【Eighth Prince’s bed~?】The inner voice lingered over these words, its melodious tone sparking wild imaginations…
Finally, Xiao Yaozu shook his head.
The two arrived at the examination venue, where the officials from the Ministry of Rites seemed to have clairvoyance, having already come out to wait.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Eighth Prince nodded slightly and routinely inquired about the arrangements for the Spring Examination venue.
Eighth Prince walked ahead with the Ministry of Rites officials, while Lord Zhang and Xiao Yaozu remained in the middle of the procession.
Seeing Xiao Yaozu, Lord Zhang visibly perked up: “Lord Xiao, you took quite a while walking those few steps. You missed quite a show.”
Huh?
Xiao Yaozu caught the scent of gossip: “Lord Zhang, did something interesting happen during the morning court session?”
Xiao Yaozu naturally pulled a handful of popcorn from his System pocket and placed it in Lord Zhang’s hand.
Lord Zhang brought the item to his nose and sniffed: “Lord Xiao, what kind of food is this? It smells wonderful!”
“Lord Zhang, this is popcorn, a type of snack.”
Hearing this, Lord Zhang couldn’t resist secretly putting some in his mouth to chew.
Mmm, crispy and fragrant.
“Lord Xiao, today the Saibei envoy came to court, bringing a divine deer to Bianjing.”
“Divine deer? Why is it called divine? Does it have three heads and six arms?”
“Not that I’ve heard. They say it’s because the divine deer signifies abundant blessings.”
“Wow~”
Lord Zhang was quite satisfied with Xiao Yaozu’s fascinated expression – having someone so engaged was truly delightful.
【System, isn’t Saibei Wang the one who brainwashed Noble Lady Li? They actually transported this divine deer?】
【Exactly. It should arrive after the Spring Examination, though it’s being delivered by Saibei Wang’s son.】
【Saibei Wang poisoned His Majesty – isn’t he afraid His Majesty would kill this son?】
【Host, that prince is just one of Saibei Wang’s many sons. He doesn’t care at all.】
【This Saibei Wang is truly ruthless!】
【There’s even more ruthless behavior.】
【What is it?】
【Saibei Wang gave a woman he’d been with to this prince to be his principal consort. Soon after, the consort became pregnant. The prince knows it’s his father’s child but has to acknowledge it as his own.】
【That’s too perverted! What about moral principles?!】
【There’s even more shocking…】 Before the System could continue…
“Lord Xiao, as an inspector, you should come take a look too.” The moment Eighth Prince’s voice sounded, the officials automatically cleared a path.
This System never teaches proper things. Without proper guidance from elders, who knows how Xiao Yaozu might turn out? He should keep a closer watch on him.
Eighth Prince’s face clearly stated “Just try not coming over.”
Xiao Yaozu unconsciously swallowed and walked to Eighth Prince’s side, softly calling out: “Your Highness.”
Eighth Prince lightly responded “Hmm.”
【System, why is Eighth Prince’s aura suddenly so imposing? Is he in a bad mood? Or is it because of Shen Feiyan?】
??? Gossip about the princess? Several ministers subtly shifted positions to hear more clearly.
Unfortunately
The System whirred briefly 【Host, couldn’t detect why Eighth Prince is unhappy.】
【Really? I don’t believe it.】
Xiao Yaozu slightly turned to sneak a glance at Eighth Prince’s face.
With one look from Eighth Prince, the Ministry of Rites officials had to abandon their gossip and began reporting their work situation to Xiao Yaozu.
First, full-body inspections were set up for candidates entering to prevent smuggling of cheat notes.
Second, after candidates were seated…
Xiao Yaozu had become an official without taking the imperial examinations, so she was naturally quite curious.
【By the way, System, which official’s relative is selling those exam key points outside?】
The officials from the Ministry of Rites were shocked—how dare someone sell answers?!
Did they not want their official position anymore?
【Host, look at the man with a mole on his right eyelid. That’s him—Su Da Ren from the Ministry of Rites.】
As the System silently accused him, Su Da Ren’s heart leaped into his throat, filled with disbelief…
He had lived a clean and honest life, never earning ill-gotten gains. He would listen carefully to how these two slandered him, hmph!
【Wow, so brazen? Is Su Da Ren doing this intentionally or is he unaware?】
【Su Da Ren doesn’t know; he’s been kept in the dark. The one who’s actually aware is his wife. This is all her younger brother’s doing.】
【Why would Su Da Ren’s wife do this? As a minister’s family member, knowingly breaking the law makes the crime even worse.】
【Because Su Da Ren’s wife is a “brother-obsessed fool.” Her family has been exploiting her, and whatever her younger brother says, she gives him.】
【That younger brother has accumulated a mountain of gambling debts, and Su Da Ren’s wife has been secretly using the Su family’s money to cover the holes. As a result, Su Da Ren doesn’t even have money to buy new clothes. The underwear he’s wearing today has two holes in it—it’s so drafty even his farts escape.】
【Su Da Ren has always trusted his wife, truly believing the household expenses were just high. He even suspected the old Steward of embezzling, but never doubted the person lying beside him.】
His colleagues pretended not to notice, but they glanced subtly at Su Da Ren’s lower half, their intentions obvious…
Su Da Ren tensed up, already half-convinced by Xiao Yaozu’s words, his expression barely holding together.
And these colleagues he’d worked with for years—he knew exactly what their looks meant!!!
They were all quite good at pretending!!
He also recalled the words the Minister of Rites had said that morning: “The world is vast and full of wonders; if you encounter something strange, don’t be alarmed.”
【System, how did that younger brother come up with the idea to sell answers?】 Xiao Yaozu genuinely doubted whether the other party had such marketing savvy. Could he be a transmigrator too?
【Host, it was someone from the gambling den who approached him. That person was actually a spy who deliberately caught the younger brother cheating at gambling, making him win every round and rack up huge debts. Then, he intentionally leaked the money-making idea of selling exam key points…】
【The younger brother proudly took this idea he’d heard and threatened the spy to let him run the business. The spy pretended to cooperate, waiting for the younger brother to fall into the trap.】
【So, it seems the other party came prepared. Their ultimate goal was to bring down Su Da Ren—or more accurately, to pick someone from the Ministry of Rites and replace him with their own candidate. That way, they could collaborate from within in the future.】
Xiao Yaozu truly admired these higher-ups—they were playing a massive chess game and had immense patience.
So that’s how it was.
Su Da Ren knew that if he didn’t handle his wife’s affairs properly now, his official career would be over.
The Eighth Prince was quite pleased. Although Xiao Yaozu was lively and lacked ambition, his insight was sharper than his peers. Not bad.
Su Da Ren returned to his study at the residence and slumped into the grand chair, his face dark. The cool mat beneath him felt even colder.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly ordered the Steward standing nearby, “Go, summon my wife here.”
The Steward hurriedly replied, “Yes,” and rushed off.
When Su Da Ren’s wife received the Steward’s summons, she felt uneasy and anxious.
She didn’t know why the master had locked himself in the study upon returning and suddenly summoned her, sensing that this situation seemed different from before.
“Steward, did the master mention why he wants to see me?” Lady Su couldn’t help but ask the Steward.
The Steward shook his head and replied, “Madam, the master did not specify.” After speaking, he dutifully led the way ahead.
Lady Su’s unease grew stronger.
Upon entering the study, Lady Su felt an oppressive atmosphere envelop her.
She saw Su Da Ren sitting in the master’s chair, his face as dark as water, his gaze icy cold.
Neither of them spoke first, the entire study was deathly silent, so quiet it was somewhat frightening.
Finally, Su Da Ren broke the silence, staring at his wife’s similarly graying hair:
“Madam, I want to know why there isn’t a single coin left in the household funds?”
Lady Su felt somewhat guilty: “Master, the manor’s expenses recently… have been rather high…”
Hearing this, Su Da Ren was clearly disappointed: “Madam, we have been companions for many years, have I ever treated you unfairly? Do you wish to separate from me?”
Lady Su looked shocked, “Why would you say such a thing, Master? In life I am your person, in death I am still a ghost of the Su family.”
As if guessing something, she added: “Or has the master found someone else and wishes to bring them into the manor…” Lady Su’s face now carried anger.