Coughing brought tears to his eyes, the corners tinged red, his lips pressed together in stubbornness, yet even redder than the rims of his eyes.

Adam Brooks slowly turned around, his steps stiff at first, then gradually growing resolute as he walked toward the bookshelf, one step at a time.

*

As soon as Mr. Brooks entered the study, he saw his son engrossed in a book.

Hearing his father’s voice, the son naturally set down the book in his hands and looked at him calmly. “I want to take the March imperial examination.”

Adam Brooks had already passed the provincial exam seven years ago, ranking first among the successful candidates at just seventeen years old, his talent drawing much attention.

But Adam Brooks had no intention of becoming an official, and for the next seven years, he never continued with the imperial exams. Now, overnight, Mr. Brooks didn’t know what had changed his mind, but to continue with the exams was undoubtedly a good thing.

“Good, good, good,” Mr. Brooks’s eyes grew moist, “Good!”

Adam Brooks nodded at Mr. Brooks and continued reading his book.

Since he was going to take the exam, who else but him could claim the title of top scholar?

Author’s note:

The emperor punished Samuel Grant, it just wasn’t written out; there’s a line about it later, but here’s an explanation.

Chapter 8

At the end of winter, the examinees would gather in the capital, and come spring, the Ministry of Rites would host the metropolitan exam. Since Adam Brooks was going to participate in this exam, his father would have to recuse himself.

These past few days, the morning court sessions had all been about the upcoming March exam. Brian Clark and the ministers set the tone for the exam, determining the weight of the classics, policy essays, mathematics, poetry, law, and miscellaneous writings. The chief examiner and three deputies would be selected from high-ranking officials, with eighteen assistant examiners. The Ministry of Rites submitted a list of candidates, and the final selection was up to Brian Clark.

After the morning court, Brian Clark received the list. He needed to make his choices quickly; in three days, these selected officials would be escorted by the imperial guards into the examination compound, which would then be sealed.

There was an art to selecting people for this task. Although they were all imperial students, the chief examiners of the provincial and metropolitan exams held the prestigious title of “teacher of the hall.” This appointment was a matter of honor, requiring a background as a successful candidate and the emperor’s trust. Whom Brian Clark wished to promote or restrain could be reflected in these choices.

Once he had made his selections, the imperial kitchen sent over food. Ever since he had ordered a bowl of zhajiang noodles last time, the kitchen seemed to have discovered a hundred ways to use different sauces. The savory meat sauce alone was enough to make the meal appetizing.

Brian Clark hadn’t had much of an appetite these days; no matter how much effort the kitchen put in, he only took a few bites before setting down his chopsticks. After instructing the servants to clear the food, Brian Clark washed up and prepared to take a nap.

He told Samuel Grant to wake him in an hour. Brian Clark fell into a deep sleep, but unexpectedly, he was jolted awake by violent shaking just after he’d dozed off.

Opening his eyes, he saw Samuel Grant’s face streaked with tears, his voice trembling as he said, “Your Majesty, Consort Dowager Wan is gravely ill.”

*

A manor on the outskirts of the capital.

Brian Clark walked out of a room heavy with the scent of medicine and gazed at the lone withered tree in the courtyard, his eyes feeling dry.

Beside him, Samuel Grant and the palace attendants were already covering their faces and weeping. The imperial physician followed on the emperor’s left, quietly reporting the diagnosis.

Consort Dowager Wan was a concubine of the late emperor.

She was also the younger sister of Brian Clark’s birth mother.

Brian Clark’s mother had died young. To protect Brian Clark, his mother’s family had sent Consort Dowager Wan into the palace. In order to treat Brian Clark as her own son, Consort Dowager Wan had personally taken a potion to ensure she would never bear children. For the rest of her life, she devoted herself solely to paving the way for Brian Clark.

The death of Brian Clark’s mother had been suspicious, and it was Consort Dowager Wan who, step by step, uncovered the truth within the harem. She avenged his mother’s death. Whether it was the previous young emperor or the current Brian Clark, both regarded Consort Dowager Wan as their own mother.

After the late emperor passed, Brian Clark had wanted to care for Consort Dowager Wan in the palace, but she insisted on leaving. She didn’t want to die within the palace walls.

Brian Clark moved her to this country estate, but no amount of careful care could withstand the passage of time.

Consort Dowager Wan had grown old and weary; she was ready to die.

Brian Clark looked up at the gray sky, feeling as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart. His nose stung, but his eyes remained dry.

“Let’s go.”

The carriage jolted along the uneven road, the manor gradually receding into the distance. Samuel Grant had already wiped away his tears, now tending to Brian Clark in the carriage with worry and caution.

Brian Clark leaned against the soft couch, staring blankly at the scenery outside the window. It wasn’t until the carriage entered the capital that he called for a stop, got out, and walked toward the palace on foot.

The capital, under the emperor’s feet, was bustling and crowded. A few children ran past, laughing and holding sugar figurines. Brian Clark paused, watching these children.

Men in coarse linen worked by the roadside, women busied themselves with household chores, people of all ages and genders hustled for a better life.

But even more numerous were the scholars gathered in twos and threes. Bookshops and teahouses were filled with aspiring candidates for the imperial exam, their voices loud with excitement or anxiety as they discussed the upcoming test.

Brian Clark didn’t know what he was thinking, nor did the guards and palace attendants protecting him from behind.

They simply followed this young emperor in silence, alert to everything around them.