#122: The Spring Examination (2)

The crowd gathered to view the examination results was thrown into chaos. Even those from humble backgrounds who had passed couldn’t help but begin doubting if the list had been posted incorrectly—wasn’t this year’s chief examiner, Qi Jingchen, a man of impeccable aristocratic lineage? Had he gone mad to have caused such an uproar without warning?

In an instant, the scholarly community was thrown into disarray. The great families and clans of Jiankang City also sprang into action. Whether close to the Qi family or not, whether they had sent gifts or not, whether their children were promising or useless—all of them reacted as if a hornet’s nest had been disturbed. One after another, they flocked to the Qi residence with even greater fervor than when they had previously curried favor, demanding an explanation.

Left Chancellor Qi Zhang, who had not anticipated such an event, was caught off guard.

That day, Chancellor Qi was leisurely sipping tea in his office when suddenly, a group of colleagues rushed in, red-faced and visibly agitated, surrounding him. Left Chancellor Qi was completely bewildered. After asking around, one old friend angrily sighed, “You still don’t know? Hurry back and take a look! Your second son, Jingchen… sigh!”

Chancellor Qi had four sons, and the Qi family had countless descendants in this generation. His second son was the one who gave him the least worry—he never caused trouble and never disappointed him. Hearing that his second son might have done something improper left Chancellor Qi feeling baffled and incredulous. But seeing so many people coming in anger made him uneasy. He hastily excused himself from the visiting officials and quickly returned home.

Upon arriving at the main residence, the gates were already crowded with people demanding answers. As soon as they saw Chancellor Qi return, they surged forward. Overwhelmed and confused, Chancellor Qi felt a surge of irritation rising within him. After finally entering the estate and shutting out the cacophony, he angrily summoned a servant and sharply ordered, “Go fetch Second Young Master here!”

When Qi Yin returned to the main residence, night had fallen, and the crowd outside the gates had already been dispersed.

He glanced at the now-empty entrance, then entered the estate silently.

Qingzhu followed closely behind, his heart racing with unease. He felt the atmosphere in the main residence was unusually tense. From the gate to the main hall, every servant and maid they encountered wore strange expressions, tinged with fear.

This only heightened Qingzhu’s anxiety.

However, everything about Young Master seemed normal. Qingzhu stole a glance and saw that his expression remained as calm as ever, his composure unwavering as he strode steadily toward the main hall.

The main hall was brightly lit, with Chancellor Qi, Lady Yao, and Eldest Young Master Qi Yun present.

Usually, Chancellor Qi doted on Lady Yao, but today, clouded by anger, his face was dark. Lady Yao hesitated to console him, appearing somewhat timid. Qi Yun sat below, looking deeply worried.

As soon as Qi Yin stepped in, all three pairs of eyes immediately focused on him.

Though those gazes were directed at Young Master, Qingzhu couldn’t help but tremble. However, Young Master appeared unfazed, calmly greeting his parents and elder brother.

Chancellor Qi, his face like still water, sat in the main seat and did not invite his second son to sit. With a stern voice, he commanded, “All servants, leave.”

These words tightened Qingzhu’s chest even more, deepening his foreboding that something terrible would happen tonight.

While Qingzhu fretted, the other servants obediently left. Only he remained in the hall, and under the weight of Chancellor Qi’s authoritative gaze, Qingzhu’s scalp tingled. Then he heard Young Master calmly say to him, “Leave.”

There was no disobeying Young Master’s command. Though filled with concern, Qingzhu dared not defy him and bowed before retreating.

Thus, only Qi Zhang, Lady Yao, Qi Yun, and Qi Yin remained in the main hall.

Qi Zhang stared at his second son standing in the hall, his face darker than ever. With the servants gone, his suppressed anger erupted further. Though he still tried to restrain himself, the oppressive aura around him was palpable.

He fixed his gaze on Qi Yin and slowly asked, “Was it your decision to release these examination results?”

Qi Zhang already knew.

This afternoon, while waiting for Qi Yin to return, he had learned the results of this year’s spring examination: among the three ranks, almost none of the top two ranks were from noble families. Even including the third rank, only two or three out of ten successful candidates were from prestigious lineages. The Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, Tanhua, and Chuanlu—all were from humble backgrounds. Such an outrageous and absurd outcome was unprecedented, even for someone like Prince Duan, who relied on non-aristocratic officials to gain influence. Not even he would dare to go this far!

Though Qi Zhang inwardly doubted it, he still clung to the hope that there had been some misunderstanding or accident. But to his dismay, his second son calmly replied, “Yes, Father. I personally judged the results.”

Those words were like pouring oil on fire!

Lady Yao, who knew her husband’s temper best, understood that he was already seething. Instead of appeasing him, Jingchen’s blunt response only fueled his anger further.

With a loud bang, Qi Zhang slammed the table in rage, causing the teacup to fall and shatter into pieces. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, and no one dared to clean up the mess. In a chilling tone, Qi Zhang asked, “Why did you do this?”

Even Qi Yun sensed his father was on the verge of exploding. He urgently signaled his younger brother with his eyes. To his surprise, his usually astute younger brother seemed unable to grasp the situation and calmly replied, “The top two ranks are filled with truly learned individuals. I merely judged the papers impartially. To avoid criticism, I’ve posted the top four candidates’ exam papers at the entrance of the Imperial Academy for public viewing and evaluation. If anyone has objections, they can argue their case openly before the scholarly community.”

His words were true.

In previous years, to favor noble families, exam papers were never made public. This year, under Qi Yin’s supervision, this unprecedented practice drew widespread attention. The papers of the top three candidates and the Chuanlu had been displayed at the academy’s entrance all day, and countless people had viewed them. No one dared claim dissatisfaction, and though the noble families resented their own exclusion, none could argue that their essays surpassed the four posted.

Hearing this, Qi Zhang became even angrier. Pointing at his second son, he bellowed, “Impartial judgment? How long have you been in office? And now you speak such naive nonsense worthy of a three-year-old! Kneel down!”

Since turning fifty, Chancellor Qi had rarely lost his temper, especially with his family. Even with Qi Ning and Qi Le, who were disappointments, he refrained from scolding or beating them. Yet today, he broke his habit and lashed out at his once-proud second son.

To everyone’s astonishment, Qi Yin didn’t protest. Upon hearing the command, he calmly knelt down without hesitation.

His composure only further enraged Qi Zhang. Laughing bitterly, he took two steps closer to his son and demanded, “Have you gone mad? Lost your mind? By suppressing noble families and elevating commoners, what will the court officials think? What will His Majesty and the two princes think? They’ll believe our family is siding with Prince Duan’s faction!”

Qi Zhang was beside himself with anger, pacing back and forth. He continued, “What about relations between noble families? Do you know how many people stormed our gates after the results were announced? Everyone is demanding an explanation! Do you think we’re invincible? The Qi family may be the foremost noble house, deeply rooted and influential, but your actions make us enemies of all noble families! Don’t you understand the simple truth that the few cannot stand against the many?”

Qi Zhang’s face turned pale with fury, and his legs wobbled. Qi Yun, noticing this, quickly stepped forward to support him, saying, “Father, please calm down. Jingchen isn’t reckless; perhaps he has his own plans…”

Lady Yao also hurriedly offered tea, but Chancellor Qi waved it away, his face still ashen as he glared at his kneeling second son. Finally, he nodded and said, “Fine. He’s no fool, so give him a chance to explain. Why has he gone to such absurd lengths?”

Though the words carried sarcasm, they at least gave Qi Yin an opportunity to defend himself. Qi Yun, relieved, immediately signaled his younger brother to say something to pacify their father.

Unexpectedly, Qi Yin’s phoenix-like eyes showed no retreat. Instead of soothing his father, he boldly declared, “Though Jiankang remains peaceful, turmoil has already erupted beyond its borders. If the Great Liang does not reform, the calamity of the Southern Migration will repeat itself. The Yangtze has been crossed—where will we retreat next? Noble families wielding power bring nothing but harm. If we do not decisively break with the past and innovate, national ruin is near.”

After these words, silence fell over the hall. Then Qi Zhang let out a bitter laugh—a sign that his anger had reached its peak.

Looking at his wife and eldest son, he pointed at Qi Yin and asked, “Did you hear what he just said?”

Lady Yao, unfamiliar with court matters, couldn’t grasp the implications, while Qi Yun’s face grew troubled. He didn’t know how to advise further and could only murmur, “Father…”

Qi Zhang ignored everyone else. Shaking off Lady Yao and his eldest son’s support, he walked step by step toward his second son. Lowering his voice, he asked menacingly, “Beautiful rhetoric indeed. So you’re telling me your reckless actions are for the sake of the nation?”

Qi Zhang laughed bitterly, his tone both mocking and weary.

“Jingchen, you’ve served in office for so many years. I thought you had grown wise. How can you still be so naive?” Qi Zhang looked down at his second son. “Do you think you’re the only loyal official in this court? The only one with a sense of justice or foresight?”

“You are a subject, not a ruler!” Qi Zhang stood tall, his expression and tone harsher than ever. “The survival of the nation is a matter for the imperial family to consider, not us. Our concerns are the prosperity of our family, the honor of our ancestors, the continuity of our lineage, and preserving our lives under a glorious reputation!”

“Is this mediocrity, Jingchen?” Qi Zhang pressed. “This is the rule! Countless dynasties, families, and individuals have painstakingly forged these rules. On what grounds do you dare to break them? Even if you are extraordinarily talented and wise, you are but a speck of dust in the vast river of history. What gives you the right to challenge them?”

“Qi Jingchen, have the praises of the world inflated your ego so much that you’ve forgotten who you are?”

His words cut like a blade, sharp and piercing. Yet Qi Yin remained silent, kneeling with a calm expression.

Qi Zhang seemed exhausted from speaking. After a long silence, he rubbed his forehead and said wearily, “No matter what it takes, change the results of the spring examination within three days and reissue them. As for His Majesty, I will handle the explanations.”

With these words, it seemed Chancellor Qi’s anger had finally subsided. Qi Yun, observing quietly, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Though he didn’t agree with altering the examination results, it was clear that compliance was necessary to prevent further conflict.

Unexpectedly, his younger brother’s behavior tonight was highly unusual. Instead of grasping this simple reasoning, he calmly added, “The selection of scholars through the spring examination is a matter of national importance, not to be monopolized by any single individual or family. Once the list is released, my decision is final. There will be no changes. I hope Father understands.”

Though spoken lightly, these words were like salt poured onto a flame!

Qi Yun listened with trepidation, watching as their father’s anger reignited. With a thunderous voice, he demanded, “I’ll ask you one last time: Will you change the list or not?”

Qi Yin remained silent.

Qi Zhang’s face contorted with rage beyond description. Nodding and shaking his head at Qi Yin, he finally uttered three consecutive “Good”s. His eyes sharpened, as if he had finally made a decision. Calmly, he instructed his eldest son, “Go. Fetch the family punishment whip on my behalf.”