Chapter 732: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 732: A Perfect Counterattack at the Trial (1)
As Mo Yan entered Taihe Hall, more people began to arrive one after another. It wasn't long before the once spacious hall was filled with people. The buzzing sound of conversations filled the air, with discussions not only about the upcoming trial but also about the only woman in the hall, County Princess Hejia.
Mo Yan, attentive and perceptive, clearly heard the murmurs around her. Ignoring the mixed opinions, she quietly observed the scene outside the hall.
Several elderly scholars nearby, noticing Mo Yan's calm and composed demeanor, began to regard her more favorably. Seeing her standing alone, much younger than their granddaughters, softened their attitudes. They started to engage her in conversation.
However, since they were unfamiliar with each other, the topics of conversation were limited, and soon, the discussion naturally turned to the examination fraud case.
"This examination fraud case has far-reaching implications. If responsibility is assigned, the penalties will likely be more severe than ever. It's possible that the entire Ministry of Rites will be implicated," one of the scholars said.
The Ministry of Rites oversees the recruitment of scholars and the examination process. If exam questions and answers were leaked, it must have been due to negligence within the Ministry. In previous cases of fraud, several officials from the Ministry were punished—dismissed from their positions, and in severe cases, their families were implicated or they were sentenced to prison or military service.
"Ah, it serves the Ministry right! It may seem peaceful on the surface, but when problems arise, they become uncontainable. I just hope that no innocent people are dragged into this," another scholar added.
"Currently, only one person involved in the fraud has been apprehended. With concrete evidence and no denial of guilt, and having narrowly escaped a fire last night, it seems unlikely that they will escape punishment this time!" an elderly scholar remarked.
Just as the old scholar finished speaking, he was nudged by a colleague and realized that he was speaking about the daughter of the person in question. His face turned awkward.
Mo Yan, not yet aware of the near-disastrous fire involving her father, felt dizzy upon hearing this. Gripping the old scholar's sleeve, she asked with a pale face, "Sir, you said my father nearly died in a fire last night. What happened exactly?"
The old scholar, already regretting his slip, was surprised to see Mo Yan's reaction. He hadn't realized that she was unaware of the incident.
Seeing Mo Yan's panic, the old scholar quickly reassured her, "Last night, a fire broke out in the Ministry of Justice's prison. Fortunately, it was detected in time and quickly extinguished. Your father was only unconscious but not seriously harmed. Otherwise, today’s trial wouldn’t be taking place. Please don’t worry, County Princess!"
Mo Yan, relieved yet still anxious, felt a chill run through her. She could scarcely imagine the consequences had the fire not been discovered in time.
As she prepared to thank the old scholar, the gate of the hall suddenly echoed with a eunuch’s loud announcement: "The Crown Prince arrives—"
Everyone turned to see Crown Prince Chu Heng, dressed in a bright yellow robe embroidered with five dragons, walking in. Although he was followed by only two attendants, his inherent nobility and authority were evident. Young scholars who had never encountered the Crown Prince’s majesty averted their eyes in deference.
As Xiao Ruiyuan entered the hall, he spotted Mo Yan standing among a group of elderly men. Noting her displeased expression, he assumed she was being mistreated by the old scholars. His previously mild demeanor darkened, and his sharp gaze turned toward the elderly men.
The elderly scholars, startled by the fierce look, trembled and fell to their knees to perform a deep bow. The others, seeing this, also knelt and loudly shouted, "Long live the Crown Prince!"
The solemn kneeling caught Chu Heng off guard. He quickly responded with a warm tone, "There is no need for such formality. Please rise."
(End of Chapter)
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