Chapter 235: Rumors Spread Everywhere

They all studied desperately, rising early and staying up late, day after day; after this month, their grades slipped, and so many fell off the ranking list.

If it were a matter of ability, she wouldn't be angry; it's all the scheming of petty people—how could she not be angry?

"Wait!"

Jiang Yunchu's eyes remained closed, and a full quarter hour passed.

She suddenly opened her eyes: "Du Er, take down the posted ranking list; if you can't take down the list, then take down the board it's posted on and move it away."

Du Er had no hesitation: "Yes!"

The two guards who had just escorted Bai Zhi out of the crowd sprang up from the teahouse window and stepped onto the wooden frame holding the ranking list.

The two exchanged a glance, their movements uncannily in sync; they flipped down, kicked the support below with one foot, then one hoisted a board and leapt up.

Those two black-clad men, in broad daylight, took the ranking list posted by the Name Ranking Academy.

In a moment, rumors spread everywhere.

"Zi Su, pass the order down; let Zhang Zhi's side know they can speak now." Jiang Yunchu's fingers lightly tapped the back of her hand, her eyes on the chaotic scene below the window, the corner of her mouth slightly curled, her eyes full of keen interest.

"Yes!"

Zi Su hurried out of the teahouse, then in the direction of the back door found a little beggar.

The little beggar was a young girl with big eyes, skinny as a stick; upon seeing Zi Su, her eyes lit up and she said, "Sister."

"Xiao Hua, go tell Zhang Zhi, the news can be spread now."

She also took a steamed bun from her pocket, shielded it from view, and slipped it into Xiao Hua's pocket: "Take it home to share with your brother; don't let it show outside."

They're both too young to guard their own food.

"Thank you, sister." Xiao Hua laughed, full of the world's kindness.

Zi Su nodded: "Go hurry with your errand."

The little guy immediately responded and ran off.

Zi Su went out the back door, circled around, then walked to the front door, checked the situation across the street, and entered the teahouse.

"Master, the message has been sent." Zi Su stood beside Jiang Yunchu and replied softly.

"Hmm, is the road clear?"

Jiang Yunchu set down her teacup and sat up straight.

"It's clear." Zi Su nodded; she had deliberately checked the road and also observed the reaction at the Name Ranking Academy.

The ranking list is gone, the people blocking the road are gone; news from the palace should come soon.

Her imperial uncle always leaves some ink stains in his work.

If Emperor Ning knew her thoughts, he might spit out a mouthful of old blood...

"Hmm."

She softly responded, picked up a book from the side, and quietly read.

Let the bullets... fly for a while!

He Tang had just been smug, now he shouted loudly, "What did you say?"

The people below, looking at the Dean's somewhat ferocious face, spoke tremblingly: "The board we posted the ranking list on was kicked down, and the list was carried away."

"Come on, do you know what you're saying?" He Tang could hardly believe his ears; even so, he'd heard it twice.

Chop the board, seize the ranking list?

Are you crazy?

His angry face was about to throw whatever he was holding, when he suddenly thought of something; he carefully put the ornament aside and stood up.

"Then fix it, then repost it—are you waiting for me to fix it, to repost it?" He Tang asked angrily.

"But..."

That person was almost in tears; if it weren't for losing a finger-guessing game, he wouldn't want to come in and incur the Dean's bad luck.

"But what?"

"No wood, no materials? Or no paper, no ink?" He Tang stepped forward, his furious look chilling.

"No, no, we have everything, we have everything." The person hurriedly waved his hands: "But..."

He hadn't finished speaking when He Tang drove him out: "What's the 'but'? Get out!"

In a moment, that person hadn't finished speaking when he was driven out; looking at the noisy chaos outside, he felt like crying but had no tears.

This...

But...

Outside, rumors ran rampant, saying the Dean was taking bribes, buying and selling ranking list positions according to the value of the gifts.

He hadn't finished speaking yet.

He Tang just lost the firsthand information and the chance to investigate its source because of his temper.

"By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees: The Dean of the Name Ranking Academy, He Tang, mismanaged, rumors spread; the court will thoroughly investigate the allegation that He Tang bought and sold Joint Examination ranking list positions. So be it."

Eunuch Xi was drenched in sweat, having ridden hard all the way, repeatedly blocked; he was nearly frantic—don't delay the Princess Consort's affairs.

With this imperial edict issued today, He Tang is finished.

If there weren't solid evidence, Your Majesty wouldn't have issued this edict; he would have investigated internally first.

In a moment, at the Name Ranking Academy, everyone felt endangered.

"Your humble servant, I'm innocent—heaven can see, sun and moon can attest—Your Majesty, I'm innocent!" Upon hearing this, He Tang's face turned deathly pale; he had just been in the room looking at his treasures, not yet hidden, when the edict arrived.

He instantly thought of that chopped board...

He... was careless.

"Sir He, as long as you didn't do it, His Majesty will naturally render judgment." Eunuch Xi answered with a smile, then flicked his duster: "Let's go."

A group of people subdued He Tang and then walked out.

No matter the result, He Tang, in any case, also stopped here.

"Search." Eunuch Xi again flicked his horsetail whisk, a team of people rushed straight into the courtyard, then began searching.

"Eunuch Xi, there are ten chests of silver here."

"Eunuch Xi, there is……"

"Eunuch Xi, ……"

In a moment, just a Mingbang Academy hid so many things; Eunuch Xi, who always had a smiling face, now turned grim.

The state treasury was empty, border wars incessant, funds raised everywhere for military provisions; as a result, a tiny academy dean could actually embezzle so much silver.

"Hanlin Academy officials, it's your turn."

"Notify the Joint Examination's major academies and all examinees to come to Mingbang Academy to check the papers." Eunuch Xi said to the people behind him.

Those people immediately bowed, "Yes."

Four swift horses, neighing, left Mingbang Academy.

"What's wrong with the academy?" Each student, looking at the tumultuous crowd, felt some panic, not knowing what would become of them, nor what outcome awaited them.

"Eunuch Xi, long time no see." Jiang Yunchu came down from the tea house, tidied clothes, the corners of the mouth bearing a gentle smile, a pair of watery eyes slightly curved, presenting a delicate image.

This is her outward appearance, an innocent person in the hearts of the people, a delicate little white flower.