Chapter 201 An Eye for an Eye

Imperial examination cheating.

It's a big deal.

It is also a serious crime.

The Daliang imperial examination system implemented a system of collective responsibility.

Before the college entrance examination, every student must fill out a personal confession.

As the name suggests, it means to investigate all your ancestors.

The letter of kinship requires the household registration of three generations of ancestors. If there are prostitutes, actors, servants, clerks, people of low status, or officials who have committed crimes in their ancestors, they will not be able to take the imperial examination.

Not only that, candidates also need someone to act as a guarantor.

The master, the four neighbors, and the students on the imperial academy must act as guarantors, and the five candidates must also act as guarantors for each other.

If even one candidate cheats in the imperial examination, the others will be implicated as well.

Those who cheat will be disqualified from taking the exam at the very least, or even exiled to the army at the worst...

After listening to Lu Qingyao's story, King Jing became very angry.

The teacup was broken into pieces.

"This Minister Qi actually dared to use the imperial examination system to abuse his power for personal gain. How audacious!"

But after he got angry, he started to worry again.

The ones who cheated were the examiner and the Qi family, and the person who acted as the guarantor was somewhat innocent.

If the truth is revealed, Fang Zhengqing will be dismissed from office and exiled, but the two Jiang brothers will also be implicated.

After all, they are the parties involved, brothers, and a family of the same blood.

There are more than just the two of them.

Even Sun Yanshu and Cui Xingzhou, who acted as guarantors for Yan Ge'er, would be implicated.

Tutor Cui’s reputation will also be damaged.

This matter...

It's not easy.

Xiuxiu stood quietly behind her elder sister with her arms folded.

She had some understanding of King Jing's temperament.

She was certain that King Jing would not stand idly by in this matter.

Neither in public nor in private.

Lu Qingyao was not as calm as Xiuxiu, and she was feeling very nervous.

Although King Jing, who is sitting on the throne, has not yet reached the age of twenty, when he gets angry, the cold and majestic look between his brows makes you want to kneel down.

King Jing was in a bad mood today, and this incident aroused his anger.

He calmed down and collected his thoughts before asking, "Madam, how would you like me to help you?"

Lu Qingyao thought for a moment and replied, "Your Highness, can this matter be resolved quietly without making it public?"

She really wanted to send that academician to jail.

But I'm afraid he will bite back.

After all, if something like exchanging test papers between brothers from the same family is made public, there is no way to justify it.

Involving Yan'er would not only ruin his future, but would also implicate the person who recommended him.

It's too risky and really not appropriate.

"Of course." King Jing agreed, as that was exactly what he thought.

Let the academy examination proceed smoothly and keep these candidates. As for Minister Qi and Academician Fang, they can be dealt with slowly.

He felt that Madam Lu had a plan in mind and came to him only because his status made it easier for her to act.

He asked, "Madam, do you have any good ideas?"

Lu Qingyao nodded. "Your Highness, this is what I think. Academician Fang is trying to rig the two children's ink and papers. So why don't we give him an eye for an eye?"

"How about an eye for an eye?"

"Since the academician of another party was able to replace the ink of the two children, we will naturally secretly replace his ink as well, and then replace the papers and return them to their proper places. What do you think, Your Highness?"

"That's a good idea..." King Jing waved his folding fan and nodded slightly. "Then let's do as my wife says."

"I would like to thank the prince on behalf of my son." After hearing what King Jing said, Lu Qingyao felt relieved.

He stood up and bowed deeply.

There is still some time before the end of the exam, and there are so many experts in Prince Jing's Mansion, so he will go there in person to provide cover.

It shouldn't be a big problem.

Wait until the results are announced.

There was no need for her to take action, as Minister Qi and Qi Caiwei would settle the score with Academician Fang.

Thinking of this, she was not so worried anymore. She thanked King Jing and prepared to go find her daughter.

As soon as the little girl got off the ground, she was like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.

He was very familiar with both Cui and Cao's mansions. As soon as he entered the mansion, he took Xier and slipped away, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

I don't know where he has gone to now.

Just as he was about to go out, he heard the maidservant beside Princess Jiayue come to report.

"Your Highness, something bad has happened... The little princess has fainted..." The little maid stumbled over.

"How dare you! Can't you see that the prince has guests here? How disrespectful!" Shi Shu walked over and scolded in a low voice.

I feel dizzy...

He suddenly reacted and asked the maid, "What happened to the little princess?"

"Eunuch, the little princess fainted, is it..."

"What is it? Why don't you finish speaking?" Shi Shu was a little impatient. He still had important things to arrange, but this maid was dilly-dallying here.

Ever since the prince received the letter from the eldest princess, he has become more and more annoyed with Princess Jiayue.

Not to mention meeting her, I don't even want to hear her name.

The eldest princess meant that Princess Jiayue did not need to go back and should stay in Jiangzhou for the time being. Without her permission, the princess would never be allowed to see the Cao family again.

But Nanny Yan was quietly sent back to the princess's residence...

"It was Miss Miaomiao...she...she scared the princess to faint..." The little maid glanced at Madam Lu tremblingly.

Shi Shu asked again: "Why did you faint from fright?"

"The young princess pushed Miss Miaomiao down, and then the lady put an earthworm into the little princess's mouth, and she... fainted from fright." The little maid reported truthfully.

Shi Shu: ...

This little doll is really... unexpected.

He opened his mouth, swallowed the words that were about to come out, looked at King Jing, and waited for his decision.

Xiuxiu turned her head away and pursed her lips to hold back her smile.

Lu Qingyao's brows twitched.

He looked at King Jing with an apologetic look on his face, "My child has been naughty, please forgive me, Your Highness. Why don't you go see Princess Jiayue first?"

King Jing: ...

Is the dose of medicine that Xiao Miaomiao gave too strong?

It's a bit too much.

Although Prince Consort Cao and Madam Cao are hateful, Jiayue is also annoying.

But after all, the child is innocent.

He waved his hand and ordered, "Shishu, go and do your work first. I'll be watching over Jiayue."

"Yes." With his master's words, Eunuch Shi walked much faster than usual.

Jiang Miaomiao stood there in a daze.

She was frightened. She never thought that Cao Jiayue, who was usually aggressive, domineering and unruly, could be so easily frightened.

Xier was also frightened, but she was more worried about whether her young master was hurt.

He checked her up and down, "Girl, did you fall anywhere? Are you hurt?"

She thought that the two little girls were playing around, and nothing would happen with so many maids watching, so she went to the toilet.

When I came back, I saw the girl crawling up from the ground and putting insects into people's mouths...

She was a little suspicious that maybe Madam Xiuxiu had fed the girl too many insects, causing her to think that any insect was edible.

Yes, if King Jing blames her later, she will explain it this way.

"It hurts...my butt hurts..." Jiang Miaomiao rubbed her butt.

It's burning, it must be a scratch.

Xier rubbed her face distressedly and said, "Miss, bear with it. Let's go see the princess first and then go back to apply the medicine."

The little girl nodded.

We should go and take a look. Everyone has their own responsibility. Don't let King Jing blame those maids.

I heard that in these wealthy families, whenever the master made a mistake or went wrong, the servants would take the blame and be beaten.

It’s so inhumane…