Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

Chapter 267: Do You Trust Him or Me, the First Emperor? (2 / 2)

On February 25th, the results of the metropolitan examination were announced, with 110 candidates passing.

A crowd of examinees had already gathered early in the morning at the examination hall to check the results. Those who passed beamed with joy, while those who failed were overwhelmed with sorrow—some even fainted on the spot, whether from extreme joy or despair. Regardless, they were carried away.

Gao He, being swift and agile, maneuvered through the crowd and squeezed to the front of the results board. Holding his breath, he scanned the list from top to bottom. When he didn’t find his name among the top five, he exhaled slowly, tinged with a hint of regret.

—As a scholar, who wouldn’t want to be the top scorer?

He continued

Liang Youwen thought for a moment, then walked over and gently patted his father’s shoulder in comfort. “Father, I can’t help much with government affairs, but you can think about something happy instead—like how my brother was selected as the top scholar…”

But their father didn’t respond. He just continued smoking, as if this so-called joyous occasion meant nothing to him.

An awkward silence fell. Liang Youwen glanced at Liang Youwu. “Brother, father is just in a bad mood, you—”

Before he could finish, Liang Youwu pressed his lips together, suddenly glared at Liang Youwen, then turned and bolted out the door.

Liang Youwen called after him anxiously, “Brother! Brother!” He glanced back at his father, who remained seated, puffing on his pipe without a word. Stomping his foot in frustration, Liang Youwen was momentarily at a loss—who should he chase after first?

Inside the imperial palace.

Princess Xiangyang absentmindedly stirred her bowl of rice porridge and curiously asked, “Father, why did you hint at that matter to Liang, the senior official? Aren’t you worried he’ll tell his son and ruin Xu Yanmiao’s ambush?”

The old emperor sipped his porridge slowly and replied nonchalantly, “Liang Guangcai wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Princess Xiangyang tilted her head. “Huh? Why not? Do you trust him that much? That’s his own son we’re talking about.”

The emperor smiled. “He is too upright.”