But then he heard the man in the high hall say, "Write down everything and cooperate with the government, and I will spare your life."

The servant looked up in alarm: "Really?"

A gentleman's word is as good as his bond.

"This humble citizen is willing!"

*

Inside the examination hall, the students sat quietly in their respective seats, waiting for the officials invigilating the examination to distribute the exam papers.

At this moment, Shen Laosan stared blankly at the table in front of him.

It was all because of something he had inadvertently learned earlier.

Pan Wei said that the previous prefect of Nanlin County deserved to be beheaded.

But the reason why Zhou Wukui's deeds were exposed was because he harmed himself that day and went to find a girl to do something improper, but was instead disturbed by a little brat.

Shen Laosan asked him who he was, and Pan Wei shook his head and said he didn't know.

But Shen Laosan's heart was pounding, and his intuition told him that this matter was related to Lili.

Thinking back on some details from the past, last month, Mr. Liu inadvertently mentioned that he had met Lili, Old Lady Shen, and Old Man Shen at the entrance of the county government office.

At the time, he assumed it was just a family member who had come out on business and brought Lili along, and didn't think much of it.

On the day he went to the city to take the imperial examination, he vaguely felt that something was wrong.

Now that I think about it, weren't all the answers hidden there?

Shen Laosan didn't think there was anything wrong with his family keeping it from him; they probably just didn't want him to worry and miss his exams.

But in his heart, what could be more important than his family?

Yes, Lili was framed by her fellow villagers today, what about in the future?

Lili is very capable, and if he wants to be able to use his skills safely, he must be her safe haven.

The clerk distributed the exam papers to everyone's desks. Shen Laosan glanced at the papers and began to answer.

How could Shen Laosan not know what Pan Wei was thinking?

The goal was simply to confuse him and make him perform poorly.

But how did Pan Wei find out about this?

……

As the gong signaled the end of the second round of examinations, Shen Laosan was personally invited to the government office by Zhuifeng.

Accompanying them was Pan Wei, who was beaming with pride.

Pan Wei had planned to visit the young prince tonight, and naturally recognized Zhui Feng as the prince's most capable subordinate.

Zhui Feng's polite greeting, "Your Highness the Crown Prince invites you," made Pan Wei wonder if the Crown Prince already knew his identity and had long wanted to talk to him, but was simply held back by the fact that the provincial examination was not yet over.

But why is Shen Huaixu mentioned again?

The answer became tangible when Pan Wei saw the minor official he had drunk with the previous night, and the servant kneeling on the ground with his head bowed, pressing his handprint, in the imposing hall of the government office.

"What?"

Pan Wei murmured, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

This ominous premonition was amplified instantly when she saw Shen Lili being gently led by the Crown Prince.

This girl is Shen Huaixu's daughter, and also the source of Zhou Wukui's beheading!

Lili looked at him, revealing her familiar smile as if she were punishing a villain, and said in her usual way, "Hi."

Pan Wei's pupils dilated suddenly! What's going on? I'm so panicked!

Lili ignored him completely and kept running to her father, saying, "Daddy, you must have had a hard time with the exam."

Old Shen hugged his daughter, looked at his wife by the hall, and at the respectfully bowing clerk and servant on the other side. Was there anything else he didn't understand?

Shen Laosan gave Pan Wei a cold look. After figuring out Pan Wei's thoughts, Shen Laosan knew that Pan Wei couldn't have only used this childish trick.

However, Shen Laosan was not flustered at all, and was even a little excited.

Because this time, it was finally his turn to cling to his daughter's leg.

Hmph, no matter how strong you are, I have my daughter to protect me!

Lili smiled slightly, concealing her achievements and fame.

Yesterday she went to see His Highness the Crown Prince, but little did she know that His Highness was prepared and everything was under his control.

Lili was quite surprised. Why did this guy have such a bad feeling about Pan Wei from the very beginning?

Lili, who was eager to show off her skills, had already figured out how to sneak into Pan Wei's residence and teach him a lesson.

For example, yellowish-brown, jet black, earthy brown...

In addition, she had prepared some life-giving powder. As long as Pan Wei got even a tiny bit of it, she guaranteed that he would bloom for a whole day and night, and that he would bloom completely.

She received this medicinal powder from Physician Sikong when she visited him in her spare time.

The divine physician Sikong said that girls should have more ways to protect themselves.

Hmm, Lili thinks this life-giving powder is excellent.

It's a real shame that Pan Wei didn't bloom in full glory.

But isn't it another kind of happiness to have someone do everything for you?

Especially since the person helping you is a handsome young boy.

Lili felt she needed to re-examine her relationship with Gu Ziyi.

Yes, you help me and I help you, a revolutionary spirit of give and take.

Pan Wei was completely bewildered. Rather than not understanding the riddles these people were speaking in cryptic language, he simply didn't believe them at all.

He is the only son of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the grand-nephew of the Princess Jing!

But given the current situation, everything speaks for itself...

After pressing his handprint, the servant wiped the red mud off his fingers and glanced at Pan Wei.

Pan Wei immediately bristled as if his tail had been set on fire: "Don't look at me, I don't know you!"

Lili: "…….."

Gu Ziyi: "..."

Others: "..."

What's wrong with this person? Is he stupid?

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Pan Wei simply turned his back and waved his sleeves.

Shen Laosan lost his patience and asked first, "What is the purpose of Your Highness's summons to this humble subject?"

Gu Ziyi gave a brief explanation and showed Shen Laosan the official's handwritten letter and the testimony signed by Pan Wei's servant.

Pan Wei kept looking in that direction.

After reading it, Shen Laosan didn't ask anything about it, but only asked, "May I ask, Young Master Pan, how did you learn about the affairs of the Prefect of Nanlin County?"

Shen Huaixu's tone reminded Pan Wei of how Grand Tutor Zeng had questioned him.

That was the look he hated the most.

Pan Wei's gaze was deep and unwavering; the stares of the entire room seemed to say, "Just admit it already."

And what right does Shen Huaixu have to question himself?

Just like that stubborn old man in the capital!

It's infuriating.

Pan Wei gasped for breath a few times, then snatched the two pieces of paper from the crowd. He glanced at them briefly, and the more he looked, the more panicked he became.

How could this be? How could this be...

They had a clear agreement: he would give him a better future, and he would help him change the exam paper!

Pan Wei stared intently at the minor official.

The minor official hurriedly said, "Young Master Pan, I have been an upright and honest official all my life. I absolutely cannot cover up your actions. I can only help you return to the right path by reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Pan Wei gritted his teeth until they were shattered.

Okay, okay, okay!