"Someone from the County Princess's household?"
The responding official momentarily failed to grasp who Song Shihuan was referring to.
"That would be the female coroner who came to Guanzhang Prefecture to examine the corpse," Shen Qingping kindly clarified for the official.
At the mention of a female coroner, the official's already pale face turned ashen.
"County Princess, this humble official... this humble official doesn't know the whereabouts of the female coroner you speak of..."
"Your own yamen staff doesn't know?"
Song Shihuan scoffed, "The body she examined is right here in your government office!"
The carriage window was pulled open again. "Proceed to the yamen at once. This County Princess wishes to see just how many demons lurk in Guanzhang Prefecture. Every official in Guanzhang must be interrogated, with statements recorded one by one. Any discrepancies in their testimonies will be thoroughly investigated."
Song Shihuan was furious.
"Additionally, take statements from the protesting scholars who cried injustice earlier. If the provincial exams in Guanzhang are indeed rigged, then many heads in this prefecture... will roll."
The carriage procession advanced straight toward the yamen, flanked by two teams of guards radiating an aura of lethal discipline.
The official's legs felt like lead, rooted to the spot, unable to move.
Meanwhile, the protesting scholars erupted in cheers. "The County Princess is here! Someone will finally deliver justice for us!"
Some even wept with emotion.
Heaven be praised—the County Princess had arrived.
......
Just as the carriage came to a halt outside the yamen, with all other officials of Guanzhang Prefecture waiting in attendance, Feng Kuizhi and Yue Qing emerged from the shadows.
"County Princess, save us!"
Yue Qing knelt before Song Shihuan, disheveled and covered in grime, her clothes stained with filth.
The sight sent Song Shihuan's temper flaring.
The flower she had painstakingly nurtured to bloom had withered the moment it reached Guanzhang?
"When this commoner came to the yamen to examine the corpse, I encountered a group of scholars protesting injustice. Fearing I would report the matter to the County Princess, they imprisoned me and even sought to take my life," Yue Qing spoke just loud enough for the gathered onlookers to hear. "Last night, a yamen guard attempted to assault me. Fortunately, Young Master Feng arrived in time to save me."
"County Princess, the provincial exams in Guanzhang are fraudulent."
Yue Qing's words froze the air for a heartbeat.
Daring to lay hands on the County Princess's people—were these officials courting death?
"Excellent."
Song Shihuan smiled, but the expression sent chills down the spines of every official present.
Shen Qingping waved a hand, and the guards immediately surrounded the officials.
"Did you all hear what the County Princess said at the city gates earlier?"
"We did," came the unified response.
"Then get to work," Shen Qingping said, his indifferent gaze sweeping over them, amplifying the pressure tenfold.
Just as they prepared to enter the yamen, Song Shihuan suddenly turned back. "Is there a Lu family in Guanzhang?"
"Y-yes..."
"Ah." Song Shihuan smirked. "Investigate them as well."
With those few words, hundreds were thrown into prison. The guards worked day and night to uncover the truth, and the screams from the cells never ceased.
"Are you unharmed?"
Song Shihuan studied Yue Qing, now cleaned up, while Bao Xia inspected her from head to toe.
"County Princess, this commoner is fine."
Yue Qing hesitated before continuing, "The root of this exam scandal lies in the fact that everyone believed Feng Kuizhi would undoubtedly pass, yet he failed, while Lu Wenchao—who had no chance—somehow succeeded."
"Lu Wenchao is definitely involved."
Song Shihuan toyed with a cooling jade stone, glancing at Shen Qingping. "Master Shen, have they confessed?"
"They're stubborn. They know admitting guilt means certain death, so they endure the torture."
"Then let’s send them a grand gift—and bring my father here as well."
......
BANG!
The gong reverberated through Guanzhang’s bustling streets, drawing a crowd in moments.
"Wouldn’t you all like to know whether this year’s provincial exams were fair?" Nian'an declared theatrically, like a storyteller weaving suspense.
"Of course we would!"
Nian'an grinned. "The County Princess has granted your wish."
"In three days, she will oversee a public contest between the successful candidate, Lu Wenchao, and the failed scholar, Feng Kuizhi." The crowd’s eyes lit up. "Now, who do you think the County Princess has chosen to judge their merits?"
"She wouldn’t trust anyone from Guanzhang... so someone from another prefecture?"
"Correct!"
Nian'an sighed inwardly—life was hard, and here he was, performing like a street entertainer.
"The County Princess has invited Guo Feng, the top scholar of Ji'an Prefecture, to serve as judge."
"Guo Feng?!"
"I’ve heard of him—his scholarship is impeccable!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Seeing his mission accomplished, Nian'an struck the gong again. "Three days from now, right here. Everyone is welcome to witness the truth."
A day later, Song Yu arrived in Guanzhang, brimming with enthusiasm.
"So even you, Shen Qingping, couldn’t extract a confession?" Song Yu lounged in a chair, smirking.
"Your Highness, the County Princess insisted we avoid forced confessions."
Shen Qingping defended himself. Had it not been for her intervention, he would have taken matters into his own hands.
"Father, the imperial exams are no trifling matter. We must reassure the people while restoring integrity to the system. Our usual methods won’t suffice here." Song Shihuan smiled. "Why not serve as a judge? The truth will reveal itself. Lu Wenchao is unstable—he’ll be the weakest link."
"And once he cracks, what then?" Song Yu propped his chin on his hands, admiring his clever daughter.
"A retake."
Song Shihuan didn’t hesitate. "One rotten apple spoils the barrel. Only by having all Guanzhang’s scholars retake the exams will justice be served."
Merely reinstating Feng Kuizhi would leave the other failed candidates discontented.
"Ah, Shihuan—a true heroine."
Not only had she devised a solution for Guanzhang, but she’d also maneuvered him into visiting.
Truly his daughter.
......
Amidst great anticipation, the contest arrived.
Feng Kuizhi sat calmly, while Lu Wenchao—forcibly brought back to Guanzhang—fidgeted, his face pale.
"Brother Lu, we meet again."
Song Yu emerged from the crowd, grinning. "At the celebratory banquet, I’d hoped to exchange verses with you, but you slipped away. Today, I’ll finally see your true talent."
Lu Wenchao forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
Feng Kuizhi, however, brightened at the sight of Song Yu. "Brother Guo! I’ve long admired your reputation. Meeting you today, your grace and presence are truly unmatched."
"Brother Feng."
In just a few words, Song Yu sensed Feng Kuizhi’s potential.
After all, her sharp eyes instantly recognized his dashing demeanor and extraordinary aura.
