Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

The city was abuzz with excitement on the day the results of the autumn imperial examinations were announced.

Xie Yao's name was prominently listed at the top of the list—the top scholar in the provincial examination.

When the news reached the Xie family, the servant who delivered the message practically tumbled and crawled in from outside the gate: "He passed! He passed! The Third Young Master has become the top scholar! First place! First place!"

Princess Anning was reclining on the couch while her maid massaged her legs. Upon hearing the report, she was stunned for a while before slowly sitting up straight.

Xie Yao himself remained quite calm.

After returning from Changzhou, he secluded himself to study, and on the day the results were announced, he simply stayed in his study to silently recite the classics.

When Shuxian and Xunfeng came in excitedly to share the good news, Xie Yao simply put down his pen and said indifferently, "I know."

Shu Xian paused for a moment, then looked at Xun Feng in bewilderment.

Shu Xian asked in a low voice, "Young master, aren't you going out to see what's going on? Everyone outside is congratulating you."

Xie Yao didn't even look up. "There's nothing to see. He's just a top scholar in the provincial examination, not the top scholar in the imperial examination."

The two dared not say another word.

Xie Yaozhong learned about Yuan's matter, and Jiang Sese soon found out as well.

Seeing that Xie Yao had truly embarked on the right path, Jiang Sese was happy for him.

The excitement of the autumn imperial examinations had barely subsided when another joyous occasion arrived: Princess Chen Shixuan of Yunhe was getting married.

The wedding was set for October. The groom's family was Wen Tong, the eldest grandson of Wen Yu, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy. Wen Shiyu was three years older than Chen Shixuan. He was handsome and upright, with a gentle and calm temperament, much like Chen Shixuan.

……

Shen Ziyu was a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy, and his daily work consisted of compiling books and drafting documents.

After finishing his shift that day, Xie Jue reviewed the last memorial in his duty room, then found an excuse to call Shen Ziyu to his duty room where he handled official business.

Xie Jue dismissed everyone around him, leaving only himself and Shen Ziyu.

Shen Ziyu wore a blue official robe, his figure was as upright as a pine tree, and his brows carried the clear and upright air unique to scholars.

Xie Jue glanced at Shen Ziyu and said, "You were instrumental in the Chu family's affairs."

Xie Jue shook his head: "Not many people dare to take on a hot potato, but you certainly have the courage and integrity."

Shen Ziyu lowered her eyes, her ears burning slightly.

He was praised by his teachers for his integrity since he was a child, but the weight of those words was completely different when they came from Xie Jue's mouth.

Xie Jue achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations at the age of sixteen and entered the Grand Secretariat at twenty-one, becoming a role model for scholars across the land. Even the most composed person would be moved to receive praise from such a person.

Someone had previously passed the hot potato of communication between Chu Wei and the General of Shuoyun to Shen Ziyu, and Shen Ziyu actually dared to take it on and even submitted a memorial to Emperor Jingyuan.

At the time, many people in the court thought that Xie Jue would definitely protect the Chu family because the Chu family and the Xie family were related by marriage. Xie Jue's younger sister had married into the Chu family, and Xie Jue was always protective of his own.

Therefore, Shen Ziyu's actions were undoubtedly an act of defiance against Xie Jue.

Everyone's waiting to see Shen Ziyu get into trouble.

But to everyone's surprise, Xie Jue showed no intention of exonerating the Chu family.

Shen Ziyu was clearly surprised that Lord Xie had asked him to stay and talk about this. He paused for a moment, then pursed his lips and said, "This humble official dares not take credit for it."

He had always felt a bit guilty.

Xie Jue treated him well.

The Chu family and the Xie family had a long-standing marriage relationship, and everyone in the court and among the people knew that Lord Xie was always protective of his own. When he insisted on sticking to the evidence against Chu Wei, in the eyes of outsiders, it was a blatant act of defiance against Xie Jue and insubordination.

During that period, Shen Ziyu was constantly uneasy, feeling that his actions were somewhat in vain of the guidance he had received from his superiors.

But since he is paid by the emperor, he should bear the emperor's worries. The law should come first, and personal favors should come second. Even if he feels guilty, he cannot bend the law for personal gain.

After submitting his memorial, Shen Ziyu was prepared to be neglected, alienated, or even demoted on some pretext. However, he never expected that Xie Jue would not plead for the Chu family, and after this incident, he would not hold a grudge against him.

Thinking of this, Shen Ziyu held Xie Jue in even higher esteem.

Lord Xie did not disappoint him.

Shen Ziyu took a step back and bowed respectfully: "Upholding the law and speaking impartially are the duties of a subject. If it weren't for Your Excellency's clear distinction between public and private matters and your magnanimous character, I would not have been able to accomplish anything."

Xie Jue glanced at Shen Ziyu with admiration. Although Shen Ziyu was pedantic in his actions, his character was impeccable.

If the Zhang family had a son-in-law like that, they'd have a lot of headaches.

Xie Jue sized up Shen Ziyu, and after a moment, he spoke slowly and deliberately: "You are of upright character and act with integrity. I've recently heard that the Zhang family often invites scholars from the Hanlin Academy to their residence for small gatherings. Have you ever been?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Ziyu replied truthfully: "Your Excellency, I have never had any dealings with the Zhang family and have never attended any of their gatherings."

Xie Jue: "The Zhang family is the maternal clan of the Second Prince, a prominent and distinguished family. I've heard that the eldest daughter of the Zhang family is of pure and kind nature, and many sons of powerful and wealthy men in the capital are interested in marrying her. Does Xingzhi have such intentions?"

Xingzhi is Shen Ziyu's courtesy name.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ziyu's expression immediately changed.

Shen Ziyu said solemnly, "My lord, please forgive my bluntness, but such jokes are not to be taken lightly! Please, my lord, refrain from making such jokes!"

Xie Jue's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Shen Ziyu then said solemnly, "Since you have asked, I will speak frankly. The Zhang family is of high status and noble lineage, which I cannot possibly attain. Furthermore, I cannot condone the Zhang family's conduct. I have heard more than once about the Fifth Young Master Zhang's bullying of men and women in the capital. The Zhang family acts lawlessly because they rely on the support of the Imperial Concubine. I would rather remain unmarried for life than associate with such a family."

If these words were to get out, Shen Ziyu would be in serious trouble.

But Shen Ziyu dared to offend even Xie Jue, so she was even less afraid of the Zhang family.

Even though the Third Prince has lost power and the Second Prince's faction is at its zenith, and the Zhang family is even more powerful, and everyone wants to curry favor with the Zhang family, Shen Ziyu has no such intention at all.

So he is Shen Ziyu.

Others said he was old-fashioned, inflexible, and unable to assess the situation, but he still did things his own way.

Such people actually find it very difficult to succeed in officialdom.

Even Emperor Jingyuan didn't particularly like Shen Ziyu.

Honesty is a good thing, but if honesty goes too far, it becomes less effective.

Xie Jue remained silent for a moment, neither confirming nor denying, before asking, "Do you remember that girl from the Zhang family?"

Shen Ziyu shook her head and said frankly, "No."

Xie Jue looked at him, his gaze holding a hint of amusement beyond scrutiny.

"Since you have no interest in the Zhang family, I will not force you and will pretend these words were never spoken. However—if you have someone you admire, you may speak frankly. I may be able to help you."

Shen Ziyu's eyes widened in panic, and she dared not look Xie Jue in the eye.

Shen Ziyu lowered his eyes, and something flashed across his usually frank and open eyes. His fingers tightened slightly in his sleeve, but his voice remained as upright and unyielding as ever, only his speech was a beat faster than before: "You jest, sir. This humble official... has no one in mind."