My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Oh……"

Xiao Jinxuan saw through Jiang Xiaobai's thoughts and chuckled softly.

Jiang Xiaobai's words sounded pitiful, but in reality... he just wanted an imperial decree to pressure people.

Xiao Jinxuan immediately spoke slowly, "Jiang Xiaobai, listen to my decree."

"The students are here."

Jiang Xiaobai bowed with his hands clasped.

"Since you are the top scholar in this imperial examination, you should, according to custom, enter the Hanlin Academy."

Xiao Jinxuan's voice was calm and unhurried, yet clearly audible to all the officials: "Today, I hereby appoint you as the Imperial Investigator of the Imperial Examination Cases!"

"You may access all the files, ledgers, lists, and documents related to this imperial examination from the Ministry of Rites. You may also question all those involved, regardless of their official rank."

At this point, Xiao Jinxuan paused slightly before speaking again: "Furthermore, I hereby order Pei Shen, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to be joined by one person each from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate to assist in the investigation."

"If there are any obstructions..."

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze slowly swept over the assembled officials, his voice turning completely cold: "To be punished for disobeying an imperial edict."

boom!

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu and An Zhiyuan's faces turned deathly pale.

The Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate cooperated in the investigation.

How can this be considered an investigation of the imperial examination system?

This is going to turn the Ministry of Rites upside down!

Chen Zhanqiu immediately turned his gaze to the elderly man who was the chief minister.

But the old man's expression remained calm, as if the matter was no longer his concern.

Upon seeing this person's reaction, Chen Zhanqiu lowered his head.

An Zhiyuan was also deathly pale, kneeling there, his body trembling.

Yes, he didn't understand the whole thing!

The design was so good, why did it turn out like this!

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes brightened slightly, but he maintained a bitter expression, cupping his hands and saying, "This student thanks Your Majesty!"

"Um?"

Xiao Jinxuan raised an eyebrow slightly: "You already hold an official position, yet you still call yourself a student?"

"It was a slip of the tongue!"

Jiang Xiaobai was taken aback for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening and bowed again: "Your subject, Jiang Xiaobai, thanks Your Majesty!"

"Excellent!"

After hearing this, Xiao Jinxuan gave a faint reply.

At this moment, the way many officials in the court looked at Jiang Xiaobai had completely changed.

The imperial examination scandal was investigated by the emperor.

The Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate are requested to assist in the investigation.

Just a moment ago, Jiang Xiaobai was being called a spoiled brat who bought his way into office, and people were pointing fingers at him and cursing him.

But in the blink of an eye, he transformed into the investigator appointed by His Majesty!

This reversal... wasn't it a bit too fast!

However, recalling Li Bingzhang's words... there must be more to this than meets the eye!

Amidst everyone's shock, Xiao Jinxuan's voice rang out again: "Furthermore, since Jiang Xiaobai and Li Xiang's daughter, Li Zhiwei, are mutually in love, and the elders of both families have already made the decision!"

"Then today, I will personally bear witness for the two of them."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the civil and military officials in the court changed once again.

Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu, on the other hand, were somewhat indignant, their anger clearly evident as they looked in Jiang Xiaobai's direction.

In their eyes, Jiang Xiaobai was not good enough for Li Zhiwei at all!

Jiang Xiaobai's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Good grief, they didn't even give him a chance to back out!

However, he had already guessed this outcome, so... it wasn't surprising at all.

That's right, if an emperor doesn't seize this opportunity, then it's all for nothing!

With this thought in mind, a bitter expression appeared on Jiang Xiaobai's face.

Xiao Jinxuan, however, seemed oblivious to Jiang Xiaobai's expression and continued, "Jiang Xiaobai is permitted to marry into the Prime Minister's household and enter into a marriage agreement with Li Zhiwei."

"After the case of cheating in the imperial examinations is investigated, the Ministry of Rites... no, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices will choose an auspicious day to hold the wedding ceremony."

At this point, Xiao Jinxuan glanced indifferently at Chen Zhanqiu: "As for the Ministry of Rites, it is not clear what is going on itself yet, so there is no need for it to interfere in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu's face paled even more, and he wished he could disappear into the ground on the spot.

The officials in the court also had strange expressions.

The Ministry of Rites, a prestigious institution, was in charge of wedding ceremonies and rituals.

Now, because of the examination scandal, he has been publicly disliked by His Majesty to the point that he is not even allowed to get married.

This is utterly embarrassing!

Xiao Jinxuan's voice continued: "Since this marriage agreement has been personally approved by me, it shall be recorded in the imperial archives from this day forward."

"After Jiang Xiaobai marries into the family, he will no longer hold the title of heir apparent of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion!"

"The succession of the title of Marquis of Zhenbei and the ownership of military power in the northern border will be determined by the imperial court in the future."

boom!

After these words were spoken, the court fell silent once again.

The fact that he had just been betrothed and married into the family only shocked everyone.

Then this sentence at this moment is the real heavy blow!

He will no longer inherit the position of heir apparent of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion.

The succession of titles and the allocation of military power were all decided by the imperial court.

What does this equal?

This means that Jiang Xiaobai was completely removed from the line of succession of the Marquis of Zhenbei in front of the entire court!

For a time, the way many officials looked at Jiang Xiaobai changed.

Some were shocked, some were saddened.

Of course... some people couldn't hide the joy that flashed deep in their eyes.

The Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion... it seems there's no successor!

Chen Zhanqiu, who was kneeling on the ground, finally understood.

I understand... that's why His Majesty agreed so readily.

Jiang Xiaobai's marriage into the Prime Minister's mansion may seem like Li Bingzhang has gained a son-in-law, but in reality, it has given the court control over the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion and future military power!

At that moment, Chen Zhanqiu felt a chill run through his body.

Yes, he suddenly realized that everyone in the court today seemed to have gotten what they wanted.

Li Bingzhang received Jiang Xiaobai, the newly appointed top scholar. Although the name isn't very good right now, at least he has the name now!

His Majesty has gained control of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion and the nominal military power.

Jiang Xiaobai obtained the power of imperial investigation.

Only the Ministry of Rites...

Damn it, I've become a pawn, that chicken... pushed onto the chopping block!

In contrast to Chen Zhanqiu's gloom, Emperor Xiao Jinxuan was clearly in high spirits, raising his head and saying, "Alright!"

"I am very satisfied with the top three scholars this time!"

With that, Xiao Jinxuan looked at Eunuch Gao beside him and said with a smile, "Gao De, let the top three finishers in this martial arts examination enter the hall!"

"yes!"

Eunuch Gao respectfully responded, then turned around and called out loudly towards the outside of the hall: "Summon the top three martial arts graduates to an audience!"

As Eunuch Gao's voice fell, the expressions of many officials in the court changed.

After each civil and military examination results are announced, according to the rules of Dahua, there will be a mutual testing session between the civil and military personnel.

To put it simply, the top three in the civil service examination and the top three in the military examination would each set their own questions and test each other.

Scholars test the strategies of military men.

Warriors test the courage of scholars.

Although it doesn't affect one's ranking, how one performs in front of His Majesty and the entire court is enough to influence one's future prospects.

Therefore, this part is also quite interesting.

Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu, among them, were clearly aware of this as well, and their expressions became slightly more serious.

They have just been outmaneuvered by Jiang Xiaobai on the issue of the national treasury.

If they can't regain some face during the upcoming civil and military examinations, then they, the second and third place winners of this imperial examination, will likely become nothing more than Jiang Xiaobai's foil.

Jiang Xiaobai raised his eyebrows slightly, but before he could think any further, he saw footsteps sounding outside the hall. Soon, three figures slowly walked into the Golden Palace.

Leading the way was a woman, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with her long hair tied up high, a sword at her waist, and a cold and aloof demeanor, with a tall and sharp figure.

That robe made her already outstanding figure even more striking.

The woman's every step was extremely steady, unlike the fragility of ordinary women; instead, it carried an indescribable air of heroism and sharpness.

Jiang Xiaobai had only glanced at it casually.

But upon looking at it, his eyes widened instantly.

Good guy!

Isn't this Tang Ningshuang, whom I saw at his house last night?

Moreover, Tang Ningshuang was actually walking at the very front...

Could this woman be a martial arts champion?

Jiang Xiaobai's heart skipped a beat at this.

If that's the case, then it's a disaster!

Jiang Xiaobai clearly remembered that Lin Qinrou's notes mentioned that there was a civil and military personnel test in the court today.

Tang Ningshuang's attitude last night clearly showed that she didn't think much of him.

If this falls into her hands...wouldn't she kill him?

Thinking about this, Jiang Xiaobai felt somewhat uneasy.

Just then, a low voice suddenly came from not far away: "Son-in-law, are you wearing your armor?!"