Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

Qing Shuang was speechless, but she couldn't tell him that the princess he didn't want to marry was standing right in front of him.

Princess Zhaoyue was already used to it. In front of Chen Chang'an, she had long forgotten her identity as a princess and only regarded herself as Miss Gongyue.

She looked at Chen Chang'an and said, "Although we believe in your character, and some people speak up for you, rumors can spread like wildfire. If there are too many rumors, there will always be people who don't know the truth who believe them. It may not have any impact on you in the short term, but once you enter the court, these things may be brought up and used as leverage..."

Chen Chang'an didn't care at first, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized that Miss Gong Yue was more thoughtful.

This matter cannot be left unresolved.

Qing Shuang looked at Princess Zhao Yue and asked, "Cousin, what should we do?"

Princess Zhaoyue looked at Chen Chang'an with a serious expression and said, "Go report to the authorities, go to the Wannian County government office, and accuse Zhao Wan'er of false accusation and the maid of the Chen family of spreading rumors. Only when the county government investigates this matter thoroughly and completely clears your name can you avoid all future troubles."

Chen Chang'an pondered for a moment and asked, "That's true, but will the magistrate of Wannian County cooperate with us?"

Princess Zhaoyue smiled slightly and said, "He has no choice but to cooperate. You are now His Majesty's favorite. If you report this to the authorities, he has to take it seriously. Otherwise, countless people will try to find fault with him..."

Qing Shuang grabbed Chen Chang'an's wrist and said, "Cousin is right, let's go to Wannian County Government Office now!"

Princess Zhaoyue said, "I have some urgent matters to attend to, so I won't be going with you."

The magistrate of Wannian County knows him, so she cannot appear in front of him.

Moreover, she had more important things to do.

Just as Chen Chang'an and Qing Shuang were heading towards the Wannian County Government Office, Princess Zhaoyue had already returned to the palace.

A moment later, in the Imperial Study.

The Emperor of Da Ning leaned back in his chair, flipping through a folded book. Hearing footsteps, he slowly raised his head.

Princess Zhaoyue entered the imperial study and, without beating around the bush, said directly, "Father, I would like to ask you for a favor."

The Emperor of Da Ning put down his folding book, looked at her, and asked with a smile, "What are you busy with?"

Princess Zhaoyue recounted how Zhao had spread rumors and slandered Chen Chang'an for molesting a maid in the Chen household. Then she said, "Your Majesty, I had Qing Shuang accompany him to the Wannian County government office to report the case. However, Magistrate Liu Yuan of Wannian County had already shown favoritism towards the Zhao family once before. I am afraid that he will try to smooth things over again this time. I request Your Majesty to issue an edict ordering Liu Yuan to thoroughly investigate this case and not to give it a perfunctory response."

After listening, the Emperor of Da Ning picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked unhurriedly, "That's all?"

Princess Zhaoyue nodded and said, "That's all."

The Emperor of Da Ning put down his teacup and asked with a smile, "You came all the way back to ask me for an imperial edict just for him?"

Princess Zhaoyue did not avoid his gaze, her expression remained unchanged, and said, "If this case is not investigated clearly, when he enters the court as an official in the future, he will inevitably be used against him. He is both talented and a meritorious person. Your subject does not want him to have his future ruined because of these slanders."

The Emperor of Da Ning smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Alright, alright, I will issue the decree now..."

……

At the entrance of Wannian County Government Office.

The two constables were chatting against the wall when they saw Chen Chang'an and Qing Shuang walking over, and they immediately stood up straight.

One of the yamen runners immediately trotted inside to report, and shortly after, Liu Yuan, the magistrate of Wannian County, strode out from the back hall with a fawning smile on his face, saying, "Young Master Chen, Miss Xiao, what brings you here?"

Before Chen Chang'an could speak, Qing Shuang said first, "We're here to report a crime. Zhao Wan'er, the daughter of Zhao Hao, an official in the Ministry of Rites, falsely accused Chen Chang'an of indecent assault, damaging his reputation. We want to sue Zhao Wan'er for false accusation and framing..."

Before she could finish speaking, she continued, "Furthermore, the maids in the Chen household are spreading rumors that Chen Chang'an sexually assaulted them. I urge the magistrate to summon them for a confrontation in court!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuan's facial muscles twitched slightly.

He already cleared their name last time, and Zhao Wan'er didn't hold it against them. Why are they still unhappy?

A few days ago, Liu Yuan would not have paid any attention to Chen Chang'an.

But now he is a favorite of His Majesty, who has even made an exception and allowed him to participate in the provincial examination as a commoner.

Moreover, as long as he passed the imperial examination, he could directly enter the Hanlin Academy to study.

Although the officials of the Hanlin Academy were in charge of things like book compilation, everyone knew that it was a place for officials to gain prestige.

Only the top three candidates in each imperial examination were admitted to the Hanlin Academy.

Three to five years later, while their fellow graduates were still stuck in seventh or eighth-rank positions, they could leave the Hanlin Academy and directly obtain a substantive sixth-rank post.

The vast majority of high-ranking officials of the fourth rank or above in the imperial court were graduates of the Hanlin Academy.

He, a mere county magistrate, couldn't afford to offend anyone who had the opportunity to enter the Hanlin Academy.

Without hesitation, Liu Yuan nodded immediately and said, "I will immediately send someone to summon Zhao Wan'er and the maid from the Chen household involved, and convene the court immediately..."

After saying that, he put on a fawning expression and said, "Master, quickly find seats for Miss Qing Shuang and Young Master Chen, and then go and bring out the fine tea I have treasured in my room..."

Chen Chang'an visited the Wannian County government office twice, not long apart, but the treatment he received was vastly different.

He could deeply sense the change in the magistrate's attitude towards him.

Is this what power tastes like...?

No, he hasn't even gotten his hands on the power yet. Not long ago, the county magistrate who had been so arrogant and domineering towards him, who could decide his life and death, has become so humble...

The word "power" is truly fascinating.

While Chen Chang'an and Qing Shuang were leisurely enjoying tea at the Wannian County Government Office, Zhao Wan'er panicked in the Chen residence.

Zhao Wan'er had been staying at the Chen residence these past few days, and when the yamen runners came to summon the maids of the Chen residence, they also summoned her along with them.

The yamen runners summoned by Wannian County were in the courtyard. Zhao Wan'er looked at Zhao Shi with a worried expression and asked, "Aunt, what should I do?"

Madam Zhao glanced at her and said calmly, "What's the panic? Say the same thing as last time. You have several maids with you, what's there to be afraid of?"

She never expected that Chen Chang'an would actually go to the county government to file a complaint.

However, this is just right, as Zhao's purpose is not to directly do anything to Chen Chang'an.

In this kind of situation, as long as the woman insists on her version of events, no amount of explanation from the man will help.

Even if he can't kill Chen Chang'an, he'll ruin his reputation.

They're both the master's sons, so why does Chen Changxuan have to go through the preliminary examinations all the way up, while that bastard can directly participate in the provincial examinations, and once he passes the imperial examinations, he can even enter the Hanlin Academy...

She wanted to see how someone with such a tarnished reputation could get into the Hanlin Academy...

When the time comes, an imperial censor will surely intervene...