Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 531 The Imperial Examination (Part 3)

After undergoing this rigorous, almost meticulous, inspection that left no stone unturned, the candidates were led by solemn-faced eunuchs to a spacious but simply furnished, even somewhat empty, side hall near the Zichen Hall to rest briefly and await the summons that would ultimately determine their fate.

The atmosphere inside the hall was so heavy it was almost palpable; you could hear a pin drop.

No one spoke, and there was very little eye contact. The future disciples of the emperor each found a place to sit.

They might close their eyes to rest and try to calm their turbulent emotions, or move their lips slightly to silently recall possible policy issues and their prepared drafts, or focus their attention on their nose and mind, striving to enter a state of complete absorption in the world around them.

Even more shrewd individuals, seemingly calm, secretly scanned the crowd in the hall, observing and assessing their fellow graduates who might serve in the same court in the future, or who might be their most direct competitors in their careers.

A moment later, another group of officials arrived, dressed in more formal, intricately patterned dark-colored robes of the Ministry of Rites. They were solemn and walked steadily, stopping in front of each tribute student in turn. In a low but exceptionally clear voice, ensuring that only the person concerned could hear them, they explained in detail the order, positions, and routes to take after entering the Zichen Hall Square, as well as the basic etiquette that must be strictly observed when meeting the emperor. This included how to walk, how to kowtow, when to stand up, and where to lower one's gaze. No detail was too small to be overlooked.

When it was Sheng Changquan's turn, he calmly handed over his calling card.

The official was about forty years old. His face, which had been as taut as an iron plate, twitched almost imperceptibly when his eyes swept over the three characters "Sheng Changquan" on the name card. The serious expression on his face instantly softened like ice meeting the sun, revealing a hint of surprise and understanding.

Immediately, his attitude became noticeably more respectful. He not only carefully checked the portrait against the person, but also bowed slightly. He even lowered and softened his voice unconsciously, and pointed out, "Sheng Huiyuan, please enter through this gate and proceed in order. There will be eunuchs to guide you ahead."

He seemed to think that wasn't enough, so he added a sentence with a clear intention of currying favor: "Your seat is in the very front row, right in front of His Majesty's throne, with the best view. There will be an attendant to guide you in detail, so you just need to follow his instructions. There's no need to be nervous."

"Thank you for your guidance, sir." Sheng Changquan said his thanks calmly, without a trace of smugness or arrogance on his face.

He took another deep breath, tucked the heavy name card, a symbol of supreme honor and responsibility, into his bosom, and then strode steadily across the high marble threshold, officially stepping into the inner palace, a place symbolizing the center of power in the world, a place where countless scholars had devoted their lives to studying and dreaming of ever seeing.

The palace passageways are deep and seemingly endless.

Beneath our feet lies the imperial road paved with massive bluestone slabs, smooth as a mirror, reflecting our figures clearly, as well as the towering, oppressive vermilion palace walls on either side, and the magnificent, imposing double-eaved brackets of the halls, which seem to be soaring into the sky.

The air was filled with an indescribable, unique atmosphere, a mixture of centuries of historical weight and the will of supreme authority, heavy and solemn, pressing down on everyone's chest like a physical weight, making it hard to breathe.

All the candidates held their breath and lowered their heads involuntarily, strictly following the admonition of "keeping their eyes and noses focused on their hearts." They walked forward cautiously and almost tiptoeingly, guided by the silent yet incredibly precise instructions of the eunuch leading the way.

In the empty and deep passageway, only the suppressed breathing of the crowd and the slightly chaotic yet rhythmic footsteps echoed hollowly against the walls. Instead of dispelling the silence, the sounds added a sense of unsettling solemnity and awe for the unknown.

Sheng Changquan kept his eyes straight ahead, strictly adhering to the rules and not daring to look around or lose his composure. However, out of the corner of his eye, he could still keenly capture the overwhelming grandeur and strict hierarchy that permeated this royal forbidden area.

With its vermilion walls and golden tiles, and rows of armored soldiers, every detail silently proclaims the supreme authority of power.

However, he did not feel much of the anxiety and unease common among newly appointed candidates for the imperial examinations. Instead, after the initial adjustment, he gradually developed a strong desire and determination to display his lifelong learning and realize his ambition to govern the country and benefit the people in the highest hall of the world.

After passing through several heavily guarded palace gates that required repeated identity verification, and circling around several magnificent and awe-inspiring palaces with different functions, the leading eunuch finally stopped in front of a grand palace that was magnificent in appearance and could be called the pinnacle of architectural art.

The square in front of the palace is paved with huge white marble stones. It is incredibly wide and offers an excellent view, seemingly large enough to accommodate thousands of people standing and gathering.

The palace before us features the highest-grade double-eaved hip roof, covered with dazzling bright yellow glazed tiles. Under the unreserved illumination of the rising sun, it shimmers with light, resplendent and magnificent, like a celestial palace from mythology. Ordinary people only need to glance at it to feel ashamed of their own insignificance.

The eaves are covered with interlocking brackets, an exquisite structure, and are decorated with colorful paintings and carvings of lifelike dragon and phoenix patterns that symbolize the supreme imperial power. All of these features demonstrate the supreme and unquestionable majesty of the royal family.

On either side of the hall stand enormous bronze tortoises and cranes, their lifelike forms conveying the silent prayer for an everlasting and prosperous nation.

Above the central, high-hanging plaque are three gilded characters, "Zichen Hall," personally inscribed by Emperor Taizong of this dynasty. The characters are bold and powerful, seemingly containing the boundless will of the emperor.

This place is where the imperial examination is being held today, the ultimate sacred ground where the Great Hong Emperor personally examines and selects the pillars of the nation, the purple-gold beams that span the sea!
At this moment, on the vast square paved with white marble in front of the hall, officials from the Court of State Ceremonial had already arranged neat and uniform rows according to their rankings in the imperial examinations.

Following the deep and clear call of names, the candidates filed into the square. Under the precise guidance of the officials in charge of ceremonies and the guides, they stood solemnly in their designated positions beneath the high steps in front of the palace, which were carved with exquisite dragon patterns.

Everyone bowed slightly, with their hands clasped in front of them, maintaining the most respectful and standard posture, like clay or wooden sculptures in a temple.

As the top scholar, Sheng Changquan was unsurprisingly placed in the front row, in the center, making him the center of attention and extremely conspicuous.

He could even clearly feel countless gazes behind him, some bright, some dim, some scorching, some icy, falling on his straight, pine-like back as if they were real.

There was undisguised envy and amazement, a calm, dissecting scrutiny and assessment, and a purely curious observation. Perhaps, it also concealed a subtle rivalry, a sense of dissatisfaction, and even a faint hint of jealousy.

He calmly accepted everything, his body as still as an ancient pine rooted in the mountain rocks, his heart clear and steadfast.

Sheng Changquan slightly raised his eyes, his gaze passing over the cold and magnificent imperial steps, and landing on the tall and deep palace gate, which appeared particularly dim and mysterious due to the huge contrast between the light inside and outside. Inside, the golden outline of the throne, symbolizing the power of the world, could be vaguely seen, as well as the blurred and solemn figures of the court guards and civil and military officials standing on both sides, like silhouettes.

An invisible, vast, and heavy aura, as deep as the ocean and as imposing as Mount Tai, emanated from within the palace gates, spreading like a tide and pressing down on the hearts of everyone in the square, as if even the flowing air was frozen by this power.

Everyone bowed their heads, not daring to breathe, even their breathing was deliberately kept extremely light and slow, for fear that the slightest sound would break the extremely solemn atmosphere and thus offend the supreme being in the hall.

Time seemed to stretch out infinitely at this moment, each breath passing exceptionally slowly and clearly, awaiting the moment that would ultimately determine the fate of everyone's life.

This is the majesty of power.

Sheng Changquan lowered his eyes, cleverly concealing the deep thoughts that flashed across them.

As someone who has witnessed the information explosion and even the "de-authoritarian" era to some extent, he feels both awe and a detached, calm analysis.

However, he quickly suppressed this thought and, in the suffocating wait, his gaze quietly and quickly swept over the few people not far from him.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. This is the wisdom of our ancestors.

One of them, dressed in a light blue robe, stood tall and straight like a lone pine tree on a cliff. His face was exceptionally handsome, like a finely carved jade. His gentle temperament was tinged with an unapproachable aloofness and coldness. He was Yuan Shen, a talented scholar from Henan Province who was as famous as him and was known as one of the "Twin Jewels of the Capital". He ranked fifth in this imperial examination.

Of course, the resounding name of "the two jewels of the capital" was created by his loyal, capable, and insightful partner Xu Changqing after Sheng Changquan achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination. Xu Changqing secretly and cleverly orchestrated the event, spending money to have storytellers write stories and guide literary figures to discuss it. This is how the name quickly gained popularity.

For no other reason than to deeply bind themselves to the name of the Yuan family of Henan!

As someone who has experienced the rise and fall of "persona," "traffic," and "CP marketing," Sheng Changquan understands all too well how important a positive, high-end, and easily disseminated "combination brand" is.

While it's nice to be beautiful on your own, wouldn't it be even better to join forces with other strong companies and generate a surge in buzz?
This "CP hype" is a sure win for Sheng Changquan, and it can also elevate the overall quality of this year's Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). Why not?
Of course, the other party must have understood Sheng Changquan's thoughts, which is why Xu Changqing's little actions were so swift and "harmonious".

At this moment, Yuan Shen seemed to sense the scrutinizing gaze directed at him, which carried a hint of "business partner" in it, and turned his head slightly.

Their gazes met briefly in the air, calm and undisturbed, neither joyful nor sorrowful, their eyes as deep as water, revealing no emotional fluctuations. Then, they subtly looked away, returning to their meditative state of focusing on their own thoughts and feelings.

However, both of them were well aware that the other would be their "officially designated opponent" and "CP partner" to watch out for in the Zichen Palace today.

Besides Yuan Shen, who was "bundled with" him, Sheng Changquan also noticed several other competitors with unique auras.

Not far from him stood a tall, strong-looking young man with an undeniable confidence and arrogance between his brows. His name was Wang Youchen, from Taiyuan Prefecture in Hedong Road. He was a leading figure among the scholars of the North and ranked third in the imperial examination!

It is said that his family has a deep-rooted presence in Hedong Road, and he is skilled in both literature and martial arts. He himself is known for his sharp insights into policy essays and his vigorous and powerful writing style. He is one of the strong contenders for the top scholar title. Although he is bowing his head at this moment, his straight spine and slightly pursed lips reveal a sharp spirit of determination to win.

The other was Chen Jingshen from Yangzhou Prefecture in Huainan Circuit, who ranked second in the provincial examination, only behind Sheng Changquan.

He was slender with a fair complexion and a slightly aloof demeanor, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, as if they contained a hidden wisdom.

He wore a worn-out robe, faded from washing, yet clean and tidy. One glance revealed him to be a talented individual who had studied diligently from a poor family. He stood there silently, like a deep pool of still water, revealing no emotion. But Sheng Changquan knew that to be able to hold a top-three position, his academic foundation must be incredibly solid and not to be underestimated.

His gaze swept across the room again, and Sheng Changquan saw a familiar figure. The corners of his mouth curved into a barely perceptible smile.

That was Liu Renyuan, who was standing at the back of the line. He came from Jiangnan East Road and was a close friend of the Sheng family, a member of the Liu family, a family that had been friends with the Sheng family for generations.

Liu Renyuan ranked ninety-sixth in the top three, barely making it into the finals.

At that moment, this fellow was secretly and extremely slowly raising his eyelids, and his eyes met Sheng Changquan's gaze.

Liu Renyuan was startled and quickly closed his eyes again, but the slight twitching of his lips and the instant tension in his shoulders still betrayed his inner nervousness and excitement.

Sheng Changquan chuckled inwardly. This guy is still as unconventional as ever. He must have had a lot of good fortune to be able to stand here.

Those who have survived the brutal selection process, where thousands of soldiers crossed a single-plank bridge, and finally stood beneath the steps of the Purple Palace, are all outstanding talents of this era, possessing exceptional abilities and unwavering resolve.

Today, this Zichen Palace is not only a coronation of unparalleled glory, but also an ultimate contest without the smoke of gunpowder, yet fiercely intense.

Sheng Changquan, however, was already prepared.