Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Ling Huanan's eyes widened, almost bursting out of their sockets. Feng Rui!

Ling Yi was well aware of the entanglement between Ling Huanan and Xue Wen. Before he could finish speaking, he saw the murderous glint in Ling Huanan's eyes and quickly lowered his head, forcing himself to continue:

"Also, the second wife that the old master brought back is named Lin Dafeng, and is... is..."

"Speak." Seeing his hesitation, Ling Huanan's eyes turned cold, and he said in a deep voice.

"She is Young Master Xue's former wife, and also your own sister." Ling Yi said this as if risking his life, then quickly added:

"However, I don't think there's anything between them. My men also found out that it seems that Xue Langjun was taken in by Lin Dafeng while fleeing. At that time, she was already pregnant. After the young master gave birth to a daughter, Lin Dafeng immediately brought back a second husband and treated Xue Langjun and her daughter like trash..."

"Snapped……"

Ling Huanan slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly. He had been suspicious when he first heard that "Feng Rui sent people to kill Xue Wen". Now that he heard that "Xue Wen fled", if he still did not realize that something was amiss, then he should not be the Prince of Dingbei.

"Ling Yi, thoroughly investigate the events of eighteen years ago, as well as the reason for Lin Dafeng's trip to the capital. Within three days, by whatever means you use, if you cannot find the truth, go to the torture chamber to receive your punishment!"

"Yes." Ling Yi trembled involuntarily upon hearing the words "torture chamber" and quickly replied.

After the guards left, Ling Huanan lowered his head and stared at the letter in his hand, his gaze slowly drifting into the distance.

He thought to himself: Feng Rui! If what happened eighteen years ago was indeed your scheme, I will make you wish you were dead.

……

The next day.

All the court officials could clearly sense that the Empress was in a very good mood during the court session.

How could it not be good! Not only did they win the four-nation competition, but they also captured a city and warhorses without lifting a finger.

Not only did he reward the three participants with many gifts, but he also made a promise to Lin Shu in public: if she wanted anything in the future, she could ask Feng Han for it at any time.

……

Painted boats on the Huai River.

A woman dressed in black knelt on one knee and reported in a deep voice to the woman at the head of the table:

"My lord, Li Yun'er's matter is settled. The Third Princess has arrived in the capital and is probably on her way to the Prime Minister's residence right now."

"Hmm. You may leave." The person at the head of the table took a sip of tea and remained silent for a long time before a deep voice finally came.

……

At this time, the Third Princess, who was in charge of building the dike, returned to the capital. Surprisingly, as soon as she returned, she went straight to the Prime Minister's residence to see her aunt, Xu Chen.

Xu Chen is Xu Guijun's older sister, Xu Tongzhi's older sister, and Xu Jingyun's aunt.

Xu Chen had just finished court and hadn't even changed out of her court robes when Feng Qing hurriedly walked in. She quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Your subject pays respects to the Third Princess."

"Aunt, please rise quickly, there's no need for such formality." Feng Qing hurriedly helped her up.

Xu Chen got up as instructed, and seeing the other person's anxious expression, he couldn't help but ask with concern:

"When did Your Highness arrive in the capital? Why are you in such a hurry? Has something happened?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Qing hurriedly told the whole story: "Aunt, I've caused a huge disaster. The dam was repaired half a month ago, but who knew it would break... (blah blah blah).

Fortunately, someone was willing to cover the niece's deficit, but who knew... this person actually wanted to buy an official position. My niece thought it was just a minor official post, so she stamped the seal you gave me, only to find out later that what she really wanted was the position of Deputy Salt Commissioner..."

"What? How could you be so foolish! How could you act like this for a mere 300,000 taels of silver! Do you know that you are selling official positions? The Deputy Salt Commissioner is a sixth-rank official, in charge of salt profits and taxes... If this matter is exposed, my Xu family may be in grave danger!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen felt a deep sense of disappointment and frustration. Of the three siblings, only Xu Guijun had a daughter, and although Feng Qing was not her biological daughter, she was treated as her own.

Fearing that she would be powerless and inconvenienced while away from home, he handed over his personal seal to her, but unexpectedly...

"Aunt, Aunt, I know I was wrong. Is there any way to make amends?" Feng Qing knew the consequences were serious, so she rushed back to discuss it with Xu Chen.

Xu Chen pondered for a moment before sighing:

"Alas! What's done is done, we can only make the best of a bad situation. The imperial examination is in two months, and there will likely be some adjustments to the officials in various departments. There have been cases of selling official positions in previous years, but His Majesty did not investigate them thoroughly. I only hope that this year will be the same!"

The two talked for a long time before Feng Qing finally left the Prime Minister's residence, looking worried...

……

The study of the Prince of Dingbei's residence.

“Master, the person who brought Lin Dafeng to the capital was extremely secretive. The trail went cold when it reached the person behind the pleasure boat on the Huai River.”

Ling Huanan remained calm and composed, pouring himself a cup of tea and gesturing for her to continue.

Ling Yi presented a stack of Xuan paper and then reported, "We have made some progress on the matter from eighteen years ago. This was found in Prince Rui's room. Please take a look!"

Ling Huanan reached out and took the papers, flipping through them one by one, his pupils suddenly contracting.

The calligraphy on this Xuan paper includes both the author's own and Xue Wen's calligraphy. The person practicing calligraphy is clearly extremely diligent, as the handwriting progresses from clumsy to skillful...

Ling Yi continued his report: "Eighteen years ago, Prince Rui sent someone to assassinate Young Master Xue..."

"Crack..." The teacup in Ling Huanan's hand shattered with a sound, but she ignored her injured hand, picked up the stack of Xuan paper, her eyes filled with anger.

"Bring him here to me," Ling Huanan ordered solemnly, his face ashen. Then, steady footsteps echoed from outside the door.

In Fengrui Courtyard.

Ling Wanzhen was having a meal with him when suddenly a loud crash was heard: "Bang!"

The door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and Ling Huanan's deputy general led his personal guards and stormed in aggressively. The servants guarding outside the courtyard were powerless to stop them.

"How dare you trespass into the Lord's courtyard!" Feng Rui was furious and slammed his hand on the dining table.

The lieutenant remained expressionless and said in a deep voice to those behind him, "Take them away."

Her personal guards moved at her command, rushing forward like a whirlwind to subdue her.

"Father." Ling Wanzhen called out softly, trembling with fear, not daring to step forward.

"I am the King of Dingbei, how dare you treat me like this..."

His angry shouts faded into the distance, and the commotion naturally alerted Ji Yan and the others...

Main courtyard.

"Snapped."

"Your Highness, the man has been brought here." The lieutenant first threw Feng Rui to the ground before reporting.

"Hmm." Ling Huanan replied indifferently.

Feng Rui then realized that this was at Ling Huanan's behest. He looked at that cold and stern face with a feeling of grievance: "Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"

Ling Huanan remained silent and threw the stack of Xuan paper in front of him. Feng Rui picked it up suspiciously, and after seeing the writing on it, his face turned pale instantly.

"Your Highness... what is this?" Feng Rui quickly composed himself, holding the paper in his hand and pretending to be puzzled.

Ling Huanan remained silent, coldly watching the other party's pretense.

Seeing this, Feng Rui panicked and scrambled to Ling Huanan's side, trying to grab his leg, but Ling Huanan kicked him aside in disgust...

"Prince Rui, I've forgotten that you were once praised by the late Emperor as the number one young master in the capital because of your excellent handwriting."

I never imagined that this pretense would be considered number one.

"Hahahaha..." After a while, Feng Rui, his hair disheveled, slumped on the ground with his head down. Suddenly, he let out a sinister laugh, then slowly stood up, a crazed expression on his face.

After laughing enough, he stopped and stared at Ling Huanan's face, looking sickly as he said:

"That's right! It was all my doing!"

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