Chapter 118: Talent Revealed in the Pavilion of Literary Profundity, Advancing Further on the Path of the Examiner

Chapter 118: Talents Shine Within the Wen Yuan Pavilion, Advancing Further on the Path of Examination Officials

The grand doors of the Wen Yuan Pavilion slowly creaked open, the heavy wooden panels groaning lowly, as if heralding the storm about to unfold.

Lin Shiya took a deep breath; the air was tinged with the faint scent of ink and the mustiness of ancient books.

She stepped inside, her footsteps lightly echoing on the thick wooden floorboards, reverberating in the silent space.

The pavilion was brightly lit, illuminating a sea of solemn faces.

Liu, the Vice Minister of Rites, sat upright in the grand master’s chair at the center, his expression calm yet his eyes sharp and piercing.

On either side sat officials and scholars, each fulfilling their duties, their gazes like burning torches scrutinizing Lin Shiya as she entered.

Old Scholar Chen, his hair white as snow and visage stern, sat upright, fingers twirling a string of Buddhist prayer beads, his eyes laced with doubt.

Wang, a rival contender, lingered in the corner, a cold sneer playing at his lips, his sinister gaze fixed on Lin Shiya like a viper.

His strategist, Zhao, chuckled quietly under his breath, exchanging knowing glances with Wang from time to time.

Dr. Sun appeared flustered, dabbing sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, clearly unsettled within.

Inspector Li regarded the scene with cold detachment, his eyes unblinking, while Lord Zhou, tucked away in a corner, kept his head lowered, unable to meet Lin Shiya’s gaze, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Lin Shiya sensed the tense atmosphere pervading the air, as if she stood in the eerie calm before a fierce storm.

She knew this was a trial—one that would determine whether she could ascend further to the pinnacle of power.

Straightening her spine, her eyes shone with unwavering resolve and strength.

Vice Minister Liu rose slowly and cleared his throat, breaking the silence that hung heavy in the pavilion. “Top Scorer Lin, today you are summoned to test your understanding of the imperial examination system.” His voice was quiet but each word rang clearly with authority.

Old Scholar Chen twisted his prayer beads, his hoarse yet commanding voice followed: “Though I am but a humble servant, I wish to inquire of Top Scorer Lin some historical allusions concerning the examination system.”

He paused briefly before launching the first question: “In the early years of the Great Zhou dynasty, when the imperial examinations were first established, which renowned ministers rose to office through this system?” His tone was even, yet beneath it lay a subtle current of pressure.

An invisible weight pressed down on Lin Shiya. Though the question seemed simple, it was riddled with traps; ignorance of the examination’s history would easily lead to a misstep.

She could feel the eyes around her—some expectant, some scornful, some anxious—focused solely on her, as if she stood on a cliff’s edge, one wrong move away from plummeting into an abyss.

Drawing a deep breath, she felt the rapid beating of her heart within her chest.

She knew greater challenges awaited, but she could not falter—not after all her efforts, not for those who believed in her.

She needed to unveil her true talent, to prove she possessed the ability to face whatever came next.

Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply once more. When she opened them again, her gaze was crystal clear and resolute.

Facing the diverse faces before her, a confident smile gently curved her lips as she began, “In the early years of the Great Zhou, when the imperial examination system was first established, several distinguished ministers entered office through it…”

Pausing briefly, she then clearly enumerated several famous ministers who had emerged through the system at the dynasty’s dawn, elaborating on their lives and contributions to the Great Zhou.

Her voice was clear, neither hurried nor slow; each word struck firmly, echoing through the Wen Yuan Pavilion.

Old Scholar Chen’s furrowed brow gradually smoothed, while the originally skeptical officials and scholars around began nodding and whispering their admiration for Lin Shiya.

Seeing this, Wang’s heart darkened with hatred. He cast a glance toward Zhao, who understood immediately and quietly approached several scholars, whispering rapidly.

Soon, these scholars began echoing Wang’s sentiments, firing a barrage of tricky and strange questions at Lin Shiya, attempting to confound her.

The atmosphere within the Wen Yuan Pavilion grew tense; questions rained down like arrows, each sharp and aimed at her vulnerabilities.

“Top Scorer Lin, do you believe a woman is fit to serve as an examiner in the imperial examinations?” Old Scholar Chen posed his own doubt, his tone tinged with skepticism.

Lin Shiya felt the mounting pressure but remained composed.

She drew a deep breath, sweeping her gaze across the assembly, a faint but confident smile gracing her lips.

“Esteemed lords and scholars, I, Shiya, humbly offer to answer your questions one by one.” Her voice rang clear and firm, cutting through the tension like a fresh breeze.

She answered each query with poise, citing classics and drawing from a wide array of references, dissecting every question thoroughly.

Not only did she display vast erudition, but also quick wit and exceptional wisdom.

Her words flowed quietly yet powerfully, like a gentle stream imbued with force, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Just as the crowd began to yield to her brilliance, Wang abruptly stood, sneering coldly, “Top Scorer Lin, your talent is indeed remarkable; I admire you. However…” He deliberately drew out the final word, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes. “There remains one matter unclear to me…”

He paused deliberately, surveying the room as all eyes turned to him, before continuing slowly, “Top Scorer Lin, the classics you have cited—I have never heard of them before. Pray tell, which sage authored these works?” His lips curled with a sneer, clearly casting doubt on Lin Shiya’s scholarship, implying she fabricated these texts to deceive the assembly.

Lin Shiya’s expression remained unchanged, though a cold smile flickered in her heart. This Wang was truly grasping at straws, resorting to such clumsy tactics.

She smiled faintly and replied calmly, “These works are not penned by any ancient sage, but by my father himself, titled ‘Strategies for Governing a Peaceful Era.’” Her tone was even yet carried an unshakable conviction.

“Your father?” Wang feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow. “Pray, who might your honored father be?” His voice dripped with sarcasm, clearly skeptical of her claim.

Lin Shiya’s gaze sharpened like a blade as she fixed Wang with unwavering eyes, speaking each word with deliberate clarity: “My father is Lin Yuanshan.”

The room erupted in a murmur.

Lin Yuanshan, once Minister of Revenue, had been unjustly dismissed and exiled on fabricated charges, ultimately dying far from home.

By invoking her father’s name, Lin Shiya had laid bare her family’s wounds, signaling to all present that her participation in the examination was not merely for personal glory, but to clear her family’s tainted name.

Wang’s face paled slightly; he had not expected her to mention this openly, leaving him caught off guard.

He parted his lips to speak but found no words.

Lin Shiya paid no heed to Wang’s discomfort and continued: “Though my father is no longer among the living, his ‘Strategies for Governing a Peaceful Era’ remains a treasured guide for statecraft. Today, I cite this work to prove that my father was not a corrupt man, but a loyal minister devoted to the realm!” Her tone rang out, resolute and commanding, each word imbued with power that silenced everyone present.

A heavy silence fell over the Wen Yuan Pavilion, so still one could hear a pin drop.

All were struck by Lin Shiya’s formidable presence; no one dared speak.

Her eyes swept across the assembly before resting on Vice Minister Liu.

“My lord, every word I have spoken is true. I beseech your discerning judgment.”

Liu’s expression grew solemn. He gazed deeply into Lin Shiya’s eyes before speaking slowly: “Top Scorer Lin, I have witnessed your talent and courage. Regarding your father’s case, I shall order a thorough reinvestigation. As for today’s examination…”

He paused, glancing at the assembly before fixing Wang with a steady look, “Continue.”

Wang’s face darkened to iron. He had not anticipated that Lin Shiya would not only withstand his questioning but seize the moment to exonerate her father. This filled him with rage and frustration.

He glared fiercely at Lin Shiya, grinding his teeth as he seethed, “Top Scorer Lin, do you think you can slip through this so easily? I…”

Sweat soaked Lin Shiya’s clothes, clinging damply to her back, a sticky discomfort.

The air in the Wen Yuan Pavilion was thick and stagnant, each breath heavy with weight.

Her throat was dry, lips numb, yet she stood tall, her gaze unwavering.

The relentless barrage of difficult questions surged like tides, each a sharp blade testing her knowledge and quick thinking.

Though well prepared, she felt her strength wane.

She sensed the myriad gazes—some scrutinizing, some doubtful, some hopeful—intertwining into an invisible net that tightly encircled her.

The pavilion was eerily silent save for her crisp replies echoing in the vast hall, each answer striking the hearts of those present—and her own in return.

This suffocating stillness pressed down upon her like a massive cage, stifling breath and escape.

Just as she thought the examination might soon conclude, allowing her a brief respite, Vice Minister Liu’s voice broke the suffocating silence.

“Top Scorer Lin,” his tone grave and commanding, “what are your views on the future development of the imperial examination system?”

This question was like a stone cast into a still lake, sending ripples far and wide.

Lin Shiya’s heart tightened; there was no standard answer. One slight misstep could sway her final outcome.

She inhaled deeply, striving to maintain calm.

She knew she must answer with caution—demonstrating foresight and insight, avoiding sensitive topics, and laying groundwork for what lay ahead.

She pondered briefly before speaking slowly, her voice clear and firm: “My lord, regarding the imperial examination system…”

Before her words could finish, the sound of hurried footsteps approached outside. A guard swiftly entered the Wen Yuan Pavilion, whispering into Vice Minister Liu’s ear.

Liu’s expression shifted subtly. Interrupting Lin Shiya, he said, “Top Scorer Lin, today’s examination ends here. Please follow me.”

A sudden unease surged within her.

She followed Vice Minister Liu out of the pavilion, down a long corridor, arriving before a vermilion door.

Liu pushed the door open, gesturing for Lin Shiya to enter.

She inhaled deeply and stepped into the council chamber.

Before her stood a vast round table, surrounded by several high-ranking ministers, their faces a mixture of solemnity, doubt, and concern.

As she entered, their eyes converged upon her, an unspoken pressure weighing heavily.

“Top Scorer Lin…” a minister began slowly, his tone laden with meaning.