Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 745: Destruction (2)_1

Chapter 745: Chapter 745: Destruction (2)_1

Mo Qingze’s display was observed by all, and even Emperor Huian of Great Chu, who was normally undemonstrative, could not help but burst into laughter and lavishly praised, "Indeed, Great Chu is rich in talent. Mr. Mo is knowledgeable and quick of thought. Even if Duke Wen Cheng were alive, he would have to commend the fearfulness of youth!"

Duke Wen Cheng, originally named Wen Tianzhong, was very intelligent from a young age, becoming a Champion Scholar at merely eight years old, the youngest in the five hundred years since the establishment of the imperial examination system. He was versed in astronomy and geography, authored over ten classic works that have been passed down through history, and is known as one of the most famous literati. Posterity revered him as Duke Wen Cheng.

Emperor Huian was known for his meticulousness; his use of Duke Wen Cheng to praise Mo Qingze was already a very high commendation. Moreover, by addressing him as "Mr." it was evident he was extremely pleased with Mo Qingze’s performance.

"Your Majesty flatters me too much; I am unworthy," said Mo Qingze humbly, neither too proud nor overly modest. Such a composed and natural demeanor further improved Emperor Huian’s impression of him.

Mo Qingze’s sudden rise to prominence, coupled with the good fortune of winning the favor of the monarch, made his fellow scholars extremely envious. It was clear his future prospects were bright, and to say his success was skyrocketing was no exaggeration.

Although some felt as if they were soaked in vinegar, they could not summon feelings of jealousy. If they were to be caught in a scandal of examination fraud like him, they doubted their ability to prove their innocence. Mo Qingze managed to do so because he had the capability; it was something they simply could not envy.

The most pressing matter at hand was to forge good relationships. Not to mention taking advantage, but in the future during their studies, if they encountered challenging questions they could not resolve, they would have an additional person to consult. The question and answer session in that past two hours was so enlightening, it felt as though they had gained ten years’ worth of knowledge.

Mo Qingze became the biggest winner in the cheating scandal, yet such a strong contender was falsely accused of cheating—an act of malice that, in less than a night, had spread throughout Jing City and in less than half a month, even reached the remotest state capitals, causing chaos everywhere.

Anyone with a brain could suspect that the instigator behind the scenes was not simple, and those astute enough to connect the scandal to the Crown Prince could guess that the real target of the backstage manipulator was Chu Heng. From this, it was easy to surmise who the plotter of this conspiracy was.

Thinking this way, some couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Mo Qingze, who had suffered an unmerited disaster.

But in the next moment, Mo Qingze knelt in the grand hall, stretching out his index finger with solemnity and pointing at Zhao Gao, Qin Hui, and the other three, who cowered in the corner, alleging against him, and he said to Emperor Huian, "Your Majesty, this student’s hardship is all due to the rumors these three have spread. I earnestly beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me!"

Fully aware that the real schemer in the shadows was King Heng, Mo Qingze cleverly refrained from direct accusation, instead attributing all blame to the three individuals who had borne false witness.

King Heng was a prince, the biological son of Emperor Huian. Fraternal conflict in an ordinary household was already a shameful matter, let alone in the Imperial Family, where every action was under the scrutiny of the public?

The smile faded from Emperor Huian’s face as he watched the three accused scrambling and kneeling in the center of the hall. A glint of murderous intent flashed in his sharp eyes, and with a single sentence, he determined their fate, "These three committed fraud in the examination first, followed by slandering others, and now have borne false witness before me. For the sin of deceiving the sovereign, they should be subjected to combined punishment and be sentenced to be executed along with the confiscation of their properties! But as heaven cherishes life, and considering this is their first offense, I do not wish to involve the innocent. The confiscation can be spared, but the capital punishment cannot be avoided. Three days from now, at the noon execution ground—"

Before the words were fully spoken, the three sentenced to immediate execution collapsed on the ground, slack with despair. In their lifeless eyes flashed deep regret and desolation!