"Miss Zhong, my young master requests your presence..."
Zhong Qi'er was already furious. When she saw who it was, she snorted coldly, "When has your young master ever come to me with good news? Where is he?"
"Miss Zhong, please come with me."
Half an hour later, Zhong Qi'er was brought to the gate of a mansion. "Why is your young master here? In such a remote place, has he gotten into big trouble?"
"Miss Zhong, please go ahead. The young master will speak to you."
Perhaps hearing the commotion outside, the gate was opened a crack, and Zhu Cheng quickly pulled Zhong Qi'er inside.
"Zhu Cheng, what are you doing!"
Zhong Qi'er pulled Zhu Cheng's hand away. "Why did you sneak me here? I'm already upset about Brother Wei Ruo's matter. That Guo Siyuan actually managed to get Brother Wei Ruo to speak up for her. She's no simple character."
"Guo Siyuan?"
Upon hearing Guo Siyuan's name, Zhu Cheng's legs went weak. "Qi'er, I think I've gotten myself into a huge mess."
Seeing Zhu Cheng's expression, Zhong Qi'er also straightened her expression and asked, "What trouble have you gotten into?"
She and Zhu Cheng had always been close, and she naturally knew Zhu Cheng's troublesome nature.
"The rumors of cheating in the imperial examinations were spread by my people..."
Before Zhu Cheng could finish speaking, Zhong Qi'er immediately took a few steps away from him, exclaiming, "What? Are you crazy!"
"I'm not crazy, Qi'er, I'm just out of my mind."
Zhu Cheng is now filled with remorse. "I was already unhappy that Chang Ke humiliated me at Minghe Tower that day, and then the Empress Dowager indulged those women and even personally took them to Minghe Tower."
"Since ancient times, what reason has there been for a woman to ascend the Minghe Tower?"
"I was even confined by my father for arguing with Chang Ke, and I wasn't released until the day before the autumn examination." Zhu Cheng's voice trembled. "I prepared for this examination for three years, but I failed. Yet thirty women made the list. What is this if not cheating?"
"But you have no evidence, how can you spread rumors and cause trouble at will?"
Even Zhong Qi'er found this absurd, "Besides, today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, are you really courting death?"
"I swear I only spread rumors; I didn't call those troublemakers this morning!"
Zhu Cheng raised his right hand and swore to the heavens. Even he himself had never imagined that the rumors would escalate into this uncontrollable situation.
"Given the current situation, what can I do even if you call me here?"
Zhong Qi'er frowned deeply. If the higher-ups really investigated this huge mess, she could lose her head.
"You can help me, Qi'er. The Emperor has entrusted this matter to Kui Ruo for investigation. Please go to him and plead for me." Zhu Cheng grabbed Zhong Qi'er's sleeve. "I really did this because I was just indignant."
"Should I go to Brother Wei Ruo to plead for him?"
“You’re his only sister, you can definitely plead for her.” Zhu Cheng’s mind was racing. “Didn’t you just mention Guo Siyuan? He’s speaking up for Guo Siyuan right now. If you just let things develop like this, how can he possibly respect you?”
"What does this have to do with you spreading rumors?"
"Yes, of course it's related."
Sweat dripped down Zhu Cheng's forehead. "As long as this matter is left unresolved, these women will forever carry the possibility of cheating, while your brother and Guo Siyuan will have no chance at all."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Qi'er remained silent for a moment.
After half an incense stick had burned, he slowly spoke again, "I can only try to plead for you. As for the outcome, you must pray for good luck."
"good."
......
Zhaoning Palace.
Looking at the hesitant Gu Qingyan and the silent Gu Lin beside him, Jiang Yu immediately had a bad feeling.
"Something happened at Lingyun Garden?"
“This morning I received news that someone was spreading rumors that the thirty female candidates who passed the imperial examination had cheated. Some people were incited and surrounded Lingyun Garden.”
As Gu Qingyan spoke, he observed Jiang Yu's expression. Seeing that Jiang Yu's face was not good, he quickly added, "However, I have already asked Wei Ruo to investigate this matter. I believe that the truth will soon come out and those women will be cleared of all charges."
“I naturally believe in Wei Ruo’s abilities.”
Jiang Yu nodded, and the food she ate began to taste rather bland.
"Don't worry, Ayu. I'll go check on this matter later. It's probably just a rumor spread by someone who failed the imperial examination and is resentful." Gu Lin patted Jiang Yu's hand. "Lingyun Garden has already sent people to protect them. Those commoners can't hurt them."
"good."
Despite saying that, Jiang Yu's mood began to noticeably drop. Seeing this, Gu Qingyan gave Yingzhi a look, and Yingzhi immediately left Zhaoning Palace.
Before long, Jiang Yao skipped and hopped into Zhaoning Palace.
Happy birthday, Auntie!
Jiang Yao ran to Jiang Yu's side, holding a crooked painting in her hands. "This is Yao Yao's birthday gift for Auntie."
Seeing this, Jiang Yu took the drawing paper, then her lips twitched, and she cautiously asked, "What did Yao Yao draw...?"
"The painting depicts my aunt and Yaoyao."
The two people on the drawing paper look exactly alike, differing only in size.
"Yaoyao wants to stay by her aunt's side and accompany her forever."
In just a few words, Jiang Yu was successfully amused by Jiang Yao. "Thank you, Yao Yao, Auntie."
"Also, Yao Yao reads every day now."
"read?"
Jiang Yao nodded, "Yao Yao will become a female top scholar in the future."
"A female top scholar?" Jiang Yu happily hugged Jiang Yao. "Our Yao Yao has such high aspirations. Auntie will definitely find the best tutor for Yao Yao so that she can become a female top scholar in the future."
Jiang Yao nestled in Jiang Yu's arms and gave Jiang Yu a small kiss on the face. Her aunt's arms were so fragrant and soft, she loved it the most!
But as Jiang Yu put Jiang Yao down and prepared to stand up, she suddenly felt dizzy.
"Mother!"
"Ayu!"
In the last moment before she lost consciousness, Jiang Yu heard Gu Qingyan and Gu Lin calling her urgently.
Wanji ran all the way to invite Mei Chu, and the news of Jiang Yu's coma also spread. The people who were causing trouble outside Lingyun Garden also dispersed in a hurry.
The entire capital city fell into a deathly silence.
The Empress Dowager has fainted? And on her birthday no less? Could it be that she fainted from anger over this rumor?
Those courtiers who had the privilege of experiencing what happened four years ago felt a chill run down their spines, fearing that the retired emperor might have to personally intervene this time.
This has really caused a huge mess.
Inside Zhaoning Palace, Mei Chu ran until his back was covered in sweat. After quickly calming his breathing, he reached out and checked Jiang Yu's pulse. A few breaths later, as if he couldn't believe his own judgment, Mei Chu checked Jiang Yu's pulse again.
Then her eyes widened in disbelief. How could this be...?
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