"This...this is a frame-up!"
Wang Jian staggered backward, bumping into the coiled dragon pillar, his voice tinged with panic.
Shen Jintang placed the account book on the gilded Sumeru pedestal, making a clear, resonant sound, his voice carrying a hint of authority: "Since the Minister claims it's a frame-up, why not tell us the truth?"
The eldest princess slightly raised her hand, the pearls on her nine-phoenix court crown swaying gently, her voice carrying a hint of coldness: "Minister Wang, do you wish to explain?"
Wang Jian collapsed to the ground, unable to produce any evidence to refute Shen Jintang's claims.
The iron eaves jingled, and the court was deathly silent, except for Shen Jintang's fingers gently moving across the account book.
After this morning court session, Shen Jintang's name spread throughout the court.
She is decisive and efficient in her actions, never dragging her feet when handling government affairs, and able to quickly grasp the crux of the problem.
In the imperial court, his words were sharp yet logical, and his arguments were clear and unassailable.
His abilities were so great that everyone in the court was wary of him.
Most importantly, although she did not hold a high official position, she was a confidante of the eldest princess.
When she does something, everyone has to give her face.
In the imperial court, everyone felt insecure. Shen Jintang was like a sharp blade hanging over everyone's heads, ready to fall at any moment.
"Well done, they need to be warned."
After the court session, the eldest princess was clearly in a good mood.
She didn't ask how Shen Jintang obtained the ledger, nor did she care how Shen Jintang had manipulated Li Lang; all she cared about was whether Shen Jintang could meet her requirements.
It looks pretty good now.
Shen Jintang lowered his head slightly, very humble, and said, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's excellent teaching. I just did what I was supposed to do."
A hint of admiration flashed in the princess's eyes; she liked intelligent people.
The Eastern Palace.
"Tuizhi, you've arrived early today!"
A familiar voice came from behind him. Gu Zhixing turned around and saw Gu Junze standing behind him with a half-smile on his lips.
Good morning, Cousin Crown Prince.
Gu Zhixing nodded slightly, his tone indifferent, and his gaze immediately returned to the book in his hands, as if he did not care about Gu Junze's appearance.
He came to the Eastern Palace for the imperial examinations, not to speak with Gu Junze.
Furthermore, he and Gu Junze had nothing to say to each other.
Some time ago, he even got into a fight with Gu Junze because Gu Junze bullied Gu Yanqing.
Because of this incident, he was transferred from the Eastern Palace to the Imperial Academy.
Even then, Gu Junze didn't stop, and fabricated some baseless charges against him, making it impossible for him to stay at the Imperial Academy.
He beat up Gu Junze, and Gu Junze also ruined his reputation.
In his view, the matter was now closed.
Upon seeing Gu Zhixing's appearance, Gu Junze's eyes darkened.
He walked slowly to Gu Zhixing's side, raised his hand and pressed down on Gu Zhixing's book page, and smiled: "Tuizhi, are you studying so hard for the imperial examination?"
Someone had told him before that Gu Zhixing had been working hard these days, but he didn't quite believe it.
In retrospect, the rumors weren't all false.
Gu Zhixing looked up at him, his expression calm: "That's right. The imperial examinations are just around the corner, and we dare not slack off."
We dare not slack off?
That's absolutely hilarious!
In Kyoto, who doesn't know that the eldest son of the Gu family is a master at riding horses and playing with birds, and reading books?
Don't even think about studying in peace!
Gu Junze chuckled and turned to the teacher standing to the side, saying, "Teacher, I have already memorized today's lesson. Besides, Tuizhi is here to prepare for the exam, and our lectures will disturb him. So, we don't need to give any more lectures before the imperial examination."
The teacher was taken aback, glancing at Gu Zhixing and then at Gu Junze, a troubled expression on his face: "Your Highness, this... the eldest son of the Gu family came here specifically to listen to the lecture today. If we exempt him from the class, I'm afraid..."
Gu Junze raised an eyebrow, his tone turning colder: "What? The matter of the Crown Prince isn't up to me?"
The Master bowed quickly: "I dare not, I dare not. Since His Highness the Crown Prince has given the order, this old man will obey."
Gu Zhixing's grip on the book tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white. He knew that Gu Junze was making things difficult for him.
He wasn't one to take things lying down, so he immediately snorted and said, "Isn't my cousin, the Crown Prince, a bit too arrogant? If you know everything, why are you still studying in the Eastern Palace at almost thirty?"
These words immediately struck a nerve with Gu Junze.
Whose crown prince turned out like him?
The emperor was seriously ill and unable to handle state affairs. Logically, the crown prince should have been in charge of overseeing the country.
However, the emperor handed over the reins of government to the eldest princess.
Fifteen years ago, I could say I was young, but what about now?
He's almost thirty, and he's still locked up in this Eastern Palace learning all sorts of nonsense!
Gu Junze was furious and let out a cold laugh.
But he took a deep breath, suppressed his displeasure, and said, "Yes, I don't understand, and I don't want to learn. Since you've entered my Eastern Palace, you should be like me, doing whatever I say."
"you!"
Gu Zhixing was so angry that he stood up abruptly. He had never seen such a shameless person!
"What? You still want to fight?" Gu Junze spread his hands, took a step back, and looked at Gu Zhixing provocatively, saying, "Come on, let's fight!"
Gu Zhixing's hands, hanging at his sides, curled slightly, but ultimately did not fall.
He came to the Eastern Palace to study. If he hit someone, the Eastern Palace naturally cannot expel the Crown Prince; the only one who can be expelled is him.
The tutor was assigned to the Crown Prince's palace, so naturally he couldn't go with her; otherwise, Mother wouldn't have sent him to the Crown Prince's palace.
In other words, after this punch, he would have no choice but to leave the Eastern Palace.
Thinking of this, Gu Zhixing could only sit down again.
This was the first time in his life that Gu Zhixing had suffered a setback, and he felt terrible.
Seeing this, Gu Junze sneered, turned around and led his entourage to the side, where they began to chat and laugh, with occasional playful banter.
Gu Zhixing sat there, unable to concentrate on reading a single word of the book in his hands.
Time passed slowly, but the Master showed no sign of beginning his lecture, and Gu Zhixing's heart sank.
As darkness fell, Gu Zhixing finally reached his breaking point.
He closed the book, stood up, walked to Gu Junze, bowed, and said in a calm but restrained tone, "Cousin Crown Prince, it was wrong of me to hit someone last time. I have come to apologize to you today. I hope that Your Highness will be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
Gu Junze looked up at him, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Oh? An apology? Tuizhi, your apology isn't very sincere."
Gu Zhixing raised his eyes, his gaze calm: "Cousin Crown Prince, please tell me how you wish me to apologize."
Gu Junze chuckled and waved his hand. Immediately, several servants brought over several jars of wine and placed them heavily in front of Gu Zhixing.
He pointed to the wine jars and said slowly, "Since you want to apologize, you should at least make it look like you are. If you finish these jars of wine, I will have the tutor begin his lecture, how about that?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
