After the interstellar female general died in battle, she transmigrated into the body of a dashing p

Upon hearing the guard's report, Jiang Hetai already had an explanation in mind: "I was afraid that the test question set by Your Majesty would cause misunderstandings among the ordinary people in the city, so I did not release the test paper. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Zheng Hongyuan smiled and waved his hand, "Then how does the Grand Commandant think this matter should be handled?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hetai lowered his head, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

This matter is easy to handle in theory, as long as the exam papers are published, but the problem lies in the publication itself.

It wasn't that no one from the poor families made it onto the list this time; although only a few did, it was still acceptable among the common people. This was clearly aimed at them, but who was behind it all?

Could it be the Duke of Yun?

Zheng Hongyuan looked coldly at the person below who did not respond. "Grand Commandant Jiang, since you don't know how to handle this either, then publish all the exam papers."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't," Prime Minister Jian weakly advised. Once this matter is announced, it will be equivalent to the reduction of taxes and corvée labor on farmland being a done deal, and no one will be able to reverse it.

Who orchestrated this move, using all the candidates in the imperial examinations as pawns and the exam questions as bait to lure ordinary people and those from humble backgrounds into a struggle against the aristocratic families?

This not only forced Jiang Hetai to the opposite side of the commoners, but also helped the emperor, truly killing two birds with one stone.

Could it be that the Duke of Yun has been neglecting state affairs for many years and is now imprisoned in his mansion?

Zheng Hongyuan's face was already icy cold. "Does Prime Minister Jian mean to chill the hearts of all the scholars in the world?"

When the emperor is angry, it is something that ordinary people cannot bear.

No one dared to respond to that statement. A ruthless glint flashed in Jiang Hetai's eyes as he calmly said, "Your Majesty, I will have the exam papers released this afternoon."

"Grand Commandant, you are very understanding of me." Zheng Hongyuan stood up, glanced at the ministers kneeling on the ground below, and turned to leave.

"Retreat!"

......

Inside the Duke's mansion, Duke Yun and Kong Mufeng were digging through the dirt, uncovering a "beggar's chicken" wrapped in mud. They broke off the outer layer of mud, revealing a layer of paper wrapped around the ingredients inside. The moment they opened it, an enticing aroma filled the air.

Duke Yun sat on a small stool, muttering to himself, "It's almost noon, and you're making a fuss over nothing."

Kongmu Feng tore off a large chicken leg from the chicken, put it in his mouth, and said with disdain, "It's not as fragrant as when it's wrapped in lotus leaves, even when it's wrapped in paper." Despite saying that, he didn't stop eating.

"You're already being smug, don't be so picky. It's only early spring, where am I supposed to find lotus leaves for you?" After saying that, Yun Guo tore off another chicken leg, put it in his mouth, and nodded repeatedly, "Isn't this good enough?"

Kong Mufeng quickly finished the chicken leg in his hand, casually tossed the bone into the fire pit where the chicken had just been buried, and asked seemingly casually, "Did you have someone do what happened at Dongzhimen today?"

His hands weren't idle either; he popped another chicken wing into his mouth and exclaimed hastily, "Old Yun, that was a brilliant move! I never expected you to suddenly have such a brilliant idea at the last minute!!!"

This old fellow was unmatched in military strategy on the battlefield, but once he returned to the imperial court, he was always a bit slow on the uptake.

Duke Yun stopped gnawing on his leg and looked at him as if he were an idiot. "I didn't. Do you think I would come up with such a despicable trick?" He had thought about killing the man surnamed Jiang, but he planned to do it after the imperial examination and then call on the man in front of him to kill him together.

They'll just make him an assassin, and have that guy surnamed Jiang die on the road or at home. Anyway, he has a lot of enemies. With me and Old Man Feng, there aren't many people in Kyoto who can match them.

Kongmu Feng gave him a strange look, scanning him up and down. "This is definitely not something your brain could come up with."

This must have been done by the cunning little emperor. He couldn't help but marvel, "As expected, emperors are all black-hearted."

Duke Yun did not object, which clearly indicated that he agreed with what he said.

"Speaking of which, yesterday Danqin sent someone to call a few people away, but I don't know why."

The two stopped abruptly and stared at each other.

Meanwhile, at the gate of Muyun Palace.

Zheng Zhian sat on the threshold, wearing specially made brocade shoes embroidered with auspicious clouds. He intentionally or unintentionally kicked the wooden board below with his heel, and looked up at Chi Yang, who had just changed shifts. "General Chi, why are you here to guard our Muyun Palace?"

This guy had never been to Muyun Palace before, and besides, why would a deputy military commander be needed for such a trivial matter as guarding?

"I came as ordered." Chi Yang's cold, expressionless face remained unchanged.

"Have you eaten yet? Why don't you come in and have something to eat?" Zheng Zhi'an looked at him innocently with her big, clear eyes.

Chi Yang remained focused, saying, "Thank you, Princess. I have already eaten."

"alright."

As if to confirm Zheng Zhian's words, Xiao Linzi walked from the inner courtyard behind her, bowed and said, "Princess, Aunt Danqin said that lunch has been prepared. Where would you like to eat, Princess?"

"Then let's use it in the courtyard." Zheng Zhian stood up and patted the dust off his back.

Finally, he waved very politely to Chi Yang and said, "Goodbye, Lord Chi."

"Goodbye, Princess."

After receiving his response, Zheng Zhian turned and left, but the smile on his face faded slightly.

Ah, the orders from above... but who is this "above" of his?

When Danqin learned that Chi Yang had replaced her at the door, her expression hardened. Then everything made sense. It seemed that the man had known all along that the Duke's Mansion had obtained the evidence. The leak of the exam questions during the Princess's exam was probably a scheme set up by Jiang Hetai.

He just didn't expect that the Duke and the Emperor would turn the tables on him, which led to the current situation. No wonder she felt that the Duke and the others were strange at the time, but they didn't investigate it in detail.

So, it seems the Emperor's attitude towards the princess and the Duke has always been...

In the prime minister's house.

After returning to his residence and having lunch, Prime Minister Jian learned of the undercurrents in the palace. A sharp glint flashed in his cloudy, yellowish eyes as he said, "Someone come here."

The steward of the Prime Minister's residence immediately stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister."

"Have someone tell Xin'er to keep a close eye on Xi'er these next few days and not to make any rash moves under any circumstances."

"Yes."

Jian Yuanzheng waved his hand, and the butler immediately withdrew.

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared in the hall and knelt down. "Master, Grand Commandant Jiang has sent someone to negotiate with our people, saying that he wants to meet with you tonight."

Jian Yuanzheng coughed lightly. Although his health was not as serious as it appeared in court, he had indeed been feeling unwell recently. "Tell his people that I am unwell and there are some things I am powerless to do."

The Jian family and the Jiang family have been fighting for years, each with their own wins and losses. Although they are rivals, they are also the people who understand each other best. Now, he has actually put aside his old grudges and come to find him, which is quite impressive.

However, ever since he took over the position of chief examiner, his path has become increasingly narrow.

"Yes."

......

The study in the Jiang residence.

"Master, news has come from the Prime Minister's residence." Jiang Hetai's face had been ashen all day. The man in black on the ground lowered his head, and his heart tightened as he thought about what he was about to say.

Sitting at his desk, Jiang Hetai rested his right elbow on the armrest, tilted his head, and slowly pressed his temples with his index and middle fingers. He said impatiently, "Speak."

"They said the Prime Minister is unwell and... unable to do anything about the master's affairs."