The people who posted the list eagerly spread the news, and a crowd had already gathered on the street.
Everyone wanted to see who the top scholar was.
"Princess, the road is a bit crowded, the carriage can’t get through, we might be late."
The street was full of people, their carriage could only stop by the roadside.
Yu Nianzhao, not fond of waiting, got off the carriage herself.
"Have you heard? Because of the evil spirits, the examination was delayed, which has upset everyone, but finally, the exam is over."
"What is the background of this new top scholar?"
"I heard he’s from Luoshui Town, nad Ji Yasheng!"
"Luoshui Town? That’s far from Shangjing, and the surna Ji? That’s rare! It sounds like... the Ji family that suffered the massacre."
...
A group of commoners were watching, muttering amongst themselves.
"Now that His Majesty is rectifying the court, they need capable people. This top scholar, I hear he is very talented and is sure to be heavily relied upon."
On the upstairs loft, Zhang Qishuo was fawning over soone, "Mr. Chu, why not take this opportunity to win him over?"
Chu Wenjun glanced at him indifferently, "Do you really think you need to teach this?"
Zhang Qishuo smiled apologetically, "Yes, you are so wise, you must have thought of it long ago."
Soon, the top scholar was seen coming over under the crowd’s support.
The second-place and third-place scholars waved to everyone excitedly, but the top scholar in the front walked expressionlessly, impeccably composed, appearing neither elated by honor nor dismayed by disgrace.
Yu Nianzhao gave him an extra glance, and that look made her frown deeply, mumbling, "How co so many wrongful souls are lingering around him?"
"Ah? Princess, is it true?"
Zhixi, who was initially looking at the handso face of the new top scholar, felt a chill run over her upon hearing Yu Nianzhao’s words.
"Could it be, he’s so kind of great villain, otherwise, how could he be followed by so many wrongful souls?"
Zhixi’s view of the top scholar imdiately shattered, thinking that Ji Yasheng appeared quite well-looking.
"That’s not it though, he exudes righteousness, and the wrongful souls don’t seem inimical towards him."
Yu Nianzhao pressed her red lips together, eyes filled with pity, "I fear he carries so great injustice."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Yasheng knelt on the ground amid the attention of all, kowtowing and loudly shouting, "The Chu Family of Duke Luu Mansion, killed my entire Ji Family, I implore His Majesty to rectify the injustice!"
Everyone was dumbfounded by his actions.
They gasped, and those second-place and third-place scholars were sweating even in the hot weather.
The second-place scholar wanted to pull Ji Yasheng up, "Mr. Ji, what are you doing? You say Duke Luu Mansion killed your entire family? What a joke, such a big case, how could no one know? Do you know the status of Duke Luu Mansion in the Great Chao Country? You’ve just beco the top scholar and haven’t even assud office yet, and you want to offend Duke Luu? Are you crazy?"
Ji Yasheng brushed away his hand, stood up by himself, took a big step forward, and continued to kneel and shout, "The Chu Family of Duke Luu Mansion, killed my entire Ji Family, I implore His Majesty to rectify the injustice!"
The third-place scholar tried to cover Ji Yasheng’s mouth but was also pushed away.
Crack!
On the upstairs loft, Chu Wenjun crushed the cup in his hand, blood flowing out without him feeling a thing.
"Oh my, Mr. Chu, you are injured."
Zhang Qishuo hurriedly took out a handkerchief, looking distressed as he tried to bandage the wound.
"Ji Yasheng?"
Chu Wenjun gritted his teeth as he uttered the na, "Surna Ji?"
His eyes surged with undercurrents; he had completely forgotten about the Ji surna.
He never expected that there was a fish that slipped through the net, and now that fish had grown into a big shark, wanting to bite back at him, truly infuriating.
"Mr. Chu, rest assured, I’ll handle this trivial rogue for you."
Zhang Qishuo saw his face turning pale and knew that this matter was most likely true.
But he had his own calculations, fawningly said, "A new top scholar who hasn’t gained a foothold, dreaming of shaking the deeply-rooted tree? I’ll make sure he never forgets."
Ji Yasheng continued bowing step by step, with more and more onlookers gathering behind him.
Zhang Qishuo brought people over, surrounding Ji Yasheng tightly.
"Top scholar, in broad daylight, how dare you slander Duke Luu Mansion, what cri is that?"
Zhang Qishuo questioned him sternly.
Ji Yasheng sneered coldly, "Slander? I’m just speaking facts, and Duke Luu’s lackeys already trying to chase people away?"
Calling him a dog?
Zhang Qishuo was very displeased, "Duke Luu annually distributes porridge and helps the poor civilians, has contributed so much to the Great Chao Country, how could he be a murderer as you claim? If you don’t stop this action, you’ll be arrested."
Ji Yasheng remained unmoved, continued bowing his head with each step, "I will never stop, I’ve co this far all these years, I won’t retreat another step."
Ji Yasheng’s movents did not stop; if soone blocked his way, he’d take a detour.
That devout appearance made the onlookers start doubting if Duke Luu’s Mansion was truly as heinous as he claid.
"Outrageous!!"
Zhang Qishuo exclaid, "Truly no sign of reflection, fine, as you wish, soone, arrest him!"
A group of people aggressively moved forward to capture Ji Yasheng.
"I’d like to see who dares?"
Yu Nianzhao stepped in front of Ji Yasheng, raising her eyebrows at Zhang Qishuo, "What? Who are you to have the authority to arrest the new top scholar on the street?"
Upon seeing Yu Nianzhao, Zhang Qishuo’s eyelids began to twitch furiously.
Sure enough, Yu Nianzhao ca prepared, and his confidence instantly waned.
Zhang Qishuo gritted his teeth, "He publicly discredited and alard others, how could he not be arrested?"
"It’s not up to you."
Yu Nianzhao rolled her eyes at him, turned to Ji Yasheng, and said, "Are you planning to kowtow all the way to the palace?"
Ji Yasheng gently nodded, bitterly saying, "This is my journey of atonent, my siblings, and parents, they are already gone. Now only I am left alone in the world, even if it costs my life, I will vindicate them."
As he spoke of his family, Ji Yasheng couldn’t stop his tears from falling.
He wiped his tears with a hand and continued kneeling forward.
"No, Ji Yasheng, without evidence, you are slandering. Don’t think that just because you are on stage, you are truly one of Shangjing’s own."
Zhang Qishuo continued to obstruct, gave a signal, and the guards beside him looked over, stepping forward to seize Ji Yasheng.
"Mu Hongxuan!"
Yu Nianzhao remained unhurried, standing calmly in place, softly calling out.
In a fitted attire, Mu Hongxuan appeared beside her, "Princess!"
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