Chapter 32: The Pavilion of Scholarly Success

Zhang Daocheng had already realized who was approaching his study. He stood up, burning with indignation, but his posture quickly slumped. She was his only daughter, a child he had pampered to the heavens, yet here she was, her heart already leaning toward another.

He suspected that one of the maids or servants had tipped off Zhang Chulan, and that she, despite being grounded at home, had charged straight to the study.

Sure enough, Zhang Daocheng’s servants dared not obstruct their young mistress. The study door swung open, and Zhang Chulan burst in.

"Father."

Upon seeing Su Ze, Zhang Chulan remembered to maintain some decorum. She bowed to her father, Zhang Daocheng, before turning to Su Ze with a beaming smile.

"A-Ze, you really are alright!"

Zhang Daocheng let out a cold snort. "Show some restraint! Once you are married, how will you serve your husband’s parents with such behavior?"

Zhang Chulan stuck out her tongue, feigning a look of obedience. Zhang Daocheng felt a pang of bitterness in his heart, much like a gardener watching his prized cabbage being rooted up by a pig.

"I am in the middle of discussing important matters with Master Su. Lan-niang, you should leave."

Zhang Chulan stubbornly replied, "What kind of important matter can't be discussed in front of me?"

Faced with such youthful and ardent affection, Su Ze, a traveler from another time, felt a genuine warmth. He took a closer look at his childhood sweetheart. The girl had blossomed, no longer the short, tag-along child of his memories. With the liveliness of a merchant’s daughter and the vitality of youth, she felt like a little sun; it was no wonder the entire Zhang household doted on her so.

"Uncle, I have already grasped the gist of the situation," Su Ze said.

Zhang Daocheng’s brow furrowed. He was currently very satisfied with Su Ze; if one could earn the favor of the Emperor, then passing the imperial examinations would lead to a bright future. However, he had not expected Su Ze to offend the current Empress and the Chancellor, casting a shadow over his prospects. The imperial court was indeed no place for an ordinary person.

Zhang Daocheng thought of his cousin, Zhang Yaozuo. Despite holding a high position, his cousin was always furrowing his brow, burdened by endless worries. He began to think that if Su Ze failed the examinations, a life of honest business would be quite fine as well. Even if he didn't take him as a son-in-law, he could provide the couple with starting capital; with his own connections, he could ensure they lived a good life.

With this in mind, Zhang Daocheng spoke to his daughter: "Master Su came to see me on important business. Now that it is concluded, take him home quickly; do not hinder his preparations for the imperial examinations."

Zhang Daocheng still granted the childhood sweethearts a moment, ordering his daughter to see their guest out. Zhang Chulan was instantly delighted, grabbing Su Ze and leading him out of the study.

Facing the girl's fervent affection, Su Ze, a soul transplanted from another era, felt a subtle stirring in his heart.

Zhang Chulan chattered incessantly as they walked. Su Ze, choosing to set aside the troubles weighing on him, listened to her the entire way. When they reached the gate, Zhang Chulan finally revealed a reluctant expression.

"A-Ze," she said, "although Father says you saved yourself by writing the petition, I did drag him to the palace to see Lady Zhang, the Imperial Concubine. How about that? Am I loyal or what?"

Watching his sweetheart fishing for praise, Su Ze smiled. "And what reward would you like?"

Zhang Chulan replied, "Do you think I’m that kind of person? I just want to eat the chilled rice cakes from Qionghua Pavilion. Father has had me grounded all these days, and I haven't been able to go out."

The yellow rice chilled cakes of Qionghua Pavilion were famous throughout Bianjing. One had to queue at the crack of dawn just to get them, and each person was limited to one serving.

Zhang Chulan added, "You should focus on preparing for the Ministry of Rites examination these next few days. Once you’re done, Father’s anger should have subsided. How about you accompany me to eat them then?"

Su Ze nodded in agreement. Zhang Chulan flashed a sweet smile, waving goodbye to him at the gate with lingering reluctance.

***

Just as Su Ze was uncovering the truth behind the "Evil Book" case at the Zhang residence, Wang Anshi had also sought out Yang Zhi.

There is a saying: "In literature, there is no first; in martial arts, there is no second."

Yang Zhi’s literary talent was renowned in Bianjing, and he harbored a sense of rivalry toward Wang Anshi, who shared a similar reputation. Yang Zhi had passed the Imperial Academy examinations on his first attempt this year, ranking first among all candidates. Although the Imperial Academy exams were sometimes criticized for being less rigorous, achieving the top spot still carried significant weight. Furthermore, Yang Zhi's elder brother, Yang Cha, was a jinshi and the son-in-law of the then-Privy Councilor Yan Shu, currently serving in the Remonstrance Bureau.

In the Song Dynasty, the Censorate and the Remonstrance Bureau were collectively known as the "Taijian," holding immense power. Similar to modern-day prosecutors, they could impeach high-ranking court officials based on hearsay, offer advice to the Emperor, and investigate local corruption. It was a position every young official dreamed of. As a Chancellor's son-in-law, a jinshi, and a holder of such a prestigious office, Yang Cha’s future was boundless.

If Yang Zhi could also pass the imperial examinations, the two brothers would both be jinshi—a feat comparable to the fame of the "Four Friends of Tiansheng," Song Xiang and Song Qi, who achieved the same honor. Throughout the entire Northern Song Dynasty, only the Su family—Su Xun and his sons—would later surpass such a legacy.

When Wang Anshi arrived at the Dengke Tower, where Yang Zhi was staying, he tugged uncomfortably at his shabby scholar's robe. Wang Anshi was not bothered by his own appearance; he simply disliked Yang Zhi as a person. Like many famous scholars of the day, Yang Zhi was arrogant and unrestrained.

Dengke Tower was originally a wine house in Bianjing that also offered lodging and dining, ranking low among the seventy-two major establishments. However, after several scholars who stayed there passed the imperial examinations years ago, the owner renamed it "Dengke Tower" (The Tower of Success) and began inviting renowned scholars to stay for free.

In Wang Anshi’s view, these scholars lived there only to flatter one another, neglecting their studies, or spending their nights drinking and recklessly discussing court politics. Yang Zhi, despite having his brother’s mansion in the city, insisted on staying at the tower, which only deepened Wang Anshi’s poor impression of him. Wang Anshi naturally despised these scholars who boasted loudly but lacked true substance. Though Yang Zhi was indeed talented, Wang Anshi rarely interacted with him. He would not have come to the tower at all if not for his need to help Su Ze gather information.

Because of Yang Zhi’s fame and his well-connected brother, the tower had reserved a special seat for him on the third floor. By noon, Yang Zhi was already drinking with a group of friends.

Catching the scent of alcohol permeating the air, Wang Anshi felt even more distaste. As he ascended to the third floor, he heard one of the scholars say: "Master Yang, I dreamt yesterday that you styled yourself 'The Hermit of Dragon Head Mountain.' What could that mean?"

Wang Anshi frowned; he detested such mystical nonsense.

Yang Zhi replied, "Dragon Head, because I shall surely take first place in these imperial examinations! As for 'Hermit,' it is a term for one without official rank. Could it mean I shall win the top spot but never hold office? What could this portend?"