Chapter Fourteen: High School

The day of the palace examination drew nearer with each passing moment. Song Baiqing visited Drunken Wind less and less frequently, yet every time he came, he brought some good news for Wen Zhiyan.

“In the past few days, the teacher praised my essays. Perhaps I have a good chance in the final imperial exam,” he said.

Wen Zhiyan smiled brightly. “My master is excellent; there’s naturally no need to worry about the palace exam!”

“A few days ago, I passed by my father’s study. He was talking with a guest about military matters and mentioned Minister Wen. Apparently, Minister Wen once had a subordinate named Chang who is about to be promoted.”

Wen Zhiyan frowned in frustration. “It’s all my fault for not understanding my father’s affairs in the military and court. I can’t recall who that might be.”

Song Baiqing comforted her, “Women traditionally don’t involve themselves in political affairs. Madam, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Thank you, master. You treat Zhiyan so kindly.”

Wen Zhiyan nestled comfortably in Song Baiqing’s embrace, filling his heart to the brim in that moment.

“Today, after class, I overheard some fellow students saying that Minister Wen’s letters are currently stored in the Military Secretariat. If we could see them, perhaps we might find some clues.”

“The Military Secretariat...”

Though this information was of little use to Wen Zhiyan, Song Baiqing still shared whatever he heard with her. While it might not help her situation directly, it gave her a glimmer of hope.

After the palace exam concluded, Song Baiqing was absent for two days. He was interrogated by his grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles about how he felt about the exam and accompanied his grandmother and mother in devout kneeling before the Buddha hall for an entire day.

On the day the results were announced, Song Baiqing’s name unsurprisingly topped the list.

As the champion entering the palace to pay respects, Song Baiqing, even without official rank, was recognized by the emperor as a scholar of exceptional talent, likely to secure a position for Song Baiqing’s younger brother in the court.

Having achieved the top rank, he gained the emperor’s high favor. On the very day he entered the palace to receive his reward, the emperor summoned his most beloved daughter, Princess Li Youwei, to accompany him.

Song Baiqing fully understood the implication. As he left the palace, the princess purposely called him back to congratulate the favored champion.

What Song Baiqing didn’t know was that before he even reached home, the news had spread throughout the capital.

Initially, he paid no mind, thinking the crowd’s attention on his sedan chair was due to his champion status. But when he arrived home and heard his father say, “You’ve made us proud; our Song family now has a prince consort!” he was taken aback.

“Father! You mustn’t say such things recklessly!”

His father advised, “Baiqing, although we withdrew the engagement with the Wen family in time, that matter still carries weight. Other families might worry about sudden repercussions after marrying into us, but the royal family is different; there’s no better choice than them, especially since it’s the emperor’s most cherished daughter—the trueborn daughter of the emperor and empress.”

At that moment, Song Baiqing thought of the small upstairs room in Drunken Wind, of Zhiyan’s gentle voice like a flower that understands, the fiancée he had kept in his heart.

In recent months, he had quietly accepted her as his wife in his heart.

Those days were tormenting for Song Baiqing. On one side, his family earnestly persuaded him to marry into the royal family; on the other, he was confined within the Song estate, unable to go out or see Wen Zhiyan.

He longed to share the news of his top rank with her but did not know if she had already heard it from others.

Finally, one day, seizing a moment when his family was distracted, Song Baiqing escaped the estate. He hurriedly pushed open Wen Zhiyan’s door, only to find the gauze curtains around her bed fully drawn, with a faint silhouette lying inside.

“Madam?”

No reply.

He moved closer. “Madam, Zhiyan?”

From behind the curtains came a hoarse voice tinged with sobs: “Young Master Song, please don’t call me that anymore.”

Hearing her voice, Song Baiqing breathed a sigh of relief. He approached, parted the layered curtains, and sat beside the bed, gently shaking her shoulder.

“Madam, what’s wrong? Are you angry with me? It’s my fault; I should have come to see you sooner, but there have been many matters at home lately, making it hard to get away.”

Wen Zhiyan said nothing and did not turn around, as if she hadn’t heard him.

“Don’t be angry, madam. I—I achieved the top rank. From now on, I will often move about the court, making connections with ministers. Maybe I can learn more about Minister Wen’s affairs.”

Wen Zhiyan turned around, her eyes misted with tears. “Really? Young Master Song, why would you lie to me? I’ve already heard that His Majesty intends to arrange a marriage between the princess and Minister Song!”

Song Baiqing felt a sharp pulse between his brows. “Where did you hear that? I dare not guess the emperor's will. That day I entered the palace for my reward and did see the princess, that’s true, but His Majesty never mentioned anything about a marriage.”

“It’s all over the city! Even if I don’t leave my courtyard, I know the emperor is very pleased with this year’s top scholar and has arranged for the princess to meet and be matched with the champion.”

As she spoke, tears as large as pearls rolled down her cheeks. Song Baiqing’s heart ached, and he wiped them away with his sleeve.

“Why believe such rumors? I have no intention of marrying the princess. You know well that my heart belongs to you alone. The reward has arrived; I can use it to buy your freedom. Though I can’t carry you home in a grand sedan chair, I can get you a small courtyard. Life can still carry on peacefully.”

Wen Zhiyan did not believe him. “Becoming a prince consort, joining the imperial family—such a good thing—doesn’t it tempt you at all?”

Song Baiqing sighed helplessly. “I was born into the Song family. I’ve seen many so-called blessings, but behind closed doors, it’s nothing but endless strife. The imperial family’s conflicts would be even worse. Zhiyan, we both come from noble households and know well the petty intrigues within. The palace would be far more ruthless.”

He sighed deeply. “The princess’s full brother, the former crown prince, died unexpectedly. They say it was an accident, but everyone in court knows he was murdered. I am not fortunate enough to be tangled in the royal family’s power struggles.”

Wen Zhiyan seemed to believe him but still held no hope. “Even without the princess, there are many who seek a son-in-law from the examination list. I was prepared before you took the palace exam, but now that it’s happening... I...”

She began to sob.

“Don’t cry. I cannot promise I won’t marry or have children in this life. Even if I refuse, the Song family will find ways to force me. But I promise I will never marry the princess. I will find a courtyard and care for you properly.”

As he spoke, he made a solemn oath.

Wen Zhiyan wiped her tears and said fiercely, “Words alone mean nothing. If you truly mean it, Young Master Song, put it in black and white.”