Chapter 336: Chapter 336

As Gongsun Wan’s hands moved, the Emperor’s expression relaxed considerably. At this moment, Gongsun Wan softly said, "Your Majesty, you must take care of your health. Your illness has caused everyone a great deal of worry."

"After hearing about Your Majesty’s illness, Prince Liang became extremely anxious and couldn’t sleep for several days. It wasn’t until Your Majesty awoke that he finally collapsed from exhaustion."

Hearing this, the Emperor didn’t open her eyes, merely humming softly in acknowledgment before saying, "This child has been pure-hearted since he was young and is genuinely close to me, his aunt."

Gongsun Wan smiled and said, "That’s true. Whenever Prince Liang acquires something good, the first person he thinks of is Your Majesty."

Prompted by Gongsun Wan, the Emperor’s mind was now filled with Prince Liang’s virtues. She couldn’t help but say, "Call him over. He was wronged and confined for these past few days; he has suffered."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of a smile flashed in Gongsun Wan’s eyes, and she immediately agreed.

It wasn’t long before Pei Yuanqing arrived.

This period of confinement had caused him to lose a significant amount of weight. Upon seeing the Emperor, his first words were of concern for her health.

Seeing Pei Yuanqing so emaciated, the Emperor felt a pang of heartache. She sighed and called him to her side to offer comfort.

Gongsun Wan’s gaze had been fixed on Prince Liang from the moment he appeared. Seeing his haggard state, a flicker of heartache showed in her eyes, though she quickly concealed it.

The King of Chu was arrested for rebellion, and the evidence of him framing Prince Liang was irrefutable. Naturally, Prince Liang was cleared of any wrongdoing.

When Qiao Muchen and his companions encountered Prince Liang, who was on his way to see the Emperor as they were leaving the palace, they knew he would soon be free.

The two parties only exchanged a glance and didn’t engage in further conversation.

Afterwards, they went their separate ways.

Zhao Zhitong said, "Alright, let’s hurry and leave too."

She didn’t particularly like the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace.

The group then exited the palace and returned to the familiar inn. They had paid for two months’ rent, so they weren’t worried about the inn boss having discarded their belongings after their few days’ absence.

When they arrived at the inn, quite a few scholars were still present.

Upon seeing Qiao Muchen and the others, who had been missing for several days, many people curiously came forward to inquire, including the Liu Yuan brothers and Liang Heng.

"Brother Qiao, Brother Zhao, you’re finally back! We haven’t seen any trace of you these past few days; we were terribly worried," Liu Yuan and the other two said, approaching with concern.

After Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue thanked the three for their concern, Qiao Muchen asked, "Why haven’t you left the Capital City yet?"

Not only were they still there, but the number of scholars in the inn hadn’t decreased much compared to before Qiao Muchen’s group had entered the palace.

Logically, since the cost of living in the Capital City was very high, candidates who learned they hadn’t passed the examinations would usually return to their hometowns to continue their studies.

Liang Heng chuckled and said in a low voice, "You wouldn’t know, but while you were gone, so much happened in the Capital City. The King of Chu led troops to attack the Imperial Palace, and rumors were flying everywhere for a time."

"Moreover, the top three scholars still haven’t been announced, and rumors are circulating throughout the Capital City that the Emperor fell ill and might..."

He didn’t dare finish his sentence, then added, "So, everyone decided not to leave."

Liang Heng and the others explained in great detail, fearing Qiao Muchen’s group might be uninformed, unaware that they had been firsthand witnesses to these events.

After Liu Yuan and his companions finished their explanation, they asked, "Oh, by the way, where have you been these past few days? We were really worried sick."

Just as Qiao Muchen was trying to think of an excuse, a scholar in the inn, one who had always been jealous of him, sneered.

"Ah, Liu Yuan, isn’t that a rhetorical question? Where else could he have gone? Obviously, his name wasn’t on the list, so he lost face and went into hiding."

"Hahaha, I didn’t expect us all to still be here! He must have lost a lot of face this time, right?"

As the man spoke, he began to laugh mockingly.

Others couldn’t help but join in the mockery. This behavior naturally irked the scholars who hadn’t passed, and they began to argue with them.

For a while, the inn became quite noisy.

Just as everyone was arguing, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly rang out from the street. The people in the inn stopped their squabbling and pricked up their ears to listen.

"It’s joyous news! It’s an official announcement of joyous news!"

After someone shouted in pleasant surprise, the scholars in the inn instantly grew excited. They stopped arguing and streamed out of the inn. Newest update provıded by novel※fire.net

After the Emperor personally selected the top three scholars, official announcements of the joyous news would be delivered to their lodgings, followed by the new Top Scholar’s parade.

As the official bearing the joyous news passed the inn’s entrance, he stopped and called out to the people there, "Is Young Master Qiao Muchen present?"

The official’s question startled everyone in the inn; they didn’t quite understand why he was calling for Qiao Muchen.

Liu Yuan was the first to react, immediately calling out, "Here, he’s here!"

Then he pushed Qiao Muchen forward and said to the official, "This is Qiao Muchen."

The official looked at Qiao Muchen, and after confirming there was no mistake, he congratulated Qiao Muchen with a beaming smile.

Upon hearing the official announcer use the words "new Top Scholar," those who had just been mocking Qiao Muchen were dumbfounded, their faces etched with disbelief.

"No, Officer, you must have made a mistake."

"Yes, Officer, could there be a mistake? Qiao Muchen... how could he possibly be the new Top Scholar?"

The official, displeased at being questioned, looked at them. "Hey, what are you talking about? How could I possibly make a mistake in such an important matter?"

"Young Master Qiao was personally appointed as the new Top Scholar by the Emperor. It’s written clearly in black and white on the announcement. Are you questioning Her Majesty’s decision?"

Questioning the Emperor was something they wouldn’t dare do, even if they had ten times the courage. After being rebuked, they immediately backed down and repeatedly apologized, though their disbelief was still palpable.

They remained in a daze until Qiao Muchen changed into the Top Scholar’s formal attire, mounted a tall, majestic horse, and began his parade.

Firecrackers exploded, and gongs and drums sounded, creating a jubilant atmosphere.

Many commoners lined both sides of the road, all eager to catch a glimpse of the new Top Scholar.

Zhao Zhitong and the others were also in the crowd. Watching Qiao Muchen, dressed in red and riding a majestic horse, slowly make his way forward, they all felt a sense of shared glory.

Zhao Yue fanned himself, his face beaming with pride. He tugged Zhao Zhitong, saying, "Hey, hey, look at Qiao Muchen’s smug grin! He must be feeling on top of the world now."

Zhao Zhitong was busy waving at Qiao Muchen, completely ignoring what Zhao Yue was saying.

Qiao Muchen’s gaze had also been searching the crowd. When Zhao Zhitong waved, his eyes found her. His usually calm eyes suddenly sparkled, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"The new Top Scholar is so handsome!"

"Yes, truly a man of striking appearance and talent! With looks and scholarship like his, he’d even be a match for a princess."

Comments like these, praising Qiao Muchen, came intermittently from the surrounding crowd.

Listening to the praises, Zhao Zhitong’s face flushed with excitement, and she bounced up and down, tugging at Wei Shulan.

Wei Shulan laughed with a hint of helplessness. "Tongtong, why are you so worked up? It’s not like you’re the one in the parade."