TFWYH – Chapter 545 Someone Died

Ling Yu cupped his hands and said, “Because this student is merely an outsider—Your Majesty is the family of the Heir of Rongsheng.”

In other words, whether to punish severely or lightly—that was entirely up to the Emperor.

The Emperor waved his hand. “Return to your place.”

“Yes!” Ling Yu stepped back and returned to his position.

The Emperor then said to Grand Tutor Yi, “Begin the examination!”

“By Your Majesty’s command!” Grand Tutor Yi received the order and addressed the candidates, “The examination begins!”

The examinees quickly took their seats, and the examiners began distributing the answer sheets.

All the candidates studied the questions, deep in thought.

But Ling Yu only glanced at the questions once before already picking up his brush to start writing.

For a moment, the entire place fell into complete silence.

After sitting for a while, the Emperor got up and walked around the grounds, with the First Prince accompanying him the entire time.

He noticed that the Emperor seemed particularly fond of wandering near Ling Yu, his gaze occasionally falling on him.

Huangfu Xiao couldn’t help but ponder—his father seemed to quite like this examinee named Ling Yu.

Then again, it made sense. He had heard that ever since the imperial examinations began, this young man had consistently ranked first, possessing outstanding talent.

If he took first place again in this metropolitan exam, he would truly achieve the “Grand Triple Crown.”

What ruler wouldn’t appreciate such talent?

Huangfu Xiao didn’t think too much about it, but he also began paying attention to Ling Yu.

Reports from his spies said that this candidate had a close relationship with Huangfu Yi.

At first, he thought Ling Yu already belonged to Huangfu Yi’s faction.

But after hearing Ling Yu just now advocate for severe punishment of Huangfu Rongsheng, it didn’t seem so anymore!

After returning, he would have someone investigate properly. If this person truly wasn’t aligned with Huangfu Yi, he could try to recruit him.

…

Meanwhile, at the Second Prince’s residence—

After Ji Wushuang arrived with the Imperial Guards, he politely requested to see the Heir of Rongsheng.

But the steward appeared flustered, his eyes darting around nervously.

Ji Wushuang immediately sensed something was wrong. Not bothering to argue with the steward, he led the guards straight into the residence and headed directly for Huangfu Rongsheng’s courtyard.

When he arrived, he saw Huangfu Rongsheng and his attendant crouched beside a well.

Ji Wushuang’s brow twitched violently as he suppressed his anger. “Heir Rongsheng, what are you doing?”

“Huh?” Huangfu Rongsheng abruptly turned around. His face—strikingly similar to Ling Yu’s—lost all color upon seeing Ji Wushuang, his gaze shifting nervously. “I… I’m not doing anything! I was just… just sitting here by the well to cool off!”

“…Are you an idiot, or do you think I am?”

Ji Wushuang couldn’t be bothered with nonsense. He waved his hand. “Check the well!”

“Yes!” Several Imperial Guards stepped forward.

Huangfu Rongsheng panicked. “What are you doing? This is my home, my courtyard—what right do you have to barge in here?!”

But the guards ignored him completely.

This fool’s reputation was notorious throughout the capital. Anyone from a good family disdained associating with him, and those from lesser backgrounds didn’t dare provoke him.

He was universally despised.

The guards pushed him aside and looked into the well—then their expressions changed instantly.

“Sir, come look—there’s a woman’s corpse in the well.”

“What?”

Ji Wushuang hurried over and looked down.

A female corpse floated silently on the surface of the water, her lifeless eyes staring upward—it was a horrifying sight.

“Pull her up!” Ji Wushuang felt a chill in his heart as he ordered the guards to retrieve the body.

Then he turned and glared fiercely at Huangfu Rongsheng.

Huangfu Rongsheng shivered slightly but stiffened his neck defiantly. “Why are you glaring at me? That wretched maid was disobedient—can’t I beat her to death if I want?”