Chapter 1531: Li Fang's Night Visit to the Eastern Palace

The spring examination of the eleventh year of Kaibao was, among all the imperial examinations of the Great Han, an utterly ordinary one. Its collision with the Fengshan sacrifices was the most notable thing about it. Even though Emperor Liu had specifically kept Li Fang on to preside over it, the overall impression it gave was that it was not held in very high regard.

Yet it was precisely this utterly ordinary examination that, in a manner that caught everyone off guard, once again stirred up a storm within the court.

Had there been no unexpected turn of events, what should have followed was Emperor Liu holding the customary palace examination at Chongyuan Hall, selecting the top scholar or the top three from among the thirty newly admitted jinshi, and then reopening the Qionglin Banquet.

But this process was thoroughly derailed by a bold and reckless petition submitted by a failed examinee named Xu Shilian through the drum of appeal, and there was even the suspicion that it might trigger the "first major examination scandal" since the founding of the dynasty.

In the evening, within the Eastern Palace, a family banquet was underway. Crown Prince Liu Yang sat in the seat of honor, with Consort Murong and Consort Zhao attending at his side—a scene of harmony and joy.

Of course, this so-called harmony referred only to the interaction between Liu Yang and his son. The Crown Princess sat to one side, her jade-like countenance calm, bearing the air of a dignified principal wife, while Consort Zhao, cheeks flushed like peach blossoms and eyes brimming with autumn waves, watched Liu Yang and his son with a smile.

The child, not yet a year old, was so tender that one could hardly bear to touch him with the slightest force. Toward his only offspring, Liu Yang was indeed deeply affectionate—even the child's vague babbling delighted him, and that pure smile could almost excite Liu Yang.

Watching the interaction between Liu Yang and his son, and noticing Consort Zhao's smug tenderness at the side, Consort Murong, try as she might to restrain herself, could not help but let a trace of sorrow and grievance show in her lowered eyes.

There was nothing to be done—whose fault was it that her own belly had not been more cooperative?

Although Consort Zhao had been taken in and had even borne a royal grandson, Liu Yang had never really neglected Consort Murong. Yet the melancholy in her heart grew day by day. Her intuition told her that the Crown Prince was drifting further and further away from her, drawing ever closer to the Zhao mother and son.

An immense sense of crisis had long since enveloped the heart of this Murong, who also came from a distinguished family. It even felt as though her position as Crown Princess was teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Grand Academician Li Fang requests an audience!" The palace eunuch's announcement interrupted the Crown Princess's self-pity and also snapped Liu Yang back from the joy of father and son.

"It seems our family cannot finish this meal together. You may withdraw for now!" A flicker of contemplation passed through Liu Yang's eyes as he handed Liu Wenhuan to Consort Zhao and said, "You may all withdraw. Have the kitchen prepare a fresh set!"

"Yes!" With the Crown Prince giving the word, both consorts knew he had serious matters to discuss and naturally dared not linger. They obediently rose, bowed, and took their leave.

"Invite Grand Tutor Li in!" Liu Yang pondered for a moment, then gestured at the meal that had barely been touched and ordered, "And clear away the tableware—replace it with a new set!"

Before long, Li Fang appeared before the hall, his steps heavy, a deep gravity on his face that could not be dispelled. Liu Yang personally stepped forward to greet him, bowing: "Grand Tutor Li!"

"Your Highness!" Seeing that the Crown Prince still addressed him with such warmth, and that the smile at the corners of his mouth was so infectious, Li Fang felt almost flattered and hurriedly bowed: "To intrude so abruptly is truly out of necessity. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!"

For Li Fang at this moment, the Crown Prince's respect struck straight through his chest and into his heart. Sensing Li Fang's unease, Liu Yang personally took his hand and led him to a seat: "Grand Tutor Li, what words are these? Please, take a seat and dine with me!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Yet at this moment, Li Fang had no mind for eating at all. After taking his seat, he had none of his usual composed bearing and could not help but speak at once: "Your Highness!"

"Grand Tutor Li, no rush. Have something to eat first!" Liu Yang stopped him.

Gazing at Liu Yang's calm countenance and steady eyes, Li Fang could not help but settle somewhat, and at the same time, a wave of emotion washed over him. In Liu Yang's youth, he, as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, had instructed him constantly and forged a deep bond. Now, more than a decade later, when troubles arose, it was the former student who was teaching him.

The two—sovereign and subject, teacher and student—sipped some tea and ate a few bites of food. Once Li Fang had more or less composed himself, he clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, you must know of today's affair by now!"

"How could I not!" Liu Yang's expression also turned grave. "The moment that drum of appeal sounded, half of Kaifeng shook. And the scholars' petition this afternoon—that shook the entire court!"

A failed examinee appealing to the throne by drum, directly accusing the chief examiner, the Grand Academician, of unfair selection—this was already nothing short of a thunderclap for the court. Yet after word spread, the situation only grew larger. More than twenty other failed examinees, clamoring together, gathered before the palace gates demanding justice, again directly challenging the court's selection of scholars this year.

There was no doubt that a powerful vortex had formed, and Li Fang, standing at its very center, bore pressure of unimaginable magnitude.

Liu Yang could somewhat understand Li Fang's anxiety and asked, "Has Grand Tutor Li been to the palace to seek an audience with His Majesty?"

At this, a clear look of worry appeared on Li Fang's aged face. He said, "Your Highness, I requested an audience, but His Majesty refused to see me. He only sent word for me to return home and await further instruction!"

Though Liu Yang had not directly involved himself in the matter, he had been quietly following it since it broke. As Crown Prince, he could not completely stand apart from this storm that stirred the hearts of court and country.

"I heard that this afternoon, His Majesty personally summoned that Wu Jichuan and, together with the petitioner Xu Shilian, examined them both on policy questions. The result was that Wu Jichuan responded clumsily and without clear reasoning, whereas Xu Shilian answered fluently and with composed bearing! Though no verdict has been reached, Wu Jichuan has been placed under control along with Xu Shilian!" Liu Yang then revealed another piece of news even more unfavorable to Li Fang.

"This—!" Li Fang's brow grew even more furrowed, his anxiety plain on his face.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Yang raised his head and looked at Li Fang with solemn gravity. Weighing his words carefully, he said seriously, "By rights, given Grand Tutor Li's character and integrity, I should not need to ask this. Still, I wish to ask one question: is there truly no connection whatsoever between Grand Tutor Li and Wu Jichuan?"

Hearing Liu Yang pose this question, Li Fang was taken aback for a moment. But seeing the Crown Prince's calm gaze, he immediately rose and bowed deeply: "Your Highness, I have never had any dealings with that Wu Jichuan. In fact, I did not even know of the man's existence until after the candidates had been selected!"

Li Fang's tone was resolute. Liu Yang held his gaze for a moment, then his expression softened. He gestured for him to sit and, after a moment's thought, said, "Could it be that some subordinate involved in the selection harbored private motives and recorded candidates out of personal favor?"

This question was worth considering, but it was still not particularly favorable to Li Fang. If so, then Li Fang, as chief examiner, would still bear responsibility—at the very least for lax oversight of his subordinates. It would also mean that the court's selection of scholars truly had problems, for otherwise how could such covert manipulation have occurred?

Li Fang hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Your Highness, I can guarantee that every procedure of the examination was carried out in accordance with court regulations. None of the subordinates—neither the invigilators nor the graders—could possibly have engaged in favoritism or bribery!"

Seeing Li Fang speak with such certainty, Liu Yang's brow finally knit together. He said softly, "Then where does the problem lie?"

"Did Grand Tutor Li carefully review all the examination papers of the admitted jinshi?" Liu Yang asked.

"I personally confirmed each one! Wu Jichuan's answers displayed outstanding literary talent—well-organized and hitting the crux of the matter. In my judgment, he was fully worthy of being admitted as a jinshi!" Li Fang said with a pained expression. "I simply never expected that merely because he shares a native place with me, it would invite such attacks!"

"I believe you, Grand Tutor Li!" After considering for a while, Liu Yang spoke these words.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Hearing this, Li Fang nearly burst into tears. He rose, overcome with gratitude.

"However!" Liu Yang's words carried a turn. "The matter has already reached the throne, and the situation continues to escalate, shaking court and country alike. How it will be adjudicated must await the results of the investigation! Whatever problems emerged must also be investigated thoroughly!"

"Grand Tutor Li, if you hold yourself upright, you need not fear these rumors and attacks!" Liu Yang did his best to reassure Li Fang.

At this, Li Fang nodded, but could not help sighing: "With matters having reached this point, I only worry how it will all end. The scholars are clamoring, questioning the court's fairness. I only fear, fear..."

Liu Yang raised his hand again to stop Li Fang. Looking at him, he said in a deep voice, "Grand Tutor Li! The court will not, for the sake of a pack of scholars' agitation, hastily punish a minister. Nor should it! Public judgment is public judgment. If, driven by popular sentiment, the court were to disregard the facts merely to give the scholars an answer and soothe the masses, then how could the fairness of the court's examination system stand?"

"Your Highness is wise!" Li Fang's gratitude deepened.

After hearing Liu Yang's words, Li Fang finally confirmed that the Crown Prince was no longer the student he had once taught. He had grown into a towering tree capable of sheltering those beneath its branches.

Surging public opinion, clamor and turmoil—none could move his heart. This depth of thought, this breadth of bearing—these were precisely what a heir apparent needed.

Of course, Liu Yang's trust in Li Fang's character and integrity, beyond the many years of teacher-student bond, was also premised on one condition: that Li Fang, as he claimed, had not acted with private favoritism in the selection.

"Since His Majesty has issued his instruction, Grand Tutor Li should return to his residence for now. This matter will be investigated thoroughly, and public judgment will prevail. Your name will be cleared!" Liu Yang said to Li Fang.

Seeing this, Li Fang finally rose, bowed, and took his leave. But before departing, he spoke with earnest sincerity: "Your Highness, I consider myself innocent. I fear no censure, nor even death! But when a thousand voices of slander can melt bone—if my lifelong reputation were to be destroyed by this affair, I would rather die!"

"Grand Tutor Li speaks too gravely!" Hearing this, Liu Yang rose to console him: "Rest assured, it will not come to that!"