Chapter 61

The government official looked at Qiao Diyi with some suspicion, but through the curtain hat, he couldn’t see anything clearly.

Upon careful consideration, it should be that he didn’t want to reveal his identity.

After all, if Tan Jurén failed to plead his innocence this time, he would likely lose his life, while his younger siblings still had to carry on with their lives.

Since Tan Jurén himself had said so, there was no reason for him to stop it.

Qiao Diyi stepped forward and knelt in front of Tan Hanchi, his voice trembling as he cried out, “Brother, are you okay? Brother, you must be alright!”

Qiao Jiaojiao: “…”

[Didn’t expect my second brother to be such a good actor!]

Tan Hanchi couldn’t help but feel amused and moved at the same time. He struggled to speak, saying, “I… I won’t die yet, but I can’t move. Second brother, help me up.”

Qiao Diyi took out a water pouch from his waist, opened the lid, and handed it to Tan Hanchi’s lips, “Brother, have some water first.”

While Qiao Diyi slightly lifted the curtain, Qiao Jiaojiao immediately reached out and touched Tan Hanchi’s face.

A subtle golden light flashed in her palm, warm.

In that instant, Tan Hanchi inexplicably heard a childish voice.

[Tan Hanchi, don’t be afraid, I’ll nurse you back to health! Be strong, mighty! Go slaughter the western enemies on the Jinluan Palace…]

The voice abruptly stopped as Qiao Jiaojiao withdrew her hand.

Tan Hanchi was puzzled. As the curtain fell, he met the bright eyes of Miss Qiao, looking like they could speak.

Was… was it Miss Qiao’s voice? From her words, it seemed like she wanted to heal him?

No… that’s impossible!

It must be because of his severe injuries that he was hallucinating!

Tan Hanchi felt both terrified and bewildered. At this moment, a warmth spread from where Miss Qiao had touched him, quickly flowing from his shoulders to his back, then concentrating on his wound.

Tan Hanchi felt an itchy sensation spreading, and the tearing pain strangely disappeared, replaced by a pricking sensation of flesh tearing.

Seeing Tan Hanchi’s lack of reaction, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help muttering in her heart:

[Did the healing spell fail? Why does Tan Hanchi seem unaffected?]

[Darn it, that’s my 60 merit!]

Upon hearing this, Qiao Diyi hurriedly got up to support Tan Hanchi, wanting to confirm the effectiveness of the “Recovery Spell for Tendons and Bones.”

As he exerted a slight force, he felt Tan Hanchi pushing himself up.

Onlookers thought it was all due to his strength, but Qiao Diyi keenly felt that Tan Hanchi was exerting his own strength too!

Damn, little sister, you’re amazing!

At this moment, Tan Hanchi’s heart was pounding, too shocked to speak.

If before, he could dismiss that sentence as his own imagination, now his tendons and bones indeed healed in an instant!

Miss Qiao… Miss Qiao was no ordinary person; she saved him!

But the current situation didn’t allow Tan Hanchi much time to think, because nearly half an hour had passed, and he couldn’t delay until the next court session!

Since Miss Qiao kindly saved him, he absolutely couldn’t repay kindness with enmity by revealing her abilities; otherwise, it might bring her disaster!

Thinking of this, Tan Hanchi suppressed the waves of shock in his heart, staggered to stand, and then endured the intense pain of his flesh and skin tearing as he took two drumsticks from the rack!

Seeing Tan Hanchi’s determination, others, unaware of Qiao Jiaojiao’s covert assistance, couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

This young man’s mind is firm, extraordinary, and he will surely achieve great things in the future!

Tan Hanchi took a deep breath, encouraged by Qiao Diyi, and exerted all his strength to strike the drumhead!

Dong!

Dong dong!

Dong dong dong!

The drumbeats became faster, echoing the surging emotions in Tan Hanchi’s heart!

By striking this drum, he was upholding fairness, justice, and the future generations of scholars, as well as the righteous court he aspired to!

Dong!

The drumbeats resounded in the sky above the Dengwen Drum Tower, reaching the nearby Jinluan Palace!

Emperor Yong looked outside in astonishment, while the civil and military officials were baffled.

Where did these drumbeats come from?

Qiao Zhongguo slowly lifted the corners of his mouth. “Good lad, you’ve done it!”

Qiao Tianjing felt relieved in his heart. Tan Brother indeed deserves to be a prominent figure among men.

“Report—”

The urgent report echoed layer by layer.

“Your Majesty, Tan Hanchi, an examinee from Zhuozhou, is striking the Dengwen Drum outside!”

With this statement, the civil and military officials were both astonished and surprised.

The Dengwen Drum hadn’t been struck for eight years, and they had almost forgotten about its existence.

When Xīn Ruìzhì, the Minister of Rites, heard the name Tan Hanchi, he felt his legs weaken, and for a moment, everything spun around him!

Tan Hanchi…

Wasn’t Tan Hanchi the one who was replaced by Gu Junlin in the first rank?!

Didn’t my father-in-law say that all the scholars had been resolved?!

Now, such a big mistake has occurred. Could it be that they want to annihilate him and his family?!

The Crown Prince’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this and immediately stepped forward.

“Father, the Dengwen Drum hasn’t sounded for eight years. Once it does, everyone will know. Moreover, this person is an examinee, and all scholars in the world are paying attention to this. We should handle this matter cautiously.”

“I request to lead the men myself and bring Tan Hanchi to the Jinluan Palace, where Father can oversee justice!”

---

Outside the Dengwen Drum Tower, Shèng Míngchéng watched Tan Hanchi pick up the drumsticks, and sweat beads as big as beans rolled down his forehead.

What to do? What to do?

Just as Shèng Míngchéng was at a loss, a hand reached out and grabbed him.

“Sir, come quickly, the Duke wants to see you!”

The speaker was the servant who had delivered the message in the morning.

Shèng Míngchéng’s face turned pale upon hearing this, allowing the servant to push through the crowd and pull him to the corner of the alley.

Duke Qingguo, Shèng Qǐshān, was sitting in a carriage at the mouth of the alley.

Shèng Míngchéng tremblingly climbed onto the carriage, only to receive a solid slap.

“Fool! Look at what you’ve done!”

Shèng Míngchéng dared not argue, kneeling in the carriage and desperately knocking his head.

Shèng Qǐshān kicked him angrily, his voice heavy, “Stop knocking! Did the Second Prince see you recently?”

Shèng Míngchéng, thrown off balance, replied truthfully in a hurried tone, “The Second Prince did meet with me a few days ago.”

Shèng Qǐshān’s face darkened, “What did the Second Prince say to you?”

Shèng Míngchéng didn’t dare to hide, and quickly replied, “The Second Prince said he always respects you, Grandfather, and said if Grandson encounters any difficulties, he can seek him out…”

“Such an important matter, why didn’t you say it earlier!”

Shèng Qǐshān slapped the small wooden table in front of him.

Shèng Míngchéng suddenly shivered, stammering, “Grandson… Grandson thought the Second Prince had no power and influence, and was disliked by the Emperor, so his goodwill was just to win over our Duke Qingguo’s mansion, so…”

“You fool! You hopeless fool!”

Shèng Qǐshān was so furious his liver hurt, pointing his finger viciously at Shèng Míngchéng’s forehead, almost wishing to poke him to death!

Back then, the Emperor was so infatuated with Princess Yùliù, even if he had offered mountains of gold and silver, and thousands of good things, it would not have been enough.

After Princess Yùliù was forced to commit suicide, she left behind only the Second Prince as her descendant, and as he grew older, he looked more and more like Princess Yùliù.

Men are such despicable creatures; the one they can’t have is the best, and the one they lose they can’t help but miss!

So, would the Emperor dislike the Second Prince?

Absolutely impossible!

It’s likely that he’s kept it from everyone and doted on the Second Prince to no end!

The reason why the Qingguo mansion hasn’t taken sides so far is because the Crown Prince’s position is stable. Even if the Second Prince has the Emperor’s favor, it’s not certain he can turn the tide.

Now that the Second Prince has extended an olive branch to the Qingguo mansion, he probably noticed some clues about the Spring Examination. It’s a warning and a sign of cooperation.

Such a lifeline was thrown in front of them, nearly buried by his own foolish grandson!

“Hurry, send someone to deliver a message to the Second Prince, saying that if His Highness can help us through this difficult time, the Qingguo mansion will bow down to him in the future!”