Ancient Love for His Majesty Ep4: Trials of the Academy

The air within the Imperial Academy crackled with nervous energy. The first examination period had arrived, a crucible where years of study would be tested and judged. For me, it was more than just an academic assessment; it was a proving ground, a chance to demonstrate my worthiness, especially in light of the whispers surrounding the Empress Dowager's archery competition.

The days leading up to the examinations had been a blur of late-night study sessions, fueled by strong tea and sheer determination.

I poured over ancient texts, memorized complex philosophical arguments, and practiced my calligraphy until my fingers ached. The pressure was immense, amplified by the knowledge that my performance would not only reflect on me but also on my family.

Lady Li, her face powdered to an unnatural sheen, offered a curt nod, her eyes glinting with barely concealed malice. I returned the gesture, forcing a polite smile.

Young Lady Li

Ready to face the trials, Meixin?

She purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Qin Meixin

As ready as I'll ever be, Li,

I replied, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.

Qin Meixin

I trust you've been diligently studying the Analects?

She scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer.

Young Lady Li

Confucius is child's play. It's the poetry section that truly separates the wheat from the chaff. I hear the proctor has chosen a particularly obscure verse from the Tang Dynasty.

My stomach clenched. Poetry was my weakness. While I excelled in history, philosophy, and calligraphy, the nuances of meter and rhyme often eluded me.

Qin Meixin

Then I suppose we shall see who possesses the sharper wit,

I retorted, refusing to let her see my apprehension.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the scratching of quills and the occasional rustle of paper. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

The examination papers were distributed. I scanned the first page, my heart sinking. The first question was an essay on the importance of ethical governance, a topic I had studied extensively. But the second question… the dreaded poetry section.

Qin Meixin

Analyze the symbolism and historical context of Li Bai's 'Drinking Alone by Moonlight',

The question read.

My mind went blank. Li Bai was a renowned poet, but "Drinking Alone by Moonlight" was not one of his more famous works. I vaguely recalled reading it once, but the details were fuzzy, the meaning obscure.

Panic threatened to overwhelm me. I glanced around the room, my eyes darting from one student to another. Lady Li was already scribbling furiously, her brow furrowed in concentration. I could practically feel her smug satisfaction.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to focus. I couldn't let Lady Li's taunts, or my own anxieties, derail me. I had to remember what my brother had said.

General Qin

You have the potential to excel in anything you set your mind to.

Taking another deep breath, I began to dissect the poem, line by line. I recalled the lectures of Master Chen, the Academy's esteemed poetry instructor.

He had emphasized the importance of understanding the poet's personal experiences, the historical context, and the underlying themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for meaning.

Slowly, painstakingly, I began to piece together an answer. I analyzed the symbolism of the moon, the wine, and the solitary figure.

I drew upon my knowledge of Tang Dynasty history to explain the poet's sense of alienation and disillusionment. I argued that the poem was not simply a lament for lost companionship, but a profound meditation on the human condition.

Hours passed. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the examination hall. My hand cramped, my eyes burned, but I refused to stop. I wrote and wrote, pouring all my knowledge, all my passion, into my answers.

Finally, as the setting sun cast a golden glow through the windows, the proctor announced that time was up.

I took one last look at my paper, my heart filled with a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. I did my best. I had faced my fears. And I had emerged, if not victorious, at least unbroken.

As I left the examination hall, I caught Lady Li's eye. Her expression was unreadable, a mask of carefully controlled composure.

Young Lady Li

Well, Meixin,

She said, her voice low.

Young Lady Li

How do you think you fared?

Qin Meixin

I did my best, Li,

I replied, my voice was calm and steady.

Qin Meixin

And that is all that matters.

Whether I had passed or failed, I knew that I had grown stronger, more resilient. The trials of ink and mind had tested my limits, but they had also revealed my potential. And whatever the outcome of the examinations, I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.