Chapter 324

Lao Tietou also thought of that, "Madam, are you referring to Prince Yu?"

Du Ruo nodded firmly, "Exactly, it's him!"

In terms of status, Prince Yu is the emperor's own son, a superior-rank prince; even if the surname Bi is merely a third-rank official, even a first-rank official would have to be polite when seeing him.

Using Prince Yu to pressure the Bi dog-official will absolutely leave him with no temper.

"Prince Yu is indeed the most suitable candidate at present, but he has no ties to us; he may not be willing to speak up for Er Lang." Master Jiang was not optimistic about this.

Lao Tietou also added, "Madam, don't forget, Prince Yu is also the backer of the Ji Jun Prince's mansion."

Shen Jing Bin and Duan Xiu from the Ji Jun Prince's mansion are childhood friends; based solely on this convoluted relationship, Prince Yu would never side with Jiang Zhan.

Moreover, Shen Jing Bin had set up a betting pool; if Jiang Zhan's results were annulled, it would mean the betting pool had no winner and no loser.

Because neither of them managed to become the Prefectural Top Scholar.

This result, for the Ji Jun Prince's mansion now mired in a quagmire, could not be better.

In short, Prince Yu would have to be brainless to agree to help with this.

"Not necessarily," Du Ruo smiled, "In this world nothing is absolute; life is all about profit—some value affection, some value righteousness, some value wealth, some value beauty. As long as we can afford the price, we just need to scratch where Prince Yu's heart itches, and fear he won't be moved?"

Master Jiang and Lao Tietou exchanged a glance.

They both changed expression at the same time.

Lao Tietou was the first to object, "No way! Madam, if you do this, how will I explain to your husband when I go back? I've taken ten taels of silver from your husband, with the promise to protect you completely!"

Master Jiang rarely showed anger, "Dalang Fu, I know you want to save Er Lang, hence this plan. But have you considered—even if it succeeds—how Er Lang will conduct himself afterward? And how Dalang will conduct himself?"

What does this have to do with that?

Du Ruo looked bewildered, "What are you talking about? I can hardly understand."

Her thoughts shifted, she suddenly realized, and she widened her eyes, "You wouldn't think I'm going to *** that Prince Yu, using it as a bargaining chip to get him to rescue my younger brother, would you?"

"Could it be... not?" Lao Tietou said weakly.

"Of course not!" Du Ruo laughed through tears, "Where did you get that idea? I'm a married woman; how could I possibly do something that sells myself out?"

Upon hearing this, the two finally relaxed.

Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.

It's no wonder they thought wrong; what Du Ruo just said was too easy to misunderstand. Given Prince Yu's status, he lacks no money, and we have no power to offer; the only thing that could possibly move him is Du Ruo's beauty.

Cough cough.

Master Jiang cleared his throat, eased the embarrassment, then turned the topic to the main point, "So what do you mean?"

Du Ruo then laid out her plan in full.

Actually, it's quite simple.

As the saying goes, a prince who doesn't want to be emperor is no good prince; the allure of supreme authority and commanding the world—who can resist?

Prince Yu is certainly no exception.

Even if he doesn't want it, his brothers will suspect him, and his supporters will spare no effort to push him toward that position.

Thus, whether out of ambition or self-preservation, Prince Yu must engage in wits and courage with the other princes.

To stand out in the palace intrigue, the first step is, of course, to curry favor with his imperial father.

"I heard earlier from Doctor Sun at Baicao Tang that the empress-born princess suffers from headaches and dizziness, a condition that resists cure, even the director of the Imperial Medical Institute is helpless."

"If there were now a medicine that could completely cure the princess's illness, would Prince Yu agree to help?"

That princess, born of the empress, is of noble stature, exceptionally intelligent from childhood, and the emperor's most beloved.

Last time, Prince Yu merely sent the Ghost Supervisor grown by Du Ruo into the palace, alleviating the princess's ailment, and was immediately ennobled as a prince.

This time it's a complete cure—how could the emperor not be overjoyed?

Although it may not rise to making him crown prince, rewards will surely be given, and it will earn a high favor rating.

For Prince Yu, this deal is extremely profitable.

Master Jiang carefully weighed the pros and cons, then nodded slowly, "I think we can give it a try."

If it succeeds, that's naturally best.

If it fails, there's no loss either way; at least there remains a sliver of hope.

Lao Tietou also expressed his agreement.

After discussion, the three decided that Master Jiang would first write a letter explaining the situation fully, then appeal to emotion, reason, and benefit.

Then have Lao Tietou make this trip, delivering the letter and the medicine to Prince Yu's hands.

To show sincerity, Du Ruo deliberately placed two doses of medicine inside the box.

One dose is naturally for the Princess Yuheng to take.

The other dose is for Prince Yu's side to find someone to test the medicine, since the substance's origin is unknown; Prince Yu would hardly risk letting the princess try it recklessly—if something happened to her, even his newly conferred princedom might not be saved.

After doing that, the next step is to figure out how to get out.

That's not hard to manage.

After muttering for a while, Master Jiang and Lao Tietou quickly both collapsed to the ground, feigning death.

Immediately after, Du Ruo let out a startled "Ah!"

Bang!

The door was violently kicked open, five constables rushed in like a whirlwind; the leader, seeing the two collapsed on the ground, exclaimed in shock, "What happened?"

No sooner had he spoken than a strange fragrance suddenly drifted into their noses.

All five pairs of eyes rolled back simultaneously.

All five people fainted outright.

"All right, that's enough," Du Ruo said.

Master Jiang and Lao Tietou immediately opened their eyes and climbed up from the ground.

Du Ruo passed the medicine box and the letter to Lao Tietou, who slipped them into his lap, then pushed open the window, looked down, and confirmed no one was paying attention to this side.

He then leapt.

His figure quickly vanished into the narrow alley.

Over at the government office, the atmosphere was very solemn.

On the hall where criminals are usually interrogated, a forty‑ to fifty‑year‑old man sat, wearing purple official robes, his face gaunt and stern, unsmiling, with his chin beard neatly trimmed, giving an air of considerable authority.

He was the Academic Affairs Officer, Bi Shijing.

Su Qingyao sat beside him, his face showing little expression.

In his heart, however, he cursed Bi Shijing profusely.

The emperor ordered you to inspect the examinations, not to pick fights for no reason; you won't listen when told, you won't look at the evidence—what else is this but you trying to back the Duan family and cause trouble for Jiang Zhan?

Pah, what nonsense!

He was really letting loose with his curses when Xiong Er hurried in, saying, "Report to the two officials, the person has been brought back."

Bi Shijing nodded, "Bring him in."

"Yes, sir."

Soon after, a youth in blue‑white Confucian robes, with a clean and pure demeanor, slowly entered the hall.

At first sight of him, Bi Shijing took a dislike.

He despised such pretty‑face types who habitually use their looks to charm people and then naturally seize the spotlight and benefits that belong to others.

"Are you Jiang Zhan?" he said, his tone laced with authority.

Jiang Zhan lifted his robe, knelt, his back straight, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "I am the student."

"Someone has reported you for cheating on the imperial examinations—do you admit guilt?"

"I have never done such a thing; I do not admit it."

"You refuse, huh?"

Bi Shijing gave a cold smile, "Sure enough, a tough nut—come on, apply the torture!"

(I'm anxious, can't write fast; tomorrow the old fellow will recognize me.)