Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 96 The most poisonous heart is that of a woman!

Chen Wenyu also wanted to ask this question.

His appointment by the Great Zhou Emperor as the chief examiner for this grand event was an honor!

Chu Tianze's talent and learning are evident to all.

If this could be done under his guidance, he could personally witness Chu Tiance write a groundbreaking article and ascend to the top of the literary world in the north.

He was also proud!

Although scholars often look down on each other, they also stick together.

Chen Wenyu was the chief examiner for this imperial examination, and Chu Tiance, as the third-ranked scholar, could be considered his student.

Although Chen Wenyu was from the south, this did not affect the bond between him and Chu Tiance.

Now that the eldest princess suddenly says that the exam questions have been tampered with, isn't she implying that Chu Tiance is behind it?

Everyone knows that this test question was designed specifically for Chu Tiance.

Even if someone else steals it, it's useless!

"Please tell me what the Princess means," Chen Wenyu asked, bowing respectfully.

Jiang Yueli said directly, "Lord Chen, it's not that I suspect anyone, but it's a fact that the exam questions have been tampered with."

"Since theft has occurred in my residence, I will naturally investigate the cause and find the thief."

"If it is eventually found that the exam questions were passive and had nothing to do with certain people, then it will be good to clear their names."

As they were talking, the two assistant examiners also came over.

Both men were imperial censors, with the power to advise the emperor. Upon hearing what Jiang Yueli said, their faces turned ashen.

One of them cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, why beat around the bush? Are you implying that the theft of the exam questions is related to Chu Tiance?"

Jiang Yueli looked at the censor in front of her, her eyes filled with anger.

This Imperial Censor Zhao Wuji, who was from the north, had deliberately opposed her in her previous life.

In order to protect Chu Tiance, this person constantly colluded with the imperial censors to submit memorials impeaching Jiang Yueli!

Under the manipulation of the Censorate, Jiang Yueli's reputation plummeted.

The people of the capital were spreading rumors about Jiang Yueli's infamous reputation for forcing the third-ranked scholar and making things difficult for students from the north.

Now that this person has stepped forward again, and is so rude, Jiang Yueli couldn't help but feel murderous intent!

"Lord Zhao, even if I did not explicitly say that this matter was related to Chu Tiance, and all that you said was conjecture, am I wrong?"

Jiang Yueli stood up from her seat and looked intently at Zhao Wuji.

"This test question of mine was presented to my father for his review as soon as it was prepared."

"After Father Emperor reviewed them, the exam questions were carefully stored in a brocade box."

"That thief didn't come earlier or later, but only right after my father and I finalized the exam questions. Don't you gentlemen find this strange?"

Zhao Wuji had reached his limit!

The North finally produced a literary master, yet Jiang Yueli slandered him like this.

This is stealing exam questions, which is tantamount to literary theft. Once the crime is proven, not only Chu Tiance, but all the students in the North will be unable to hold their heads up.

Jiang Yueli's actions are utterly despicable!

"Your Highness, a thief broke into your residence, yet you let him escape. Instead of holding the military commander accountable, you question the third-ranked scholar without any witnesses or evidence. This is utterly unreasonable!"

“If Your Highness does not give us students from the North an explanation, I will certainly impeach you.”

Jiang Yueli looked at Zhao Wuji, her chest heaving.

As an imperial censor, Zhao Wuji was skilled in debate. If you argued with him, you would not reach a conclusion even after three days and three nights.

He was about to wave his hand and instruct Chen Wenyu, the Vice Minister of Rites, to open the Xuan paper in the brocade box and take a look.

But then Zhou Wei said, "Lord Zhao, I am the military commander of the Princess's residence."

Zhao Wuji was just worried about not having a target, but when he saw Zhou Wei take the initiative to jump out, he immediately perked up.

"Lord Zhou, I have long heard of you. It is widely rumored that you are arrogant and domineering."

"You have risen from a third-class palace maid to a fifth-rank military officer, which can be said to be due to the princess's favor."

"But you are primarily responsible for the theft at the Princess's residence. Now you're trying to shift the blame onto the third-ranked scholar. What are your true intentions?"

The third prince stared in disbelief at the scene before him, already somewhat unable to keep up.

Weren't you preparing to write an essay?

Why did they suddenly start arguing?

Although Zhao Wuji angrily confronted Zhou Wei, the Third Prince was very pleased!

But based on his understanding of Zhou Wei, he knew that if something happened, Zhou Wei would take the initiative to step forward.

That means someone is going to be in trouble!

Looking at the arrogant Zhao Wuji with his beard bristling and eyes wide open, the Third Prince silently lit a candle for him in his heart.

I have a feeling that Lord Zhao is going to suffer a great loss!

“What Lord Zhao said makes a lot of sense. This matter is indeed entirely my responsibility.”

The Third Prince frowned upon hearing Zhou Wei take the blame.

Would this lowly maid be so obedient?

impossible!

They must be setting a trap for Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji immediately seized on Zhou Wei's words and launched a fierce attack: "Your Highness, you heard it! Lord Zhou said that this matter is entirely her responsibility! Stop trying to shift the blame onto Chu Tianze, and get started..."

Zhou Wei interrupted him, saying, "Wait, Lord Zhao, I haven't finished speaking yet!"

Zhao Wuji paused, looking at Zhou Wei with displeasure.

"What else would you like to say, Lord Zhou?"

“I must say that this matter is indeed entirely my responsibility! Moreover, it’s not that the thief was not caught; rather, I deliberately let him go just when I was about to catch him.”

Everyone was shocked when they heard this!

The Third Prince asked, puzzled, "Zhou Wei, are you crazy? Why didn't you arrest me when I could have? And now you're spouting nonsense?"

The Third Prince's words caused the officials to frown.

"Third Prince, this is a momentous occasion for the literary world, so watch your words," the Crown Prince coughed lightly, reprimanding the Third Prince.

The Third Prince, however, remained unconcerned and was extremely curious about what Zhou Wei was saying.

"What exactly happened, Zhou Wei? Tell me quickly, why did you let the thief go?"

Zhou Wei bowed to the Crown Prince and said very formally, "Your Highness, I released the thief in order to lure him into a trap."

The crown prince was taken aback, then gestured for her to continue.

"The thief went to great lengths to enter the princess's residence, but stole nothing except the examination questions. Therefore, I believe this matter is related to the third-ranked scholar!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji was about to refute.

Zhou Wei didn't give him a chance: "Lord Zhao, shut up first! Let me finish speaking before you give your opinion."

"This exam question was set solely for the third-ranked scholar, so I really can't think of anyone else who would specifically come to steal the exam question?"

Zhao Wuji, however, could not bear it any longer.

He blurted out, "Zhou Wei, you're talking complete nonsense! Chu Tiance is a man of unparalleled talent, his writings are legendary, why would he need to steal exam questions?"

"Besides, what's the use of stealing exam questions? A masterpiece can't be written by just flipping through a few books."

"Without genuine talent and learning, even knowing the exam questions a year in advance will be of no use!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wei immediately applauded Zhao Wuji.

This left Zhao Wuji somewhat bewildered.

"What Lord Zhao said is absolutely right! Without real talent and learning, even if you steal the exam questions, it will be useless."

"But someone still came to steal it. What do you think is the reason for that?"

Zhou Wei turned to look at the Third Prince, that good-for-nothing.

"Third Prince, you speak."

The Third Prince was actually pleasantly surprised to be called out by Zhou Wei.

Why did Zhou Wei choose to ask herself instead of so many talented officials?

It must be because I'm smart enough!

He unconsciously puffed out his chest and said arrogantly, "Does such a simple question even need to be asked?"

"As Lord Zhao said, without real talent and learning, even if you steal the exam questions, it's useless."

"So, the thief risked his life to steal the exam questions just to take advantage of the time difference and find someone with real talent to write the essay in advance..."

At this point, the Third Prince suddenly froze.

The others were utterly shocked!

Zhao Wuji's facial muscles were trembling as he pointed at Zhou Wei, his whole body shaking.

"You! You! You woman, you're utterly slanderous!"

"Just now you accused Chu Tianze of stealing exam questions, and now you're accusing him of faking his talent?"

"Are you trying to ruin my Northern Literary Clan? You...you...you're the most vicious woman ever!"