Wu Yan and his two companions also leaned against the eaves to watch the show. Originally, they should have been afraid when these men in black came to this courtyard with swords and knives.

But look at the group of people in Shadow 3 who were beating up the men in black, and that little boy; the situation is completely one-sided.

They weren't so scared then.

The three of them continued their discussion.

"Brother Yan, who do you think sent these men in black to kill us? And who is protecting us?"

Ji Chun was the youngest and most lively of the three.

At this moment, his eyes were filled with curiosity.

“I heard something back in my hometown before, but I didn’t take it to heart at the time. But now it seems that it might be true.”

Yan Yongning is the oldest and most composed of the three.

"What is it? Is it related to what happened tonight?"

Wu Yan asked curiously.

"Four years ago, a very talented scholar came from my hometown. After passing the imperial examination, he went to the capital to take the final exam, but he never came back."

"I heard that the scholar was killed by bandits on his way home after failing the exam."

Yan Yongning said slowly, then changed the subject: "But..."

The three shadows and one shadow were listening to what was being said and were waiting for the rest of the conversation, but then it stopped.

It's infuriating that they leave things unsaid.

Seeing that the men in black had been beaten to a pulp and were lying on the ground, no longer fighting, Shadow Three and the others tied them up and threw them to Shadow One and his group.

"Here you go."

Yingyi's lips twitched; it seemed they were the ones who took over the bad debts.

However, these people were also key figures and needed to be taken back for questioning, so nothing was said.

"Go on, but what?"

After throwing the person over, Ying Liu went to Yan Yongning's side and asked a question.

The others also turned to look.

Yan Yongning said that being watched by so many eyes is really stressful.

"Ahem, but when I first arrived in the capital a while ago, I was resting at a teahouse when I heard someone talking about how one of the Prefect of the Capital's prized students also had the same name."

"And I heard that my registered residence is in my hometown. Isn't that a coincidence?"

"It's hard to imagine that someone who died for no reason suddenly reappears and is doing very well; there must be something fishy going on."

After Yan Yongning finished speaking, the others also felt that things were not as simple as they thought.

"Is it possible that it's just a coincidence of names? And what does this have to do with what happened tonight?"

Ji Chun transformed into a walking encyclopedia of questions, asking them with an innocent and naive expression.

"He must have had something else to say, otherwise he wouldn't be so certain."

Duan Feibai spoke calmly, his tone unlike that of a normal child.

Thinking of Duan Feibai's abilities, he suddenly understood.

Okay, he wasn't a normal kid to begin with.

"Ahem, yes, back then someone discovered that every year during the provincial examinations, the poor students with the best academic performance in private schools would be the focus of inquiries."

"And those people were even using the banner of the Capital Academy."

"I should have come to take the imperial examination four years ago, but my father passed away and I had to observe three years of mourning before I could come this year."

"So I encountered people asking questions a couple of times, and they were asking questions very discreetly. Unfortunately, I saw them both times."

After Yan Yongning said that, Wu Yan and Ji Chun also realized that something was wrong.

It seems they've also been the subject of inquiries.

“When we first arrived, I always felt like someone was watching us.”

[Great, great, this is fresh news.]

A large white tiger was perched on a rooftop not far away.

Jing Le sat on the tiger's back, eating snacks.

Jing Le had actually been there for a while and happened to overhear Yan Yongning's words.

Jing Le concealed his aura, and apart from Duan Feibai, who could hear his thoughts, no one else knew.

Yan Yongning is truly lucky. He only came to take the exam this year because he had been observing a three-year mourning period. Otherwise, he would have died long ago, since I didn't exist three years ago.

Duan Feibai nodded to himself. Their originally fragmented fates had become fortunate because of Jing Le's intervention.

"You should come with us. It's not safe here. We don't know if they'll come back. It's best to find another place so you can focus on the palace examination tomorrow."

Seeing that things were almost settled, Shadow Three spoke up to remind him.

"Who are you? Why are you helping us?"

This was the part that puzzled the three of them the most.

"Oh dear, did I forget to mention? We are Princess Anle's people, and they are the Emperor's people."

"The princess and the emperor discovered that someone was planning to target some talented but poor scholars, so they sent us to rescue them."

Shadow Six began his introduction, and casually handed his waist tag to the three of them for a look.

"Thank you, Your Majesty and Princess. We will go with you."

The three bowed and left with them, while Yingyi and the others left with the men in black.

Jing Le naturally returned to the palace as well.

......

Shadow One and the others took the man in black back to the Dragon Shadow Guard base for interrogation.

After handing the man over to the dungeon manager, Shadow Eight and the others found Shadow One.

"Boss, I just realized that I can no longer discern the strength of Shadow Six and the others. And that Duan Feibai, he's only five years old, but his strength is ridiculously strong."

"I feel like I wouldn't last ten moves against him. Do you think we could ask the Emperor to ask the little princess if she could teach us too?"

Shadow Eight got angry at Shadow Six's smug and arrogant attitude.

It's strange that someone who was originally weaker than me has become so powerful.

Could it be that the little princess has some secret master who can teach them?

"Yes, yes, with such a great opportunity for advancement, how could they possibly keep it all to themselves?"

The others were also envious.

"Hmph, back then, none of you wanted to follow the little princess, but now you're all jealous."

Yingyi cursed coldly.

Is it that he's not envious? Or is it that he doesn't know how Shadow 3 and the others improved their strength?

He didn't have a powerful master at all, but the strength of Shadow Three and others was indeed superior to his, giving him a sense of unfathomable danger.

Yingba and the others gave an awkward laugh.

They regret it now, don't they? Who would have thought that fortunes would turn so drastically?

"Alright, I'll go ask the Emperor about this first."

After finishing speaking, Yingyi left.

The next day, the palace examination began.

All the notified candidates entered the palace to participate in the palace examination.

The exam questions were written by Emperor Jing himself. There was only one question: to ask them to give their opinions on the disasters in the north and south this year.

This is a matter of vital importance to people's livelihood.

On a smaller scale, it can reveal the candidates' writing skills.

On a larger scale, we can examine whether the candidates' practical abilities are feasible.

After all, Emperor Jing still hoped to find some talented people who could get things done, rather than useless people who were all show and no substance.

Yan Yongning and the other two were escorted into the palace this morning by Ying Liu and his men to participate in the palace examination.

Upon seeing the exam questions, everything became clear.

I understand that the current emperor is a good ruler who is wholeheartedly devoted to the people.

They were also the emperors they were willing to follow and serve.

"Thump!"

With the sound of the gong, the imperial examination finally began!