EMHTC -Chapter 39 Someone cheated in the imperial examination!

The Crown Prince found it completely absurd after hearing all this.

Why blame me for having a big heart? And how does the Jibei King get so angry over this that he spits blood?

Besides, I don’t even want to be emperor anymore. My health is so poor that I don’t know when I might drop dead. Am I not allowed to indulge in things I enjoy before that happens?

With this thought, the Crown Prince felt a newfound confidence. Even when faced with the ministers’ strange gazes, he remained calm. Not just calm, but even a bit gleeful.

—Surely, seeing him in this lazy state, the ministers would be terribly disappointed and would try to find a way to replace him as the Crown Prince, right? Yes, once he was entirely stripped of his title, he wouldn’t have to work anymore. Then, he could move next door to Xu Yanmiao and watch the drama unfold every day!

The Emperor immediately saw through the Crown Prince’s thoughts and let out a “tsk” in irritation. He turned his gaze toward the foolish-looking Crown Grandson and felt his temper flare up again—but it wouldn’t do to erupt in the harem.

“To the Wuying Hall.”

The tone was light but carried no room for rejection.

“Guards, bind the Crown Grandson. Escort the two princesses back first.”

“I refuse!!!” Princess Xiangyang stomped her boot. Raised in indulgence, the child stared defiantly and declared loudly, “Fifth Sister holds an official post! After the new year, we will too! Either send all ninth-rank officials back or let us go to Wuying Hall as well! You can’t play favorites or treat us differently!”

Only Princess Xiangyang and the Crown Prince dared to confront the Emperor directly after he made a decision. After this outburst, she turned to look at Princess Wanshou.

“Fifth Sister! Say something, Fifth Sister!”

Princess Xiangyang spoke with great volume.

“This is something we’re entitled to! If he doesn’t give it to us, we should speak up ourselves. If we stay silent, it’ll be taken away!”

Princess Wanshou’s heart skipped a beat.

This is… something we’re entitled to?

She also turned toward the Emperor.

“Your… Your Majesty…” Though she was so nervous that she seemed to be forcing out each word, she indeed mustered the courage to address her father, once feared, now the supreme ruler, and ask for what she deserved as an official of the Ministry of Revenue.

“Your Majesty, I now serve as a Commissioner of the Ministry of Revenue! I have not committed any crimes. I request… to attend court meetings!”

Princess Xiangyang smiled, satisfied, and raised her head to face the Emperor as she saluted.

“Your Majesty! I too wish to attend court meetings!”

The ministers remained silent.

The two female officials adhered to the demeanor of officials, lowering their eyes to avoid direct eye contact with their sovereign. Yet, even while bowing, their spines were straight and upright. Despite the pressure, they stood firm, unmoving.

Xu Yanmiao was stunned for a moment.

Inwardly, he was incredibly shocked: 【Gao Xiang?!】

His friend was actually Princess Xiangyang?!

The Emperor gave Xu Yanmiao a glance before suddenly turning and saying, “To Wuying Hall.”

This signified tacit approval. But Princess Xiangyang couldn’t quite celebrate just yet.

—The Emperor had now formally acknowledged her status as an official. Although her official seal had not yet been delivered, this moment marked a distinct shift from before.

Previously, she had been humored like a child. Now, she was recognized as an official.

Thus, she clearly heard…

【Gao Xiang?!】

【Princess Xiangyang?!】

【She concealed her identity?!】

Princess Xiangyang, with her back to Xu Yanmiao, mistakenly thought he had spoken aloud.

Her eyes darted nervously. “You don’t see me, you don’t see me…” she muttered, briskly walking forward while repeating the mantra.

Xu Yanmiao: “… Gao Xiang.”

Princess Xiangyang froze. Then… she picked up her skirt and ran.

Xu Yanmiao’s eyes widened. “Stop right there!!!”

But Princess Xiangyang bolted away at lightning speed, slipping into the crowd within moments. Xu Yanmiao couldn’t very well push through the throng at this time, leaving him fuming: 【She lied to me!】

How outrageous! So unfair!

This frustration soon found a new target—the Crown Grandson. Picking up his gossip system, he began digging. All the while walking and investigating.

【Wait… I thought the Crown Grandson didn’t know he was adopted. Turns out he does.】

He paused, his inner monologue suddenly spiking in excitement, as if he had stumbled upon something particularly juicy.

【And he resents the Crown Princess?!】

The Emperor halted mid-step. The Crown Prince halted mid-step. Even the other officials paused subtly.

The Minister of Revenue licked his lips, moistening them, and turned to the Minister of Justice beside him.

“I remember the Crown Princess always treating the Crown Grandson very well, didn’t she? So well that for over a decade, no one suspected the Crown Grandson wasn’t her biological child?”

The Minister of Justice immediately chimed in, “Not just well—exceptionally well. She even used her own dowry for the Crown Grandson. Take the three thousand taels of disaster relief funds, for instance. That was money the Crown Princess entrusted to the Crown Grandson, but for his dignity, she publicly claimed it was his.”

But the Crown Grandson resents the Crown Princess?

The two ministers exchanged glances, and in each other’s eyes, they saw the same conclusion—

Oh, there’s definitely some drama here!

More, tell us more!

The other officials shared the same silent excitement.

In truth, being an official could be rather boring. Day after day of handling paperwork or dealing with political adversaries. Even entertainment could grow dull over decades. And digging up scandals? That usually targeted those who were arrogant or misbehaved, aiming to unseat them.

But nothing compared to the juicy revelations brought by Xu Yanmiao’s inner voice!

Even the wronged Marquis of Pengcheng, who had once been duped into buying a “gold-leafed pig qilin,” couldn’t help perking up his ears and quietly leaning in Xu Yanmiao’s direction.

The courtiers paused briefly but resumed their movements, albeit at a pace akin to a springtime stroll. However, Xu Yanmiao didn’t notice this.

—Too busy eating melons!*

【Let me see, let me see.】

The gossip system couldn’t hear what others were thinking but could pick up what they said aloud—not every word, but anything related to gossip…

【Ungrateful wretch! He thinks the Crown Princess giving him 3,000 taels for disaster relief was deliberately meant to offend the Emperor!】

Huh? What kind of logic is that?

The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard pondered this, trying to force his common sense to fit the situation.

Could it be that the Crown Princess, outwardly perfect toward the Crown Grandson, was secretly planning to destroy him with flattery?

“Hiss—”

Who would’ve thought?

Then again, it didn’t seem likely. But if Xu Yanmiao calls him an ungrateful wretch, there’s a chance Xu Yanmiao is mistaken too!

At that moment, the Emperor suddenly recalled something and urgently summoned someone: “Mao Zheng!”

The Commander immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor gave his orders: “Personally take people to investigate King Jibei and his heir. Find evidence of their treason!”

The Commander: “…”

Honestly, I’d rather hear more about this drama. I really want to know whether the Crown Princess was secretly tormenting the Crown Grandson, or if he truly is an ungrateful wretch.

But orders are orders.

The Commander quickly complied, resisting the urge to look back as he left to carry out the task.

…Drat, but I really want to know what’s going on! Curse that King Jibei!

The Emperor resumed listening to Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts.

【Oh wow! Because the Emperor also donated 3,000 taels for disaster relief, the Crown Grandson felt the Crown Princess was trying to make him equal to the Emperor and set him up. So, he secretly kept 500 taels for himself!】

The Crown Prince, who also donated 3,000 taels: “???”

That was worth worrying about?

The Princess Xiangyang, who emptied her savings to donate 5,000 taels: “???”

If donating 3,000 taels means you’re equal to the Emperor, does donating 5,000 taels mean I’m trampling over him?

The Emperor was already questioning his parenting skills.

—The Crown Grandson was raised in the palace to highlight the Crown Prince’s favor. Yet this mindset… Neither the Emperor nor the Empress could claim credit for it.

【Oh, wow! He even told his subordinates, ‘Grandfather favors me the most, that’s why I was raised in the palace. It’s also thanks to me that my father’s position is so secure.’】

The Crown Prince: “Wow!”

The courtiers inwardly echoed: Wow!

Their eyes gleamed with satisfaction at the unfolding drama.

The Crown Grandson: “Father?”

Why are you making that weird sound?

The Crown Prince turned around. “You should call me that more often.”

The Crown Grandson: “?”

The Crown Prince spoke sincerely: “After today, you might not get another chance.”

He wasn’t going to let someone who resented the Crown Princess stay in the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Grandson looked utterly baffled, clueless as to what was happening, and why he was being excluded from it all.

At the Wuying Hall, the Emperor convened an impromptu court meeting. Officials stood in their ranks, while Xu Yanmiao, the palace maid, and the Crown Grandson stood in the center, awaiting questioning.

Though it was called a questioning, the omnipresent Embroidered Uniform Guards whispered a few words to the Emperor, who immediately revealed the truth:

“Gao Qisheng, what grievance do you hold against Xu Yanmiao to concoct such a venomous plot to frame him on New Year’s Eve?”

The Emperor’s decree was final; the matter was settled.

The palace maid gazed at the Crown Grandson with dazed longing, but the one she served never spared her a glance. Instead, he stepped forward, outraged:

“Grandfather! Why are you so protective of this person?!”

The courtiers: Well, of course, it’s because…

“Is it because of his looks? I get it now! Did he seduce you with his beauty?!”

The courtiers: Huh?!

Their eyes instinctively turned toward Xu Yanmiao’s face, then couldn’t help but agree. Well, the face was exceptionally beautiful. But this was Xu Yanmiao! Looking good was a given, wasn’t it?

The purely straight Emperor’s face turned green.

“Gao Qisheng! I’m 63 years old! Also, I have your grandmother!”

And Xu Yanmiao! Why are you glaring at me like that? Why so wary? I have no such preferences! I like women over seven feet tall! You don’t qualify!

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao was furiously flipping through the Emperor’s romantic history. As the mental recounting of the Emperor’s past lovers filled the air, the Crown Grandson snapped and glared at the Emperor.

“Grandfather!”

“Do you know he cheated on the imperial exams?!”