Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 732: The Duke’s Perfect Counterattack in the Trial (1)_1

Chapter 732: Chapter 732: The Duke’s Perfect Counterattack in the Trial (1)_1

Mo Yan stepped into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and thereafter, quite a few more people entered. Before long, the originally spacious hall filled up, buzzing with conversation. Some were discussing the upcoming public trial, and some were whispering about the only woman in the room, Princess Hejia.

Mo Yan, keen of hearing and sharp of sight, caught every word of the discussion. Indifferent to the praises and criticisms being murmured, she quietly watched the doorway of the hall.

A few old scholars nearby, observing Mo Yan’s calm and undisturbed demeanor, grew even more favorable towards her. Seeing her standing there alone, younger than their own granddaughters, their hearts softened, and they struck up a conversation with her.

However, since they were strangers before, there wasn’t much to talk about, and the conversation, unintentionally, drifted towards the examination cheating scandal.

"This examination cheating incident has wide implications. Once responsibilities are determined, the punishments may be much harsher than before. I’m afraid the whole Ministry of Rites might be implicated in this."

The Ministry of Rites was in charge of the imperial examinations. The leakage of questions and answers must have resulted from the ministry’s negligence. In past incidents of cheating, a few officials from the Ministry of Rites were always made to bear the blame, with dismissal from their posts being the lighter punishment. Worse outcomes could include confiscation of property or even imprisonment and conscription.

"Alas, it’s the Ministry of Rites’ own fault! They seem untroubled on normal days, but when trouble arises, it’s always a major issue. It’s to be hoped that this time it does not involve the innocent."

"Right now, only one person has been arrested for the cheating, and with both human and material evidence against him and no claims of injustice, last night he almost died in a fire. It seems that he won’t be able to escape this time!"

No sooner had the old man finished speaking than his colleague nudged him on the arm, making the old man realize that the "cheater’s" daughter was standing beside him. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his weathered face.

Mo Yan was unaware that her father had almost died in a fire the previous night. Upon hearing this, dizziness swept through her mind, and she nearly couldn’t stand. She clutched the old man’s sleeve, her face pale as she asked, "Sir, you – you mentioned that my father almost... almost died in a fire last night, what exactly happened?"

The old man, ruing his careless words, was surprised to hear Mo Yan’s question, realizing the young lady was unaware of last night’s events.

Seeing the panic on Mo Yan’s face, the old man quickly reassured her: "Last night, a fire broke out in the Ministry of Justice’s Prison. Fortunately, it was detected in time, and the fire was soon extinguished. It is said your father only lost consciousness and was not seriously harmed, otherwise there wouldn’t be a public trial today. County Lord, please be at ease!"

Hearing this, Mo Yan was relieved but still frightened at the thought of what might have happened if the fire hadn’t been discovered in time.

Just as she was about to thank the old man, a eunuch’s loud announcement suddenly resounded at the entrance of the hall: "The Crown Prince arrives——"

All eyes turned towards the sound, and they saw Chu Heng, clad in bright yellow brocade embroidered with five dragons, walking in with a naturally regal and imposing air that even the two attendants behind him could not diminish. The sight made the young scholars, who had never before seen the Crown Prince, too intimidated to look twice.

Xiao Ruiyuan, following Chu Heng into the hall, immediately noticed the young woman standing among a group of old men. Seeing her looking his way with distress on her face, he assumed she had been harassed by the pedantic scholars. His expression, mildly warm at best, suddenly darkened, and his sharp gaze targeted the old men.

Several of the old scholars, about to bow in greeting, were startled by the fierce glint in his eye, their legs giving way, prompting them to kneel and perform a grand salute. Seeing this, others followed suit, shouting in unison, "Long live the Crown Prince, long live, live forever!"

This solemn kneeling salute caught Chu Heng off guard, but he then spoke gently, "Gentlemen, please, no need for such formalities, rise."