Chapter 77: Someone cheated in the imperial examination! (1 / 2)

The Crown Prince found it completely absurd after hearing all this.

Why blame me for having a big heart? And how does the Jibei King get so angry over this that he spits blood?

Besides, I don’t even want to be emperor anymore. My health is so poor that I don’t know when I might drop dead. Am I not allowed to indulge in things I enjoy before that happens?

With this thought, the Crown Prince felt a newfound confidence. Even when faced with the ministers’ strange gazes, he remained calm. Not just calm, but even a bit gleeful.

—Surely, seeing him in this lazy state, the ministers would be terribly disappointed and would try to find a way to replace him as the Crown Prince, right? Yes, once he was entirely stripped of his title, he wouldn’t have to work anymore. Then, he could move next door to Xu Yanmiao and watch the drama unfold every day!

The Emperor immediately saw through the Crown Prince’s thoughts and let out a “tsk” in irritation. He turned his gaze toward the foolish-looking Crown Grandson and felt his temper flare up again—but it wouldn’t do to erupt in the harem.

“To the Wuying Hall.”@@novelbin@@

The tone was light but carried no room for rejection.

“Guards, bind the Crown Grandson. Escort the two princesses back first.”

“I refuse!!!” Princess Xiangyang stomped her boot. Raised in indulgence, the child stared defiantly and declared loudly, “Fifth Sister holds an official post! After the new year, we will too! Either send all ninth-rank officials back or let us go to Wuying Hall as well! You can’t play favorites or treat us differently!”

Only Princess Xiangyang and the Crown Prince dared to confront the Emperor directly after he made a decision. After this outburst, she turned to look at Princess Wanshou.

“Fifth Sister! Say something, Fifth Sister!”

Princess Xiangyang spoke with great volume.

“This is something we’re entitled to! If he doesn’t give it to us, we should speak up ourselves. If we stay silent, it’ll be taken away!”

Princess Wanshou’s heart skipped a beat.

This is… something we’re entitled to?

She also turned toward the Emperor.

“Your… Your Majesty…” Though she was so nervous that she seemed to be forcing out each word, she indeed mustered the courage to address her father, once feared, now the supreme ruler, and ask for what she deserved as an official of the Ministry of Revenue.

“Your Majesty, I now serve as a Commissioner of the Ministry of Revenue! I have not committed any crimes. I request… to attend court meetings!”

Princess Xiangyang smiled, satisfied, and raised her head to face the Emperor as she saluted.

“Your Majesty! I too wish to attend court meetings!”

The ministers remained silent.

The two female officials adhered to the demeanor of officials, lowering their eyes to avoid direct eye contact with their sovereign. Yet, even while bowing, their spines were straight and upright. Despite the pressure, they stood firm, unmoving.

Xu Yanmiao was stunned for a moment.

Inwardly, he was incredibly shocked: [“Gao Xiang?!”]

His friend was actually Princess Xiangyang?!

The Emperor gave Xu Yanmiao a glance before suddenly turning and saying, “To Wuying Hall.”

This signified tacit approval. But Princess Xiangyang couldn’t quite celebrate just yet.

—The Emperor had now formally acknowledged her status as an official. Although her official seal had not yet been delivered, this moment marked a distinct shift from before.

Previously, she had been humored like a child. Now, she was recognized as an official.

Thus, she clearly heard…

[“Gao Xiang?!”]

[“Princess Xiangyang?!”]

[“She concealed her identity?!”]

Princess Xiangyang, with her back to Xu Yanmiao, mistakenly thought he had spoken aloud.

Her eyes darted nervously. “You don’t see me, you don’t see me…” she muttered, briskly walking forward while repeating the mantra.

Xu Yanmiao: “… Gao Xiang.”

Princess Xiangyang froze. Then… she picked up her skirt and ran.

Xu Yanmiao’s eyes widened. “Stop right there!!!”

But Princess Xiangyang bolted away at lightning speed, slipping into the crowd within moments. Xu Yanmiao couldn’t very well push through the throng at this time, leaving him fuming: [“She lied to me!”

]

How outrageous! So unfair!

This frustration soon found a new target—the Crown Grandson. Picking up his gossip system, he began digging. All the while walking and investigating.

[“Wait… I thought the Crown Grandson didn’t know he was adopted. Turns out he does.”]

He paused, his inner monologue suddenly spiking in excitement, as if he had stumbled upon something particularly juicy.

[“And he resents the Crown Princess?!”]

The Emperor halted mid-step. The Crown Prince halted mid-step. Even the other officials paused subtly.

The Minister of Revenue licked his lips, moistening them, and turned to the Minister of Justice beside him.

“I remember the Crown Princess always treating the Crown Grandson very well, didn’t she? So well that for over a decade, no one suspected the Crown Grandson wasn’t her biological child?”

The Minister of Justice immediately chimed in, “Not just well—exceptionally well. She even used her own dowry for the Crown Grandson. Take the three thousand taels of disaster relief funds, for instance. That was money the Crown Princess entrusted to the Crown Grandson, but for his dignity, she publicly claimed it was his.”

But the Crown Grandson resents the Crown Princess?

The two ministers exchanged glances, and in each other’s eyes, they saw the same conclusion—

Oh, there’s definitely some drama here!

More, tell us more!

The other officials shared the same silent excitement.

In truth, being an official could be rather boring. Day after day of handling paperwork or dealing with political adversaries. Even entertainment could grow dull over decades. And digging up scandals? That usually targeted those who were arrogant or misbehaved, aiming to unseat them.

But nothing compared to the juicy revelations brought by Xu Yanmiao’s inner voice!

Even the wronged Marquis of Pengcheng, who had once been duped into buying a “gold-leafed pig qilin,” couldn’t help perking up his ears and quietly leaning in Xu Yanmiao’s direction.