This was Wen Hemian's first time participating in setting the exam questions, and while it was a novel experience, it also brought a sense of awe to Lord Xu regarding the modern nature of the questions.
For example, the well-known reserve volume system.
Lord Xu was intrigued by the novelty and enthusiastically pulled her aside to devise a plan, which was also shown to His Majesty the Emperor. He hadn't expected any problems, but now there really was an opportunity to use it.
While feeling relieved, Lord Xu developed a deep hatred for the person who leaked the exam questions.
The imperial examination was already the best opportunity for ordinary people to change their fate, yet some people still tampered with it, revealing their sinister intentions.
As they were talking, Xie Lang arrived at the Prince's residence.
The night was chilly, but the moment he entered the mansion, he suppressed his imposing manner and disguised himself as a gentle and kind person. Only after seeing Lord Xu, who was already chatting with Wen Hemian, did his expression become slightly serious.
Lord Xu quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Xie Lang raised his hand to indicate that he didn't need to be so polite.
Wen Hemian had the privilege of not having to bow, so he sat upright without moving. When Xie Lang came, he said in a deep voice, "We need to change the questions."
"I had given instructions before I came, and thankfully it wasn't too late."
Xie Lang glanced around and walked straight to Wen Hemian to sit down: "Does the Grand Tutor have any candidates in mind?"
Wen Hemian shook her head, not having time to delve into these minor details, and asked, "Where is Lord Xu?"
Lord Xu sighed, "No. After the second exam, when we find out the questions have been changed, someone will definitely be furious if we follow the clues."
Cheating in the imperial examinations was inevitably related to interests. Most of the candidates who associated with Xun Si were either rich or noble. They paid money but did not receive the correct questions, so someone would definitely come to them to complain.
Wen Hemian: "Alright, Lord Xu, please do not leak this information to outsiders for the time being. There are people keeping an eye on Xun Si's side."
Lord Xu: "I understand the gravity of the situation, please rest assured, Lord Wen and Your Majesty."
After a brief discussion and a well-determined plan, Lord Xu took his leave.
It was late at night, and it wouldn't be convenient for Xie Lang to return to the palace. After so long, Wen Hemian finally spoke up again to persuade him to stay: "Stay at the mansion tonight."
Even though he knew that Wen Hemian was keeping him there for no other reason, Xie Lang's eyes still lit up: "Okay, thank you, Grand Tutor."
When he gets serious, you really feel sorry for him.
Wen Heming lowered her eyes and said in a calm voice, "Go and get some rest."
...
Fortunately, the printing technology in Dazhao was quite advanced. Although the topic was changed at the last minute and it took some time, they worked overtime to finish printing it on time. The printed materials were then sealed and sent to the examination hall.
Xun Si had received the topic in advance and should have been confident, but for some reason, his heart was beating unusually fast today.
Once inside the examination hall, when the time came and the questions were handed out, he felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the unfamiliar characters on them, and finally understood where his unease came from.
After answering the questions in a daze, Xun Si left the examination hall and wandered home like a lost soul. Before he even arrived, someone grabbed him by the neck and dragged him into a small alley.
The person holding him back punched him hard, cursing, "You got all the questions right in the first round, so why did you get them wrong in the second round! Tell me, were you deliberately holding back?"
"Exactly! They took so much money from us, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. Give us our money back!"
There was more than one person coming, and Xun Si was immediately jolted awake by the pain, begging for mercy repeatedly: "I don't know what happened either, I have to go back and ask my father!"
Seeing Xun Si's cowardly appearance, those people still hesitated, but they also knew that this matter must not be spread. They exchanged glances and said, "We'll go back with you."
Xun Si dared not have any objections and had no choice but to agree, leading a group of people to take a detour home.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw his father and Lord Fei sitting in the courtyard, their faces anxious, as if they were discussing something. Hearing the noise, they looked over and saw a large group of people behind him. Both sides were stunned.
Xun Si's father's expression immediately changed, and he scolded, "Why did you bring him here!"
Just as Xun Si was about to explain, he heard a series of hurried footsteps outside. People appeared out of nowhere and instantly surrounded the entire house, with curved swords at their waists and an imposing aura.
Huo Ping jumped down from the wall, landing right in the middle of the courtyard. He took out his waist token, flashed it, and swept his eyes around with a half-smile: "Huo Ping, Commander of the Imperial Guards, is here by His Majesty's order to arrest those who cheated in the imperial examinations. Gentlemen, please proceed."
Upon seeing Huo Ping appear, Lord Fei's anxiety finally subsided.
The students who were gathered at the door turned pale. They hadn't expected that they would end up in Huo Ping's hands by mistake, when they had only come to seek justice.
The arrest went very smoothly.
It was quite a coincidence. If Xun Si hadn't made a scene in public that day, he wouldn't have attracted the attention of His Majesty and Lord Wen. Once they investigated, things turned out to be quite serious!
Huo Ping had no liking for these people who cheated on the imperial examinations. He had them taken back and thrown into prison, and then returned to the palace to report back.
The following day, a report was brought to the imperial court that a student had colluded with an examiner to commit cheating in the imperial examinations.
The censors immediately erupted in chaos, clamoring for His Majesty to investigate thoroughly, while Ning Hechu stood rooted to the spot, his face filled with surprise and uncertainty.
Wen Hemian wondered if this matter had nothing to do with him.
Regardless of whether it's related or not, it must be thoroughly investigated.
Xie Lang said, "It was thanks to the Grand Tutor and the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy that they were able to discover this matter in advance and change the exam questions at the last minute. All the students involved in this case have been expelled and are awaiting trial. In addition, in addition to resetting the questions for the third exam, I have specially ordered the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to conduct a thorough investigation and the Left Censor-in-Chief to assist in the supervision and inspection."
The imperial examinations were held every three years and were therefore extremely important. No one dared to underestimate any instances of cheating involved.
The emperor made the final decision, and no one said anything more.
Throughout the entire process, apart from his initial surprise, Ning Hechu remained unmoved and detached, seemingly unaware of the matter.
But he had been navigating the court for many years and was already a cunning old fox, so Wen Hemian did not rashly exclude him.
If this imperial examination were ruined, it would be obvious who would benefit the most.
After the court session ended, the ministers continued to discuss the matter as they walked out.
Ning Hechu crossed his arms and slowly walked to Wen Hemian's side. As if he had thought of something amusing, he chuckled and said, "Does Grand Tutor Wen suspect that I was the one who did this?"
Wen Hemian admitted that she hadn't hidden her suspicion in her eyes. She put on a thoughtful look and said, "I just noticed that Chief Minister Ning was particularly happy. Could it be that cheating in the imperial examination is a good thing for you?"
Hearing that Wen Heming was openly mocking him, Ning Hechu remained remarkably good-natured: "Who knows?"
Wen Hemian's lips twitched.
Who knows what Ning Hechu is really up to by arguing with her in such a subtle and veiled way?
Just as she was about to leave, Ning Hechu said meaningfully, "In my impression, the Prince of Huailing and his wife are both decisive people. With such a personality as Grand Tutor Wen, I have some doubts. Are you really their biological son?"
Wen Hemian paused in her steps.
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