jdhmnovel Chapter 113 Not asking for trouble
Chapter 113 Not asking for trouble
It's easy to say, but incredibly difficult to do.
It should be noted that since the emperor ascended the throne, most of the successful candidates in the imperial examinations came from prominent families or were students of prominent families.
The vast imperial court was like a complex spider web, with various forces intertwined, and very few people from humble backgrounds.
Moreover, even if they come from humble backgrounds, how many of them can truly stay true to themselves in this complex and corrupt environment?
The emperor intentionally appointed Xie Jinghan as the proctor for this year's imperial examination in order to ensure fairness and give those from humble backgrounds this hard-won opportunity.
Unexpectedly, nine out of ten students involved in this major cheating scandal were from impoverished families, and all of them had purchased their exam papers from others.
in this way……
Wen Shuyao's expression was solemn; the difficulties Xie Jinghan was about to face were probably unprecedented.
As she pondered this, her gaze involuntarily drifted to Xie Jinghan's face.
Xie Jinghan was born with the beauty of a jade tree and an orchid, and at this moment, as he concentrated his thoughts, the wrinkles between his brows were unusually prominent.
“Perhaps…” Wen Shuyao lowered her voice and suggested, “We could let them take the test again.”
Xie Jinghan lowered his eyes and met Wen Shuyao's gaze.
In that instant, Xie Jinghan understood Wen Shuyao's intention.
“Let them take the test again. If the level is significantly different from the previous test, interrogate them thoroughly. If there is not much difference, then the person is innocent.”
"What does Your Highness think?"
Wen Shuyao's voice rang in his ears, and after being reminded by her, Xie Jinghan's plan gradually took shape.
“Simply doing this is not enough.”
Xie Jinghan suddenly spoke.
Wen Shuyao was taken aback: "Then what does Your Highness plan to do?"
"Of course..." Xie Jinghan's eyes revealed a hint of mockery, "to teach those who are secretly watching a lesson."
He was never a good-tempered person to begin with, and now that he had discovered the aristocratic family's conspiracy, his expression became even colder.
Once the truth comes out, it will inevitably severely damage the power of powerful families.
before that……
He paused for a moment, then said, "I will have Si Qing escort you to Quanshui Manor."
“My personal guards are stationed outside Quanshui Manor, and they can protect you.”
He was emotionally detached, and the only people he could be connected with besides the Emperor and Empress were Wen Shuyao.
Those powerful families wouldn't dare to make a move against the Emperor and Empress unless they were desperate enough to resort to desperate measures. Their only target was probably Wen Shuyao.
Xie Jinghan said this to protect Wen Shuyao.
Ke Wenshu frowned, and after a moment of silence, said in a low voice, "But I still have some things to do."
Now is also a crucial time for her to investigate the truth of what happened back then. If she were in Quanshui Village, it would take a whole day just to deliver the letter, and she couldn't wait that long.
Wen Shuyao's firm refusal left Xie Jinghan somewhat helpless.
He paused for a moment, then said, "In that case, let Si Qing and Granny Qi serve by your side. Si Qing will bring two guards tomorrow; you can accept them."
Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao's eyes sparkled: "Is it the female bodyguard that Your Highness promised me before?"
Seeing Xie Jinghan nod slightly, Wen Shuyao's smile deepened.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
She happily bowed to Xie Jinghan and then left with the magpie.
I really don't know what's wrong with Wen Yitong, she doesn't want such a good husband.
Aside from not having consummated their marriage, Xie Jinghan was truly satisfactory in every way.
As for men... once she achieves the same level of success as in her previous life, what man wouldn't she have? She could keep ten or eight male lovers in her backyard, and no one would dare to say a word against it.
Her back view was full of joy, and Xie Jinghan's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed slightly again.
"She's just a female bodyguard, why is she so happy?"
Si Qing was equally puzzled, but when Xie Jinghan asked, he flattered him, saying, "The princess is deeply in love with you. If you can take her words to heart, she will naturally be happy."
Upon hearing this, an uneasy expression flashed across Xie Jinghan's handsome face.
However, Xie Jinghan did not deny this.
"I instruct everyone in the Prince's residence," he said in a low voice, "that the Princess's orders are equivalent to my orders."
Si Qing's expression turned serious, and he quickly agreed.
After the cheating scandal in the imperial examinations was exposed, the entire capital was firmly guarded by the Imperial Guards.
On this day, all 30,000 imperial guards were mobilized, completely surrounding the capital city and its surroundings, preventing anyone from entering.
The Imperial Guards only obeyed the orders of the Emperor and Xie Jinghan. Their actions confirmed that the Emperor was determined to thoroughly investigate the case. Xie Jinghan, shortly after returning to his residence, led a large group of people directly to the Examination Hall.
Several scholars who set the questions, along with several examiners, were escorted to the examination hall.
The entire examination hall, inside and out, was filled with Xie Jinghan's men.
"What is Your Highness doing? Is Your Highness treating us as accomplices in this cheating?"
The first to speak was Liu Hanlin.
Born into the Liu family, he naturally had the confidence to challenge Xie Jinghan.
However, Xie Jinghan didn't give him a second glance, and only said indifferently, "I invited you gentlemen here today not to seek momentary pleasure, but to clear your names."
"The exam papers these candidates received are almost identical to those of this year's imperial examination, even the policy essays match up," Xie Jinghan said in a low voice. "I vaguely remember that this policy essay was personally decided by Lord Liu, who overruled all objections."
Upon hearing this, Liu Hanlin's face turned red, whether from anger or from feeling guilty because Xie Jinghan had hit a nerve.
"Does Your Highness suspect me?" Liu Hanlin puffed out his neck, full of arrogance. "If I really wanted to leak the exam questions, why would I leak them to those poor scholars?"
"More than a dozen members of our Liu family are participating in the imperial examination this year. Wouldn't it be better if I leaked the exam questions to them?" Liu Hanlin retorted sharply. "Moreover, I am an upright official and would never stoop to such despicable acts."
"If Your Highness suspects me, you may as well search my residence!"
He spoke for a long time until his mouth was dry, but Xie Jinghan did not respond.
He panicked and immediately looked up.
But Xie Jinghan's peach blossom eyes gleamed with a cold light, like a sharp sword in the night, piercing one's heart.
“Since the question was set, Lord Liu has been in the Hanlin Academy.” Xie Jinghan slowly tapped the rosewood table and said, word by word, “There are people in the Hanlin Academy who are keeping a close watch on you, and you cannot communicate with the outside world.”
"If that's the case..." Xie Jinghan smiled, "How did you know that most of those involved in this cheating case were from poor families?"
"Or does Lord Liu possess the ability to foresee the future? Did he know in advance that these people were involved in this imperial examination fraud case?"
These few words drained all the color from Liu Hanlin's face.
He murmured a few times, trying to argue, but Xie Jinghan's eyes seemed to see right through him.