The first fraud case since the implementation of the imperial examinations implicated not just this batch of candidates, but also officials from previous batches. As the investigation continued, it would inevitably cause upheaval in the court, making everyone fear for themselves.

Some took advantage of the situation, stirring up trouble to escape punishment or gain benefits, making the waters increasingly muddy. Emperor Youning had no choice but to halt the open investigation. This major case resulted in three Governors being dismissed, five Prefects, over ten local officials, over ten capital officials, and hundreds of degree holders being implicated!

When the news broke, it shocked the empire.

During this court session, Emperor Youning was so angry he couldn’t sit still, pacing back and forth on the imperial steps, berating his officials who prostrated themselves without daring to rise. After a good long outburst, Emperor Youning called them to rise and returned to his dragon throne, gripping the armrest with one hand, his expression cold and dark.

First the tomb robbery case, now the examination fraud – both within half a year, undoubtedly questioning his ability to rule clearly.

Just as everyone remained silent, Minister of Personnel Xue Gui stepped forward: “Your Majesty, the examination fraud case traces back three years. Your humble servant reviewed the files last night and discovered most of these people were Lord Gu’s disciples.”

Xue Gui’s words were very subtle, but everyone present understood his intention – to throw dirt on a dead man.

The Gu family had fallen less than a year ago. Before that, everyone knew how immensely powerful the Gu clan was. At the Gu family’s peak, the Three Departments directly bypassed imperial power, and indeed many of those implicated had dealings with the Gu family. Using Gu Zhao as a scapegoat was most fitting.

As soon as Xue Gui finished speaking, Xiao Changqin, who had appeared indifferent as if lost in thought, suddenly looked over, his deep black pupils seemingly flashing with penetrating sharpness.

Minister of State Cui Zheng did not comment on this, while Minister of the Secretariat Xue Heng was utterly disappointed in his nephew. He wanted to follow Wang Zheng’s path to gain His Majesty’s trust but thought His Majesty only wanted flatterers. Wang Zheng’s flattery was subtle and he was highly capable, while Xue Gui never looked in the mirror at his ugly behavior, nor did he measure his abilities.

Everyone knew why the imperial examinations had been promoted – it was His Majesty’s way of dealing with Gu Zhao. Otherwise, how could His Majesty’s word now carry such absolute weight?

Now that there were problems with the examinations, pushing blame onto the person whose family was destroyed by the examination system’s rise was too unseemly.

Those who knew the truth naturally found it unsightly, while those who didn’t could find ways to muddle through. At this point, someone stood up to echo Xue Gui: “Your Majesty, Xue Gui’s words remind this humble servant that Lord Gu repeatedly opposed implementing the examination system and later made things difficult for scholars from humble backgrounds who passed the examinations. Lord Gu was never in favor of the examination system. Now that deep investigation reveals corrupt practices going back six years or even longer, and half the fraudulent participants had close dealings with Lord Gu, perhaps Lord Gu had planned this long ago to sabotage and suppress the examination system.”

One could imagine that if Gu Zhao were still alive today when such a major case broke out, he would likely have forcefully stopped the examinations, once again letting the great families control the court.

Officials who were straightforward in temperament, from humble backgrounds, loyal to His Majesty, and often at odds with sons of great families immediately agreed.

Following Xue Gui’s hint, the chatter concluded that this was perhaps a long-planned conspiracy before Gu Zhao’s death. If His Majesty hadn’t been wise enough to subdue the Gu family early, the court would be in danger today.

No one stood up to speak for Gu Zhao, not because they didn’t understand in their hearts, nor because none had received his favors, but because someone had to bear the greatest responsibility – either Gu Zhao or His Majesty.

His Majesty was their sovereign; His Majesty losing face was the fault of his court officials. Additionally, they didn’t know His Majesty’s attitude. If they rashly spoke up and angered him, their entire families would suffer.

“Your Majesty.” Just as the situation was becoming one-sided, Prince Xin Xiao Changqin, who hadn’t voluntarily spoken in court for a long time, stepped forward. “The lords speak with such certainty, as if they participated, truly alarming your son.

The examination system selects officials to serve the court, creates an atmosphere of learning, and truly benefits both the country and the people. Your son’s talent and learning are shallow, incomparable to the lords’ decade of study and vast knowledge, but even I know that officials should cultivate virtue. How can they not know ‘respect the dead’?

All accusations and blame must be based on evidence. Today, these ministers make baseless accusations, wantonly insulting the deceased. Your son is ashamed to be among such people.”

After making the court officials hang their heads in shame, everyone suddenly remembered that Prince Xin, who had been quiet for almost a year, was the one who had defeated the great scholars of the Imperial Academy in a debate at age fifteen.

Glancing at those who had just slandered Gu Zhao, Xiao Changqin turned to bow to Emperor Youning: “Your Majesty, the Gu family was originally wrongly killed by someone’s scheme, yet still bears false accusations. Must we repeat this mistake? Though the Gu family has no one left, I am still their son-in-law. When someone insults the deceased, I beg Your Majesty to do justice for the Gu family, to give your son justice.”

The phrase “son-in-law of the Gu family” made everyone draw in a sharp breath. The muddy account between His Majesty and Gu Zhao couldn’t be calculated or clarified.

Without Gu Zhao, His Majesty might not have become emperor; without Gu Zhao, His Majesty also wouldn’t have been a puppet ruler for over ten years.

No one could figure out His Majesty’s true feelings toward Gu Zhao – this was a royal taboo. Whether the Gu family died unjustly or was framed could only be understood implicitly, not explicitly stated. Everyone knew clearly in their hearts – to say it was unjust wasn’t quite right, and to say it wasn’t unjust wasn’t quite right either.

Could His Majesty truly clear the Gu family’s name? Was it just compromise due to circumstances, or was it the remembrance of old feelings? No one could judge. But Xiao Changqin openly mentioned that the Gu family was previously harmed undoubtedly trampled on His Majesty’s face.

Some things were just the emperor showing a bit of benevolence in compromise. Bringing them up was tantamount to erasing kindness and pushing too far.

Emperor Youning’s face was expressionless, his gaze unreadable as he looked at Xiao Changqin bowing in the great hall.

Everyone remained silent. Xiao Changying wanted to step forward to speak but was stopped by a look from Xiao Changqin.

After a long silence, Emperor Youning finally spoke: “We have always strongly promoted the examination system, intending to provide the country with capable people and enable the people to learn culture and propriety. This fraud case occurred due to Our negligence and poor judgment in appointing people. The examination system was established in the previous dynasty and implemented in ours; deficiencies can only be discovered after implementation.

The Three Departments and Six Ministries are ordered to discuss how to make examinations stricter and prevent fraud, draft regulations, and submit them to Us. If there are no other matters to report today, the court is dismissed.”

The officials exchanged glances and immediately respectfully saw His Majesty off.

After the court dispersed, news of what happened reached Shen Xihe’s ears. She was angry about Xue Gui leading the attempt to throw the examination fraud case’s dirt onto the deceased Gu Zhao.

That day when she fell into the river, if not for the supernatural chance of Gu Qingzhi, she would have already perished.