Days turned into weeks, and it was time again for the triennial imperial examinations. Zhu Chenxing was unusually excited, having toiled for so many years, he could finally prove his worth.
Although people, out of respect for his status, didn't openly mock him for being from the countryside, he knew they often gossiped behind his back. It was fine, as long as he was outstanding enough, they wouldn't dare to provoke him, and would eventually fall silent.
Everything was prepared. When he went to register, he was surprised to learn that Zhu Yuxuan was also participating in the imperial examinations. Upon hearing this news, he almost burst into laughter. Zhu Yuxuan, a notorious dandy who had driven away countless good tutors, and later confined to bed, lacking the energy to study – did he truly believe that anyone could pass the exams with just a casual attempt?
However, Zhu Chenxing didn't try to stop him. If he became a successful candidate while Zhu Yuxuan failed, it would only highlight his own excellence.
Initially, Madam Zhu intended to play some tricks to prevent her stepson from succeeding. After listening to her son's analysis, she found it reasonable and decided to let him have his way for now.
"Everyone believes you won't pass this time and are even placing bets at the gambling houses. Most people are betting on you failing. I've decided to join in and make some money," Wu Caiwei said, rummaging through a chest and pulling out a thousand taels of silver. Thinking of how it would soon become ten thousand taels, she was in a good mood.
Zhu Yuxuan looked at her money-grubbing demeanor and shook his head affectionately. He offered her a suggestion, "Why don't you set up your own bet? Just bet that I'll become the top scholar. Wouldn't that earn you even more?"
"That's a good idea, but before that, I want to teach Zhu Chenxing a lesson. With his capabilities, he might actually pass. I'm getting revenge for the original owner. I can't let him enjoy the admiring gazes of others. You've been studying diligently lately and haven't seen his smugness. What do you think his reaction will be when you become the top scholar and he fails, perhaps to the point of despair?" Wu Caiwei found the thought amusing.
"Tell me, what are your plans to deal with him?" Zhu Yuxuan asked, his eyes shining.
Wu Caiwei leaned in close to his ear and whispered a plan. Zhu Yuxuan nodded enthusiastically.
As time went by, Zhu Chenxing studied until midnight every day, determined to shine in the imperial examinations. Even Liu Zhiyi, who had a strained relationship with him, felt a pang of sympathy and made him nourishing meals daily. Madam Zhu, of course, was no different.
Zhu Chenxing did a final check of his exam supplies for the next day and went to sleep peacefully. However, in his sleep, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He rushed to the privy, and from then on, he was essentially shuttled between his bed and the privy, unable to sleep the entire night.
Each trip to the privy deepened the unease in his heart. For someone about to take the imperial examinations, this was a disaster. He had been so fearful of any unforeseen circumstances, being extremely cautious about his food and drink lately, yet something had still gone wrong.
As dawn broke, Zhu Chenxing felt dizzy and his legs were unsteady. He knew his chances of passing this examination were slim. To achieve good results, he would have to wait for the next opportunity. He felt an urge to cry out loud.
Upon hearing the news, Madam Zhu rushed over, carried by servants. Seeing her son's despair, she didn't know how to comfort him. In truth, she had also been looking forward to her son's success, which would allow her to hold her head high among the other ladies and easily brush aside her past actions. Unfortunately, all her hopes were about to be dashed.
"Are you still participating in this year's imperial examinations?" Lord Zhu, though disappointed, was rational as a man and focused on the most crucial issue.
"I don't know," Zhu Chenxing replied with a pained shake of his head.
"You won't go this year. Stay home and study diligently. Strive to become the top scholar in three years," Lord Zhu decided decisively for his son.
Meanwhile, Wu Caiwei and Zhu Yuxuan leisurely finished their breakfast and headed to the county yamen. Wu Caiwei wasn't worried about his examination ranking, but the proper ceremony still needed to be observed.
By the time Madam Zhu realized what was happening and sent people to inquire about the couple, they had already left. She was furious. She had intended for her son to shine like a red flower against a green background. If her son couldn't even take the exam, why should he?
Madam Zhu planned to take action that night, but unexpectedly, they were more ruthless, finding an inn outside the city to stay. The couple didn't take Madam Zhu's petty schemes seriously, but they found them troublesome.
Three days later, the couple returned home. Seeing Zhu Chenxing's somber gaze, they shrugged indifferently.
Their loving demeanor pricked the eyes of those with ill intentions. Zhu Chenxing, already disheartened by his inability to participate in the examinations, was further distressed by Liu Zhiyi's constant intrusions, disregarding his health. At this moment, he found Li Wenwen exceptionally considerate and began to miss her. He decided he needed to find a way to bring her into the household earlier, otherwise, his life would be unbearable.
Liu Zhiyi was also angry. She had willingly married into the Zhu family because she admired Zhu Chenxing's talent and believed he would definitely achieve success in the next imperial examinations. This would put her ahead of her friends, allowing her to become an official's wife first. Little did she expect him to not even participate in the exams.
She felt a pang of frustration when she thought about how she would answer when people inquired about the reason. She, a dignified young lady from the Grand Tutor's family, had married into the Zhu family, only for her husband to have someone else in his heart. Furthermore, they colluded to scheme against her, making her feel incredibly wronged.
What she regretted even more was that a few days later, the much-underestimated Zhu Yuxuan actually attained the top scholar position. Witnessing the admiring glances directed at him, she was filled with regret. Had she known he could recover so quickly and participate in the examinations in such a short time, why would she have gone through all that trouble?
Zhu Chenxing also couldn't believe it. He first suspected Zhu Yuxuan of cheating. Then he thought it impossible. Could some people simply be gifted with exceptional intelligence, while he, after over a decade of hard work, saw others achieve success with ease?
Seeing his father's radiant face, his heart sank. He had always thought his father favored him more, but now it seemed that whoever succeeded in the imperial examinations and brought glory to the Zhu family would be his father's favorite. He couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy.
Although he knew that most of the Zhu family's assets belonged to Zhu Yuxuan, he secretly considered everything as his own. Seeing his father lavishly bestow precious items he was reluctant to give Zhu Chenxing upon Zhu Yuxuan's chambers like flowing water, he and Madam Zhu grew uneasy.
Zhu Yuxuan accepted the tea. He glanced at the maidservant who served him the tea. It seemed like a casual conversation, but the content of their discussion made the maidservant tremble all over, visibly breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Tell me, who sent you?" Zhu Yuxuan put down the tea that had been tampered with.