Chapter 8 Mother is mighty
Qin Qixuan bowed first, then frowned and nodded.
"I did have some personal relationship with Zhang Zongxian before. But he framed me first this time, so I can see his true face."
Fu Qian felt a little strange.
"Qixuan, how did you know that Zhang Zongxian wanted to frame you? If you are not careful, you will be the one who will be ruined this time."
Qin Qixuan didn't know how to start, but Pei Xuanyi knew that Qin Xixi might have helped her elder brother again.
"It's also because Brother Qixuan is sharp, otherwise it would be difficult to escape."
After helping him cover up the past without leaving a trace, Pei Xuanyi continued to inquire about Zhang Zongxian's situation.
"He is just an ordinary student. How did he get the answers to the examination? The entire Ministry of Rites was on tight guard during the examination, but the answers were still leaked."
Qin Qixuan had no way of knowing this.
"Zhang Zongxian usually looks like a handsome gentleman. I only knew that he had tampered with my pastries, but I didn't expect that he could even find the answer. In terms of background, his father was just an ordinary official in the court. He worked conscientiously and had no good friends with anyone."
Zhang Zongxian's father!
Qin Xixi's eyes widened. She finally knew who was behind it!
【That's all pretending! On the surface, the old fox is upright and has no personal relationships, but in fact, his relationships with each are better than the last. This Lord Zhang was on good terms with the Minister of Revenue, who was not a good person either. He leaked the answers to Zhang's father, hoping that Zhang Zongxian would enter the court after passing the exam and become his right-hand man. Unexpectedly, Zhang's father was greedy and even sold the answers! 】
Leaking the test questions and selling them privately, what a bold court official!
Pei Xuanyi was a little angry. He knew that if the matter was thoroughly investigated, it would probably cause an uproar and many people would be pulled down.
Maybe his "early death" started from here... Even so, he shouldn't let the termite stay in the court. He believed Qin Xixi's words and immediately prepared to go to investigate the evidence.
"I have almost understood the situation. I will take my leave first."
After saying that, he turned around and left with Fu Qian. Qin Qixuan raised his hand several times, wanting to tell him that Zhang's father was good friends with the Minister of Revenue, but he didn't know how to explain the source of the news. He could only hesitate and prepare to go back for a private meeting.
Little did he know that at this time Pei Xuanyi had already begun to investigate the entry and exit records of the Minister of Revenue in the Ministry of Rites.
He really found something!
Someone saw the Minister of Revenue sneaking into the important place where the test papers were stored. The person was afraid of retaliation and did not dare to testify when questioned for the first time.
A thorough investigation of the eight wine houses in the capital city showed that many people had indeed seen Zhang Zongxian's father and the Minister of Revenue going in and out together one day before the imperial examination. After that, many students met with Zhang's servant in masks and bought the answers to the examination from him.
After hearing the testimony of the witness, the emperor was furious and ordered a search of the two people's homes.
Not only did they find a thousand taels of gold, but they also found several answers that Zhang's father had secretly printed.
The Minister of Revenue fought with Zhang's father on the spot. How could a fool do such a thing and leave such obvious evidence!
In any case, with all the witnesses and evidence, Zhang's father finally burst into tears and knelt in front of the palace to beg the emperor for mercy. After kneeling for a day, he could only be taken to prison and wait for the emperor's punishment.
Zhang's father had confessed his guilt, and Zhang Zongxian should have nothing to say. Unexpectedly, when Pei Xuanyi interrogated him, he insisted that it had nothing to do with him.
"How could Qin Qixuan get the first place in the imperial examination! He must have cheated! Someone must have told him the answer in advance! The first place is mine, mine!"
Looking at the crazy look in front of him, sometimes crying and sometimes laughing, but he kept muttering bad things about Qin Qixuan, claiming that he was the greatest genius of all time...
Pei Xuanyi knew that he had failed, and staggered out of the prison gate.
In a blink of an eye, it was time for the palace examination.
The scandal of the examination leak was known to the whole country. The emperor had been troubled for several days because of the resignation of the Minister of Revenue and the changes in related personnel. At this time, he was even more furious and intended to test the students' true talents and knowledge.
At this time, he deliberately pretended to be serious and looked at Qin Qixuan.
"Qin Qixuan, I heard that Zhang Zongxian insisted that your grades were fake. How do you explain it?"
Qin Qixuan had long expected that this palace examination would not be easy, and he bowed his hands in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.
"I have been studying with you since I was young. Although I have made some progress in recent years, I have never dared to be arrogant and complacent. I have made progress day by day, worked hard day and night, studied hard, and thought about the ways of sages, and finally reached this point. I think I am upright and upright. Your Majesty has a keen eye, and I believe that I will win after the palace examination."
The emperor was not afraid of the stage, and was not frightened by the majesty of the superior. He felt relieved and looked at Qin Qixuan with a high opinion of him, but remained calm on the surface.
Fu Qian also spoke for him after hearing this.
"Qixuan is indeed a talented child. The talent and pattern of his articles are beyond the reach of his peers."
The emperor nodded, said nothing more, and announced the official start of the palace examination.
At this time, Qin Shu had already set up a banquet for Qin Qixuan in the mansion. No matter whether he was the top scholar or the third scholar, her son was her pride!
[Big brother must be the top scholar! ]
Qin Xixi waved her arms and cheered for her big brother. She pouted her little mouth seriously, waiting for the good news.
In fact, Qin Qixuan did not disappoint them.
When he came back, there was a group of guests behind him who congratulated him for being the top scholar. Qin Shu waved her hand and invited all the guests to a banquet.
"Your son is truly a rare young genius! He won the first place in the imperial examination at the first attempt. He is so promising at such a young age!"
"The emperor also admires your son. He rewarded him with golden silk and toured the capital!"
"In the future, your son will be a sixth-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy. Congratulations on your continued promotion!"
Hearing everyone's compliments, Qin Qixuan smiled and thanked them, while Qin Shu smiled and personally entertained the guests coming in and out.
After the excitement, although everyone in the mansion felt a little tired, they were all very happy. Especially Qin Xixi, who was excited for the whole afternoon, but felt tired only in the evening, and fell asleep as soon as the people left.
[In the future, Xixi will have a brother who is the first place in the imperial examination! 】
She fell into a sweet dream, blowing bubbles and mumbling in her sleep, kicking her feet excitedly from time to time.
"Mother, I will never let you suffer any grievances in the future."
Qin Qixuan gently embraced Qin Shu, who was in tears, and made a solemn promise.
The next day, Qin Shu was in a very good mood.
"Our Xixi is still short of a jade bracelet. Mother will take you out today to pick out a suitable one."
[Great! Mother is awesome.]
Qin Xixi rubbed her hands, ready to take her mother to do something big.
The two came to Cuiyuxuan, and just after choosing for a while, they heard a quarrel.
"Who dares to come to my Cuiyuxuan to buy things? You don't have enough money and you dare to pretend to be rich!"
Not far away, a mother and daughter had tears in their eyes, looking at themselves in the mirror, which made people feel sympathetic. Standing aside was the shopkeeper with a sarcastic face. If they didn't know the truth, I'm afraid everyone would think that the boss was deliberately making things difficult.