They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 51 Isolation
In the summer, Chang'an City already felt a bit hot, with the faint fragrance of locust blossoms and the warm scent of sun-baked earth floating in the air. The royal gardens, located east of Taiji Palace and beside Qujiang Pool, were now lush with flowers and trees, vibrant with greenery.

Along the tree-lined path, the chirping of cicadas could already be faintly heard. Inside the garden, colorful flags fluttered, and guards stood at attention with halberds in hand. Although the imperial banquet specially prepared for the newly appointed scholars had not yet begun, the imperial majesty had already silently enveloped the area.

After leisurely strolling around Chang'an for a few days, Chen Guangrui arrived at this royal forbidden garden with ease.

In the open space of the garden, the newly appointed scholars mostly gathered in twos and threes, whispering to each other. The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but it was actually a tacit observation and probing.

However, when Chen Guangrui appeared in everyone's sight, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured into a simmering pot. Those who were close to him stopped talking abruptly, their eyes suddenly became distant and wary, and they subconsciously took a half step back.
The group of people chatting nearby also turned their gazes toward them, their eyes filled with scrutiny, disdain, and even... a hint of indescribable disgust.

The relaxed atmosphere that had been flowing was instantly frozen by his arrival.

Chen Guangrui seemed oblivious to this, a faint smile playing on his lips as he strolled to the center of the crowd and stood there.

His actions were so frank, yet so obnoxious, that the surrounding buzz unconsciously subsided a few degrees.

Those circles that wanted to exchange information privately were embarrassed by this sudden "nail" that had suddenly appeared.

Looking at these people's faces, Chen Guangrui thought with a wicked sense of humor: If you're all hiding behind my back, then I'll come over and listen in.

Zhang Changling, recognized as one of the most outstanding and central figures among the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), was surrounded by several people, chatting and laughing in hushed tones.

When he caught a glimpse of Chen Guangrui out of the corner of his eye, his warm smile remained unchanged. He then turned his head away in a completely natural and imperceptible manner, continuing his conversation with his friends in his circle, as if Chen Guangrui were just a complete stranger, someone not worth a second glance.

"Chen Guangrui, what are you doing standing here?"

A loud, familiar voice rang out, breaking the delicate stalemate that had arisen because of him. It was Li Jing, who strode over, exuding competence, and frowned as he sized up the unconventional top scholar.

The scholars around them greeted Li Jing with humble smiles, giving the two space to talk, while their eyes glared at Chen Guangrui with even more envy.

Chen Guangrui tilted his head back, squinted at the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and slowly replied, "Enjoying the sun."

Li Jing walked to his side, chuckled upon hearing this, then looked up at the blazing sun, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of warning and amusement.

"Alright, you have quite the refined taste. But kid, do you really think you're here to enjoy the scenery? The 'test' prepared by His Highness the Crown Prince isn't so easy to appreciate."

Chen Guangrui raised an eyebrow and looked at Li Jing with a questioning gaze.

Li Jing moved even closer, until his voice was almost inaudible.

"As far as I know, His Highness has been flipping through some books on his desk recently, and he has lingered on some pages for a long time, even marking some places... The eunuchs who serve him with pen and ink all have a pair of sharp eyes! These things are then turned into gold and jewels and 'sold' to certain nobles in the court."

He curled his lip and said disdainfully,

"And the dignitaries who received the news naturally informed their trusted protégés and former subordinates... well, these are the fellows right in front of you. His Highness seems to be fully aware of this, yet he lets it go."

Chen Guangrui understood, his gaze sweeping across the entire room once more. Thanks to Li Jing's explanation, the seemingly casual positioning and interactions within the room held a deeper meaning:

Indeed, there were a few groups of people, the core group surrounded by other successful candidates, who were calm and composed, with others around them smiling but hiding their true intentions in their words. They were clearly trying to find out the "direction" at the last moment.

"Hmph, this is unfair! It's so unfair to you!"

Li Jing frowned, revealing the straightforwardness characteristic of a military general.

"They have powerful backers guiding them, while you're all alone, completely clueless. You're already at a disadvantage before the game even starts!"

Chen Guangrui's lips curled into a slight smile, revealing his usual confident yet slightly infuriating expression, and he said lightly,

"General Li is overthinking it. In the examination a few days ago, didn't they all show their skills and prepare thoroughly? And what was the result? I still firmly held the top spot. Today... it's just that I got some inside information a few days in advance. When it comes to real ability," he tapped his forehead, "it's not about 'knowing in advance,' but about 'this place.' Even if they know a tiny bit, I'll still win where I'm meant to."

"Good lad! I love hearing that!"

Li Jing's eyes lit up at this arrogance, and he couldn't help but pat him hard on the shoulder, full of admiration.
"That's the right mindset! You have to have that spirit!"

This temperament, which is not afraid of underhanded tactics and only believes in its own strength, deeply impressed him.

After the praise, Li Jing's relaxed expression vanished abruptly, replaced by extreme seriousness and vigilance. He leaned closer again, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings like a hawk's, and after confirming that no one could hear him, he spoke urgently in an almost breathless voice,

"There's one more thing, about the Daxingshan Temple..."

Chen Guangrui's expression hardened, and he focused intently.

Li Jing spoke extremely fast.
"My men have been searching day and night for the past few days. The result... it's like a stone sinking into the sea; they can't find a single thing unusual! The temple is excessively clean, and when you ask the monks, they're all like sawed-out gourds, completely tight-lipped! Even stranger is..."

His voice was lowered even further, almost a whisper.

"When my men were staking out outside the temple, they discovered another group of people there, acting suspiciously! Both sides were aware of each other's presence and confronted each other several times, both on edge, not daring to make a move. Are they friend or foe? Their origins are unknown!"

Chen Guangrui's eyes flashed, realizing that Wei Zheng must have sent these people to investigate. He didn't mention Wei Zheng's information, only saying...

"Those who can investigate Daxingshan Temple must not be enemies."

Li Jing nodded, then changed the subject, his sharp gaze fixed on Chen Guangrui's face.

"I haven't heard from you in Chang'an these past few days. What have you been up to?"

Chen Guangrui appeared calm.
"What else can we do? The scenery of Chang'an is worth appreciating. There's nothing else to do."

"Really?" Li Jing stared at him suspiciously, trying to find a flaw in his face.

"Really?" Chen Guangrui said sincerely.

Seeing that he didn't seem to be faking it, Li Jing breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then his expression became even more serious, even carrying a hint of warning.

"That's good! But there's one thing you must remember: stay away from Wei Zheng! The farther the better!"

He glanced around again with extreme vigilance, making sure everything was in order, and then continued in a mysterious tone, almost like betraying someone.

"He's in dire straits! Although His Highness hasn't explicitly dismissed him from his post, his residence... is already completely surrounded by the Imperial Guards, practically imprisoned! And that's not even the worst part!"

Li Jing's voice was almost breathless, carrying an urgency as if he were revealing a shocking secret.

"I heard that the raiders have already entered the Wei residence! They've even turned every nook and cranny upside down! All the items are being cataloged!"

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp, drawn-out shout from the eunuch abruptly pierced through the low murmurs and cicada chirps in the garden! Like a sharp sword cutting through the fog, all sound vanished instantly!
All the scheming, anxiety, and rejection in the crowd were instantly frozen by this majestic voice! Everyone in the garden, regardless of their status or thoughts, became the most obedient subjects in that instant.

They quickly bowed their heads, neatly adjusted their clothes, and put on the most respectful expressions. Their movements were synchronized, and they silently turned towards the direction from which the greeting came, holding their breath in anticipation.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

(End of this chapter)