Naturally, the palace examination couldn't continue.
Just seconds after Chen Tingfeng stepped out, Xie Yan sidled up to him. The pattering rain blended with his low voice, creating a momentary sense of heaviness. "Don't take what that old man said to heart," he said.
Yuanbao and Fuyun followed behind, holding umbrellas for them. Chen Tingfeng looked up at the sky as if it were leaking and slowly shook his head. "I won't let unimportant things bother me."
The interruption of the palace examination was a one - in - several - centuries occurrence in this dynasty. The current emperor could be said to have "accomplished quite a 'feat'".
Judging from the sarcastic look on his face when he mocked Chen Tingfeng just now, it was unlikely that he would give Chen a good ranking. But it didn't matter. Chen felt that he had been in the limelight recently, and this was a good opportunity to divert attention.
"Do you have any ideas about the situation in Taiyue Mountain?" he asked.
Xie Yan stroked the jade pendant on his waist and said in a deep voice, "The Li general's entire army was wiped out. The next time troops are sent, a general will surely be selected from among these military officers, but it may not necessarily be from your family."
Chen Tingfeng smiled faintly. "There are plenty of people in the court who don't like my family."
"One can't be sure that some people won't see this as a good opportunity to get rid of my father or me."
Xie Yan was taken aback. "What?"
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. What Chen Tingfeng said was not impossible. It might be difficult to get rid of Chen Xuan, for he was a military general and ordinary means wouldn't work on him.
But Chen Tingfeng was different. Everyone in the capital knew that he was a scholar. Most scholars in this dynasty were weaklings. Those people might think that Chen Tingfeng was just a dull bookworm without any martial skills.
Moreover, the emperor was already suspicious of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion, and Chen Tingfeng was the only heir. If they could get rid of him, it would deal a heavy blow to the mansion. And Chen Xuan, mourning the loss of his son in middle age, might lose his wits. Then, with some clever maneuvers, they could get rid of him completely!
What a brilliant plan to kill two birds with one stone!
"If that's really the case, this time we can let them taste what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on their own feet," Xie Yan slowly showed a smile.
Although Chen Tingfeng was famous for his literary talent, he was actually a rare combination of literary and martial skills. Sending him to suppress the bandits was like setting a tiger free in the mountains.
Thinking of this, Xie Yan couldn't help but burst into a loud laugh. He reached out and patted Chen Tingfeng's slightly damp shoulder. "I was worried about this matter before, but now it seems there's no need to be overly anxious."
Chen Tingfeng gave him a sidelong glance and poured cold water on him. "Don't get too excited too soon."
"If this matter is handled well, it will be a great achievement. But if not, you won't be able to..." Chen Tingfeng didn't finish his sentence. He just stared at the tall palace gate, lost in thought for a moment.
At this time, the wind and rain gradually subsided, leaving only a fine drizzle that fell on people's eyebrows like gentle kisses.
How could his delicate and stubborn cousin survive in this deep and gloomy palace with its tall and imposing gates?
Xie Yan followed his gaze and was silent for a moment.
After a while, he said hoarsely, "If the world were at peace, I wouldn't mind not being the emperor."
But Chen Tingfeng suddenly laughed, with a strange look on his face. "Do you think you have a way out?"
"The eldest prince is gentle on the surface but actually selfish and narrow - minded; the third prince is disabled by birth and extremely vicious; the youngest prince is naughty, and at only five years old, he already shows signs of a violent nature. Besides you, who can shoulder this heavy responsibility?"
"Moreover, if you were to give up the throne, the supreme power, and the noble status that allows you to kill with a wave of your hand, would you really be willing?"
He stared fixedly at Xie Yan, seeing through his hesitation and hypocrisy at a glance. "You won't be willing."
"People who are used to a life of luxury will never want to return to a poor and destitute life, especially someone of your noble birth." He raised his eyebrows, rarely being so aggressive. "When the world is in turmoil, Ruogu, you must make a choice."
Xie Yan was silent.
After a while, he said, "You're right."
The sky finally cleared.
A few days later, the emperor issued two imperial edicts in succession.
One edict was about the palace examination. As expected by the two of them, Chen Tingfeng's name was not among the top three in the palace examination, which shocked everyone in the capital.
The other edict was to send the second prince and the Marquis of Wu'an and his son to suppress the bandits with a thousand troops.
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, Xie Yan kicked open the main gate of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion.
The people in the mansion had just gotten up. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to Xie Yan.
Xie Yan snatched the imperial edict and saw that it only allowed them to lead a thousand troops. He couldn't help but laugh out of anger. "A thousand infantrymen? What good are they? Are they going to be cannon fodder for the bandits?"
The eunuch stammered "You, you, you" for a long time, his face turning purple with anger. Finally, he only shouted, "How dare you!"
The next second, he was kicked out by Xie Yan.
Xie Yan tossed his black hair that had fallen in front of him during the action to the back. He coldly looked at the eunuch who was moaning and couldn't get up for a long time and said, "How many heads do you have to spare to talk about 'daring' in front of this prince?"
The eunuch quickly shut his mouth. His face flushed red, and he didn't dare to say another word.
Everyone in the capital knew that the second prince was a reckless man. The last time Concubine Rou was poisoned, if someone hadn't stopped him, he might have even scolded the emperor!
Such a devil - may - care prince was beyond the emperor's control, let alone a mere eunuch delivering an edict.
He didn't dare to say anything more and timidly retreated to the side.
Chen Tingfeng stepped forward and squeezed his shoulder. Xie Yan loosened his grip, and Chen Tingfeng took the imperial edict. He turned to the eunuch and said calmly, "Thank you for coming, eunuch. Yuanbao, serve tea."
This order brought the previously stagnant atmosphere back to life.
At this time, Chen Xuan also stepped forward and said, "Your Highness the Second Prince must have something to say to Shaochuan. Shaochuan, take His Highness to your courtyard."
Chen Tingfeng nodded. "Yes, Father."
Originally, the whole family was in the main courtyard. But everything happened so suddenly, and Xie Yan's arrival was so unexpected that it stunned everyone, and no one dared to speak loudly.
Now that they saw Xie Yan and Chen Tingfeng leaving, and Chen Xuan going to comfort the frightened eunuch, Fu Zhen finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She looked at Xie Yan's back and thought to herself that this outburst had truly made her feel what it meant to be of noble birth.
When he lost his temper, he was truly terrifying.
Madam Bai patted Fu Zhen's slightly cold hand and led her back to the main courtyard. Looking at her with concern, she said, "Were you scared just now?"
Fu Zhen pursed her lips and smiled, shaking her head. "It's okay. I know the Second Prince is trying to help us."
Madam Bai nodded and couldn't help but sigh. "Now everyone knows how dangerous the bandit problem in Taiyue Mountain is, but the emperor only gives a thousand troops. He even says it's a good thing because your uncle is an experienced old general and isn't afraid of a few bandits."
"But even the most skillful housewife can't cook a meal without rice," Madam Bai sighed and shook her head, a look of disappointment in her eyes. "The emperor is really getting more and more muddle - headed."