You Took My Top Scholar Title? I Became the Empress's Male Favorite and Wielded Power Across the Court

"Your hands have gotten stronger."

I knelt beside the couch, diligently massaging Empress Xiao Huanqing's shoulders. She suddenly spoke. "You're not like when you first arrived, when you scratched at me like a cat with no idea what it was doing."

I replied respectfully, "Your Majesty taught me well. This servant is slow-witted and took a little longer to learn."

"Not that long," she said with a soft snort, then changed the subject. "Do you still want to pursue an official career?"

I started. "Yes."

Three years ago, I had also been a spirited provincial graduate from Jiangnan. After reading my policy essay in the palace examination, my mentor praised me as a man of exceptional talent, and everyone said I was sure to be the top scorer. On the day the results were posted, I stood among the crowd,...