Volume One, Chapter Two: The Arrogant Beggar

Half a year ago, his father, the emperor, had already uncovered the truth that the adultery accusation was a setup, and the virtuous consort had long since been moved out of the cold palace. Yet this prince of his had still not cleared his name.

Aside from the interference of Noble Consort Lu and the Crown Prince, his so-called father probably had no intention of restoring his status.

Otherwise, in half a year’s time, it seemed as if the emperor had forgotten he even had a son—neglecting him entirely.

Many senior ministers and influential officials in the court must have raised the matter, but the emperor remained silent, which was the clearest proof of his stance.

Now, he could only rely on himself. As long as he appeared with strength, there would be plenty willing to help him reclaim his status.

Su Yuan stood not far from the curtain, holding the little girl in his arms, watching the scholars and warriors step forward one after another to register. He did not join the queue.

To participate in the literary or martial competition, one had only to compose a poem on a given topic or complete a couplet to pass the literary test and be selected.

For the martial test, breaking a stone with one palm or hitting a target with an arrow would secure selection.

Only the top ten scorers in each category could compete in the grand event.

Those selected would receive five taels of silver as a reward—a way to make the event seem grand and lively, and also to encourage the common folk.

Otherwise, too few would dare to register.

The number of applicants was not large, as few dared to sign up without genuine skill; otherwise, they would be ridiculed or even beaten with military cudgels if they caused trouble.

Pulling back his gaze, Su Yuan saw the little girl staring intently at a food stall, swallowing hard but keeping her head lowered so he wouldn’t see her embarrassment.

He tenderly adjusted her head and softly said, “Mengmeng, once your father has some money, I’ll buy you food… whatever you wish to eat, I’ll get it for you.”

At his words, her eyes brightened briefly but soon clouded with disappointment and sadness. They couldn’t even afford a proper meal, let alone treats; all she wished for now was a warm bowl of vegetable porridge.

“Father, Mengmeng wants to eat porridge… later I’ll go pick some vegetable leaves, and we can cook porridge at home… Mengmeng doesn’t want anything else,” she said obediently, reluctantly averting her gaze.

She knew her father was poor. Although she longed for candied fruits, sugar-coated hawthorn, meat buns, roast chicken, and roast duck, she wouldn’t trouble him.

Su Yuan stroked her head, aching in his heart but said nothing more.

He wanted to provide food for his daughter, but he simply had no money.

After waiting for a while, seeing no more applicants, Su Yuan gently patted her head and stepped toward the registration stall.

“Let’s go… Mengmeng, your father will earn some money to buy you food!”

The crowd had long noticed the father and daughter. Hearing Su Yuan’s words, they curled their lips disdainfully, full of scorn.

A beggar and a little beggar coming to register? Did he really think he could pass?

Someone couldn’t help but sneer acidly:

“Pfft… a beggar dares to say he’ll earn money? Looks like he just wants to get beaten.”

“Haha, anyone dares to register nowadays, no shame at all.”

“Exactly, a beggar with the nerve to sign up—he’ll probably get beaten or run off with his tail between his legs… hahaha…”

The mockery echoed continuously, drawing everyone’s attention to Su Yuan, who instantly became the center of ridicule.

All eyes brimmed with derision, mockery, contempt, and amusement.

The little girl’s face flushed red with anger upon hearing her father insulted; she opened her mouth, ready to retort. Su Yuan smiled and gently patted her head, shaking his head to stop her.

Though annoyed, she obeyed, wrinkling her adorable nose and turning away as if she hadn’t heard.

Su Yuan carried her to the registration desk and smiled at the drowsy official.

“Sir, I wish to register.”

Though once a prince, now he was merely a commoner, and so he lowered his posture.

After all, it’s easier to face the King of Hell than to deal with petty devils.

The young clerk rubbed his eyes, annoyed at being disturbed from his nap.

Though regulations allowed anyone to register regardless of birth, a beggar bringing a little beggar to sign up seemed a bit absurd.

Still, the clerk dared not refuse.

He took up his pen, voice curt: “Speak. What’s your name? Are you registering for the literary contest or the martial contest?”

“Su Yuan. Both literary and martial,” Su Yuan answered calmly.

If he wanted to restore his status through the competitions, he had to show enough strength so that the senior ministers could speak on his behalf.

He suspected his father’s reluctance to name him crown prince was because he was too mediocre.

“What… did you say?” The clerk was stunned, wide awake now.

A beggar signing up for one event was one thing, but two?

Since he started handling registrations, he’d never encountered such audacity. Was this man too confident?

The onlookers were also dumbfounded.

Did they hear that right? A beggar signing up for both events?

“Haha… two events? This guy must be crazy or mad!”

“Who knows? Maybe he thinks one humiliation isn’t enough—he wants two! Haha!”

The crowd erupted in jeers, all eagerly watching Su Yuan, anticipating his embarrassment.

Su Yuan ignored the mockery and calmly repeated:

“I’m registering for both literary and martial contests.”

The clerk came back to himself, a trace of sarcasm in his eyes.

“Fine, what’s your name? I’ll sign you up.”

Though considering Su Yuan overconfident, he couldn’t refuse if the man wanted to register.

If he failed the tests, it would be a wasted effort—and he might even get a beating.

“Su Yuan!”

The clerk frowned, feeling the name was familiar but unable to recall where he had heard it.

Su Yuan had maintained a low profile as a prince; few knew him well, even among senior ministers, let alone minor clerks.

He shrugged it off, guessing he might have heard the name before and was now just processing it.

He recorded Su Yuan’s name and registered him for both contests.

Handing him two entry numbers, he instructed him to proceed next door for the literary test.

Then, with eager eyes, he watched Su Yuan, waiting for him to make a fool of himself. Others around shared the same amusement, some even readying their taunts.

Su Yuan took the two numbers and approached the literary testing area.

The middle-aged clerk in charge, going through the motions, pushed a pen toward him.

He sneered at Su Yuan: “Write a five-character poem about winter! Also, here’s a couplet—complete the matching line.”

He had witnessed the whole scene: a beggar daring to enter one contest was bad enough, but two? Foolhardy beyond reason.

He thought Su Yuan was just trying to earn some silver. This beggar must be desperate, crazy for money.

He doubted Su Yuan could pass even the literary test, let alone the martial.

He even planned to harshly humiliate the man if his work was nonsense.