Chapter 120: At Last, the Examiner Returns in Glory; A Grand New Journey Begins

Chapter 120: Honor Achieved, A Grand Journey Begins

Lin Shiya stared at the note in her hand, more certain than ever that this was a meticulously orchestrated examination. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves, pushed open the door, and set out toward the testing site.

In the depths of the night, her steps were firm. Her heart was a mixture of tension and anticipation, as if every stride beat in rhythm with the drums of destiny. Under the cover of darkness, the imperial palace appeared exceptionally solemn, the quiet air imbued with the faint fragrance of flowers and grass. Lin Shiya walked along the flagstone path, the sound of her own heartbeat echoing in her ears with every step. Though her pulse quickened, she did not falter.

Entering the examination site, she was met with an atmosphere of grave solemnity. The surroundings were silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze. The venue was an elegant, ancient hall, lit by a few dim lanterns that cast just enough light to reveal the furnishings. As Lin Shiya stepped inside, she found the Vice Minister of Rites Liu, the venerable Scholar Chen, her rival Wang, the strategist Zhao, Dr. Sun of the Tea Bureau, and Censor Li already seated, their eyes fixed intently upon her.

Vice Minister Liu stood up, his voice steady and commanding. "Lin Shiya, today you face your final assessment. This is not merely a test of your personal capability, but a comprehensive evaluation of your fitness to serve as an imperial examiner. Are you prepared?"

Lin Shiya drew a breath and nodded, answering firmly, "I am prepared."

Scholar Chen narrowed his eyes, a hint of skepticism in his tone. "Very well. Tell me, what do you consider the standard for the imperial examinations? And how would you ensure the impartiality of these standards?"

Her rival, Wang, sneered as he interjected, "Indeed. And furthermore, how will the content of the examination reflect fairness? How will you prevent cheating?"

Strategist Zhao looked on with a cold smile, seemingly waiting for her to stumble. Lin Shiya frowned, her mind racing. She understood that these questions touched not only on the examinations themselves but on the very fabric of society. Clenching her fists, she looked up with unwavering resolve.

"The standards for the imperial examinations must be merit and character, upheld with absolute fairness," she began slowly. "Specifically, the content should encompass classics, history, literature, and more, to comprehensively assess a candidate's knowledge and ability. To ensure impartiality, a rigorous monitoring system must be established to root out all forms of corruption."

Her response startled those present. Censor Li, in particular, raised his eyebrows.

"Furthermore," Lin Shiya continued, "the examinations must consider their societal impact. By selecting outstanding scholars, we do more than supply talent to the state; we establish a standard of integrity and promote the righteous path among the people. Thus, as an examiner, one must not only be impartial and selfless but also possess the foresight to drive social progress."

The hall fell silent, all eyes locked on her. Vice Minister Liu nodded, a faint, approving smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Suddenly, Wang let out a cold laugh, shattering the fleeting tranquility. "Fine words, but how can you prove you can achieve all this?"

Lin Shiya’s gaze sharpened. She stood up, her tone steady and powerful. "I will prove it with my actions." A sharp light flashed in her eyes, as if she were already looking toward the path ahead.

Standing calmly in the center of the hall, she felt as if a light had shone within her, dispelling all doubt and unease. She adjusted her breathing and began to articulate her points with crystalline clarity.

"The selection criteria are not merely a competition of literary talent, but a test of character and virtue. The curriculum must include classics, history, literature, and policy analysis to ensure a candidate’s knowledge is profound and their perspectives deep. To ensure justice, we must establish a multi-layered oversight system—from the county and prefecture levels up to the capital—with strict officials at every stage to ensure transparency."

Her words were like a gentle spring breeze, bringing a sense of warmth and confidence to the room. Censor Li nodded slightly, his expression growing more earnest. Even Scholar Chen, though still somewhat doubtful, had to admit that her points carried weight.

"Moreover," Lin Shiya continued, her voice filled with conviction, "the examination should also consider the candidates' social and family backgrounds. Those from humble origins who labor with diligence deserve greater attention and support. Only then can we truly realize social fairness and justice."

Vice Minister Liu smiled, his eyes brimming with approval. He nodded gently, as if awarding her a high mark. The surrounding officials also nodded in agreement.

However, in the midst of this praise, Wang stood up again, a cold sneer on his face. "It sounds wonderful, but how can you guarantee these measures will be implemented? Have you considered that others might exploit the loopholes in your system to continue their fraud?"

The tension in the hall returned. All eyes shifted between Lin Shiya and Wang, as if the entire outcome hinged on this debate.

"Every system has the potential to be exploited," Lin Shiya replied, her gaze as sharp as a hawk’s, piercing through Wang’s craftiness. She did not flinch, meeting his provocative stare with a steady, powerful voice. "Brother Wang, your concerns are not without merit, but you know as well as I that no system can be perfectly flawless. Yet, precisely because we know this, we must strive all the harder to perfect it. The loopholes you speak of are the very problems we should face and solve together, rather than using them to strike down those who are truly striving."

The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Wang’s face turned red with embarrassment and fury; his eyes flickered, clearly struck by the heart of her rebuttal. The cold smile on Strategist Zhao’s face faded, replaced by a trace of anxiety.

"I am willing to accept your supervision," Lin Shiya continued, "and I am willing to discuss with you all how to improve the examination system to make it more fair. But before that, I ask that you trust in my sincerity."

Wang’s face burned. Stunned, he hung his head and retreated to the side, not daring to meet her gaze again. The atmosphere in the hall reached a crescendo; everyone’s eyes were filled with recognition and respect for Lin Shiya.

At that moment, a figure as gentle as jade walked into the hall. Murong Fu, dressed in a simple robe, wore a smile of relief, his gaze resting tenderly on Lin Shiya. When she turned to see him, her heart warmed, and her eyes filled with love and emotion. Their gazes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Murong Fu walked to her side, took her hand gently, and said softly, "Shiya, you did very well. I am proud to have a woman like you."

Lin Shiya felt a surge of warmth and nodded slightly. Vice Minister Liu’s voice then broke the tender atmosphere: "Lin Shiya, you have passed the final assessment. From this day forward, you are officially an imperial examiner!"

As he finished, the hall erupted in applause. Scholar Chen stroked his beard with an appreciative look, and Censor Li nodded in acknowledgment. Even Wang, who had held such hostility toward her, could only lower his head, masking his resentment.

A warm current flooded Lin Shiya’s heart, brimming with joy and pride. She took a deep breath, savoring this hard-won victory. All those days and nights of bitter study, all the times she had persisted through adversity—it had all led to this moment. She lifted her chin, her eyes glistening with moved tears, yet a confident smile graced her lips. She felt Murong Fu’s warm hand tighten around hers, offering silent support. She turned to him, and in their shared gaze, there was only love and pride.

The surrounding officials stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Lin Shiya responded to each one with an elegant smile. She knew this was not just her personal victory, but a victory for all who had supported and helped her. She looked around, memorizing every face, familiar or strange. She knew the road ahead was long and that she would bear heavier responsibilities, but she would not fear, for she knew she was not alone.

Once the celebrations subsided, the hall grew quiet again. Lin Shiya walked to the window and gazed at the night sky, her thoughts swirling. The stars were scattered like the road ahead—full of challenges and opportunities. She knew that becoming an examiner was only the first step. The next challenge would be far greater: how to reform the examination system so that more talented individuals could realize their ambitions and bring prosperity to the nation.

"Shiya," Murong Fu said, approaching her.

Lin Shiya turned to him. Murong Fu smiled gently. "I know what you are thinking. Reforming the imperial examinations will not be easy."

Lin Shiya nodded firmly, the light of confidence shining in her eyes. "I will do everything in my power."

Suddenly, a guard hurried into the hall and whispered something in Murong Fu’s ear. Murong Fu’s expression shifted slightly. He turned to Lin Shiya and said, "Shiya, something has happened at the palace. I must return to handle it."

Lin Shiya’s heart tightened. "What happened?"

Murong Fu did not answer, merely patting her hand gently. "Do not worry, I will handle it. You should return early and rest."

With that, he turned and left the hall. Lin Shiya watched his retreating figure, a faint sense of unease stirring in her heart. She felt as though something was about to happen. She walked to the desk, picked up a blank sheet of paper, and slowly wrote a single character: "Change."