This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

When the news of Wang Yangming's success in the provincial examination in the capital reached Anyi County, his younger sister, Wang Jingshu, was overjoyed and felt honored to receive it.

But Wang Qingdu remained calm, with even a hint of worry in his eyes.

He was also a top scholar in the provincial examination back then and was once highly regarded.

But what about the end?

But since his son had lofty ambitions, Wang Qingdu couldn't bear to dampen his enthusiasm.

With a touch of worry, he silently prayed that Wang Yangming would have a smoother and farther path than him.

In the clinic, Wang Jingshu told everyone the news that Wang Yangming had passed the imperial examination with top honors, and Qingfeng, Mingyue, and the others were naturally happy.

However, after the initial joy, Qingfeng couldn't help but feel a little wistful.

Stealing a glance at Mingyue, he couldn't help but think to himself: the smoother his junior brother's path in the imperial examinations goes, the further he'll likely drift away from Mingyue...

While he was still in a daze, Mingyue suddenly turned her head, staring at Qingfeng with her hazy eyes, and said indifferently:

"Senior brother, thinking too much can affect your state of mind!"

Qingfeng gave an awkward smile and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Junior sister is right..."

After saying that, Mingyue turned around and went back to her room.

Wang Jingshu looked back and forth curiously, and asked in confusion:

"Senior Brother, why did Senior Sister suddenly say this to you?"

Qingfeng coughed lightly.

"Um, it's nothing, she was just talking about cultivation..."

After saying that, he turned and went to the front clinic.

Wang Jingshu was completely bewildered and couldn't figure it out.

Instead of thinking about it anymore, he turned around and ran to pull Zhu Jiu along, saying:

"Xiao Jiu, come on, let's go out and play..."

Zhu Jiu nodded excitedly, but then hesitated for a moment before glancing at Li Daoxuan, who was sitting under the camphor tree reading a book. Li Daoxuan, his eyes fixed on the book, said calmly:

"Go ahead, just come back soon..."

Wang Jingshu and Zhu Jiu were overjoyed and happily went out the door, heading straight for the outskirts of the city.

Looking at their carefree appearance, Li Daoxuan sighed softly.

Once you grow up, it becomes rare to have such carefree and happy times again...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Time flies, the mountains turn yellow and then white again, and in the blink of an eye they are full of life once more.

In his third year in Beijing, Wang Yangming finally ushered in the most important moment of his life.

The triennial spring imperial examinations gather talented scholars from all over the country, all hoping to leap over the dragon gate and rise to prominence.

There are a total of 21 prefectures in Dazhao Prefecture, which means that at least 21 people like Wang Yangming, who were the top scholars in the provincial examinations, will participate in the metropolitan examination.

This spring imperial examination is destined to be a fierce battle, with each candidate showcasing their unique talents.

However, two days before the imperial examination, Wang Yangming encountered something that he could never let go of.

The Prince of Jin sent him a scroll of documents. Wang Yangming was puzzled, but when he opened it, he found that it was actually a test.

Although he wasn't sure if it was a question from the upcoming imperial examination, Wang Yangming felt as if his worldview had been completely shaken, and he couldn't shake it off for a long time.

The Prince of Jin's meaning was quite clear: he deliberately wanted him to see the exam questions. If the questions weren't from the day of the provincial examination, that would be fine, but if they were, he would be in deep trouble.

Even if Wang Yangming sticks to his principles and doesn't make preparations beforehand, others won't believe him.

If Wang Yangming ultimately achieves good results, then the Prince of Jin could easily say that it was because he knew the exam questions in advance.

But if he deliberately held back during the exam just to clear himself of this suspicion, then he would really be letting down all those years of hard work and study.

The only way to resolve this predicament is to seek refuge with the Prince of Jin.

Only in this way can his fact that he had seen the exam questions in advance not be exposed.

Regardless of his exam results, no one would suspect that he cheated.

However, this meant that Wang Yangming was destined to be controlled by the Prince of Jin for the rest of his life.

Although he did not serve as an official in the court, he had been in the capital for so long and had long heard that the factional struggle between the Prince of Jin and the Crown Prince was already irreconcilable.

Once he takes a side, there's no way he can get away.

What you want to do in the future will inevitably be subject to many restrictions.

Thinking of this, Wang Yangming felt utterly exhausted.

The Great Zhao Dynasty is now in decline. Why do these princes and officials not think about strengthening the country and enriching the people, but instead spend their days only thinking about vying for power and profit...?

Before they knew it, the day of the imperial examination arrived as scheduled.

Candidates from all over the country who had traveled far and wide crowded in front of the examination hall, waiting to enter.

At the Tianmen Bridge in front of the examination hall, Prince Jin, along with Jiang Ping'an and several guards, had been waiting for a long time.

But even after all the candidates had crossed the Tianmen Bridge, they still hadn't seen that figure.

Jiang Ping'an gripped the sword sheath, his knuckles white.

She hadn't seen Wang Yangming since that incident.

But she knew Wang Yangming's character very well; he was not one to give in easily.

Jiang Ping'an glanced at Prince Jin, feeling only helplessness.

At this moment, she both hoped that Wang Yangming would appear here and didn't want him to come.

An inexplicable contradiction.

With all the candidates about to enter the examination hall and the gates closing soon, Wang Yangming still hadn't appeared.

The Prince of Jin frowned and turned to his guards, asking:

"Didn't he go out?"

The guard, looking terrified, bowed and replied:

"Your Highness...our people didn't notice..."

The Prince of Jin gave him a cold glance, and the guards immediately trembled with fear, their faces turning pale.

Who would have thought that Wang Yangming would be late? This spring examination, which only comes once every three years, is a must-see for all the candidates in the country.

At this moment, a bodyguard close to the Prince of Jin stepped forward and said:

"Your Highness, should we go and speak with Minister Guo and wait a little longer?"

The Prince of Jin glared at him and said angrily:

"Fool, do you want the court officials to impeach me again?"

"He's here..."

Jiang Ping'an suddenly said.

The King of Jin turned his head and saw Wang Yangming, carrying a book box, appear at the bridgehead.

Wang Yangming also saw the Prince of Jin and others sitting not far from the bridgehead.

He walked forward slowly and bowed.

"Greetings, Prince Jin and Princess."

The displeasure on the Prince of Jin's face vanished completely, replaced by a gentle expression.

He reached out and patted Wang Yangming on the shoulder, smiling:

"Do your best on the exam, but don't feel pressured."

Jiang Ping'an kept his head down, not daring to look at him.

Wang Yangming did not speak, but instead pulled the rolled-up examination paper from his sleeve and handed it to the Prince of Jin, saying:

"Your Highness is very kind."

The Prince of Jin's expression changed slightly; he hadn't expected Wang Yangming to bring this out at this moment.

He didn't go to pick it up himself, but had his bodyguard do it for him.

"Don't overthink it. With your talent, you'll definitely pass the exam even without this."

Wang Yangming nodded and said:

"Hopefully, this isn't the question on the exam."

After saying that, Wang Yangming turned and walked towards the examination hall.

The Prince of Jin watched his retreating figure with a cryptic expression.

Jiang Ping'an couldn't help but frown and ask:

What does he mean?

The Prince of Jin did not answer him, but muttered to himself indifferently:

"Wang Yangming...you wouldn't joke about your future, would you?"