3. The newly crowned top scholar closely resembled an old acquaintance of mine.

That evening at Jingren Palace in the imperial palace.

Tonight was the banquet celebrating Yang Wentai’s achievement as the top scholar in the imperial examination. Naturally, the spotlight was on Yang Wentai. Only on this day could he sit ahead of Li Jinzhou. Since no imperial consorts attended this feast, Emperor Xuanyuan Ren sat alone on the high platform, with the princes on the right and the ministers on the left.

Zhao Chengxian’s gaze never left Yang Wentai, who wore the crimson robes of a top scholar. He had always suspected something about Yang Wentai’s identity. Watching him, Zhao thought to himself: Could it be that I truly mistook him for someone else? Whether or not Yang Wentai was Hui Yue’er, he had to uncover the truth behind him. Only then could he set his heart at ease.

Xuanyuan Ren raised his cup and spoke generously to the assembly: “Let us drink to the new top three scholars. May they become pillars of the nation, devoted to the welfare of all under heaven!” He hoped these newcomers would avoid factional strife and sincerely consider the people’s well-being.

The three honored scholars sitting before him bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Your Majesty. We humbly salute the Emperor!” They raised their cups and drank in one breath.

Next, Prince Rui toasted them. Smiling, he lifted his cup and said, “I offer this cup to you, wishing you a splendid future.” He hoped to bring them under his wing, though he knew this required careful observation. He would not accept a fool.

Yang Wentai and the other two raised their cups. “Thank you, Prince Rui!” They drank, each aware that in officialdom, some compromises were unavoidable. Yet they wondered if they could still hold onto their original dreams in the years to come.

Li Jinzhou was not to be outdone. Turning around to face them, he said, “I, too, offer you a toast. May your official careers be smooth and prosperous!” He found Yang Wentai somewhat familiar but could not recall where he had seen him before. After all, he had only met Hui Yue’er a few times.

Wen Sibiao and Li Hao drained their cups in one gulp as before, but Yang Wentai looked at Li Jinzhou with a smile. “Chief Li, you misunderstand. We serve not for ourselves, but for the well-being of the common people. How can we care only for our own fortunes?” To ease the awkwardness, he added, “Still, allow me to toast you, Chief Li!” and drank on his own.

Though slightly irritated, Li Jinzhou maintained his composure and raised his cup with a smile. “Come, let us all drink together!” Everyone raised their cups and drank. As he drank, Li Jinzhou glanced sideways at Yang Wentai, who smiled back knowingly. Li Jinzhou believed Yang Wentai’s disdain stemmed from knowing that the Empress had given birth to twins—a dragon and phoenix—and that Consort Shu’s young prince had no chance of becoming crown prince. What he did not realize was that there was a deeper, more complex reason behind it all. But that was a story for another time.

One by one, the others toasted them. Zhao Chengxian, standing at the back, also offered his cups. Approaching the three scholars face to face, he first toasted Wen Sibiao and Li Hao, then Yang Wentai. Emperor Xuanyuan Ren watched nervously, fearing Zhao might say something inappropriate.

Zhao Chengxian gave a roguish smile and said, “I offer a cup to the new top scholar. He resembles an old acquaintance of mine, though sadly, she has long since passed away.” His melancholy was evident as he drank the cup in his hand.

Yang Wentai lifted his cup in consolation. “Your Highness need not take it to heart. Things may resemble one another, and people may share similarities, but only to varying degrees. Please do not grieve for her anymore—she would not wish to see you suffer.” His expression remained calm and composed as he finished his cup.

Zhao Chengxian’s face grew indifferent. “Is that so? Does she truly wish for me to stop thinking of her?” He spoke softly, audible only to Yang Wentai, who faced him directly. An awkward smile flickered across Yang Wentai’s face—just the effect Zhao had intended.

The continuous toasts left the three new scholars dizzy. It was Emperor Xuanyuan Ren who finally instructed Duke Rong Gong’an to arrange carriages to escort them back to their residences. Zhao Chengxian wanted to follow and see where Yang Wentai lived, but Emperor Xuanyuan Ren stopped him.

Looking at Zhao Chengxian, the emperor said, “He is not hers. Do not let yourself indulge in illusions. Face reality.” He trusted that his uncle would not deceive him.

Though Zhao Chengxian did not pursue further at that moment, doubts lingered in his heart. How would he go about uncovering the truth?