Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 727: The Last Struggle (4)_1

Chapter 727: Chapter 727: The Last Struggle (4)_1

As soon as the news came out, the commoners held a skeptical attitude. But before long, someone fabricated a motive for Chu Heng, which was nothing more than an attempt to win over a group of students through such means, and then, through these "exceptionally talented" students, to establish his credibility among the commoners.

Everyone knew that the Crown Prince had been ill for over twenty years and his reputation among the common folk was even worse than that of Emperor Huian’s third son, King Heng. If he could win over the Scholar’s Forest and gain the support of the scholars, even if he were truly incompetent after ascending to the throne, he would be hailed as a wise ruler through the ages.

With the Crown Prince brought down, the scholars who had passed the imperial examination felt insecure, afraid that the Court wouldn’t be able to withstand public opinion. They feared not only the annulment of their results but also the punishment for cheating. Should that happen, their prospects would be completely ruined.

Even if in the end only their results were annulled and a reexamination was ordered, they had no confidence in passing the imperial examination again. After all, different questions and the opinions of the reviewers could affect the outcome. For many, luck had played a part in their initial success, and no one knew if their next submission would be to the reviewer’s liking. With one misstep, they might fail to achieve the rank of Scholar.

Besides, no one wanted to be labeled a cheater, which was the greatest insult to scholars. Therefore, those who had initially observed the situation began to feel uneasy and also gathered at the palace gates. They clashed verbally with the failed students and jointly petitioned the Court to expedite a public trial to clear their names.

As the situation intensified, Crown Prince Chu Heng remained silent. Some believed the Crown Prince had not committed such an act and had a clear conscience; others thought he was too guilty to come forward and admit it.

The latter view, manipulated by those with ulterior motives, gained increasing acceptance. The students waiting daily at the palace gates began to condemn the Crown Prince again, even making the outrageous accusation that the Crown Prince had lost his virtue, was unfit for the throne, and requested that Emperor Huian depose Chu Heng from his position as Crown Prince.

The Court had not made a move for a long time, not even setting a date for the public trial. The students gathered at the palace gates, divided into factions, never ceased their verbal skirmishes, turning the palace gates into their "battlefield"!

No one stepped forward to suppress these students’ comments. The Direct Imperial Examination cheating case eventually fermented, reaching every province within less than half a month. Thousands of disgruntled failed students, those who could, hurried with their bundles toward Jing City, eager to join the ranks of the accusers; those who could not, gathered at their local government offices, jointly petitioning the Court for a thorough investigation to restore justice for scholars throughout the land.

...

Within Prince Heng’s Mansion, King Heng read the messages from various places and revealed a sinister smile, his face’s scars twisting like poisonous snakes, making him look particularly ferocious. The once gentle and refined facade was nowhere to be seen.

Because of the unsightly scars on his face, King Heng had nearly withdrawn from public life since returning from Phoenix Mountain. Unable to accept the reality that his disfigurement had forever barred him from the throne, he spent his time alternately seeking famous doctors to heal the scars and plotting revenge against Chu Heng for ruining his prospects and leaving him disfigured.

As for Xiao Ruiyuan, who followed Chu Heng, and Mo Yan, who saved Chu Heng, they too were thorns in his side. Previously unable to find an opportunity to strike at Chu Heng, he directed his full hatred at Mo Yan.

What King Heng hadn’t expected was that, despite sending assassins to wipe out the Mo Family, they never returned, and a sizable band of bandits he deployed were all caught in the net. Eventually, he used the autumn examinations to set a trap, aiming to capture Chu Heng’s entire faction.

Unexpectedly, the plan unfolded more smoothly than he had anticipated, bringing his greatest enemy to the forefront without much effort.

Thinking that everything was under his control, just waiting for the day of the public trial to trample all his enemies underfoot, a triumphant, sinister smile lit up King Heng’s face.

Seeing King Heng in a good mood, unlike his previously erratic and frightening moods, Old Master Lin hastened to ask, "Your Highness, the public trial is yet to be scheduled, and I fear that The Emperor favors that inexperienced child Chu Heng. What should we do?"

King Heng’s smile froze as a strong hostility flashed through his eyes, "Hmph, at this point, even if the old man favors him, can he shut up all the dissenting voices in the world?"

"That may be, but without a public trial, this matter will never come to a conclusion. That inexperienced child will still be the Crown Prince. What will have been the point of all our machinations?" Old Master Lin said anxiously. He feared Emperor Huian would delay and wait for the storm to pass, and then, what would become of their planning?

King Heng’s expression fluctuated wildly, and suddenly he asked, "Has Great Grandfather Zeng still refused to share that matter with you?"

That matter referred to Master Lin holding leverage over Emperor Huian.

Old Master Lin shook his head in frustration, "The old man is very stubborn, claiming he would take it to the grave and never tell anyone. I’m afraid we won’t be able to use that matter to our advantage anymore."

King Heng, upon hearing this, paced back and forth in irritation, also harboring deep resentment against Master Lin. If his great grandfather were willing to divulge that secret, tapping into the network of influence in the Court to elevate him to the position of Crown Prince, why would he need to scheme so meticulously?

There was only one way to force the old man to expedite the public trial; otherwise, all their prior machinations would be in vain.

With that thought, a ruthless look crossed King Heng’s eyes as he beckoned to the uneasy Old Master Lin at his side...