The imperial exam went smoothly for Qiu Che.
In her past life, during the palace examination, she had answered the questions in a standard manner, relying on years of academic memory.
Though she emerged as the top scorer, she failed to catch the emperor's favor.
As a result, she spent years in the Hanlin Academy as a minor editor before finally securing a position as Vice Minister of the Dali Temple.
In this life, however, Qiu Che had already been a seasoned "old fox" in the officialdom for ten years.
The exam questions posed by the examiners were problems she had resolved in real life long ago. Her answers came effortlessly.
Midway through the exam, the emperor arrived late, entering without much fanfare. His golden robes brushed past, and Qiu Che caught a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye.
Holding her brush, she lowered her gaze as if pondering a question, her mind momentarily adrift.
The reigning emperor, Li Shi, was in his prime. However, due to the empress dowager's regency in earlier years, he had only reclaimed power three years ago following the Xuan Yin coup. Desperate to prove his competence, he placed great importance on this examination.
Qiu Che knew this was her chance to shine.
She had reflected countless times on her past choices, but from her previous life to this one, entering school in her brother's stead was the one decision she never regretted—a choice she considered her wisest.
Only by stepping out of the Qiu family and reaching a position of power could she escape the current plight where everyone trampled over her.
The imperial exam was her greatest opportunity.
Qiu Che was the first to put down her brush. In the vast and silent Baohe Hall, the sound of her brush hitting the inkstone was distinct and sharp.
From his position at the back of the hall, Emperor Li Shi turned his gaze toward her. His eyes lingered on her young, confident face. He raised a hand, summoning his close eunuch, Fuzi, and asked softly, "Who is that?"
Fuzi glanced up and responded in a low voice, "That is Qiu Che, the second son of the Qiu family and the top scorer of the provincial exams."
The emperor squinted slightly. "The Qiu family? Which Qiu family?"
Fuzi bent lower and replied cautiously, "It should be the Qiu family from three years ago."
The emperor said nothing more.
Fuzi stole a glance at him and noticed that the emperor's initial interest had faded into indifference.
He sighed inwardly, thinking, What a pity.
The results of the palace examination would be announced three days later.
As the candidates exited the palace gates, the tension finally eased, and Qiu Che overheard murmurs:
"Brother Wang, who do you think will emerge as the top scorer this time?"
"Naturally, it will be Wu Yiqi of the Wu family, the most talented scholar in the capital. His reputation is well-deserved."
"I'm not so sure. The top scorer of the provincial exams was an unknown illegitimate son from the Jiangnan Qiu family..."
"The affairs of noble families are not for us humble scholars to discuss recklessly," a blue-robed scholar interjected disapprovingly. "We should refrain from such talk near the palace gates. Let us leave quickly."
The group fell silent immediately.
Walking ahead, Qiu Che maintained an unhurried pace, as if invisible. Hearing this, she glanced at the blue-robed scholar and met his gaze.
He smiled openly, cupped his hands in salute, and turned to leave with the others.
Qiu Che paused for a moment, weighing the silver coins in her pocket, then turned toward a broker's office.
The experienced broker woman, having worked in this trade for years, immediately recognized Qiu Che's extraordinary bearing and greeted her respectfully as "Young Master."
Qiu Che wandered through the office as the broker flattered her tirelessly. Eventually, she pointed to two shabby but identical girls standing in the corner. "These two."
The broker hesitated. "Young Master, these girls are new and may not know the rules. Perhaps you should look at others..."
But Qiu Che had already taken out her money pouch. "No need. Just these two."
The sisters exchanged a glance. The elder one, noting Qiu Che's attire, bit her lip and knelt, pressing her younger sister's head down in thanks. "Thank you, Young Master, for your kindness!"
The two girls, now dressed in plain clothing, followed Qiu Che timidly out of the broker's office.
She named them Yu Ming and Yu Yan.
After a while, Yu Ming couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, where are we going?"
"Home," Qiu Che replied casually, walking ahead.
Yu Yan cautiously whispered to her sister, "Isn't there a carriage?"
Qiu Che turned back to look at them, smiled, and stopped. "I forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Qiu, and my given name is Che. Just call me Master."
"I didn't buy you to serve me. I bought you to train you."
The sisters looked puzzled.
"You're from Puyang, members of the Su family. Am I correct?"
They froze.
"Yes..." Yu Ming stammered. "But how did you know?"
Qiu Che explained calmly, "Puyang recently suffered a flood, and many refugees fled. Your bundle was made of the simplest silk—a specialty of Puyang.
"Moreover, your manners indicate you weren't raised in poverty. You must have been daughters of a wealthy merchant family. Among Puyang merchants affected by the flood, only the Su family fits the description."
Yu Ming was stunned, her expression a mix of admiration and complexity. "Master, you are truly extraordinary."
Qiu Che smiled faintly. "I don't keep idle servants. I don't need flattery. I need capable subordinates."
Yu Ming paused.
"I'll give you three days. Show me your strengths and potential within that time."
"I'll train you according to your abilities. The only requirements are ten years of loyalty and obedience. After ten years, you may leave or stay as you wish."
Qiu Che added, "If you wish to leave, you may work and save up to redeem your contracts. I'll let you go."
Yu Yan tilted her head in confusion, and Yu Ming hesitated. "But... if we leave, wouldn't this be a loss for you? You'd gain nothing and waste time."
Qiu Che fell silent, then smiled indifferently. "Some deals are worthwhile as long as one has no regrets."
"What do you think?" She spoke softly, ignoring their stunned expressions. "Have you decided?"
After a long pause, the sisters exchanged a glance and nodded firmly.
Returning to the Qiu residence, Qiu Che's elder brothers, Qiu Chudong and Qiu Zhe, were still away.
She didn't mind. After visiting her courtyard, she was greeted enthusiastically by her maid Yunyan, who froze upon seeing the two new girls. "Young Master, these are..."
"My new maids," Qiu Che said lightly. "The backyard laundry is short-staffed. You won't need to serve me anymore; they will take over."
"But, Young Master!" Yunyan exclaimed in shock. "This cannot be! I am your personal maid, appointed by the master himself. Without his orders..."
"Oh?" Qiu Che interrupted coolly. "Do you think my word carries less weight than the master's?"
"Or do you not consider me the master of this household?"
Yunyan opened her mouth but hesitated. "I... I don't."
"Is that so?" Qiu Che smiled faintly and reached out, brushing her cheek. Then, with a meaningful tone, she remarked,
"But I see you've been using rouge gifted by the eldest young master, colluding with Second Aunt's maid, Caique, and hiding the fact that you've been bullying my mother into doing laundry and cooking. Quite the audacity, don't you think?"
Her light tone felt mocking, but Yunyan's face turned pale.
Three days later, the results were announced. As expected, Qiu Che was the top scorer.
Though she received a prestigious position, her heart remained calm. For her, this was just the beginning.
After confirming her place of origin and her father and ancestors' names, her identity was verified, and she was led into the hall.
She answered the same questions once again, this time posed by the eunuch beside the Emperor, and then waited quietly at the side.
Qiu Che did not raise her head but could feel the gazes of the Emperor and several ministers falling upon her.
She stood tall and straight like a pine tree, her gaze lowered, listening to the announcements of the top rankings as if completely unaffected.
The second-place Bangyan was from the prestigious Wu family of Qingliu, the grandson of the current Prime Minister, Wu Rousheng. His name was Wu Yiqi, a figure that scholars had recently been discussing.
The third-place Tanhua was the blue-clad scholar who had quelled the discussions outside the palace gates that day, named Yang Qiu.
With a fleeting glance out of the corner of her eye, Qiu Che swept a look behind her and faintly curled her lips.
They were all familiar faces.
When the announcement of the top rankings concluded, everyone accepted the decree and knelt in unison to express their gratitude.
Just like in her past life, Qiu Che was appointed as a Reviser of the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official position.
For a young scholar who had just passed the imperial examination, entering the bureaucracy as a sixth-rank official was already a great honor.
Moreover, she was exceedingly young, appearing even younger than the Bangyan Wu Yiqi.
Yet Qiu Che remained calm and composed, neither overjoyed nor dismayed, ignoring the envious or jealous gazes cast her way. She quietly expressed her gratitude.
The announcement of ranks and appointments was merely the first celebratory event for the new Jinshi following the palace examination.
Afterward, they would visit the Imperial Academy to pay respects to Confucius, attend the banquet of celebration, and so on.
Of course, the most significant and glorious event was the parade through the streets on horseback.
As the top-ranking Zhuangyuan of this cohort, Qiu Che even received the honor of being escorted by the elite Golden Guard, a privilege reserved only for the Emperor.
But to her, this was something she had already experienced ten years ago.
Back then, she was young and ambitious. The streets were filled with onlookers captivated by her youthful brilliance and outstanding demeanor. They threw fruits into her carriage, and she was showered with flowers, a scene of unparalleled splendor.
Yet at that time, Qiu Che had only been focused on proving herself to her father and elder brothers. Now, having died once, she had gained a profound understanding of life.
Riding through the streets, passing by the excited faces of the crowd and the bustling scenery, she could only feel the irony.
If one does not live for themselves when young, what a waste of youth.
The streets of the capital were exceptionally lively today. Amid the deafening clamor, Qiu Che calmly avoided the embroidered pouches thrown her way by bold young women. Suddenly, she felt something.
As if sensing a presence, she raised her head and looked toward the edge of a pavilion.
A figure, both familiar and unfamiliar, came into view.