funbook-pk Chapter 311: I have always made a living based on my own ability!
Chapter 311: I have always made a living based on my own ability!
As soon as Shen Quan finished speaking, there was an uproar in the court.
The ministers were whispering and discussing among themselves, feeling both surprised and expected by this sudden accusation.
Xiao Hanye sneered but said nothing.
Chu Ziyu looked up at Shen Quan fearlessly, his eyes full of calmness.
The emperor narrowed his eyes and said loudly, "Lord Shen, what do you want to sue Chu Huai for?"
Shen Quan held the tablet in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I want to sue Chu Huai for cheating in the imperial examination!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.
Cheating? This is a big taboo. It is not only disrespectful to the imperial examination, but also a contempt for the imperial power. In serious cases, the family will be confiscated and the whole clan will be exterminated!
Chu Ziyu knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. I have never cheated!"
The emperor glanced at Chu Ziyu, and a gleam flashed in his eyes. Although he was indeed talented, Shen Quan was the prime minister of the dynasty. Since he dared to openly file a complaint in the court, he must have a basis. So, he asked Shen Quan: "Shen Aiqing, do you have any evidence?"
Shen Quan took out a memorial from his sleeve, handed it forward and said, "Your Majesty, this is an anonymous letter I received after the imperial examination. The letter describes in detail how Chu Huai cheated. After investigation, I found that what was described in the letter was true."
The emperor took the memorial handed to him by Jiang Shou, opened it, and his brows relaxed.
The memorial described in detail how Chu Ziyu cheated in the exam and even included testimonies from several candidates.
So, he threw the letter in his hand to Chu Ziyu's feet, looked at him deeply, and said in a deep voice: "Chu Huai, do you have any explanation?"
Chu Ziyu bent down to pick up the memorial, glanced at it quickly, and then said clearly and firmly: "Your Majesty, I have a clear conscience. The imperial examination is related to the future of the country. I dare not have the slightest thought of cheating. As for this anonymous letter and the so-called testimony, I suspect someone deliberately framed me."
Shen Quan sneered: "Framed? Chu Huai, don't slander me. I have always been fair and selfless. How could I frame you? If you didn't cheat, where did all this evidence come from?"
Yao Wenhong also chimed in, "Yes, the evidence is clearly written in black and white. Who would frame you for no reason?"
Xu Ming from the Ministry of Rites said: "Since the evidence is irrefutable, I implore Your Majesty to remove the official uniform of the new champion, throw him into the prison, and investigate him strictly!"
The emperor was particularly disgusted with Chu Ziyu and wanted to execute him immediately. After all, his shameful identity was an unspoken secret and no one dared to disobey him.
But he overlooked someone who had previously deliberately hidden himself.
Xiao Hanye took a big step forward and said, "Hey, when did Lord Yao and Lord Xu become clairvoyant? They can clearly see the words on paper from such a distance?"
Yao Wenhong reacted quickly: "Your Majesty has checked it out, there is absolutely no problem. Could it be that the Prince of Yan even doubts Your Majesty?"
The emperor immediately frowned and said unhappily, "Fourth Brother, shut up!"
Xiao Hanye chuckled: "Father, please calm down. I will never dare to be disrespectful to you in the slightest!"
While speaking, he did not forget to mock Yao Wenhong: "Master Yao's habit of casually accusing others of disrespect is really becoming more and more perfect!"
After saying this, he seamlessly turned to the old emperor: "It's just that your father is in a high position and it's impossible for him to be aware of everything under you. That's why I, your son, don't hesitate to say a word at the risk of offending your majesty."
The old emperor snorted: "If you want to say it, I will transfer you to the censorate!"
Xiao Hanye smiled: "Father and I have the same idea, but I have always relied on my ability to make a living. I wanted to use the ranking in this imperial examination to ask Father for a position as a censor, but I don't have enough ability."
The old emperor frowned and asked, "You actually took part in the imperial examination this time?"
Xiao Hanye looked regretful: "I wanted to study hard, but my father sent me to Jingzhou to suppress bandits on my wedding day. Then many things happened in Jingzhou, so I was delayed in my imperial examination plan!"
He also used a double entendre to reveal that the old emperor was unkind and sent him to Jingzhou to suppress bandits after his wedding!
After hearing this, the old emperor frowned again and said, "Stop talking nonsense. Did you really take the imperial examination?"
Xiao Hanye smiled and replied: "Absolutely true!"
Then, he turned to Sima Qian, the Imperial Censor, and said, "Sima, the Japanese king left the examination room with your son, and he saw you as soon as he came out. Do you remember?"