"What about the evidence? It's waiting for you in the house. Looking at Prince Yueqing's nonchalant attitude, it's obvious that the evidence is gone."

After hearing what Meng You said, Prince Yueqing was not angry at all. Instead, he kindly asked the emperor to send someone to collect evidence.

"Brother Emperor, please send someone to search for evidence right now and clear my name."

The ministers who had initially begun to doubt Prince Yueqing's behavior lessened their suspicions when they saw how frank he was.

Prime Minister Li did not reduce his suspicion of Prince Yueqing because of his words.

Meng You is a dying man now, there is no need to tell this lie.

Moreover, he didn't believe that the King of Yueqing was really so idle, otherwise he would not have asked to go to Yueqing that year.

It looks like a retreat, but in fact it is a retreat in order to advance.

"Come here, go to the inn and search for the portrait Meng You mentioned."

Those who went to the inn came back quickly, naturally with nothing.

"Your Majesty, when I arrived at the inn, I found it on fire. All the rooms were on fire. Fortunately, the people were fine."

Meng You glared at Prince Yueqing, "It's you."

It must be Prince Yueqing who destroyed the evidence. He should have carried this thing with him at the time.

"This inn fire is incredibly timely," the emperor sighed. "Meng You, stop blaming others. What good does it do for a lazy prince like the Prince of Yueqing to order you to do this?"

Seeing that Prince Yueqing was fine, Meng You felt unwilling to accept it, "Your Majesty, every word I said is true."

The emperor is not a fool. He doesn't believe that the emperor can't understand the intention of Prince Yueqing asking him to do this.

"Meng You is a man of unethical conduct, deceiving the emperor and his superiors, and attempting to commit adultery with the princess. His examination results are voided and he will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for punishment."

He originally wanted to ask the Dali Temple, but then he remembered that the Dali Temple was currently investigating the murderer, so he decided to hand it over to the Ministry of Justice.

Meng You was taken away, and the emperor looked at Zhou Fang again. Zhou Fang was not aware of this matter, so he asked someone to take Zhou Fang away.

"Your Majesty," Zhou Fang, recovering from the series of mishaps, pleaded, "Can I wait until Meng Youxing is executed before I leave?"

Although she had never been to school, she understood what the outcome would be if all of Meng You's crimes were combined.

…

After dealing with Meng You's matter, everyone thought that the matter was over, but the emperor turned his attention to Prince Yueqing.

"Royal brother, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but don't be such a pushover next time. You see, your kindness wasn't rewarded, and you were even slandered. I believe in you, but it's inappropriate for you to approach the candidates for the imperial examination like this."

[Hahaha, the tyrant is really getting worse and worse, even giving the King of Yueqing a good guy card.]

Prince Yueqing lowered his head and replied "yes".

Then the emperor said, "Don't think I'm nagging. They say there's no smoke without fire. It was you who came into contact with him that gave him the opportunity to bite you. Be more careful."

When the ministers heard what the emperor said to Prince Yueqing, they were all worried for him.

It sounds like the emperor's words are for the good of Prince Yueqing, but upon closer thought, they are frightening.

It seems that they should have less contact with Prince Yueqing in the future, otherwise they will be the ones punished by the emperor.

"Your Majesty is right," Prince Yueqing's downcast eyes were filled with murderous intent. Did his Majesty really think he was stupid and couldn't hear the warning in his words?

I originally thought that Meng You was a great gift, but I didn't expect that not only did it not make any waves, but he also had his royal brother scold him in front of so many people. I'm afraid these ministers will stay away from him in the future.

The emperor had given Prince Yueqing enough warning, so he asked him to step down and appointed a new number one scholar.

When Cai Ze heard that he was chosen as the top scholar, he stood there in a daze. He only came to his senses when Eunuch Cao called him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

In fact, Meng You and Cai Ze were on par with each other, but the emperor liked Meng You's answer more at the time and decided to make Meng You the top scorer. Unexpectedly, after all the twists and turns, Cai Ze was still more suitable.

Before, Cai Ze was only the second place and the other ministers were envious of him. Now that he has become the first place, the ministers are even more envious.

How come Prime Minister Li is so lucky? His son is the prince's teacher, and now his son-in-law has become the top scholar.

"Everyone has worked hard today, please leave."

The ministers stood there for a long time, and after hearing this, they bowed and left the Golden Palace.

…

Changing the top scholar was no small matter, so the emperor drafted an edict to announce it to the world again, and asked eunuch Cao to deliver the edict he had drafted to the Cai Mansion.

Cai Ze returned home to have lunch, and then Eunuch Cao came to Cai's house with the imperial edict.

Everyone in the Cai family came out and knelt to receive the imperial edict. After Eunuch Cao finished reading the imperial edict, he gave it to Cai Ze.

"Magister Cai, the emperor gives you five days to take up your post in Changshan County."

Li Qian handed a purse to Eunuch Cao and invited him into the house for tea.

"I have something else to do at home, so I won't drink tea."

After seeing Eunuch Cao off, the family entered the flower hall.

"Isn't this time too tight?"

Mrs. Cai was a little worried because Changshan County was not in the capital.

Before their son got his position, they all hoped it would be decided quickly. Now that it has been decided, they feel even worse.

My son and daughter-in-law have to separate not long after their marriage. No one would feel good about it.

"It's a bit urgent," Cai Ze held Li Qian's hand, "I had been planning to take Qian'er out for a trip after the exam, but now I guess I don't have time."

The emperor's decree has already come down, he can't disobey it.

"I heard that Changshan is remote, and I don't know what the emperor means."

The family was talking when a servant came in and said that the Prime Minister had arrived.

"Please come in."

Mr. Cai stood up and welcomed Prime Minister Li in.

"Daddy," Li Qian stepped forward and bowed, then asked about Mrs. Li's health.

"Your mother is fine, don't worry."

After greeting Prime Minister Li, the family ordered tea to be served.

"Have you received the imperial edict?"

Prime Minister Li took a sip of tea and said to Cai Ze, "I heard that the emperor asked you to take up your post in Changshan County."

Cai Ze nodded.

"Do you know what kind of place Changshan County is?" Prime Minister Li asked again.

Cai Ze was still young, and he probably felt bad when he received this imperial edict.

Not to mention Cai Ze, I'm afraid that other people who know this imperial edict may not understand the emperor's intentions.

He didn't want Cai Ze to listen to others and do something irrational, which would then allow him to be exploited by someone with ulterior motives.

"I know." Cai Ze had read a lot of books, so he was naturally familiar with Changshan County. Not only was this county remote, it was also not as prosperous as other counties.

"You don't want to go to this place now?"

Cai Ze nodded without hesitation, "Father-in-law, I don't want to go to this place not because I'm dissatisfied with the emperor's arrangement, but because this place is too far from the capital. You also know that Xi'er and I have only been married for a short time."

He was very happy to be able to contribute to the emperor and the people, but he didn't want to be separated from Xi'er.

If Xi'er hadn't encouraged him all the time, he probably wouldn't have been able to get the top spot in the exam.

"I'm very pleased that you care about Xi'er," Prime Minister Li raised his hand and patted Cai Ze's shoulder, "It also proves that the emperor was right in choosing me."

Mrs. Cai and her husband were completely confused by what they heard.