Chapter 62: Emperor Taishun—Let Him Take the Imperial Examination (Part Two)

The next day, the thirteenth of March.

It was still raining in the city of Shenjing, though the heavy downpour of yesterday had turned into a gentle drizzle today.

The fine, misty rain, fine as silk and thread, enveloped the Changchun Garden situated in the western suburbs of Shenjing City.

Raindrops tapped softly on the dark green tiles and blue bricks of the Danning Residence, as if chanting a silent, wordless poem.

The Danning Residence stood quietly in the rain, resembling a traditional monochrome wash painting.

Inside the warm pavilion, the sound of rain filtered through the carved lattice windows. In one corner, a bronze incense burner sent up wisps of curling blue smoke, and the faint fragrance of sandalwood permeated the air, adding a sense of seclusion and Zen-like tranquility.

Emperor Taishun, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe embroidered with dragons, sat cross-legged on the platform, discussing state affairs with Prince Zhongyi.

When the sovereign and his imperial brother had concluded their discussion, Prince Zhongyi suddenly reported, "Your Majesty, young Yi requested an audience with this subject yesterday, stating his wish to participate in the upcoming metropolitan provincial imperial examination next month."

Even Emperor Taishun was so startled by this news that his eyes widened.

Recovering his composure, he knitted his brows and spoke with displeasure, "What imperial examination is he trying to take! Nonsense!"

Outside, the sound of rain continued, but the atmosphere within the warm pavilion shifted abruptly and grew heavy at these words.

Since ancient times, there had been no record in official history of an imperial prince taking the imperial examinations.

The imperial examination was originally a means for imperial power to curtail the aristocracy, absorb commoner scholars, and serve as the golden gateway for humble scholars across the land to leap through the dragon's gate. As core members of the ruling elite, princes stood outside this system. Should a prince participate in the imperial examination and make the passing list, it would easily provoke controversy regarding undue imperial interference.

Emperor Taishun said coldly, "Is he really trying to take the examinations? He is simply being restless and wants to draw My attention!"

His voice was like a peal of thunder, echoing within the warm pavilion and seeming to stall the patter of rain outside the windows for a moment.

Prince Zhongyi, however, smiled slightly, his expression serene as if he had anticipated Emperor Taishun's reaction. He said softly, "Your Majesty, when this subject saw young Yi yesterday, I tested him on the spot. I found that he possessed considerable scholarly diligence, and in particular, an extraordinary memory, being almost able to recite things verbatim after a single glance. This subject believes that if young Yi truly goes to take the examinations, he might well pass. For a prince to sit for the imperial examinations is unprecedented, yet it would also be a novel affair."

Emperor Taishun asked in surprise, "From what I knew, his studies were mediocre. Does he truly possess scholarly diligence and an extraordinary memory?"

Prince Zhongyi smiled and said, "How would this subject dare to deceive Your Majesty in such a matter?"

Emperor Taishun's expression eased slightly. After a brief pause, he asked, "What are your thoughts on this?"

The smile on Prince Zhongyi's face grew broader as he slowly elaborated, "There is no harm in letting young Yi sit for the examination! If he can indeed pass the provincial examination next month, it would be an extraordinary feat—a licentiate at the tender age of fifteen! However, we shall not confer upon him the formal title of licentiate, nor shall we allow him to proceed to the metropolitan examination. In this way, it can be proven that he genuinely possesses talent, without incurring suspicions of imperial interference. Moreover, this subject knows that young Yi's martial arts skills are also quite commendable. If he is proficient in both civil and military arts, even if Your Majesty does not acknowledge him as a prince, he can still be employed in the court. After all, young Yi is Your Majesty's own flesh and blood; how can he be left to languish among the common folk indefinitely?"

Emperor Taishun pondered for a long time, his gaze deep and profound.

Outside the window, the rain pattered incessantly, while inside the warm pavilion, absolute silence reigned.

Finally, Emperor Taishun nodded and said in a deep voice, "Very well, I grant him permission to sit for the examination!"

In his heart, he still cared somewhat for this son, Jiang Nian, and he also believed in promoting men of talent regardless of their background.

Because Grand Emperor Jingning had spoken on the matter, the existence of an imperial prince living among the common people was something that, if suddenly brought to light, would prove detrimental to Emperor Taishun's throne and was best kept secret.

Emperor Taishun had originally intended to leave Jiang Nian sidelined in the eastern suburbs, perhaps considering his entry into the court only after Grand Emperor Jingning passed away. Although the Grand Emperor was old and ailing, he would most likely not pass away within a year or two, and there was no telling how many years hence that might be.

Now, however, Emperor Taishun had temporarily changed his mind.

He wanted to see whether this fifteen-year-old commoner prince, Jiang Nian, could truly pass next month's special provincial examination.

His gaze pierced through the lattice window, looking out at the curtain of rain outside, as he silently sighed to himself, "I pride myself on selecting men of talent, how much more so when it is my own flesh and blood! If this boy is truly of extraordinary talent, I shall elevate him to the imperial court!"

Prince Zhongyi continued, "Young Yi's household registration is still in Jiangning. To sit for the provincial examination in Zhili Province, his household registration must first be transferred to Shuntian Prefecture. Since young Yi neither holds the title of a xiucai student nor is a student of the Imperial Academy, a special quota for the Zhili provincial examination must be bestowed upon him. Furthermore, with only a month remaining until the provincial examination, it is advisable to urgently engage a tutor for young Yi to exclusively instruct him in the arts of the imperial examinations. This is what young Yi earnestly begged of this subject yesterday."

Emperor Taishun replied, "The matter of household registration is easily handled; since he is My son, if he sits for the provincial examination, it is only natural that he does so in Zhili Province. A examination quota is likewise easily arranged—we need only have him sit for the exams under the guise of an Imperial Academy student. As for the matter of engaging a tutor, in My haste, I know not who might be suited for such a task."

Prince Zhongyi smiled slightly, having already chosen a candidate in mind. He calmly said, "This subject believes that Li Shouzhong would be very suitable. He is a successful imperial scholar by background and formerly served as a libationer of the Imperial Academy. He possesses vast learning and is particularly well-versed in the techniques of the imperial examinations. Moreover, he lives in the eastern suburbs, not far from where young Yi resides."

Emperor Taishun paused and said, "Li Shouzhong is currently the Junior Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and has official duties tying him down. How could it be convenient for him to spare a month's time to tutor young Yi in the imperial examination arts? Besides, Li Shouzhong is connected by marriage to the Rongguo Mansion. Recently, Wang Ziteng, who is extremely close to the Rongguo Mansion, was penalized, and this matter is related to young Yi."

Seeing Emperor Taishun reject this proposal, Prince Zhongyi did not press further.

Emperor Taishun mused for a moment and said, "We need only have Qu Tai's son, Qu Jisheng, instruct young Yi."

Prince Zhongyi: "..."

Qu Tai had served during the Jingning reign successively as a record clerk in the Hanlin Academy, a reader-in-waiting in the Grand Secretariat, an expositor-in-waiting in the Hanlin Academy, and had also served as a libationer of the Imperial Academy.

In the fifty-second year of Jingning, Qu Tai left office due to illness.

In the sixtieth year of Jingning, Emperor Taishun, who was then the Prince of Yitai, was commanded by Grand Emperor Jingning to offer sacrifices at the ancestral mausoleums. Encountering rain along the way, he lodged at Qu Tai's home. During casual conversation, the Prince of Yitai asked Qu Tai if any of his sons held official posts. Qu Tai replied that his fifth son, Qu Jisheng, was a licentiate of Shuntian Prefecture. The Prince of Yitai then remarked that he would wish to see Qu Jisheng at a later date.

After ascending the throne, Emperor Taishun wished to employ Qu Tai importantly and summoned him to be appointed as an academician of the Grand Secretariat.

Just yesterday, Qu Tai had come to the Changchun Garden to pay respects to Emperor Taishun, and Prince Zhongyi was present as well. During the audience, mention was made of Qu Tai's fifth son, Qu Jisheng, and it was learned that Qu Jisheng was to participate in the metropolitan examination of the special imperial examination this coming September.

Now, Emperor Taishun intended to have Qu Jisheng teach Jiang Nian the arts of the imperial examination.

From Prince Zhongyi's perspective, this matter held more advantages than disadvantages for Jiang Nian.

The disadvantage was that Qu Jisheng was currently only a licentiate.

The advantage was that Qu Jisheng held no official post at present and was preparing to take the metropolitan examination this year. Over the coming month, he could meticulously instruct Jiang Nian while preparing for the examinations alongside him.

Furthermore, since Emperor Taishun intended to employ Qu Tai importantly, should Qu Jisheng successfully pass the metropolitan examination to become a jinshi, he would most likely also be heavily employed by Emperor Taishun... which meant that Jiang Nian might well leverage this opportunity of studying under Qu Jisheng to forge connections with both Qu Tai and Qu Jisheng, two important future pillars of the imperial court!

Prince Zhongyi could not fathom what Emperor Taishun was truly thinking in his heart, and secretly mused: "Perhaps the Fourth Brother intentionally wants young Yi to cultivate ties with future high officials of the court, so that young Yi might acquire extraordinary connections for the future and avoid standing isolated and without support?"

Meanwhile, Jiang Nian remained entirely unaware that he had narrowly missed becoming the student of Li Wan's father, Li Shouzhong...