Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The Crown Grandson had been passionately shouting, “Then have Xu Yanmiao write something right now! We’ll know immediately! If he can replicate the same handwriting, then it’s clear I made a false accusation! I’ve also collected samples of his recent handwriting with his right hand, and it matches the writing on the note!”

“And!” the Crown Grandson’s voice grew even more impassioned. “He can’t even recite ‘When friends come from afar, is it not a joy?’ correctly! He recited it as ‘When friends come from afar, they must be annihilated!’ How could someone like that pass the imperial exams, the provincial exams, or the metropolitan exams? He must have used a substitute to take the exams!”

—This information had been inadvertently discovered by the Crown Grandson through a conversation between Quan Yizhang and another person about Xu Yanmiao. After all, there were no cameras in the imperial examination halls, so as far as he was concerned, claiming it was a case of substitution was as good as fact.

[I’m done for.]

Xu Yanmiao thought bleakly.

The Four Books and Five Classics? He genuinely couldn’t recite them. And ever since becoming a clerk, his work didn’t require such knowledge. Otherwise, he would have already tackled it with the same determination he once had for his university entrance exams.

[There’s no way to explain this; looks like I’m dead meat.]

No!!!

The old emperor and the court officials collectively gasped in shock.

The Minister of Works, on the verge of a heart attack, immediately stood up. “Your Highness, the Crown Grandson, do you have evidence of this alleged substitution? Please do not falsely accuse a good man.”

The Crown Grandson’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

What kind of connections does this Xu Yanmiao have?! He wasn’t surprised that officials involved in the examination process would defend him—they had a vested interest. But you, a Minister of Works, a second-rank official, stepping up for a ninth-rank petty clerk?!

Quan Yizhang seemed to notice the Crown Grandson’s bewildered expression. With a measured movement, he slowly rose from his seat—a privilege granted by the emperor due to his age and status. He typically didn’t involve himself in governmental affairs, serving instead as a figurehead, symbolizing the court’s respect for talent, even those loyal to the previous dynasty.

The Crown Grandson had no choice but to bow respectfully to the elder statesman.

Quan Yizhang ignored him entirely, turning instead to the emperor and bowing lightly. “Your Majesty, I have spent some time with Xu Yanmiao, and he is not the kind of person who would engage in examination fraud.”

Strictly speaking, even if he hadn’t heard Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts, Quan Yizhang didn’t believe that someone as pure-hearted as Xu Yanmiao could commit examination fraud.

The man didn’t even know how to exploit his position for personal gain!

Xu Yanmiao was stunned.

Then, suddenly…

[Sniff sniff sniff, there really are good people in this world! It turns out all that talk about political faction struggles and court intrigue recorded in history books is exaggerated. Most officials are willing to stand up for what’s right!]

Indeed, court officials involved in endless political struggles and factional infighting exchanged guilty, shifty glances.

For a moment, the court was enveloped in an awkward silence.

But the Crown Grandson pulled them back to the topic at hand. “Of course I have evidence!”

He didn’t. But as he had said before, there were no cameras in the imperial examination halls.

The Crown Grandson declared resolutely, “Three days before the imperial examination, Xu Yanmiao secretly met with the chief examiner, Assistant Minister He Bi of the Ministry of Rites! Because of this, the Assistant Minister turned a blind eye to the substitution!”

Assistant Minister He Bi nearly fainted on the spot.

He had never even met Xu Yanmiao! Before hearing his thoughts today, he didn’t even know who Xu Yanmiao was! He only ever had secret meetings with high-ranking officials! The Crown Grandson… was trying to ruin him! An accusation like turning a blind eye to fraud could easily lead to demotion or even execution!

Unfazed, the Crown Grandson continued, “And furthermore…”

The Crown Grandson proceeded to implicate a slew of other officials in the supposed conspiracy, showing no regard for the consequences to their lives.

Xu Yanmiao gazed at them with sympathy.

[Sorry, but I can’t even save myself right now…]

Flipping through his gossip system, Xu Yanmiao sighed deeply.

He had the dirt to refute the Crown Grandson’s claims, but he couldn’t explain how he got the information.

[Three days before the examination, I secretly met with the chief examiner? Impossible. That night, Assistant Minister He Bi dressed as a woman and stayed overnight at the General’s residence, and the two of them…]

The two of them what?!

The officials collectively lost their composure, their eyes lighting up with the spark of juicy gossip.

And! Assistant Minister He Bi cross-dressing? So scandalous! Could it be that the two were having an affair?!

The General stiffened, desperately trying to interrupt Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts. “Your Majesty!!!!”

“While it’s true that the evidence of examination fraud is damning, I believe there is more to this matter and that it should be thoroughly re-investigated! Especially since Xu… Xu… Xu Yanmiao’s attire is impeccable! How could someone so meticulous about their appearance tarnish their own reputation?!”

The Crown Grandson’s face turned a shade greener than the emperor’s had when his bed habits were exposed earlier.

Such an absurd excuse—how could you say it with a straight face?!

Xu Yanmiao’s inner voice finally stilled.

He changed his tune. [Thank you! Thank you, General! You’re a good person!]

The General nodded vigorously.

Yes, yes, I’m a good person. As for my affairs with Assistant Minister He Bi, let’s let them remain buried forev—

[I swear on my life! I would never reveal that you secretly met with Assistant Minister He Bi late at night, suspected the emperor of mistrusting his sworn brothers, and had the Assistant Minister dress as a woman for a ruse!]

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