The whole family of villains listens to my heart, the Regent Prince treats me dearly.

The Duke of Wei sat at the head of the table. "Have all the candidates entered the examination hall?"

The servant gave him a meaningful look.

"Your return to the capital is all settled. The exam can begin now."

The Duke of Wei curled his lips into a smile.

"The Regent has arrived—"

Jun Ce, dressed in a black brocade robe and wearing a golden crown, strode in with a bold and imposing manner. His cold gaze swept over everyone in the hall before settling on the Duke of Wei.

The Duke of Wei immediately stood up and said, "Welcome, Regent."

"Everyone, get up."

"What brings the Regent here? You've been busy with your wedding, and you just conferred the title of the Third Prince yesterday. You should be resting today, so why are you here to supervise the imperial examinations?"

"With you so busy with so many things every day, it makes us a useless bunch."

The Duke of Wei's expression was respectful, but his tone was slightly sarcastic.

The expressions of those inside the hall changed slightly.

This Duke of Wei is too audacious, daring to subtly criticize the Regent for meddling in other people's business... If it weren't for the Duke's family's favor with the emperor, he would probably have been beheaded long ago.

Jun Ce's dark eyes stared at the Duke of Wei for a moment before he suddenly smiled.

"Since Your Majesty has arranged my marriage, I should naturally share Your Majesty's burdens and care about the people's livelihood and national affairs."

"Especially this spring imperial examination, which concerns the court, how can it be taken lightly?"

"Besides, if the Duke of Wei can come to supervise the examination, what reason do I have not to come?"

The Duke of Wei frowned, puzzled. "What does the Regent mean by this?"

Jun Ce took his seat in the main position but did not reply.

The figure stood alone to one side, and said with a slightly roguish air, "The daughter of the Duke of Wei is still unconscious, and the lady is acting strangely. The house is in complete chaos, yet she can still supervise the exam without changing her expression."

"Such a temperament is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

“My lord admires it very much.” A disdainful smile curled at the corner of Zhiying’s lips.

The Duke of Wei's face darkened.

Although he was furious, he dared not lash out and could only barely maintain his composure.

Just then, a servant rushed in looking flustered.

"Your Highness, the Regent, and the Duke of Wei, a candidate has been found to be carrying cheating materials. What should be done?"

After speaking, he presented a document detailing the alleged fraud.

"This was found at the examinee's residence. Please have a look, Your Majesty."

Jun Ce frowned after reading the materials.

He put the materials back in the servant's hands and circulated them among the people in the hall.

When the Duke of Wei opened it, he was overjoyed.

Good! Qiao Jingyuan has indeed succeeded!

That day, he not only showed Qiao Jingyuan the spring examination papers, but also had him prepare a cheating report, which he then placed in Zhai Jiqing's personal bag.

It's this one in his hand!

Originally, he looked down on Qiao Jingyuan, a son from a poor family.

In retrospect, he really is a promising talent.

Duke Wei slammed his fist on the table, feigning anger, "Who dares to be so audacious! During the spring imperial examinations, they actually dare to defy the law and deceive the emperor! They truly have no respect for His Majesty!"

Jun Ce looked up at him.

"Then, in your opinion, Duke, how should this person be dealt with?"

Without hesitation, the Duke of Wei declared, "The imperial examination is a place for selecting the virtuous and capable; how can such petty people be allowed to tarnish it? They must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others!"

"In my opinion, he should be disqualified from the exam, flogged, and exiled."

He paused, then added, "As the saying goes, 'If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault.' Regardless of this person's status, his father should also bear joint responsibility and be punished!"

Jun Ce nodded. "What the Duke said makes sense."

The Duke of Wei was delighted.

The Regent Prince was unaware that Zhai Jiqing was the one who cheated. Now, he promised in court to punish him severely and also to punish that old fox, Minister Zhai, along with him. It seems that the Zhai family will never be able to extricate themselves from this mess.

Jun Ce instructed his servants, "Bring the person up."

Soon after, the cheating student was brought in.

When the Duke of Wei saw the man's face, he was immediately horrified!

How could it be Qiao Jingyuan?!

Qiao Jingyuan cried out his innocence, "Your Excellency! I beg Your Excellency to do justice for me! I am innocent!"

The evidence of the fraud was clearly already in Zhai Jiqing's bag, so how could it have been found on him?!

He was also completely baffled.

Those in the hall whispered among themselves when they saw Qiao Jingyuan pleading for help from the Duke of Wei.

"Qiao Jingyuan immediately went to the Duke of Wei to plead his case upon arrival. Could it be that the two have some kind of private relationship?"

The Duke of Wei's expression changed.

"The Regent is here. What grievances do you have? Quickly explain yourself."

Qiao Jingyuan then looked at Jun Ce and hurriedly kowtowed.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Qiao's family is poor, and he certainly doesn't have the money to buy any test materials!"

"Someone must be framing me to frame me!"

Jun Ce casually fiddled with the jade pendant, propping himself up on his hand as he leaned against the side of the chair. "Oh? Then who do you think wants to harm you?"

“This…” Qiao Jingyuan glanced at the Duke of Wei and lowered his head. “Since I am not eligible for the imperial examinations, whoever benefits from them is the most suspicious.”

The Duke of Wei was certain.

This person isn't too stupid.

He immediately decided to offer his help.

“Your Majesty, Qiao Jingyuan is from Lulin Academy, and I have heard of him.”

"I heard that he is always self-disciplined and his relationship with other candidates is neither too close nor too distant. He shouldn't have offended anyone."

"Moreover, he is exceptionally talented in literature, second only to Zhai Jiqing when he was at Lulin Academy."

"In my opinion, this matter needs further investigation; perhaps he really is innocent."

Upon hearing this, Zhiying's disdain grew even stronger, and he coldly snorted, "Didn't the Duke of Wei just say that he wanted to punish this person properly?"

"Why are you speaking up for him this time?"

Jun Ce's lips curled slightly.

"Does the Duke mean to imply that he suspects Zhai Jiqing?"

The Duke of Wei did not refute this.

A glint of light flashed in the depths of his eyes. "Whether someone framed him or not, we cannot draw any conclusions. But our country has its own methods to test whether Qiao Jingyuan cheated."

Jun Ce raised an eyebrow. "Speak."

Duke of Wei said, "Why not let him take the exam on the spot? If he can still complete the exam under so many eyes, it will prove that he has real talent and has been framed."

He had already planned it.

Qiao Jingyuan had done that test paper countless times and had long since memorized the answers.

An in-class exam could not only clear his name but also shift the blame back onto Zhai Jiqing.

It can be described as having the best of both worlds.

Jun Ce's eyes flickered slightly. "Do any of you ministers have any objections?"

Everyone in the hall agreed.

Jun Ce raised his hand, "Then let's do it that way."

Qiao Jingyuan was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Regent!"

The exam papers were presented quickly.

The Duke of Wei opened the examination paper, and his expression immediately changed drastically.

"This……"

Jun Ce leaned back in his chair, looking down at him. "What's the problem?"

The Duke of Wei was sweating profusely.

"No, there's nothing wrong."

The exam paper was completely different from what had been prepared, but he couldn't say it aloud.

He couldn't let the regent know that he had already seen the exam papers.

Furthermore, he must not know that Qiao Jingyuan had already completed the previous test paper.

Now, we can only hope that Qiao Jingyuan has some real skills and can create this set of test papers!

Duke Wei placed the examination paper on Qiao Jingyuan's desk, turned his back to Jun Ce, and gave Qiao Jingyuan a meaningful look.

Qiao Jingyuan glanced down and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.