Chapter 1: Ascending the Mountain Peak, Plunging into Hell

In the evening, a biting spring chill enveloped the Ninefold Palace.

In the Chongzheng Hall, the triennial imperial examination was about to conclude.

Civil and military officials, holding their court tablets, lined up on both sides of the dais, turning their heads to observe the three hundred nervous new jinshi (imperial scholars) behind them.

"Who will be honored with the top three ranks?"

"Which family will top the golden list, the Cui family? Or the Hedong Pei family?"

"Once crowned the zhuangyuan (top scholar), he will look down upon all other scholars. Gentlemen, behold the prodigy of the Great Qian literary world!"

The officials whispered to each other, discussing in hushed tones.

During every imperial examination, the zhuangyuan was always the most dazzling presence.

"The Sage has arrived—"

As the clear and melodious voice of a palace maid echoed from the side hall, the entire hall fell silent.

Shortly after, the beautiful Empress slowly ascended the imperial throne, her trailing phoenix robe making her appear noble and elegant.

Eight purple-robed grand scholars followed closely behind, holding the examination papers.

Empress Jifu looked down at the court and said calmly,

"Having reviewed the papers, one essay stands out with its powerful handwriting, unique insights, and profound arguments, making it a classic. I hereby appoint the author as the zhuangyuan."

The grand scholars nodded in agreement.

There was no dispute over who would be the zhuangyuan. Not only the Empress, but all eight of them were convinced by this essay.

"Unseal it," the Empress said softly.

All the jinshi held their breath, watching the sealed paper in the palace maid's hands.

By tradition, to maintain fairness, the Great Qian imperial examination used a blind copying system.

As the palace maid unsealed the paper and read the name and place of origin, her expression froze, and she showed a rare moment of shock in the solemn court!

The Empress's eyes widened in surprise. She asked curiously,

"Who is it?"

"Your Majesty..." The palace maid struggled to control her shock.

Unprecedented!

Never before!

"U County, Gu Family Village, Gu Ping'an," the palace maid said with a rising and falling tone.

Instantly, the court fell into a deathly silence.

The officials exchanged glances, all noticing the shock in each other's eyes.

Of the three hundred jinshi, two hundred and eighteen came from noble families, eighty-one from humble backgrounds, and the last one was a commoner.

And he was named Gu Ping'an.

Even those from humble backgrounds had ancestors who were once wealthy, though they had fallen. Commoners, however, were peasants for generations.

Today, a commoner had personally created a miracle!

The jinshi were struck as if by lightning, their faces visibly pale.

Especially the scholars from noble families, their hands trembled violently under their sleeves.

They had become a disgrace to their families!

Since the founding of the Great Qian dynasty, all thirty-five zhuangyuans had come from noble families!

But in this examination, the scholars cultivated by the nobility were trampled underfoot by a commoner, only able to look up at his back.

Not only had they lost face, but the potential negative impact was even more terrifying.

More than a hundred years ago, Emperor Taizong of the Great Qian dynasty, to break the monopoly of the nobility on talent, established the imperial examination system, allowing a steady stream of scholars from humble backgrounds to enter the imperial court.

But so what?

The zhuangyuan always came from noble families!

It was a clear message to the world—

The legacy of the nobility was always higher than that of the humble and common people, an unbridgeable gap!

But now?

...

The atmosphere in the court was oppressively heavy, so quiet that only the sound of the water clock could be heard.

In the crowd, Gu Ping'an's gaze was dazed. Through the layers of the palace, he seemed to see the five-year-old child from Gu Family Village, walking out of the small mountain village, crossing turbulent streams and climbing out of deep pits, finally reaching the capital after fifteen years of struggle.

At this moment, his hardships were rewarded.

"Announce the new zhuangyuan, Gu Ping'an," came a lazy voice from the imperial throne.

Gu Ping'an stepped forward, facing the sharp gazes of the officials, and slowly walked to the dais.

"Your student greets Your Majesty," he bowed respectfully, as all jinshi were the Emperor's disciples.

The Empress said nothing, looking down at the zhuangyuan from her lofty position.

After a long while, she said with satisfaction,

"Your demeanor is upright, your appearance graceful, and you can control yourself even in the face of internal turmoil."

"Since I ascended the throne, you are the first zhuangyuan. Do not disappoint my expectations."

She gave him a high evaluation.

Gu Ping'an's emotions surged, and he said firmly,

"Your student is willing to serve Your Majesty with loyalty."

The Empress nodded slightly,

"Very good!"

Many officials from noble families, including the purple-robed grand scholars, looked at the young and upright figure with a deep chill.

Common people might not know who the six ministers were, but Gu Ping'an's name would soon spread throughout the sixteen states of the Great Qian!

At twenty, a commoner had become the zhuangyuan.

The halo of pride of the noble families would be shattered!

From now on, talented scholars would no longer choose to attach themselves to noble families but would follow the footsteps of the zhuangyuan, step by step, into the imperial court.

It was too terrifying, like a drop of water eroding a stone!

The first drop must be stopped, or the consequences would be endless!

The expressions of the officials in the court were unpredictable, but they ultimately felt powerless.

Appointed by the Empress and unanimously recognized by the eight grand scholars, it was absolutely deserved.

How could they refute it?

Would they ask the Empress to admit she had made a mistake?

The Emperor's word was law, and even if it was wrong, it was right.

Targeting Gu Ping'an afterward would be futile.

Killing his body would not change his title as zhuangyuan.

Suddenly,

A hoarse voice echoed in the court.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant has important matters to report. Please step aside."

A man in a dragon robe quickly stepped forward, it was the Deputy Chief of the Cabinet, Cui Huaizhen.

The Empress stared at him for a while before walking to the side hall.

Cui Huaizhen glanced back at a censor, who understood and left the court.

"Congratulations, young friend Gu," Cui Huaizhen said with a kind smile as he passed by Gu Ping'an.

Gu Ping'an stared at the shiny floor, not responding, sensing an ominous premonition.

...

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the zhuangyuan's examination paper was suspicious. Please investigate," Cui Huaizhen said shockingly as soon as they entered the side hall.

"Nonsense!" The Empress was unmoved, not even turning her head.

Could she not know what the officials from noble families were thinking?

Blind copying, fair and just!

The first zhuangyuan since her ascension being a commoner not only overturned the history of the imperial examination but also signaled a new era under the rule of a female sovereign, a good omen.

Cui Huaizhen's eyes were cloudy, his eyes squeezed in layers of wrinkles. After a long silence, he said respectfully,

"Your Majesty, I am old and request to retire."

He then knelt down with a thud.

The Empress's expression changed, staring intently at the stubborn old man, her eyes flashing with surprise.

A heaven-sent opportunity!

Since her ascension two years ago, she had been trying to remove her father's old guard and install her own confidants. Through various plans, she had only managed to secure one of the four cabinet positions.

Ruling the empire, but facing these cunning old foxes, she was at a loss. Any drastic measures would cause widespread damage to the court.

She never expected Cui to resign voluntarily!

"Minister Cui, I have no intention of dismissing you," Jifu joked.

Cui Huaizhen, looking haggard, no longer wanted to beat around the bush and said bluntly,

"The Minister of Rites, Pei Jinzhong, is guilty of dereliction of duty and should step down."

This was a costly deal for the nobility!

Some precedents must not be set and must be nipped in the bud!

The Empress's lips curled up, her perfect face full of smiles, but the smile faded as she thought of the steady and handsome commoner zhuangyuan.

Do not blame me, your value is far less than that of a cabinet minister and a minister. A ruler must weigh the pros and cons and be cold-blooded!

She asked without hesitation,

"Are you saying Gu Ping'an was involved in cheating? Do you have evidence?"

Cui Huaizhen did not pretend, and said in a low voice,

"I have made the necessary arrangements. Gu Ping'an colluded with the chief examiner to leak the questions. With his true abilities, he could not have passed the examination."

The results of the final examination could not be changed, but they could make an issue of the preliminary examination.

If not for cheating, you would not even be a jinshi, let alone participate in the final examination. All your results will be nullified!

"The gold mine in Langya Mountain should be exploited by the Ji royal family."

"Your Majesty, I hope the cheater will be executed as a warning."

Cui Huaizhen revealed his true intentions.

If it's to be done, it must be done thoroughly!

At great cost, they must completely destroy Gu Ping'an.

To warn those who dare to rise above the nobility, the ancient rules must not be broken, and anyone who breaks them will die!

The Empress did not reject it. She walked to the window, lost in thought as she gazed at the misty rain outside.

The conditions were too generous to refuse.

I must use your head, do not resent me, I am doing this for the Great Qian dynasty.

(End of Chapter)