Chapter 6 A "Thoughts on a Quiet Night" That Stunned Everyone
1047 Words
Moonlight before my bed,
Could it be frost instead?
Eyes raised, I behold the moon bright,
Head bent, in homesick thought I'm led.
Even after years as chief examiner, Gavin had never encountered a poem so impeccably structured, exquisitely worded, and so deeply heartfelt.
Had August been hiding his true abilities all along?
Was he actually a genius?!
His curious glance instinctively sought out the third prince.
"What? Didn't I tell you? You're all beneath me."
After submitting his scroll, August sprawled on his cushion, rummaged through his book chest, and produced a flawless, blush-red apple. He bit into it with loud, careless crunches, utterly unbothered by the stares.
The crisp, echoing snaps reverberated through the hall—again.
Such brazen arrogance!
As if victory were already his.
Too preoccupied with their own papers, the others let it slide. The sound seemed to mock their concentration.
Besides, he was royalty. So what if he snacked mid-exam?
Cross him now, and he'd make sure they regretted it before sunset.
Gavin shook his head, dismissing the thought.
This dissolute prince couldn't possibly be gifted!
No royal posture whatsoever, chewing like a common laborer—
Every inch of him radiated vulgarity!
With a sidelong glance, Gavin muttered, "I've no idea how Your Highness crafted such poetry, but I do expect you to respect the examination hall etiquette and refrain from disturbing others."
"I'll try."
August didn't even look up, too absorbed in devouring his apple.
Sighing, Gavin turned away—only for an elderly eunuch to intercept him.
"Chief Examiner, His Majesty requests the third prince's paper."
"At once."
Gavin hesitated, then presented it reverently with both hands.
From his seat, Andy watched the exchange, his lips twisting in a smirk.
What a show, third brother.
No wonder he was running his mouth—total cheat!
There's no way anyone could finish that quickly without foul play.
He'd stake his reputation that August wouldn't place in the top three.
Samuel's sharp eyes darted toward August, taking in his shameless apple-munching spectacle. His lip twitched before forcing himself back to his exam.
The third prince is behaving strangely today.
Either he's gone mad, or he's got help!
The others stole nervous glances but kept writing, heads down.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
"Time's up! All brushes down."
The clear bell signaled the exam's end. Servants gathered the scrolls, stacking them before the three judges—chief examiner Gavin and two imperial scholars.
The judges began reviewing the papers.
......
"Third Brother, handing in early—you must be sure of victory." Samuel's taunt dripped with false warmth, his smile not reaching his eyes.
Everything about August today—the defiant posture, the blind confidence—clashed violently with his usual foolish demeanor.
Something was very wrong.
"Absolutely! The Lumina Culturae is mine," August mumbled through a mouthful of apple.
Samuel: "..."
Classic August—Yuxiur's most infamous prodigal.
The sheer audacity of him!
Andy's face twisted in contempt. "Stop gloating! Your cheating is obvious to everyone. Get caught, and you'll be disqualified while shaming Father before the court. Prepare to be exposed!"
"Oh? The humiliation isn't mine to claim," August retorted, eyes narrowing.
His brother was practically drooling, waiting for his disgrace.
But August smirked—Li Bai's "Thoughts on a Quiet Night" would blow them all away.
The reckoning was coming.
He buzzed with giddy excitement.
As for Samuel, though he wore a smile, it was the grin of a wolf in sheep's clothing—eager to see him fail.
Not far away, young nobles whispered behind their fans.
"Did you see that? The third prince was first to submit."
"Big deal! That attention-seeker?"
"Just his usual circus act."
"A court jester—not even competition."
"Third place has your name on it. You're the second prince's cousin, and no slouch with words."
"Don't count your chickens. That's one of the sixth prince's lackeys over there."
"..."
A booming voice sliced through the chatter. "Silence! The results will now be announced."
Gavin stood ramrod straight, clutching an exam scroll. His burning gaze betrayed the faint tremor in his hands.
The top submission was August's *Thoughts on a Quiet Night*.
All three judges and Emperor Alaric agreed: this poem stood unmatched.
Simple words, yet heavy with homesick longing.
Whether August had help or not, the poem shone—both in craft and soul.
"Minister Gavin, out with it!" snapped the old eunuch.
"The poetry winner is... *Thoughts on a Quiet Night*," Gavin declared, his voice rich with melancholy.
He recited:
*Before my bed, a pool of light—*
*Is it frost upon the ground?*
*Looking up, I see the moon,*
*Head bowed, I drown in homesickness.*
A hush—then the hall erupted in excited murmurs.
"This must be Prince Samuel's work! Yuxiur's literary darling strikes again!"
"So crisp! So vivid! A song for the ages!"
"Indeed! It seems Yuxiur has welcomed another literary master!"
Samuel's face turned pale then flushed red, his throat tightening as if choked with emotion—not a single word escaped his lips for what felt like an eternity.
Andy's expression darkened like storm clouds. He clasped his hands toward Samuel, teeth grinding audibly. "Second Brother's brilliance shines like the sun. I'm impressed."
Damn it all!
After months of preparation, the top prize had been stolen right from under me.
August's eyes bulged as the murmurs reached him.
What the hell!
Someone actually dared claim credit for his work—right in the imperial hall!
The absolute nerve!
"Silence!"
Gavin drew a steadying breath, his voice cutting through the chaos. "The author of this masterpiece is... Prince August!"
The room froze. Excited whispers died midair; trembling hands stiffened like statues.
Andy's face contorted like he'd swallowed poison.
Samuel's eyes popped wide with shock, disbelief written across every feature.
The scholars froze in place. Time itself seemed to hold its breath.
After an eternity, Andy sprang to his feet. "Father!" he spat, hands clenched in salute. "This isn't fair!"
"Third Brother stole someone else's poem! I demand a retest!"
Gavin seized the moment. "Your Majesty," he interjected, "I witnessed the third prince scribbling without pause—as if the words came too easily, like he'd memorized them. Could the exam have been... compromised?"
"We request Your Majesty investigate!"
- Writer
