I'm coming clean: I'm the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

early morning.

Qingshan Village was still shrouded in a thin mist.

Lin was squatting in the yard washing clothes, the water in the wooden basin was foaming.

She rubbed Gu Ang's old shirt; the chilblains on her hands hadn't completely healed, and her fingertips were red from the cold.

Gu Qingqing's giggles came from inside the room.

"Brother, tell me one more!"

The five-year-old girl lay on Gu Ci's lap, her little face tilted up, her eyes sparkling.

Gu Ci pinched her nose: "Then let's talk about 'The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains'."

Once upon a time, there was an old man who lived in front of two big mountains…

Gu Qingqing listened intently, occasionally patting her brother's knee with her little hand.

Gu Ang sat at the table, holding the Analects, muttering to himself, "To learn and at due times to practice what one has learned, is that not also a pleasure?"

He read very slowly, pronouncing each word extremely clearly.

Outside the courtyard gate, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly arose.

"Knock knock knock!"

The knocking was very loud, each knock more urgent than the last.

Lin looked up; the clothes in her hands were still dripping wet.

She wiped her hands and went to open the door.

A messenger in official robes stood outside the door, his chest embroidered with a flying fish pattern, and beads of sweat hung on his forehead.

"Is it the Gu family?"

Lin was stunned: "It's...it's the Gu family..."

The messenger pulled a letter from his pocket; the wax seal bore the mark of a plum blossom: "Is Mr. Gu Ci here?"

"Yes, yes!"

Lin took the letter, her fingers trembling slightly.

She had never seen a government messenger personally deliver a letter before.

After the letter was delivered.

The messenger mounted the saddle, spurred his horse, and rode away.

Madam Lin brought the letter into the room, her voice tense: "Ci'er, there's a letter for you."

Gu Ci jumped out of bed and took the letter.

He recognized the plum blossom stamped on the wax seal—it was Princess Yong'an's private seal.

Gu Ang leaned closer and asked, "Whose letter is it?"

"Princess."

Gu Ci opened the letter and glanced at the paper.

The letter was very short, only a few lines:

"The prefectural examination is imminent; I hope you will achieve top honors. The winds of war are strong in the capital; some wish to see you soar to great heights, while others seek to cripple you here. Be careful in all things."

Gu Ci recalled Wang Qingya's words that day—the examiners from the capital disliked those who achieved success at a young age the most.

Now that the princess has personally sent a letter to remind us, the situation is probably more complicated than we imagined.

"Ci'er, what did the letter say?" Madam Lin asked nervously, clutching her clothes.

"Mother. It's alright, the princess told me to do well on the exam."

Gu Ci folded the letter, walked to the stove, and threw the letter into the fire.

The paper curled up in the flames and quickly turned to ashes.

Gu Ang watched his younger brother's retreating figure, and his heart tightened.

"Ci'er, is someone trying to harm you?"

Gu Ci turned around.

"Brother, we'll meet force with force and water with earth."

He paused.

"Besides, since the princess sent a letter to give me some pointers, it means she intends to protect me. No matter how far those people in the capital can reach, they can't extend their reach to the examination hall in the prefectural city."

This was said in a very understated way.

But Gu Ci knew in his heart that the princess would not make baseless accusations.

The fact that she sent someone to deliver the message shows that the attention in the capital has shifted from an undercurrent to an open power struggle.

However, the specific methods used in this game are still unclear.

That's it.

They come, the security.

In the imperial examinations, true talent and learning were the only criteria.

They need a pretext to target themselves.

Gu Ang breathed a sigh of relief, but his fists remained clenched.

"That's good. If anyone dares to touch you, I'll fight them to the death."

"Brother, you need to change your temper."

Gu Ci laughed and said, "What kind of decorum is it for a scholar to resort to violence?"

"I don't care about any rules! Anyone who dares to bully my brother, I'll beat them up!"

Gu Ci did not speak again.

He simply turned to look out the window, his gaze calm.

Gu Mingzhe then entered from outside, holding a copy of the Book of Rites in his hand.

"Ci'er, the questions on classical texts in the prefectural examinations are most often drawn from the Book of Rites."

He handed me the book, pointing to the dense annotations.

"Look at these passages; they all discuss how a gentleman cultivates himself and conducts himself in society. These are the easiest passages to test your knowledge on. Also, pay attention to this section on 'the Way of Ritual and Music'."

The annotations were extremely detailed, and some places were even circled in red pen.

Gu Ci took the book and flipped through a few pages: "Father, thank you for your hard work."

Gu Mingzhe waved his hand, his eyes a little red: "It's not hard work, Dad just hopes you can pass the imperial examination."

His voice choked with emotion: "I've never been capable in this life. My hopes for success in the imperial examinations rest on you and Ang'er. If you can pass the exams, I can die in peace."

"What did you say?!"

Gu Ang grew anxious: "Father, you still have to see us brothers pass the imperial examinations!"

Gu Ci looked at his father and said solemnly, "Rest assured, I will live up to your expectations."

......

Two days later.

On the day of the prefectural examination.

Before dawn, the Gu family had already gotten up.

Lin was busy at the stove, making a stack of pancakes, boiling a few eggs, and even stewing a small pot of chicken soup.

Gu Mingzhe checked the bundle three times; it contained a change of clothes and several books.

He touched the corner of the book for a while, and then folded his clothes neatly.

"Ci'er, Ang'er, be careful on the road."

Gu Mingzhe shoved the bundle into Gu Ang's hands, then pulled out a silver note from his pocket: "These are the pancakes your mother made. Eat them if you get hungry on the road. Take this money, and don't skimp on yourself when you get to the prefectural city."

Lin held Gu Qingqing in her arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Ci'er, when we get to the prefectural city, listen to your brother. Don't push yourself; your health is important."

"Mother, I know."

Gu Qingqing struggled in Lin's arms, her little hands desperately reaching out to Gu Ci: "Brother, brother, come back and tell me a story!"

Gu Ci walked over and patted his younger sister's head: "Qingqing, be good, brother will be back soon. When brother comes back, I'll tell you ten stories."

"real?"

Gu Qingqing's eyes lit up.

"real."

The county government's carriage was already waiting at the door.

The advisor sent by Wang Chengen stood beside the carriage, holding a food box in his hand.

"Young Master Gu, the magistrate specially sent me to pick you up. These are some snacks prepared by the magistrate's wife for you to eat on the way."

Gu Ci accepted the food box and bowed to the clerk, saying, "Thank you, Magistrate and Madam."

Gu Qingqing sobbed uncontrollably in Lin's arms, "Brother, I'll wait for you to come back!"

Gu Ci peeked out and waved to his younger sister, "Qingqing, be good and listen to your mother at home."

The carriage swayed and rocked as it headed towards the prefectural city.

The wind was strong on the road, making the carriage curtains flap loudly.

Gu Ang lifted the curtain and looked out at the fields: "Ci'er, do you think the prefectural examination will be very difficult?"

"Whether it's difficult or not, you have to take the exam."

Gu Ci leaned against the car wall, eyes closed: "Brother, don't be nervous, I know what I'm doing."

Gu Ang bit his lip.

"I'm worried that those examiners from the capital might really be targeting you. Even the princess sent a special letter reminding me; they're definitely not simple people."

Gu Ci opened his eyes and started joking.

"Brother, think about it, they can't just kick me out of the exam hall because I'm young, can they?"

Gu Ang paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"That's true."

He thought about it for a moment, still somewhat uneasy: "But what if they tamper with the questions?"

"That would be even better."

Gu Ci leaned back against the car wall, his voice calm: "The more they make things difficult for me, the more my abilities will be revealed. By then, they won't be able to suppress me even if they want to."

The carriage traveled for most of the day, and by the time it arrived in the prefectural city, it was almost noon.

The prefectural city was much more lively than Qinghe County.

The streets were bustling with people, and various shouts and calls rose and fell.

"Selling candied hawthorns! They're both sour and sweet!"

"Fresh steamed buns, just out of the steamer!"

"Handmade plum juice, refreshing and thirst-quenching!"

The carriage was parked outside the examination hall.

Gu Ci jumped out of the car and looked at the building in front of him.

The examination hall for the prefectural examination was much larger than that for the county examination. A red silk banner hung at the entrance with the four large characters "Prefectural Examination Hall" written in a powerful and vigorous style.

Two rows of yamen runners stood at the main gate, with knives hanging at their waists, each with a stern face and an extremely menacing aura.

A large crowd had already gathered outside the examination hall.

Most of them were middle-aged people in their thirties or forties, wearing long gowns, holding books, and gathering in twos and threes to discuss things quietly.

There were also a few younger ones, who looked to be in their early twenties, constantly flipping through the books in their hands and muttering to themselves.

Gu Ci stood out conspicuously in the crowd.

"Hey, who's that kid?"

"I don't know, maybe someone brought them along to watch the fun?"

"Judging from the basket he's carrying, could he be here to take an exam?"

"Are you kidding me? What kind of test can such a young child possibly take?"

The discussion grew louder and louder.

Gu Ang frowned, about to say something, but was stopped by Gu Ci.

"Brother, ignore them."

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe stepped out from the crowd.

This man is Zhao Wengao, a scholar from Wangjiang County, a neighboring large county.

This was his fourth time taking the imperial examination.

He failed to make the list three times in the first three attempts, each time missing the top 100 by only one or two places.

Zhao Wengao stared at Gu Ci, his displeasure rising within him.

In recent years, in pursuit of the imperial examination results, more than half of the family's fertile land has been sold off.

His wife cried every day, his son complained constantly, and his own temples were already gray.

Surprisingly, an eight-year-old child also came to take the exam today.

Isn't this deliberately humiliating?

"What kind of child is this, causing such a ruckus in this examination hall?"

He walked over, speaking loudly.

Do you know what the prefectural examination tests?

"There are three exams. The first exam tests the understanding of the classics, requiring the ability to cite classical texts. The second exam tests policy essays, requiring knowledge of governance. The third exam tests poetry and prose, requiring literary talent."

"You're just a little kid; you probably haven't even finished reading the Analects of Confucius, have you?"

Everyone around laughed.

Someone chimed in, "Old Zhao is right, this kid's just here to cause trouble, isn't he?"

"Sigh, parents these days are so irresponsible, sending their immature kids to the exam hall. Aren't they just harming them?"

"Exactly! What kind of place is the examination hall? It's not a place for child's play!"

Gu Ang's face turned red as he listened to what the people around him were saying.

He suddenly stood up, pointing at Zhao Wengao: "What nonsense are you talking about! My brother was the top scholar in the county-level examination in Qinghe County!"

"Top scorer in the county examination?"

Zhao Wengao curled his lip, his face full of disdain.

"In a small place like Qinghe County, how many people can pass the county-level examination? Ten or eight would be the most you could hope for, right?"

He sneered, "Besides, even if someone tops the county exam, they're still just a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar). The prefectural exam is no joke. What could your little brother possibly know?"

"you--"

Gu Ang clenched his fists in anger.

"Brother Gu!"

A clear, crisp voice came from outside the crowd.

Everyone turned around and saw a girl of about twelve or thirteen years old running over, lifting her skirt, followed by two maids.

She ran so fast that her cheeks flushed and her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

"Miss, please slow down!"

The maidservant chased after them, panting heavily.

Wang Qingya ran up to Gu Ci and took a few breaths.

"Brother Gu, I finally made it!"

Gu Ci was somewhat surprised.

"Qingya, what brings you here?"

"I heard from my father that you were coming to the prefectural city to take the exam today, so I begged him to bring me along."

She said this, her face slightly flushed.

"I thought that Brother Gu must be very nervous taking the exam alone, so I came to cheer you on."

Gu Ci smiled.

"You're quite thoughtful, girl."

Wang Qingya took out a sachet from her bosom and carefully handed it over.

"Brother Gu, this is a talisman I obtained; may it bless you with victory!"

As she spoke, her eyes lit up.

"I prayed at the Confucian Temple for three days and made a vow that if Brother Gu could pass the exam, I would offer incense to the Sage of Literature for a year."

Gu Ci took the sachet, which was embroidered with a plum blossom, clearly made by herself.

The sachet was also filled with mugwort, which had a faint, pleasant fragrance.

"Thank you, Qingya."

Wang Qingya lowered her head.

"Brother Gu, you must do well on the exam. My dad said you'll definitely pass."

Everyone around was stunned.

"Who is this little girl?"

"Judging from their clothes and appearance, they don't seem to be from an ordinary family."

"She called that child 'Brother Gu'?"

"And you're talking about her father?"

Zhao Wengao's expression changed, and he took a step back.

He had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

The young girl's clothes and the maidservant following behind her were not something an ordinary family could afford.

"Little girl, do you know this child?"

Wang Qingya glared at him.

"Who are you? What gives you the right to talk about Brother Gu like that?"

She pointed at Zhao Wengao.

"Brother Gu is the top scholar in the county-level examination of Qinghe County, and he's my father's most valued student! Who do you think you are to talk about him like that?"

Zhao Wengao's face turned even uglier.

"Who...who is your father?"

"My father is Wang Chengen, the magistrate of Qinghe County!"

Wang Qingya raised her head, her little face full of pride.

"If you dare speak ill of Brother Gu again, I'll have my father deal with you!"

Everyone around gasped in shock.

"The magistrate's daughter?"

"No wonder you're dressed so nicely."

"So this child really is the top scorer in the county examination?"

"Oh no, who was laughing the loudest just now?"

Zhao Wengao's face turned pale and then flushed.

He remembered what he had just said and his heart pounded.

The magistrate's daughter came in person to cheer on the boy, saying that the magistrate valued him the most...

If this gets back to Wang Chengen's ears, he'll likely suffer a great loss in this year's prefectural examination.

Although Qinghe County was not as powerful as the prefectural city, its magistrate still held considerable influence.

If he were to say a few bad things about the examiners, all his hard work over the past few years would be for nothing.

Zhao Wengao swallowed hard and forced himself to bow.

"I was blind to your greatness and offended you, young sir. Please forgive me."

After he finished speaking, he slunk away to the back of the crowd.

Seeing this, the people around also shut up, and no one dared to say anything more.

Wang Qingya turned around and looked at Gu Ci.

"Brother Gu, don't pay them any attention. These people just can't stand to see others doing well."

Gu Ci smiled.

"I'm fine."

He hung the sachet around his waist.

"Qingya, where's your father?"

"My dad is talking to other officials over there."

Wang Qingya pointed to a spot not far away.

Gu Ci looked in the direction she was pointing and saw Wang Chengen standing in the middle of a group of officials, talking about something.

Wang Chengen also saw him, nodded to him, and looked at him with encouragement in his eyes.

The exam bell rang.

"Candidates, please enter!"

Gu Ci picked up the exam basket and turned to walk towards the exam hall.

Wang Qingya called from behind.

"Go, Brother Gu!"

Gu Ang was also shouting, his voice was a little hoarse.

"Ci'er, do well on the exam! I'll be waiting for you outside!"

Gu Ci turned around, waved to them, and then strode into the examination room.