Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Upon hearing this, everyone felt as if they had been suddenly struck by ice, and fear surged forth like a tidal wave, overwhelming them.

In fact, they already knew that the incident had been exposed when they were arrested.

Therefore, they always felt that it was just cheating, and the crime was not fatal. It was just a matter of being stripped of their official titles. They could continue to live the life of a rich young master, indulging in eating, drinking and having fun, back in Jiangnan.

But who could have imagined that they would be captured and imprisoned in the Shadow Bureau, and interrogated personally by the Shadow Bureau Envoy and His Highness the Crown Prince.

They felt that the follow-up handling of this matter might not go as they wished.

At this moment, they were all hesitant.

If they confess, the consequences might be unbearable for them.

If they don't confess, they're afraid of being tortured by those terrifying instruments of torture.

So everyone was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether or not to speak up.

Their hearts were filled with mixed feelings, a mixture of regret and fear, as if they were in a vast ocean with undercurrents all around, where a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.

At this moment, they felt like imprisoned beasts, wandering around helplessly.

Xiao Muyao naturally understood their concerns.

He then spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority, assuring them: "As long as you are willing to tell the truth, I can deal with you leniently, only stripping you of your titles and honors, and I will not take your lives."

These words were like a gentle spring breeze, instantly dispelling the gloom in everyone's hearts.

Upon hearing this promise, they immediately felt relieved and had no more worries.

If the current crown prince has given his guarantee, then it must be true.

Then everyone started talking at once, recounting the cheating incident.

From them, Xiao Muyao and Lu Yanqing learned the whole story behind the cheating case.

Among these sixty-odd families, a few were minor officials of the seventh rank, while the rest were wealthy merchants from Jiangnan.

They all wanted to change their social standing and elevate their family's status.

However, the younger members of the clan were not good enough.

I don't have the ability to change it.

So they came up with a solution.

That's cheating.

These sixty-odd people all came from extremely wealthy families, so they bribed the local chief examiner, who used his position to ensure that all sixty-odd people passed the provincial examination.

Subsequently, because the chief examiner had connections with high-ranking officials in the capital and possessed considerable wealth, he leaked the imperial examination questions to the families of these sixty-odd people in advance.

Knowing that their children and grandchildren were not good enough, they found talented people to write down the answers in advance, which their descendants would then memorize, thus ensuring their names would be on the list.

As for where these writers are found, it's quite simple.

There are many people in this world who would bow down for a meager living.

Most of the people they recruited came from poor families and were talented but unable to continue their studies or participate in scientific expeditions.

So as long as you pay enough, everything will be fine.

Furthermore, since it was an open-book exam, it would be strange if they still couldn't make the list.

They just didn't know why they were discovered, even though they had done it very discreetly.

Moreover, they didn't know who this high-ranking official in the capital was.

Because they were just a bunch of spoiled brats who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun.

Just memorizing answers recently was enough to kill them.

Therefore, their family did not tell them such a secret, because they did not trust them and were afraid that they might accidentally tell someone else.

At this moment, Xiao Muyao and Lu Yanqing sat upright above, listening attentively to every word and every detail with solemn and calm expressions.

After they had all confessed, the two men, seeing that they had indeed revealed nothing more, waved for them to be taken back to prison.

At that moment, those sixty-odd spoiled brats thought they would be able to leave soon.

His face lit up with joy.

Little did they know that while they could leave, their path led them to the guillotine.

After interrogating Lu Yanqing, Xiao Muyao and Lu Yanqing went to the palace to report to Emperor Jingzhao, presenting a detailed confession.

Speculation is one thing, facts are another.

After Emperor Jingzhao read the testimonies of these people, he was so angry that he smashed a fine inkstone in his imperial study.

Then, enraged, he said, "What audacity! To accept bribes as a government official, leak exam questions, collude with businessmen, and commit cheating in the imperial examinations—it's utterly despicable!"

Xiao Muyao and Lu Yanqing stood below watching Emperor Jingzhao vent his anger.

It wasn't until after a cup of tea that Emperor Jingzhao calmed down and looked at Xiao Muyao, saying in a deep voice, "This matter concerns important matters of the court. I order you to immediately go to Jiangnan to arrest all these people and find out who leaked the exam questions, then behead them and display their heads to the public."

To commit such a heinous crime, he must be beheaded as a warning to others.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Muyao accepted the decree without hesitation, his voice firm and resolute: "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Emperor Jingzhao thought for a moment, then said, "This time I will send He Jingchuan with troops to accompany you and ensure your safety. In addition, I will send two hundred imperial guards to protect you. You must ensure your safe return. Otherwise... I will not send you."

Xiao Muyao could see Emperor Jingzhao's helplessness and understood his unspoken words.

So he replied softly, "Father, there's no need for further words. Your son understands."

Emperor Jingzhao looked at him with a mixture of satisfaction and pride upon hearing this.

It has to be the sixth one!

That's how clever and insightful she is.

At the same time, he sighed helplessly to himself.

He didn't want Lao Liu to leave Beijing, but he found that he didn't trust or had any doubts about anyone except Lao Liu.

Even though he knew this trip would be dangerous, he believed in Lao Liu's abilities and that He Jingchuan could lead the army to protect him.

This matter may not be as simple as it seems on the surface, and it may involve quite a few officials. Most importantly, he is afraid that some unfilial son may also be implicated.

Therefore, he did not trust the other princes, and the relationships among the ministers were intricate and complex, and no one knew whether any of them might be involved.

Therefore, he could only completely trust his sixth brother.

Just then, Lu Yanqing volunteered, "Your Majesty, I request to accompany His Highness the Crown Prince to Jiangnan to investigate the case. I am in charge of criminal investigation and will be of great benefit to this case. I can help His Highness the Crown Prince to find out the truth as soon as possible and protect His Highness in all aspects."

Emperor Jingzhao hesitated upon hearing this.

He felt that the addition of Lao Liu, He Jingchuan, the army, and the Imperial Guards was already sufficient. If Lu Yanqing were added, wouldn't that be too much?

However, Lu Yanqing was right. He could indeed help Lao Liu investigate the case more quickly and effectively, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

Given Lao Liu's importance, he could indeed add another layer of protection for Lao Liu, or at the very least, he could take a knife for him.

He never doubted Lu Aiqing's loyalty.

Furthermore, since the throne will eventually be handed over to the sixth prince, and the Shadow Division is the emperor's eyes and ears, it would be good for the sixth prince to make contact with Minister Lu as soon as possible.

After a moment's thought, Emperor Jingzhao agreed, saying, "I grant your permission."

Lu Yanqing immediately smiled and thanked the emperor, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. I will swear to protect His Highness the Crown Prince with my life."

After the two left the palace, they openly returned to Prince Rui's residence, which has now become the Crown Prince's residence.

The reason, of course, is to discuss how to proceed.

Subsequently, Xiao Muyao deliberately leaked the news to the court officials about the cheating incident.

At the same time, he ordered people to keep an eye on all the residences, especially those that had access to the exam questions, to see if there was any movement or message being sent.

The ministers who received the news of the cheating in the imperial examinations were initially incredulous and astonished.

Then I sensed that a storm was brewing and something big was about to happen.

Meanwhile, the ministers involved in this matter remained calm and unperturbed.

There was no sign of panic or fear, nor was there any movement.

They remained inactive.

Therefore, Xiao Muyao did not catch the big fish he was trying to catch.

But it's okay, the truth will eventually come to light.

He'll find these people sooner or later; it's just a matter of time.