did he exhale in relief. He no longer wished to argue about early admission. All he wanted was to stay as far from this troublesome Princess as possible.
"Your Highness, this official has just remembered another matter that requires attention. Please excuse me."
"So busy already?"
Yun Shu cast a sidelong glance at his retreating figure and raised her voice deliberately.
"Not staying for a longer chat?"
Li Daren fled even faster.
"Old fox."
Yun Shu snorted softly, not at all surprised. She returned her gaze to the orderly procession of examinees entering the Gong Yuan.
Thanks to her efforts over the past few weeks, many humble-born scholars had already guessed her identity. They regarded her with excitement and newfound reverence.
Even those born of prestigious families, though inwardly displeased, dared not show it openly due to her status.
All in all, the scene remained harmonious and respectful.
All except for one—
Dou Jifei.
When he realized that the refined young lady who had once struck up a conversation with him over a small civet was none other than Princess Sheng An herself, he first panicked, then grew ecstatic.
He panicked because he realized that the Princess might have appeared at Charity Courtyard that day not to choose a consort, but because she had already uncovered the exam paper leak.
But his delight quickly overtook his worry.
Had she not just posted the actual exam questions on the wall outside Tian Waitian Restaurant days ago, under the guise of a final mock test?
At the time, he had been confused, even suspecting that the servant from the Cao family had tricked him.
Now, he understood.
Princess Sheng An was clearly covering her tracks.
She knew the exam papers she gave the Tang family's young master had been leaked to others, so she chose to make the entire test public. This way, even if it was discovered that certain candidates had received the questions early, they could claim someone had simply guessed correctly.
As for her, she would remain innocent, unaware of any wrongdoing.
How else could she have made the actual questions into a public mock test?
And he, Dou Jifei, had seen the paper two weeks in advance.
His advantage surpassed those who received it just two days before the exam.
In other words, his name was guaranteed to be on the list.
Once he gained an official post and held this secret about Princess Sheng An, how could he not rise to prominence?
The more he thought about it, the more thrilled he became. After completing the entry inspection, he cupped his hands toward Yun Shu from afar like the other candidates and gave what he believed to be a composed and respectful smile.
Yun Shu: "..."
Was he near-sighted or simply dense?
He could not possibly have recognized her and still chosen to parade about under her very nose so brazenly.