"The Prince of Zhongping has arrived?"
Upon hearing this in the main hall, Sun Yan stood up, somewhat surprised.
Sun Qian, however, immediately grew tense, hurrying over and lowering his voice: "Father, could this be His Majesty's intention?"
"Don't be hasty."
Sun Yan raised his hand, falling into thought before analyzing: "His Majesty wouldn't do something like this. The Prince of Zhongping coming... this is perhaps the Prince of Jin's intention."
Given the Emperor's temperament, he wouldn't go to such lengths.
Using one hand to try to control all under heaven.
Moreover, with His Majesty's wisdom, when he takes one step, he sees the next five steps ahead.
Everything, in truth, can be foreseen.
But being able to foresee something doesn't mean he won't do it.
On the contrary, it makes it all the more necessary to act.
Just do it.
"The Prince of Zhongping belongs to the Prince of Jin's faction..." Sun Qian lowered his voice so only Minister Sun could hear, then put forth his own speculation: "This time the Prince of Jin is presiding over the civil examinations, and he's sent the Prince of Zhongping here. Is he friend or foe?"
Friend or foe?
Sun Yan was pondering this as well.
After thinking it through, he shook his head: "We'll see."
Although he could guess this was the Prince of Jin's intention and not the Emperor's intention.
But weren't the Emperor and the Prince of Jin of one mind?
"Then the targeting of Song Shi'an... should we continue?"
Sun Qian was already somewhat flustered.
Who would dare to contradict the imperial family's dignity to their face?
"Enough talk, let's go receive him."
Sun Yan said nothing, but in his heart he'd already formed a definite plan.
In this position, he would not waver.
As they left, Sun Qian directly instructed someone beside him: "Set up seating in the main hall."
"...Right, set up seating." Sun Yan also reacted, adding his agreement.
Sun Qian's 'presumption' didn't anger the 'narrow-minded and domineering' Sun Yan; on the contrary, he was quite satisfied.
Both he and the Emperor were growing old.
In the future, it would be their respective sons competing.
This father and son pair thus made their way to the estate gates together.
At that moment, a man dressed in embroidered python robes and wearing a golden crown descended from his carriage.
The Prince of Zhongping had a slender build, crane-like bones and pine-like bearing, a face like jade, and though handsome and somewhat androgynous, he still possessed the bearing of dragons and phoenixes, with nobility overflowing from him.
Seeing this, everyone hastily bowed in startled respect, speaking in unison: "We pay our respects to the Prince of Zhongping!"
At this moment, Minister Sun also emerged from the crowd, walking to the very front, his face filled with delight as he bowed: "This old subject pays his respects to the Prince of Zhongping."
Before he could finish bowing, the Prince of Zhongping stepped forward to support him: "No need for such formality. Today is an auspicious day—I wish Minister Sun longevity rivaling the Southern Mountains."
"Many thanks for Your Highness's personal attendance. This old one is deeply grateful."
Minister Sun's face remained wreathed in smiles.
The Prince of Zhongping smiled and asked: "Where is Young Master Sun Qian?"
"This subject Qian pays respects to Your Highness."
Sun Qian stepped forward, hastily bowing.
Looking at him and sizing him up, the Prince of Zhongping's face showed an appreciative smile. Taking Sun Yan's hand, he couldn't help but say: "Young Master, you truly are like a jade tree in the wind, radiant as dawn clouds. So young, yet already shining brilliantly in the civil examinations. In the future you will surely be like Minister Sun in his prime, leading the capital's young scholars, serving the court loyally, and helping our Great Yu grow ever stronger."
After this speech, Sun Qian didn't know how to manage his expression and could only earnestly pledge his loyalty: "This subject will certainly not fail Your Highness's high praise and will exert every effort to fulfill his duties faithfully."
But from these words, Minister Sun caught other key points.
Leading the capital's young scholars.
The Prince of Zhongping had already called him the 'leader of the capital's young scholars.'
But the Jieyuan was right here.
Moreover, there were still some young jinshi in the capital.
"If the Minister is not receiving guests or gifts today, then this prince coming here... am I causing disturbance?"
The Prince of Zhongping asked teasingly.
"Your Highness does this old one too much honor. Please, come in."
Sun Yan extended his hand in warm invitation.
The Prince of Zhongping grasped his hand, and the two of them walked together toward the main hall, with Sun Qian accompanying them most closely.
Only after they had walked far away did the scholars behind them slowly straighten up.
Because of this incident, they began discussing nervously in low voices.
"Even the Prince of Zhongping has come?"
"This is Minister Sun for you."
"Today's birthday celebration... has let me witness things I'd never see in a lifetime."
Everyone felt varying degrees of trepidation.
Only Song Shi'an straightened his body and continued walking forward, seemingly completely unaffected.
This person caught Fan Wuji's complete attention.
Gao Yunyi even walked directly to his side, proactively greeting him: "Brother Song."
Song Shi'an stopped, looked at him, and politely asked: "And you are?"
"Gao Yunyi."
"Brother Yunyi, I've long admired your reputation."
After mutual introductions, Gao Yunyi immediately said with a smile: "Brother Shi'an, that lyrical composition of yours was truly concise yet profound, with deep significance. I've read it many times, and each time I'm amazed by it."
"Brother Yunyi's lyrical composition was also absolutely brilliant—truly admirable." Song Shi'an reciprocated with equal sincerity.
"My model answer isn't yet for sale in the capital. Where did you see it?"
"..." Song Shi'an froze for a moment. "I heard about it from someone."
"I haven't mentioned it to anyone."
"...Then I must have remembered wrong."
Song Shi'an replied awkwardly.
If this guy can become a good official, I'll eat my words!
As the two conversed, they had already reached inside the main hall.
In the hall, there were two seats of honor.
Normally, when an imperial prince visits a minister's home as a guest, he would sit alone in the seat of honor.
But this was Minister Sun, a Grand Secretary of the court, and moreover, today he was the birthday celebrant.
The two of them, after a round of mutual deference and respect, sat in the seats of honor.
One left, one right.
Below the dais, there were five seats on each side—left and right—all luxurious redwood long tables with exquisitely embroidered cushions placed before them.
In the frontmost pair of seats, left and right, sat Minister Sun's two sons, Sun Qian and Sun Heng.
Having the hosts sit there was reasonable enough.
If family background and status were equivalent, guests would take the seats of honor.
But for a top-tier noble house like the Sun clan of Yangzhou to offer you the frontmost position, ordinary people wouldn't dare sit there—they would certainly demur repeatedly.
Someone from Shandong like Song Shi'an couldn't possibly not understand this.
Ever since he'd passed the targeted selection examination for Guizhou, even at New Year's feasts in the countryside he sat with his great-grandfather.
The Way of Human Relations and Worldly Wisdom
Next came the assignment of seats.
"Young Master Fan, please be seated."
A steward guided Fan Wuji to sit beside Sun Heng. Though he demurred, he still took his seat.
Son of a military family, with a reputation among the people, third place in the examinations.
Sitting here, no one felt there was any problem.
One could even say it was what everyone expected.
"Young Master Hu, please be seated."
The son of Si Prefecture's Deputy Administrator, an official of the fourth rank, ninth among the sub-yuan, but still a legitimate son—he was arranged beside Sun Qian.
At this moment, everyone suddenly became somewhat sensitive.
Where was the Jieyuan?
Having Fan Wuji sit there was fine—it made sense no matter how you looked at it.
But Hu Yu—his father's official rank wasn't as high as Song Shi'an's father's, his examination results were far inferior, and it was only because he was a legitimate son?
Could this be...?
Gradually, positions were assigned one by one.
All the scholars except Song Shi'an were seated on both sides.
At this point, everyone realized this was no longer just about seat assignment.
Scholars—ten in total.
Positions—ten in total.
But there was still Sun Heng, Minister Sun's eldest legitimate son.
In other words, eleven people, but only ten positions.
Finally, discovering a seat was missing, Sun Heng angrily rose and berated the steward: "You incompetent fool! How could you make such a mistake?"
"This old servant deserves death! I miscounted the number of people... Young Master, please forgive me!"
The steward hastily stepped forward in panic, kneeling to admit his fault.
"Why don't you hurry and add a seat for Young Master Song!" Sun Heng was already flushed with anger.
Seeing this, the steward hurriedly withdrew.
Everyone stared at Song Shi'an standing in the middle, filled with tension.
Until servants brought out a small wooden table and a cloth cushion, placing them in the corner.