Situ Jue's illness did not attract much attention. He was only twenty-seven, not yet thirty. Even his greatest rival, the Crown Prince, did not think he would die from it. Everyone went about their business, and those with some acquaintance sent gifts and visited once.
Even Emperor Changwu and Consort Jian only sent imperial physicians to inquire about his recovery once a day.
However, his health deteriorated daily. By the end of August, there was no sign of improvement. Three batches of imperial physicians had been summoned, but apart from a severe loss of vitality and insufficient blood qi, they found nothing. They could only try various tonics, but to little avail.
The Imperial Academy, which housed the most renowned physicians in the realm, could not pinpoint the cause of his ailment. Situ Jue suspected witchcraft, but Ji Jin, after examining his pulse, declared it was not so, with firm conviction.
He naturally did not believe Ji Jin, but unfortunately, Doctor Mo was not in the capital.
She was reportedly returning to her family's home in preparation for her wedding. This damned Cheng family! No one could accurately say where her ancestral home was, only that it was somewhere in the Shanxi region. He had no way to find her, so he could only wait day by day, hoping she would return soon.
Alas, September passed, and he showed no improvement. Instead, he grew more fatigued, and his head spun more intensely.
He was beginning to look like a man on his deathbed.
Meanwhile, the capital gradually became lively. This was because, in early August, Emperor Changwu had decreed an additional imperial examination, scheduled for December.
Candidates from nearby regions had already begun arriving in the capital. Hotel prices had doubled and were still rising. Experienced households had already started clearing out rooms for rental. Lu Fei was still young, and Lu Nianfu did not feel the impact much. Situ Yan, however, was overwhelmed with work.
The Hanlin Academy had become extremely competitive recently.
As everyone knew, the Hanlin Academy had a fixed number of positions. For every batch that entered, another batch had to leave. This was the same even with the additional examination. If one could not remain in the Hanlin Academy, they would most likely have to leave and become officials in their own right. Those with strong family backgrounds could easily secure positions in the capital through connections. However, those from less privileged families would often be posted to remote areas.
Few who had served in the Hanlin Academy were as indifferent to fame and fortune as Gu Li. Most aspired to rise rapidly in rank and become influential ministers.
Therefore, the remaining spots from the academy selection became even more precious.
Situ Yan had truly seen a lot. The struggles among scholars were far more terrifying than those of military generals who dealt with straightforward combat.
It was no wonder they said, "It's better to fear a cultured ruffian."
He returned home and complained to Lu Nianfu. Lu Nianfu, while using a cloth tiger to entice their son to crawl forward, said, "It's always been like this. Those who wield swords can never win against those who use their minds. You should learn more in the Hanlin Academy, or else, in the future, when words fail, you'll only resort to drawing your sword and will likely suffer losses."
"Sigh, it's tiring just thinking about it. Fortunately, Second Uncle has strong resolve. While everyone else is in chaos, he remains as steady as a mountain. He says that one's character is hard to discern in normal times, but when trouble arises, their true colors are revealed."
"So, the candidates for the academy selection have all been decided?"
"Not yet. Second Uncle recommended several people to Father Emperor last time, but Father Emperor rejected more than half of them."
"Why?"
"Father Emperor didn't say, but I guess he felt they lacked shrewdness. Such people might be fine staying in the Hanlin Academy forever, but they won't be able to accomplish much when posted as officials in the imperial court."
Lu Nianfu quite agreed with this point. Without a certain degree of shrewdness, one could not survive in the bureaucracy.
Otherwise, they would be harmed or marginalized, unable to achieve anything significant.
An incompetent honest official was worse than a capable but less than incorruptible one.
It was clear that the court's primary consideration for appointing officials was ability.
Just as Lu Nianfu was about to speak, Yao'er lunged forward, hugged the cloth tiger, and giggled.
Situ Yan stopped chatting and picked up his son, "Oh, my good son, you crawled half a meter further today than yesterday."
What was there to talk about with half a meter? Lu Nianfu rolled her eyes. Situ Yan, however, had already lifted his son high, swinging him like a swing. This was a common game they played when father and son were together, and for a moment, the room was filled with Yao'er's laughter.