Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

"What are you doing?"

Chen Xianlin turned her head and found that the person speaking was Wen Nanwan. She smiled and replied, "It's nothing. I just heard them talking about the summer art exams at the Imperial College and found it very interesting."

She asked curiously, "Nanwan, do you know anything about the Imperial Academy's art examination?"

Wen Nanwan smiled and nodded, "Of course I know! The Imperial Academy's arts examinations are held four times a year, corresponding to spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You just enrolled and happened to be in time for this summer's arts examination!" She continued to explain, "The Imperial Academy's arts examinations are actually an assessment of the candidates' mastery of the Six Arts, including rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. Moreover, officials of the seventh rank and above, along with their families, are qualified to attend the examinations! We can go and see the excitement together. However, the specific rules may vary, and we'll have to wait for the official announcement to find out."

Chen Xianlin suddenly realized: "Oh, I see! I wonder what the exam questions for the Imperial College will be this year?"

Wen Nanwan shook her head: "I haven't heard about that yet. It's said that it was decided by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Yes, I see!" Chen Xianlin nodded in understanding.

............

Inside the palace

"The actual disaster situation in Jinzhou is far more severe than the reported number of victims. The relief supplies sent by His Majesty are only enough to last for one month," Zheng Yuxiang said with a solemn expression.

The emperor's face darkened: "I know this is a dereliction of duty by the Jinzhou prefecture. They actually lied about the disaster situation in Jinzhou, which is a crime deserving of death!"

Zheng Yuxiang quickly chimed in, "Your Majesty's most urgent task is to immediately dispatch troops to escort grain and medicine to Jinzhou for disaster relief, and to swiftly arrest and punish the prefect of Jinzhou!"

Wen Yihong, who was standing to the side, spoke up: "Your Majesty, the Prefect of Jinzhou has been diligent and conscientious for many years and has never made a mistake. This should just be a momentary oversight."

Zheng Yuxiang sneered and retorted, "Hmph, Grand Commandant Wen, the drought in Jinzhou is severe. Local officials not only lied about the disaster, but also oppressed the people for a long time, causing widespread suffering. This drought was not reported in time, resulting in countless innocent people starving to death in the streets. Such crimes deserve the prefect of Jinzhou's head to fall ten thousand times over. Yet in your mouth, it's described as a momentary oversight. Your mouth is truly capable of turning black into white!"

"Because of the negligence of Prefect Fan of Jinzhou, countless people have starved to death in the streets. I dare not agree with your statement!" Zheng Yuxiang's voice was low and serious, with a hint of anger and dissatisfaction.

“You—” Wen Yihong was speechless, unable to find a reason to refute him for a moment.

"Your Majesty, please issue an immediate decree to execute the Prefect of Jinzhou by slow slicing and to kill the entire prefecture on the spot, as a warning to others!" Zheng Yuxiang said indignantly.

The emperor frowned and looked at Grand Commandant Wen: "Minister Wen, what is your opinion on this matter?"

Grand Commandant Wen lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, I think the Prime Minister’s words are a bit extreme. After all, the prefect of Jinzhou has several hundred people in his entire prefecture, many of whom are innocent. To execute the entire prefecture on the spot would be far too cruel.”

He paused, then continued, "In my humble opinion, it would be better to execute all the adult male relatives, while the elderly and children could be exiled to the southern barbarian lands to fend for themselves. As for the female relatives, they could be sent to the brothels as punishment. In this way, we can quell public anger without causing too much unrest."

The emperor nodded in agreement. He turned to Zheng Yuxiang and asked, "Minister Zheng, what is your opinion?"

Zheng Yuxiang was silent for a while, then cupped his hands and said, "Even if they are the family members of corrupt officials, what they eat and use isn't made from the blood and flesh of the common people? Where are the innocent people to come from? If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too. Should the death of countless people make up for the momentary negligence of officials? Are the lives of officials precious, but the lives of the common people not? Even if those family members did not personally kill the common people, the lives of the common people are on their hands. Such corrupt officials should be eradicated!"

The emperor listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"Your Majesty, please issue an immediate decree to behead the entire Jinzhou Prefect's family and display their heads to the public. The Jinzhou Prefect's head should be hung on the city gate to be exposed to the sun for forty-nine days. Your Majesty, please issue the decree immediately!" Zheng Yuxiang's tone was not like he was discussing with the Emperor; he pressed on relentlessly.

Every word was filled with deep anger and dissatisfaction, as if he wanted to vent the rage in his heart.

The emperor clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, his anger erupting like a volcano.

"You—" Grand Commandant Wen was so angry that he didn't know how to refute.

Before Grand Commandant Wen could say anything, Zheng Yuxiang continued, "If the punishment for such officials is so lenient, won't everyone dare to commit crimes in the future? Who will submit then? Your Majesty should take this opportunity to make an example of them."

The emperor nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "I will give the people of the world an explanation." Then, he instructed the eunuch beside him, "Issue my decree: the entire family of the prefect of Jinzhou shall be executed, and the prefect's head shall be hung on the city gate of Jinzhou to be exposed to the sun for forty-nine days."

The eunuch obeyed and left, while the emperor secretly fumed: "What a Zheng Yuxiang! Although I was supported by him to ascend the throne, I cannot allow him to disregard imperial authority like this!"

Since taking office, Xue Huaiyu has harbored resentment towards Zheng Yuxiang.

He knew he was nothing more than a pawn in Zheng Yuxiang's hands. After being pushed onto the throne, he was restricted by Zheng Yuxiang in every way, just like a puppet.

Now, Zheng Yuxiang dares to openly defy the emperor's will and trample on the emperor's authority. How can Xue Huaiyu tolerate this?

Xue Huaiyu attempted to resist, but each time ended in failure. Zheng Yuxiang's power was too immense, making it impossible for Xue Huaiyu to contend with him.

Nevertheless, Xue Huaiyu did not give up his plan to cultivate his own power.

After Zheng Yuxiang and Wen Yihong took their leave, a person suddenly walked out of the place where they had just been discussing matters.

This person was none other than Ye Churan.

"You heard everything just now, right? What do you think about this?" Xue Huaiyu asked Ye Churan, rubbing his temples.

Ye Churan bowed and replied, "Your Majesty should not rush this matter. Your Majesty's power is not yet fully developed and you are unable to confront the Prime Minister. It is not advisable to act rashly."

"The Prime Minister is ambitious and will never let this go. He will definitely take advantage of the Jinzhou Prefect's plot to sabotage the disaster relief grain draft to launch an attack. At that time, I'm afraid the entire court will be in turmoil. Your Majesty should make preparations as soon as possible, otherwise you will surely be implicated."

"I have my own plans." Xue Huaiyu sighed, then suddenly remembered something and said, "The Imperial Academy's summer arts examinations are approaching, aren't they? You will be in charge of overseeing these examinations."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Ye Churan replied respectfully.

.........