After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

In the Golden Palace, several ministers, led by the Fourth Prince, came to the court to impeach Cao Yuan, while the Prime Minister listened in.

"Your Majesty, Princess Huayang and Lord Chu have gone too far. It's one thing to select two examiners from the common people, but to include a convicted criminal from prison is another! This is simply child's play!"

The Fourth Prince began impeaching the prince.

He was the emperor's younger brother and had always been highly respected in the court. He had been at odds with the prime minister for many years. The Minister of Rites was his subordinate, and the prime minister's protégés working under him had no chance of advancement. The Fourth Prince believed this was a scheme by the prime minister.

Last year's cheating scandal caused the Fourth Prince to lose a large sum of money, and he held a grudge against the Prime Minister. Now, there's another one he hates: Cao Yuan. Of course, he won't let Cao Yuan and her group cause trouble.

"Even if no one is willing to obey the princess, they should still respect the emperor's orders! This is simply disrespecting you!"

"Yes, this is too childish! Even military merits shouldn't be treated like this!"

The officials whispered among themselves.

"Colleagues, colleagues, why don't we also listen to what Princess Huayang has to say?" Minister Fan exchanged glances with the Fourth Prince and stepped forward to explain.

"Minister Fan, Princess Huayang is causing trouble in your Ministry of Rites, and you still want to speak up for them!"

Minister Fan began to feign grievance, “Alas, Princess Huayang and Lord Chu have actually done quite well, but they are too young and lack the ability to discern things. We, as elders, should offer them some guidance.”

Princess Xuanhua Yang was granted an audience.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

The emperor's gaze was deep, his face ashen. "Huayang, tell me about this imperial examination!"

Cao Yuan glanced at the faces of these old ministers; it seemed these were the ministers she would have to deal with in the future.

"As all the ministers who impeached me have said, the tutor Li, whom my examiners have nominated, is indeed in the dungeon. He is the tutor of the former Crown Prince. Moreover, he has been imprisoned in the dungeon for a full year, but the Censorate has yet to issue a verdict. I believe that without a verdict, he cannot be considered a criminal."

The Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Lord Liu, quickly explained, "That's because he's been reluctant to sign. The evidence is irrefutable, yet he remains stubborn! I've tried everything! We can't just resort to torture like the Court of Judicial Review!"

Lord Liu glanced at the Prime Minister, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Cao Yuan said, "The fact that the evidence is conclusive but the person refuses to sign it can only mean that there is something fishy going on! Moreover, with the Grand Tutor's knowledge, who among all the officials in the court can compare to him!"

"Princess Na Yi's intention is to release this criminal, which is utterly ridiculous! Our great Wei nation has been reduced to having only criminals serve as examiners for the imperial examinations! It's simply absurd!"

"Your subject had no such intention! He merely wanted to serve as an examiner to atone for his crimes. Since the evidence against Grand Tutor Li is conclusive, his reluctance to sign the papers shows his integrity. Making him an examiner would be most suitable, far better than letting outside officials cheat!"

"Hmph, this is utterly childish! Your Majesty, please have Princess Huayang withdraw from this imperial examination!" said the Fourth Prince.

"Your Majesty, please allow Princess Huayang to withdraw from this imperial examination!"

All the ministers who were impeached knelt on the ground.

"Silence!" Eunuch Wang announced loudly.

The emperor paced back and forth in the hall, then suddenly turned around and shouted, "Where is the Right Censor-in-Chief?!"

"Chen is here!"

"Tell me what crime this Grand Tutor Li committed; I know absolutely nothing about it."

Lord Liu knelt on the ground. “Your Majesty, the Censorate has found that the Vice Minister of Rites embezzled tribute from Shu last year, which was discovered in the Grand Tutor’s hometown. Last year’s corruption case caused such a stir that Your Majesty may not remember it.”

"Doesn't Lord Liu think there's a problem?" Cao Yuan asked.

"What's the problem?! The Vice Minister of Rites embezzled public funds to bribe the Grand Tutor! Everyone, tell me what's wrong with that!" Lord Liu shouted.

Cao Yuan retorted, "Lord Liu, are you mistaken? The Grand Tutor was the teacher of the late Crown Prince, and the late Crown Prince has been dead for three years. What was the purpose of the Vice Minister of Rites bribing him? If you were saying that the Grand Tutor might have accepted a bribe while the Crown Prince was still alive, that would be possible, but..."

"Yes, the former crown prince has passed away, why would he accept bribes!"

"What's there to bribe about a mere Grand Tutor!"

Officials in the court who favored the Censorate began to waver.

“That was reported by the Grand Tutor’s wife, how could it be false!” Lord Liu explained, “Your Majesty is wise, the evidence is conclusive. Although he was the Grand Tutor of the former Crown Prince, the Vice Minister of Rites has already confessed his crimes and committed suicide in prison. However, Grand Tutor Li has been reluctant to confess, and I suspect that he is deliberately delaying the process!”

"Father, regardless of the truth of the case, I hope that Grand Tutor Li will serve as the examiner for the imperial examination! The Grand Tutor once taught me that a pure heart is the foundation of good governance, and integrity is the key to personal safety. He is the only one suitable to be the chief examiner this time!" Cao Yuan knelt down and bowed.

Cao Yuan and the ministers left the main hall.

Chu Yan was waiting outside the hall.

"Lord Chu has really given me a very difficult problem!" Cao Yuan's temper flared up as soon as she saw him; she had been thinking about what he had said in front of the palace all night.

"There's no other way, Princess. You know you're not well-liked in court, and no one is willing to be your examiner. So we have no choice but to take the risk!"

Chu Yan tilted his head smugly, glanced at the other ministers as they emerged, and smiled with satisfaction. "It seems we've won the first battle! Congratulations, Princess."

The Prime Minister also came out from in front of the palace and walked up to Chu Yan. The smile on Chu Yan's face vanished instantly, and his expression became serious. "Father!"

"His Majesty summons you to come in and give an answer!" The Prime Minister looked down at him with a serious expression.

"Yes!"

"You were the one who gave the princess the idea! You should know how the outcome of this case will be handed over to His Majesty."

"Please rest assured, Father!" The Prime Minister's reminder made Chu Yan realize that the biggest obstacle to this case might be the Emperor.

Chu Yan still didn't know why the emperor would allow Cao Yuan to reopen this case.