At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

The world is bustling with activity because of profit, and people are constantly on the move because of profit. In this complex world, once you get involved with people, nothing is simple.

"The world has really changed!!"

The inner city of Yudu.

Outside a luxurious pub.

Chu Hui held a bamboo fan and watched the crowd coming and going. Many people had smiles on their faces, but what Chu Hui couldn't stand was the arrogance that some people showed when they saw the crowds on the street.

That look in his eyes was as if he were looking at an ant.

His expression seemed to be one of disdain.

"Damn it!!"

Chu Hui snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with icy intent. "Working like crazy investigating cases and patrolling, some guys are just doing it all. They're either going to brothels or going in and out of taverns and teahouses. They think they're all that, just by opening and closing their mouths. It's ridiculous!"

Huang Long looked at the group of scholars with indifference.

Huang Long knew perfectly well why Chu Hui acted this way.

These scholars clearly came from extraordinary backgrounds and wealthy families, and their every move exuded an air of nobility.

"Come on, let's sit in this tavern."

Chu Hui flicked his sleeves and walked with his head held high toward the tavern in front of him.

Huang Long and his group followed silently behind.

These days, Chu Hui has learned a lot from Liu Chen and Shao Bing's discussions. Putting aside other things, the endless poetry and literary gatherings alone made Chu Hui feel that something was strange.

Before each imperial examination, scholars from all over the country would gather in Yudu to await the start of the examination, and there would be poetry gatherings and literary competitions. But this time, there were far too many.

Even if this selection of candidates for the imperial examination was different, coinciding with the emperor's wedding, it shouldn't have come to this.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

This is Chu Hui's attitude.

"Young master, please wait!"

Surrounded by Huang Long and his companions, Chu Hui walked to the tavern. Just as he was about to enter, a waiter stopped him with a smile, which made Huang Long and his group frown.

"What's the matter?"

Chu Hui stared coldly at the servant.

"Please wear the jade pendant given to you by our shop."

The servant grinned, revealing his teeth, and gestured to Chu Hui.

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Chu Hui frowned and glanced at the people beside him. Without exception, each of them wore a jade pendant at their waist, and the quality of these pendants was extremely good.

"I didn't bring it."

Chu Hui held a bamboo fan and stared coldly at the servant.

"Then please have someone go and fetch it, young master."

The servant was taken aback at first, but then gestured with his hand.

This conversation caused the people chatting nearby to turn their heads to look at it. However, some of them had a hint of disdain in their eyes, giving the impression that anyone could come to this place.

"You mean, I'm here to host a banquet for my friends, and the appointed time is fast approaching, but just because I didn't bring that damn jade token, you want me to send someone to get it?"

Holding a bamboo fan, Chu Hui pointed at the servant and said, "I've been in Yudu for quite some time now, and I've been to all sorts of places. In all this time, I've never heard of this bullshit rule!"

"Please don't be offended, young master."

Seeing this, the waiter quickly explained, "It's because the imperial examinations are approaching that our shop has set this rule on short notice, just so that distinguished guests like you can have a little more peace and quiet."

"If you find it troublesome, our shop can send someone to your residence. If you can't wait, since you need the jade pendant that our shop gave you, you can pay ten gold coins to temporarily purchase one. After the banquet, when someone from your residence delivers the jade pendant, our shop will verify that it is correct and return the gold coins to you."

Holy shit! !

Upon hearing this, Huang Long and the others were all shocked. What kind of ridiculous jade pendant was this, daring to ask for ten gold coins? That price could buy a small house in the outer city.

There's definitely something fishy going on.

In contrast, Chu Hui stared intently at the servant.

"Do you think I, this young master, would take so many worldly things with me when I leave the manor?"

Thinking of this, Chu Hui looked at the servant with a half-smile, and his words caused the people around him to show disdain.

"Is this feasible?"

Just as the servant was about to say something, Chu Hui took out something and said arrogantly.

The moment the waiter saw clearly, his expression changed drastically, and he immediately bowed and scraped obsequiously, saying, "Honored guest, please come in!"

"Keep it safe for me."

Chu Hui tossed what he was holding to the servant. Upon seeing this, the servant, sweating profusely, hurriedly reached out to catch it, and his heart raced the moment he did.

"If you dare lose it, I'll smash up your tavern!!"

With that, Chu Hui unfurled his bamboo fan and walked proudly into the tavern.

"Yes Yes."

With the servant's repeated responses, Huang Long and his companions followed Chu Hui silently with cold faces, and the group entered the tavern called Yun She.

"That's Qiongyao jade?!"

"Most likely!"

"Who is this person that he would use this as collateral!"

"Yes! Just look at that piece he had. Regardless of who carved it, the jade alone is worth a hundred gold pieces!"

"Yudu is truly a place where hidden talents abound..."

As Chu Hui and his group left, the remaining people exclaimed in amazement. They were of good birth and came from wealthy families, but they could not possibly use Qiong Yao Jade as collateral so casually.

That's where the difference between people lies.

Chu Hui neither saw nor heard their exclamations, because he had never taken them seriously.

The entire journey was speechless.

"In a place like this, they dare to ask for ten gold coins for a jade pendant?"

As Chu Hui entered the private room, after the servant who had led him away left, he looked around at the furnishings and frowned slightly, saying, "When we get back, we'll investigate this place thoroughly and see who's behind it all."

"Yes."

Huang Long lowered his head slightly and said.

"Your Highness, what's the next step?"

Behind Huang Long, a member of the Imperial Guard stepped forward and said.

"Take this card and go have a drink to relax."

Chu Hui glanced at the jade token in his hand, then tossed it to the man in front of him. "While you're at it, find out what's going on here. Oh, and get some wine and food for me and your general too. I want to see what kind of place this is, daring to play tricks in Yudu."

"Yes."

The man immediately clasped his hands in response.

They arrived at the private room and observed the layout of the Cloud Abode. Gathering information was not a difficult task for the Imperial Guards.

After the others left, Huang Long walked to Chu Hui's side, his brows furrowed slightly, and said, "Young Master, after looking around just now, I noticed that the people in Yun She are all dressed as scholars."

"This jade plaque seems to be refusing entry to certain groups, but if it's just for banquets, the price is far too high. There's probably something fishy going on with Yun She."

"It's mostly related to Kogon."

Chu Hui sat down, lifted his robe, gestured to Huang Long, and said with a slight frown, "I am wearing a scholar's robe today, otherwise, it would be difficult to enter this place."

"When you enter the main hall of Yunshe, did you see that some rooms were closed, but you could see figures moving around inside? If I'm not mistaken, those should be Qingyi."

"I saw it."

Huang Long, who had just sat down, nodded and said, "Young Master's guess is probably right. After all, this is a private banquet. If you really want to cultivate your reputation, you should hold a poetry gathering or a literary gathering."

"But it's not here."

"Such a private place, besides the one you mentioned, I really can't guess any other. But if that's the case, there's only one possibility left."

But when he got to this point, Huang Long frowned.

At first, I didn't suspect anything.

Chu Hui put down his bamboo fan, flicked his sleeves, and said, "But ever since that servant mentioned the jade token, I've come to understand some things. Do you think the recent events in and around Yudu are really only targeting the patrol camp and the military command?"

"indeed."

"These special arrangements by the authorities inevitably harm the interests of some people, so they resort to some tricks and schemes to take advantage of the situation and do something."

"But if it were really that simple, it's impossible that nearly half of those murder cases would be solved without any clues. Whether it's Shao Bing or Liu Chen, would they really warrant such a huge investigation?"

These days, Chu Hui either goes to the Yudu magistrate's residence or goes to various places with Liu Chen, but some things make Chu Hui feel very strange.

It doesn't have much flavor.

"Young Master, do you mean someone is setting a trap?" Huang Long understood and looked at Chu Hui with suppressed surprise. "But if that's the case, who could be behind this?"

Why must it be specific to a particular person?

Chu Hui countered, "If that were the case, neither of us would stay here. Instead, we would go to Shanglin Garden with the Emperor. After all, if that were the case, would Yudu still be safe?"

Huang Long frowned and nodded.

"But it is precisely because of this that I feel uneasy."

Chu Hui continued, "Because there is a group of people hiding in the shadows, fanning the flames for their own interests. If the key cannot be found, the consequences will be even more serious."

At this point, Chu Hui fell silent.

Huang Long also fell silent.

Scholars flocked to the area.

The key point is that they all come from good backgrounds and have wealthy families, which involves too many things.

If something is really found out, it's likely to be a serious matter.

Time passes minute by minute.

The tightly closed door was pushed open.

Huang Long looked over warily.

"Young Master, something's happened!!"

Under Huang Long's watchful eye, a guard named Guo Huang walked in, carrying something in his hand. The door was closed, and someone was guarding outside.

"The exam questions for the upcoming science examination at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have been leaked!!"

Guo Huang held up an object and reported to Chu Hui, "That jade token is a token for purchasing exam questions. While we were drinking, someone observed us for a long time before sneaking up to us..."

it is as expected! !

Chu Hui opened his eyes slightly and snatched the test question as he listened to Guo Huang talk about it. He had guessed this before, but he didn't expect it to be true.

"If I remember correctly, a few days ago, my brother summoned Guo Yuan, the Minister of Rites, to clarify the examination questions, right?" Chu Hui frowned and looked at Huang Long after reviewing the examination questions.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Huang Long stood up and said, "According to regulations, the detailed rules for the imperial examinations will only be announced after the Ministry of Rites and other relevant departments have received the imperial decree to clarify the examination questions. The Yudu Prefecture will assist in the announcement."

"The specific exam questions will be sealed in the Ministry of Rites' archives, and the people involved will be escorted to the Academy of Sciences by personnel drawn from the Imperial Guard, the Northern Army, and the Southern Army. They will not be released until the selection of tribute students is over."

"That's really courageous."

Holding up the exam questions, Chu Hui said coldly, "If these exam questions are real, then this imperial examination selection has become the biggest joke!"

"Let's go! Back to the palace!!"

As he spoke, Chu Hui stood up angrily. Huang Long and Guo Huang exchanged a glance and hurriedly followed behind Chu Hui, but both of them stopped walking.

"I cannot go to see my brother, the Emperor, yet."

Chu Hui stopped in his tracks. "This is not enough. We need to go to more places."

Huang Long understood Chu Hui's meaning and stepped forward, saying, "Does Your Highness mean that you are afraid that someone will use the imperial examination selection process to commit fraud?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out."

Chu Hui frowned and said, "This situation has occurred before in the previous imperial examinations. If it is truly unfounded, it will only disturb Your Majesty's thoughts."

"Furthermore, how could the Embroidered Uniform Guard not have noticed something like this happening in Yudu?"

"Should we report this to His Majesty?" Upon hearing this, Guo Huang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "After all, this matter..."

"I definitely have to say it."

Chu Hui said in a low voice, "But before we speak, we need to find out the details first. However, relying solely on myself, I cannot guarantee that nothing will go wrong."

"Looking for the Prince Consort of Wu'an?"

Huang Long raised an eyebrow and looked at Chu Huidao.

"Yes!"

Chu Hui's eyes lit up and she said, "How could I have forgotten my uncle? He used to frequent brothels quite a bit, so he must know the ways of things!"

Upon hearing this, both Huang Long and Guo Huang showed expressions of helplessness.

"What are you standing there for!"

Seeing that the two did not move, Chu Hui said urgently, "Hurry up and go find your uncle. This matter needs to be clarified as soon as possible."

"Yes."

The two immediately agreed.

……

When Chu Hui and his party went to find Liu Chen, the atmosphere at the Jinyiwei headquarters was much more oppressive.

"No wonder there have been so many strange things happening in Yudu lately."

In the main hall.

Zang Hao, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stared at the items on the desk with a gloomy expression and said in a low voice, "So it turns out that some people have set their sights on the imperial examinations."

"Commander, who do you think this is?"

Pang Hu's face darkened. "The examination questions for this year's selection of tribute students were approved by His Majesty before being sealed in the Ministry of Rites' archives by the chief examiner Guo Yuan and the deputy examiners Tang Cheng, Ning Ke, and Lang Qi. They went to the Imperial Academy immediately afterward, and during this time..."

"It's hard to say right now."

As Pang Hu was speaking, Zang Hao frowned and interrupted, "If the exam questions were really leaked, they are undoubtedly the prime suspects, but we can't rule out others."

"But if the exam questions are fake, then that's a different story."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has found the exam questions that are being circulated privately, but we cannot determine whether these questions are actually true."

Zang Hao's words made it clear to Pang Hu and the others what he meant.

Everyone present knew that the Emperor attached great importance to this imperial examination selection. If it was the former, then the Imperial Guard reporting this matter would undoubtedly be a meritorious act.

But if it's the latter, then there are many more issues involved.

"You all should step aside first."

After an unknown amount of time, Zang Hao spoke up: "Let me have some peace and quiet."

"Yes."

Pang Hu and the others exchanged glances and bowed to Zang Hao. This matter was indeed something that needed to be handled with caution, as it could lead to serious problems if things went wrong.

If someone is watching them in the dark, who can guarantee they won't do something else?