Chapter 63

When the Second Prince stepped into the Dengwen Drum courtyard, he immediately saw Tan Hanchi standing upright.

Although the scholar’s face was pale, his eyes were bright, far from the near-death appearance the Second Prince had imagined.

The Second Prince couldn’t help but feel a shock in his pupils.

Previously, when Sheng Mingcheng investigated, he had sent someone to look into this examinee from Zhuozhou.

Although he occasionally exercised, he clearly had no strength in his hands. Today, after receiving thirty lashes, he still had strength left?

Thinking back to how Tan Hanchi had previously escaped unharmed from the assassins sent by Sheng Mingcheng, the Second Prince would never believe that there wasn’t someone guiding him from behind.

In this capital, who had such extraordinary power, not only understanding the Qingguo Duke’s movements but also acting in advance to rescue Tan Hanchi and encourage him to strike the Dengwen Drum, escalating the situation?

As the Second Prince scanned the surroundings, his gaze suddenly fell on Qiao Zhongguo standing to the side.

Today, Qiao Zhongguo insisted on personally receiving Tan Hanchi. Although it was not inconsistent with his usual character, it hit the Qingguo Duke’s vital point. His swift and deadly action made people doubt.

But Qiao Zhongguo had always been low-key, and his military power had been dispersed. With his abilities, it was probably difficult for him to discover the Qingguo Duke’s actions…

After such analysis, the identity of the person behind Tan Hanchi became clear in the Second Prince’s mind!

The Crown Prince…

Looking at the entire Great Yong Dynasty, apart from him, there was no one else with such means and cunning!

As for Qiao Zhongguo, he probably received the Crown Prince’s orders to ensure Tan Hanchi’s safety.

The Qiao family is actually so close to the Crown Prince?

If the person on the Dragon Throne knew about this, it would certainly bring a lot of trouble to the Crown Prince and the Qiao family…

Just by seeing Tan Hanchi for a moment, countless thoughts flashed through the Second Prince’s mind, and he made his decision.

With his current wings not yet fully spread, it was not suitable for him to confront the Crown Prince directly.

When Sheng Qishan saw Qiao Zhongguo, he should know that the Qingguo Duke’s family couldn’t be saved.

If Sheng Qishan was sensible, he would know to use his leverage and exchange it for something valuable, such as saving the Qingguo Duke’s family line, and ask him to give Sheng Mingcheng and Sheng Xiuran a way out!

As soon as Qiao Diyi saw the Second Prince appear, he immediately hugged Qiao Jiaojiao and hid back into the crowd.

Qiao Jiaojiao, peering through her veil, couldn’t help but secretly comment in her heart:

“Darn male lead, who knows what bad ideas he’s thinking of again!”

“With Dad here, Tan Hanchi will definitely safely reach the Jinluan Palace. The Qingguo Duke’s family is definitely going to fall!”

“With the male lead’s scheming, he’s definitely going to make a last-minute profit before the Qingguo Duke falls. After all, the list of those who bought their ranks in previous Chunwei exams is still in the Qingguo Duke’s hands!”

“This list is so powerful because the people on it have more or less served as officials in the court or in local governments. Following the list, each one is a guaranteed hit!”

Qiao Diyi was shocked when he heard this!

Last night, after his little sister fell asleep, Dad called him and his older brother, as well as Tan Hanchi, to the study, and then said exactly the same things as his little sister!

At the time, his older brother said that this list absolutely couldn’t fall into the Second Prince’s hands, and then Tan Hanchi came up with a plan!

Qiao Diyi tossed and turned all night, and now, remembering that plan, he still felt a chill.

It wasn’t that he thought Tan Hanchi’s methods were too ruthless, but he truly admired his meticulous thinking and ability to understand people’s hearts!

According to his little sister’s prediction, Tan Hanchi was originally supposed to be a counselor by the Second Prince’s side.

Thinking that their Qiao family would originally have such a terrifying enemy, he spent the whole night without closing his eyes!

Next, it all depended on whether Tan Hanchi’s guesses were accurate!

After all, their Qiao family had made thorough preparations according to Tan Hanchi’s plan!

In the carriage at the alley’s entrance, Duke Qingguo, Sheng Qishan, had already concealed his desolation on his face.

Sheng Mingcheng thought his grandfather had come up with another plan and quickly put on a pleasing smile.

At this moment, Sheng Qishan called out from outside the carriage, “Back to the mansion!”

Sheng Mingcheng cautiously asked, “Grandfather, w-what do we do next?”

Sheng Qishan closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were full of determination.

“Cheng’er, our Qingguo Duke’s residence is finished.”

Sheng Mingcheng was so frightened by this statement that he almost wet himself.

“Finished? Grandfather, what do you mean ‘finished’?”

At this moment, Sheng Qishan had neither the time nor the inclination to scold his useless grandson.

Even when one resents their uselessness, when the house is about to collapse, one’s instinct is to preserve the last trace of family blood.

“Cheng’er, listen to Grandfather. Once you intervene in the Chunwei exams, buying ranks, once the truth comes out, it’s a capital crime to be executed along with your entire family.”

Sheng Mingcheng trembled at these words, not imagining that his momentary arrogance would lead to the downfall of the Duke’s residence.

“Don’t cry! Crying now won’t help! You must remember what Grandfather says next!”

“Grandfather has a list in his hands, recording all those who bought ranks and served as officials or ministers in the last three sessions. The Second Prince wants this list.”

“After returning, Grandfather will hand the list to you. You must keep it safe. Then you go to the Second Prince and tell him that if he wants the list, he must ensure the safety of you and your sister!”

“You’re not capable of much, and there’s no need for you to seek revenge. Just let the Second Prince guarantee your livelihood for the rest of your life. As for your sister… let the Second Prince take her as a concubine!”

“Give one-third of the list to your sister. Tell her not to be foolish, to guard the list well. The Second Prince will be wary of her, but he will also treat her well!”

As the carriage continued forward, Sheng Qishan spoke earnestly to his grandson.

His grandchildren were all foolish, but he had to pave the way for them to survive.

When Sheng Mingcheng heard this, tears streamed down his face, and his regret and hatred threatened to overwhelm him.

“Grandfather, what about you? What about my parents? What about our Qingguo Duke’s entire family—”

Sheng Qishan wearily closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

“After you take the list, Grandfather will write a confession and hang himself in the ancestral hall, praying for the emperor’s grace to spare a thread of our Qingguo Duke’s bloodline.”

“After you’ve taken the list, find the Second Prince and do as Grandfather instructed earlier.”

“Grandfather!”

Hearing this, Sheng Mingcheng couldn’t hold back any longer and hugged his grandfather’s legs, crying out in pain.

“It’s the grandson’s fault! The grandson will go to beg the Second Prince, beg the Crown Prince, the grandson will also go to strike the Dengwen Drum and beg to see the emperor. The grandson will say that everything was done by the grandson!”

Sheng Qishan shook his head. Perhaps seeing through this inevitable situation, he became calm.

“With your foolish behavior, can you handle intervening in the Chunwei exams?”

“Enough, enough. I should have thought that this day would come sooner or later, just didn’t expect it to come so quickly…”

The carriage of the Qingguo Duke’s residence sped away, the sound of heart-wrenching cries emanating from within.

Meanwhile, Qiao Diyi was focused on watching his father take Tan Hanchi away. At this moment, a burly man beside him made a subtle gesture.

Qiao Diyi’s eyes lit up at the sight!

Sheng Qishan had returned to the mansion!

He returned the gesture, signaling—

It’s time to close the net!