AYM Chapter 29

Ming Zhang led Yan Yihuan through the second gate and into the main courtyard. On the east and west sides stood long wing-rooms, and though it was daytime, every lamp inside was lit. At a glance, the place was bright with light.

 

Yan Yihuan stole a look from the corner of his eye and saw rows upon rows of desks neatly arranged within. Each desk was covered with all types of books. Those seated were either writing swiftly or deeply engrossed in reading through the books. Although there were many people, the place remained quiet and still. This atmosphere made Yan Yihuan straighten his back unconsciously, a solemn feeling rising in his heart.

 

Perhaps because the two of them stood out too much, the people on both sides turned to look as they passed by. It wasn’t unusual for Ming Zhang to appear here, but Yan Yihuan who was following behind him caused everyone to pause what they were doing.

 

Hanlin Academy was where most newly appointed jinshi[mfn]进士 – The highest academic title awarded through the imperial examination system in imperial China, and were eligible for prestigious government positions.

All jinshi were ranked after the final palace exam into three classes:
-First Class (一甲): Top three scholars — Zhuangyuan (状元) first place, Bangyan (榜眼) second place, Tanhua (探花) third place.
-Second Class (二甲): Middle-ranked candidates.
-Third Class (三甲): Lower-ranked but still successful.

Jinshi (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinshi
The difference between 1st, 2nd, 3rd class jinshi (Baidu Baike): https://wapbaike.baidu.com/tashuo/browse/content?id=82a3cad5edfd0114648fe71a[/mfn] began their official careers, even the top scholars[mfn]状元 (Zhuàng yuán) – Top scholar/First-ranked Jinshi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuangyuan[/mfn] were no exception. But the positions here were mostly minor officials of the seventh or eighth grade. Now, all of a sudden, an unfamiliar face dressed in the robe of a fifth-rank official appeared before their eyes. Naturally, people turned to look and whispered among themselves.

 

Yan Yihuan also felt the weight of their gazes and hurriedly quickened his pace, feeling somewhat uneasy.

 

“Lord Ming, have I done something out of turn?”

 

They were already almost at the main hall, Ming Zhang merely glanced back at him without answering. Yan Yihuan followed him inside, and even without anyone pointing it out, he could already see what the issue was.

 

The highest-ranking scholar-official in Hanlin Academy wore the exact same fifth-rank robe as he did. It was no wonder that everyone’s gaze had been filled with curiosity.

 

Seeing them enter, Liu Qianyi, who was seated in the main seat, quickly rose to his feet and first paid his respects to Ming Zhang. Then, after briefly sizing up Yan Yihuan, he cupped his hands and said with a bow,

 

“Greetings, Grand Historian Yan. I am Liu Qianyi, the head of Hanlin Academy.”

 

“Greetings, Lord Liu!” Yan Yihuan quickly bowed in return. Although he held the same rank as Liu Qianyi, he carried himself with grace and humility, lowering his stance to show respect. This slightly surprised Liu Qianyi, who softened his gaze a bit. 

 

After all, with Yan Yihuan being assigned to Hanlin Academy, Liu Qianyi had inquired in advance about this suddenly appointed Grand Historian. He’d heard that this newly appointed Grand Historian had been personally selected by the emperor, that he was born into nobility, and that he was a famously pampered young master. Although he appeared refined and courteous, Liu still didn’t dare place him casually.

 

“Lord Ming,” Liu Qianyi pulled Ming Zhang to one side, “I’d appreciate your guidance on what arrangements should be made for Grand Historian Yan.”

 

Ming Zhang knew that Liu Qianyi was someone who buried himself in academic pursuits and wasn’t very adept at navigating court politics, so he gave a slight smile and reassured him, 

 

“Please arrange a personal tutor for Grand Historian Yan for a few days, after that he likely won’t be returning to Hanlin Academy much.”

 

Only then did Liu Qianyi feel relieved. He gathered everyone to the courtyard and formally introduced Yan Yihuan to the members of the academy. After pondering for a moment, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the people standing below the steps, then lifted a hand and pointed,

 

“Song Qingyan. You’ll be responsible for helping Grand Historian Yan get acquainted.”

 

Those who weren’t named secretly let out a breath of relief, sneaking glances at the one they now saw as the unfortunate soul.

 

After all, each of them had endured ten bitter years of study and hardship to earn their place in Hanlin Academy. They held the pride of scholars, and were especially unwilling to associate with someone who had bought their way in through family connections and power.

 

Song Qingyan, who was named, was momentarily stunned. Under the subtle, sympathetic gazes of the crowd, he hurriedly stepped forward and exchanged greetings with Yan Yihuan. Both looked at each other with the same unease and awkwardness.

 

Liu Qianyi, of course, had his reasons for choosing Song Qingyan. In the entire Hanlin Academy, he was known to be the most mild-tempered. As the young master of a noble house, Yan Yihuan likely wouldn’t struggle much with learning how to write historical records. As long as this living Buddha could be peacefully guided into his post at the palace, Liu Qianyi wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.

 

Seeing that everything was properly arranged, Ming Zhang returned to report back to the emperor. Yan Yihuan sat beside Song Qingyan’s desk. Just the sight of the table that was piled high with open classics and thick stacks of transcribed documents made his head ache, as if he had returned to the nightmares of his childhood.

 

“Lord Song, am I interrupting your work?” Yan Yihuan could tell that Song Qingyan was normally very busy, and now he was stuck looking after someone like him, who knew nothing at all. A sense of guilt rose in his heart, and he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

 

Song Qingyan, calm by nature, remained courteous yet thorough. He found a few historical records and asked Yan Yihuan to practice by copying them, thinking this task would take no more than two days.

 

But he had truly overestimated Yan Yihuan. He had assumed that as the young master of the Yan family, even if he wasn’t extraordinarily gifted, he would at least be a passable student. Yet the moment he read Yan Yihuan’s copied work, a fine layer of sweat appeared on his brow without him realizing.

 

He flipped through the pages again and again, mouth opening and closing, he originally wanted to explain the historical records to Yan Yihuan, but now he was unsure of where or even how to begin explaining.

 

Yan Yihuan naturally knew exactly what he was and wasn’t capable of. He could see Song Qingyan’s inner struggle, and his face reddened with embarrassment.

 

“I’m sorry. I know I’ve made things difficult for you, Brother Song. But I’ll be serving at His Majesty’s side in a few days, and if I can’t manage even this, I might not be able to see you again.”

 

Yan Yihuan was well aware that the title of Grand Historian was nothing more than an excuse to keep him confined in the palace. After all, the last time they placed him in the imperial villa, hadn’t he run off?

 

According to Ming Zhang, the emperor had turned a blind eye only because he hadn’t fled willingly and because the court still wished to maintain friendly ties with the Residence of King Yan. So, they decided to cover up the situation and make it seem like he had been specially released by the emperor. 

 

But clearly, the emperor had no intention of letting him go so easily. This time, they didn’t bother with any courtyards or villas, they simply locked him inside the palace. And by then, if he couldn’t write historical records properly, they could just charge him with dereliction of duty and then directly…

 

Thinking of this, a cold chill ran through Yan Yihuan. With no way forward and no way out, fear, frustration, and helpless rage churned inside him. His nose soured. Then, with a loud smack, he threw down his brush onto the desk.

 

“Actually, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself over me, Brother Song. Whether I manage to write anything or not doesn’t matter. I won’t live for much longer anyway.”

 

Song Qingyan panicked. He thought his hesitation earlier had upset Yan Yihuan and quickly tried to apologize and calm him down. But the commotion had already drawn the attention of those nearby, and the scorn in their eyes grew even more obvious.

 

And so, the story of Third Young Master Yan throwing his brush spread throughout Hanlin Academy in less than half a day. Even during mealtime, everyone kept their distance from him, only Song Qingyan was still willing to sit beside him.

 

Yan Yihuan, who had always been well-liked and surrounded by admirers, had never experienced such a blow. He was already very anxious, and now sank into a deeper gloom. During mealtime, he sighed and stirred the porridge in front of him, keeping his head down and saying nothing, looking completely dejected.

 

Seeing him like this, Song Qingyan couldn’t bear it. In a gentle voice, he tried to comfort him,

 

“Grand Historian Yan, there’s no need to worry so much. Truly, this task isn’t as difficult as it seems.”

 

“With Brother Song’s talent, of course it wouldn’t be difficult,” Yan Yihuan muttered gloomily. “But I just can’t write those winding, roundabout sentences.”

 

“The emperor’s words are golden[mfn]金口玉言 Direct translation: golden mouth, jade words. – An idiom that refers to words that are so important/carry so much weight that once it’s spoken, it cannot be changed/taken back.[/mfn], so His Majesty will have to speak and act with great caution. So you only need to record what you hear, there’s no need to overthink it.” Song Qingyan said with a gentle smile, “Everything you write down will eventually be sent to Hanlin Academy to be revised again.”

 

“Really?” Yan Yihuan suddenly looked up. Hearing there was still some room to maneuver, the despair in his eyes was instantly replaced by a glimmer of hope.

 

Song Qingyan couldn’t help but smile as well. Although this young master was born into nobility and his scholarly abilities were rather shameful, there was something endearing about him. One simply couldn’t bear to be harsh on him.

 

With the heaviest burden lifted from his heart, Yan Yihuan felt much more at ease. He was fully aware that the others at Hanlin Academy looked down on him, and in a place like this that’s brimming with talent, he was even less capable than the workers here.

 

But once he came to terms with himself, he no longer moped about. On the first day, he dutifully copied a few historical records, but after that, he would rather run errands for Song Qingyan than lift a brush again.

 

As others noticed that Yan Yihuan was good-natured and easygoing, they gradually stopped treating him like some untouchable noble and even began asking him to help with bookbinding and moving scrolls. Song Qingyan couldn’t quite bear to see it and quietly pulled him to sit down and copy records, but Yan Yihuan would much rather do physical labor than copying. In the end, Song Qingyan could only shake his head helplessly.

 

A few more days passed like this. Although Yan Yihuan found it less comfortable than being the carefree Third Young Master of the Yan family, as long as he didn’t have to go into the palace that he feared so much, then enduring some sidelong glances and being ordered around didn’t seem like such a big deal. At least, he no longer felt as scared.

 

Seeing Yan Yihuan passing through the courtyard with a stack of books in his arms, Liu Qianyi couldn’t help but wonder: Had His Majesty forgotten about this Grand Historian Yan?

 

But then again, there was still an imperial chef stationed in the Hanlin Academy’s kitchen. The meals served to Yan Yihuan might look the same as everyone else’s, but they were made from fine ingredients sent from the palace, simmered with medicinal herbs. Even the bathhouse had a section set aside just for him, with attendants always on hand.

 

He thought that it was just because this Third Young Master Yan had a rather carefree nature, therefore never noticed anything unusual. But what Liu Qianyi didn’t know was that it was actually because Yan Yihuan had been raised with luxury since childhood. Being fed well and waited on was simply his normal.

 

“My lord!”

 

Liu Qianyi who was still lost in thought, was suddenly startled by a panicked shout, only to see the gatekeeper, who usually never directly burst into the main hall, came rushing in in a panic. He reported breathlessly, 

 

“My lord, please hurry to the gates to welcome them. Someone from the palace just came to announce that the emperor is arriving shortly!”

 

Author’s Note:

Li Xuanming: Have you all been feeding my wife properly and keeping him nice and clean every day? I’m here to pick him up!