"I've told you everything, Your Majesty. Please spare my life."

An hour later, Zhong Lian'er was practically weeping and pleading. Jiang Yu, seeing this, curled the corner of her mouth and said, "You betrayed Pei Jian. Even if I let you out, you'll still be dead once Pei Jian recovers."

“I…I was forced into this situation. My parents have been poisoned by Patriarch Pei. If I don’t follow his orders, my parents will die.”

"If you betray him now, your parents won't survive either."

Jiang Yu looked coldly at the woman in front of her, a slight smile playing on her lips. "There is only one possibility that your family can be reunited smoothly again."

"What's possible?" Zhong Lian'er immediately looked at Jiang Yu as if grasping at a straw.

"You can continue to pass on messages to Pei Jian, but you must pass on the messages that I want you to pass on."

Jiang Yu slowly spoke, "After it's done, I will ensure your safety."

"What about my parents?"

"I don't know where your parents are, so I can't guarantee anything," Jiang Yu said, then added, "but I will do my best to protect them."

Zhong Lian'er agreed almost without hesitation, knowing full well that this was her and her parents' only chance to survive.

The next day, a note was secretly passed from the Zhong family to the Pei family.

"Second Miss, the head of the family wants you to go to the front yard."

Now that her identity has been revealed, Zhong Lian'er is somewhat afraid to see the Zhong family father and son. "Mei'er, just tell Father that I am not feeling well and that I will visit him another day."

Upon hearing the news, Zhong Wuyi lowered his head in silence, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes.

"Father, she deceived us like this, she should be imprisoned." Zhong Min said bitterly, his anger rising at the thought of being deceived and oppressed by Zhong Lian'er.

"The Empress Dowager still needs that Zhong Lian'er. The Zhong family can't withstand any more storms now."

Zhong Wuyi chuckled self-deprecatingly. Even his qualification to grade the exam papers this time was only because he wanted to catch Zhong Lian'er. He had been marginalized.

The Zhong family will likely decline in the future.

......

The Pei family.

"Master, this is a message from Zhong Lian'er."

Upon hearing this, Pei Jian quickly took the note, opened it, and revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."

“Da Yu wants to make all the scions of aristocratic families fail the exam, and use this to suppress them. Their intentions are truly sinister.” Pei Jian said angrily, “They actually use such underhanded methods, and they always consider themselves a great power.”

"Father, is this news reliable?"

“Zhi’er, Zhong Lian’er went to great lengths to get into the palace and saw four exam papers placed together, all of which received the lowest marks.” Pei Jian sighed softly, “Da Yu is not as kind as you imagine.”

"I have learned a lot."

Pei Zhi took the note and read it carefully for a long time. How could Da Yu do such a thing... or rather, she couldn't believe that Da Yu would joke about the imperial examination.

“In that case, we must strike first and arrange our manpower in advance so that we can seize the initiative the moment the results are released,” Pei Jian said slowly. “Although sending people to Dayu now will come at a great cost, this opportunity is precious and we cannot let it slip by.”

"What Father means is..."

"Find some refugees from Chongqing, give them food and drink and have them do things for us."

Pei Jian's fingers trembled almost imperceptibly. When it comes to personnel... using people from Dayu is naturally the best.

The day before the results were to be released, the entire capital city fell silent once again, with everyone waiting for the results to be announced the following day.

Inside Lingyun Garden.

"Everyone, let's all relax completely tonight," Xie Zhiqing said with a smile. "The Empress Dowager has bestowed some plum wine upon us. Come, let's all have a taste."

"We've been at Lingyun Garden for so long, and this is the first time the Master has allowed us to drink here."

A woman smiled and spoke up, then carefully sniffed the wine in her cup, "Master, it's fine wine."

"If it's a gift from the Empress Dowager, how could it not be fine wine?"

After a few rounds of drinks, everyone's eyes began to glaze over.

"The results will be released tomorrow. Some of you may pass and be able to showcase your knowledge in the palace examination." Xie Zhiqing's gaze swept around, and everyone fell silent as if by unspoken agreement. "But some of you will fail. Perhaps you will choose to return to your hometown, or perhaps you will continue to study hard. But in any case, you will all have a place to go."

Those who return to their hometowns can open private schools, and those who continue to study diligently can remain at Lingyun Pavilion.

"That's great."

"Master, please come with us to see the list tomorrow."

"Yes, we should have the Master go with us to see it."

Everyone chimed in, and Xie Zhiqing's smile widened. Looking at the blooming flowers, Xie Zhiqing smiled sincerely, "Okay."

......

The results were released the following day.

As the list was about to be revealed, the area was immediately packed with people. Not only the people from Lingyun Garden, but everyone else was eagerly waiting for the results to be announced. Since Qin Zheng and his companions couldn't see the list in person, they waited in the courtyard to hear the good news.

But the moment the list was opened, a series of voices suddenly emerged from the surrounding area.

"Why aren't the young masters and ladies from the aristocratic families on the list? That's really strange."

"That's right. Children from prominent families are taught by famous teachers from a young age. How could they possibly fail all the imperial examinations?"

Such words began to reach everyone's ears, but when the list clearly came into view, those sent by Pei Jian fell silent. Qin Ke'er's name was clearly visible on the list.

"Oh no!"

One of the men's expressions changed drastically, and he made a move to escape, but he was caught by the hidden guards who had been lying in wait. At the same time, according to Pei Jian's prior arrangements, rumors about Dayu deliberately causing the sons of aristocratic families to fail the exam spread rapidly throughout the capital.

Zhaoning Palace.

“Pei Jian has really suffered a loss in silence now.” Gu Qingyan burst into laughter. “I really want to know Pei Jian’s expression right now.”

"And his carefully selected people have also been completely exposed this time."

“That Pei Jian is cunning and shrewd. We’ve tricked him this time, so he’ll be more cautious afterward.” Jiang Yu smirked. “But we’re not afraid of him. We need to let him know that Dayu is not something he can outmaneuver.”

Jiang Yu's gaze swept across the window and looked in the direction of the Pei family's residence.

“Ayan, tell the people about the aristocratic families’ intentions. Next time such rumors circulate, people won’t subconsciously believe them.”

"Also, cut off the supply of medicinal herbs to the Pei family."

The vast and resource-rich Dayu region is an important source of medicinal herbs for the Pei family.

"Really?" Gu Qingyan was already starting to get excited.

"And Zhong Lian'er, have her sign the document and send out her statement."

Pei Jian, are you ready to face the counterattack from Da Yu?