I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

"What kind of writing does this hero require?"

Chen Shoutian clasped his hands together and asked.

The burly man in black shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

"have no idea?"

Chen Shoutian and Chen Wangju both frowned, not understanding what the burly man in black meant.

If they're here to ask for an article, why don't they know what kind of article they're asking for? How are they supposed to start writing?

The next moment, the burly man in black pulled a money bag from his pocket and threw it over.

Chen Shoutian quickly reached out and took it. When he opened it, he saw that it was full of golden ingots.

Startled, Chen Shoutian dropped the money pouch, which clattered to the ground.

He had never seen so much money in his entire life.

He believed his younger brother, Chen Wangju, felt the same way.

Even if the two brothers worked their whole lives, they probably wouldn't earn that much money.

"What, you don't want it?" the burly man in black said mockingly.

Chen Shoutian quickly bent down, picked up the money bag from the ground, and held it in his hands: "Yes! Yes! But I don't know what kind of article the hero wants, so that my brother and I can start writing."

The burly man in black waved his hand and said, "I really don't know what kind of essay we're asking for right now. My master said you'll find out on the day of the imperial examination."

"The imperial examinations in spring?"

The two brothers frowned again.

The burly man in black stopped being mysterious and said, "On the day of the imperial examination, you just need to arrive at the examination hall on time and take the exam. However, you need to write my master's name in the name column of the exam paper."

"what!"

Chen Shoutian couldn't help but say, "How can this be allowed? Isn't this cheating? If we get caught, both of us brothers will be dead!"

Not to mention, they had long heard that this year's imperial examination was being presided over by His Highness the Crown Prince, and that it was fair and just. Anyone who dared to cheat in the examination would likely be executed along with their entire family.

With a "whoosh," the burly man in black drew his knife, and Chen Shoutian was so frightened that he quickly retreated.

"If you don't do as I say, I'll kill you two brothers right now."

"Don't worry, my master is kind and won't let you two brothers work for nothing. After it's all over, my master will let you go back to your hometown to serve as officials. Yunhua County, right? You two will be the county magistrates of Yunhua County from now on."

"May I ask who your master is, sir?"

Chen Shoutian asked.

The burly man in black sheathed his sword, gave a cold snort, and said:

"Insects like you are not worthy to know who my master is."

"Think it over carefully, you two. Even if you participate in the imperial examination, you may not pass and it will all be for nothing. But now, all you need to do is write my master's name on the exam paper, and afterwards you can go back to your hometown as county magistrates and return home in glory. It's a very worthwhile deal."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shoutian hesitated. He still felt that the risk was too great for the two brothers to bear.

But Chen Wangju suddenly stepped forward, snatched the money bag from Chen Shoutian's hand, and said, "We'll take this job."

The burly man in black grinned and said, "Those who know when to yield are the heroes, and you are a hero, brother."

After saying that, the burly man in black turned and left, saying before he left, "I will come again before the imperial examination."

Soon, the burly man in black disappeared into the night.

After everyone left, Chen Shoutian couldn't help but grab Chen Wangju's sleeve and say, "Wangju, you're being foolish! Whether this matter is handled well or poorly, we'll lose our heads!"

Chen Wangju's eyes were firm: "I'm not confused. It has always been said that the imperial examination is to provide a fair competition for all students in the country. But every time, those who pass the imperial examination are children from noble families. Very few children from poor families make it onto the list. This time will be no exception."

"We'd be better off taking this money and going back to be a county magistrate. That would be a time for our Chen family to bring glory to our ancestors!"

Knowing that Chen Wangju had made up her mind, Chen Shoutian stopped trying to persuade her, since the offer was too good to pass up.

……

Early the next morning.

Zhou Biao told Qin Li about what happened in the rice store warehouse last night.

In a way, it was a coincidence that Qin Li didn't send anyone to keep an eye on the brothers.

Qin Li knew about this because his informant, who was keeping an eye on the Sixth Prince, told him that the burly man in black was one of the Sixth Prince's men.

The sixth prince will also participate in the imperial examination this year, but it will be difficult for him to pass with his knowledge. So he came up with a plan to bribe many poor students he thought were knowledgeable to take the exam in his place. The Chen brothers were two of them.

Upon hearing the news, Qin Li could only let out a long, quiet sigh.

Although he hadn't spent much time with the Chen brothers, Qin Li admired Chen Wangju's knowledge.

If nothing unexpected happens, Chen Wangju will participate in this year's imperial examination on time, and his name will definitely be on the list of successful candidates. If Chen Shoutian works hard, his name will also be on the list of successful candidates.

But now, the two brothers have chosen a path of no return: answering questions for the sixth prince.

"Your Highness, what should we do? Should we arrest them?"

Zhou Biao asked from the side.

"Who should we arrest?"

Qin Li asked.

"Those two brothers."

Zhou Biao replied.

"Why arrest them?" Qin Li said. "They're just being used as pawns. If anyone's going to be arrested, it should be Lao Liu."

"Let's make the arrests after the imperial examinations are over. We should arrest them all at once, catch them red-handed, and make sure they can't deny it."

Zhou Biao nodded.

As the two were talking, Lu Shushu came out of the room.

Thanks to the constant feeding, Lu Shushu has gained a lot of weight, and her face has even developed some baby fat.

As soon as she came out, she put on a teacher's airs, puffed out her chest, coughed twice, and said:

"Time is tight, the task is urgent, the imperial examination is just around the corner, let's practice our essays today."

"I've prepared a few questions for you. Practice them diligently, and you'll surely pass the exam."

After saying that, Lu Shushu handed over several questions she had set for him.

After glancing at it a few times, Qin Li said, "No practice problems today, let's go out and have some fun."

"The imperial examinations are just around the corner, and you still have the mind to go sightseeing?" Lu Shushu couldn't help but scold.

"We agreed on this yesterday."

Qin Li said irritably.

Lu Shushu said "Oh" and then said, "You insisted on going, not me. If you fail the exam and are not admitted, don't blame me."

In short, it's just that he doesn't want to take responsibility... Qin Li thought to himself.

However, he still left the Imperial Academy with Lu Shushu.

On the street, Lu Shushu was curious about everything she saw, because she hadn't been out for several days.

She's going to have a good time shopping today and also treat Qin Li to a big meal, since Qin Li isn't short of money anyway.

"Where are we going?" Lu Shushu asked, skipping along, looking nothing like a teacher.

Qin Li already had a destination in mind, and said, "Just follow me, I'll take you to see someone."