[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling":3,"chapter-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-7":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Top Scholar of Da Ling",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2288842,4475,"Chapter 7: Life Hangs by a Thread Inside the Taihe Hall","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-7",7,"\u003Cp>On the tenth day of the ninth month, it was Frost’s Descent; autumn had deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace still gleamed in gold and jade, chrysanthemums bloomed everywhere, a scene of prosperity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Taihe Hall, a group of civil officials in court robes waited to pay homage to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu and thirty-one other newly minted jinshi arrived at the Taihe Hall with Ministry of Rites officials to pay their respects to the Emperor. Having completed their new-official training, they had walked through the palace with utmost reverence, following every ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the top-ranked jinshi, Jiang Mingyu stood at the head of the line; yet despite the honor of being the zhuangyuan, he felt no glory—only anxiety welled within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the newly crowned zhuangyuan, this was his first audience with the Emperor; he knew full well the Emperor held high expectations of him, and he walked on eggshells, terrified of disappointing His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him, noise still filled the hall—court officials were still in session—but Jiang Mingyu was deaf and blind to it all; his entire mind focused on the impending audience with the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood rigid in the center, head bowed, his mind having rehearsed a thousand times how to answer the Emperor’s questions, fearing any misstep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runner-up and third-place jinshi were the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though all three came from powerful clans and understood the inviolability of imperial power, as zhuangyuan, runner-up, and third-place, this was their first meeting with the Emperor, and they could not help but feel uneasy, terrified they would fail to meet His Majesty’s expectations of the new jinshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left them agitated and unsettled—even the ceremonial protocols they had practiced daily now felt foreign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Jiang Mingyu and the others felt as if walking on cotton, their feet sinking, unable to steady their nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They eagerly awaited the summons from within the Taihe Hall, yet trembled with dread, utterly clueless about what lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Jiuxiansui entered the hall, he loudly announced: “His Majesty arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All civil and military officials in the hall immediately knelt and bowed their heads, chanting in unison: “Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the Emperor said, “Rise, all ministers,” did they respond in unison: “Thank Your Majesty.” Only then did Jiang Mingyu rise with the entire court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s court session aimed solely to summon the newly appointed jinshi to pay homage and receive imperial grace; no state affairs were to be discussed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Ministry of Rites’ earlier schedule, the audience would end after the imperial edict was read out—but plans never outpace change: the Emperor suddenly took a fancy and summoned the new zhuangyuan for a personal interrogation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, in the depth of autumn, Jiang Mingyu broke into a cold sweat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped quickly out of line, following the precise steps, pace, and route taught by the Ministry of Rites, and approached the hall with proper decorum to pay homage to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, uncertain about this new appointee as Crown Prince’s Reader, wished to test him face-to-face, to see if he was fit for the role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is said since ancient times that loyalty and filial piety cannot be both fulfilled; if both I and your father fell into the water at once, whom would you save?” asked the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s question was cunning, but Jiang Mingyu was no fool; in a thousandth of a second, his mind calculated the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied: “Your Majesty, I shall save Your Majesty first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor smiled—he had not expected Jiang Mingyu to fall into the trap so quickly. He pressed: “Would you not be unfilial, abandoning your father to drown?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu answered without hesitation: “Your Majesty, I am from Dongzhou, a coastal region where all men are skilled swimmers—my father included. If needed, my father can rescue Your Majesty from the water himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words made the Emperor laugh. He asked further: “Suppose… I and the Crown Prince both fell into the water—how would you save us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu slightly lifted his head, glancing at the Crown Prince seated to the Emperor’s right, presiding over court—his first time seeing the Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crown Prince was about Jiang Mingyu’s age, perhaps even younger, around twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His features were refined, his bearing noble, with a small goatee, dressed in an orange five-clawed golden python court robe, sitting upright. He too waited to see how Jiang Mingyu would answer the Emperor’s challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court fell into heavy silence; all eyes turned to Jiang Mingyu, and time did not allow him to think long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Jiang Mingyu replied: “Your Majesty, a sovereign and his heir should never stand together in peril—it is a grave taboo for the state. As a minister, I must prevent such a scenario; if it occurs, I am guilty and cannot escape blame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor burst into laughter, even more amused by Jiang Mingyu’s reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed further: “Whether necessary or not is irrelevant—I simply wish to know: if I and the Crown Prince both fall into the water, whom would you save first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu: “I shall save both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor: “You must choose one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu: “Your Majesty, I shall save the one closer to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s expression darkened slightly: “What if they are equally distant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu suddenly dropped to his knees, prostrating himself, bowing three hard knocks before answering: “Your Majesty, forgive this minister’s boldness—if the situation is extreme and a choice must be made, for the sake of the state, I shall save the Crown Prince first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the court erupted in murmurs; the entire hall was instantly shrouded in an atmosphere of awkwardness and terror!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did the Emperor stare in shock, but even the Crane Minister’s eyes widened, his jaw slack with disbelief!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Minister and Rabbit Minister exchanged glances, remaining silent. Only the Crown Prince’s expression was most intriguing—his lips seemed to twitch slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the sake of the state…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s face darkened, his tone cold: “Where does this leave me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forgive this minister’s boldness…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, still kneeling with his forehead pressed to the ground, continued: “The Crown Prince is young—his chances of survival are greater. I calculate by probability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the Emperor’s mind was flooded with a thousand galloping donkeys; he was furious beyond measure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jiang Mingyu had spoken hastily, he still held his ground, daring not to voice his true thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In plain terms, his real meaning was: the Emperor is old; even if rescued, he may be beyond saving. Better to save the Crown Prince directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, having seen countless men and possessing decades of political experience, knew how to mask his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suppressed his anger, calmly observing the expressions of the Crown Prince and ministers, then glanced once more at Jiang Mingyu, prostrate on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought: This man speaks frankly and dares to advise—perhaps he can be used to discipline the court, to create balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the Emperor held his temper and said: “If the Crown Prince falls ill, another may be appointed; but if the state lacks a sovereign, chaos will engulf the realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor intended to counter Jiang Mingyu’s argument and remind the ministers: without the Crown Prince, other princes wait in line; but without me, the realm cannot survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Mingyu replied: “Your Majesty, please retract these words!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor: “….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu: “To speak lightly of deposing or appointing the Crown Prince may incite rival princes to fight for succession!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor was once again publicly humiliated by Jiang Mingyu, so enraged he could barely sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never imagined that a hypothetical question meant to test the new zhuangyuan’s reaction…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…would also serve as a warning to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was the Emperor himself who was trapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You just said—for the sake of the state…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor used Jiang Mingyu’s own words to counter: “Then, which is heavier: me or the state?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu still dared not lift his head, his face pressed to the ground: “The people are most valuable; the state comes second; the sovereign is least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the Emperor was so thoroughly outmaneuvered he could no longer tell east from west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never imagined this newly crowned zhuangyuan would dare use the words of the Second Sage, Mencius, to refute him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not possessed over thirty years of political discipline, Jiang Mingyu would have been arrested and punished two decades ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Crane Minister quickly saw the Emperor needed a way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the Crane Minister—even the Plum Minister, the Rabbit Minister, and any seasoned minister present could see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to say,” declared Left Censor-in-Chief Shu Tong, stepping forward bravely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not come to offer the Emperor a face-saving exit—he pitied this new zhuangyuan, who had not even taken office yet and was already hanging by a thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor: “Shu Censor, speak your mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I congratulate Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Tong continued: “Honest officials are rare; outspoken censors are hard to find. Today, the court has discovered a true censor—this is a great fortune for the Great Feng state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I second that,” said Minister of Justice Yu Dian, stepping forward in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Emperor remain silent, the Crane Minister understood his cue—he knew the final push was needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward and said: “I believe today’s interrogation was not about the question, but about the test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor immediately understood—this was the Crane Minister’s true effort to rescue him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly agreed: “Your Excellency is absolutely right—today’s interrogation was about the test, not the question…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor seized the opportunity to retreat, claiming this was merely a casual inquiry, never meant to resolve any great moral dilemma; he also praised Jiang Mingyu for his candor and courage to speak truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Crane Minister join forces with the usually opposed Shu Tong and Yu Dian to stabilize the atmosphere, the Plum Minister and Rabbit Minister also stepped forward to echo their approval!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the chorus of congratulations from the entire court, Jiuxiansui announced the session was dismissed, and Jiang Mingyu finally knew he could leave safely.\u003C\u002Fp>",1710,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9c39d86b61cc2deb2180dfe5b0f1a94c023b889882caa88e41584d44be902c57","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-8","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-6",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]