The Demon Prince

When Xiao Xingyue entered the Prince's mansion, the sky was still dark.

His outer robe was soaked in blood and washed by rain, its color patchy, and the cuffs still smelled of medicine.

Chen Manfu followed beside him, his face contorted in a grimace, while Zhao Yuanbao shrank back, not daring to ask any more questions.

The candles were still lit in the main hall.

Li Wangshu couldn't sit still. Upon hearing footsteps, he immediately got up from his chair.

She had been maintaining her princess-like demeanor, but upon seeing the blood on Xiao Xingyue's clothes, she immediately panicked: "You're injured?"

She ran over in a few steps, her skirt brushing against the threshold, almost tripping her: "Are you alright?"

Xiao Xingyue looked down at himself:

"I'm fine. I was assassinated right after leaving Qinghe Garden, and Shen Yan was taken along with me."

Li Wangshu's breath hitched: "Shen Yan is in trouble too? Dead?"

Xiao Xingyue raised his hand and rubbed his shoulder:

"In Beitang Prefecture, I survived, but I almost went from being the second-place scholar to the role model."

Li Wangshu's eyes instantly reddened. She was both angry and scared. She raised her hand to hit him, but halfway through, she saw the blood seeping from his sleeve and stopped abruptly.

"You still have the nerve to talk nonsense? Do you even know what I...?"

The second half of the sentence got stuck, and Consort Shu stepped out from behind the screen.

She wasn't dressed up today, only wearing a light-colored outer robe, but her imposing noble air was in no way diminished.

She looked at Xiao Xingyue, a slight ripple passing through her eyes:

"Wang Shu, you may step back now."

Li Wangshu immediately turned his head: "Mother, he was just assassinated."

Consort Shu's voice became a little harsher:

"I have something to say to him."

Li Wangshu bit her lip and looked at Xiao Xingyue, who waved his hand at her.

"Don't worry, Mother wouldn't take advantage of my injury to finish me off, would she?"

Consort Shu glanced at him: "If you continue with your frivolous remarks, I won't mind doing this!"

Xiao Xingyue immediately shut up, and Li Wangshu reluctantly retreated to the outer room.

She walked very slowly, turning back every few steps.

Consort Shu saw it all but didn't say anything.

The door closed, leaving only two people in the main hall.

The water on the tea stove made a soft gurgling sound, as if it were marking the end of the night rain.

Consort Shu returned to her seat:

"I know you were assassinated, and I also know you are unharmed."

Xiao Xingyue sat down opposite him and chuckled, "Your Majesty's information network is truly impressive."

Consort Shu picked up her teacup:

"If I didn't have spies, I wouldn't have the power I have today."

She raised her eyes: "Xiao Xingyue, I know who assassinated you."

Xiao Xingyue tapped the teacup with his fingertips:

"Did Your Majesty come to me specifically to say this to help me take revenge, or to let me take revenge myself?"

Consort Shu did not answer immediately; she put down her teacup.

"Don't rush to take revenge... This matter involves the imperial examination cheating case."

"The imperial examination?" Xiao Xingyue stared intently.

Consort Shu nodded. "In recent years, there have been rumors of cheating in the imperial examinations, but each time no concrete evidence has been found. Occasionally, when the investigation is halfway through, the witness dies of illness, disappears, or is transferred away from the capital. As the matter drags on, the court just treats it as a rumor."

Xiao Xingyue didn't interrupt.

Consort Shu continued:

"This year, Xie Yuheng topped the imperial examination and was quickly recruited by the Hanlin Academy. His Majesty was busy with state affairs and had no time to investigate further. The Hanlin Academy requested permission, and His Majesty complied with their wishes."

Thus... Xie Yuheng was granted a powerful official position, despite not meeting the usual requirements.

On the surface, this is an act of appreciating talent, but in reality, many in the court already dislike it.

Xiao Xingyue leaned back in his chair, and at that moment, several lines suddenly came together.

Xie Yuheng, Shen Yan, Ya Guan, assassination attempt on a rainy night...

If Shen Yan were just an ordinary second-place scholar, no one would have made a move that night.

But Shen Yan became a fourth-rank official and sided with the Xiao family...

He had access to poetry, painting, and classical texts; he could enter the Ministry of Rites; he could peruse old examination papers from the Imperial Examination Hall… He was also a student of the same examination as Xie Yuheng.

Once the investigation continues, it's easy to trace the list back to Xie Yuheng, and even uncover the people behind him.

Xiao Xingyue clicked his tongue softly: "So they came to kill Shen Yan?"

Consort Shu looked at him:

"You and Shen Yan publicly trampled on Xie Yuheng at the poetry gathering, and I personally appointed Shen Yan as an elegant official... This is tantamount to telling the people behind the scenes that you may be able to find them, that they want to kill Shen Yan, and also warning you not to meddle in other people's business."

Xiao Xingyue laughed:

"Shen Yan almost lost his life, and Wang Shu almost became a widow..."

Consort Shu's gaze narrowed slightly as she looked at the smile on Xiao Xingyue's face. This smile made her feel a little heavier.

The more this kid laughs, the angrier he gets. His usual antics are one thing, but last night's assassination attempt, in which Shen Yan took the knife for him, has probably crossed a line.

Consort Shu said, "That's why I've come to find you."

Xiao Xingyue's gaze shifted slightly:

"Since Your Majesty knows so much, why doesn't you investigate it yourself? Why did you summon me instead?"

Consort Shu remained silent for a moment, then rainwater slid down from the eaves and pattered on the bluestone, as if speaking on her behalf. Just then, she began to speak:

"The Jiang family of Jiangnan has too deep a relationship with the Hanlin Academy. If I investigate directly, it will easily implicate my family's former subordinates and people will say that I am taking this opportunity to purge civil officials. Discussing politics in the inner palace will be criticized."

She looked at Xiao Xingyue with some helplessness: "You're different. You've always been seen as a troublemaker in the eyes of everyone in the capital."

Xiao Xingyue nodded: "That's right, I'm not afraid of offending people, after all, I've already offended even the most powerful one."

Consort Shu said admiringly, "It shows that you are bold. It takes courage to break through any impasse."

Xiao Xingyue burst out laughing:

"Your Majesty is so eloquent. You're telling me to charge ahead, but you've changed the wording and I feel so inspired."

Consort Shu was momentarily speechless. "Alright, Xiao Xingyue, you're a smart man. Tell me, what do you want?"

Xiao Xingyue sat up straight: "If I uncover the truth about the cheating in the imperial examinations, Your Majesty will owe me a huge favor. I haven't figured out how to repay it yet, but once I do, I'll definitely make you pay a hefty sum!"

Consort Shu laughed in exasperation: "You brat, I'm your mother-in-law!"

Xiao Xingyue said seriously, "Family members should keep clear accounts."

Consort Shu sighed, suddenly wanting to call Li Wangshu in so her daughter could see what she had picked out.

But then she thought, this wasn't her choice; it was a marriage bestowed by the emperor. So, in a way, His Majesty also bore half the responsibility…

Consort Shu took a breath:

"Alright, I promise you, if you find out the truth, I will owe you a favor."

Xiao Xingyue immediately pressed, "What a big favor!"

Consort Shu emphasized her words: "...a great favor."

Xiao Xingyue was satisfied: "Deal."

Consort Shu did not relax. She stared at Xiao Xingyue and said, "But you must be careful when investigating the case. You are not allowed to overturn the court directly."

Xiao Xingyue patted his chest:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know my limits. I usually only overturn the table, not the room."

Looking at his confident expression, Consort Shu suddenly felt that she had agreed a little too soon.

Consort Shu took a deep breath:

"I will secretly provide you with a verifiable list, as well as some palace information. You will be responsible for external investigations, including those in the Imperial Examination Hall, the Hanlin Academy, and those around Xie Yuheng..."

You can search as much as you can.

Xiao Xingyue asked, "What happened after Shen Yan woke up?"

Consort Shu said, "Given his injuries, whether he can hold a pen is another matter."

Xiao Xingyue's eyes darkened: "He will definitely be able to hold a pen."

Consort Shu glanced at Xiao Xingyue, and at that moment, she could indeed see a bit of the Xiao family's protectiveness in him.

The son of an old friend indeed possesses the bearing of that old friend.

"If Shen Yan can hold a pen again, let him start with the old papers and lists. He was the second-highest scorer in the same examination; having him review many things will arouse less suspicion." Consort Shu stood up: "Alright, I should go now, Wangshu!"