Chapter 1533: Pale in Comparison

The Eastern Capital, the Examination Hall.

A month ago, this was still a place radiant with literary brilliance where three thousand scholars gathered for the imperial examinations. A month later, it had become excessively desolate, and the newly added contingent of guards lent an air of killing intent to this sacred ground of the civil service exams.

Wu Jichuan and Xu Shilian, these two men, had been temporarily detained here. All things considered, this Examination Hall was the most suitable place.

Before the signing office, guards stood at attention. Inside, Crown Prince Liu Yang sat upright, his expression calm and indifferent, with Murong Defeng accompanying him at his side. Before long, flanked by two guardsmen, Wu Jichuan walked in.

This man left an especially deep first impression. Not because of outstanding bearing or elegant grace, but because his appearance and temperament were excessively coarse and ugly. Short of stature, with a thick neck and hunched back, his features were vulgar—no wonder he was despised by others.

Even though Liu Yang considered himself not one to judge by appearances, he could not help but devote a few extra moments of attention to Wu Jichuan's looks. Of course, this was hardly surprising—he had seen uglier men before, such as Pan You.

From this, one could also imagine why some people held doubts about Wu Jichuan's admission. Some prejudices were admittedly ridiculous, yet they were rooted deep in people's hearts. Even among those learned and cultured literati, scholars' contempt for one another ran even stronger. And in his heart, Liu Yang leaned more toward believing Li Fang—there was simply no need for it; it was too conspicuous.

Wu Jichuan wore the look of one who had suffered a great setback. His clothing was still fairly clean, but his bearing was utterly disheveled, his face full of dejection, even somewhat absent-minded.

"Wu Jichuan, in the presence of the Crown Prince, why do you not pay your respects!" Murong Defeng barked out.

As if startled back to his senses, he raised his eyes to boldly glance at the young yet dignified Crown Prince. His dazed eyes finally rippled with some emotion, and his legs went weak as he knelt: "This... this student pays respects to Your Highness!"

This stammering, cowering performance was clearly unsatisfactory and easily invited suspicion. Liu Yang said nothing, instead leaving it to Murong Defeng to question him: "Wu Jichuan, I ask you—do you know why you are in this place?"

"I... I know!" Wu Jichuan raised his eyes briefly, then quickly lowered them again, already giving one a sense of guilt.

"You and the Chief Examiner, Grand Secretariat Academician Li Fang, are fellow townsmen. Are you well acquainted?"

"We are not acquainted at all!" Wu Jichuan shook his head repeatedly.

"That is quite surprising! Among all the jinshi candidates in this examination, you are Academician Li's only fellow townsman—how could you not be acquainted?" Murong Defeng pressed.

"This student truly does not know Lord Li!" Wu Jichuan said with a mournful face.

"Bold Wu Jichuan! Before the Crown Prince, you still dare to deceive with lies?" Murong Defeng's tone suddenly turned harsh.

"This student would never dare!" Wu Jichuan's expression was panicked, his voice choked with tears as he kowtowed and wept: "Lord Li left his hometown very early and has not returned in over twenty years. Though this student has heard his name, I have truly never met him face to face! I beg Your Highness to see clearly!"

In his urgency, Wu Jichuan finally said something useful. Murong Defeng pressed on: "For all scholars, this bond of fellow townsmen is something rare. Academician Li was also the chief examiner—before coming to the capital to take the exam, did you never call upon his residence? There are those spreading word that before the examination began, you carried gifts to the Li residence."

Wu Jichuan hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said: "Some fellow candidates suggested it, and this student was indeed tempted. I bought some melons and fruits at the market, but when I reached the gate of the residence, I felt my learning too shallow and my appearance too ugly, and was overcome with shame. I did not dare knock on the door and returned!"

"That doesn't add up! Many people have testified that you returned empty-handed!" Murong Defeng challenged.

Upon hearing this, Wu Jichuan's face flushed red with embarrassment. He buried his head and said: "To avoid being mocked, this student ate all the melons and fruits before returning to my lodgings."

"So you say, then, that you and Academician Li truly never had any dealings?" Murong Defeng said flatly.

Wu Jichuan grew somewhat agitated: "Exactly so! Exactly so! I beg you to see clearly—this student absolutely would not dare to fabricate lies!"

Throughout Murong Defeng's questioning, Liu Yang remained silent, merely observing Wu Jichuan with a calm gaze. Every move he made, every glance and expression, was taken in fully.

Finally, Liu Yang spoke: "The policy essay you wrote for the examination—you still remember it, don't you?"

"I remember!" Wu Jichuan nodded without hesitation.

Liu Yang: "Recite a passage!"

"Yes!"

When it came to his own essay, Wu Jichuan seemed to calm down. Without needing to prepare or ponder, the moment he opened his mouth, he no longer stammered, and very fluently recited his essay.

Not just a passage, but the entire piece—over eight hundred characters—spoken smoothly without any hesitation, with proper cadence and inflection, and between his brows appeared a spirited exuberance that did not match his temperament.

The topic of this year's policy essay was but one: the governance of the Qianyou and Kaibao eras. Wu Jichuan's essay was florid in diction and meticulous in prose. Most importantly, its thesis was clear—the entire piece was filled with praise for Emperor Liu's achievements and merits, highlighting a single word: "sycophancy."

From this essay, one could understand why he had been admitted. Judging by the essay alone, it suited the examiners' tastes far too well. As long as his other answers were not too poor, ranking near the top was hardly something to make a fuss over.

Nodding slightly, Liu Yang looked at the tearful Wu Jichuan, pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and instructed the guards: "Take him down! He is a scholar of the court, not a prisoner. Treat him well—do not fail in propriety!"

The Crown Prince's gentle words entered his ears and swiftly turned into a warm current surging through Wu Jichuan's heart. He seemed to see hope and grew excited, unable to speak, only kowtowing repeatedly before leaving with trembling, unsteady steps.

This sight did indeed make one feel pity.

However, Liu Yang's expression remained unmoved. After thinking for a moment, he turned his head and asked Murong Defeng: "Rixin, what do you think?"

Murong Defeng was also in the midst of deliberation. Upon being asked, he considered for a moment more, then clasped his hands and said: "It does not seem feigned. Your servant believes this man does possess literary talent. It is only that, perhaps due to his coarse appearance, he is self-deprecating and timid, not daring to look people in the eye. When your servant just questioned him, he answered in haste—with His Majesty's imposing presence, how could he have been at ease?

The details he mentioned also hold up under scrutiny. Perhaps it truly was that simple. It is only that, in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it became evidence of Lord Li showing favoritism.

If there is any fault, perhaps it lies in being Lord Li's fellow townsman, in being ugly of appearance, in heeding vain gossip. Bringing gifts to visit but not entering, and ultimately eating the gifts himself—such conduct, if spread abroad, would likely invite ridicule..."

Murong Defeng's analysis largely aligned with Liu Yang's own view. However, Liu Yang did not express his stance, and simply waved his hand: "Bring in Xu Shilian!"

Soon, Xu Shilian walked in. Compared to Wu Jichuan, it could only be described as "without comparison, there is no harm."

Having already seen the Emperor and performed well, facing the Crown Prince, Xu Shilian's bearing was even more composed. Though fully respectful, he showed no panic, and calmly performed the formal salute.

Just judging by the gap in bearing between these two—one admitted, one failed—anyone would feel aggrieved. It was still Murong Defeng who questioned him: "Xu Shilian, why are you so certain that Academician Li used personal connections in selecting scholars and abandoned public duty for private gain?"

Xu Shilian was in no hurry either, and directly brought up Wu Jichuan. Upon hearing this, Murong Defeng recounted Wu Jichuan's statement and watched his reaction.

Xu Shilian could not help but furrow his brow slightly and said: "That is merely his one-sided account. Now that the matter has come to light, he is simply claiming innocence to escape blame!"

"However, as far as this official knows, the hidden circumstances you speak of are also your personal speculation, with no solid evidence. The court does not decide matters based on one person's word alone—it requires conclusive proof! Do you have any?" Murong Defeng asked flatly in return.

At this, Xu Shilian grew somewhat agitated, his voice rising a few notches: "All the fellow candidates know of the relationship between Wu Jichuan and Academician Li—everyone envied him. Previously, he never denied it and even used it as leverage. Now, he makes excuses and denies it—who could believe that?"

"Aside from those vague rumors, what other evidence do you have?" Murong Defeng smiled faintly and continued asking, his tone carrying a sense of pressure.

Xu Shilian was silent for a moment, thinking briefly, his gaze shifting from Murong Defeng to Liu Yang. He bowed deeply: "Crown Prince, though this student's knowledge is shallow, I do know roughly that Academician Li once served as Grand Tutor. If Your Highness, out of regard for the bond between teacher and student, would disregard favoritism and exonerate your teacher, then this student has nothing more to say. Only, the scholars of the realm would have their hearts chilled!"

"Presumptuous!" Hearing his reckless words, Murong Defeng could not help but rebuke: "Xu Shilian, is this a place for your wild talk? Can you represent the scholars of the realm? This official thinks what you represent are those failed candidates who lack real talent and are bitter about their loss!"

It had to be said, this Xu Shilian was quite skilled at stirring people's emotions. Seeing Murong Defeng provoked to anger, Liu Yang reached out to stop him, sizing up this bold and confident scholar. Inwardly, he sighed—indeed, from the moment he had intervened in this matter, in many people's eyes, suspicion of favoritism was unavoidable. That Xu Shilian held such thoughts was hardly surprising.

Without any intention of being angry or blaming him, Liu Yang smiled lightly and said in a gentle tone: "Can you tell me why you chose to charge the palace gates and beat the drum to appeal?"

Facing the Crown Prince's gentle breeze and fine rain, Xu Shilian, who had prepared himself for reproach, was momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, he answered: "Did His Majesty not set up the petition drum precisely to give those in the realm who suffer extraordinary injustice a chance to have their voices heard directly by the throne? When the court's selection of scholars is unfair, and it involves a Grand Secretariat Academician, this student had no place to seek redress. Filled with righteous indignation, I took this path—what is wrong with that?"

"Your name being off the list is the court's unfair selection!" Perhaps unable to stand this man's arrogant and self-important demeanor, Murong Defeng's tone carried a trace of mockery: "The court opens examinations to select scholars, gathering the worthy talents of the realm—was it established solely for you, Xu Shilian?"

Xu Shilian took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and said: "This student is untalented, but I consider myself two dou better than the likes of Wu Jichuan!"

"Not necessarily!" Murong Defeng said: "As I see it, in terms of cunning argument and sharp tongue, Wu Jichuan is indeed no match for you. But when it comes to genuine literary talent, who can say?"

Glancing at Murong Defeng, Xu Shilian responded with a look of speechlessness, which nearly made Murong Defeng lose his composure again.

"Who gave you the advice to beat the petition drum and accuse the chief examiner?" Liu Yang suddenly asked another question, his tone stern.

A flicker of suspicion flashed through Xu Shilian's eyes. Furrowing his brow, he bowed and said: "This student truly does not understand Your Highness's meaning. Every action I took was born of righteous indignation!"

"You may withdraw!" After observing the man for a while longer, Liu Yang waved his hand and gave the guards the same order he had given Wu Jichuan.