Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The imperial examination was held as planned.

Although the process had twists and turns, cheating, and obstructions, Chu Ning overcame all difficulties and allowed the imperial examination to proceed.

The emergence of the second set of alternative examination questions left no one with any excuse to obstruct the imperial examination.

During the next nine days, the imperial examination was completed under the joint supervision of Chu Ning and Liu Shouren.

Originally, the deputy chief examiner was the Minister of Rites, but because Wang Wenguang was injured and unable to participate, he was replaced by Wen Kaicheng and Yun Jianye. However, these two were implicated in cheating and were arrested, so Liu Shouren had to be the deputy chief examiner.

However, Liu Shouren, as the Minister of Revenue, was already a second-rank official, with a higher rank, which invisibly increased the weight of the first imperial examination.

In addition, the emperor personally visited the examination hall, which made the candidates take this imperial examination more seriously.

Three exams in nine days were quickly completed under the supervision of two people, and what followed was the intense marking and grading.

Chu Ning knew his own limitations and did not participate in grading all the test papers. Instead, he asked Liu Shouren and other invigilators to grade the papers and then show them to him once the final scores came out.

During these few days, the prince was not idle. He went to the Ministry of Justice prison in person to interrogate the cheating candidates.

But these people were really stubborn. No matter what means the prince asked Ling Haoran to use, he couldn't make them speak.

This made the prince very angry, and he asked Ling Haoran to adopt Chu Ning's suggestion - severe torture!

But even so, the cheating candidates still did not reveal where the test questions came from.

The prince, who was eager to make a contribution, was furious and went to the prison to torture him himself, but it was still useless.

As the imperial examination came to an end, the prince became anxious!

When Chu Ning has time, he will definitely intervene in this matter. Even if the mastermind behind the scenes is eventually found, the credit will go to the two of them, not the prince alone!

The prince became more and more anxious and on the ninth night of the imperial examination, he came to the prison of the Ministry of Justice again.

The dark and damp prison was filled with wailing.

In the cells separated by wooden fences, many cheating candidates were either lying or sitting, with varying degrees of injuries on their bodies.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps made the candidates in the cell turn their heads to look.

The Crown Prince, wearing a dragon robe, and the Minister of Justice Ling Haoran came quickly, escorted by a team of guards.

The prince looked gloomy, glanced at everyone, and said coldly: "You, are you still not going to tell me?"

The candidates were silent at first, and then a young man wearing a dark silk robe and with a sinister face snorted coldly:

"Your Highness, we told you that we guessed these test questions ourselves. No one sold them to us!"

The prince narrowed his eyes, turned around and stared at the man: "I know you, Zhao Yuanliang, the eldest son of the Zhao family. Why do you think I dare not take any heavy measures against you because I am afraid of your Zhao family?"

Zhao Yuanliang snorted coldly: "Everyone in the world cares about evidence. If you have any evidence that someone leaked the test questions to us, show it to us and we will accept the punishment!

But if you don’t have evidence, you can’t force a confession out of me!”

The other candidates immediately shouted: "Don't even think about forcing a confession!"

This scene made the prince tremble with anger.

Ling Haoran's face changed slightly, and he quickly whispered: "Your Highness, we can't be enemies with all the noble families!

These people are all from wealthy families. If they really use force, you will become the target of public criticism!"

The prince narrowed his eyes and a hint of hesitation flashed across his face.

Do you really want to offend so many aristocratic families and gain the support of these family officials in the court in the future?

The other princes will not miss this opportunity and will definitely take the opportunity to impeach.

While hesitating, he suddenly heard footsteps outside, and a guard from the Ministry of Justice came to report:

"Your Highness, the Prince of Chu has sent a message asking you to release Wen Kaicheng and Yun Jianye."

Damn Chu Ning, the scientific examination was just completed today, but he couldn’t wait to ask me to release him in the evening!

I wanted to get some information that was unfavorable to Chu Ning from these two people, but I didn't expect that these two people were also stubborn and didn't say anything.

It seems that they have a tacit understanding and are just waiting for the scientific expedition to end and Chu Ning to rescue them!

Now the candidates have not received any useful information, and Wen Kaicheng and Yun Jianye have not received any news either, but instead they want to release the candidates!

The prince became angrier and angrier as he thought about it. He snorted coldly, "Does the king of Chu have to release the people if he says so?"

Ling Haoran was startled by this and he quickly explained: "Your Highness, both of you are deputy examiners. If there are no problems, you must let them out as soon as possible to participate in the examination.

Otherwise, the King of Chu will use this as an excuse to report you to His Majesty!"

The prince's mouth twitched.

I actually forgot the identities of these two guys.

Although he was unwilling, the prince still waved his hand with an impatient look on his face: "Such a small matter, Lord Ling, you can handle it yourself!"

Ling Haoran breathed a sigh of relief.

Letting me handle it means I am willing to let them go.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will handle this matter properly!"

Ling Haoran bowed, turned around and took two jailers to the cell where Wen Kaicheng and Yun Jianye were imprisoned.

As high-ranking officials of the imperial court, Wen Kaicheng and his companion were treated relatively well in prison and were kept in two separate rooms.

Ling Haoran sent someone to bring the two out.

"You two adults have suffered."

Ling Haoran bowed to the two and said, "My Ministry of Justice has not found that you two have leaked the exam questions. You two can be released from prison now."

Wen Kaicheng frowned: "Lord Ling, how is the imperial examination going?"

Although he was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, Wen Kaicheng was still concerned about the imperial examination.

Yun Jianye at the side also hurriedly asked: "Yes, we have been here for nine days. Has the scientific expedition been cancelled?"

Being in prison, isolated from the outside world and without any news, the two men were very anxious.

Ling Haoran knew their concerns as deputy examiners, and replied with a smile: "Don't worry, my two adults, the exam has been successfully completed."

Wen Kaicheng was stunned: "This... How is this possible? Lord Ling is not deliberately making fun of us, right?"

Ling Haoran shook his head and said with admiration: "Your Highness the Prince of Chu was very smart and prepared another set of test questions in advance. The remaining candidates used the backup test questions, which made this imperial examination a complete success."

Wen Kaicheng and Yun Jianye were stunned for a moment, then excitement showed on their faces.

"That's good, that's good!"

"Master Wen, what are they waiting for? Go back and review the papers!"

"Yes, yes, yes, ahem... let's go and mark the papers!"

The two of them didn't even bother to say goodbye to Ling Haoran and left.

Ling Haoran knew very well that the two of them were concerned about the imperial examination, so he didn't care too much about etiquette.

Looking at the two people's backs as they left, Ling Haoran turned and walked towards the cell where the cheating candidates were held.

He also has to help the prince find the person who leaked the questions!

At this moment, Wen Kaicheng and Yun Jianye came out of the Ministry of Justice prison, and regardless of the dark night, they headed straight to the examination room under the faint starlight.

However, just when the two were halfway there, more than a dozen black figures appeared in the distance, blocking their way!

The man in black was holding a shining sharp blade. After he appeared, he went straight to kill the two without saying a word!

Wen Kaicheng's face changed drastically: "You... ahem... who are you?"

The man in black sneered: "I'll send you to see the King of Hell!"

Suddenly, the man in black rushed over.

Two powerless imperial officials are about to die!