Chapter 25: Ignorant of Shame

Chapter 25: Lack of Decency

A few days later, the heads of the three supreme offices presented their joint investigation results before the emperor. There were three co-examiners involved in the case, and eight candidates who had benefited from the fraud.

The cheating method was not sophisticated. They used pre-arranged keywords in the propositions, so that the co-examiners would recognize them and recommend the papers to the chief examiner. Although the final decision rested with the chief examiner, if the co-examiner's remarks were favorable, the chief examiner would likely oblige and select the candidate. Besides, out of nearly five hundred successful candidates, these eight had genuine talent to reach the imperial examination. Their bribes were merely a safety net. Had it not been for an imperial censor reporting the misconduct, they might have gotten away with it.

Among the eight, three were from noble families in the capital, while the other five hailed from wealthy southern households, all with immense fortunes.

The Minister of Justice reported, "According to their confessions, each spot was worth fifteen ingots of gold, equivalent to three thousand taels of silver. The three co-examiners each took a share of two-tenths, and four-tenths went to... Chief Examiner Elder Yan."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunxuan's brows knitted together. He turned to the Chief Justice and asked in a grave tone, "Did Elder Yan ShiXue also accept bribes? Is that true?"

The Chief Justice steeled himself to reply, "Your subject has thoroughly interrogated them. All three co-examiners admitted guilt. As for Elder Yan, he adamantly denied any involvement, claiming he overlooked the manipulation on those papers due to negligence. He refused to acknowledge accepting bribes. When Your subject investigated his close associates, we found that his wife's younger brother received the money on his behalf, with his wife's knowledge. We have both witnesses and evidence. It is now up to Your Majesty to decide."

Zhu Yunxuan slammed his fist on the imperial desk, filled with fury.

After the officials finished their report and withdrew, Liang Zhen leisurely entered the hall, a triumphant smile on his lips. He looked at Zhu Yunxuan and said, "Your Majesty, do you believe now? I did not fabricate lies to defame Elder Yan. He truly did it. Even if he wasn't the one who did it personally, the actions of his wife and her brother in his name cannot absolve him of blame."

Zhu Yunxuan stared coldly at him. "You knew all along. Why go through such lengths?"

"I understand, but Your Majesty must also trust this subject."

Zhu Yunxuan closed his eyes, suppressing his anger. "This matter is under my judgment. There's no need for Prince Zhao to worry."

Liang Zhen reminded him with a smile, "We hope that Your Majesty will set an example for the people and not show favoritism."

Zhu Yunxuan didn't wish to continue. His anger was mostly disappointment. He had promoted Yan Shixue not just because he would become the future father-in-law of the emperor, but also because he genuinely held high hopes for this Prime Minister Yan. Unfortunately, Yan Shixue had ultimately betrayed his trust.

The next day, during the morning court session, the heads of the three major government departments publicly announced the verdict on the examination cheating scandal. All evidence and witnesses were in place. The court officials whispered among themselves before falling silent in unison. With only two months left until the emperor's wedding and the appointment of an empress, the sudden incident involving the future father-in-law left the decision in the emperor's hands. No one dared to voice their opinions at such a time, as no one wished to provoke trouble unnecessarily.

After a brief silence, Zhu Yunxuan issued his order in a solemn voice: "Main examiner Yan Shixue shall be immediately executed. The three co-examiners shall be hanged. The properties of all involved officials shall be confiscated, and their wives will be made destitute. The eight students involved will have their titles revoked, receive 100 strokes of the cane, and their properties seized. Their parents, brothers, and wives will be exiled and conscripted into the military. Those who took bribes and deceived others in the name of examiners shall also be hanged and their properties confiscated. Their families will be exiled."

He then decreed that the examinations would restart in half a month, with Zeng Huai as the new main examiner, and candidates would be selected based on merit.

"Your Majesty is wise!" someone shouted, and all the officials knelt, paying their respects to the king.

Liang Zhen's lips curved into a subtle smile, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding.

This punishment was severe, and it seemed that the entire court had grasped the emperor's intentions. On that same day, another imperial counselor submitted a memorial, stating that the daughter of the convicted official was unworthy to be the mother of the nation. Although the marriage had been arranged by the previous emperor, it should not proceed. They requested the emperor to make a clear judgment.

In fact, since Zhu Yunxuan had already issued an imperial edict to enslave Yan Shixue's wife, children, and family, the Yan family's daughter, who had yet to enter the palace, was naturally included. However, this marriage was arranged by the previous emperor, which made the situation more delicate. Upon witnessing Zhu Yunxuan's swift and decisive punishment of Yan Shixue and his associates, all the officials assumed that he no longer wished to marry the Yan family's daughter. Naturally, they rushed to alleviate the emperor's concerns, and for a moment, memorials requesting to cancel the marriage flooded the imperial desk, with many following the trend.

Zhu Yunxuan didn't respond immediately but summoned Zeng Huai to the imperial study, asking for his opinion.

Zeng Huai shook his head, clearly disappointed in Yan Shixue. "Your Majesty, in the old minister's view, since the marriage was decided by the previous emperor, it would be inappropriate to simply call it off. However, the Yan family's daughter has been implicated by Yan Shixue, and it would also be unsuitable to truly make her the empress. Perhaps a compromise would be best—allow her to enter the palace as a concubine with a lower rank."

"As my teacher suggests, let us proceed accordingly..."

Zhu Yunxuan personally didn't care much about whether or not to take in the Yan family's daughter. He just didn't want anyone to exploit the matter further. Zeng Huai's proposal was indeed a solution.

Assuming the matter was settled, no one anticipated that within mere days, Yan Jia's daughter would take her own life by hanging. The Yan family had already been seized, but due to her unique status, she was temporarily taken in by a cousin. Tragically, she was found hanging from the beam in her room.

Zhu Yunxuan was reviewing official documents when he heard the news. Liang Zhen, uninvited, was assisting him with grinding ink. Zhu Yunxuan's hand froze mid-stroke, as if in disbelief, and he echoed, "Dead?"

The reporting official bowed his head and replied, "Yes, she took her own life by hanging."

For a moment, Zhu Yunxuan was speechless. In contrast, Liang Zhen seemed unsurprised, dismissing it casually, "Well, she's dead. Tell the Yan family to bury her promptly and claim it was due to illness. They should watch their tongues."

After dismissing the official, Zhu Yunxuan's expression darkened as he turned to Liang Zhen guardedly, "What have you done this time?"

Liang Zhen sighed. "Your Majesty has never trusted this subject."

"Then clarify yourself. Was there any involvement between you and the death of Yan's daughter?!"

"Does Your Majesty truly wish to know? I fear it might sully your ears."

A hint of disdain flashed in Liang Zhen's eyes. He explained that early the previous day, just as the city gates opened, one of his Jingwei Army's commanders found two suspicious women disguised as men attempting to leave the southern gate. They were carrying valuables, and upon interrogation, it was revealed that they were none other than Yan's eldest daughter, who had almost become Empress, and her maid. The commander dared not act on his own authority, so he detained them and reported the matter to Liang Zhen.

"The Yan girl had a childhood sweetheart. Even after being betrothed to Your Majesty, she continued her affair with him. In the past, she secretly sent him many tokens of affection meant for a woman. The day before yesterday, she received a sachet she had once given to her lover, along with a letter, from his messenger. It said he would take her away from here and meet her ten miles outside the city at dawn the following day. That's how this all unfolded."

As Zhu Yunxuan listened, his brows drew together even more. Liang Zhen continued, "I warned her against such actions, which could implicate her family and her lover, and released her. That night, she hanged herself."

"Just like that?" Zhu Yunxuan said coldly. "When did Prince Zhao become so benevolent, letting someone go after catching them red-handed? Surely, you must have threatened her with her lover, suggesting she take her own life, didn't you?"

Liang Zhen made no attempt to refute. "Why should Your Majesty pity her? She was already betrothed to you but still consorted with another behind your back. She deserved to die."

"What else have you done? Was it also you who instigated the officials to petition me to treat her and the rest of the Yan family equally?"

Liang Zhen's gaze darkened slightly, and he smirked disdainfully. "So what if it was? If Your Majesty hadn't been so softhearted and insisted on taking her into the palace, she might still be alive."

"You — !"

"There's no need for Your Majesty to be angry. It's not worth getting upset over a shameless woman who has an affair behind your back."

"Did you also plan her elopement with that man?!"

Liang Zhen disagreed, "That would depend on whether I had the chance. Her lover was unreliable. I had someone intimidate him, and he sold her out, handing over everything she had given him. That's how I lured her out. If she didn't have such intentions, she could have simply burned the letter and entered the palace peacefully. Even if she couldn't become empress, she could have been a concubine. But it was her own choice to risk her life. How can she blame this official?"

"You're so... so..." Zhu Yunxuan was furious. He didn't pity that Yan family girl but despised Liang Zhen's relentless efforts to prevent him from marrying and establishing an empress.

Liang Zhen's actions were hard for him to accept. Liang Zhen wanted to control him, but he desperately wanted to break free.

Liang Zhen sternly reminded him, "As I said, Yan Shixue got what he deserved, and the Yan family girl brought it upon herself. If they had both behaved properly, I wouldn't have been able to touch them."

"Who do you think is untouchable? Even if they did nothing wrong, you'd still find countless excuses to deal with them. Why bother with such righteous words?!"

"Is that how Your Majesty perceives me?" Liang Zhen's eyes narrowed fiercely. "You blame this official just for that lowly woman?"

"If she's a lowly woman, what am I?! And what about our secret dealings between us?! What right do you have to criticize others?! Do you really think you're some upright gentleman?! The most shameless one is clearly you! It's me!"

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes blazed with a crimson fury. "Even without Yan's daughter, there will be others. Sooner or later, I will ascend a queen. No matter how powerful you are, you cannot stop it!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhen's gaze darkened even further. He gazed at Zhu Yunxuan in silence for a long while, as if a tempestuous storm was brewing in his profound, enigmatic eyes. The intense emotions swirled violently before finally settling into a calm. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Your Majesty is right. If not this one, then there will be another. Why should I waste such effort?"