Chapter 407

The Withered Wood Viscount, who had been maneuvering in social circles for years, would certainly not miss this chance to get on good terms with a big shot.

Seeing the popular prince and the Chosen One actually appear together on his turf, he felt so happy he might faint, and hurriedly warmly invited them to come to his castle as guests.

Even Philip, who had originally been reluctant, changed his mind, after all he might be the first royal to meet the Chosen One, and the first-mover advantage is crucial; he had to seize this opportunity, at least to leave a sufficiently impressive impression.

What, you're saying Eleanor isn't actually royalty?

If you ask on paper, yes, she can be entered into the genealogy; she is a proper Hui Guang royal descendant.

But in reality…

Never mind that Lord Changge hasn't married into the family; even if he did, this exists purely for the royal family's face, and what kind of royalty would a child with foreign blood be?

In short, although it was almost time for a late-night snack, the viscount still set out a lavish dinner in the castle.

He invited the prince, the Chosen One, and the princess to catch up… well, they probably don't have much old history to recount, so let's just gather and chat about interesting things.

Although the prince was happy to share his rare travel experiences, and Ji Ming was willing to talk about the local customs of Sunshine City, these were obviously not the banquet's theme.

After a few words, going round and round, they eventually came to some rather sharp topics.

So Philip took a sip of red wine and asked, feigning nonchalance.

"I've heard the Chosen One's medical skills are superb, and he has wide connections—not just southern nobles, but also quite close with Princess Eleanor. Is that true?"

Seeing there was subtext in his words, Ji Ming chose his phrasing carefully.

"We can call each other comrades-in-arms; from discovering the Shadow Church's infiltration to the final full-scale offensive, we both participated a lot and earned considerable merit."

Philip chewed over those words and found nothing to fault.

Although the Northward Squad had been moving slowly along the way, the report on Sunshine City's defense was rushed to the Royal Capital at top speed.

This is also the fundamental reason he could rush over, even if he needed to temporarily leave his fief for remote work, he hurriedly brought his little sister around to drum up support.

——Objectively speaking, Eleanor has indeed earned merit for defending the land against enemies!

One must understand that even if Hui Guang Kingdom favors literature over martial prowess and indulges in pleasure, genuine martial achievements are still supreme, the most valuable entry on one's résumé.

So the question arises: Eleanor has earned merit, Eleanor is already a prince—why does Eleanor still care how others climb up?

There's nothing to be done—Eleanor and Fiya happen to be the same age, and both must take the royal examination this May.

"How come other people's Zihan can push themselves so hard, saying they'll go back to the countryside for summer vacation, but end up cramming a truckload of practice tests in the fields?!"

So when hearing that Eleanor had earned merit, Philip felt pretty much the same way.

What's worse, even for the college entrance exam, tens of thousands of students in the same cohort get into 985 universities, and even Peking University, Tsinghua, and Fudan have several thousand slots for everyone to squeeze into.

As for the royal examination, normally at most one eligible candidate can pass each year; in other words, if another family's Zihan passes, your own Zihan cannot.

Indeed, this rule sounds stupid, but first of all, it isn't written in black and white; it's an unwritten rule, and second…

Wanting to rise, wanting to succeed—could luck possibly not be important?

Flip through the histories—how many heroes capable of looking down on the world have had their brilliance overshadowed by stronger peers of their generation? So this, too, is part of the test.

In history, there has been only one exception: Princess Mengquan, Eleanor's mother.

But she opened the examination early at seventeen, the only change being the "eligible age" requirement, and using up the opportunity early also entailed risk.

Moreover, Mengquan is a historically renowned talent, excelling in both IQ and EQ with perfect scores, giving the king and his ministers ample reason to tolerate her slight willfulness.

As for Fiya… sorry, even your looks can't compare to hers, so better just forget it.

But facts are dead, people are alive; being forced into this deadly examination doesn't necessarily mean one must die.

Although the old king once promised that Eleanor would definitely be made a princess, he never clarified whether it would be at twenty or at twenty-five, when she'd start receiving relief.

And what if, come July or August, he added that Eleanor's ennoblement is special and she needn't take the examination—then wouldn't Fiya suddenly have a chance?

Thus Philip came up with two competitive strategies: one, to spare no effort in first filling his little sister's hand; the other, to use connections to have the king postpone or even specialize that ennoblement!

From this perspective, the existence of Ji Ming the Chosen One suddenly becomes extremely important.

First, he also has merit, and earlier he even devised a shocking new field of study.

Even if he returns to the Curia and doesn't want to stay, an honorary bishop's position is unavoidable; wherever he goes thereafter he'll be a guest of honor, and his words will carry weight.

Second, he is Eleanor's most important ally besides her mentor Tenis, and has ample reason to help her become a princess.

Exactly, it's about helping her become a princess, not helping her pass the test.

Open the road of thought!

Who says that those who set foot on this narrow bridge together must become enemies?

Could there be a scenario where I secure your Zihan's admission, you help my Zihan pass, we both win and together crush the other competitors?

Of course, there are plenty of smart people in this world besides Philip.

As far as he knows, among the five heirs slated to take the examination this year, two of the other three families have already prepared sweet-coated cannonballs aimed at Ji Ming.

Actually he was also preparing them, but who knew heaven would help him—he happened to run into the Chosen One in this godforsaken place, giving him a chance to seize the initiative.

Thinking of this, Philip unconsciously glanced at the Withered Wood Viscount.

But intentional blossoms and indifferent waters—this gaze full of approval landing in the viscount's eyes meant he had finally been chosen by a big shot!

His service instantly became more attentive; he even brought out the fine wine he had stored for years, intending to save it for his son's wedding, and let everyone sample it.

"No wonder he's the Withered Wood Viscount—this should be the most delicious meal I've had since arriving in the Hui Guang Kingdom."

Upon hearing Ji Ming the Chosen One's praise, he became even more excited, ordering his favorite noble band to leap out of bed at once and come play an elegant piece for the Chosen One!

"Elegant," what is elegant? The church's little tunes are elegant.

……

"Tell the Old Sun, his little tunes are truly awful; I suggest going to Earth to learn from peers—that enlightened master with a big brain does something far stronger than this."

【He said he was borrowing from it, then would immediately do a remix rock version, and then stitch in some earthly language】

"Hell no, that's totally unnecessary!"

But the Withered Wood Viscount wasn't so foolish as to think that a single meal and a song could make two adults willing to patronize him.

There's plenty of time ahead; what he's doing is simply trying to earn a bit more goodwill.

Therefore.

Time is not early; I suppose several adults still have matters tomorrow. I have already ordered the servants to prepare the bedrooms—please follow the maid. If you have any needs, please feel free to order.

Walking out of the banquet hall, Ji Ming was still thinking about the few words Prince Philip had just said.

As an outsider who would eventually be drawn in but for now at least was not yet involved, he naturally did not know what the current state of the royal family's intrigue was.

But he was skilled at reading expressions and could see that Prince Philip's hesitant, paw-testing demeanor like a lowly cat meant there were still things he wanted to say privately.

Thus, when being led into the room, Ji Ming called out to the maid who was turning to walk toward the door.

Please don't leave yet.

In the click of the door lock, the maid turned her head, revealing a surprised expression.

Sir, I wasn't planning to leave either; I just wanted to lock the door.

Ji Ming was dumbfounded by this, and instinctively asked.

Ah, why are you locking the door?

The maid took a deep breath, licked her lips, and for some reason rubbed her hands together.

I… am afraid someone might come in, haha.

Ji Ming: Family, I'm scared—I feel like I've entered a realm where even going to a club can earn me money in reverse.

However, given the situation, he couldn't well conceal his face to lower his charm, so he could only slightly turn his body sideways.

Alright, forget the previous question; I'm asking you, do you know where Prince Philip is staying tonight?

Stay… stay? Now? Sleep?! Uh… oh… ah, I know, I know…

Good heavens, the smoothness of this expression transition is almost worthy of being added to Beijing Film Academy's teaching material.

Watching the utterly dejected maid reopen the door, Ji Ming, after venting, again wondered in his mind.

Did she just secretly sigh?

【Ask me? Ask yourself!】

The prince's room was closer than Ji Ming imagined, and upon knocking the door open, besides Philip himself, Fiya was also inside.

Their mother was the daughter of an elderly duke from the Eastern Border, so they have pure red hair and purple eyes, which is the mark of the Hui Guang Kingdom's heavenly nobility.

The only difference is probably that Philip's brows and eyes resemble his mother's more, born with a hint of gentleness; his deep eyes seem to be constantly thinking.

Fiya, on the other hand, more closely resembles the royal lineage's style, her whole body exuding a fiery passion; compared to her brother, she seems more aggressive.

As for why her presence at the dinner table just now seemed low, constantly existing as mere background to the meal……

Of course, she's not stupid either; in situations she can control, she dances back and forth, flaunting her dominance, but if she jumps around in unstable high-stakes settings, she's practically asking for death.

In contrast, Ailinuo, although her auburn hair and violet eyes are also pretty, but because her paternal clan once lived on the coast of the Yangyuezhu Continent, possessing a brown-haired, blue-eyed foreign noble lineage, her colors are indeed inferior to theirs.

Moreover, perhaps due to her overly burdensome past and the weight on her shoulders, at least she won't have the same vibrant vigor as Fiya, who is blessed by her parents and brother; her eyes often show a hint of confusion.

……Anyway, it's definitely not because she's short—ah, there's no such reason, everyone don't spread rumors.

And since the God's Chosen could come here, it shows he understood my riddle; therefore, after Philip waved his hand to dismiss the servants and let them close the door, his first words were:

"Marvelous, God's Chosen, you are indeed as clever as I expected; I truly have something I wish to discuss privately with you."

He first discussed with Ji Ming the matters concerning the royal examination; although some more important details were still withheld, most of the information was still shared with him.

"I see."

Ji Ming had also wondered before, how could the Hui Guang Kingdom have both princes and princesses; has chuunibyou struck? A bunch of useless snacks still handing out so many titles.

So he actually knew of the royal examination's existence, but since Eleanor had already been promised by the king to pass smoothly, he didn't pay it much mind.

Upon hearing Philip say that, Ji Ming instantly had many doubts cleared up, prompting him to raise a question he had been puzzled about for a long time.

"May I ask boldly, did Eleanor's sudden termination of her work in Sunshine City two months ago, and her departure with Archbishop Tenisi to return to the Royal Capital, also relate to this matter?"

"Huh?"

"He doesn't know?"

"He actually doesn't know!"

Philip's heart trembled, followed by a surge of unexpected joy.

— Looks like Ji Ming's relationship with that little princess isn't as close as I imagined!

However, a great person should keep joy and anger from showing; thus he still controlled his expression, feigned hesitation for a moment, then hesitantly nodded.

"That's right; this matter is actually quite private to speak of: two months ago, the Royal Capital received rumors that the father king was unwell, this…… is not just a rumor……"

"Heh, no wonder."

The crown prince just died, the new ruler is not yet decided, the old king's health has again run into trouble, the situation is unclear — exactly the time for everyone to make their move.

For those princes and princesses who have already climbed up, with the situation undecided, you and I are both dark horses; who knows who will end up laughing last.

And for those offspring who have not yet climbed up, this May examination could very well be the final entry ticket to the royal succession war.

Never mind whether we can ultimately win; at least this time I can get a seat at the table, while you lot of useless fools can wait down below!

In that case, Philip's reason for telling him all this becomes obvious.

Therefore, before Philip could call on him, Ji Ming proactively asked whether he wanted to seek a "one‑recommendation, one‑pass" outcome.

Philip clapped his hands and broke into a grin.

"Certainly, though I don't know what you think."

Ji Ming, however, did not answer immediately, but let his thoughts circle twice in his mind.

According to Philip's words, this May examination is crucial; it very likely concerns the future royal succession war.

Yet along the way, neither Eleanor nor Tenisi had explained this matter to him in detail; instead, they coincidentally overlooked it.

Why would this happen? Is it because they don't trust me?

Impossible; as my value keeps being displayed, as long as my ambitions aren't misguided, the people around me will only become more inseparable from me.

Then there is only one possibility — this matter has nothing to do with you; the situation is messy, so if it can be cleaned up, let it be; just pretend you don't know.

(End of chapter)