I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

"Your Highness is so thoughtful!"

"His Highness the Sixth Prince has just passed the imperial examination with flying colors, and His Highness the Crown Prince has sent him a steel sword. This is clearly an encouragement for the Sixth Prince to excel in both literature and martial arts. Congratulations!"

One of the ministers, who hadn't quite caught on, chuckled and said...

Upon hearing this, everyone stared at him as if he were a fool.

As time went on, he also realized that something was wrong.

After realizing what had happened, he quickly slapped his own mouth, blaming himself for being so talkative.

The steel knife lying on the ground gleamed with an icy, chilling light!

The significance of Qin Li sending the steel knife is self-evident.

It wasn't an encouragement for the Sixth Prince to excel in both literature and martial arts, but rather an instruction for him to commit suicide with a knife.

"Your Highness, what do you mean by this?!"

After the dragon case, Emperor Xuan, sitting on the dragon throne, couldn't help but shout angrily.

Qin Li wasn't afraid at all. He hadn't been afraid of anything that had happened before, so this time was even less of a concern.

Qin Li first patted his sleeves, and then said calmly, "Father asks me what I mean, and I ask Father what he means."

"What do you mean?"

Emperor Xuan asked, puzzled.

Qin Li glanced at everyone in the room and said, "Did you all just congratulate Lao Liu?"

The ministers dared not speak, only Emperor Xuan said, "Yes, the sixth prince has passed the imperial examination with flying colors; isn't that something to celebrate?"

"Of course, we should congratulate those who have achieved top scores in high school."

Changing the subject, Qin Li added, "But we also need to see how you got on the honor roll. Sixth brother, I'll give you a chance, you tell me yourself."

The sixth prince's eyes darted around, and he dared not step forward to speak.

Emperor Xuan still hadn't reacted and questioned, "Crown Prince, what exactly do you mean! Your sixth brother passed the imperial examination with flying colors, and you're causing this trouble? Is this how an elder brother should act?"

Qin Li pointed at the Sixth Prince and said, "Fifth place in the first class? Does he even deserve it? He didn't even get into the examination hall, how did he manage to pass the imperial examination?"

"I think Minister Huangfu should know more about this matter than I do."

As Qin Li finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Huangfu Song.

Huangfu Song felt uneasy. It seemed he had fallen into Qin Li's trap, and Qin Li was trying to get him to take sides.

But everyone knows that Huangfu Song is Emperor Xuan's man. If he sides with Qin Li now, how will Emperor Xuan view him? Will he still have a good life in the future?

Although he didn't care about these things, and his loyalty to the Great Zhou Dynasty was always in his heart, he didn't want to be suspected or alienated by Emperor Xuan for no reason.

"What does Minister Huangfu mean?"

Emperor Xuan asked, eager to know the truth.

Before Huangfu Song could speak, Qin Li deliberately reminded him, saying, "Minister Huangfu, you are a very important figure in our Great Zhou. Surely you wouldn't lie?"

Huangfu Song glanced at Qin Li and said, "Your Highness is too kind. This old minister would never dare to lie, much less deceive the Emperor."

Qin Li nodded in satisfaction. Although he had saved Lu Heng's family and sent them to Jiangnan, he couldn't guarantee that Huangfu Song wouldn't stab him in the back.

After speaking, Huangfu Song cupped his hands to Emperor Xuan and said, "Your Majesty, on the second day of the imperial examination, this old minister personally saw His Highness the Sixth Prince outside the Imperial Academy."

"Since the Sixth Prince wasn't in the examination hall, how did he manage to pass the imperial examination with flying colors?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan suddenly realized what was happening. He stared wide-eyed at the Sixth Prince in disbelief.

Everyone knows that Qin Li is in charge of this year's imperial examination, ensuring fairness and impartiality.

Has the sixth brother gone mad? Why does he have to steal the spotlight?!

What benefit would it bring him to have a high school honor roll?

He's already a prince. He can't give you anything except the throne. What can't the sixth prince have?

stupid!

That's so stupid.

Emperor Xuan cursed the Sixth Prince in his heart.

The sixth prince is incredibly stupid; how could he have given birth to such a foolish son?

Although he cursed Lao Liu in his heart for being incredibly stupid, Emperor Xuan still had to find a way to save him.

Given Qin Li's personality, he would definitely kill the sixth son; Emperor Xuan could not accept losing another son.

After his third brother died, he was devastated. Now that his sixth brother has also died, he doesn't know how he'll go on living.

Thinking of this, Emperor Xuan looked at the Sixth Prince and deliberately said:

"Sixth Brother, were you still half asleep last night? Why are you spouting nonsense here so early in the morning? What 'passing the imperial examinations'? You didn't even go to the examination hall, so where did you get that 'passing the imperial examinations'?"

Realizing that the Emperor Xuan was trying to save him, the Sixth Prince cooperated by saying:

"Yes, yes, Father, please forgive me. I was so sleepy. I didn't say that I passed the imperial examination. I just said that I congratulated those students who passed the imperial examination. They are all the future pillars of the nation."

Emperor Xuan nodded in satisfaction and looked at Qin Li, saying, "Crown Prince, the sixth prince was just confused in his sleep and said a few incoherent words. Let's leave it at that. Take your sword and leave."

"Trying to fool me? No way..." Qin Li thought to himself.

Qin Li stepped forward, bent down, and picked up the knife. Just when everyone thought Qin Li would leave with the knife, he suddenly attacked.

Grasping the knife in his hand, Qin Li slashed at the Sixth Prince.

The sixth prince screamed in fright, and in a panic, he ran towards Emperor Xuan.

Qin Li, knife in hand, chased after him, shouting, "Are you still half asleep? That might fool others, but it won't fool me! Didn't you say you used the alias Lu Jia to participate in this spring imperial examination and came in fifth place in the first class? What, are you denying it now?"

"Brother, please calm down! Don't chase them anymore! Your humble servant knows he was wrong!"

The sixth prince ran incredibly fast, almost to the point of tears. In the end, he ran directly behind Emperor Xuan and hid. Now, only Emperor Xuan could save him.

Qin Li stopped in his tracks, knife in hand, just as a large contingent of imperial guards poured into the entrance of the Imperial Study.

After all, it wouldn't be good if the Crown Prince accidentally injured Emperor Xuan while wielding a knife and attacking people in the Imperial Study.

"Your Highness, what are you doing!"

Emperor Xuan slammed his fist on the dragon throne in anger, the sound echoing loudly.

Qin Li remained completely unfazed, instead smiling and saying:

"Father, it's not about what I want to do, but what exactly does the Sixth Prince want to do!"

"As everyone knows, this year's imperial examination is being presided over by your son, and I am determined to provide a fair competition for all the scholars in the land."

"But what about the sixth brother? He knowingly committed the crime."

"Even if he went into the examination hall and pretended to take the exam, I wouldn't be so angry. But he clearly didn't even go into the examination hall, yet he claims to have passed the imperial examination with flying colors. If this gets out, what will the world think?"

"Father, don't stop me. Today, your son will rid our Great Zhou of this scourge."

"If the sixth prince dares to cheat on the imperial examination today, he will dare to murder the emperor one day. This is my way of preparing for the worst. I hope Father can understand my good intentions."

Seeing that Qin Li refused to let him go, the sixth prince cried out with snot and tears streaming down his face, "Father, help! Help! My elder brother is going to kill me!"

Emperor Xuan stood up and stretched out his arm to block it.

He would rather die than let Qin Li kill the Sixth Prince.

As I said before, he has already lost his third son, and he cannot afford to lose his sixth son as well.

If he's going to die, let that old geezer die before the sixth brother.

……

"Is Father determined to protect this wretched child?"

"So what if it is!"

"For this wretched child, Father has even disregarded the greater good?"

"So what if it is!"

Upon receiving this answer, Qin Li nodded in satisfaction; it was exactly the answer he wanted.

Gripping the steel knife in his hand even tighter, Qin Li said:

"In that case, Father, please don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Father, you'd better not stop me. It would be bad if my sword were to injure your body."

"You dare!"

Emperor Xuan was furious.

He didn't believe Qin Li would dare to draw his knife in front of him.

But as soon as he finished speaking, the steel blade rapidly enlarged in Emperor Xuan's cloudy eyes, and Qin Li actually slashed down.

"How dare you!"

Standing at the door leading the imperial guards, Han Zhen gave a stern shout, trying to intimidate Qin Li.

Qin Li's movements did not falter in the slightest; the steel blade slashed down fiercely.

Emperor Xuan and the Sixth Prince were so frightened that they quickly squatted down.

With a snap, the steel knife slammed into the thick dragon table.

Qin Li drew his steel knife and was about to raise it to strike again.

At this moment, Han Zhen rushed forward, drew his knife, and slashed at Qin Li.

In an instant, sparks flew everywhere in the imperial study, and everyone hurriedly moved aside, afraid of accidentally getting hurt.

The two men only stopped when their knives were cut in half.

"Big, bold!"

Hiding under the table, Emperor Xuan's voice trembled, filled with anger and rage.

Qin Li wasn't just trying to kill Lao Liu; he was clearly going to kill him too.

"Guards, seize this rebellious son!"

But even after he finished speaking, not a single imperial guard at the door stepped forward.

Because it was obvious to everyone that Qin Li did not want to kill Emperor Xuan, but only the Sixth Prince.

Moreover, Qin Li had kindly reminded him before taking action, but Emperor Xuan simply didn't listen.

Qin Li only stopped and retreated after his knife was cut in half.

Only then did Emperor Xuan and the Sixth Prince dare to cautiously peek out, looking extremely disheveled.

Han Zhen stayed close to the two of them, fearing that Qin Li would rush up and cause trouble again.

Looking at the ministers in the imperial study, Qin Li said:

"You are all pillars of our Great Zhou Dynasty. Are you just going to stand by and watch His Majesty make a mistake?"

No one spoke; they all lowered their heads, not daring to meet Qin Li's gaze.

They dared not oppose Qin Li, much less agree with him.

Otherwise, Emperor Xuan wouldn't have let them off the hook after Qin Li left.

Seeing this, Qin Li laughed angrily: "Fine, fine, since that's the case, then don't blame me for overstepping my authority."

With a whoosh, Qin Li stretched out his arm and pointed at the Sixth Prince hiding behind Emperor Xuan, saying:

"Seven days from now, the three judicial departments will hold a joint trial. Sixth Brother, you'd better be there!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me for using the army outside the city to capture you on the spot. At that time, even Father Emperor won't be able to stop me."

After saying that, Qin Li suddenly flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.

Seeing Qin Li leave, the Sixth Prince breathed a sigh of relief.

But the next moment, Emperor Xuan's big foot kicked him with a bang, knocking him off his feet.

The sixth prince quickly scrambled to his feet, knelt down, and cried, "Father, spare me! Father, spare me! I know I was wrong! I know I was wrong!"

The only one who can save his life now is Emperor Xuan. He can't afford to ruin his relationship with Emperor Xuan. What's wrong with Emperor Xuan kicking him? He could even beat him up.

Seeing the sixth prince in this state, Emperor Xuan was furious. He kicked the prince a few more times before turning his attention to the ministers in the imperial study.

After sitting back on the dragon throne, Emperor Xuan said, "Speak! What are we going to do now? No one is allowed to leave until a solution is found!"

With a creak, the door to the Imperial Study closed, signaling that the conversation that was about to take place inside must not be heard from outside...

As dusk fell, the ministers finally left the palace one after another.

At the palace gate, Huangfu Song stood alone, while the other ministers chatted and laughed, as if they had already found a solution.

Looking back at the palace, Huangfu Song sighed deeply, filled with disappointment, before turning and boarding the carriage parked at the palace gate.

Before he could even step inside the carriage, Huangfu Song was taken aback, because there was someone sitting in his carriage—it was Qin Li.

Upon seeing Huangfu Song arrive, Qin Li, sitting in the carriage, smiled slightly.

As luck would have it, Han Zhen came to see them off at that moment.

Han Zhen understood Huangfu Song's feelings, but given the reality, Huangfu Song had no choice but to accept it.

Upon seeing Han Zhen arrive, Huangfu Song quickly lowered the carriage curtain, fearing that Han Zhen would see Qin Li sitting inside, and then he wouldn't be able to explain himself even if he had ten mouths.

Before Han Zhen could speak, Huangfu Song, standing on the carriage, raised his hand and said:

"You don't need to say anything more, I understand. You can go back now, I should also return to my residence."

Han Zhen nodded, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Huangfu Song, and left, turning back every few steps.

Once Han Zhen had gone far away, Huangfu Song got into the carriage and told the driver to return to the mansion.

The wheels rumbled, and two people sat facing each other in the carriage.

After a while, Huangfu Song finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked:

"What exactly does His Highness the Crown Prince mean?"

"Um?"

Qin Li simply raised his eyebrows in response.

Huangfu Song said somewhat angrily, "Knowing that His Majesty would dislike our private meeting, Your Highness still insists on doing this. Are you trying to make His Majesty suspicious of me?"

Qin Li readily admitted, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

After saying that, Qin Li continued, "Minister Huangfu, you saw what happened in the Imperial Study today. The Sixth Prince cheated on the imperial examination, but His Majesty insisted on protecting him. Is this the kind of emperor you are loyal to?"

Huangfu Song remained silent, but his hands, which were resting on his knees, gradually clenched into fists.

Qin Li continued, "Minister Huangfu, although I have many shortcomings, there is one thing I cannot tolerate: for the sake of the Great Zhou, those who understand the times are wise. I hope Minister Huangfu will consider my case."

Huangfu Song had only one answer to this: "A loyal minister does not serve two masters."

Qin Li knew Huangfu Song would answer like this, and laughed: "Is Minister Huangfu loyal to himself or to the Great Zhou?"

Huangfu Song fell silent again, his fists clenching even tighter.

Qin Li didn't force Huangfu Song to answer, but deliberately changed the subject, saying:

"Tell me, what countermeasures did you come up with in the Imperial Study?"

Huangfu Song looked at Qin Li: "Your Highness, what makes you think I would tell you?"

Qin Li subconsciously rubbed the jade thumb ring on his thumb, but the jade thumb ring had already disappeared. He had no choice but to withdraw his hand and said, "Because I know that Minister Huangfu is loyal to the Great Zhou. What the sixth prince is doing is destroying the foundation of the Great Zhou."

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Song closed his eyes, a deep sense of helplessness on his face.

When he opened his eyes again, he told Qin Li everything in detail about the plan the ministers had devised to rescue the sixth prince in the imperial study...