Chapter 467: Chapter 467

Red gates and red walls, the Imperial Palace is formidable in every aspect. The heavy eaves of the roofs, reflecting glimmers from the glazed tiles.

The hall’s interior is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, shining with gold and splendor.

"Since the passing of your maternal grandfather, Jing Mansion has lost its past brilliance. Those uncles of yours are even less useful, not to mention worse than that low-born son of your aunt! They have only dragged you down."

Princess Consort Jing put down the green and white glazed lotus cup without drinking the blood bird’s nest inside. She always dressed like an innocent, but her heart was extremely malicious.

With a tender and alluring posture, her face was painted with sorrow.

With Minister of the Ministry of Justice Zou Wei plotting for Ji Zhui, what else does her son Wang have?

If she were the Empress, Wang would be the Crown Prince. An unremarkable Ji Zhui would only be mud on the ground.

They say the official family is fond of her, but since Old Master Jing passed away, Emperor He’s visits to her palace have grown less and less frequent. The last time he stroked her face, he seemed infatuated, as if looking at someone else. But his expression grew increasingly indifferent.

Those three words struck her like a bolt from the blue. Her body couldn’t help but tremble.

Ji Wang stood respectfully to one side, silent.

Princess Consort Jing looked at him softly.

"You’ve lost weight."

"In recent days, I’ve avoided seeing you too often to evade suspicion."

"How could I blame you?"

The glint in Princess Consort Jing’s eyes turned cold: "Your Father Emperor is deliberately neglecting you while promoting Ji Ge! If I hadn’t taken out the late Emperor’s imperial gold medal left by your grandfather to protect you and pleaded repeatedly on your behalf, how could he have spared us mother and child!"

It’s laughable that the most heartless and ungrateful person still believes in their deep affection.

She hated Consort Shao, yet she also pitied her.

In response, Ji Wang’s face also turned cold.

He knew better than anyone that Emperor He had considered moving against him.

With turmoil in various places, this should be good for him. But Ji Wang, a cautious man, dared not take risks.

"Mother need not worry."

"As for the matter with the students, as soon as there was news, the Eastern Palace took action. If it is investigated, you may also..."

Ji Wang responded quickly this time.

"Father is wary, it is best not to show up and avoid attracting trouble."

Ji Zhui is not foolish, he would only act because he is the Crown Prince and must. He knows, Emperor He wants to see blood.

So be it, follow His Majesty’s intent.

Speaking of which, he sneered coldly.

"Those who tampered with the examinations were not just me. Does Mother think Ji Zhui is clean? How many in the court, both civil and military, are clean? How can they investigate? This is not an easy task. Father Emperor is getting on in years, becoming fearful of death, afraid that the Dragon Throne will not be secure. Does he dare?"

He just never thought that those officials from Hengzhou, at the moment of death, would actually betray him.

Outside, the rain never stopped.

The sky was heavy and dark, as if it could press down at any moment. An oppressive atmosphere enveloped people’s hearts.

The people of the Imperial Censorate arrived in an imposing manner, not even glancing at Ji Zhui as they knelt in silence, clearly siding with Imperial Censor Shu.

After the Imperial Physician arrived, he hesitantly administered medicine pills to those half-dead and beaten individuals.

Ji Ge knew these people would not die.

At least, those who could come here were all learned and capable individuals.

And Ji Teng valued talent.

Once he assumes the throne, the court will likely undergo a major bloodletting.

Indeed, after taking the medicine pills, Lu Changzhou, whose face was the palest and seemed on the verge of death, although still weak, was no longer barely breathing.

He felt slightly relieved at heart.

He couldn’t help but straighten his posture.

Ji Ge suddenly felt very smug.

Even when he looked at Ji Zhui again, he felt that the man was nothing more than a dumb donkey. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net

What did it matter if Ji Zhui was the Crown Prince? He was still played like a fiddle by Ji Teng with a mere flick of his finger. Let alone Ji Teng, even he had surpassed Ji Zhui at this moment.

This emotion lasted until he saw a dark shadow approaching from the end of the official road.

The aged Grand Tutor, dressed in the immortal crane robe of a First-Rank Civil Officer, was supported by Mr. Mo from the Imperial College.

Both the Grand Tutor and Mr. Mo were figures whom all scholars throughout the land had to address as teacher. The two knelt at the very forefront of the students, lending silent support.

The beans-sized raindrops smashed down, while the wind howled as if weeping, yet the bloody water on the ground seemed as if it could never be washed clean.

The Grand Tutor, a man who wouldn’t kneel even in the presence of Emperor He, had grown noticeably frailer over the years. Seeing him , the surrounding students’ eyes turned red.

Standing there, Ji Zhui also became exceptionally conspicuous.

It was at this moment that Emperor He arrived.

Eunuch Ying followed behind him, holding an umbrella. Yet despite this, the hem of his robes was still largely wet.

As his figure appeared, one plea after another overlapped in the curtain of rain. Underneath, no one could see the impatience and darkness in the depths of his eyes.

"Oh my, Grand Tutor, why are you kneeling? You’re completely soaked through."

Eunuch Ying instructed a little eunuch to hold the umbrella for Emperor He and swiftly opened another one, hastening forward to help the old man up.

His actions were a representation of Emperor He’s will.

"This sinner dares not rise."

With a heavy sigh, the Grand Tutor said: "If students wish to pass the examinations and advance, they must go through several selections: county examination for child students, Prefecture Examination for Scholars, College Examination for scholar, rural examination for scholar, Imperial Examination for advanced student, and only those ranked among the top may be granted an audience with the Emperor in the Palace Examination. One can see this path is anything but easy."

"These students, who should have had a brilliant future, have all been ruined. They have been delayed for years, their time wasted. This is not only their misfortune but also a misfortune for our Da Qi."

"As the Grand Tutor, I have failed the late Emperor. Failed the official family, and do not deserve the title of ’teacher’ spoken by scholars and writers."

He bore the blame squarely on his shoulders while delivering a resounding slap to the court officials’ faces.

Emperor He knew that this matter could not conclude well.

Following Your Majesty’s intent, Ji Zhui came to his senses and quickly stepped forward: "Mr. Mo is currently in mourning, yet he made the effort to come here for this matter. This is the good fortune of these students."

Mr. Mo replied, "I dare not accept such praise."

Ji Zhui added, "Grand Tutor, you care for these students, but how could Father not feel the same way?"

"The rules in the palace are strict, and even if there’s a will, punishment cannot be completely overlooked. Father’s presence here shows his determination to take charge. You should stand up first and go to the side hall to change into some dry clothes. The rain seems unlikely to stop, and if you don’t change, then these students will also dare not change. If they get injured or soaked to the bone, I fear it wouldn’t be good."

Ji Ge had seen something new.

This was the art of speech.

Emperor He’s delay in arriving was apparently a reluctant choice. Ji Zhui’s previous cold observance was also the same.

How ridiculous, what’s the use of such laws?

To leave them as an inheritance for Shen?

"Disperse, all of you. I will give a resolution to this matter," declared Emperor He.

Soon after, the two men were helped away, and those students were also carried off.

From beginning to end, Emperor He never once looked at Ji Ge as he ascended the Dragon Chariot.

After the crowd had dispersed, Ji Ge looked down at the bloodstains on the ground, diluted by the rain. He knew that after this storm had passed, and all the sins had been swallowed clean, it would all be summed up in one sentence:

—His Majesty is benevolent.

This is the way of the world.

A clap of thunder rumbled across the sky.

Ji Ge, drenched to the bone, made his way to the outside. The official road was deserted.

His journey was also a difficult one.

As he exited the palace gate, he saw the carriage from the Marquis Yangling Mansion come to a stop, the distinct hand of Cui Yun drew back the curtain and stepped down from the vehicle.

He accepted the umbrella Ji Qing handed him, standing aloof and detached. The rain slanted down, and the umbrella was lowered very close, revealing only half of his jade-like jaw that stirred one’s imagination.

As he walked, the black boots with the pattern of auspicious clouds splashed through the puddles, scattering water droplets around.