Chapter 38

The fourth examiner, however, was in charge of the "Martial Arts Section." In this field, Jiang Chen was even more at ease. The examiner asked three consecutive questions, all of which Jiang Chen answered with ease.

These three questions were part of the examiner's "Martial Arts Barrier," which had restricted him for many years. After Jiang Chen's explanation, he felt a great sense of clarity.

"Your Majesty, I am a martial artist and dare to stake my life on Jiang Chen's behalf. If he cannot pass the basic examination, then no one in the entire capital's young generation could possibly pass."

This statement was even more definitive and absolute.

However, when the fourth examiner's words reached Long Teng Hou's ears, his expression darkened slightly. Was this a slap in the face? My daughter, Long Juxue, is a natural-born Azure Phoenix, with exceptional talent and insight. How could she possibly be inferior to this boy? Hmph, you, a mere examiner, what have you seen? How dare you speak such nonsense?

Long Teng Hou was very displeased.

Du Ruhai immediately jumped up: "Your Majesty, I have been entrusted by Your Majesty to oversee the Qianlong Examination, working diligently and without complaint. Today, however, I was beaten by this arrogant youth. Please, Your Majesty, make a fair judgment and do justice for this old minister."

"Your Majesty, Jiang Chen is lawless. Although he has some talent, he has repeatedly committed serious offenses. I believe he should not be protected."

Long Teng Hou finally stepped forward to speak.

His words represented the stance of a group of people.

Sure enough, many ministers in the court followed suit, pleading for Eastern Lu to impose severe punishment to uphold the law!

"Your Excellencies, Jiang Chen is exceptionally talented. How could he possibly submit such a nonsensical answer? I will dispatch Du Ruhai to investigate immediately to see if there are any unscrupulous individuals who have used underhanded means."

Eastern Lu gave a cold response to the aggressive suggestions. This statement was equivalent to openly protecting Jiang Chen.

Just as Long Teng Hou was about to speak, a light sound came from outside the hall.

"There's no need to investigate! The truth has already been uncovered by this princess." At this moment, Princess Gouyu, dressed in armor, entered with a heroic demeanor.

Behind her followed a group of fierce warriors, clearly the palace guards.

These guards were binding several people.

When Du Ruhai saw these bound individuals, his face changed dramatically. These were all his confidants. Could it be that they couldn't hold out at the critical moment?

There was also a middle-aged woman, adorned with gold and jewels, her face oily and heavily made up. Wasn't she Du Ruhai's wife?

The woman, upon seeing Du Ruhai, began to curse: "Du Ruhai, weren't you supposed to be in the imperial prison for your crimes? Why are you here?"

Du Ruhai jumped up: "Who said I was in the imperial prison? That's a rumor! You stupid woman, did you say something you shouldn't have?"

The woman was taken aback: "I... I told everything. Isn't it true that honesty leads to leniency?"

Princess Gouyu sneered: "Brother, I have long heard of Du Ruhai's corruption and have been secretly observing and gathering evidence. This time, with all the evidence combined, we have made significant progress. Du Ruhai is definitely a corrupt official! Here is the testimony of Du Ruhai's wife, along with her signature. It includes detailed evidence of his favoritism in the Qianlong Examination."

"And this, Ma Datong, is Du Ruhai's confidant. The entire incident was orchestrated by Du Ruhai. Ma Datong, this is your chance to redeem yourself before His Majesty!"

Ma Datong, Du Ruhai's confidant, knew that if he continued to cover up, he would be sealing his own fate. He dared not look at Du Ruhai, and, trembling, he knelt down and spilled everything, detailing how the answers were switched and how they covered it up.

As Eastern Lu listened, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"What about the original answer sheet?"

Princess Gouyu took it from a guard and presented it: "Ma Datong is a smart man. He knew to keep a backup. Du Ruhai told him to destroy it, but he secretly kept it, as a safeguard."

With both human and physical evidence present, the next step was for the scribe who imitated Jiang Chen's handwriting to confess.

All the evidence pointed to Du Ruhai. These people were coerced by Du Ruhai and had no choice but to comply.

One by one, the charges were presented.

Du Ruhai's eyes turned black, his blood pressure soared, and his face turned pale as he collapsed to the ground.

"How could this happen? How could this be?"

Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of Long Teng Hou, and he clung to him like a lifeline: "Lord Long, speak for me. I, Du Ruhai, have also made contributions."

At this moment, Du Ruhai was like a pile of excrement, and anyone who touched him would be unlucky. Long Teng Hou frowned, cursed under his breath, and kicked him away.

"I have always despised greedy, envious scoundrels like you." Long Teng Hou's tone was full of disgust, as if he were avoiding a large fly.

"Your Majesty, I, Long Zhaofeng, have always despised such villains. I humbly request that Your Majesty issue an edict to have this villain executed and his head displayed!"

Eastern Lu smiled slightly, pondered for a moment, and then nodded: "Lord Long's loyalty is greatly appreciated. Approved!"

This surprised even Jiang Chen.

Princess Gouyu was also puzzled, but she would not question Eastern Lu's decision.

Du Ruhai, hearing this, was terrified: "Lord Long, don't kill me. I am still useful."

In his panic, he crawled to Jiang Chen: "Young Lord Jiang, I was wrong. I am not a man. I... but I have a reason. I was forced. Young Lord Jiang, I know you are a favorite of His Majesty. Please plead for me. I, Old Du, will be your dog. Whoever you tell me to bite, I will bite. I have more to report. I..."

Jiang Chen had seen some despicable people in this world, but he never thought Du Ruhai could be so despicable.

"Du Ruhai, when you took that wrong step, I said you would regret it. I never thought you would die at the hands of Lord Long. What a great irony."

Jiang Chen laughed, giving Long Teng Hou a meaningful look.

He had no need to be wary of Long Teng Hou. Even a fool could see Long Teng Hou's involvement.

Eastern Lu did not expose everything because he did not want to confront Long Teng Hou openly yet. The time for a showdown had not yet come.

Soon, Du Ruhai was taken out and personally beheaded by Long Teng Hou!

When Long Teng Hou returned with Du Ruhai's bloodied, headless body, even Jiang Chen was impressed by his ruthlessness.

Du Ruhai, though just a dog, was a dog that had served him.

To behead him so easily, he was indeed a formidable leader.

The incident quickly turned into an anti-corruption campaign. Eastern Lu was furious, ordering the confiscation of property and execution!

All accomplices were exiled to the military.

Jiang Chen's true answer sheet, after being reviewed by the four examiners, was found to be identical to the one he submitted today, word for word.

This revealed Jiang Chen's astonishing memory, which left everyone in awe.

The truth was clear, and Princess Gouyu, as the head of the Qianlong Examination, announced that Jiang Chen had passed the three basic tests and was eligible for the final Qianlong Examination.

"I owe you a favor."

After the court session, Jiang Chen nodded to Princess Gouyu. He was grateful for her help, as it saved him a lot of trouble.

"No need!" Princess Gouyu waved her arm, maintaining a professional tone, "I am the head of the Qianlong Examination, and it is my duty to ensure fair treatment for every heir of the feudal lords."

Jiang Chen laughed: "Do you really have to be so pompous?"

"What did you say?" Princess Gouyu's phoenix-like eyes flickered, and she frowned.

"Women don't look good when they frown." Jiang Chen smiled faintly, "And, I said I owe you a favor, so I do."

"Whatever." Princess Gouyu tossed her wavy hair, her tone still indifferent.

"Do you have anything else? If not, I have many things to attend to."

It must be said that women's thoughts are always strange. Princess Gouyu's feelings towards Jiang Chen were no exception.

The first time she met Jiang Chen, her impression was not good, thinking he was a frivolous young man.

After being scolded by Jiang Chen, she became even more convinced of this.

However, when Jiang Chen gave pointers in Princess Zhiruo's palace and treated her like a subordinate, Princess Gouyu felt a strange sensation. She had never met anyone who dared to speak to her like that.

Moreover, this person was at least six or seven years younger than her.

Later, when Princess Gouyu learned that Princess Zhiruo's injuries had improved due to Jiang Chen's treatment, her perception of him changed completely.

After that, when Jiang Chen caused a commotion at Long Teng Hou's residence, Princess Gouyu had to admit that she had misjudged this young man.

By now, Princess Gouyu was more aware than anyone that Jiang Chen was far from the simple, spoiled, and talentless young man he appeared to be. That was just a facade to deceive others!

However, Princess Gouyu was also a proud person. She had not gained any advantage from Jiang Chen on several occasions. Her pride as a woman made her reluctant to lower herself to have a calm conversation with this young man.

Jiang Chen, unaware of Princess Gouyu's thoughts, thought she was still holding a grudge over the scolding in the palace.

He watched her fiery back with a bitter smile, then raised his voice: "True qi battles are hard to control. You've been at the Ten Meridians True Qi Realm for at least three years, haven't you? Why can't you break through? I wanted to use this opportunity to repay you. Since you don't appreciate it, forget it."

Princess Gouyu's proud, phoenix-like body trembled involuntarily, and her steps suddenly stopped.