After the third watch gong sounded, the light in the study of Prince Jing's mansion was still on.
Two figures sat facing each other, their reflections shimmering on the window paper, the candlelight flickering and the aroma of tea wafting through the air.
Lu Jingze poured Wang Xiuxiu a cup of tea. The tea was clear and reflected her slightly tired face.
"You've worked so hard, accompanying me to the palace so late, and you haven't had a moment's rest since you got back." His voice was deep, and his fingertips gently caressed the rim of the cup.
"Of course, it's what I want to see talented people being put to good use." Wang Xiuxiu took the teacup, her fingertips slightly cool.
"The Empress is feigning illness, but even if my brother uses this as an excuse, he can't delay for more than a few days. The morning court session the day after tomorrow will surely be a stormy affair," Lu Jingze sighed, a fine line appearing between his brows.
Wang Xiuxiu put down her teacup, the porcelain touching the sandalwood, producing a crisp sound.
"Inevitable, after all, it truly shakes the foundations of the aristocratic families." A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "This battle concerns the life and death of the humble families; we must not allow the aristocratic families to have their way."
Lu Jingze nodded, and as he turned around, his robes stirred a gentle breeze.
"Your Majesty is also in a very difficult situation right now. The memorials from Princess Ciyi and Prince Gong were presented to him two days ago. In this matter, Your Majesty has offended almost every noble family. If the commoners are ultimately defeated, the new policies will certainly be impossible to implement."
Wang Xiuxiu paused for a moment, then tapped her fingertips lightly on the table. "Originally, I thought we should strike first, but now I think perhaps we should try a different approach."
"What's the solution?" Lu Jingze leaned forward, the candlelight flickering in his eyes.
Wang Xiuxiu smiled slightly and took a secret letter from her sleeve, handing it over. "Zhang Heng."
"A poor scholar who passed the imperial examination?" Lu Jingze unfolded the letter, his brows gradually relaxing.
"That's not all," Wang Xiuxiu said softly but firmly.
---
The darkness before dawn is the deepest.
Zhang Heng stood outside the palace gate, his plain clothes soaked with morning dew.
Wang Xiuxiu stood not far away, gazing at him with a deep look in her eyes.
"Young Master Zhang, this journey is one of no return."
Zhang Heng smiled slightly, his eyes showing no fear: "Your Majesty, rest assured, since I dared to come, I am prepared to perish together with you."
Wang Xiuxiu took two steps back, bowed, and greeted him.
"From now on, I entrust everything to you!"
"Your Majesty is too kind!"
Zhang Heng took a deep breath, turned around, and strode towards the blood-red Dengwen Drum.
The drumsticks were heavy; he gripped them with both hands and struck the drumhead with all his might.
"Thump—"
The first sound was like a thunderclap, shattering the tranquility of the imperial city.
---
During the morning court session, the old aristocracy, led by the Langya Wang clan, launched another attack.
"Your Majesty! Cheating in the imperial examinations is a crime that shakes the very foundation of the nation! If it is not severely punished, how can the court be governed with integrity?" The man spoke with righteous indignation, and a group of ministers behind him echoed his sentiments.
The official from a humble background was furious, and someone immediately stood up to refute him: "This matter is clearly a frame-up! Those so-called 'evidence' cannot withstand scrutiny at all!"
"Oh? Then, in Lord Li's opinion, who framed us?" the man sneered. "Could it be us?"
"you--"
In the imperial court, tensions were high, with officials from both factions engaging in heated debates and endless arguments.
"Enough!" Lu Nancheng slammed his hand on the dragon table, and the hall fell silent instantly.
Just then, the sound of the Dengwen drum pierced through the palace walls and reached the Golden Palace.
The ministers were all astonished and turned around.
Lu Nancheng's eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of his lips curled up almost imperceptibly for a moment.
"Who is beating the drum?" the emperor asked in a majestic voice.
A guard rushed into the hall: "Your Majesty, the one beating the drum is Zhang Heng, a poor scholar who has passed the imperial examinations. He claims to have a grievance to appeal to the Emperor!"
Some scoffed, "A mere student from a poor family dares to beat the petition drum? He's probably just desperate, jumping the wall because he knows his cheating has been exposed!"
The official from humble origins glared angrily, but Lu Nancheng raised his hand to stop him: "The Drum of Petition was established by the Taizu Emperor. Whoever strikes it, I shall hear the case. Summon Zhang Heng to the palace!"
---
When Zhang Heng stepped into the main hall, the gazes of all the civil and military officials were like swords piercing his eyes.
He walked straight ahead without looking to the side, then knelt down and bowed in respect.
"Zhang Heng, what grievance do you have?" Lu Nancheng asked.
Zhang Heng looked up, his voice clear: "In the capital, there is a brothel called the Golden Pavilion. Wang Huan, the son of the Grand Secretary Wang Chongli, is the man behind it. He has repeatedly used his family's power to forcibly abduct women, causing several to commit suicide due to unbearable humiliation!"
He took out the complaint from his pocket and held it high above his head. The complaint trembled slightly, but he held it firmly.
The court was in an uproar.
One of Wang Chongli's subordinates instantly turned ashen-faced and shouted angrily, "You audacious madman! You're spouting nonsense! Your Majesty, this boy clearly tried to cheat but failed, and now he's turning around and accusing us!"
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Heng's voice rose, "This humble subject has witnesses and physical evidence! The victims are right outside the palace!"
Lu Nancheng's gaze swept over the assembled officials. After Prince Jing nodded slightly, he said in a deep voice, "Summon the witness."
Two women, their faces covered with white veils, entered the hall one after the other.
They knelt beside Zhang Heng, and when one of the women, who looked about twenty, looked up, she revealed a hideous scar on her neck.
"I am Liu, the daughter of a cloth merchant from the south of the city." Her voice trembled but remained firm. "Last year at the Lantern Festival, I was forcibly abducted in the street by servants of the Wang family. My father was beaten to death by thugs from the Jinlou brothel while searching for me..."
She broke down in tears at this point, and the girl beside her continued, "I personally witnessed the exam papers of several poor scholars in the building. Wang Huan and his ilk laughed and said...that poor scholars were worthy of serving as officials in the same court as them..."
Wang Chongli was furious: "Absurd! Your Majesty, this woman's origins are unknown, and her words are unreliable! Someone must have instigated her!"
"Lord Wang, you are mistaken," Lu Jingze, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "If we're talking about instigation, I'd like to ask: did anyone also forcibly abduct Lord Wang's son and bring him to that Golden Pavilion? And who instructed Wang Huan, as a scholar, to obtain other people's exam papers?"
Wang Chongli was speechless, his face turning from pale to ashen.
Lu Nancheng took Zhang Heng's complaint, read it carefully, and suddenly slammed his fist on the table: "Guards! Search Wang Huan's residence immediately! Detain and interrogate all the sons of the officials involved!"
"Your Majesty!" Wang Chongli knelt on the ground, "There must be something fishy about this. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty!"
"A thorough investigation?" Lu Nancheng sneered. "I will investigate thoroughly!"
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