A beauty bestows her heart.

"Ambition of a Lifetime" is not just Ren Pingsheng’s name, but the guiding aspiration of his existence. "A life of illness rising from the southeast corner"—to others, this merely described the arduous, studious youth of a boy whose hardships remained largely unseen and unspoken. Ren Pingsheng never confided in anyone, not even Zhang Ling. In his childhood, his father had sold his mother into a brothel and him into indentured servitude to pay off gambling debts. Later, he escaped, hoping to find his mother and flee together, only to learn she had passed away shortly before. He could neither discover who was responsible nor muster the strength to seek vengeance. After cremating her remains, he was on his way to find a burial place when a group of thugs, mocking his beggar-like appearance, smashed the urn containing her ashes. It was then that a middle-aged man of ethereal, scholarly bearing appeared, offering to take him away. This was Lu Qingci of Luoxia Cave.

Ren left with a heart hardened by early exposure to the world’s cruelty; he trusted no one, not even requesting that the stranger help bury his mother’s ashes, leaving them to be scattered by the wind and rain. Upon arriving at Luoxia Cave, he asked Lu Qingci for nothing, burying himself only in his studies. When he was ten, he met a Taoist who remarked on his "purple aura," predicting a brilliant official career. Only then did Ren realize why Lu Qingci had helped him—it was a debt to be collected later. Consequently, Ren dared not ask for further favors. It was this caution that made Zhang Ling’s sudden kindness the first ray of light in his dark life. He did not call Zhang Ling "Big Brother" because of the latter’s interest in his writings, but out of genuine affection. It was through meeting Zhang Ling and the others at the Academy that his shadowed life began to mend; otherwise, he could not say if he might have truly become a "butcher of the pen." The "illness" in his name defined the suffering of his life, while the three couplets of his poem reflected his ultimate ambitions.

"Ambition of a Lifetime" spread across Jinming Lake and throughout Jinyu City. Many marveled at it, while others questioned: what credentials did he possess to challenge the Broken Gold Gate and An Shizhi?

Ren Pingsheng walked to the bow of the boat, bowed slightly, and smiled: "I am Ren Pingsheng. I have long admired Lady Xie Feishuang; may I have the honor of meeting you?"

The statement sent a ripple of commotion through Jinming Lake. Many had previously written poems to seek an audience with Xie Feishuang, daughter of the Minister of Rites, Xie Dancheng. As one of the two "Peerless Beauties" of Jinyu City and a renowned talent, she had never granted an audience to any of her suitors, though most had taken their rejections in stride. Ren Pingsheng’s bold request, however, stirred a massive uproar.

As the chatter subsided, a man stepped forward. "Ren, you haven't introduced your status. May we know who you are? And whether you are worthy of the talented Lady Xie?"

Ren replied, "For now, I am but a commoner, alone, with no family members in high office."

Just as the man was about to argue, Lu Zhaoxian stepped forward and asked, "Are you willing to serve in the government now?"

Ren nodded. Lu Zhaoxian addressed the crowd: "Starting tomorrow, Ren Pingsheng is appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Censorate. I shall submit this to His Majesty today. Does anyone have an objection?"

A learned scholar stood up. "Master Lu, this does not seem to follow protocol. Even the top scholar of the imperial examinations must begin as a sixth-rank compiler. How can someone who has never sat for the exams be appointed to a fifth-rank post?"

Lu Zhaoxian glanced around and retorted, "Who said he never sat for the exams?"

Those who had taken the imperial examinations months prior suddenly realized the truth. When the Emperor had personally arrived to ask if they wished to enter the Academy, many had been smug, viewing it as a rare opportunity. They soon learned that the Academy’s entrance exam was a trial of life and death, even for scholars. Most had fallen silent, and only a few had dared to risk their lives for the shortcut—though none knew what became of them.

Those who had not taken the exam pressed further: "Master Lu, we do not understand. Please speak plainly."

Lu Zhaoxian spoke loudly so all could hear: "The Chengdao Academy holds a privilege granted by the late Emperor: any student of the Academy, upon entering government service, is appointed directly to the fifth rank. Does anyone have any further objections?"

The crowd finally understood. Ren Pingsheng was a student of the Chengdao Academy. No wonder Lu Zhaoxian had bowed to him. They realized that the people around him were likely his peers—discreet, formidable figures they had failed to recognize.

As the crowd quieted, someone else asked, "Ren, we do not deny your talent, but to use this 'Ambition of a Lifetime' to invite Lady Xie is perhaps inappropriate. A request to meet a beauty should be accompanied by a love poem."

Ren replied calmly, "I only wrote this one poem. Whether Lady Xie chooses to meet me is her decision; I do not force it, and it is of no concern to the rest of you."

With nothing more to be said, the crowd waited for Xie Feishuang to emerge. A small boat rowed out from the path of the tour vessels, carrying only a middle-aged man holding a pole. The onlookers were puzzled—what business did a middle-aged man have at a gathering of the youth?

The boat stopped two yards from the painted barge. The man locked eyes with Ren Pingsheng and asked, "Ren Pingsheng, someone asks: when the gates of the nation are about to fall, where will you stand?"

Ren Pingsheng, as if he had long since prepared the answer, replied instantly, "Naturally, at the gates of the nation."

Having received his answer, the man left without a word. Most were left baffled by such an ethereal question. As the small boat receded, the crowd’s attention was drawn to a tour vessel. A woman in simple white robes stepped out, her natural beauty and aristocratic grace impossible to conceal. It was, without a doubt, Xie Feishuang.

The vessel drifted forward. Those on the painted barge were stunned and hurried to lower the gangplank. Just as Ren Pingsheng prepared to cross, a scene unfolded that left the crowd both astonished and envious: Xie Feishuang stepped onto the gangplank first, walking toward the painted barge.

Ren Pingsheng stepped back, giving her space. A profound silence fell over Jinming Lake. Xie Feishuang stepped onto the barge and broke the stillness: "Young Master Ren, I am Xie Feishuang. I look forward to your guidance."