Chapter 031 Preparing to Enter the Palace

Chapter 031 Preparing to Enter the Palace

Jian Yunyao placed her hand on Fu Bin's and sat in the sedan chair. Once the Empress was seated securely, Fu Bin raised his hand, and the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair proceeded toward the imperial study.

Upon reaching the entrance of the imperial study, they heard laughter emanating from inside before they even entered.

Jian Yunyao restrained the eunuch who was about to announce their arrival and pushed the door open herself.

Emperor Chengde had been holding Consort Li around the waist. Hearing the commotion at the door, he frowned in displeasure.

Recognizing Jian Yunyao standing against the light at the doorway, the Emperor released Consort Li and said, "Why has the Empress come?"

Consort Li hastily adjusted her clothing and bowed to the Empress, saying, "This concubine greets the Empress."

In the imperial harem, anyone referred to as 'beautiful' is indeed exceptionally lovely.

Consort Li was no exception.

She had a pair of extraordinarily beautiful eyes, filled with tender affection and charm.

With her slender fingers, she gently caressed the Emperor's waist, leading him towards the bed with a tender expression. The Emperor followed her, drawing the red curtains.

Jian Yunyao did not look at Consort Li but instead focused on a painting in front of the Emperor. Originally depicting a serene scene of a small bridge over flowing water, the blank space beneath the bridge now bore an unsightly seal, ruining the tranquil atmosphere of the artwork.

Worse than the seal were the Emperor's words, "Yan's masterpiece, unparalleled before or after."

When Emperor Chengde was still a prince, his studies were mediocre, and his character was rather mischievous. He never took calligraphy seriously, making the presence of such writing on this painting particularly unbearable for Jian Yunyao.

Though the damage to this one painting could not be undone, future artworks must not suffer the same fate.

Jian Yunyao said, "Your Majesty, if you enjoy appraising art, simply admiring it would suffice. Such actions only detract from the painting's beauty."

Emperor Chengde glanced at the seal and inscription on the painting but did not take it seriously. However, knowing his Empress's appreciation for such things, he responded, "I was merely elated, thinking that this painting was recovered by your brother after defeating the Tujue, expanding our territory and strengthening our nation. In my excitement, I acted impulsively. If you dislike it, I will refrain from doing so in the future."

Consort Li wished she could shrink into a corner. She had pointed out the blank space on the painting, suggesting the Emperor add his seal. In her view, the Emperor's inscription would enhance the painting's value.

Seeing Consort Li's behavior, Jian Yunyao knew she had instigated the incident. She instructed Fu Bin, "Remove Consort Li's green headpin for three months and confine her to her quarters for half a year. She need not greet me."

Emperor Chengde did not show any anger upon hearing the Empress's decree. Instead, he calmly said, "As the Empress commands, Consort Li, leave immediately. Your continued presence here displeases the Empress."

Hearing that she would lose her green headpin for three months, Consort Li nearly shed tears. However, pleading with the Empress would likely result in extended confinement, so she hurriedly left.

As Consort Li exited, she ran into Third Prince Zhao Ting. The Third Prince greeted her and, noticing her distressed appearance, entered the imperial study to find the Empress present. He realized the Empress was causing Consort Li trouble.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and pays respects."

"Your subject greets Her Majesty the Empress and pays respects."

The Emperor and Empress bade the Third Prince to rise.

Zhao Ting's gaze swept past Fu Bin as he bowed to Emperor Chengde, saying, "Your subject seeks an audience with Your Majesty regarding an important matter involving the recent examination fraud."

Fu Bin felt a heavy weight in his heart upon hearing the Third Prince's words. Analyzing the situation, the Third Prince believed his nephew had cheated. Would informing the Empress truly help Fu Jiaze? After all, the Third Prince was raised in the Empress's palace. Would the Empress oppose him?

Jian Yunyao directly stated, "I will stay and listen."

Zhao Ting was slightly taken aback but then saw the Emperor smiling, "If the Empress is interested, she may stay."

Zhao Ting felt a pang of discomfort. He knew the Empress's words carried significant weight with the Emperor, especially when it came to matters of state. The Emperor did not adhere to the principle of keeping the harem out of politics, allowing the Empress to participate fully.

The Empress, who wielded such influence over the Emperor, raised him yet rarely spoke up for him. For instance, the Third Princess Consort chosen for him, Yao's daughter, was far from suitable. Why didn't the Empress select a better match for him?

Suppressing his emotions, the Third Prince said, "The top scorer in the capital's examination is named Fu Jiaze, adopted by Lincheng's Fu Heng, who is related to Eunuch Fu. Reports suggest Eunuch Fu leaked the exam questions to Fu Jiaze, securing his top position."

Upon mentioning Fu Jiaze, Fu Bin knelt down. Seeing the Emperor's gaze turn to him, he kowtowed and said, "This servant is indeed Fu Jiaze's uncle, but leaking exam questions is something I would never dare do."

The Third Prince countered, "Without evidence, I wouldn't bring this matter to Your Majesty. A trusted servant named Huang Zhong from Eunuch Fu's household confessed to stealing the exam papers, making copies, and giving them to Fu Jiaze. Here is the copy, please review it. Before coming here, I also examined the records at the Ministry of Rites, finding traces of the copied papers."

Huang Zhong?

Upon hearing the name, Fu Bin gritted his teeth and pleaded, "Huang Zhong is indeed the steward of my outer residence, but stealing exam questions is something he would never dare do. All I could do for my nephew was ensure the examination hall remained fair. I asked the Jinyiwei to inspect the exam process, but I did not involve myself further. Please, Your Majesty, see through this."

Emperor Chengde ignored Fu Bin and turned to the Empress, "What does the Empress think?"

Jian Yunyao said, "It's quite coincidental. Do you remember the scandal involving the Ministry of Rites' deputy minister and his concubine?"

Hearing the Empress start a casual conversation, the Third Prince's eyes revealed impatience.

Emperor Chengde nodded, "It wasn't a major issue, but it caused quite a stir."

Jian Yunyao did not consider it minor. Scholars should set an example, but this incident tarnished moral standards. However, arguing with Emperor Chengde was pointless since he himself was like Lin Yi.

The person Emperor Chengde cherished most was someone he had taken away from a friend. The woman was initially unwilling but eventually consented after a year, bearing a son. This child, hidden among the commoners, was the Emperor's true choice for the crown prince.

Jian Yunyao continued, "During that time, I learned that the daughter of the deputy minister's concubine was to marry Eunuch Fu's nephew. I spoke more with Eunuch Fu and discovered that Fu Jiaze is indeed talented."

Hearing the Empress speak in his favor, Fu Bin felt relieved and added, "My nephew also participated in Princess Mingrui's poetry gathering and received praise for his work."

Fu Bin was grateful he had pushed Fu Jiaze to gain recognition at the poetry gathering, which now helped his defense.

The Third Prince interrupted, "Huang Zhong also mentioned that Fu Jiaze's poem at the gathering was ghostwritten. Someone wrote another poem, claiming it was done by the same person, proving Fu Jiaze's deception."

Fu Bin inwardly despised the deceased Huang Zhong, whose betrayal made his situation dire.

"Please, Your Majesty, investigate further. My nephew is genuinely talented and capable without needing to cheat. You could give him another exam to prove his abilities."

The Third Prince retorted, "Talent does not preclude cheating. According to Miss Lin, Fu Jiaze lacked luck in previous exams. First year... Second year... Third year... Fourth year..."

The Third Prince recounted Fu Jiaze's failed attempts in previous years, concluding, "Your Majesty, Fu Jiaze repeatedly failed and came to the capital to use his uncle's connections to obtain the top position. With both witnesses and evidence, please decide how to handle Fu Jiaze."

The Third Prince repeatedly spoke of punishing Fu Jiaze, but in reality, he was targeting Fu Bin.

At this moment, Jian Yunyao spoke up, "When I was young, I studied alongside my brother and younger brother. I know the hardships of the imperial examinations all too well. If Fu Jiaze truly cheated, he must be severely punished."

The Third Prince hurriedly said, "That's right; there is both witness and evidence."

Fu Bin kowtowed, "Your Majesty, Empress, please see clearly. Huang Zhong died by head-butting after speaking. There must be something fishy here. Although I don't understand much about examination essays, my nephew is genuinely talented. On that day, Minister of Rites Lin Yi took a liking to my nephew and even considered matchmaking him with Miss Lin. At that time, Minister Lin tested his knowledge. With such talent, there's no need for cheating."

The Third Prince retorted, "Fu Jiaze's first marriage proposal was indeed for Miss Lin, and it was Miss Lin who told me he would cheat. We can bring Miss Lin here for confrontation."

Fu Bin's hatred for Lin Baozhen reached its peak. He could only say, "Your Majesty, please test my nephew yourself. He is absolutely not someone who cheats."

Seeing Fu Bin kowtowing, the Third Prince couldn't help but look at the Empress. This eunuch has no roots; Fu Jiaze is just his foster nephew, yet he protects him so fiercely. As her foster son, why doesn't Mother Empress consider me more?

Jian Yunyao then said, "Your Majesty, your humble servant believes that scholars are hardworking. Whether someone is truly knowledgeable can be determined through a test. If they are indeed talented, wouldn't it be a pity?"

Fu Bin was overjoyed and kept kowtowing to the Empress.

The Third Prince clenched his fists. In the past, he had hoped the Empress would speak more, but she remained silent. Now, when he wished for silence, she spoke.

For Emperor Chengde, this was a minor matter. Born into the imperial family, he did not understand how reading could change one's fate. However, if the Empress spoke, he would always give her some face.

"Who does the Empress think should test this young Master Fu's knowledge?"

Jian Yunyao looked down at Fu Bin, who was usually composed but now appeared utterly disheveled. She became curious about Fu Jiaze and said, "I will do it. I read quite a bit when I was young, and my father once said that if I were a man, I might have also been named on the imperial list."

Emperor Chengde smiled and said, "Ting'er, where is Fu Jiaze? Bring him into the palace."