When Yu Fan obtained first place in the imperial examinations, he was still quite young. His master, Great Scholar Yuan, proposed that he take the Hanlin Academy’s internal examination to receive a temporary position as an academician there. Ever since the previous dynasty, there was an unwritten rule that said: ‘A graduate of the imperial examinations who is unable to pass the Hanlin internal examinations cannot become an official of the central government.’ Therefore, the temporary position at the Hanlin Academy had also been called ‘excellent prospect’, as whoever was able to get there was destined to have a bright future in officialdom. 

Since Yu Fan had a beautiful running script and he had his older sister, Yu Xiaocao, as a connection, he had been chosen as one of the members of the emperor’s inner ministerial circle and was in charge of drafting edicts. Later on, he also held several instructor positions at the imperial family’s academy. 

On one particular day, the emperor had Yu Fan organize the documents in the imperial study. After they were split up into appropriate categories, the emperor would read and evaluate them. Just as Yu Fan was laser focused on his work, a little eunuch came in. 

The little eunuch wasn’t very tall and looked to be around twelve to thirteen years old. He had a fair and pretty face with a pair of large bright eyes that roved around with blatant curiosity. He looked extremely lively as he strolled quietly around...