The door of the dormitory was pushed open, and Du Wulang was already shouting excitedly before he entered.
"Number one! Did you know that you, an ignorant and unskilled person, are actually the number one?"
However, looking around, Xue Bai was not in the dormitory.
Du Wulang was surprised. He was worried about whether Xue Bai was in jail again, when he suddenly saw a note on the case, which said "I'm back to your home". The handwriting was quite beautiful, and it was actually written by Xue Bai.
"You didn't even look at the results? Even though it's just the annual test."
Du Wulang rushed to Xue's house in Changshoufang, and first told the happy news that Xue Bai had won the first place, and discussed how to celebrate.
Suddenly, he found that Xue Bai was not there, and then he remembered that the note said that he had returned to the Du family in Pingfang.
I blame him for not paying attention, he just saw the note and ran over in a hurry, so he had to rush back to Du's house.
"Hush!"
When I arrived at the side door, I happened to meet Xue Bai and Du Youlin, talking and walking side by side to the front yard.
"I'm leaving now."
While talking, Du Youlin turned around and saw Du Wulang, and his slightly happy face turned serious.
"Grandma, we have passed the New Year Examination."
"Do you really think it's your own ability?"
Du Youlin snorted coldly, got on his horse and went out.
"Hey, you got the top spot." Du Wulang nudged Xue Bai with his elbow and smiled brightly, "Who would dare to say that we are hanging around in the Imperial College in the future?"
"No one has ever said that about me."
Xue Bai turned around and walked to the study.
Quan Rui, the steward at the front, came out holding a gift box and said, "Xue Lang, you're ready."
"Thank you, Uncle Quan."
Xue Bai took the gift box and asked Du Wulang, "Can you go to Yang Zhao's house?"
"ah?"
Du Wulang was surprised.
In May, he and Xue Bai went to Yang's house to deliver Dragon Boat Festival gifts, and saw Pei Rou's enthusiasm, and her charming eyes seemed to want to eat up their young man.
"I'm not suitable to go, right? But if I must go, I will go."
"Okay." Xue Bai said, "You go, just to congratulate Yang Xuan for passing the annual exam. He may be in the same year in the future."
Du Wulang reluctantly laughed twice and muttered to himself: "If we were the same age as him, I would really, alas."
After receiving the gift box, he opened it and took a look. Inside was a picture of "A Journey of Ten Thousand Miles" written by his grandfather himself.
Although his grandfather's calligraphy is good, it is definitely not valuable. He traveled all the way to give me just this thing.
Seeing Quan Rui walk away, Du Wulang chuckled.
"I'm not stupid. Let's talk. What kind of words do you want Yang Zhao and I to say?"
~~
Xue Bai opened the door and the Du sisters were sitting in the room.
Ever since he went to Zhongnan Mountain in July and was busy with the annual exams when he came back, he hadn't spent much time with them for a month.
Xue Bai hadn't even told Du Jin that he had new ambitions. Although those things are very exciting to think about, it is actually better to reveal them slowly.
"When I came out of the Imperial College today, someone was already watching me." Xue Bai said, "Is it convenient to send someone to deliver the message without being followed?"
"Okay." Du Jin said, "I'll ask Qu Shui to go to Fengwei Building. There will be many trustworthy people to deliver the news."
"Help me find Lao Liang and Jiang Hai and ask them to meet me at the Imperial College. Send a message to Guo Qianli. I have written it down. It is not convenient for me to go to Guojiu's Mansion and Madam Guo Guo's Mansion in the near future, so I need to bring a message to them both. ;Also, use our manpower to track down Pei Mian..."
Under Du Jin's management, although Fengweilou has made little progress in its dishes, its scale is no longer the same.
She opened branches in Pingkang, Xuanyang, Guangde, Changshou, and Xingqing, not to make money, but to facilitate inquiring and passing on information.
She almost had her family destroyed, and she cared about these things very much.
"This time, are we cooperating with Yang Hui and his wife?"
Xue Bai said: "As long as Yang Hui and his wife are on our side, it will be difficult for my opponent to prove that I am Xue Pingzhao, and then involve me in the case of three common people. So, how can Xue Bai, who has no identity, be the one behind the turmoil in Chang'an? Black hand?"
"So, they will definitely find ways to expose our cooperation with this couple."
"We have to guard against this trick first. I have already made arrangements for the annual exam."
Du Mei was careful and reminded softly: "Although you have arranged everything properly, you still have to be on guard against mistakes in the princess's mansion."
"Um."
Xue Bai got the reminder and turned to look at her. Instead, she glanced at Du Jin and lowered her head.
They discussed the details of how to deal with the incident and then talked about the situation.
"The case of the three common people has already passed, and no one wants to mention it more. Now someone is willing to bring this case out, just to deal with me?"
"Is it because the salt tax is such a threat to Ge Nu that he doesn't hesitate to resort to this killer move?"
"An Lushan is about to enter the capital. Genu should be preparing to attack Pei Kuan. Why bother?"
"In my opinion, Zheng Qian's case is more like... someone threw a piece of meat among the wild beasts to induce them to fight."
"There seems to be some temptation."
Xue Bai originally had a premonition, but he couldn't describe his intuition like them.
"So, someone wants to use this matter to lead to a fight between the East Palace and the right minister in advance, and also wants to introduce the idea that 'Li Heng instigated Li Jian to falsely accuse Li Ying'."
"No one has ever said that Li Heng was the instigator, right?"
"It's just a random guess on my part. But I don't want to get involved in the dispute prematurely. If Zheng Qian had not happened, I would have only planned to become an official to accumulate strength..."
Speaking of this, Xue Bai had a thought in his mind and vaguely guessed who might have sued Zheng Qian.
He had reminded Li Cong not long ago that so soon, two manuscripts of Zheng Qian were produced, and both manuscripts mentioned Li Cong.
Zheng Qian clearly has many more serious manuscripts "criticizing Chengyu", so why are these two the only ones? It can be seen that the other party did not intend to kill Zheng Qian.
Now guess the other party’s purpose.
First of all, if an official close to the East Palace is imprisoned, the right prime minister's family will instinctively attack the East Palace. Since Xue Bai played a trick on Li Linfu last time, interested people have learned to take advantage of this; secondly, bring out the past events of the year, observe the reactions of various forces to the three common people case, and test Li Longji's bottom line.
But Li Cong shouldn't be so capable. How could he get Zheng Qian's manuscripts when he was locked up in the Ten Kings' House? Moreover, knowing that Li Linfu would use this matter to attack Yan Guan, he should not have done so.
Xue Bai still couldn't figure it out completely.
The most important thing right now is self-protection.
…
Du Jin went to arrange things and returned to Xue Bai's house, only to see that Du Jin was no longer there.
"It's done."
"good."
"Will there be danger again this time?"
"Looking at the bright side, we were forces like Li Shizhi and Pei Kuan that were about to be eliminated, but now we are still growing tenaciously in the cracks."
Du Jin smiled.
The two of them were leaning against the couch.
"Am I coming over tonight?"
"If I don't tolerate it any longer, I'm afraid I'll be found guilty of fraud at any time and I'll be arrested."
"Huh? Are you bleeding?"
Xue Bai smiled bitterly. He had been practicing Qing Dynasty since he went to Zhongnan Mountain. In the meantime, he only saw Yang Yuyao. He was very dry and drank a lot of salvia soup.
"Too self-respecting."
"So self-respecting? I have to reward you well." Du Jin bit his ear and whispered: "Then wait until you have passed this disaster... and then come back."
Xue Bai vaguely heard what she said was "let's come back again", but he was not sure.
I probably drank too much salvia soup and had auditory hallucinations.
"..."
"Did you hear someone calling me?"
"Have it?"
The two of them listened attentively.
There was indeed a sound coming from the front yard, getting closer and closer.
"Where is Xue Bai?! In the case of fraud in the Imperial Examination, he will be taken to Dali Temple immediately for questioning!"
~~
When he was being taken from Shengpingfang to Dali Temple and crossing Zhuque Street, Xue Bai suddenly heard a hissing sound.
Turning around, I saw groups of people slowly coming from the south, attracting countless people to watch.
"It's an eagle! An eagle!"
The children shouted excitedly.
Because in front of that team, there was a warrior riding a tall camel with a big snow-white eagle on his shoulders. He was looking at Zixiong with great air.
There are several different eagles. Behind the eagle-presenting team is a large carriage with a cage on it. There are two beautiful animals in it, like cats, tigers and leopards.
The people of Chang'an gathered around and shouted louder and louder.
"Fly on the grass, fly on the grass!"
"And Pegasus..."
Until Xue Bai walked into the imperial city and took one last look back at Zhuque Street, he still couldn't see the end of the team offering rare and exotic animals.
It was An Lushan who came to Beijing to compete for favor.
One wave has not subsided, and another wave has arisen.
~~
"Xue Bai, are these your test papers?"
"yes."
"Some people say that you were not present for the last two exams of the Imperial College Examination. How do you explain it?"
Xue Bai looked into Du Hongjian's eyes in the Dali Temple and asked, "I'm afraid Du Siji should give me an explanation for such incomprehensible words."
"This is Dali Temple, who do you think you are?"
Xue Bai said calmly: "I am the disciple of Emperor Xiangxu, the son of the emperor."
Du Hongjian was surprised by his arrogance and couldn't help but turn his head and glance at Li Daosui, the minister of Dali Temple, Wang Zhongcheng, the imperial censor, and Cui Qiao, the minister of rites.
Wei Shu, Su Yuanming and other Imperial College officials involved in the matter sat aside and listened to the trial.
Donggong usually does not interfere in state affairs, but this time it is rare that this case was raised. Fang Guan even took advantage of his position and directly reported to the saint, asking him to clean up the Imperial College. The reason is also very good. The Imperial College has not deteriorated in a day or two. There is indeed a need for rectification. Then we should start with the investigation of fraud in the annual examination.
"You still dare to quibble, bring the witnesses."
After a while, several students from the Imperial College were brought up, and none of them dared to look at Wei Shu sitting there.
Du Hongjian came prepared and confident, and arranged for witnesses to speak one by one...
"Student Zhao Zhengzheng was sitting one behind Xue Bai during the yearly examination. When the economic examination was over, the student was handing in papers when he saw Xue Bai coming out of the examination room with the curtain raised, and was about to leave the examination room without authorization, but was taken away by Su Siye. .”
"Xue Bai, what's your explanation?"
"When Dr. Zheng was taken away, I broke the inkstone and planned to go back to the dormitory to get one."
"That's true." Su Yuanming said, "I am the invigilator, so I let him take the inkstone."
Zhao agreed: "But Xue Bai never came back after he left."
"He's back. The examination rooms are separated by a bamboo curtain. You probably didn't notice it for a moment."
"A few times the wind blew the bamboo curtain, and the student saw that there was no one in his mansion."
"You got it wrong." Su Yuanming responded with only four words.
Du Hongjian sneered slightly after hearing this, and then asked several other disciples to testify. They all said that they only saw Xue Bai leave, but not Xue Bai's return.
"If one person is wrong, how can everyone be wrong? The facts are all there and the witnesses are complete. Xue Bai, what else do you have to say?"
"You have no evidence; but I have the test paper as evidence." Xue Bai said: "You selected ten witnesses to prove that I was not in the examination room; I can select fifty people who saw me in the examination room. I wonder if they can be released." Enter Dali Temple?"
"The fifty people you call are all your classmates who were bribed by you."
"Can't these ten witnesses be bribed by Du Sizhi?"
"Sophistry." Du Hongjian said, "Why did I buy witnesses?"
"Yes, why?" Xue Bai thought about it and couldn't answer.
Du Hongjian saluted Li Daosui, the minister of Dali Temple, and said: "Tingwei, I have physical evidence, and more witnesses, that I saw Xue Bai elsewhere on the day of the annual examination."
Xue Bai knew that, as Du Wei said, the servants of Princess Xianyi Mansion were mismanaged and someone had been bribed.
It is not difficult for Du Hongjian to prove the truth.
Wei Shu didn't wait for more witnesses to come to the court. He stood up with a sigh and said, "If Xue Bai cheats, it's just me leaking the matter in advance. If you want to investigate this case, you should investigate me."
"Did Mr. Wei admit what he said? Or did he rely on his reputation to intimidate his subordinates? Recruiting scholars for the country is a major matter for the country, so this case should be investigated carefully! Come here and bring in the physical evidence!"
~~
Outside Dali Temple, Du Wulang, who came after hearing the news, looked anxious.
He grabbed the hem of his robe and ran, calling out to the dozens of Imperial College colleagues behind him from time to time.
"quick!"
He had to rescue Xue Bai earlier, otherwise Xue Bai would fall into Dali Temple prison alone this time.
Finally, he panted up the steps, but there was a group of guards in front of him holding halberds to stop him.
"You want to rebel?!" An official strode out and shouted: "Dare you make trouble in front of Dali Temple? Why don't you back down!"
"We are witnesses." Du Wulang shouted: "We are here to testify for Xue Bai!"
"It's ridiculous. The witness was summoned from Dali Temple. How can there be any reason to break in without permission?"
Before he finished speaking, a person came out from behind Du Wulang, pointed at the official's nose and cursed: "Do you know who my grandpa is?!"
"I don't care who your grandpa is..."
"What a big statement, I am his grandpa!"
Suddenly, a shout and curse rang out.
Du Wulang looked back and saw Yang Zhao striding over, wearing a light red official robe, looking like a purple-robed official.
Today, Du Wulang was a guest at Yang's house. He was congratulating Yang Xuan on his "great success" after passing the annual examination, when he suddenly reported to the court that a major case of fraud in the annual examination was reported.
At that time, Du Wulang and Yang Xuan rushed to the Imperial Academy to gather their classmates. When Yang Zhao came over at this time, he actually brought several red-robed officials with him.
~~
In the hall, Du Hongjian had people present more evidence.
"Gentlemen, please see that the ink used in this Tie Jing paper is different from that of the poems, poems and questionnaires. Xue Bai used pine smoke ink, which has a light fragrance; while the latter two papers used Zhenzhen ink. The ink in the library was provided by the Imperial College. Therefore, I speculate that these two papers were written by the officials of the Imperial College. Don’t worry, gentlemen, I have more evidence. I checked Xue Bai’s papers during the Xun examination..."
"Which villain?!"
Suddenly I heard a shout and curse, and there was a lot of noise outside the hall.
Du Hongjian turned around and saw several red-robed officials snatching the staff from the officials and rushing towards them.
"Wei Gong has a clean reputation, how can he allow you and other villains to trap him?!"
"The Imperial College is the prefect of the emperor, how can there be any fraud?!"
"..."
Amidst the shouting and cursing, Du Hongjian squinted his eyes and saw a tall, handsome but dull-looking disciple rushing towards him.
He recognized him as Yang Xuan, the silly son of Yang Zhao, a doctor in Duzhi. He didn't know a few Chinese characters, and he also passed the Imperial College examination... Of course, the Imperial College has always been like this.
"尻! I cheated?!"
"Stop him!"
"Stop, don't be arrogant in court..."
"Bang!"
It was too late and caught off guard, Yang Xuan jumped directly in front of Du Hongjian, raised his fist and punched him in the stomach.
"I finally passed the exam!"
Yang Xuan was worthy of being one of the gangsters in Chang'an. With one punch, he showed the aura of a scoundrel and glared at the ten classmates who testified.
"You want to retake the exam again?!"
Everyone was surprised and the scene was chaotic.
Du Hongjian clutched his stomach, acutely aware that Yang Xuan had been instigated. From the word "reexamination", we could tell that it was Xue Bai who was causing alarm.
"Yang Dalang, calm down, no one has said you cheated yet."
Du Wulang saw that Du Hongjian wanted to expose his conspiracy to gather people to cause trouble, and he quickly shouted.
First he was inciting randomly, and then he suddenly saw a familiar figure among the ten witnesses.
"Du Zi? You obviously want to take the Ming Jing test, how do you know if Xue Bai is there? Oh, I understand, you are Du Hongjian's nephew? Is he right to ask you to perjury?!"
"Bum?" Yang Xuan was stunned for a moment, and then shouted: "You have already passed the annual exam, and you still want to take it again?!"
"I, I really saw that he was not here..."
"Still talking?" Yang Xuan threatened with his fist, "Don't you know where to sit?"
Du Zi was scared and could only say: "I, I didn't see it."
"Nonsense, how dare you make a big fuss in court?!"
Du Hongjian was furious. He turned around and saw that the princes were still sitting there, watching the excitement, so he had to call on the officials to calm down the situation.
"Bring someone here to prove it. During the annual exam, Xue Bai is at Princess Xianyi's mansion! Be quiet!"
"Shut up! It's so noisy!"
"..."
Xue Bai stood aside, avoiding Yang Xuan's drool, with an attitude that it had nothing to do with him.
He knew that Du Hongjian was eager to prove that he colluded with Yang Hui to frame the East Palace, but there was no need to worry. Yang Hui must have already confessed in front of the saint at this time.
~~
Daming Palace, Zichen Inner Palace.
Only one domino was pushed out, and Li Longji immediately took the tile.
Seeing that he had put down his cards, Yang Hui was a little annoyed and continued chatting, saying: "If the saint can allow my son-in-law to tell the truth, the eighteenth mother is a bit stupid."
"You are stupid!" Li Niang was very unhappy when she heard this.
She competed with Zhang Ting today, and both of them won a lot of chips.
"Still still?" Yang Hui blurted out, "You entered the palace after hearing a few words. As a princess, you are not suitable to get involved in state affairs."
Zhang Ting seemed to be focusing on the dominoes, but he listened to the couple singing in harmony. Occasionally, he glanced and saw a waiter holding a tray with several documents on the tray weighed down by paperweights.
Today, the sage invited Zhang Ting, Zhang Si, and Jia Chang to play cards. Li Niang came to sue Zheng Qian for slandering her mother. The sage was not happy after hearing this. But Yang Hui said that he realized that it was too easy to be taken advantage of, so he learned to check first this time, then handed in the paperwork and said that he would not be troublesome next time.
This move actually gave him an opportunity to play dominoes.
Zhang Ting did not dare to delay playing cards with his hands. He weighed in his mind and decided to give Yang Hui eye drops at the risk of being disliked by the saint. Then he smiled and said: "The prince-in-law said that it is not suitable to interfere with state affairs, but in fact he handed him something. Woolen cloth?"
"I was wrong." Yang Hui immediately admitted his mistake, "This matter has nothing to do with me. In order to prevent the Eighteenth Niang from meddling in it, I went to the Ministry of Punishment, but it turned out that I was meddling in it. Before entering the palace, I even listened to others He said it was me and Xue Bai who colluded."
Li Niang said in surprise: "You were there when Pei Mian released him. Just say you are suspicious. What does this matter have to do with Xue playing cards?"
Yang Hui felt that it was funny and said: "He and Zheng Qian have been friends for many years, and he said harsh words when Zheng Qian was arrested. So some people said that he gave up the annual exam and came to encourage me to rescue Zheng Qian."
"Ah?" Li Niang was even more surprised.
Yang Hui spat: "Make him famous and make him crazy."
Li Longji was playing cards and suddenly sneered.
The other three people were immediately panicked and did not dare to speak any more.
"Abandoning the annual exam? Can they even think of it? A person like Xue Dapai who is busy with everything."
"The saint is wise."
Before the matter is reported to the saint in detail, it is enough to give a preconceived impression in a few words. Yang Hui smiled and just concentrated on feeding cards.
Zhang Ting was stunned, staring at the dominoes in front of him with her beautiful eyes.
She didn't expect that Dong Gong's hand of cards had not been finished yet, but his hand was ruined by these understatements?
It’s still late today, I wanted to post it at 0 o’clock, but I slept late and woke up late, so it was too difficult to adjust~~ However, I wrote 10,000 words today, and I worked hard~~ Please give me a monthly ticket, please subscribe~~
(End of chapter)
