Chapter 584: Exposing the Old Secrets

For a moment, the courtyard of Xiao Yin's annex became a gathering to expose shortcomings, pulling out the Imperial Academy students' flaws one by one; they were truly myriad and astonishing.

Some Imperial Academy students were of fairly noble conduct and indeed had no major moral faults.

Even so, some still pointed out many faults, which left Gu Jiu Ling truly opened her eyes.

Things like disliking baths, having bad breath, hugging a blanket while shouting for mother during sleep, and even a mole on the buttocks…

Every flaw could be singled out.

After listening for an hour, Xiao Yin finally made them stop.

Because there was nothing left to fault, the words spoken made him feel somewhat irritated.

Xiao Yin waved his hand, sending them to the annex to rest; every house in the manor had its doors opened, with brand‑new bedding inside and a lavish night snack.

They had no complaints; after all, ordinary folk earning one hundred and fifty taels of silver a year is extremely hard.

Now they could easily get that much, with good food and drink, and the initial fear vanished in an instant.

Some even diligently wrote the Imperial Academy students' unsavory deeds on paper, one by one sending them to Xiao Yin, hoping for larger rewards.

At this moment, Gu Jiu Ling followed Xiao Yin into the main hall; after Ling Feng settled those people on the side, he also entered.

Gu Jiu Ling fixed her gaze on Xiao Yin: "Prince, what are you planning to do?"

Xiao Yin sneered coldly: "These pretentious scholars talk to me about saving face; I'll shred their face. Tomorrow I'll release this evidence and see how these people still have the nerve to kneel outside the East Sima Gate and force a palace coup."

Gu Jiu Ling understood that Xiao Yin was truly angry, which is why he proposed this plan.

According to Xiao Yin's rank, he normally wouldn't bother with ordinary people, but now he had been driven to a desperate corner by them, his anger uncontainable.

Gu Jiu Ling also pleaded on Xiao Yin's behalf: he was rightfully clearing the false case of Qi Sha Gu, yet midway a group of people burst out, crying, shouting, and causing trouble; Xiao Yin had to endure it, otherwise he would have dragged them out to be beheaded.

These so‑called unarmed scholars smashed her medical hall, which was a lethal move.

Many delicate instruments were shattered, and Gu Jiu Ling winced just thinking about it.

Although her quarters contain a laboratory, the equipment isn't just a single set; there are spares.

But actually setting up an operating room is still difficult; they didn't expect those people to easily smash it to pieces.

If she Gu Jiu Ling doesn't get this venue back, she shouldn't be called Gu Jiu Ling; she might as well be called Gu "Shrunken‑head Turtle" Jiu Ling.

"Prince, this is improper!"

Xiao Yin slightly raised an eyebrow, looking at Gu Jiu Ling: "Princess Consort, any lofty suggestions? Could you possibly endure it like this?"

Gu Jiu Ling quickly replied: "Prince, I have a better plan."

Xiao Yin's expression froze as he looked at Gu Jiu Ling; this girl is a master of pranks—does she have a better method?

Gu Jiu Ling slowly said: "Prince, I want a few eloquent storytellers."

"Also, bring the most popular theatre troupes from Shang Jing over here—no, bring the less‑known troupes as well."

Xiao Yin, still puzzled, said slowly: "Princess Consort, what are you planning to do?"

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Since these Imperial Academy students love a ruckus, we'll keep the ruckus going for them and let the common folk join in the merriment."

"Ask the storytellers to turn those Imperial Academy students' scandals into short tales—the more amusing, the better. Whoever crafts the most entertaining story will receive a reward; generous rewards will surely inspire bravery."

"Second, we'll invite every theatre troupe from Shang Jing to perform and sing these short stories, continuously like an assembly line, day and night without pause."

"When singing, there's no need to hide anything; sing as you wish. Insert the students' real names into the lyrics, make it as entertaining as possible, and keep the rewards coming."

"The venue is right outside the East Sima Gate; the Imperial Academy students are already kneeling there in silence, right? We'll set up a stage on the square outside and perform."

"Invite all the city's common folk to watch for free. Also, Prince, put up notices in every street and alley; anyone willing to watch gets one hundred copper cash."

"Also, prepare some food, drinks, snacks and fruits, and scatter them among the crowd so everyone can enjoy the spectacle."

"During the performance, not only the students' real names but also their native places and addresses must be sung truthfully."

"Bring all the personal and material evidence to the side of the stage, right next to the troupe, and display them."

"If any commoner is interested in a particular play, they can go beside it, look through the evidence, and examine it."

"Tonight, the people Prince brings back should all be taken to the palace city for amusement; there we'll set up a colorful pavilion for them to sit in."

Xiao Yin was dumbfounded, and Ling Feng's eye corner twitched.

When the Princess Consort schemes, she is extremely vicious; if this continues, the Imperial Academy students' reputations will be ruined, not only in Shang Jing but also their hometowns, with parents, grandfathers and maternal grandfathers all stained—this move has a huge after‑effect.

A smile flickered in Xiao Yin's eye corner; he lifted his hand to rub Gu Jiu Ling's hair bun and chuckled softly: "Those who know me must still love the consort."

Early the next morning, while dawn was still dim, the square outside the palace city began to set up colorful stages.

Those Imperial Academy students had been kneeling outside for a day and night, and some even fainted.

At this point they were dazed and on the brink of collapse, relying only on scholarly dignity; they intended to force Xiao Yin's downfall, but Xiao Yin did not appear, and the Regent Prince gave them no explanation.

The Imperial Court was building a colorful pavilion right beside them, and the Imperial Academy students were stunned.

But the real surprise came later; after the pavilion was erected, the witnesses previously taken to the outskirts entered it, carrying their physical evidence.

Soon the performance platform was also erected; within two hours, drums and gongs roared, the singing was melodious, and a variety of stories began to unfold.

In less than another hour, tens of thousands of Jing Cheng residents emptied the streets, gathering to watch.

They were indeed lively, while the Imperial Academy students' faces turned deathly pale, instantly panicking.

Where could they go now? They rose and headed toward the pavilion, but were pointed at from behind; in an instant their faces turned ashen, and they were flustered.

The Imperial Academy students, once envied and respected as future pillars of the nation, now appeared with dust‑covered, disheveled faces, utterly embarrassed.