A hint of satisfaction and relief flashed in Hong Yingrong's eyes. The son in front of her had never let her down.
Time passed minute by minute, the morning glow gradually dyed the sky red, and the bell in the palace rang, and it was the hour of Mao.
The majestic and solemn palace gate slowly opened. Hong Yingrong, who had already gotten out of the carriage and was waiting, quickly handed the invitation card for an audience with the emperor to the eunuch. "Please tell the eunuch that Lady Hong, the first-rank Lady of Langya Commandery, from the Xingyuan Marquisate, wishes to see Your Majesty."
The eunuch took the card, his face showing embarrassment, and replied cautiously, "Madam, His Majesty is currently changing clothes in the concubines' palace and hasn't even had breakfast yet. Furthermore, it's not the time for ladies to have an audience with the Emperor. Palace rules restrict this, so I can't make an exception."
Hong Yingrong raised her eyebrows slightly, unmoved: "In that case, please take me to see Eunuch Chen Jin."
The eunuch was a little hesitant. He had been on duty for many years and had never heard of anyone bringing a woman from outside the imperial family to the Imperial Household Department. As a mere eunuch at the palace gate, he really didn't dare to make an exception easily.
Hong Yingrong saw through his concerns. Although she understood that he was just doing his duty, there was no time to lose and the cheating in the Spring Examination could not be discussed openly.
So she slammed the dragon-patterned staff in her hand hard on the ground, making a deafening sound.
"If you continue to obstruct us, the first one to hold you accountable will be Eunuch Chen." Her voice was cold and majestic, which made the eunuch tremble in his heart and frightened him.
The eunuch supervisor had no choice but to compromise: "Please, old lady, I will take you to see Eunuch Chen right away."
Hong Yingrong nodded, and the majesty on her face faded a little. She knew very well that the rules in the palace were strict, and if it were not an emergency, she would not be willing to be so tough.
Before going to the Imperial Household Department, Hong Yingrong turned around and handed the dragon-patterned staff to Xue Zhongfu.
The other party respectfully took the royal staff with both hands, with a determined light flashing in his eyes, as if he had taken on a heavy responsibility.
"Don't worry, mother. I will follow your instructions and will never disobey you."
Hong Yingrong didn't say much. She followed the eunuchs' steps, passed through the many palace gates, and finally arrived at the Imperial Household Department.
At this time, Chen Jin was in the meeting hall sorting out the memorials to be presented to the emperor this morning, and then went to the inner courtyard to welcome the emperor to the morning court. When he heard the eunuch's somewhat panicked voice reporting Hong Yingrong's arrival, he was surprised, but immediately put down the work at hand and hurried out.
"Old Madam, may you be blessed with good health." Chen Jin smiled. Although he was a little confused, he remained polite. He bowed respectfully to Hong Yingrong and asked, "What is it that you are looking for me for?"
"Eunuch Chen, I have to disturb you just as the palace gates have just opened. I really have no choice." Hong Yingrong said in a deep voice without further ado, "Eunuch Chen, I need to see His Majesty immediately..."
At this time, the eunuch who had just reported was still standing aside, feeling uneasy.
He secretly glanced at Hong Yingrong, then looked at Chen Jin, fearing that he would get into trouble because of his previous obstruction.
Chen Jin sensed his panic, glanced at him slightly sideways, and said calmly, "You did a great job. You know how to adapt to circumstances. Go down first. I'll remember your achievement for this."
The eunuch felt relieved upon hearing this. He looked at Chen Jin with gratitude and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Eunuch Chen, and thank you, Madam." After saying that, he carefully retreated.
Hong Yingrong looked at the eunuch's receding back and gradually restrained the expression on her face.
She carefully took out a note from her sleeve and handed it to Chen Jin, saying in a serious tone, "This matter is of great importance and is definitely not something that the Marquis's family can decide alone."
Chen Jin glanced at the seemingly ordinary note, raised his eyebrows slightly, and took it with some doubt.
However, when he unfolded the note and took just a glance at it, his calm demeanor, which seemed to remain calm even in the face of adversity, collapsed in an instant.
He quickly closed the note, his voice barely audible, "Where did this thing come from?"
Hong Yingrong confessed frankly, "Half a month ago, the Marquis' Mansion took in a tribute student from the Imperial College for temporary lodging. This note was accidentally discovered in his luggage."
The meeting hall was empty. Chen Jin stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes as sharp as an eagle staring at its prey, revealing the depth and cunning of a political schemer.
"This matter involves the Marquis' Mansion. Why doesn't the old lady destroy this thing to prevent future troubles?"
Hong Yingrong looked calm and collected. She looked up to meet Chen Jin's gaze, showing no sign of backing down. "Is this the only leaked copy of the exam, or are there others who have it? The Marquis's Mansion is having trouble checking it right now."
"But this concerns the lives of over a hundred people in the Marquis' Mansion. How could I lose sight of the greater good for a small matter and cover up for an outsider while disregarding the safety of the entire mansion?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jin's eyes flashed with admiration. He continued to ask, "That student was taken in by the Marquis' Mansion. The old lady wants to say that this matter has nothing to do with the Marquis' Mansion. Will the ministers in the court believe it? Will His Majesty believe it?"
Hong Yingrong's thoughts were clear as she spoke to the point: "Of the three sons of the Marquis's family, two have already passed the imperial examinations, one inherited the title, and the other became an official. Even if my son fails this time, as long as the Marquis's family remains prosperous, they will enjoy a life of wealth and glory. Why should I risk my life for him?"
Chen Jin pressed on step by step, but Hong Yingrong remained calm and composed, and her rebuttals were well-written and clear.
But Chen Jin was not targeting him deliberately. Even if he didn't ask these questions, the emperor would have asked them. If he couldn't even pass this test, he would be unable to defend himself in front of the emperor and would only make things worse.
"Once this matter is exposed, the Marquis' Mansion will inevitably be implicated. Isn't the old lady afraid that His Majesty will use the Marquis' Mansion as a scapegoat and take the blame for cheating in the Spring Examination?"
Chen Jin's tone was terrifyingly gloomy. He spoke of His Majesty Li Longze without any scruples, like a sharp sword pointing directly at Hong Yingrong, testing her decisiveness and wisdom.
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