The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

The words "expulsion from school" were like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of all the students, but they also instantly ignited their long-suppressed resentment, and a commotion broke out under the city gate.

Seeing this, Doctor Wei, dressed in a light scarlet official robe, thought he had struck a nerve with the students. A smirk appeared on his lips, but his tone grew even more ruthless: "Aren't you going to disperse? Do you really want to end up being expelled, imprisoned, and banned from taking the imperial examinations for life?"

Having said that, he turned to the imperial guard commander standing solemnly beside him, holding a spear, and said coldly, "Gatekeeper, if these students dare to charge again, take them down one by one!"

"Is Doctor Wei trying to threaten us with his power?"

Among the students below the city gate, the leader, though initially timid, now had his neck flushed red. Clenching his fists, he raised his arm and shouted, "We have come here today only to plead our cases, to seek justice, and to demand fairness in the imperial examinations. We uphold the righteous spirit of heaven and earth! How dare you intimidate us with your life or your school registration!"

These words stirred up a storm. The students, who had been hesitant, were suddenly filled with fervor, echoing the shouts and taking half a step forward to confront the imperial guards. Seeing this, the imperial guards stationed at the city gate grew even more serious, gripping their long spears tighter. Several guards in the front row had already reached out and shoved the students in front, their movements rough, and it looked like they were about to arrest them.

The situation was so tense that Song Shenzhi, Dong Jiming and others were furious and were about to rush forward to help, but they were firmly stopped by a hand.

"Your Highness?" The two turned their heads, their eyes filled with urgency and confusion.

"What's the rush? Are you really planning to force your way into the palace?"

He glanced at the sharp-eyed, upright imperial guards and muttered to himself—the Imperial Guards during the Zhenguan era were all seasoned veterans, not ordinary yamen runners. If things really got out of hand, their military orders were like mountains, and they would really dare to wield their weapons and kill people.

These students have no reason to court death. If a bloodbath were to occur—wouldn't that mean their deaths would have been in vain?

"I'll go ask what's going on. You all stay here and don't move."

As soon as he finished speaking, amidst the astonished gazes of Song Shenzhi, Dong Jiming, and the others, he stepped forward and gently parted the crowd.

He wore a plain brocade robe, his posture was upright, and although he was not wearing official robes, he had an awe-inspiring air of imperial blood, making him stand out from the crowd.

Upon seeing Li Xiang arrive, the crowd at the city gate instantly calmed down from their initial agitation. They stopped shouting, bowed respectfully, and greeted him with clasped hands: "Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

They knew Li Xiang's identity was sensitive and were afraid that he would cause trouble because of them.

"All of you, step back! This is the capital city, under the Emperor's nose; how dare you be so reckless and disorderly! What if you frighten this Physician Wei?"

Li Xiang pretended to reprimand, but his tone was flippant: "Even if you didn't scare the doctor, it's still inappropriate to disturb the surrounding people and merchants."

That Physician Wei was clearly provoking them, waiting for the students to act impulsively and cause trouble so he could conveniently label them as "gathering a crowd to cause trouble." If these impoverished scholars, caught up in their passion, were truly angered and stormed the palace, wouldn't that play right into his hands?

Although the students were puzzled, they would not disobey Li Xiang and all took a few steps back to stand aside.

Li Xiang walked effortlessly to the front, turned to the official and the city gate guards, and instantly put on a gentle smile: "These students lost their composure in the heat of the moment and caused some disturbance. Please forgive them."

The official and the commander of the imperial guards had already harbored doubts when they saw the crowd addressing him as "Your Highness." Now, seeing Li Xiang's kind and humble demeanor, they quickly clasped their hands and bowed in return.

Li Xiang turned to the physician Wei, his smile widening: "May I ask if you are an official under the Ministry of Rites?"

"Oh, I am Wei Wanshi, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites." Wei Wanshi returned the greeting with a raised hand, his gaze sweeping over Li Xiang repeatedly, his tone tinged with a hint of probing, "May I ask who you are...?"

"Oh ho? So they're from the Wei family of Jingzhao!"

Li Xiang feigned surprise, widening his eyes and speaking with utmost admiration: "I have long heard of the saying, 'The Wei and Du families of the south of the city are as close as heaven and earth.' The Wei family is the most prominent family in Guanzhong, with a far-reaching reputation. I have truly long admired them! I am Li Xiang, greetings to Physician Wei!"

After saying that, he actually bowed and gave Wei Wanshi a proper salute, his expression respectful and showing no sign of disrespect.

Wei Wanshi's face instantly darkened—the phrase "Wei and Du of the south of the city, only a foot and a half from heaven" was a popular compliment, but to say it openly in front of the imperial city gates, under the emperor's feet, seemed to imply arrogance and overstepping of authority, and sounded somewhat rebellious.

Before he could think it through, when he heard the name "Li Xiang," he was so shocked that he froze, forgetting even to instinctively avoid it, and almost dropped the tablet in his hand.

They, the Wei clan of Jingzhao, were part of the faction of Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, who held the iron fist. His father, Wei Ting, was the chief strategist under the Prince of Wei and was deeply trusted by him.

The man before them, Li Xiang, was the son of the deposed Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and was at odds with Prince Wei, Li Tai.

Despite their irreconcilable differences, Li Xiang was so polite to him, even bowing respectfully.

Wei Wanshi's vigilance instantly surged. The battle at Furong Garden had made him famous, and he had certainly heard of Li Xiang. At this moment, he felt that Li Xiang had ill intentions.

Before Wei Wanshi could gather his thoughts, Li Xiang had already straightened up, still with that harmless demeanor, speaking as warmly as an old friend: "Just now, I heard Doctor Wei say that matters concerning the imperial examinations are traditionally handled by the Assistant Minister of Personnel, and the Ministry of Rites does not have the authority to adjudicate such cases. Is that true?"

Wei Wanshi felt a chill run down his spine and became even more cautious. Could this brat be deliberately inciting the students to target the Ministry of Rites?

After much deliberation, he cautiously spoke, "That's right. Your Highness is wise; the selection and ranking of candidates through examinations are all handled by the Ministry of Personnel's Examination and Merit Department, and the Ministry of Rites never interferes."

"But I've heard that the Imperial Academy and matters related to the imperial examinations are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, aren't they?" Li Xiang feigned ignorance, tilting his head slightly. "If they are under the Ministry of Rites, how could Physician Wei say that the Ministry of Rites is not in a position to intervene when students come to him with grievances?"

Wei Wanshi felt his right eye twitching, and his unease grew stronger—as expected! This brat was doing it on purpose, trying to force the Ministry of Rites to take over this mess by starting with the fact that "the Imperial Academy is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites," and making trouble by interfering in the affairs of the Ministry of Rites!

The former Vice Minister of Rites was from the Eastern Palace faction and was implicated in the case of the deposed Crown Prince, so His Majesty just dismissed him. His faction, led by Prince Wei, finally gained control of the Ministry of Rites, and this scoundrel must be here to cause trouble for them!

He dared not slacken in the slightest, immediately composed himself, and spoke in a serious tone: "Your Highness may not know, although the Imperial Academy is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, it is actually an independent institution under His Majesty's orders. The affairs within the Academy are decided by the Academy itself, while the civil service examinations are handled by the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."

"This is an internal affair of the Imperial Academy. The Ministry of Rites has no right to interfere in the specific affairs of the Academy, let alone to adjudicate the injustices complained about by the students."

"This matter has absolutely nothing to do with the Ministry of Rites. Your Highness should seek out the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy to handle this matter yourself."

Wei Wanshi deliberately pushed all responsibility onto the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Personnel, refusing to let the Ministry of Rites get involved at all—he knew that if he took on this matter, no matter the outcome, Li Xiang would easily seize on it, either earning him the infamy of "favoritism and corruption," or offending powerful families, and even implicating the Wei family and the Prince of Wei.

They simply shirked responsibility completely, absolving the Ministry of Rites of any involvement.

Let them argue it out themselves at the Imperial Academy. To put it bluntly, they're just a few poor students, it's a trivial matter... Wei Wanshi was somewhat disdainful.

Such a trivial matter is hardly worth making a fuss about. Just stall for a few days, and it'll all disappear... This brat's wild idea is to incite students from poor families. What abilities could a poor family possibly have?

In the end, he's just a kid who talks a good game... Wei Wanshi thought to himself.

"Oh—I see." Li Xiang nodded. "In that case, we should thank Physician Wei for his testimony."

"It's alright... uh, confession?" Wei Wanshi was taken aback.

"Yes, if it weren't for Physician Wei's guidance, how would we have known that this case was actually a shocking case involving the Imperial Academy, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Personnel!" Li Xiang said solemnly.