Chapter 58

Qingzhou is located to the east of the capital and is one of the wealthiest prefectures in the Great Yong Dynasty.

The Gu family is a prominent family in Qingzhou, known for their success in the fishing industry. It is said that they have accumulated countless wealth and are as rich as a nation!

“It’s rare for a merchant family like the Gu family to raise such a talented and knowledgeable son,” the Emperor commented meaningfully as he saw the Crown Prince reading.

In the Great Yong Dynasty, there are the standard classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Despite the wealth of the Gu family, they still can’t gain a prominent position. Hence, it’s not surprising for them to push their children to seek official positions.

However, with the Gu family’s immense wealth, even if Gu Junlin has remarkable literary talent and extraordinary knowledge, his achievements are still not excessively praised.

There are calculations and balances by the emperor in this matter, which the Crown Prince understands.

But at this moment, his shock is too overwhelming; he has no intention of pleasing the Emperor.

This… this is the imperial examination!

Someone actually dared to use trickery and deception in the imperial examination!

The Emperor simply thought that the Crown Prince was too engrossed and didn’t pay much attention.

At this moment, he even wondered, had the Second Prince also read these essays? I wonder what he thinks.

The Second Prince has always been clever since childhood, and he must have more insightful views.

The Crown Prince knew that raising doubts rashly would not only harm the Qiao family but also incur suspicion from the Emperor, accusing him of being too close to the Qiao family.

So he suppressed the storm in his heart and casually praised a few words.

The palace exam is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, to be presided over by the Emperor himself.

After leaving the study, the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace calmly.

In the afternoon, the Empress sent someone to deliver gifts to the Qiao Mansion, saying that Qiao Jiaojiao had been frightened in the palace yesterday, so she sent some lucky lockets as a comfort.

When the Emperor heard the report from Huang Gonggong, he waved his hand indifferently, and even a hint of annoyance could be seen between his eyebrows.

“In the future, the Empress doesn’t need to report such trivial matters to me.”

Huang Gonggong quickly agreed, secretly sighing.

He knew why the Emperor despised the Empress, but after all, Empress Yuliu died by her own hand. Ultimately, it couldn’t be blamed on the current Empress.

Forget it, as a servant, he just needs to obey the master’s orders obediently.

The Empress’s gifts soon arrived at the Qiao Mansion, and Qiao Zhongguo personally thanked the Empress’s favor with his family.

When Qiao Zhongguo stepped forward to receive the rewards, the palace maid discreetly handed him a note, placing it under the red tray.

“Your Highness,” the palace maid mouthed silently.

She was the Empress’s absolute confidante.

Qiao Zhongguo’s heart jumped slightly, and he smiled as he took the red tray. “Thank you for the Empress’s favor. My daughter is safe now, so please rest assured, Your Highness.”

The message was delivered, and the palace maid led the entourage out, returning to the palace to report.

Qiao Zhongguo dismissed all the servants and opened the note. It was written by the Crown Prince.

Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao, who was being held by Mrs. Qiao, eagerly nudged towards Qiao Zhongguo.

【Dad! Quickly read what the Crown Prince wrote! I want to know too!】

At the next moment, Qiao Zhongguo began to speak.

“The Crown Prince said that early this morning, he read the top three essays of the first place in the imperial examination. Among them, the most outstanding one is exactly the same as the one written by Tan Hanchi. But now, the name on the scroll is Qingzhou Gu Junlin.”

Qiao Jiaojiao instantly realized what was going on.

【The Gu family from Qingzhou! No wonder! No wonder the Gu family will support the Second Prince, holding such a big handle in his hands!】

【You know, the Gu family is a big tycoon. Their business covers the entire Great Yong Dynasty, accumulating wealth since generations.】

【And what the female lead did later with soap, perfume, and lipstick, all leveraging the Gu family’s sales network and connections, making money hand over fist, and finally establishing her own commercial empire. It’s a classic story of getting rich and successful in ancient times!】

The Qiao family didn’t understand what soap and perfume were, but they could tell that the Gu family’s support for the Second Prince was crucial to his success.

“The Crown Prince also mentioned that the palace exam is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and His Majesty will personally preside over the questioning, with the Crown Prince in attendance.”

After Qiao Zhongguo finished speaking, Qiao Tianjing frowned.

“Dad, we don’t have much time left. Once the palace exam is over, it will be nearly impossible for Tan Xiong to reclaim his rightful rank!”

Qiao Jiaojiao pondered beside them, her round face creased with worry.

【Let me think… first of all, it definitely can’t be us from the Qiao family stepping forward. That would expose our family to the Second Prince, Duke Qing, and the Minister of Rites.】

【And that Emperor isn’t a good person either. If he gets suspicious, he might even question Dad’s intentions. No way!】

【The Crown Prince… He’s even worse. We can’t risk bringing forward his time of death.】

The Qiao family: “…”

Although it wasn’t a bad idea, it was definitely a bit blunt. Fortunately, only they could hear it!

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes sparkled.

【In that case, it can only be Tan Hanchi himself who steps forward!】

At this statement, everyone in the Qiao family brightened up.

The next moment, they all exclaimed in unison, “Sound the drum of appeal!”

【Sound the drum of appeal!】

Qiao Jiaojiao blinked, then clapped her hands with delight.

【Wow, everyone in the family is on the same page!】

【I saw Dad and Brother standing there, staring at each other, thinking they were both worried. But in the end, just like me, their brains were spinning like crazy!】

Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Tianjing exchanged a glance, sharing a knowing smile.

Indeed, they had been at a loss just now, but then Jiaojiao came up with the solution right away.

Jiaojiao’s mind continued to wander.

【Ah, when Dad was wrongfully sentenced to be beheaded at noon, it was Big Brother and Second Brother who went outside the palace gate to sound the drum of appeal.】

【But that Emperor and Second Prince were determined to kill Dad. In the end, Big Brother and Second Brother each received thirty blows and were perfunctorily driven back to the Qiao Mansion.】

To prevent malicious drumming of the drum of appeal, there was a rule in the Great Yong Dynasty from its founding.

Whoever strikes the drum of appeal must first receive thirty blows. When the drum sounds, the Emperor must personally investigate the injustice.

【I wonder if Tan Hanchi can withstand these thirty blows.】

【And Duke Qing’s mansion must still be frantically searching for Tan Hanchi. We not only need to ensure his safe arrival at the drum of appeal, but also protect him from the Duke Qing’s people, who might try to kill him.】

These considerations truly struck a chord with Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Tianjing. Father and son had also thought about these issues.

Qiao Zhongguo was now able to remain calm even when faced with his impending execution at noon.

What they were all doing with all their might was changing their fate and overturning the established outcome.

At this moment, Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t help but admire Jiaojiao’s quick thinking and intelligence, which far exceeded that of an ordinary person.

The exposure of the cheating in the palace exam was not something she had foreseen, but she could consider all aspects and come up with a solution in the shortest time possible.

This child might even become a military adviser in the future!

When Qiao Diyi brought Tan Hanchi, Qiao Zhongguo analyzed the situation for him and explained all the risks involved.

“Tan Hanchi, whether or not to strike the drum of appeal is entirely up to you.”

Qiao Zhongguo looked calmly at Tan Hanchi.

Seeing this, Tan Hanchi deeply bowed to Qiao Zhongguo, his expression resolute.

“General Qiao, there is no easy task, but I am willing to strike the drum of appeal, regardless of life or death!”