Chapter 61: Emperor Taishun: Make Him Take the Imperial Examinations (Part I)

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The first poem "Linjiangxian · Willow Catkins" that Jiang Nian had previously gifted to Xue Baochai was originally written by her in the original story.
Now, the second "Linjiangxian · Willow Catkins" poem he gave to Xue Baochai was his own creation.
This second willow catkins poem was addressed to Xue Baochai but also reflected his own feelings and aspirations.
“Refusing to drift with the flowing stream, I choose to face the wind’s dust.”
Unwilling to be carried away by the current, he opts to go against the wind.
Like Jiang Nian, a fallen prince relegated to the wilderness with no hope of succession, yet deliberately defying fate to seize the throne.
“Frost clear as jade condenses the soul, crossing the silver river with an icy spirit.”
The cold frost solidifies into a jade-like soul, harnessing the power of the Milky Way to reach that distant shore.
Symbolizing Jiang Nian’s resilience and determination to ascend the throne with the help of his special advantage.
Xue Baochai held the floral letter, her gaze lingering on the verses, reading them thrice before softly saying, “This poem is also quite lovely.”
Her words were somewhat insincere, a deliberate flattery. In her eyes, though not bad, this poem paled compared to the first willow catkins poem Jiang Nian had given her.
Jiang Nian smiled faintly and said, “‘After countless twists and turns, separation is inevitable; why grieve over the smoky traces of parting? Life itself is but drifting duckweed.’ I wrote this especially for you, hoping you would not drown in sorrow over family farewells.”
Xue Baochai’s heart trembled slightly, her eyes glistening with emotion. She bowed gracefully and said, “Thank you, Young Master.”
After countless twists and turns, all things must disperse; gatherings and partings are but fleeting illusions. Life, like drifting duckweed, is rootless—why care too deeply?
These lines were like a balm, soothing the sorrow in her heart.
Jiang Nian’s gaze shifted lightly to a necklace around Xue Baochai’s neck. He raised an eyebrow: “Why do I always see you wearing that collar?”
Xue Baochai’s expression was calm, a smile playing at her lips as she replied, “When I was young, I met a fortune-telling monk who gave me two auspicious phrases. He said they must be engraved on a golden ornament and worn every day to ensure safety and smoothness.”
Jiang Nian said, “Let me see.”
Xue Baochai hesitated slightly, then turned her back to Jiang Nian. With delicate fingers, she unbuttoned her collar and retrieved a jewel that sparkled with crystal clarity and gleamed with golden radiance. She carefully removed the necklace and handed it to Jiang Nian, her movements as gentle as a breeze brushing willows.
Jiang Nian’s eyes fell on the necklace and saw a golden lock engraved with eight seal script characters on both sides, forming two auspicious phrases: “Never abandon, fragrant youth eternal.”
According to the original story, Jia Baoyu’s spirit jade bore seal script: “Never lose, never forget, immortal longevity forever prosperous.” These inscriptions on Xue Baochai’s golden lock complemented Jia Baoyu’s perfectly.
This was the so-called “golden jade match.”
A playful smile tugged at Jiang Nian’s lips as he pondered inwardly: “Golden jade match, ha! In this Dream of the Red Chamber world, Xue Baochai has already pledged to be my concubine and lives with me—where is there any golden jade match left?”

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Jiang Nian returned the necklace to Xue Baochai. She said, “I have disturbed you, Young Master. I won’t trouble you further; I will take my leave.”
Seeing Jiang Nian nod, Xue Baochai bowed slightly and left the study.
Back in the west wing chamber, Xue Baochai clutched the two floral letters as if holding rare treasures. She pondered deeply, reluctant to place these heartfelt gifts casually.
So, she opened a carved wooden box neatly stacked with her personal garments. Carefully, she slipped the two letters beneath a dudou embroidered with twin lotuses—a symbol of inseparable unity.
Her fingers traced the soft fabric, a blush rising to her cheeks as she thought, “Young Master must never find out about this, or I would be so embarrassed again.”
She gently closed the carved box, as if quietly tucking away her shyness and sweetness in her heart.
...
The next day, March 12th.
At dusk, the sky darkened as torrential rain poured down, draping the entire capital in a dense curtain of water.
Outside the East An Gate, the Prince Zhongyi’s mansion stood tall and imposing amid the downpour, its vermilion gates and high walls exuding grandeur. Rainwater cascaded from glazed tiles, forming streams like shimmering beaded curtains draping the palace. The stone lions before the gate looked especially solemn in the rain, their fierce gaze as if scrutinizing every approacher.
A carriage slowly stopped outside the mansion. The curtains lifted as He Yun and Jiang Nian stepped out. Jiang Nian held a blue cloth umbrella, He Yun a black one, raindrops streaming down their canopies.
This was He Yun’s third visit to Prince Zhongyi’s mansion; for Jiang Nian, it was the first.
Jiang Nian adjusted his blue umbrella and studied the towering gates, his eyes deep and contemplative like the surrounding rain.
The two then proceeded toward the gates.
Jiang Nian had deliberately chosen the evening, hoping to find Prince Zhongyi at home.
Sure enough, the prince was present.
After a brief wait, the chief guard Bao Yan personally came out with a smile, cupping his hands respectfully: “Brother Nian, the Prince summons you.”
Jiang Nian followed Bao Yan through the rain, the sound of raindrops accompanying their winding path to a serene study.
Because of the dim light, the study’s heated chamber was already brightly lit. The firelight illuminated lavish furnishings; bookshelves brimmed with rare ancient texts, and famous calligraphy and paintings adorned the walls. The air was tinged with faint scents of ink and sandalwood.
Prince Zhongyi sat alone at the desk, engrossed in work. His lean face bore an air of authority mixed with fatigue, his brush flying swiftly across the paper.
No wonder he bore the heavy burdens of state affairs as the thirteenth prince.
Bao Yan gently knocked and, upon hearing “Come in,” quietly opened the door, announcing softly, “Your Highness, Jiang Nian has arrived.”
Prince Zhongyi raised his head and said, “Bring him in.”

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Bao Yan led Jiang Nian into the study, then respectfully withdrew and closed the door softly behind him.
Jiang Nian immediately performed a kneeling salute, as was proper when seeking an audience with Prince Zhongyi, to show his respect.
Afterward, Prince Zhongyi looked at Jiang Nian, a teasing smile curling at his lips: “Brother Nian, what business brings you to my mansion today?”
Jiang Nian’s expression was respectful yet straightforward: “Your Highness, I intend to take the provincial level imperial examination next month.”
Prince Zhongyi was stunned into silence.
...
According to Jiang Nian’s analysis, if he did not strive for it himself, it was unlikely that the Taishun Emperor would grant him an official position in the coming years, nor allow him entry into court affairs. Whether that would happen in the future was uncertain.
But Jiang Nian wished to enter the court and serve as an official as soon as possible!
After much thought, he resolved to take the imperial examinations.
In this era, the imperial examination was the rightful path.
His scholarly foundation was solid, bolstered by an extraordinary memory and his fortunate destiny. For him, achieving good results in the exams was truly not difficult.
Since the Taishun Emperor’s ascension, an imperial examination had been decreed this year. The Ministry of Rites announced the provincial exams would be held in April, the metropolitan exams in September, and the palace exams on October 27th.
Today was already March 12th, leaving just one month before the provincial exam.
If all went well, Jiang Nian could become a successful candidate next month; if more fortunate, he could achieve the title of jinshi by October...
If not, he would have to wait until the next year, the second year of Taishun.
Originally, the regular provincial exams were scheduled for this year but were postponed to avoid clashing with the imperial exams, now set for February of the second year of Taishun. The metropolitan exams would then be held in August of the same year.
Fortune favors the diligent!
Jiang Nian believed that as long as he worked hard, the imperial exams would be the way for him to enter the court.
Though he was the son of the Taishun Emperor, even if he passed the jinshi exam, the emperor might still not fully acknowledge him. But through this path, Jiang Nian could prove his abilities to the emperor, strengthening his presence and improving his standing in the emperor’s eyes.
Therefore, to him, the imperial exams represented the best chance to quickly join the court and serve as an official!