Quick Transmigration: After Fake Death, All the Protagonists I Flirted With Went Crazy

This year's spring rains came unusually, swiftly and fiercely.

Outside the window, the newly sprouted green buds were battered and trembled, and the weather, which had been warming up, was pushed back down by this rain.

Gu Yao, wearing a fox fur cloak, leaned against the soft couch reading a book. The charcoal fire in the charcoal cage was burning brightly, driving away the chill of the past few days.

Today is the day the results are released, and also the day the cheating scandal is exposed.

After being lazy for so many days, it's time to get back to work.

In the twenty-second year of the Tianqian reign, the largest imperial examination fraud case since the founding of the country occurred. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation, which implicated 68 officials and 35 students who cheated. Among them, Prince Yu and Prince Jing were suspected of colluding.

This spring is destined to be an eventful one. Prince Yu and Prince Jing have been granted fiefdoms and will set off for their fiefdoms in May.

Although it was called an award, anyone could see that these two princes were going to be distanced from the center of power from now on.

The sixty-eight officials involved in the case had their homes confiscated, some were exiled, and others were demoted.

Those students would never have the chance to take the imperial examinations again in their lifetime, and this would also affect three generations of their families.

After a purge, everyone in the court felt insecure, and the previously flamboyant officials became much more restrained, creating a sense of dynamism in the government.

By the time the case was initially concluded, it was already early May. Emperor Xuan ordered a re-examination, scheduled for mid-July.

The news that Prince Jing and Prince Yu were about to set off for Longxi and southern Jiangxi was delivered by a servant while Gu Yao and Xi Yue were playing chess.

Gu Yao was somewhat surprised to hear this. He thought that the two princes would try to find a way out and at least delay until the end of May.

Xi Yue was not surprised at all and continued to make moves.

Gu Yao glanced at the chessboard. He realized that he had been distracted for a moment, which had led to his white pieces being driven to a dead end.

With a sigh, Gu Yao put down the chess piece in his hand.

"Chengduan, I have lost."

Xi Yue collected the black stones one by one.

"It's not that you lost, it's that you weren't focused enough. Chess is like a battlefield; a slight mistake can lead to total defeat."

Gu Yao pursed his lips and looked up at Xi Yue, "Today, Cheng Duan seemed completely unsurprised by the sudden departure of the two princes from the capital."

Xi Yue put the chess piece back into the chess box and said with a smile, "It wasn't unexpected. Even if they wanted to stay, my father would never tolerate them."

Gu Yao nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Xi Yue looked out the window and saw layers upon layers of pomegranate blossoms burning like a red flame.

A courtyard that has been carefully tended by someone is now reborn.

"Have all of the prince's men been placed in the court?"

Xi Yue was taken aback by what he heard, but remained calm and did not deny it.

How could Le'an know?

Gu Yao looked at the chessboard, playing a game against himself.

He did not answer Xi Yue's question.

“I once asked the prince if he wanted to fight for it. The prince said that he had a reason to fight for it, and Le’an would always stand behind Cheng Duan.”

Upon hearing this, Xi Yue turned to look at Gu Yao with a scrutinizing and deliberate expression.

It's impossible for him to remain completely unmoved by Gu Yao's words, but it's also impossible for him to fully trust Gu Yao.

The battle between the white and black pieces on the chessboard gradually became intense. Gu Yao paused, placed a black piece, and continued, "Does Your Highness forget my identity by asking this question?"

Xi Yue chuckled to himself, realizing he had been foolish for a moment.

Who is Gu Yao?

The second legitimate son of the Gu family, and the son of Prime Minister Gu.

The Gu family is a prestigious family with a century-old history and a very stable foundation in the court.

Prime Minister Gu was deeply favored by Emperor Xuan, and with the eldest son of the Gu family joining the army, it was no surprise that Gu Yao would take over the power of the civil officials.

If the Gu family wants to investigate, they can always find out.

Gu Yao is now approaching twenty and naturally needs to take over the family affairs.

It was only because the boy was too gentle in front of her that she had the illusion that Gu Yao was naive and ignorant of the ways of the world.

Gu Yao said no more and continued to play against himself. Xi Yue looked at the chessboard and saw that the white pieces were retreating steadily and there was no way to turn the tide.

He wanted to make Xi Yue see clearly that Gu Yao was not a simple boy, but the eldest son of the Gu family, a person with the talent of a prime minister.

He acts this way in front of Xi Yue simply because he is Xi Yue.

With Bai Zi cornered, Gu Yao sighed, put down his chess piece, and looked up to stare directly at Xi Yue.

"Your Highness, I want to participate in the imperial examination in July."

Gu Yao's tone was firm, leaving no room for discussion; it was simply a notification.

Xi Yue was taken aback and looked at Gu Yao with a puzzled expression.

Gu Yao smiled and explained, "There are currently vacancies in the court, and the Emperor has granted special permission for students who were unable to participate in the imperial examinations before to re-register. I think this is an opportunity, and since Your Highness wants to compete for it, I will do my best to help you."

Xi Yue hesitated for a moment, then after considering his words several times, he finally patted Gu Yao on the shoulder and instructed him, "Be careful."

The weight on his shoulders was fleeting, yet it pressed down firmly on Gu Yao's heart.

He knew that Xi Yue didn't distrust his abilities; it was just that the bigger the tree, the more the wind would blow against it.

The Gu family has become the focus of the court. If Gu Yao were to win the imperial examination, given the current situation in the court, he would surely be greatly rewarded.

Gu Yao can quickly enter the center of power, but this also comes with risks.

If Gu Yao relies on Gu Jia's connections, he will start from a minor official position and rise step by step, steadily and cautiously, without drawing attention, which is more secure.

But now, they have to fight for the sake of attacking Yue.

Gu Yao put away the chess pieces, stood up, and gave a deep bow.

"Your Highness, Le'an bows and takes his leave."

Xi Yue knew that they would not be able to meet again anytime soon.

No, and it's not appropriate.

Since Gu Yao is going to be the one openly stirring up trouble, he cannot associate too closely with the prince.

The second son of the Gu family, the newly appointed top scholar.

With these two titles weighing him down, if Gu Yao wanted to quickly seize power and be given important responsibilities, he would have no choice but to be loyal to the emperor.

Xi Yue felt a strange bitterness in his heart.

Gu Yao's hands, which held the chess pieces, were spotless. Such a virtuous and upright person was about to be drawn into the vortex of power for him, stirring up trouble in the darkness.

Those hands, as white and flawless as jade shoots, are now to be tainted by the darkness of power.

Xi Yue even tried to persuade Gu Yao to give up, but reason prevailed.

Instead of letting Gu Yao get up, he summoned his personal attendant Mu Chun and gave him a few instructions.

Mu Chun was taken aback by what he heard. Seeing his master's serious expression, he didn't say anything more and retreated into the inner room.

A moment later, Mu Chun came walking over quickly, carrying a box.

Xi Yue touched the slightly chipped gilded wooden box with a touch of nostalgia, then opened it, revealing a white jade pendant lying quietly inside.

Its texture is warm and smooth, and its whiteness is flawless, making it a top-grade product.

Xi Yue told Gu Yao to stand up, picked up the jade pendant, took a step forward, and reached out to hook Gu Yao's belt.

Gu Yao was so frightened by this slightly teasing gesture that he dared not move. His whole body stiffened completely, and he lost all the confident demeanor he had just displayed.

Xi Yue was amused by Gu Yao's reaction and reached out to place the jade pendant on Gu Yao's waist.

The lustrous white jade is carved with a vase and ears of rice symbolizing "peace year after year". Two or three round beads of the same material hang at the bottom, connecting the white tassels and the jade pendant. The tassels, which sway in the wind, add a touch of elegance and complement Gu Yao's ivory white and green bamboo-patterned robe.

Xi Yue looked Gu Yao up and down; the flawless jade pendant was a perfect match for such a refined and upright person.

Nodding in satisfaction, Xi Yue gazed at Gu Yao's handsome face, a thought flashing through his mind.

The people on Mo are like jade, and the son is unparalleled in the world.

Gu Yao felt Xi Yue's breath was very close, as if he could feel the warmth penetrating his body through the layers of clothing.

The chill of spring has not yet passed, and early summer has just arrived.

Gu Yao felt an inexplicable heat creeping up his cheeks, and his ears felt hot and uncomfortable.

As Xi Yue sensed the boy's awkward reaction, a mischievous thought suddenly popped into his head.

Her fingers inadvertently brushed against Gu Yao's waist, sending a shiver through the skin beneath her fingertips, making Gu Yao's body even stiffer.

He then pretended to get up as if nothing had happened, looked at the boy's face which was flushed from his teasing, and asked a question as if he were puzzled.

"Le'an, what's wrong? Are you sick?"

Xi Yue raised his hand to touch Gu Yao's forehead, but Gu Yao reacted so violently that he seemed about to jump up, suddenly stepping back to avoid Xi Yue's hand, as if he were running away from some raging flood or beast.

Gu Yao knew he had failed today, and raised his hand to cover his face, which was so red it looked like it was about to bleed.

After calming his breathing, Gu Yao bowed and took his leave, then quickly turned and left.

Even though Gu Yao tried to hide it, his disordered steps still revealed his inner turmoil.

With swift steps, Gu Yao fled as if his life depended on it.

Xi Yue watched Gu Yao's flustered back and revealed a genuine smile.

As soon as Gu Yao left Xi Yue's sight, he slowed his pace, displaying an air of elegance and composure, as if he were not the one who had just been forced into a state of panic and embarrassment.

0529 was amazed by Gu Yao's masterful acting skills and secretly resolved to cling to Gu Yao's coattails.