Joy of Life: The melon-eating prince sees through Fan Xian's fake death

Chapter 69: Helping in the examination room, exposed crisis

Outside the imperial study, there was a thunderstorm.

Emperor Qing was sitting cross-legged at the table, fiddling with gunpowder.

Chen Pingping watched the ceremony from the side, pushing his wheelchair back half a step.

The two of them had spent some time in a test and discussion, mostly because Emperor Qing was warning Chen Pingping that the Supervisory Council, which he was in charge of, was too powerful.

This is the issue that Lai Mingcheng mentioned, but the latter refused to admit it and only said that he was a loyal minister of Qing Kingdom and a loyal dog of His Majesty.

Eunuch Hou came over with small steps and presented a memorial:

"Your Majesty, the Ye family and the Second Prince have jointly submitted a memorial."

Emperor Qing was still fiddling with the gunpowder, not even raising his head: "Let the dean see it first."

Chen Pingping's expression changed immediately, and he took another half step back: "Your Majesty, this is against the rules."

Emperor Qing raised his head halfway, questioning: "Haven't you, Chen Pingping, broken the rules enough?"

Eunuch Hou was caught in the middle, feeling very awkward and sweaty. He could only follow His Majesty's wishes and hand the memorial to Chen Pingping first. Chen Pingping took it and opened it for inspection. The most eye-catching thing in it was the joint signature of Ye Zhong of the Ye family and the second prince.
Chen Pingping guessed something: "Your Majesty, this is a joint recommendation by the Ye family and the Second Prince to recommend Fan Xian as the chief examiner for this spring exam. I'm afraid it's because he inherited Zhuang Mohan's legacy that the two of you appreciate him so much."

Emperor Qing looked at this loyal servant and asked, "What do you think of this letter of recommendation?"

It was another question of death. Chen Pingping thought about it again and again, and could only praise the prince:

"The Second Prince is smart. He just came to the conclusion of his house arrest and he recommended Fan Xian to the Ye family. You should know what the Ye family is like. Ye Liuyun is a great master. The Second Prince has the help of the Ye family. If he can submit a petition with the Ye family at this time, he will surely have a bright future."

This is ironic. The Second Prince is colluding with the Ye family, and you are not anxious?
Emperor Qing had a blank expression on his face: "His engagement with the Ye family was granted by me."

"No matter how smart he is, it was given by His Majesty."

Chen Pingping immediately flattered him, revealing his true intentions and expressing his views: "The Second Prince had a quarrel with Fan Xian in the court, but he was able to recommend him after being confined to the court. This shows the Second Prince's magnanimity and generosity. I am deeply moved."

He was hinting that the fight between Fan Xian and the Second Prince might just be a gun from the Crown Prince.

Emperor Qing was indeed impatient. He put down the gunpowder in his hand, raised his head and looked at Chen Pingping:
"But I'm wondering, Fan Xian is so young, can he serve as an examiner for the Spring Examination?"

Chen Pingping lowered his head, not daring to answer. This was a personnel assignment, and it was His Majesty's duty. How could he dare to overstep the line? Moreover, he could not tell what Emperor Qing meant by how he wanted his pawns to fight. How could he dare to comment? "Your Majesty, this old minister is hard to say."

"It's still so watertight."

Emperor Qing made a joke, then continued fiddling with the gunpowder, and said, "Fan Xian is still inexperienced and it's hard for him to convince the public, so I'll let Li Chengqian be the deputy examiner to help him show his skills in the Spring Examination. I'm looking forward to it."

Chen Pingping's pupils shrank slightly. He had mentioned before that he wanted to prevent Fan Xian from becoming a victim of the princes' struggle, and hoped that Emperor Qing would choose Fan Xian out. However, Emperor Qing's decree was to tie Fan Xian and the prince together and involve him in the struggle.
In this plan, his son was also treated as a chess piece and everything was taken into account.

Chen Pingping bowed his head and praised: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Qing saw the change in his expression, snorted and laughed, holding the pestle and smashing it hard at the gunpowder:

"boom!"

The gunpowder exploded, black smoke billowed, and the guards outside the imperial study drew their swords and stood guard on both sides.

Chen Pingping narrowed his eyes and looked at Emperor Qing with pretended horror and concern.

The latter put on "smoky makeup" but was very happy:
"I, it's done!"

······
Li Chengqian and Fan Xian received imperial edicts respectively, and will work together to be responsible for the important matters of presiding over this year's Spring Examination.

Fan Xian was somewhat surprised when he received the eunuch Hou's order:
In this way, his relationship with the prince became more obvious in the court. Everyone could see that Fan Xian was able to move around in the court and take charge of various affairs because of the prince's power.

Is it to let Xinyang open his eyes and see the changes in the court today?
Li Chengqian saw it more clearly than Fan Xian:
Emperor Qing is just watching the fun and fanning the flames of his breakup with the Princess. As long as the alliance between him and Fan Xian is pushed in front of everyone, everyone will assume that the two have formed an alliance.

This will also make it clear to the princess that the crown prince has betrayed her alliance. This will urge the princess to change sides and join forces with the second prince to deal with the crown prince Fan Xian.
"Conspiracy!"

Li Chengqian had to sigh at his father's high political skills, and also had to guard against his sudden move. The Spring Examination in the officialdom was not just an exam, but also a means for various forces to train disciples.

Qingzhu presented the note: "Your Highness, this is a candidate for the Spring Examination who wants to be your disciple."

Li Chengqian looked at the name on it and crushed it without hesitation:

"I didn't want to do anything wrong during the Spring Examination. Now that I'm the chief examiner, I can't abuse my power for personal gain. Otherwise, my father will be dissatisfied with me, and I will also have a rift with Fan Xian."

But what about other officials?

Does he want to take care of them one by one?
Li Chengqian realized that this was not only the fuse that caused His Majesty to make him break up with the eldest princess.

Or he could have offended the officials of the court, especially the important ministers of the country. If Emperor Qing could make Fan Xian his ally, he would not let him have more contact with other ministers.
Or even make them bear a grudge against the prince?
This is such a hot potato!
Li Chengqian sighed, but he had to follow Emperor Qing's wishes and work with Fan Xian to host the Spring Examination, but he had to offend those officials who should be offended.

However, he could also cultivate his reputation through this incident and gain the admiration of this year's spring examination candidates and even scholars all over the world.

"As a prince, I cannot keep private retainers, but I must be willing to recruit talented people. If I can establish a good image among the candidates, when I need people in the future, there will be a steady stream of talented people who will take the initiative to join me."

Since Emperor Qing has set the stage for him.

Then Li Chengqian has to perform this play well!

······
Before the Spring Examination, the examination hall needed to be built, and the Ministry of Rites was busy making arrangements.

Li Chengqian put on a Confucian robe, pretended to be a candidate, and sneaked into the examination hall with Fan Xian.

This was a welfare project initiated by the Ministry of Rites. Candidates who came to help build the examination halls were provided with meals and received bonuses. As a result, many poor scholars came to help and earn money so that they could survive in Kyoto, where prices were extremely high.

But there are also some people who come to help just to make themselves felt in front of the examiner.

For example.
"Shi Chanli, who are these two gentlemen?"

Hou Jichang noticed that the two new helpers in the examination room looked unfamiliar. They had fair skin and smooth hands, and were obviously not poor students who did heavy work. Could it be that they were also here to improve the examiner's favorability like him?

Fan Xian lied, "Hello, Brother Hou. My last name is Fan, and I'm here to help out and earn some reward money."

"Hello, Brother Fan."

Hou Jichang and Shi Chanli nodded, and looked at Li Chengqian who looked very noble. It would be strange if you said that you were here to make money too.

The prince clasped his fists and said: "My surname is Li, and I came here with Brother Fan, but I am here for..."

Li Chengqian looked towards the center of the examination room, where Minister Guo was building a canopy to enjoy the cool air.

Hou Jichang understood immediately, we are fellow travelers, and he immediately came over:
"Brother Li is very charming and will definitely leave a good impression on the Shangshu."

The four of them walked side by side and began to move materials in the examination room.

Qingzhu, Luan Hongyu and others stood guard on the side. Even though they were hiding, most of the attendants and guards were hiding in the dark, but the appearance of such a beauty would inevitably attract attention. They were a little worried that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had never done heavy work and it would be really hard for him.

Shi Chanli and Hou Jichang noticed the presence of a beautiful woman. How could such a gorgeous and graceful lady come to this poor place?

Then look at the handsome and elegant Brother Li beside them.
They couldn't help but doubt Li Chengqian's identity. Was he perhaps a young master from some prominent family who was seeking pleasure or selecting retainers?
Hou Jichang saw this as an opportunity, so he immediately came forward, snatched the stone tablet from Li Chengqian's basket and offered his courtesy:
"Brother Li, you look very impressive, so I think you must be from a noble family. Could you tell me a little bit? Which family are you from?"

Fan Xian was trying to hold back his laughter. He would never laugh unless something was particularly funny.

But which young master are you talking about?

That's the legitimate son of the Heavenly Family.
　The Spring Examination Chapter will be available tomorrow. The stage for the Crown Prince and the Second Prince has been set. The more exciting Princess returns to the capital, Fan Xian's wedding, the Crown Prince's wedding, the inner treasury crisis, and the climax will all be staged later. Brothers, please support the first order. The author thanks you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)