Chapter 721: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 721: Mo Qingze Imprisoned (2)
Chu Heng gazed deeply at his father, then smiled warmly, bowing respectfully as he said, “Father, you are wise. I will certainly obey and assist you in investigating the matter of the county princess’s father’s cheating scandal.”
“Good, good, good! Heng’er will assist in this case. We father and son will work together to eradicate these monsters and demons!” Emperor Huian said with great pleasure, his final words filled with a murderous intent.
Chu Heng's smile grew even more gentle, and he exchanged a knowing glance with his father, their eyes flickering with a fox-like cunning.
Lin Dalao waited outside the Hall of Diligence for nearly an hour before being summoned inside. At the entrance, he encountered Chu Heng leaving the palace.
This time, Lin Dalao was wiser and, knowing he would be humiliated, kept his head down and stood by the door, waiting for Chu Heng to pass.
Chu Heng, however, stopped right in front of him and uttered words that froze Lin Dalao from head to toe: “The sins you and your daughter have committed will be paid for with the blood of the entire Lin family!”
Lin Dalao remained rooted in place, unable to move even after Chu Heng had walked away. Once fear was stirred, it was not so easily quelled.
Eventually, it was only after being reminded by a young eunuch that Lin Dalao snapped out of his daze, adjusted his emotions, and entered the Hall of Diligence. Looking at the lofty Emperor Huian, the dragon throne symbolizing power once again ignited his strong desire for authority.
Emperor Huian did not miss the greed in Lin Dalao’s eyes. His gaze grew cold but quickly returned to normal.
What use was it to be bothered by such a foolish person who was destined to die? Emperor Huian, imagining his son as the next ruler, was already plotting Lin Dalao's downfall. Lin Dalao had yet to realize that Emperor Huian had decided he would pay for all his misdeeds.
The Hall of Diligence's doors were tightly shut, and no one knew what was discussed between the emperor and his ministers. When Lin Dalao left the hall, his face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, looking grim and terrifying.
…
The next day, news of the examination fraud quickly spread through the streets and alleys like a hurricane. People discussed the matter widely, even old women selling tea eggs on the streets chimed in, making it a topic known to almost everyone.
Storytellers in teahouses, never missing a chance to capitalize on such a lively and sensitive topic, quickly concocted a tale about a wealthy but foolish young noble who used money and connections to obtain the exam questions and answers to become a top scholar. The story was vivid and engaging, as if the storyteller had witnessed it firsthand.
The story was not only entertaining but also resonated with the public’s fears and resentments towards the powerful. It quickly became popular throughout the capital, even reaching those in secluded boudoirs.
Many students who failed the autumn examination and stayed behind to seek opportunities or prepare for future exams felt that their failures were not due to their own inadequacies but because they had been pushed out by those who cheated. For them, the examination fraud case rekindled hope.
Gathering at the palace gates, these failed students, motivated by a "well-meaning" individual, petitioned Emperor Huian with two requests: first, to investigate the truth and severely punish those involved in the fraud, and second, to nullify the autumn examination results and hold a new exam on a later date to ensure fairness and justice.
(End of Chapter)
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