After Entering The Abusive Novel, I Became The Empress - chapter 25

Time passed quickly, and Qin Yuqing reduced her trips outside the palace. Most days she stayed in her courtyard, quietly reading.

Within the courtyard, it was still only her and Chuntao. The days were peaceful, even leisurely.

“My dear Qing’er is such a busy one. Since returning from Wenshan, you’ve gone with your Fifth Sister to Chunshanting, then visited the Grand Chancellor’s residence. And yet I haven’t seen you once.” The Emperor’s slightly resentful voice came from the gate. “I still have a pile of state matters waiting for me, you know.”

Chuntao hurriedly emerged from the room with a stack of books in her arms, immediately kneeling when she saw him.

Qin Yuqing noticed that apart from Eunuch Zhang, the Emperor had brought no other attendants. She understood at once.

She stepped forward, curtseyed slightly, and then tugged at his sleeve with a soft voice.
“Qing’er has spent most of her life in the temple, with no friends of her own. When I received Fifth Sister’s invitation, I was so excited that I went to see her to strengthen our bond.”

The Emperor studied her with deep eyes, smiling but without warmth behind it. His gaze was enough to chill one’s bones.

That was his way of showing displeasure.

From the moment he entered, he had made it clear: wherever Qin Yuqing went, whatever she did, he knew. Yet he only mentioned two small, harmless things.

And his final remark—‘I still have a pile of matters to deal with’—was clearly aimed at her.

“Forgive me, Father Emperor.” Qin Yuqing let tears well in her eyes. Since he had come privately, without an audience, it meant he wished to speak as father and daughter rather than ruler and subject.

So she began her complaint in a pitiful voice.
“At the Grand Chancellor’s residence, their heir, h-he… he actually said that for me to marry him would be the greatest honor. That I could only ever marry into the Chancellor’s house!” Her tears slid down her cheeks as she bit her lip.

Since this was a father-daughter talk, there was no need to refer to herself as “your daughter and subject.”

Guiding him toward a stone bench, she sat him down. Chuntao, tactful as ever, brought tea. Qin Yuqing continued, “So I was so angry that I… injured the Chancellor’s son. Has the Grand Chancellor’s house caused you trouble over it, Father Emperor?”

She watched his expression closely. Seeing it soften from its earlier severity, she knew she had struck the right chord.

She then brought out a small bow and a set of diagrams, presenting them respectfully.
“These are of my own design. After surviving three assassination attempts, if not for General Lu and the coachman, I fear I would not be alive today. So I thought it wise to create some means of self-defense.”

The Emperor examined the bow with keen interest, testing it against a withered tree in the courtyard. The arrow sank deep into the wood, and he nodded in satisfaction.

“If you find yourself in such trouble again, then strike as you must. But remember—tell Father afterwards.” With a fond smile, he ruffled her hair. Looking around the courtyard, though well kept, he found it still shabby.

“There are many empty chambers in the harem. Would you consider moving?”

Qin Yuqing shook her head at once, hastening to explain.
“This place holds memories of Qing’er and Concubine Chen. I don’t wish to move. Besides, this courtyard is close to your own palace. If I miss you, I can come at any time. Surely Father wouldn’t want me farther away?” She added a few sweet words.

“You and that honeyed tongue of yours,” he chuckled.

After chatting idly a while longer, he soon departed with Eunuch Zhang, busy as always with imperial duties.

Qin Yuqing let out a long breath. She had deliberately kept silent about the twins. One, to protect their hidden identities. Two, to test how much interference the system would exert.

Her suspicions were confirmed: those who had been watching her were the Emperor’s men. As for her being spotted at the Grand Chancellor’s, it was likely when they were looking for her and happened upon her there.

There were five days left before the Imperial Examination.

On this day, accompanied by Chuntao, Qin Yuqing ventured out of the palace. The capital was livelier than ever. Scholars thronged the streets, some poring over books while seated on the ground, some in groups debating fervently, and others bargaining with merchants.

“Miss, how many of them do you think will pass?” Chuntao asked, tilting her head. Then, her eyes shining, she added, “But surely Miss will pass for certain!”

Qin Yuqing tapped her forehead helplessly. “Don’t call me Princess—call me ‘Miss.’ The exams haven’t even begun yet. How could I know whether I’ll succeed? Don’t place too much faith in me.”

“I don’t care. With your talent, becoming the top scorer is no problem!” Chuntao muttered stubbornly.

Qin Yuqing only shook her head. She knew well that in matters of destiny, some things had not yet changed. The new top scholar could only be Li Muyan.

At that moment, she noticed a long line in front of the examination hall.
“Little Peach, do you know what they’re queuing for?”

“It’s much like seeking out a master,” Chuntao whispered, pointing. “See that old man dozing in the sun with a book over his face?”

On a wicker chair nearby lay an elder, a book in his hands and another covering his face. Bathed in warm sunlight, he seemed to dream pleasantly, scratching his cheek before settling the book back into place and continuing his nap.

“You see him? That’s Elder Ye of the Ministry of Rites—the Ye family’s patriarch. He’s one of the inner examiners this year.”

She explained further as they walked closer.
“Elder Ye is famous for loving to take disciples. He often chooses those with no family background at all—if they catch his eye, he’ll accept them. If not, no amount of silver or gold will sway him.

“These students are registering their names. Every year the exam hall undergoes renovations, and labor is always short. These scholars help with the work and are paid for it. At the same time, Elder Ye uses these lists to look for promising pupils.”

“So it’s work-study, with a chance of being chosen as his disciple?” Qin Yuqing asked.

“Yes, Miss. It’s a rule Elder Ye set after becoming an examiner, with His Majesty’s approval.”

“How interesting.”

Stepping forward, Qin Yuqing bowed.
“Your servant, Qin Yuqing, pays her respects to Elder Ye.”

Without lifting the book from his ear, the old man grumbled, “Go register over there. If fate wills it, I’ll take you.”

“Your servant, Qin Yuqing, pays her respects to Elder Ye,” she repeated, smiling.

“Annoying, aren’t you? I said already—if fate wills it, I’ll—wait!” The old man jolted upright, the book sliding from his ear. “Sixth Princess? What brings Your Highness here?”

Qin Yuqing bent to pick up the fallen book, dusted it off, and returned it with a smile.
“Can’t I come see what the exam hall looks like?”

“Of course, of course!” Elder Ye scrambled to his feet, gesturing to a nearby chair. “Please, Your Highness, sit. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly.” He nearly knelt, but Qin Yuqing quickly caught his arm, not wanting her identity exposed before so many onlookers.

“It’s no matter. But I am curious about something,” she said.

“Please, ask.”

She remembered how at Wenshan, Elder Ye had stood behind her. Unlike most officials, he had chosen differently. That alone told her he truly cherished talent—or perhaps kept himself apart from political strife.

“Cheating in the imperial exams is a grave crime. Surely Elder Ye knows this?” she asked lightly.

The old man sighed, gazing at the young men hauling bricks nearby. Many made a point to greet him.

“What difference does knowing make? What difference does ignorance make?” He flipped through the register of names, page after page, then handed her a sheet.

“You saw what happened at Wenshan, Princess. Chen Yijun’s resistance—what did it amount to in the end? What use was it?”

Qin Yuqing fell silent. She had been carrying her modern ideals into this ancient setting, forgetting that some flaws never changed, even in a fictional dynasty.

“Isn’t the exam supposed to be a path for all scholars?” she pressed. “If that path is blocked by favoritism and discipleship, what meaning does it hold?”

“Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness.” Elder Ye’s dark eyes held both admiration and sorrow. “If not for your status as princess, if not for His Majesty’s decree allowing you, do you truly think defeating Guo Lin at Wenshan would have earned you a place in the exams?

“You are a woman. Even Shen Yanqing, with her great military merit, has not risen beyond deputy general. She still claws her way through mud for every step.”

His words struck like a hammer, shattering the complacency she had felt these past days.

She had forgotten—if not for her royal birth, if not for her father deliberately breaking precedent, she would never have had this chance.

“I see you understand now. And if it were not you, no one else could have done it. But don’t be disheartened—His Majesty must have his reasons for choosing you. There is something he requires from you.”

He smiled, handing her the sheet filled with names. “We old men all see the Emperor’s intent. Some, however, have climbed too high and forgotten the path that brought them here.”

Qin Yuqing nodded. Elder Ye’s words cleared her vision.

She had relied too much on her princess status, enjoying its privileges but forgetting its chains. If she wished to be free, the imperial exam was her only path forward.

“In essence,” she murmured, looking at the fluttering page, “I am no different from them.”

On the sheet, certain names had been circled in bold red ink.

“And these names…?”