…
Flame Capital City, in an ancient courtyard.
A figure dressed in white stood in the courtyard filled with the fragrance of flowers. Under the moonlight, the figure was tall and slender.
"Young Master!" A figure walked into the courtyard and knelt at the entrance.
"Is everything ready?" The figure in white turned around slowly and looked at the figure who walked in. The white veil on her face danced in the night wind.
"Reporting to Young Lord, everything has been prepared. However, there was a sudden fire in the Crown Prince's Residence tonight. General Ying Feng was worried that it would affect our plans, so he asked me to come and ask for Young Lord's opinion." The figure nodded and continued to speak.
"Mm … it is normal for Domain Chief Ying to be worried. Have you investigated the fire in the Crown Prince's Residence?" The figure in white nodded and asked.
"The Crown Prince's Residence is heavily guarded. Ever since the fire broke out, the security has been strengthened. As such, even though we have spies in the Crown Prince's Residence, we only managed to find out a few things. Firstly, there were two fires in the attics, and the focus was on the study. Secondly, this led to the secret chamber beneath the study. This was caused by Fang Zhengzhi picking up a few letters. Thirdly, we do not know the contents of the letters. However, when the Emperor saw them, he was furious."
"Letters?"
"Yes, based on my guess, the contents of the letters should have something to do with the secret chamber beneath the study. Fang Zhengzhi claimed that he found the letters outside the study. However, I believe that Fang Zhengzhi had prepared the letters a long time ago. He was just using this opportunity to pass them to the Emperor, but …"
"But what?"
"Although the Emperor had found the secret chamber according to the clues in the letter, he did not go in to check. This means that he did not punish the Crown Prince even though he knew that the Crown Prince was colluding with the court officials. Therefore, in my opinion, Fang Zhengzhi's plan this time should be considered a failure!"
"Failed?" When the white figure heard this, he thought for a while. Then, he shook his head and said, "Many a time, things that seem to be a failure may actually be very successful. Maybe there are some things that we don't know about. You said that there was not just one letter, but several letters, right?"
"Yes!"
"A few … I understand! There was no need to investigate this matter any further. What was the situation at the Ten Mile Lake? Yan Qianli, are you still at the Ten Mile Lake and haven't returned to the capital? "The white figure nodded and asked.
"Yes. According to the information I received, Yan Qianli should've returned to the capital after staying at the Ten Mile Lake for three days. However, I don't know why he hasn't returned yet." The figure nodded and reported the truth.
"Looks like there's going to be an accident this time." The white figure slowly closed his eyes and frowned subconsciously.
"Then … should we proceed with our plan?"
"There's no need. Everything will go according to plan. No plan can be perfect. There are bound to be accidents. I don't mind that." The white figure shook his head.
"Yes, then I will report back to Domain Chief Ying!" The figure nodded again and immediately retreated.
The white figure opened his eyes once again and looked up at the stars and the moon. "Fang Zhengzhi, you and I both chose the role of the 'oriole' at the same time. However, who is the real oriole?"
After a long time!
He slowly sat down and gently stroked the zither with both hands, producing a melodious sound.
…
The distance from the Eastern Palace to the palace was not too far. However, Fang Zhengzhi had walked for a full 15 minutes and still had not arrived.
The reason was simple …
Emperor Lin Mubai walked very slowly.
Then, how could he walk so quickly?
Of course, Emperor Lin Mubai did not really walk. Instead, he sat in a huge carriage. Inside the carriage, there were Ping Yang, Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu and the rest.
The spacious carriage was luxuriously carved. Even with six people sitting in it, it did not feel crowded at all.
"Father, do you have something to say by calling us in?" Ping Yang blinked her eyes as she looked at Emperor Lin Mubai, who had his eyes slightly shut, and asked.
"You already know the answer!" Emperor Lin Mubai opened his eyes and looked at Ping Yang. Then, he used his hand to rub Ping Yang's hair. Then, he looked at Fang Zhengzhi. "Fang Zhengzhi, tell me, what do you want this time?"
"A huge residence with a radius of a hundred miles!" Fang Zhengzhi replied without hesitation.
"A radius of a hundred miles? Are you trying to build a palace?! " Emperor Lin Mubai was slightly taken aback. Then, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I approve. However, you won't be able to find such a big mansion in Flame Capital City. Find a place yourself and I will get someone to build it for you!"
"Just having a residence and no one to clean it is not enough. Therefore, I need servants who can clean such a huge residence." Fang Zhengzhi added.
"Don't worry about this. Since I have allowed you to build such a residence, you will naturally have everything from a chef to a servant!" Emperor Lin Mubai said with a pained expression.
"I also want the Northern Mountain Village and the surrounding villages to be exempted from taxes for a hundred years!"
"I can understand that you want to exempt the Northern Mountain Village from taxes. After all, that is the place where you were born and raised. However, why do you want to exempt the surrounding villages as well?" Emperor Lin Mubai was confused.
"Willful!" Fang Zhengzhi replied calmly.
"..." Emperor Lin Mubai was speechless. Then, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, you sure are stubborn. I will agree to all of your conditions. What other conditions do you have? Say them all!"
"That's all." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.
"That's all? It can't be? Now that I have such a big weakness in your hands, with your character, you only need to ask me for a house and a little tax exemption? I am prepared to bleed this time. Are you sure you want to let me off so easily? "Emperor Lin Mubai was in disbelief.
"Indeed, that's all." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head again.
"Alright, since you have stated all your conditions, I will also state one for you!" Emperor Lin Mubai chuckled as a glint flashed across his eyes.
"I don't want to do things that are too troublesome!" Fang Zhengzhi seemed to have expected Emperor Lin Mubai to say this. He was not surprised at all.
Your majesty?
To be able to sit in this position, which one of them wasn't a dragon among men? And the so-called 'dragon among men', in layman's terms, was a demon '!
How could Emperor Lin Mubai not have any requests for a residence with a radius of a hundred miles?
"It's not troublesome at all." Emperor Lin Mubai smiled mysteriously.
"Then, your majesty, please speak."
"It's enough that you know about this. I am a little tired now and will return to the palace first. I will order someone to send the edict to Ping Yang's residence. You can all go back too." Emperor Lin Mubai did not have any intention of continuing. Instead, he looked at Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang with a meaningful gaze.
"Father, do you think Third Brother will …" Ping Yang suddenly spoke up at this moment. Her clear eyes were filled with deep worry.
"Sins committed by Heaven can be forgiven, but sins committed by oneself cannot be forgiven! I only hope that after today, he will take care of himself! "Emperor Lin Mubai was slightly taken aback before replying.
"Then …" Ping Yang was still a little hesitant.
"It's already late, go back and rest early!" Emperor Lin Mubai consoled.
"Mm, then … we will be leaving!" Ping Yang nodded and did not ask any further.
Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu did not speak either. In fact, ever since they entered the carriage, the two of them had not spoken a single word.
Wen Dabao, who was seated at the side, was confused when he saw the carriage stop just like that. This was because he still had not figured out what had happened.
Didn't he say that he would accompany him for a walk?
That was it?
Furthermore, why did the Emperor give Fang Zhengzhi a huge residence with a circumference of a hundred miles? He even exempted the Northern Mountain Village and the surrounding villages from taxes for a hundred years. Yet, he still felt that this was a small favor?
What was going on? Could it be because of those few letters?
Those few letters …
What did they say?
Furthermore, what did Ping Yang's question mean? What did the Emperor's reply mean? What did it mean that sins committed by Heaven can be forgiven, but sins committed by oneself cannot be forgiven?
Wen Dabao looked at Ping Yang, then at Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu …
He was a little confused.
…
Two days later.
The Law of Dao Examinations officially began.
These two days could be said to be the busiest two days in Yan Capital. All sorts of things happened one after another, causing the restaurants and teahouses to be filled with all sorts of discussions.
However, when the date of the Imperial Examinations officially arrived, all the discussions turned to the grandest examination in the Great Xia Dynasty.
Starting from the morning.
Yan Capital entered a state of bustle and excitement. Countless candidates stood silently at the entrance of the Imperial Academy, waiting to enter the examination venue.
Nangong Mu, who was dressed plainly, was also among the candidates.
He did not do anything out of the ordinary. However, when he appeared, he still attracted the attention of countless candidates and countless gazes.
"In the previous examination, Nangong Mu was already in the top three in the Theory Examinations. However, he was a little unlucky in the Combat Examinations. He met Fang Zhengzhi, causing his ranking to be less than ideal. This time, Nangong Mu should be able to get the top spot!"
"There shouldn't be any problems. However, I wonder what level Nangong Mu's powers have reached in these two years?"
"Two years ago, Nangong Mu was already at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State. Do you guys think that he has already reached the Supernatural State?"
"I don't know … after all, it is too difficult to go from the Heavenly Reflection State to the Supernatural State. However, he is Nangong Mu, the younger brother of the genius Nangong Hao. Who knows?"
"That's true. After all, he is Nangong Hao's younger brother!"
All of the candidates discussed softly around Nangong Mu. However, no one dared to go near him. They only watched from afar.
At this moment, three figures walked over from afar.
Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu and Ping Yang.
They were dressed the same as usual. However, it was different from the Imperial Examinations two years ago. The moment Fang Zhengzhi appeared, all of the candidates parted to form a path.
"It's Fang Zhengzhi!"
"I wonder why he is here? Didn't he already pass the Imperial Examinations? "
"Perhaps he is just here to see Nangong Mu."
All of the candidates stood on both sides of the Imperial Academy. They looked at Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu and Ping Yang curiously.
Fang Zhengzhi did not care about the discussions of the surrounding candidates.
Instead, he walked to Nangong Mu's side. Then, he looked at the doors of the Imperial Academy that were not opened. He pouted unhappily.
"Open the doors!" Fang Zhengzhi shouted at the guards on both sides of the Imperial Academy.
"Open the doors?!"
"He actually asked the guards of the Imperial Academy to open the doors?"
"Are you kidding me? Who does he think he is?"
When the examinees heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, they were all taken aback. Then, a look of mockery appeared on their faces.
However, when the guards on both sides of the Imperial Academy heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, they looked at each other in unison. Then, they quickly opened the doors of the Imperial Academy.
"Master Fang, please!" After the guards opened the doors of the Imperial Academy, they said respectfully.
This scene fell into the eyes of the surrounding candidates. Instantly, all of them widened their eyes and mouths. They could not react at all.
Fang Zhengzhi did not hesitate. He nodded his head and walked in.
All of the candidates were speechless.
"He really went in?"
"Why can he go in? Isn't the Imperial Examinations not started yet? "
"What is going on?"
The examinees looked at each other, not understanding what was going on.
But the truth was …
Fang Zhengzhi walked in.
Furthermore, he walked in through the doors of the Imperial Academy openly. Yan Xiu and Ping Yang followed beside him. Furthermore, he was not stopped at all.
After a while, the sound of a gong rang out from the Imperial Academy.
All of the candidates immediately came to their senses. They no longer thought about how Fang Zhengzhi could enter the Imperial Academy. Instead, they began to organize their thoughts.
At this moment, the doors of the Imperial Academy opened from the inside.
Two rows of guards quickly walked out from the doors of the Imperial Academy. Dozens of Imperial Messengers wearing black official robes followed closely behind the guards.
Then …
All of the candidates were stunned.
This was because, other than the guards and monster trainers, there was another person walking out. The person walking in the middle was wearing a brand new black court robe, and there was a dazzling "Li" embroidered on the chest of the robe.
In his hand, there was also a roll of golden silk in his other hand.
"Fang Zhengzhi!"
"He … could it be, he …"
"How is this possible?!"
"Fang Zhengzhi is the Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examinations?!"
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