Ancient Love for His Majesty
Ep5: Triumph and Treachery
The morning after the grueling examinations, Lian, my ever-enthusiastic maid, practically dragged me from my slumber.
Lian
Second Miss! Wake up! The results are posted! We must go and see!
I groaned, burying my face in my pillow.
Qin Meixin
Lian, it's barely dawn. The results will still be there later. Besides, I'm not expecting any miracles. I doubt I even passed the poetry section.
Lian would have none of it. She yanked the covers off me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Lian
Nonsense, Second Miss! You always underestimate yourself. I'm sure you did wonderfully! Now, come on! Everyone will be there, eager to see who triumphed!
With a sigh, I relented. Lian's enthusiasm was infectious, and a small part of me, despite my protests, was curious to see the results.
We arrived at the bulletin board in the Academy courtyard to find a throng of students gathered, their faces a mixture of hope, anxiety, and disappointment. The air buzzed with hushed whispers and excited chatter.
Lian pushed her way through the crowd, her small frame surprisingly effective at navigating the throng.
Lian
Second Miss! Over here! I think I see it!
I followed her, my heart pounding in my chest. The list of names was long, meticulously written in elegant calligraphy. I scanned the list, searching for my name, my eyes skipping over the sea of unfamiliar characters.
Lian
There! Qin Meixin! First place! Second Miss, you did it! You topped the examinations!
My jaw dropped. I stared at my name, emblazoned at the top of the list, in disbelief. First place? Me? It couldn't be possible. I had been so certain that I had failed the poetry section, that my performance would be mediocre at best.
Qin Meixin
Are you sure, Lian? Perhaps there's been a mistake.
I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.
Lian giggled, shaking her head.
Lian
No mistake, Second Miss! Your name is right there, clear as day! Qin Meixin, first place! You've outdone yourself!
A wave of elation washed over me, so intense that it almost brought me to my knees. I had done it. I had not only passed the examinations, but I had excelled. I had proven to myself, and to everyone else, that I was capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.
But my triumph was short-lived. As I basked in the glow of my accomplishment, I noticed a figure standing at the edge of the crowd, her face a mask of barely concealed fury. Lady Li.
Her eyes met mine, and a spark of pure hatred flashed between us. She stalked towards me, her movements stiff and unnatural.
Young Lady Li
Congratulations, Meixin. I see you managed to… scrape your way to the top. I suppose luck was on your side.
I refused to let her ruin my moment. I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze with unwavering confidence.
Qin Meixin
Luck had nothing to do with it, Li. I earned my place at the top through hard work and dedication.
She scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer.
Young Lady Li
Don't flatter yourself, Meixin. Everyone knows that your brother, the General, used his influence to ensure your victory. You may have fooled the proctors, but you haven't fooled me.
Her words were like a slap in the face. The joy that had filled me moments ago evaporated, replaced by a cold, gnawing anger.
How dare she accuse me of cheating? How dare she diminish my accomplishment with her baseless accusations?
Qin Meixin
That's a lie, Li, I achieved this on my own merit. My brother had nothing to do with it.
I retorted, my voice trembling with rage.
Young Lady Li
Then explain how you managed to ace the poetry section, despite your well-known aversion to verse. I heard you practically begged Master Chen for extra tutoring. Did you perhaps persuade him to give you a little extra help?
Her words were a deliberate attempt to provoke me, to undermine my confidence. And they were working. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind.
Had I relied too much on Master Chen's guidance? Had I inadvertently given her ammunition to question my integrity?
Qin Meixin
I will not dignify your accusations with a response, Li. My conscience is clear. I earned my victory fairly, and I will not let your jealousy tarnish it.
I turned and walked away, leaving Lady Li seething in my wake. But her words lingered in my mind, casting a shadow over my triumph.
Had I truly earned my victory? Or had I unknowingly crossed a line, jeopardizing my reputation and my honor?
As I walked away, Lian hurried to catch up with me, her face etched with concern.
Lian
Second Miss, are you alright? Lady Li was being awful, wasn't she? Don't listen to her, Second Miss. Everyone knows she's just jealous.
I forced a smile, trying to reassure her.
Qin Meixin
I'm fine, Lian. Lady Li's words mean nothing to me. I know the truth, and that's all that matters.
But as I walked back to the Dewdrop Pavilion, I couldn't shake the feeling that Lady Li's accusations were more than just empty threats. She was a cunning and ambitious woman, and she would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.
And I had just become her target. The triumph of topping the examinations had come at a price. And I feared that the price was far higher than I had anticipated.
Comments