Night in the candidate dormitory after Ling-er has risen to rank six; candles burn low, silk curtains and examination papers surround her.

The dormitory door opens to official pressure; a palace guard delivers a summons.

Ling-er is escorted through the candidates' corridor as rumors spread before breakfast.

The escorted walk becomes more oppressive as Ling-er nears the Crown Prince's wing.

Outside the review chamber, Ling-er rehearses safe phrases and fails to calm herself.

Ling-er enters Li Hui's private literary review chamber, an elegant room of books, screens, and annotated poems.

Li Hui gives Ling-er a poem to judge and frames the review as a test of literary honesty.

Direct imperial attention triggers Ling-er's stutter and humiliation.

Ling-er asks for a brush instead of giving empty praise.

Ling-er marks the first and second stolen passages on Li Hui's poem.

Ling-er explains the first plagiarized couplet in plain terms while trying not to panic.

Ling-er identifies the second stolen line and explains why it weakens the poem.

Ling-er says the dangerous honest judgment: borrowed grief makes weak poetry.

Ling-er realizes she has openly contradicted the Crown Prince and expects punishment.

Li Hui responds in writing, not with punishment, and Ling-er cannot read his intent.

Li Hui gives Ling-er the written thanks and quietly values her honest mind.

Ling-er leaves the review, shaken by the fact that honesty was rewarded instead of punished.

Back in her room, Ling-er completes the required nightly review margin and records her private regret.

Ling-er submits the reflection slip to the Bureau collection box, believing the matter is finished.

Back in her room, Ling-er finds her reflection slip returned with the Crown Prince's correction written beneath her private margin note.