Dressing and binding his crown, smoothing the creases in his robe.
Song Shi'an picked up the exquisite wooden box from the table and slowly opened the lid.
Inside was a pure gold crouching tiger.
After gently running his hand over the tiger's back, he closed the box and placed it back on the table.
With a casual sweep of his sleeves, his face full of confidence, he walked toward the door.
………
Inside Minister Sun's estate, before the banquet began.
"Is everything ready?" Minister Sun asked.
"Everything is prepared, Father," Sun Heng said.
"That Chief Clerk Han's son, what's his name again?"
"Han Zhongchen," Sun Heng introduced. "He placed sixth in this examination. I gave orders last night—if he performs well this time, we'll keep him in the capital as an official without requiring him to wait for an appointment."
"Mm." Minister Sun acknowledged knowingly.
"Father, his family background is acceptable, he's from the capital, and he's extremely loyal to the Sun clan. For choosing a husband for little sister this time... what do you think of him?" Sun Heng asked tentatively.
"A social climber who fawns and flatters—the sight of him is disgusting."
When this person was mentioned, Sun Yan had not the slightest favorable impression.
But this kind of dirty work really did require such an opportunistic scoundrel to carry out.
Others with slightly more integrity, if given enough, would actually be willing to do it too.
But none could do it with the natural flair of such petty people.
"Indeed." Sun Heng nodded, not particularly fond of him either.
Though mainly it was disapproval of his appearance.
Upturned triangular eyes, thin and sunken nostrils—while not ugly, he always gave off that stereotypical impression of shrewd calculation.
The Sun family was renowned for being "good-looking."
When Minister Sun was young, all his neighbors called him handsome.
Eight chi tall, with striking features, possessing the bearing of an ancient gentleman. After entering the court, whenever there was a diplomatic mission to other countries, he was the Emperor's fixed choice to represent the Great Yu's prestige.
The genes of Jiangnan's most beautiful woman were extraordinarily strong.
"What was that third-place candidate's name again?" Minister Sun asked, something occurring to him.
"Replying to Father," Sun Heng said, "Fan Wuji, from the Fan clan of Chuyang. His father is Commander-General Fan Qing."
"Oh, oh, I remember—his son has already reached examination age." Minister Sun seemed somewhat surprised, then asked with interest, "What's this person like?"
"Nineteen years old, both talented and good-looking. Though he's a military general's descendant, among the gentry of Si Prefecture, his reputation is quite excellent." Sun Heng, who had already thoroughly investigated everyone, said, "I heard that after he passed the children's examination, many famous teachers competed to take him as a disciple."
"Mm, then we'll give him special consideration when the time comes."
Military background, respects teachers and values the way, and third place in the examination—among this batch of young people, he absolutely counted as outstanding with limitless prospects.
"Father, your son has one confusion."
As the banquet was about to begin, Sun Heng finally voiced his puzzlement: "Although we need to target Song Shi'an, if this person admires our Sun clan and actively shows enthusiasm, willing to become a disciple... to still do that, wouldn't it chill the hearts of scholars throughout the realm?"
"The Sun clan's former students and subordinates are spread throughout the realm. Scholars wanting to pledge allegiance are plentiful—we don't lack him." Sun Yan said dismissively, "Besides, he's just a concubine-born illegitimate son."
Hearing these words, Sun Heng froze for a moment.
Because he was very surprised that such words, which even he felt were somewhat "absurd," actually came from his father's mouth.
Seeing his son's daze, Sun Yan smiled rarely: "Heng'er, what do I resemble right now?"
"Ah?" Sun Heng didn't understand. "Father's meaning is..."
"Jealousy."
Raising his finger toward Sun Heng, Minister Sun said: "We're targeting the jieyuan, but in reality we're resisting the military farming policy. But to say it that way is too direct."
"..."
Hearing this, Sun Heng had a sudden realization: "So Father wants to appear as if it's because the 'Triple Crown' was broken, and thus you're ostracizing Song Shi'an?"
"Insulting the jieyuan is merely because this old man is narrow-minded, that's all."
Minister Sun had long since thought of his reason.
His "narrow-minded" persona perhaps wasn't entirely an act.
But this persona was very useful as a shield in many situations.
Especially in major matters that weren't too serious.
The workplace and officialdom were the same.
If a person had the reputation of being "not to be trifled with."
It meant he wanted to invade others' psychological boundaries, wanted to use his strength to bully the weak, to make others yield to him.
When had anyone ever heard of a minister being "not to be trifled with" toward the Emperor?
A subordinate being "not to be trifled with" toward his superior?
Being "not to be trifled with" was always directed downward.
So why was Minister Sun's narrow-mindedness so famous?
This was his "tyranny."
They were all original shareholders—why should the Qin Prefecture Meritorious Nobility Clique rule the realm?
He would use his temper, representing the Jiangnan gentry class, to stand firm against the Qin Prefecture meritorious nobles, to stand firm against imperial authority, to preserve his status.
If he weren't forceful, the hearts of those in the ranks behind him would scatter.
Originally, the examination system was this dynasty's newly created system, which had encountered strong resistance from the aristocratic class.
Knowing full well my son is participating in the examination, you won't show any consideration for human relationships?
If you don't give the jieyuan to me, I'll make a fuss.
"Father, I understand."
At this, Sun Heng had no more concerns.
Then let's begin insulting the jieyuan!
Thinking about what would happen today, Minister Sun smiled: "Then go do it."
………
The Minister's estate.
The spacious vermillion gates, flanked by rounded wooden pillars inlaid with copper, with a pair of stone-carved mythical beasts stationed between the gate posts.
On Minister Sun's birthday, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, with visiting guests streaming endlessly before the gates—a lively spectacle.
As one of the Three Excellencies of Great Yu, if he had joyous news, even without invitations, court officials would actively pay visits.
But Minister Sun had already spoken—today he was receiving scholars to choose a husband for his youngest daughter, so for other distinguished guests, he would accept no gifts and receive no visitors, and asked for understanding.
So today, these court officials merely sent people to express congratulations.
The eldest son Sun Heng personally received their sentiments and thanks at the estate gates.
Today's protagonists were only these ten scholars.
Therefore, the sub-yuan who arrived early felt all the more valued after seeing these scenes.
And felt honored beyond measure.
"Today Minister Sun personally receives us scholars, and will even choose one of us as a son-in-law... whoever has such fortune, their ancestral graves must be smoking green!"
In front of Sun Heng, Han Zhongchen joked with others.
The sub-yuan beside him smiled slightly but didn't respond.
The others also kept their own company and didn't get too close to him.
Gao Yunyi couldn't help but roll his eyes at him: It's your family's graves that are burning!
"Have all the sub-yuan arrived?"
Seeing that most people were at the gates, Sun Heng asked.
Everyone looked at each other, and someone said: "It seems one person is missing?"
"The jieyuan doesn't seem to have arrived yet."
Someone who had recognized everyone else said.
"The jieyuan, first place naturally—he should make his entrance last," Han Zhongchen said teasingly to the crowd. "Otherwise, how would he show he's different from us?"
Some actually agreed with this sarcasm: "The jieyuan is indeed carefree."
"Is that him?" Gao Yunyi, seeing someone approaching, asked.
Everyone turned in unison toward that direction.
A tall, handsome man walked over.
"My apologies, my apologies, I've kept you all waiting."
Song Shi'an walked over slowly and bowed to everyone.
Only then did everyone see the jieyuan for the first time.
All looked him up and down with curiosity.
As a previously unremarkable wastrel illegitimate son, everyone had only heard certain rumors about him.
Nothing more than that he failed the first two times, then on the third attempt directly placed first in both subjects, enjoyed listening to songs at pleasure houses, and once even fell into a river while drunk, and so on.
But seeing him today, he seemed to have another characteristic.
He was indeed handsome.
"Jieyuan-xiong, did you come empty-handed?"
Seeing his hands light and carrying nothing, Han Zhongchen asked.
Aside from him, basically everyone else was holding something.
Various boxes of different sizes.
"The Minister's birthday—how could I not have prepared?" Song Shi'an countered.
This bastard seems really passive-aggressive.
"Since everyone has arrived, please enter."
Sun Heng smiled, then stepped aside and extended his hand.
Everyone nodded to him in acknowledgment before walking through the Minister's gates.
After all those who should arrive had arrived, and the congratulating officials had all been dealt with, Sun Heng also prepared to go to the main hall to begin the banquet.
Just then, a royal carriage appeared.
"Prince of Zhongping arrives—"