I, who disguised myself as a woman, turned out to be a queen! ?

Chapter 1277 The Empress has been asked to leave the palace!

The sky was bright and clear, and the atmosphere was fresh and new.

The old almanac has been turned over, and it's a new day again.

There were no major events or important matters at the morning court session today, so the session ended quickly. As for the smaller court assembly, Xun Kuang didn't need to attend.

Therefore, Xun Kuang hurriedly came to Lingqi Pavilion to pay his respects to Su Chang'an.

Xun Kuang had actually chosen this time specifically, mainly because His Majesty and the Empress had been spending a lot of time together recently, and this matter could not be told to His Majesty, otherwise it would cause a huge uproar.

It would be best if the Empress herself handled it.

Su Chang'an had just woken up and was still groggy, brushing his teeth with salt when he heard Xun Kuang had arrived, and he was puzzled.

After all, the court session had just ended, and if there was anything to discuss, it would have been discussed during the morning court session.

Why are you looking for me so early in the morning?
Are you here to discuss poetry again?
Or
Are they trying to give drugs to cats?
Ever since Cat let Crying Moon announce to the outside world that she would give a medicine pack to anyone who could provide her with a poison that satisfied her...
At first, no one realized what was happening.

But everyone immediately realized what was going on!
The medicine packet in the cat girl's little handbag—the medicine itself is important, but what's truly important is the paper used to wrap it.

As a result, in the past two days, quite a few people have started offering poison to cats.

In particular, these martial arts practitioners worked much harder than scholars, mainly because scholars had nowhere to get poisonous herbs, but martial arts practitioners had plenty of them.

Moreover, they were drawn to the medicine packet to see Su Chang'an's calligraphy, but their real purpose was to understand the meaning contained within the calligraphy.

In short, it's about getting what you need.

So this matter gradually became a hot topic.

Although he said he would have someone poison him to death, after saying that...
Cat was immediately called into the house by Aunt Sun and scolded for more than two hours.

After coming out, he looked at Su Chang'an, smiled slightly, and even gave him a thumbs up, showing no remorse whatsoever! He was even a little proud.

Then Aunt Sun dragged him back and scolded him for three hours.

After a quick wash, Su Chang'an casually put on some clothes and let Xun Kuang in.

The Empress was disheveled, her hair was being tidied by the cat, and she was sitting there yawning.

Xun Kuang was somewhat embarrassed.

Upon seeing Su Chang'an beckon him to come in, Xun Kuang quickly bowed respectfully and stood in the courtyard, not daring to enter the main hall.

Seeing this, Su Chang'an smiled and said, "Siyue is here. We'll have breakfast together later. But why are you in such a hurry? What important matter is it?"

Xun Siye raised his eyes, looked at Su Chang'an and said, "Your Majesty, it's not a big deal, but... but if it's not dealt with soon, it will become a big deal."

Su Chang'an looked at Xun Siye with a puzzled expression.

Xun Kuang didn't mince words and went straight to the point.

First, he briefly explained to Su Chang'an the cause of the matter.

That is, the female student said that the squinty-eyed male student was staring at her, had improper thoughts about her, and even committed an act of indecent assault.

Xun Kuang immediately said that the matter had been resolved earlier.

Under his intervention and investigation, the misunderstanding between the two parties was resolved.

Su Chang'an looked at Xun Kuang: "Wasn't it resolved?"

Xun Kuang immediately looked distressed: "The day before yesterday, that female student, Yang Liaoyuan, suddenly pulled that male student, Xiao Ansheng, to come to me. Moreover, Xiao Ansheng had an apology letter in his hand, saying that he was in the wrong about what happened before, and he apologized to Yang Liaoyuan in front of me."

At this point, Xun Kuang frowned: "Your Majesty, Xiao Ansheng does indeed have congenital strabismus. I even had the imperial physician examine him. But then he suddenly did this, and I wondered if Yang Liaoyuan used her family's influence to pressure Xiao Ansheng. After all, Xiao Ansheng comes from a farming family, a tenant farmer, and a poor student. Getting into the Imperial Academy is already a testament to his hard work. But when I asked him, he said no."

"So I thought I'd investigate more carefully later, since I still had to go to Yang Yuanyuan's uncle's and his father's place. But before I could do anything, many students suddenly came to me and wrote a joint petition, demanding that I expel Xiao Ansheng from the Imperial Academy and even cancel his Juren degree, so that he wouldn't be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations. The reason was that this year's imperial examinations prioritized virtue and talent, and Xiao Ansheng's actions were a violation of the requirements of this year's examinations."

Su Chang'an looked at Xun Kuang and asked, "How is that Xiao Ansheng doing now?"

Xun Kuang said, "After this incident, he was beaten by some excited students in the Imperial Academy. After all, the imperial examination was approaching, and everyone was under pressure. When faced with such a thing, they lost their minds. They even chased him to his home. I let him and his family stay temporarily at the place I used to live, but his mental state is not good. He also told me that he was willing to drop out of school and would take his parents away from the capital and return to his hometown."

At this point, Xun Kuang said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Ansheng's family was poor. In the past, his parents rented land from a wealthy family in the village to farm and support his studies. Later, he was admitted to the Imperial Academy to await the imperial examinations, and his parents accompanied him to the capital. Xiao's father worked as a deliveryman in the market, and his mother sewed clothes for others. Life was very difficult, and Xiao Ansheng often helped write and copy articles for periodicals, which was how they managed to get by."

Su Chang'an asked, "Since you're saying this, doesn't that mean you know Xiao Ansheng was wronged? Is it because this Yang Liaoyuan has a powerful family background? You don't even dare to offend her?"

Xun Kuang had no intention of hiding it from the Empress. Now that he heard what the Empress said, Xun Kuang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this matter should have been discussed with the teacher, but recently the teacher has been discussing the interview questions and the questions for this imperial examination with the other scholars until late at night, so I did not disturb him."

"As for Yang Liaoyuan's family background, her uncle is Song Daoyi, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, and her father is Yang Muhe, a scholar of the Wenxiang clan. He used to be the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy, and he was my partner. However, he later resigned and returned to his hometown. A few months ago, he brought his daughter back to the capital and used his quota to get his daughter into the Imperial Academy."

Just as Xun Kuang was speaking, Xun Kuang and Xun Xia and the others brought over tables and chairs, and also brought up some food.

Xun Kuang didn't stand on ceremony. He respectfully bowed to Su Chang'an and then looked at the Empress.

Su Chang'an took a bite of the steamed bun and looked at Xun Kuang thoughtfully.

Their eyes met.

Xun Kuang lowered his head somewhat guiltily.

Su Chang'an asked, "You should be able to handle this yourself, why do you need to come to me? Do you want me to find Song Daoji and talk to Yang Muhe?"

As he spoke, Su Chang'an looked at Xun Kuang.

Xun Kuang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is not that I cannot continue the investigation, but that I cannot continue the investigation."

Xun Kuang looked at Su Chang'an and continued, "Previously, I judged that Xiao Ansheng was wronged and mediated the misunderstanding between the two, which had already spread among the students. Later, Xiao Ansheng took the initiative to apologize and admitted that he had indeed read Yang Liaoyuan's work. Afterwards, I suppressed everyone to protect Xiao Ansheng and let him stay in my residence, which further aroused the dissatisfaction of many students. Many people said that I deliberately favored students from poor families and impoverished backgrounds, and that the journals I was in charge of only considered these two types of students, and never allowed those from well-off families, such as the sons of officials or merchants, to participate. They also rarely accepted their manuscripts."

At this point, Xun Kuang thanked Xiangling for putting down the millet and jujube porridge and continued, "Moreover, Your Majesty, I have actually been impeached. It's said that within the Imperial Academy, I am more concerned about students from poor and impoverished backgrounds. When there are good opportunities, I always consider them and never consider those from well-off families. In addition, after the incident with Xiao Ansheng, rumors have spread from who knows where, saying that there is a list of more than a dozen people selected by teachers and some other teachers in the Imperial Academy for the interviews. The interviews are just a formality, and they can go straight to the written test. Xiao Ansheng is one of them."

“Those who aren’t on the list will have to go through interviews and written tests one by one. It’s extremely unfair to say that these dozen or so people were pre-selected. Even though I’ve explained that this never happened, it’s still causing quite a stir.”

Xun Kuang pursed his lips: "So, you see, this matter is getting bigger and bigger. Those students are no longer under my control. As for finding the teacher, he was impeached years ago, and he even openly said, 'If they don't have money, what's wrong with me taking care of them? You bunch of rich people need me to take care of you? Are you starving?' He even said this to several censors. So the teacher is too busy lately and doesn't know about this yet. I don't think it's good for him to know."

As he spoke, Xun Kuang cautiously glanced at Su Chang'an.

However, she saw the Empress's lips curl up as she looked at her.

Xun Kuang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately bowed: "Your Majesty, I didn't mean to ask you to do anything. It's just that things have come to this point. If it were just the censors impeaching me or something, that would be fine. But the students are starting to cause trouble now."

Su Chang'an ate his porridge while looking at Xun Kuang.

I roughly understand the situation. It's normal for students to form cliques; it's unavoidable and there's no way to prevent it.

But this time.
Perhaps it was the pressure of the upcoming imperial examination, or perhaps he was misled, or perhaps he had always had this idea.

It's obvious that they've thoroughly provoked the conflict.

And
Is this referring to the recent imperial examination reform?

Xun Kuang wasn't unable to manage the matter; rather, it was escalating into something far more serious.

After all, Mu Xu had mentioned his true intentions to Xia Fengxiang and Su Chang'an.

Remove the recommendation system!
If a student from a noble family fails the imperial examination, someone with connections in the family will immediately recommend him for an official position.

However, students from impoverished backgrounds could only participate in the imperial examinations. If they were lucky enough to curry favor with the powerful and influential, they would be recommended, but their character would also be questionable, and they would become perfunctory.

They could have been recommended, but they still wanted to compete for a spot on the imperial examination list.

Moreover, after being recommended, one becomes the recommender's henchman.

Where did the henchmen come from?

Right here!
That night, Mu Xu was very excited when he talked about this with Xia Fengxiang and Su Chang'an.

Xia Fengxiang didn't say anything, but simply nodded and told Mu Xu to go back first.

However, Xia Fengxiang continued to stand behind Mu Xu and reform the imperial examination system.

As for Mu Xu, he naturally encountered many obstacles as well. Many people had previously advised him at the Imperial Academy that the recommended people did not need to be interviewed, but Mu Xu directly rejected their suggestions.

The matter even reached the court assembly, but Xia Fengxiang's words, that Mu Xu would take full responsibility for the imperial examinations, suppressed the issue.

Thinking this, Su Chang'an looked at Xun Kuang: "Xiao Ansheng, are you sure it's because you were born with a squint that you were looking at Yang Liaoyuan?"

Xun Kuang quickly bowed and took out a memorial from his robes: "I asked Physician Wang of the Imperial Medical Bureau to examine him. He was indeed born with strabismus. I also asked many students who were present at the time and observed Xiao Ansheng in private. When he looked at things normally, from the side, his gaze seemed to be peeking to the side. I also asked other teachers and scholars to verify this matter."

After Lu Cai took the memorial, he turned around and handed it to Su Chang'an.

Su Chang'an flipped through it and saw that it mainly contained information such as time, place, and questions and answers.

Su Chang'an asked, "Does Song Daoji, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, and Yang Muhe, the Scholar-official, know about this matter?"

Xun Kuang nodded: "I know, I have already looked into it, but their point is that if Xiao Ansheng is innocent, why should he apologize?"

Su Chang'an closed the memorial: "Did they threaten Xiao Ansheng's family?"

Xun Kuang shook his head: "Your Majesty, I have no way of verifying this matter, so I cannot make a judgment. Without evidence, I cannot even guess."

Su Chang'an looked at Yan Ruyu beside him.

When Yan Ruyu saw the Empress looking at her, she blinked and asked, "Your Majesty?"

Su Chang'an said, "Disguise yourself for me."

Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyu immediately looked at the Empress: "Your Majesty, His Majesty says you cannot leave the palace."

Su Chang'an frowned: "Is this what His Majesty said? Don't go out for a stroll if you have nothing to do."

Yan Ruyu nodded.

Su Chang'an continued, "Now that Lord Xun has come to see me, does he have something to discuss that requires him to leave the palace?"

Yan Ruyu nodded again.

Su Chang'an asked, "Then tell me, should I go out and clear that student's name, and find out what's going on with the person who framed him?"

Yan Ruyu nodded again.

Su Chang'an pressed his advantage: "Then should I leave the palace with Lord Xun?"

Yan Ruyu nodded: "Mm."

Huh?
After answering, Ruyu paused, sensing that something was amiss.

But upon closer reflection, something felt off.

Xun Kuang looked at the Empress and thought that it was understandable that His Majesty would not allow her to leave the palace at will, since her health was not good and it always seemed like something bad was going to happen to her whenever she left the palace.

But
Follow me out of the palace?
I?
This isn't right.

Su Chang'an looked at Ruyu and said, "That's right. Lord Xun asked me to handle this matter, and I left the palace with him. This was my own decision to leave the palace."

Yan Ruyu frowned, and before she could speak, she shut her mouth again and obediently shook her head: "No."

Xun Kuang quickly bowed.

Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Su Chang'an looking at him.

Xun Kuang immediately shut up, but looking at the Empress, he realized, "Oh no! This is bad!"

Su Chang'an looked at Ruyu and said, "However, His Majesty will definitely have to be informed, but you don't need to go. Let Kuyue go; she can handle things. Go to Song Daoji's residence now, and have Sheyue go to Yang Muhe's residence. Tell Sheyue that once she arrives, she shouldn't say a word. Just say that I sent you. Then, when you arrive, just sit and drink tea. Eat whatever you want, but remember, don't say a word. Just watch them."

Upon hearing this, Ruyu recalled her previous visit to Yang Guofu's place and immediately nodded, "Yes!"

Su Chang'an looked at Maomao: "Prepare your disguise. You can't wear the veil and mask anymore, they're too easy to be recognized. Then come with me to check if Xiao Ansheng is cross-eyed."

The cat nodded and turned to get ready.

Su Chang'an looked at Xun Kuang and said, "Lord Xun, we'll set off in a little while. You eat first, and we'll leave shortly."

Xun Kuang looked at the Empress: "Your Majesty, His Majesty forbids you from leaving the palace. I humbly request your written edict, and then have Lord Ruyu investigate this matter. Would you like to remain in the palace?"

Su Chang'an said, "It's a sensitive time lately, so I'm not writing anything. Besides, you were the one who came to ask me to leave the palace, so don't forget that. You also remember saying that when His Majesty asked."

Xun Kuang's face immediately twisted in pain.

Good heavens!

They're bullying honest people!

(End of this chapter)