The first light of dawn stretched across the rooftops of the Tang Dynasty, painting the palace walls in shades of crimson and gold.
A deep bell echoed throughout the capital.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
Every prince participating in the royal examination stepped into the Grand Courtyard, accompanied by two attendants.
Jian Wei adjusted the embroidered robes of a noble prince. Behind him stood Mei Ling and Bai Lu, dressed in the armor of royal guards. Their disguises were flawless, yet none of them dared to relax.
High above the courtyard, nobles, ministers and generals watched silently.
At the center stood an elderly man dressed in simple dark robes. His white beard reached his chest, and although age had bent his back, his sharp eyes missed nothing.
Prime Minister Zhao stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Honored guests," he announced. "Allow me to introduce the most respected elder of our Tang Dynasty."
"The Imperial Elder."
The old man smiled kindly.
"It is an honor to welcome talented young men from every corner of the realm."
Jian Wei lowered his head politely.
Beside him, Mei Ling whispered,
"His aura..."
Jian Wei answered without moving his lips.
"I know."
Prime Minister Zhao raised his voice.
"The Royal Examination shall now begin."
Many contestants straightened immediately.
Several glanced around, expecting an arena or a battlefield.
Instead...
Servants carried dozens of low wooden tables into the courtyard.
Each table held nothing but paper, ink and a brush.
The crowd exchanged confused looks.
"No weapons?" Said one of the prince with big eyes.
"No beasts?" Another said
"No duels?"
Prime Minister Zhao smiled.
"The Tang Dynasty does not seek the strongest warrior."
"We seek the wisest ruler."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"The First Examination..."
"...is the Examination of Reason."
An official unrolled a golden scroll.
"The first question."
His voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Two villages stand upon opposite sides of a great river."
"A flood approaches."
"You possess enough soldiers to save only one."
"One village feeds the kingdom."
"The other guards its borders from invasion."
"Which do you save?"
No one reached for their brush immediately.
The official continued.
"There is no correct answer."
"We will judge your reasoning."
Some princes immediately began writing.
Others frowned deeply.
Jian Wei closed his eyes.
After several moments...
He finally picked up the brush.
Mei Ling glanced toward him but said nothing.
She trusted his judgment.
Hours passed.
Question after question followed.
"What is justice?"
"Can a king break his promise to save his people?"
"What weighs more... truth or peace?"
Each answer demanded thought rather than knowledge.
By noon, sweat covered the brows of many contestants.
Some had already given up.
Others argued with themselves before writing a single word.
Hidden behind a carved wooden screen overlooking the courtyard...
A young man watched every contestant carefully.
He wore the silver armor of the Imperial Guard.
His gaze lingered only briefly on Jian Wei before drifting toward the highest tower of the palace.
Behind those sealed windows...
Lived the cursed princess.
His expression softened.
"...Just wait a little longer."
"I'll save you."
After the examination concluded...
The contestants returned to their assigned quarters.
The atmosphere was noticeably heavier.
Bai Lu remained unusually quiet.
She had barely spoken since the previous night.
Mei Ling noticed but chose not to ask.
Jian Wei placed his answers upon the table.
"What do you think?" Mei Ling asked.
He looked toward the palace where the princess was imprisoned.
"I think..."
"...the examination wasn't testing intelligence."
Mei Ling frowned.
"Then what?"
Jian Wei's eyes narrowed.
"It was testing our hearts."
Silence filled the room.
For a brief moment...
Even Bai Lu looked up.
Elsewhere...
Within the deepest chamber beneath the palace...
The smiling Imperial Elder descended a narrow staircase.
His gentle expression disappeared completely.
Torchlight flickered across ancient stone walls covered in strange crimson symbols.
In the center of the chamber...
Lay a lifeless body
Its flesh had already begun turning into fine gray sand.
The old man sighed.
"This body is becoming useless."
His wrinkled hand slowly touched his own chest.
Beneath his skin...
Dark veins pulsed like living serpents.
"Not much longer..."
His eyes closed.
"The next vessel must be prepared."
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"My son..."
"You have always been such an obedient child."