Chapter 1: The Matchmaking Emperor

In the twentieth year of Pinghe under the Later Zhao Dynasty, in the Governor’s Estate of the Capital, it was the dead of night.

“My Lord, Qing’er has finally awakened.”

A young woman tightly held the girl’s hands, weeping tears of joy.

After sleeping for three days and three nights, pronounced beyond saving by numerous renowned physicians who advised preparing for her funeral early, the seven-year-old Yin Yuqing opened her eyes.

She slowly opened her eyes, stared blankly for a few seconds, and scanned the room before her gaze finally landed on the sorcerer beside her bed, her expression showing a touch of surprise.

Yu Qing muttered quietly to herself, Huh! Isn’t that the Taoist priest I met at Mount Qingcheng a couple of days ago? Why is he appearing in my dream?

Just as she was feeling confused, she suddenly heard a voice say, “Qing’er, you’re finally awake! You scared your father half to death.”

It turned out that this itinerant sorcerer had knocked on their door uninvited in the middle of the night and fed her a medicine pill, snatching her back from the gates of hell.

Before leaving, the sorcerer specifically instructed Yin Houmeng that his daughter’s marital prospects were complex and volatile; staying unmarried would guarantee her safety, while a second marriage would bring her true happiness.

Yin Houmeng firmly believed these words, so when his daughter reached marriageable age, he strictly kept the doors closed even as matchmakers broke down his threshold trying to enter.

After waking up, Yin Yuqing underwent a complete personality change, becoming a totally different person, but her parents simply assumed it was a lingering side effect of her illness.

Little did they know that the daughter before them was no longer their original child, but Yu Qing—a postgraduate student in Traditional Chinese Medicine about to graduate from Capital Medical University in the 21st century.

Not long after, Emperor Hui (Zhao Xin), through his foolishness and tyranny, allowed eunuchs to usurp power and throw the court into chaos, bringing ruin to the populace and unrest to the nation, which ignited widespread peasant uprisings.

Yang Lun, Prince of Zhou, raised the banner of rebellion and swiftly gained overwhelming support from the people, soon capturing the capital, ascending the throne, and adopting the era name Jiankang, officially inaugurating the Northern Liang Dynasty.

“Seek old wisdom in people, but new capability in tools.”

Since the Northern Liang regime had just been established and was still unstable, Yang Lun retained former officials who showed allegiance and put them to use.

In the spring of the sixteenth year of Jiankang, inside the Grand Marshal’s Manor.

“I, Shen Jingyang, must have committed severe sins in my past life to spawn a fool like you in this one! You have practically stripped away every last drop of respect I have left.”

Shen Jingyang, the Grand Marshal, turned green with rage, his eyes wide with anger as he pointed at Shen Juan, who stood trembling to the side, and berated her fiercely.

“Father, please calm your anger; rage harms the body. I know I am like rotten wood that cannot be carved and will struggle to achieve anything, so I might as well seek another path.”

Shen Juan spoke with a conflicted look, her head hanging low.

“Entering officialdom through the imperial examinations is your only path! If you fail again this year, get married as soon as possible. As the saying goes, ‘First settle down, then build a career.’ I have already indulged you enough!”

Shen Jingyang declared passionately, spit flying through the air.

Shen Juan wiped her face and sighed helplessly, “I lack the ability to fulfill Father’s expectations despite my desire. Why must Father push me so relentlessly?”

She knew taking the exam and passing were unavoidable, yet she still harbored a faint hope to struggle against it.

She did not want to fail and be forced into marriage, as that would expose her secret.

Hearing this, Shen Jingyang grew even angrier and said in exasperation, “Have you forgotten that your surname is Shen? Who else shares such good fortune? Only virtue accumulated over several lifetimes could let someone reach the heights of the Grand Marshal’s Manor. Remember, this is a duty you cannot shirk.”

Had he not been blessed with only one child over all these years, he would never have stooped to this.

“Yang, Juan’er is…”

Zhou Huaxiu gently tugged at Shen Jingyang’s sleeve, attempting to defend Shen Juan.

Shen Jingyang callously yanked his sleeve away, glared at Zhou Huaxiu, and scolded, “If you hadn’t spoiled her blindly, how could things have ended up like this? A doting mother rears a ruined child!”

It was as though Shen Juan’s lack of ambition was entirely her fault.

Shen Juan knitted her brows tightly and finally made up her mind.

“Father, please rest assured. For this imperial exam, I will give my all and live up to Father’s expectations.”

“That is more like it.”

Having finally received the answer he wanted, Shen Jingyang turned around, flicked his sleeves, and departed.

“Juan’er, you have worked hard. It is all your mother’s fault for harming you.”

Zhou Huaxiu hurriedly helped Shen Juan up, her face filled with guilt.

Seeing this, Shen Juan forced a bitter smile, reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of Zhou Huaxiu’s eyes, and said helplessly, “Mother, what is the use of saying all this now?”

In the ninth month of the sixteenth year of Jiankang, the results of the triennial provincial civil service examinations were posted.

Shen Juan, the only child of Grand Marshal Shen Jingyang, achieved success after more than ten years of studying sacred texts.

People say a tiger father does not breed a dog son.

Shen Jingyang, the current Grand Marshal, was once a renowned top scholar (Zhuangyuan), whereas his child, Shen Juan, had failed twice before.

This third attempt placed her at the very bottom of the pass list, ranking last in the lowest tier of the third class.

After three months of advanced study at the Hanlin Academy, the successful scholars attended the palace appointment ceremony, where appointments were split into regional and capital posts.

The former was something everyone avoided, while the latter was aggressively sought after.

The political structure of Northern Liang was dominated by elite aristocratic families, giving rise to clan-dominated politics.

The noble families held a near-monopoly over the selection and ranking of officials, where rank and office were determined entirely by birth, commonly summarized as “No lowborns in the upper ranks, no nobles in the lower ranks.”

As long as children of noble families passed the exams, regardless of their rank, they could use their status to secure high-tier official positions.

Meanwhile, commoner scholars, even if they took top honors, had no chance at securing positions above the fourth rank.

According to rank-based appointments, Shen Juan was only at the bottom of the third class, but as an offspring of the Grand Marshal’s Manor, her appointed rank would not fall below the third rank.

Shen Jingyang had secretly communicated with Emperor Shengzong, making a capital position already a done deal.

Yet Shen Juan refused to accept this immense stroke of fortune.

“Your Majesty, your servant lacks talent and knowledge, having failed the exams twice before. Passing at the very bottom this time proves I am truly unfit for great responsibility. It would be better to send me to Zhou Prefecture to serve as a local Governor and plead for the people.”

The moment Shen Juan uttered these words, the entire court burst into an uproar.

He truly was the Grand Marshal’s fool of a son—foolish enough to self-recommend for a local official post.

Shen Jingyang’s mind exploded with a loud pop as blood rushed to his head, his vision blurred, and he trembled, nearly fainting on the spot.

Before he could step forward to excuse his child, Grand Tutor Wang Chong spoke up first, surprisingly failing to oppose him for once.

“Your Majesty, advanced studies at the Hanlin Academy must be demanding, causing the Grand Marshal’s young child to grow muddled and temporarily disregard our dynasty’s regulations. Appointing him as Governor of Zhou Prefecture violates protocol.”

Grand Tutor Wang Chong emphasized the words “Grand Marshal,” carrying a subtle implication.

A flicker of confusion crossed Emperor Shengzong’s eyes.

It was common knowledge that Wang Chong and Shen Jingyang did not get along, yet seeing this situation unfold was a first, leaving him wondering what trick Wang Chong had up his sleeve.

“Oh? In the Grand Tutor’s opinion, which post would be suitable for Shen Juan?”

Emperor Shengzong countered.

“Scholar Shen hails from the Grand Marshal’s Manor. According to our court rules, he should not be granted a mere fourth-rank Governor post, especially when there are vacant fourth-rank and higher positions in the capital. A fine horse deserves a fine saddle, and since Your Majesty is a keen judge of character, I am sure you already have an answer in mind.”

Wang Chong cited regulations first, never naming a specific office, yet conveying in every line that appointing Shen Juan as a capital official was the proper choice.

“Grand Marshal, what is your high opinion?”

Emperor Shengzong kicked the hot potato over to Shen Jingyang.

“According to court regulations, granting a fourth-rank Governor post is indeed improper. Everything shall be left to Your Majesty’s decision.”

Shen Jingyang could only echo Wang Chong’s words, unable to blatantly beg for an official post for his child right in the imperial court.

“Shen Juan, both the Grand Tutor and the Grand Marshal believe a fourth-rank Governor post is improper. Your ability to pass the exam proves you possess talent, so do not be overly modest.”

Emperor Shengzong offered comforting words before asking, “Zhou Prefecture is far from the capital and pales in comparison to its prosperity. Must you go there?”

Sensing the underlying meaning in Shengzong’s words, Shen Juan promptly dropped to her knees.

“Your servant’s mind is made up. I hope Your Majesty will grant this wish.”

Emperor Shengzong smiled and said, “Very well. It is truly commendable that you are not blinded by the opulent surface of the capital. You shall serve as an example, and I will grant your wish.”

Fulfilling Shen Juan’s request was merely an excuse to blind the court; what Emperor Shengzong truly sought was an opening to break the aristocratic monopoly over high official ranks, and Shen Juan had conveniently torn open that gap herself.

Hearing this, Shen Jingyang and Wang Chong spoke in unison, “We urge Your Majesty to think twice.”

“No further words are needed. Court is adjourned.”

Emperor Shengzong remained unmoved.

In the twelfth month of the sixteenth year of Jiankang, Shen Juan took Cha Le with her and set off from the prosperous capital to assume office in the remote Zhou Prefecture.

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