[Imperial Academy · 7-9 AM]
"Have you heard? The Regent is abolishing the eight-legged essay!"
The news spread through the Imperial Academy like wildfire, as if it had sprouted wings.
Scholars gathered in clusters of three and five, voices rising in heated discussion. Some were furious. Some were terrified. Others remained skeptical, caught between belief and disbelief.
"How is that possible? The eight-legged essay format was established by our ancestors. No matter how arrogant the Regent is, surely he wouldn't dare touch that?"
"You don't know?" One scholar lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Yesterday, the Regent went to the Ministry of Rites and invalidated the entire examiner list. My uncle-by-marriage works there—he saw it with his own eyes!"
"Invalidated the examiner list? Then all these years we've spent preparing eight-legged essays—was it all for nothing?"
"Worse than nothing!" Another scholar's voice rose with indignation. "I heard the Regent wants to change the examination to policy essays, testing all sorts of peculiar technical skills! We've studied by cold windows for ten years, all for the eight-legged format. He overturns everything with a single decree—isn't this destroying our futures?"
The scholars grew more agitated with every word, their collective anger building like a gathering storm.
A young man in a blue-green scholar's robe rose to his feet, his voice ringing out: "Fellow scholars! The Regent's actions are clearly meant to persecute all literati under heaven! We have endured years of bitter study to serve the court. Now he issues a single command to ruin our prospects—how can this stand?"
"Well said!" The crowd echoed in agreement. "We must submit a petition!"
"Yes! A petition!"
"To the palace gates! Let His Majesty judge for himself!"
The Imperial Academy erupted into chaos, voices clamoring over one another in a tumultuous din.
Standing at the back of the crowd, Scholar Chen allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. The Prime Minister's stratagem was working perfectly. These bookish fools were so easy to manipulate—a few well-placed words were all it took to send them into impulsive action.
Regent, oh Regent, he sneered internally. Prepare to be drowned in the spit of every scholar under heaven.
[Capital City · Drunken Immortal Teahouse · Noon]
The rumors soon escaped the confines of the Imperial Academy and spread throughout the entire capital.
Yin Wuwang had changed into plain clothes and was walking the streets alone. He had intended to gauge how far the rumors had spread, but this excursion left him so furious he nearly drew his blade in public.
The Drunken Immortal Teahouse was the largest establishment of its kind in the capital, and at this hour, every seat was occupied. A storyteller stood on the raised platform, striking his wooden clapper for emphasis as he spoke with theatrical fervor, spittle flying with every word:
"...Now this Regent Xie Lan, he's nothing but a crude soldier! Can barely read a few characters! What does he know about literature? He only climbed to his current position by currying favor with the late Emperor!"
The tea-drinking patrons below cheered: "Well said!"
"Now he wants to serve as Chief Examiner—what a joke! An illiterate brute, presuming to judge the writings of all the scholars under heaven? He'll probably fail everyone with real learning and only pass those who know how to flatter!"
"Ha ha ha!" The patrons roared with laughter.
Yin Wuwang sat in a corner, his face darker than the bottom of a pot.
Three thousand years. He had lived for three thousand years, faced down armies, conquered realms, watched civilizations rise and fall. And yet nothing—nothing—had ever made him this angry.
Illiterate?! He raged internally. Fuguang's scholarship is unmatched in all Three Realms! You worthless cur who can't produce anything but garbage from your mouth—you dare to criticize him?!
His hand had already found the hilt of the saber at his waist. His knuckles whitened with the force of his grip.
Just then, Xie Qingyan's words suddenly echoed in his mind: "Watch and wait. Do not intervene."
Yin Wuwang drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his fury.
Fuguang told me not to interfere... He must have his reasons...
He released the saber hilt and picked up his teacup, draining it in one gulp.
The storyteller was still spouting nonsense on the platform: "...I hear the Regent wants to abolish the imperial examinations entirely, destroying the prospects of every scholar in the realm! Such a cruel and tyrannical man—how is he fit to serve in government? If the late Emperor knew of this in the afterlife, he'd probably leap right out of his coffin in rage!"
CRACK—
The teacup in Yin Wuwang's hand shattered. Shards of porcelain bit into his palm, and fresh blood dripped onto the table.
The nearby patrons started in alarm, turning to stare at him.
"Sir, are you all right?" A waiter rushed over.
"I'm fine." Yin Wuwang rose to his feet and tossed down a silver ingot. "For the tea."
He strode out of the teahouse. Behind him, the storyteller's voice continued its endless stream of slander.
Fuguang, you told me to endure, so I'll endure. He vowed silently. But this debt—sooner or later, I will settle it with the Prime Minister!
[Regent's Residence · Study · The Same Time]
Xie Qingyan sat in his study, listening to his shadow guard's report. His expression remained utterly calm.
"The rumors have spread?" he said mildly. "Good."
The shadow guard blinked in surprise. "Your Highness doesn't intend to refute them?"
"Refute what?" The corner of Xie Qingyan's mouth curved slightly. "Rumors die in the presence of the wise. The more one protests, the more guilty one appears. I will do nothing and see what tricks they can manage."
The shadow guard considered this. "Your Highness means..."
"The Prime Minister wants to use the scholars against me. Very well—let him see whether scholars are so easily manipulated." Xie Qingyan's tone remained level. "These rumors are riddled with holes. Anyone with half a brain can spot the inconsistencies. Once the rumors reach their peak, people will naturally begin to question them."
He paused, then added: "Besides, I never said anything about abolishing the eight-legged essay. The rumors have already grown far beyond the original seed. The more outrageous they become, the harder the slap in the face will be when the truth emerges."
The shadow guard's eyes widened with understanding. "Your Highness is brilliant!"
"Not brilliant." Xie Qingyan's tone remained dry. "Just patient. The Prime Minister is playing checkers while thinking he's playing chess. He doesn't realize he's already lost."
Xie Qingyan waved a hand. "Go. Continue watching. If scholars plan to petition at the palace gates, report to me in advance."
The shadow guard acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Xie Qingyan sat alone in his study, his gaze drifting to the courtyard beyond the window.
The scholars in this world were written far too stupidly by the original author. He mused. The moment they hear the slightest rumor, they rush into action without pausing to consider whether the information is even true. This kind of character design is clearly the author being lazy, unwilling to put in the effort to create three-dimensional supporting characters.
He shook his head. Since he had entered this world, he would have to patch the original's plot holes.
Bzzt—
Little Deer Assistant 9528's voice crackled in his mind: "Suggestion... bzzt... suppress the rumors... arrest a few spreaders as examples... bzzt... demonstrate the Regent's authority..."
Xie Qingyan's expression didn't change. Suppress them? That would be falling right into the Prime Minister's trap. The more I suppress, the more the scholars will believe the Regent has something to hide.
He ignored the Little Deer's suggestion and continued to wait.
[Duke of Zhenguo's Residence · 7-9 PM]
Night fell. Yin Wuwang finally could restrain himself no longer and went personally to the Regent's residence.
Using "discussing military affairs" as his excuse, he was shown into the study by the doorman.
Xie Qingyan was reading by lamplight. When he saw Yin Wuwang enter, he looked up slightly. His gaze fell on Yin Wuwang's bandaged hand, and his brow furrowed. "How did you get injured?"
Yin Wuwang started, instinctively hiding his hand behind his back. "It's nothing. Just bumped it accidentally."
He cursed himself internally. Of all the things to notice, Fuguang had to see the one thing he wanted to hide. That was so like him—those sharp eyes that missed nothing, that cut through every pretense and saw straight to the heart of things.
Xie Qingyan glanced at him but didn't press further.
Yin Wuwang strode to the seat across from him and sat down. "Rumors are flying everywhere, and you can still sit here calmly? My people say scholars may go to petition at the palace gates tomorrow. What do you plan to do?"
"Wait." Xie Qingyan set down his book. "Let them make their scene."
"That's it?"
"That's it." Xie Qingyan's tone was measured. "The Prime Minister wants to use scholars as his weapon. I'll show him whether that weapon might turn and pierce himself instead."
Yin Wuwang frowned. "Aren't you worried things will get out of control?"
"Out of control?" The corner of Xie Qingyan's mouth lifted. "Yin Wuwang, do you think I'm the type to act without certainty?"
Yin Wuwang paused, then laughed. "Fair point. I was worrying for nothing."
He watched Xie Qingyan's composed, unhurried demeanor, and silent admiration stirred in his heart. Fuguang was always like this—no matter what situation he faced, he remained as steady as a mountain.
This is my Fuguang.
The thought came unbidden, possessive and fierce. He had no right to call Fuguang his—not yet, perhaps not ever. But in his heart, that truth had already taken root.
"By the way," Xie Qingyan suddenly spoke, "how are things on your end? Has the Prime Minister sent anyone to sound you out?"
"Not yet." Yin Wuwang shook his head. "But I expect he'll try to win me over in a few days. After all, in his eyes, you and I are mortal enemies. He'll assume I should be gloating over this examination business."
"Remember to play along when the time comes."
"Naturally." Yin Wuwang lifted his chin. "You still don't trust my acting skills?"
Xie Qingyan looked at him, and for just an instant, the corner of his mouth curved upward.
That flicker of amusement vanished as quickly as it appeared, but Yin Wuwang caught it.
His heart rate spiked. His ear tips grew warm. Fuguang... was that a smile just now?
"It's getting late." Xie Qingyan rose to his feet. "If there's any movement at the palace gates tomorrow, I'll send someone to notify you."
"Good." Yin Wuwang also stood, but didn't immediately leave.
He gazed at Xie Qingyan's cool, composed profile and suddenly spoke: "Xie Lan."
"Mm?"
"No matter what happens tomorrow, I will be your greatest ally."
Without waiting for Xie Qingyan's response, he turned and strode away.
Xie Qingyan watched his retreating figure, his gaze lingering on that hand Yin Wuwang had tried to hide.
The bandaging on Yin Wuwang's palm was rough and careless, and blood still seeped through the gauze. That wound... didn't look like something caused by "bumping it accidentally."
This man... Xie Qingyan's brow furrowed slightly. Could he have heard something outside that made him lose his temper?
He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
But as Yin Wuwang's words echoed in his mind—"I will be your greatest ally"—something stirred in his chest. A warmth he couldn't quite name.
Don't read too much into it, he told himself. He's just stating a strategic fact.
Yet somehow, that explanation felt insufficient.
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Academy.
Scholar Chen watched the sky darken beyond his window, a venomous smile curving his lips. From his sleeve, he produced a "blood petition" he had prepared in advance and handed it to the young scholar in the blue-green robe beside him.
"Liu Siyuan, use this first thing tomorrow morning." His voice dropped low, his eyes glittering with excitement. "Tear a hole in the heavens!"
The young scholar accepted the document, his hands trembling slightly—whether from fear or anticipation, even he couldn't tell. He had no idea he was merely a pawn in a game far larger than himself, a tool to be used and discarded.
Scholar Chen watched him go, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Tomorrow, he thought, we tear open the sky.
He had no idea that at this very moment, in the Regent's residence, Xie Qingyan was reviewing the exact same "blood petition" that Scholar Chen believed to be secret—a copy obtained by the shadow guards three days ago.
Predictable, Xie Qingyan thought, setting down the document. Using scholars as weapons. The Prime Minister really has no new tricks.
He picked up his brush and began drafting his response. By the time the scholars arrived tomorrow, every word of their "spontaneous" protest would already have an answer waiting.
The hunters thought they were setting a trap.
They had no idea they were walking into one.
[End of Chapter 15]
Next Chapter Preview:
Three hundred scholars. One palace gate. And a Regent who refuses to flinch.
The Prime Minister's trap is sprung—but who will be caught in its teeth?
Chapter 16: Instance Activated: Please Use Your Mouth Alone to Brainwash Three Hundred Furious Scholars