Our family has been rebelling for generations, and you've become the top scholar in the imperia

The next morning.

To be precise, it should be around 4:30 a.m.

At the entrance of the palace.

Qin Feng yawned as he stood in a corner by the palace gate, with no one around him.

I felt completely listless. After finishing cleaning up last night, it was already around midnight. I finally managed to lie down, but I had to get up at four o'clock to wash up and change, and I had to get to the palace gate before four-thirty.

Looking at the group of officials queuing in the distance, especially the group of old men among them, Qin Feng kept shaking his head.

Being an official isn't easy.

They get up at this time to attend the morning assembly, and after that, they go directly to their respective government offices to work, busy until they finish their shifts in the evening.

Its strength is comparable to that of an ox or a horse.

"This boy is Qin Feng? A member of the eunuch faction?"

"Bah! I'm ashamed to associate with this man. He colludes with the eunuch faction; isn't he afraid of being ridiculed by the world?!"

"I have seen this child's exam paper; it's utter nonsense. With this level of ability, he couldn't even pass the county-level exam. How did he manage to participate in the metropolitan exam?"

"..."

The reason why Qin Feng was alone was...

The reason was that, just as he had predicted, the news of the eunuch delivering the house yesterday spread throughout the entire capital in less than a night.

All the officials who came to attend the grand court assembly looked at him with disdain and resentment.

Even worse, some people would spit on the ground as they walked by.

but.

Qin Feng wasn't particularly angry. What's wrong with the eunuch faction?

The eunuch faction was perfect for him. It was a job that matched his expertise, he was good at it, and he earned a lot of money. He could easily confiscate a house and hide a lot of money.

not to mention.

There is no department more suitable than the eunuch faction to whitewash the Qin family.

"Qin Zhuangyuan!"

Just then.

Behind them, a group of officials walked in, led by Ren Qianyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites who had returned alive from Yunxiang County.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Qin Feng cupped his hands in greeting.

"Why is the top scholar doing this? Years of hard study have been difficult. If he is labeled a member of the eunuch faction, what will the consequences be? Does the top scholar know?"

"if……"

After leaving the brothel last night, Ren Qianyuan went straight to the Grand Tutor's mansion and discussed the matter with the old Grand Tutor.

"No interest. Thank you for your kind offer, Vice Minister."

Before the other person could finish speaking, Qin Feng waved his hand, looking somewhat impatient.

That shouldn't be happening!

The news is spreading so slowly. They beat Wang Dengke up just yesterday, and today they're actually inviting him to join the Nanlin Party.

Is this never going to end?

"Qin Feng, the eunuch faction is a cancer on the nation, and everyone has the right to kill him. You study the classics and associate with the eunuch faction, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by all the scholars in the world?"

"Don't be afraid!"

Qin Feng nodded and replied sincerely.

That's the truth.

The term "eunuch faction" sounds much better than "bandit," right?

The Qin family, who had been bandits for generations, didn't care about the reputation of being a member of the eunuch faction.

"you!!!"

"Stop nagging, sir. There won't be any seats left, hurry up and get in line. Stop blabbering so early in the morning, are you going through menopause?"

"How dare you insult me! I'll teach you a lesson today!"

Qin Feng's face darkened.

His eyes were fixed on the other person, while he rolled up his sleeves and rubbed his wrists, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"Shut up!"

Ren Qianyuan turned around and glared at him.

"Since Scholar Qin has willingly fallen into depravity, it is indeed my doing. However... throughout history, eunuchs have either been executed by slow slicing or their families were wiped out. Scholar Qin should be careful in the future."

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency."

Seeing Qin Feng so readily admit to the eunuch faction.

The officials in line, whether from the Southern Lin Party, the North, or even military officers, couldn't help but frown.

There was conflict in the imperial court, which stemmed from differing political views.

But if it involves the eunuch faction, then it becomes a life-or-death feud.

"It seems yesterday's news was true. They really colluded with the eunuch faction. I really can't understand it. He was the top scholar in the imperial examination, with a bright future in the Hanlin Academy and a chance to enter the cabinet. How could he..."

"Yunxiang County has produced such a scoundrel? He admits to being a member of the eunuch faction. We, the students of the North, should sever all ties with him from now on and never associate with him, lest we disgrace the scholars."

"This old minister will certainly petition His Majesty in a moment that this boy's character is so bad that he should not be allowed to serve as an official in the court."

"..."

Qin Feng had come to realize just how powerful the eunuch faction was.

It takes a skill to be hated by all officials like that.

Instructions.

The eunuch faction has often caused harm to these officials.

However, Ren Qianyuan was right when he said that eunuch factions have never had a good ending.

This includes his act of taking the emperor's knife.

Once the matter is accomplished and the emperor's goal is achieved, it will be time to settle scores with him.

Countless historical events can prove this point.

"Compared to joining the Nanlin Party, the eunuch party will have more power and will allow for faster advancement. As for what to do in the future, we'll deal with that after we've cleaned up the Qin family's name. At worst, we can continue to live in anonymity."

Qin Feng pondered various things and waited quietly.

It wasn't until half an hour later.

The palace gates opened.

A large number of officials filed in, with Qin Feng trailing behind as he entered the palace.

"Lord Qin!"

suddenly.

A young eunuch guarding the palace gate gently tugged at Qin Feng's clothes, glanced around, and quickly slipped a note inside.

"Lord Qin, be careful in the imperial court!"

He whispered a reminder, and the little eunuch hurriedly ran away.

Qin Feng gripped the note, opened it, and glanced at it, his expression turning grim.

No need to think about the note.

The only person in the palace with such power could be Eunuch Miao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

but……

The contents of the note surprised Qin Feng somewhat.

"If we're talking about ruthlessness, these scholars are the real ruthless ones. I haven't even gotten an official position yet, and they're already trying to kill me?"

He muttered a curse under his breath.

Qin Feng stuffed the note into his mouth, bit it, and swallowed it.

We followed the officials ahead into the magnificent imperial palace.

The entire palace was resplendent in gold, with giant pillars covered in gold leaf and white marble steps leading down from the dragon throne.

Each official found their place and stood respectfully with their hands at their sides.

It was Qin Feng's first time attending a court assembly, and he had no idea where he should stand.

I could only find a spot near a pillar close to the entrance.

I've just gotten into position.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

A deafening sound came from ahead.

Qin Feng hurriedly followed the others in bowing and paying his respects. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, kneeling was not required at court assemblies; each official could simply bow.

That's quite humane.

"Is there anything I need to report?"

Zhou Zhengde, leaning back on the dragon throne, pinched his brow with one hand and asked somewhat lazily.

The voice just fell.

The bottom position.

Ren Qianyuan glanced at the person to his side, and the other person understood immediately.

He immediately bowed and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

"explain!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request a thorough investigation into the cheating of the top scholar Qin Feng in the imperial examination. Before the provincial examination, a total of 69 students did not participate. All of these students had scores higher than Qin Feng's, yet they all missed the provincial examination without exception. There must be something fishy going on!"

"How could this be so strange?"

"It must be Qin Feng who used every means at his disposal to secretly harm many students and control the imperial examination. Your Majesty, we beseech you to investigate thoroughly!"

These words were spoken.

Zhou Zhengde's expression changed slightly, and he slowly gripped the dragon throne tighter.

Where is Qin Feng?

"Your subject is here!"

Qin Feng shook his clothes, took a deep breath, and walked out from behind the pillar.