Chapter 4: Meeting Runsheng

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With that, he took out paper and pen again to ask Luo YunYao for some brief information. Understanding the wisdom of knowing when to stop, Luo YunYao quickly handed over her details to officially register. Afterwards, Du RunSheng also filled out his information. Only after a stern warning to the two government agents did they finally release them.

“Many thanks today, brother. Otherwise, missing this imperial examination means waiting until next year,” Luo YunYao said, cupping her hands in a scholar’s salute. Meeting the son of the Minister of Rites had sparked her desire to forge a connection. “Brother, you exude integrity; you are destined to become a fine official.”

“You flatter me, brother,” Du RunSheng replied modestly. He was accustomed to making friends and, seeing the youth before him stand with neither servility nor arrogance despite knowing his identity, and speak without flattery, he was drawn to this demeanor and felt inclined to befriend him. “Don’t call me brother. My surname is Du, given name RunSheng. We seem about the same age, so just call me RunSheng.”

“Alright, I’m Luo Yao,” Luo YunYao responded with a faint smile. Du RunSheng’s cheerful personality suited her well.

“Luo, do you have a place to stay in the capital during the examination period?”

Du RunSheng asked because he had noticed Luo YunYao pulling out the last of her money earlier and assumed she was a destitute scholar. Helping her seemed natural. Seeing her hesitate, he added, “The imperial exam is in three days. I invite you to stay at my home for a couple of days. We can take the exam together, which will be convenient.”

Caught in such a predicament with her poverty exposed, Luo YunYao blushed slightly but saw the reason in his words. “Thank you for your hospitality, Brother Du.”

During her stay at the Du residence, Luo YunYao often studied and discussed with Du RunSheng.

Ten days flew by in the blink of an eye. As expected, Luo YunYao was personally nominated by the emperor as the top scorer, while Du RunSheng ranked third.

When the imperial messenger arrived at the Du mansion to announce the results, Luo YunYao showed no special reaction upon learning she was the champion; it was all as anticipated. Based on her experience assisting her father in reviewing election essays in the BiLuo Kingdom and adding her own insights, she presented her political views with notable accomplishment. Any discerning emperor would surely appreciate such an essay. This was exactly the effect she intended.

Entering the Western Qin court was only the first step; she had an even more important mission to fulfill.

Over the past days, thanks to Du RunSheng’s frank and honest nature, she gleaned much about the political landscape within the Western Qin court.

At present, the court’s factions mainly divided into three powers. The first was led by the Prime Minister Hou, who supported the second prince, Xiao Ming. The Prime Minister Hou’s ancestors had aided in founding the kingdom, and their family had long been a formidable force at court. Moreover, his biological daughter was favored by the emperor as the foremost consort, Lady Liu GuiFei. Since the former empress’s death, the position had been vacant for some time, granting her immense influence.

Besides Lady Liu GuiFei, the Prime Minister’s adopted daughter, known as Lady Jiang, also enjoyed imperial favor. Together, they often whispered counsel into the emperor’s ear, gradually exerting considerable sway over court affairs.

The second faction was the Prime Minister Lu, the Prime Minister Hou’s rival. Known for his upright and incorruptible nature, he despised the others’ ways. He was the late empress’s full brother and the crown prince’s uncle, naturally backing his nephew Xiao LiMo. Moreover, he commanded the six ministries, wielding significant power in court.

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Luo YunYao understood that political power often balanced among three factions to maintain stability. The emperor’s foremost duty was to preserve this balance; otherwise, the loss of equilibrium could cause anything from regime change to nationwide turmoil.

What surprised her most was that the third crucial faction was led by the National General Qin JingHao. This faction consisted mostly of officers and generals who had served under him for years. Although the Ministry of War ostensibly answered to Prime Minister Lu, most within were veterans loyal to General Qin. No one needed to say whose side their hearts lay with.

On her way to the palace to receive her imperial reward, Luo YunYao pondered the Western Qin situation carefully. Since she was inevitably stepping into these troubled waters, she resolved to strategize carefully to accomplish her goals with the least resistance and greatest advantage.

In Western Qin, the top three candidates from the imperial exam had the privilege of choosing any vacant official position below the chancellor. As the champion, she had the first choice.

That morning, she had heard that the vacant positions included head of the Hanlin Academy, Minister of War, and an official in the Ministry of Personnel, among others less significant. She hesitated among these three. As the emperor’s personally nominated champion who had remained neutral in factional conflicts, accepting a high position would surely attract the attention of the factions, possibly sparking rivalries and complications if handled poorly.

Lost in thought, the grand hall came into view. It was her first time entering the palace officially as a subject. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward with head held high and measured pace along the golden-red embroidered carpet, walking into the heart of Western Qin’s political storm. There was no turning back in completing her mission.

“Newly appointed champion Luo Yao pays homage to His Majesty, long live the emperor, long live, long live!”

Luo YunYao, who had only ever knelt to heaven and parents, lightly struck her knees on the splendid hall floor, lowering her head to the hard ground. From this moment forth, the identity of princess of the BiLuo Kingdom would be replaced by Western Qin’s champion Luo Yao, who would now be active at court.

“Hahaha, rise, Luo Qing,” the emperor said with a voice full of vigor, appearing to be around forty years old. Though his face bore signs of weariness, he could not hide his pride and seemed very pleased with Luo YunYao. He addressed the ministers lined up on either side, “Esteemed ministers, behold the champion I have newly appointed. His literary talent and insight surpassed all examinees. He is truly a rare talent for Western Qin!”

Receiving such praise from the emperor, the crowd responded with their own congratulations, bowing in unison. “Congratulations, Champion Luo.”

The formalities of officialdom, Luo YunYao returned their salute, her gaze sweeping over the faces, memorizing them one by one.

Her eyes lingered on the figure at the head of the line. The refined scholar she had met days ago now stood there dressed in imposing official robes. The gentleman she once thought a mere noble son had transformed into a general commanding military power. She was genuinely surprised.

Meanwhile, Qin JingHao, though having glanced at her, wore a subtle smile as if he had foreseen this moment. His eyes held a profound wisdom that seemed to see through all affairs, resting fleetingly on Luo YunYao, causing a momentary flutter in her heart. She quickly steadied herself and averted her gaze coolly.

Luo YunYao’s heart stirred. Though she had guessed his identity would be extraordinary, she never imagined he was the National General Qin JingHao—the “invincible warrior” feared on the battlefield—yet also a young man exuding the grace of a Wei-Jin scholar.

His calm and elegant bearing was incomparable to the fierce aura of other generals.

From the moment she entered the hall, Qin JingHao’s attention was drawn to her. He was not surprised by her imperial nomination as champion but, thinking further, though Luo Yao was a friend worth knowing, his perspective as a Western Qin general compelled him to consider matters from the broader political landscape.

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The court's situation was like a game of chess, where each piece’s placement or removal was carefully calculated. A player who did not understand the pieces’ roles and made reckless moves risked turning the tide against themselves.

Casting a faint smile, Qin JingHao’s eyes subtly glanced again at Luo YunYao, as if curious about her next moves.

“Though young, Champion Luo is learned and truly a talent of Western Qin! But I wonder, which official post does Champion Luo intend to choose?”

Luo YunYao was momentarily distracted when a voice spoke from the other side of the hall.

Turning toward the source, she recognized the speaker as the Prime Minister Hou by his slightly rounded belly. Even before the emperor had offered her the choice, he was already eager to inquire, which seemed somewhat impatient.

Luo YunYao smiled faintly but did not answer immediately. Sure enough, in the next moment, an official clad in brocade blue silk embroidered with crane patterns sneered, “Prime Minister Liu is rather eager to know where Champion Luo will be posted, isn’t he?”

“You...” Prime Minister Liu was infuriated but, seeing the emperor’s gaze, swallowed his anger and gritted his teeth, “Prime Minister Lu is right.”

“Cough, cough,” the emperor lightly cleared his throat to quell the ministers’ sharp exchanges, then composed himself and looked down at Luo YunYao. “Champion Luo, do you have a preferred vacant position?”

“Your Majesty, this subject already has a favored post,” Luo YunYao replied.

Her words caused a stir among the crowd, whispering guesses about which faction had claimed the new champion.

All eyes turned once more to her. Luo YunYao smiled and looked toward Qin JingHao, who had yet to speak. “I would like to serve as Minister of War. I humbly ask the emperor’s approval.”

“Minister of War?”

The officials’ gazes involuntarily shifted to General Qin JingHao, who held all military authority in Western Qin. On the surface, he appeared detached from politics and aligned with the moderate faction. Yet, to truly establish oneself at court, relying solely on a general’s reputation was insufficient.