Chapter 57

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. “This palace remembers his surname is Tan.”

Qiao Tianjing’s eyes lit up; it couldn’t be better if the Crown Prince still remembered him.

“I coincidentally met him with my second brother, and when he was insulted by the young master of the Qingguo Duke’s Mansion, my second brother stood up for him when he saw injustice, thus forming a friendship with Tan Hanchi.”

“Last night, Tan Hanchi was chased to the alley behind the inn and narrowly escaped, rescued back to the mansion by my second brother.”

“Your Highness, after forming a friendship with him, I found that not only does he have outstanding literary talent, but also a strategic mind. Now being inexplicably chased and also… being nameless on the list.”

These words were said very ambiguously, but the Crown Prince’s brows suddenly furrowed, instantly understanding Qiao Tianjing’s implicit meaning.

But even the Crown Prince dared not believe that there was a problem with the imperial examination.

“Is there a possibility that Tan Hanchi has had a mental breakdown?”

Qiao Tianjing shook his head, indicating his sleeve discreetly.

“Your Highness, Father instructed Tan Hanchi to memorize the essays from the imperial examination. I have read them; compared to my own essays from the imperial examination year, they are even more remarkable.”

Listening to Qiao Tianjing’s confident words, the Crown Prince’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

After all, Qiao Tianjing was a top scorer in the imperial examination year, appointed by the Emperor himself!

The Crown Prince’s expression turned serious. “Fetch Jiaojiao for me.”

Qiao Tianjing understood and, while handing over Jiaojiao, discreetly placed Tan Hanchi’s articles under Jiaojiao’s buttocks.

Jiaojiao: “…”

【I’m just a scapegoat!】

【But I’m honored. Go ahead and play, I’ll use my illusions for you!】

The Crown Prince calmly took the articles and smiled, patting Jiaojiao’s head.

The palace gates were ahead; it would be too much to escort further.

Qiao Tianjing took Jiaojiao back, sincerely saying, “Thank you for trusting me, Your Highness.”

In fact, what the Qiao family did carried great risks.

After all, the imperial examination was of great importance, and if the suspicious Emperor Yong found out about the Qiao family’s intervention, he would surely doubt their intentions.

The Crown Prince smiled brightly, with clear trust in his eyes.

“Jiaojiao, in my palace, the name Qiao stands for loyalty and righteousness.”

This sentence was the greatest trust he could bestow.

Jiaojiao couldn’t help but shine with excitement.

【Look! What a great Crown Prince! Protect him at all costs! We must make sure he ascends to the throne!】

Qiao Tianjing bowed slightly, feeling grateful.

For a servant, the greatest fortune was to serve a wise ruler.

“In that case, Father and I will await Your Highness’s instructions in peace.”

After returning to the Qiao mansion, Jiaojiao was thoroughly searched by Mrs. Qiao, but no hidden devices were found after meticulous inspection. The whole family finally relaxed completely.

Jiaojiao happily babbled, recounting how miraculous the Merit Mall was and how she bravely saved the Western Prince.

Although her family didn’t understand, it didn’t stop her from bragging.

The members of the Qiao family exchanged glances. Although they were shocked, they pretended not to understand, desperately managing their expressions.

In the afternoon, a decree from the palace caused a slight stir in the capital’s circles.

It was said that the Emperor himself had decreed to invite Miss Meng Guxue from the Meng family to attend the Dragon Boat Festival banquet!

This time, during her illness, she had an incredibly realistic dream.

In the dream, everything went smoothly for her, and she even fell in love with the Second Prince, Shen Yuanbai. Together, they toppled the Crown Prince, destroyed the Qiao family, crushed all opposition underfoot, and finally ascended to rule the world!

Meng Guxue just knew that she was the chosen one in this world!

She just didn’t understand why there was a deviation between reality and the dream at the Qiao mansion.

Originally, she should have fallen in love with the Second Prince at the Qiao mansion…

But it didn’t matter; what was meant for her would always find its way. The Dragon Boat Festival banquet would be the perfect opportunity for her to capture the Second Prince’s heart!

“Mother, I know. I still need to practice calligraphy. Please leave.”

Meng Guxue said lightly, with a confident look on her face.

Mrs. Meng gave her daughter a strange look and, seeing that she had already picked up her brush to write, quietly left the room.

Once the door closed behind her, Meng Guxue suddenly raised her head, revealing a pair of ambitious eyes.

And on her desk, the snow-white paper was filled with three repeated words—Shen Yuanbai!

Knock, knock, knock—

The cautious knocking sounded from outside the door.

“Miss, it’s Xiaotao. I’ve brought the things you asked for.”

Meng Guxue’s eyes lit up at the words and she got up to open the door.

Xiaotao handed two packages to Meng Guxue.

“Miss, here are the seashells and wood ash you asked for.”

Xiaotao had no idea what her young lady needed these items for.

Meng Guxue opened the packages and her eyes sparkled.

Her major in university was chemistry, and in her dream, she had used modern knowledge to help the Second Prince become wealthy and gain his approval and reliance.

She almost overlooked such a formidable advantage and golden finger!

Now that she had been reminded by her dream, she had to quickly make the soap and make the Second Prince take notice of her!

Just wait, the Dragon Boat Festival banquet would be Meng Guxue’s turning point!

---

On the other side, at the Qingguo Duke’s Mansion.

“Useless! Still haven’t found him!”

Sheng Mingcheng was raging at his subordinates.

It was almost dark, and despite sending out more than a dozen men, they hadn’t found even a weak scholar!

Did Tan Hanchi just vanish into thin air?

“Search again! I want you to search again!”

“Arrange for people on the road from the capital to Zhuozhou to search all the way! Once you find him, kill him on the spot!”

---

The next day after the morning court, the Crown Prince was summoned to the study by the Emperor.

Pointing to three scrolls on the desk, the Emperor said softly, “Zhan’er, these are the essays from this year’s imperial examination. Come and take a look.”

The Crown Prince respectfully agreed, sitting on the seat the Emperor had granted him, and picked up the first scroll.

Before he even opened the scroll, the Crown Prince felt a bit bewildered.

After returning to the Eastern Palace yesterday, he carefully read the articles handed to him by the eldest son of the Qiao family and found every word to be brilliant, shining brightly.

Such talent, such articles, it was truly inconceivable for them to have failed the examination.

“Zhan’er, what’s wrong?”

Seeing the Crown Prince unusually distracted, the Emperor tilted his head in confusion.

The Crown Prince snapped out of his daze and immediately smiled, saying, “Just thinking about the new talents entering the court to serve Father, Your Highness. I’m very pleased.”

The Emperor nodded faintly at the words, then continued, “There is one particularly outstanding essay among the top scorers this year, which is the one in your hands. Take a careful look.”

The Crown Prince immediately focused his attention and opened the scroll.

As soon as his eyes fell on the first line, the Crown Prince’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Exactly the same!

The essay was exactly the same as the one he had read from Tan Hanchi last night!

But the name of the candidate marked on the scroll was Qingzhou Gu Junlin!