Song Xing: I am cultivating immortals in Qingcheng Mountain

Chapter 562: Undercurrents, Doubts about the Imperial Examinations Arouse Tianqi
It was a chilly night. Xiao Chong, Xiao Se, and Xiao Yu fell into silence as they thought about what had happened in the Jixia Academy.

Xiao Chong was more concerned about who this incident was directed at. Was it just a student who failed the exam and was venting his dissatisfaction, or was there another reason?

In Xiao Se's mind, more things were happening in Jiange. What the founding emperor Xiao Yi said was true. It was obvious that there was an inside story in this matter. He was afraid that his brother was also involved. What choice should he make?

As for Xiao Yu, he was thinking about what Xiao Se had said to Xiao Chong before. If the target of the secret murderer was not only the students of this year, but also the imperial court and the entire Beili, then with his current level, in the eyes of the other party, he would probably be just an ant that could be crushed to death with ease.

"Second brother, I don't think it makes much sense to have the guards take three shifts to closely protect these students. If that person intends to attack, we won't be able to stop him no matter how hard we try!"

On the way, Xiao Yu suddenly spoke. This was Xiao Se's idea. They watched these students twelve hours a day, day and night, to prevent them from getting into trouble again.

"It's better to have it than nothing. At least it can temporarily calm people's hearts. And those seniors who are wandering in the mind are just a means to calm people's hearts."

"The Apocalypse today cannot be in chaos."

When Xiao Yu heard this answer, a sneer appeared on his face. How could he not know whether it was useful or not? ? However, there was one thing that Xiao Chong said was very right. The current Tianqi could not be in chaos.

Xiao Se sat on the green horse without saying a word, but there was a light in his eyes that was getting brighter and brighter.

"This is the memorial just sent by the Imperial Master!!"

Emperor Mingde coughed twice and asked Zhuoqing to pass the memorial over.

Xiao Chong and Xiao Yu were stunned. Why was the Imperial Master still interfering at this time? ?

But when they saw the golden lotus of fortune in the memorial, their faces changed drastically.

"Father, could this thing be fabricated by the Imperial Master?"

Emperor Mingde sat on the dragon throne with his eyes slightly closed and looking very bad. It was already very late, but he still got up.

"I can still tell whether it's true or false."

"A failed scholar dares to ruin the fortune of Beili. I will chop him into pieces!!"

As he was speaking, Emperor Mingde slammed the imperial desk in front of him. The madness in the corner of his eyes made Xiao Chong and Xiao Yu shrink their necks involuntarily.

"Chu He, you and Hua Jin come to the palace tomorrow. Let the second and seventh brothers investigate this matter first!!"

Xiao Chong and Xiao Yu looked at each other. They could tell that Emperor Mingde seemed to have other intentions. It seemed that he didn't want Xiao Chuhe to continue to interfere in the matter.

A thought suddenly came to the minds of the two.

"Emperor Mingde intends to suppress this matter personally, and the murderer has now been identified as a sour scholar who failed the imperial examination and destroyed Beili's fortune."

When Xiao Se heard this, his eyes suddenly became complicated, but this time, he did not confront him in person like he did in the past, but nodded in agreement.

After so many years in the martial arts world, he has learned to hide his thoughts and let Xiao Chong and Xiao Yu investigate, but he didn't stop him from investigating.

The night was as dark as ink, and the glazed tiles of the Bai Palace shone coldly under the moonlight. Xiao Chong sat alone in the study, the candlelight on the table flickering, reflecting his frown.

Outside the window, the autumn wind blew the fallen leaves against the window frame, making a rustling sound, which was very similar to Xiao Se's previous words, "You have been in charge of the imperial examination affairs in the past few years", which caused a storm in his heart.

"Your Highness, the Minister of Personnel Su, the Minister of Revenue Zhong, and the Minister of Justice Qi request to see you."

The old butler reported softly outside the door, with some hesitation in his voice.

Xiao Chong's fingertips trembled, and ripples appeared on the surface of the water in the teacup.

He had expected these people to come, but he didn't expect them to come so soon.

He took a deep breath and straightened his clothes: "Please wait in the main hall."

In the main hall, three purple-robed ministers sat on both sides. Su Dinghan stroked his graying beard, glancing at the door from the corner of his eyes; Zhong Hong tapped the coffee table with his fingers in a slightly hurried rhythm; the youngest, Qi Xuan, stared at the painting "Rivers and States" in the hall in a trance, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

"His Royal Highness the White King has arrived."

The three of them stood up at the same time, their movements were so consistent as if they had rehearsed it a thousand times.

When Xiao Chong stepped into the hall, he keenly noticed the glances they exchanged - it was a tacit understanding before a prey fell into a trap.

"I hope Your Highness will forgive me for disturbing you so late at night."

Su Dinghan was the first to salute. His voice was normal, but the slightly trembling fingers in his sleeves revealed his inner uneasiness.

Xiao Chong sat down at the main seat and glanced at the three people: "You adults are here at this time, I guess it's about what happened at the Jixia Academy tonight?"

The air in the hall suddenly froze. Zhong Hong's knocking stopped abruptly, Qi Xuan's Adam's apple rolled, and Su Dinghan stopped stroking his beard.

"Your Highness is wise."

Su Dinghan laughed dryly twice.

"We old ministers have heard that another murder has occurred in the Jixia Academy, so we have come to express our condolences. I wonder what Your Majesty's decision is on this matter?" The candle flame crackled and Xiao Chong looked at Su Dinghan's old face who was pretending to be calm, and suddenly remembered the rainy night three years ago.

At that time, this old minister visited late at night holding the test paper of a certain candidate, saying that it might be difficult to convince the public if a student from a poor family suddenly ascended to a high position, and it would be better to let someone with more foundation take the position.

At that time, he had just taken over the imperial examination affairs, and Su Dinghan's words really sounded like he was thinking about the court. He took a general look at the test papers and found them to be outstanding. In the end, he chose to turn a blind eye.

"My father ordered me to find out the truth within seven days."

Xiao Chong picked up the teacup and used the hot steam to hide his expression.

"However, Prince Yong'an is particularly concerned about this matter and has reviewed the provincial examination files of all candidates."

Qi Xuan's hands shook unconsciously as the teacup and tray clashed. Zhong Hong stood up abruptly and forced himself to sit down again, leaving deep wrinkles on the hem of his official robe.

Su Dinghan's cloudy eyes rolled around.

"Prince Yong'an is young and full of energy. He may easily get stuck in a rut. The imperial examination is related to the foundation of the country. If someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of it,

"Master Xu is wrong."

Xiao Chong put down the teacup, and the porcelain pieces collided with each other, making a "ding" sound.

"Sixth brother, you are investigating a murder case, what does it have to do with the imperial examination? Unless..."

He drawled his voice deliberately.

"Is there really something shameful going on?"

A gust of wind whistled past the window, making the window lattice creak. Qi Xuan finally couldn't help but speak: "Your Highness! In the case of Zhuge Jingxuan, I was also acting on orders!"

But as soon as he said this, Su Dinghan glared at him fiercely.

Xiao Chong was shocked. It was just as he expected. When Xiao Se specifically mentioned Zhuge Jingxuan when he left, he had vaguely guessed something. Now the reactions of these people almost confirmed his speculation about cheating in the imperial examination.

"My lords."

Xiao Chong's voice sank. "I only want to ask one question now. Has the imperial examination system been unfair in recent years?"

Silence weighs on everyone's heart like a huge rock.

Zhong Hong's lips trembled, and finally turned into a long sigh: "Your Highness, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish."

"When water is too clear, there will be no fish!"

Xiao Chong slammed the table and stood up. The candlelight on the table shook violently, casting a hideous shadow on his face.

"Do you know what the students of Jixia Academy are writing today?"

"The world is silent, but I alone am the one who strikes the bell!"

"This is going to poke a hole in the sky!"

Su Dinghan suddenly knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face: "Your Highness, please understand! What I, an old minister, have done is just to select talents who can really do things for the court. Even if those poor students have talents, they will never achieve anything if they have no one to support them after they enter the government!"

Xiao Chong looked at the old minister kneeling on the ground, and felt as if a heavy weight was weighing on his chest.

He suddenly understood Xiao Se's last meaningful look - it was not suspicion, but disappointment. Disappointment in his brother who knew the darkness but chose to remain silent.

"Master Xu."

Xiao Chong bent down and helped the old man up, his voice trembling without him noticing.
"Do you know where Zhuge Jingxuan is now?"

Su Dinghan's body stiffened: "I don't know"

"He is on the list of candidates for this special examination, and has been noticed by Prince Yong'an. He is the top scorer in the Liangzhe region this year."

Xiao Chong let go of his hand and looked at the old man's face which turned pale instantly.

A gust of wind blew through the hall, and the candle flame went out with a puff.

In the darkness, Zhong Hong's voice was filled with tears: "Your Highness, if this matter is thoroughly investigated, the wide range of implications may shake the foundation of the country!"

Xiao Chong walked to the window in the dark and pushed it open. The moonlight poured in like cold water, illuminating his tense profile.

"Shake the foundation of the country? My Lords, what is it that you are really afraid of shaking?"

He looked at the outline of the palace in the distance, his voice so soft that it was almost inaudible.

"fair."

(End of this chapter)