Chapter 66 066 The Chaos of the Examination Candidates
Five days before the imperial examination, a riot broke out at the inn in the west of the city, resulting in the death of a student. The prefect of the capital, who had been handling cases for many years, immediately suspected foul play and sent yamen runners to quell the unrest. However, the crowd was enraged, and many students banded together and clashed with the runners, shouting, "The exam questions have been leaked! It's unfair and illegal! Give us justice!"
"Justice! Justice!"
The Prefect of Jingzhao stumbled as he entered, leaning against the doorframe and panting heavily. He felt a chill on his forehead and his head throbbed with pain. After a moment's pause, he turned and left the inn. Before leaving, he ordered more yamen runners to lock all the students in their rooms, forbidding them from coming out or making a sound. He then ran off to find the Second Prince.
Upon hearing this rumor, the Second Prince immediately summoned his advisors to discuss the matter. They ultimately decided that the Prefect of the Capital should first suppress the incident and investigate the whole story. Afterward, the Second Prince would step in to appease the students and then go to the palace to report the whole story to the Emperor, ensuring that everything was covered so that he would not be held responsible later.
"If we don't ask His Majesty to issue an order to send Lord Huang out..."
The Second Prince gave a cold look and stopped the strategist from speaking. This great achievement must be his. He had used many means, under the guise of secrecy and fairness, to lock up those old foxes like Huang Pu in the Ministry of Rites. The exam questions had not yet been determined, so how could there be any leaks!
The second prince snorted coldly, his eyes narrowed, and waves of anger surged within him. This was probably not a leak of questions; someone was targeting him. He didn't know if it was an inside traitor or someone who was unwilling to give up and wanted to make a comeback.
Now that things have quieted down, he shouldn't have made a fuss now! His cleverness backfired, and this perfect opportunity presented itself to him to demonstrate his humility and thirst for talent.
The second prince, feeling quite conceited, made his decision with murderous intent. He ordered the Prefect of the Capital, "No need to bring them back to the government office. Just drag those troublemakers out. If they are making a fuss or shirking responsibility, use sticks to punish them."
The Prefect of Jingzhao breathed a sigh of relief, then raised his voice again, hesitatingly saying, "This poor scholar has studied diligently for many years, and now he's being tortured..."
Something bad is probably going to happen.
Seeing the Second Prince's displeasure, the Prefect of Jingzhao fell silent. With the imperial examinations approaching, such cruel torture would likely ruin the futures of those students. In his opinion, it would be best to treat them coldly and keep a close watch on them for the next five days. Once they entered the examination hall, it would be immediately clear whether any questions had been leaked.
But the order had been given and he had no choice but to obey. The Prefect of Jingzhao was filled with apprehension. He realized that the gentle and refined Second Prince was actually the most ruthless. He also knew that if this farce, which seemed to come out of nowhere, was not dealt with in time, it would cause endless trouble.
The Prefect of Jingzhao gritted his teeth and agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."
That afternoon, the alleyway where the inn in the west of the city was located was guarded by soldiers and was completely silent, except for the dull thud of clubs hitting flesh. The innkeeper and his servant stood trembling to one side, holding basins, watching as someone fainted. They hurriedly carried water to wash away the bloodstains. Only three or four people were beaten, and then there was no more noise in the inn's rooms.
Unbeknownst to the Prefect of Jingzhao, a student had climbed out of the back window and escaped by hiding in a swill bucket.
In the palace, at Fuchun Pavilion, flowers and leaves flourished, butterflies and bees danced. Because they were not precious flowers, they were casually planted on both sides, fully bathed in sunlight and rain. The flowers were large and clustered together, their colors exceptionally bright, making them a sight to behold.
Emperor Mingkang had not had such a relaxed and carefree moment in a long time. Watching the Sixth Prince chasing butterflies in the courtyard, he beckoned Cheng Shuyuan forward, pulled her close to his side, and sighed, "The first time I saw you, I wanted to bring you back to the palace. Do you know why?"
Cheng Shuyuan had fair skin, but her poor health gave her an air of illness. When Emperor Mingkang asked her about the past, she shook her head shyly, which made people feel even more sorry for her.
Emperor Mingkang said with a smile, "In this world, after ten years of war, the people are suffering. In order to bring spring back to the land, I have worked hard and exhausted myself. I have visited the people and seen the simple joy of ordinary people. I envy them. When I saw you, I wanted to live with you in the palace like an ordinary couple."
Cheng Shuyuan smiled, maintaining a perfect demeanor, neither obsequious nor perfunctory, and said in a low voice, "His Majesty loves his people like his own children, which is a blessing for the world."
Cheng Shuyuan had no more intention of agreeing with Emperor Mingkang. She took the white fungus and pear soup handed to her by the nanny, scooped some out with the porcelain spoon, blew on it twice, and put it to Emperor Mingkang's lips. She said gently, "Your Majesty coughed a few times just now, so I took the liberty of arranging for the Imperial Kitchen."
Cheng Shuyuan did not take credit, but frankly said that it was the Imperial Kitchen that did the work. This honesty made Emperor Mingkang's heart soften. Everyone in the palace was wearing a mask, trying to get something from him. He had been tense for too long and needed a place to vent. At this moment, he was very glad that he had brought her back.
Emperor Mingkang drank it, feeling very soothed. As he watched Dexi rush in through the door, Emperor Mingkang's brows furrowed.
Cheng Shuyuan stood up and stood respectfully to one side.
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince requests an audience."
"What is it?"
"Some students caused trouble and complained about the leak of exam questions, but the Second Prince has already calmed them down."
"Since the situation has been calmed down, why bother reporting it?"
Dexi didn't know how to reply. He couldn't just say that the Second Prince wanted to show off his hard work, so he said in a low voice, "You are willing to train the Second Prince, but since it is his first time, he is being cautious and would like to get your guidance in everything."
Emperor Mingkang, however, was unwilling to get up again, and said lazily, "Since I have assigned him the task, let him handle it himself, and let the court officials see his abilities."
These words made De Xi's heart clench. It seemed that His Majesty was still wary of the matter of a court official's petition to establish a crown prince some time ago. He really couldn't understand His Majesty's actions these days. He loved the eldest prince but still did not lift the eldest prince's confinement, and was unwilling to establish the second prince, but instead assigned an important task to the second prince.
At this moment, the Sixth Prince came running up. He was quick-witted and jumped up the steps. His face was ruddy, and he was taller and stronger than other children his age. He held up a small riding whip and tugged at Cheng Shuyuan's sleeve, saying, "Mother, may I ride a horse?"
Cheng Shuyuan staggered from the swaying, and Emperor Mingkang, whose attention had already been diverted, immediately reached out to support her, saying, "Go on, your father will find you a riding and archery instructor."
The sixth prince cheered, showing no fear, and said loudly, "Father, you don't need to worry. Your son will just follow Fourth Brother."
Cheng Shuyuan suddenly slapped the Sixth Prince on the back with a big slap. When she saw Emperor Mingkang looking at her, she immediately knelt down in fear, her lips already bloodless. The Sixth Prince, however, was clueless and said directly, "Fourth Brother has never had a riding and archery instructor. He followed those people from the horse breeding institute and can recognize and raise horses. Fourth Brother's horsemanship is superb, and his archery is so accurate that he can hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces. Your son can do that too!"
Hearing the child's innocent voice, full of affection, Emperor Mingkang asked Dexi with a smile, "Where is the Fourth Prince now?"
The sixth prince answered quickly, "Fourth brother is at the horse stable."
Emperor Mingkang changed his mind and ordered, "Summon the Fourth Prince to assist the Second Prince in taking charge of this imperial examination."
The situation changed drastically. After a moment of confusion, De Xi glanced at Cheng Shuyuan before leaving and saw that she was very quiet with her eyes downcast.
Emperor Mingkang ordered a servant to take the sixth prince horseback riding, and finally pointed to a riding and archery instructor, and asked Consort Cheng to stand up, "Why are you being so careful?"
"It was my foolishness. I had intended to stay in the little courtyard you gave me, to live my own life behind closed doors. But the Sixth Prince has grown up. He ran away a few days ago and even went horseback riding without my knowledge. I only found out these past few days, and I haven't made up my mind yet..."
"Make up a reason?" Emperor Mingkang glanced at it and reassured him, "There's no need to draw such a line."
"Things are too complicated, but I want things to be simple."
Cheng Shuyuan didn't understand the meaning of that sentence.
The Second Prince returned to the Prince's residence and smashed a teacup. What a silent and cunning Ling Zizhan! Could it be that he was the one who set up this mess?
Thinking of this, the Second Prince's heart sank. The Fourth Prince's grandfather, Huang Pu, held an important position and had students all over the court. He used to be indifferent, but if he wanted to rise in rank, it would be as easy as turning his hand. The position of cabinet member would definitely be within his grasp!
"No!" The Second Prince hurriedly stood up and said, "To the palace!"
Duan Heng had been trying to see the Second Prince for days, but had been repeatedly turned away. However, he persisted and always had a gentle smile on his face. In addition, he would often instruct the gatekeeper while he retreated to a carriage not far away. His understanding and meticulousness had already won the favor of the gatekeeper.
Some time ago, the Second Prince had been staying at the Ministry of Rites. When the gatekeeper welcomed the Second Prince into the mansion yesterday, he had already sent someone to inform Duan Heng, who replied, "The Second Prince has just returned to the mansion. If I rush to him, firstly, I will disturb the Second Prince's peace and quiet, and secondly, I may cause trouble for the young master."
The gatekeeper was deeply moved by these words, and thought to himself that such a wise and righteous person was worth befriending. Although it is said that even a seventh-rank official is inferior to the prime minister, the man in front of him was the son of the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice. If he could achieve a good ranking in this imperial examination, he would surely be extraordinary in the future.
So, another letter was sent today. But since morning, things have been one after another, and the Second Prince has been on the go. He has no free time. Duan Heng himself is not in a hurry. Instead, he comforts the Second Prince and waits not far away until it gets dark. He feels that he has done enough.
When the Second Prince came out, he saw the gatekeeper blocking Duan Heng. He was granted an audience, and Duan Heng bowed deeply with a sincere expression, saying, "Second Prince, I am Duan Heng, son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice."
The Second Prince was so anxious that he had no time to see anyone. After a moment's thought, he remembered the Vice Minister of Justice, who was mediocre in his actions but adept at interpersonal relationships, as evidenced by his recent promotion. He waved his hand slightly and encouraged him, "Lord Duan is diligent in serving the people and bringing benefits to the local populace. Now that you have been transferred back to the capital, you must make even greater achievements."
Duan Heng naturally agreed. This time, he had not received his father's permission; he had sought an audience with the Second Prince himself. The Second Prince was known for his virtue and for recruiting talented individuals. He did not believe that the Second Prince was merely seeking a future as a wealthy prince. Fortune and power are found in danger, and he was willingly placing his bets on the Second Prince. Having achieved his goal of meeting the Second Prince, Duan Heng naturally stepped back after agreeing.
This action was reasonable and respectful. The Second Prince glanced at it briefly, but only for a moment, before striding onto the carriage. The coachman cracked his whip loudly, his words reflecting his master's urgency, and the carriage sped toward the palace.
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