At the entrance to the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office, Xie Zhifei dismounted, tossing the reins to the guard behind him and striding into the yamen.

Having deployed the patrol assignments, as Commander-in-Chief he had to remain at the yamen to receive news from all quarters.

His backside had barely touched the chair and he hadn’t taken a sip of hot tea when his former superior Bai Yanlin hurried in.

He’d been transferred from the Five Cities to the Censorate, serving as Metropolitan Censor. The martial general’s uniform he’d worn before was now replaced with civil official robes.

Bai Yanlin was also lighting his three fires as a new official, secretly inspecting the forty-nine wards, when he discovered the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office had mobilized. He hurried over to find out what was happening.

Xie Zhifei couldn’t say much, only giving a brief reply: “I heard Old Censor impeached Yan Ruxian for Spring Examination fraud. Better safe than sorry.”

Bai Yanlin’s face showed an indescribable expression.

This Xie kid had been under his watch for years—slacking off when he could, stealing breaks when possible.

How was it that as soon as he sat in the Commander-in-Chief position, that string in his brain became so sharp?

Indeed, precautions were necessary.

The Spring Examinations concerned every scholar’s future. Once these people learned of favoritism and fraud, they’d cause an uproar.

“Sir, sir!”

Bai Yanlin’s personal attendant rushed in, dripping with sweat. “The yamen summons you to return immediately.”

“What for?”

“They say to enter the palace immediately.”

“Enter the palace for what?” Bai Yanlin jumped up nervously.

The attendant scratched his head. “I overheard something about assisting an investigation.”

Bai Yanlin quickly told Xie Zhifei, “I must go. Watch yourself, lad.”

“Boss Bai, Boss!”

Xie Zhifei rushed over and grabbed his arm, grinning. “If you have any news from your end, pass word to this brother. The Five Cities looking good makes you look good too, Boss.”

“Let go, let go.”

Bai Yanlin’s face showed disgust, but his eyes blinked rapidly twice.

Xie Zhifei’s hand moved up to hook around Bai Yanlin’s shoulders, lowering his voice to the minimum.

“The Censorate is a humble office. As long as I’m here, the Five Cities’ profits still count Boss Bai in for a share.”

“You rascal!”

So damn good at handling people—no wonder he could take over my position.

Bai Yanlin could barely suppress the smile on his face. “Not now—I have duties to attend to.”

Shortly after he left, Zhu Qing hurried back, approaching Xie Zhifei’s side to speak quietly: “Boss, I delivered the news to Miss Yan’s place.”

“What did she say?”

“She immediately asked what was Third Master’s intention in telling her this news. I shook my head and she let me go.”

Xie Zhifei’s two fingers behind his back rubbed together lightly.

Telling her the news actually had no particular intention—just instinct telling him to do so.

“Station some of our own brothers at the palace gate. Have them report any disturbances immediately.”

“Yes.”

As Zhu Qing hurried off again, the vast hall was left with only Xie Zhifei.

He slowly paced to the threshold, looking up at the sky. At some point, the bright autumn sun had been shrouded by dark clouds. A strong wind blew, scattering dead leaves from the trees.

Xie Zhifei’s heart felt inexplicably uneasy, as if something was about to happen.

…

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the morning court session continued.

Along with the impeachment memorial, three large bundles of evidence regarding Yan Ruxian’s Spring Examination fraud were presented.

By protocol, the Three Judicial Offices immediately moved to a side hall to examine the evidence before giving the Emperor a final conclusion.

However, there was so much evidence that several people couldn’t examine it all. The Three Judicial Offices had to request from the Emperor that more personnel be transferred from their offices.

With a word from the Emperor—”Granted”—he then sat on the dragon throne with eyes half-closed, making no further movement.

Below the dragon throne sat two chairs, left and right—on the left sat Crown Prince Zhao Yanluo, on the right Old Censor Lu Shi.

The officials were hungry, tired, their feet aching, backs hurting, but no one dared make a sound. They could only grit their teeth and bear it.

One hour passed…

Two hours passed…

Three hours passed…

No movement from the side hall.

The atmosphere was terrifyingly tense. Zhao Yishi’s gaze moved from the old Emperor to the Crown Prince, finally settling on Lu Shi’s righteously stern face.

There were two points he couldn’t understand. Today when Lu Shi came to court, shouldn’t he have presented evidence of Yan Ruxian’s palace debauchery?

Why had he diverted to the Spring Examination fraud case?

That was point one!

Point two.

How could this Yan Ruxian have such far-reaching influence?

The Spring Examinations happened once every three years. From the Son of Heaven down to commoners, everyone watched with wide eyes. How could he have inserted his hand? Would this implicate others?

Thinking this, Zhao Yishi tilted his head slightly so his peripheral vision could catch Minister of Rites Du Jianxue.

At this moment, Du Jianxue’s legs were soft as cotton, hot and cold sweat constantly streaming out.

Throughout history, the Spring Examinations had been the Ministry of Rites’ responsibility. He’d held this position for over three years and personally managed one session.

In conscience, he’d done nothing to dishonor his official hat, but he couldn’t guarantee his subordinates were all clean, thereby implicating him.

If implicated, at best he’d be demoted, at worst dismissed. What was he to do?

Minister Du was frantic with worry.

…

The hourglass turned over and over again. Just when the officials were so hungry their chests touched their backs and could barely hold on anymore, Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief Qin Deshu of the Censorate hurried into the hall.

“Your Majesty.”

Qin Deshu bowed. “The Three Judicial Offices have completed preliminary examination. The evidence Minister Lu presented is solid. Over nearly twenty years, Yan Ruxian interfered in two sessions of the Spring Examinations. His inside collaborator was former Minister of Rites Li Xing.”

Emperor Yonghe slammed his palm on the dragon throne, fury appearing at the corners of his mouth. “Someone come—arrest Li Xing for me and throw him in the capital prison for strict interrogation!”

“Yes!”

So it was Li Xing?

Zhao Yishi thought to himself that he’d guessed correctly. Relying on Yan Ruxian alone, there was no way to interfere in the Spring Examinations—there must have been someone on the inside.

But Li Xing had already retired to his hometown. To whom would His Majesty assign this case?

Just then, Emperor Yonghe’s brow pressed down. “Crown Prince.”

Crown Prince Zhao Yanluo immediately stood. “Your Majesty.”

“You will personally interrogate this case, with the Three Judicial Offices assisting.”

Emperor Yonghe slowly stood, his voice stern: “You must investigate this thoroughly and give me answers, and give all the empire’s scholars an accounting.”

Zhao Yanluo quickly responded: “Yes!”

“Where is the Minister of Rites?”

“Your Majesty.” Du Jianxue stepped forward, trembling with fear.

Emperor Yonghe said nothing, only staring at Du Jianxue with tiger eyes, frightening him into immediately kneeling. “This minister will certainly conduct self-examination upon returning.”

“Self-examination is insufficient.”

Emperor Yonghe’s voice was heavy. “I must execute several people to instill fear in you all, so you’ll never again dare disrupt the court.”

“This minister takes it to heart.” Du Jianxue prostrated on the ground, trembling all over.

“Imperial Grand Prince.”

Zhao Yishi stepped forward. “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yonghe’s face showed some fatigue. “Escort Old Censor from the palace for me.”

Zhao Yishi: “Yes!”

“Where are the Embroidered Uniform Guards?”

“This minister is here.”

“Until this case is fully resolved, protect Old Censor’s safety.”

“This minister obeys the decree!”

Emperor Yonghe looked deeply at Lu Shi. “Great Elder, take care of your health. My empire cannot do without loyal ministers like you.”

Lu Shi held the chair as he knelt, responding loudly: “This minister is willing to exhaust himself for Your Majesty until death.”

“Good, good, good!”

Emperor Yonghe said “good” three times and swept away.

Moments later, Zhao Yishi lightly supported Lu Shi’s arm, slowly walking out of the hall under everyone’s gaze.

The civil and military officials watched this Great Elder with a mixture of envy and fear.

This glory truly was unprecedented—whether there would ever be another to match it, who could say?