Mo Yunzhao was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged.

"You scoundrel! You've really taken filial piety to the extreme. With your kind of character, you're just tarnishing the reputation of the Imperial Academy."

Chief Physician Wang quickly echoed this.

"Your Majesty, this old minister will certainly keep a close watch on him and educate him properly when he returns, and this will never happen again."

Mo Yunzhao's anger intensified.

"How dare you speak? The annual grand martial arts competition is something I trust so much about, and this is the result you give me. If it weren't for your years of hard work, I would definitely cut off your purple-gold tie as the chief of the academy."

By saying this, he was already forgiving of what Chief Wang had done.

Wang Shouyuan felt a great weight lifted from his heart and quickly knelt down to admit his mistake.

"This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Jiang Zhao, who was kneeling not far away, sighed inwardly.

He had originally hoped that this incident would help to reshape the rules of the Imperial Academy and create a truly clean and orderly environment for those who were truly eager to learn.

Surprisingly, nothing changed.

He really didn't understand why the Emperor would still protect Chief Wang.

Mo Yunzhao's cold gaze fell on Qin Run.

"From this day forward, Qin Run is expelled from the Imperial Academy and shall never be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations again."

These words were practically a death sentence for a scholar.

Qin Run slumped to the ground, his face ashen.

Su Yulan felt all her hopes had been shattered.

Enraged, she kicked him.

"What good are you? What can I do with you?"

Qin Run was in even more pain than she was at that moment.

His dream of soaring to great heights will never be realized.

All of this is Su Yulan's fault. She insisted on testing him in person. If she hadn't stirred things up, Chief Physician Wang would have been able to gloss over the matter to save face.

He was kicked twice, and in a fit of rage, he shoved Su Yulan away, gritting his teeth in hatred.

"I'm useless, yet you still beg me to win the top prize to plead for your husband. Have you ever considered me? Your Su family is so capable, why do you still need to rely on me? It's your fault that I couldn't take the imperial examination. It's all your fault."

The two people tore off their mask and began accusing each other, which drew laughter and sneers from the crowd.

Mo Yunzhao roared angrily, his face dark, "Throwing these two out of Shuiyun Palace is truly shameful."

The two people who were just moments ago full of glory were dragged out like dead dogs.

What should have been a grand competition turned into a complete loss of face.

Mo Yunzhao was in a bad mood. His gaze swept over the dejected students and finally landed on He Yidong.

“Those with true talent and learning will always have the opportunity to serve their country and shine. Today’s competition has been full of twists and turns, but there is still a champion. He Yidong, step forward to receive the golden platter.”

He Yidong was stunned.

A look of surprise instantly appeared on her delicate face. She quickly stepped forward and knelt directly in front of Mo Yunzhao to receive the highest honor.

The students were filled with envy, and the loneliness in their hearts gradually rekindled.

Outside the Taihe Palace.

Su Yulan, disheveled and thrown out, had her hair in disarray.

Many of the drivers and servants waiting outside saw it all and began whispering among themselves.

Su Yulan felt utterly humiliated and angrily pointed at Qin Run, cursing him.

"Look at the mess you've made, you good-for-nothing dog! You even went so far as to grovel before that bitch Jiang Qingwan in front of so many people. Since you look down on the Su family so much, go back to the Qin family and never show your face in front of me again, or I'll beat you to death."

After she finished speaking, she called Chunmei over, got into the carriage, and left without looking back.

Qin Run was left behind, and he was not convinced at all.

So what if he can't take the imperial examination? As long as he keeps Jiang Qingwan happy, he'll still be the heir of the Ninth Prince's Mansion and live a life of privilege.

He dusted himself off and crouched in a corner, waiting for his prey to come to him.

Inside Taihe Palace, the grand martial arts competition ended abruptly, and everyone respectfully escorted Mo Yunzhao back to the palace.

The imperial carriage, adorned with a canopy and embroidered with dragon patterns, came to a steady stop.

The chief eunuch helped Mo Yunzhao slowly ascend the steps.

At this moment, Mo Yunzhao suddenly stopped, stood on the carriage, and turned to look at Jiang Qingwan.

"Princess Ninth, please come up as well."

Everyone looked astonished.

Only the Emperor and Empress were entitled to ride in the Emperor's carriage.

Even though Mo Yunhan is of noble status, Jiang Qingwan has not yet married him and is not a true Ninth Prince's consort. Moreover, even if she were the true Ninth Prince's consort, she would certainly not be qualified to ride in the Emperor's carriage.

Mo Yunzhao, seemingly oblivious to the expressions of those around him, actually reached out his hand towards Jiang Qingwan.

"Come, let me help you."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Apart from Mo Yunhan, everyone's eyes were fixed on Jiang Qingwan.

She was stunningly beautiful and had a graceful, supple waist.

She is an absolutely rare beauty.

It's not impossible if it pleases the Emperor.

Mo Yunhan's face was cold and stern.

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense and hostile.

Mo Yunzhao slowly curled the corners of his lips.

"Little Ninth, why are you so nervous? I have no other intention. Yesterday, the Emperor Emeritus mentioned the Nine Dragons Formation to me. I have many questions and would like to ask the Ninth Princess Consort. You should know how important this matter is to the Great Zhou. I can't very well ask you directly in front of so many people."

"Or does Xiao Jiu think that I will do something outrageous to your princess? If you think that way, your brother will really be heartbroken."

He spoke sincerely, without any provocation or forcefulness.

Yet it is like a needle piercing the heart, causing extreme discomfort.

Mo Yunhan slowly clenched his hands.

The next moment, a soft, fragrant body nestled into his arms.

Jiang Qingwan smiled, leaned on his shoulder, and looked up at Mo Yunzhao with her small face.

His eyes were clear and bright, neither humble nor arrogant.

"I have already explained the Nine Dragons Formation to the Emperor Emeritus in detail. If Your Majesty still has any doubts, you can spend more time with the Emperor Emeritus and chat with him. He will then know everything."

"His Majesty just wrote the three characters 'filial piety and the country' to remind everyone, and we should also put them into practice and set an example for all people. This is more meaningful than asking me directly."

Mo Yunzhao awkwardly withdrew his hand and said coldly,

"The Ninth Princess Consort is truly thinking of me."

Jiang Qingwan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need for thanks. When I get married, I will have to call you Imperial Brother. We are all family, so I won't stand on ceremony. I have thought of a way to repair the Nine Dragons Formation, but the materials required are too expensive, and the Ninth Prince's Mansion is really unable to support it. I ask Your Majesty to allocate funds to help."

Mo Yunzhao's lips twitched.

"How much is needed that Xiao Jiu can't even provide?"

"Twenty thousand taels of gold."

The crowd gasped in surprise.

Twenty thousand taels of gold—that's half a year's worth of national tax revenue.

Jiang Qingwan didn't wait for Mo Yunzhao to answer, and gracefully curtsied without any politeness.

"The Emperor Emeritus is deeply worried about this matter. His Majesty's filial piety moves the world, and he will certainly give his full support."

Mo Yunzhao pursed his lips tightly, his heart aching.

But now that he's been showered with compliments, one after another, if he doesn't give them to them, wouldn't the "filial piety and loyalty to the country" he wrote earlier be slapped back on his face?

"Once the new Vice Minister of Revenue takes office, I will issue an edict immediately."

Jiang Qingwan curtsied again.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Mo Yunzhao didn't linger any longer, got into the imperial carriage and left in a hurry.