Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

Outside the government office, the noise was deafening.

Qian Yunhe's wishful thinking also failed.

His men, whom he sent to the cabinet for help, returned looking dejected.

"My lord, all the Grand Secretaries... have all claimed illness and are not seeing each other."

"What?!" Qian Yunhe couldn't believe his ears.

Those high-ranking officials who usually treated him like a brother and shared drinks with him all turned into cowards at this moment!

He was unaware that cheating in the imperial examinations infringed upon the core interests of the entire scholar-official class.

These high-ranking officials were themselves beneficiaries of the imperial examination system, and their families also needed to maintain their honor through the imperial examinations.

If they help Qian Yunhe today, tomorrow, scholars from all over the world will turn their anger against them.

They can tolerate corruption and factional strife, but they absolutely cannot tolerate anyone undermining the foundation of this system.

This is their bottom line.

Therefore, they all chose to remain silent and wait and see.

As for the Grand Tutor's mansion, they didn't even let the messenger in through the door.

The gatekeeper only said one sentence: "The Grand Tutor is currently in seclusion reflecting on his mistakes and is not receiving any visitors."

Qian Yunhe slumped into the armchair, his face ashen.

He got it.

He was abandoned.

He and Wang Qinian became pawns thrown out by the Grand Tutor to quell the anger of the King of Qin and the scholars of the world.

“It’s over…it’s all over…” Wang Qinian muttered to himself, his eyes vacant.

Outside the window, the sound of students reading aloud continues.

The sound, to their ears at that moment, was like a death knell.

……

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor listened to the report from the commander of the Imperial Guards with a somber expression.

"...Currently, more than three thousand students have gathered outside the Ministry of Rites, and the number is still increasing."

"The Jingzhao Prefecture and the Five City Garrison Commands have been mobilized to maintain order, but... the students are highly agitated, I'm afraid..."

"Understood, you may leave." Zhenlong waved his hand.

The commander bowed and withdrew.

The emperor was the only one left in the imperial study.

He walked to the window and looked in the direction of the Ministry of Rites. Although he couldn't see anything, he seemed to be able to hear the deafening sound of reading.

His eyes held anger, disappointment, and... fear.

He was furious at the audacity of the Ministry of Rites officials and disappointed by the rampant corruption in the imperial court.

And fear...

That was for his second son.

From the Grand Canal transport scandal to the work-for-relief program, and now to the imperial examination fraud case.

His son, who had only been back in the capital for a few months, had stirred up a series of huge waves.

His skill and strategy, as well as his terrifying ability to win popular support, far exceeded what a prince should be expected of.

"The will of the people is like water; it can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it..."

The emperor recalled the words Xun Huiming had once said.

Yan Xi is now undoubtedly sitting on a great ship supported by the people, riding the wind and waves.

But what if one day this ship becomes large enough to threaten him, to threaten the Great Yan?

Just as he was deep in thought, a eunuch rushed in to report.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Prince of Qin is requesting an audience outside the palace."

"His Highness said..."

The eunuch hesitated for a moment before cautiously saying, "His Highness says there is a matter of utmost importance that could shake the foundations of the nation, and he wishes to submit a petition to His Majesty in blood, even at the cost of his life!"

The dragon's pupils suddenly contracted.

A petition written in blood, submitted even unto death!

What a magnificent Yan Xi!

This is a coup attempt!

……