C103 (2/2)
Zhou Leqi nodded his head, ”These questions were all collected and analyzed by the various officials into the cabinet, which was then sent to the emperor for examination. The emperor would select a few, and then personally produce a few, which was given to the Ministry of Rites for compilation and fusion.
The importance of the Imperial Examinations was self-evident. This sort of selection process was done in order to prevent others from finding out the answers beforehand and asking others to write them in order to cheat.
”I'll have to let the Minister of Rites inspect all of this, right?”
Zhou Leqi replied, ”Yes, the letter will be presented to the Emperor at the end.”
”That's for the best. Otherwise, if any problems appear during the final exam, I won't be able to answer.”
The two of them went inside. Just as they passed the inner court, Chang Feng ran in hurriedly from outside. He held his knees and gasped for breath as he said, ”No … Not good … ”General, Lord …”
Zhou Leping lightly patted his back twice, ”What's wrong? Come to think of it, what happened? ”
Chang Feng swallowed his breath, his hand gestured randomly, his mouth was slow by half a beat, and only after a while did he catch up, ”Empress … Little... ”It's a small thing!”
”What do I think it is? Is this even worth mentioning when you come back in such a hurry? I knew it when I was at the palace. ”
”No!” Chang Feng shook his head like a rattle drum, ”A eunuch from the palace came to report, he said that it was... They say that the Worthy Lady Zhou harmed the empress! ”
”What?” Zhou Leping's temper flared up, ”Which eunuch said that? ”Where is he?”
”It's the eunuch by Worthy Lady Zhou's side. He left immediately after sending the message. General, Lord, what should we do now?”
It was already good enough that she didn't suffer a loss in the palace. How could she still harm others, not to mention the empress, where did she get the guts to do so?
Zhou Leqi said solemnly, ”How can it be because of her? Have you investigated the matter clearly? For such a huge matter, we must definitely investigate it thoroughly. How can we slander him before we reach a conclusion? ”
Chang Feng said, ”The eunuch said that Lin Chang Zai saw with his own eyes the Palace Maid beside Worthy Lady Zhou drugging the Queen's food.”
When Zhou Leping came back, he heard that the empress had given birth to a small family, and then personally saw the emperor return after going to the empress's place. Right when he arrived, he heard that it was Zhou Lean who did it, and his speed was so fast that people couldn't help but wonder if he had really seen it, or if he was already holding back a belly full of ill intentions and framing.
”I'm going to the palace to take a look.”
Zhou Leqi held onto Zhou Leping, ”Remember, do not be reckless, and do not act rashly. Be careful when you speak, and do not fall into their trap before that happens.”
Zhou Leping answered politely, ”Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.”
As soon as the carriage reached home, it turned around and headed for the palace.
Lin Jing received the news even before she did, and went to the palace first. When Zhou Leping arrived, he was walking back and forth with a hammer on his palm, and his gaze was as sharp as a blade. He wanted to slash her into pieces.
”You still have the face to enter the palace?”
”What the country leader said is too unreasonable, why would I not have the face to enter the palace?”
Lin Jing went up and grabbed her by the collar. ”Zhou Lean harmed the Queen's daughter, and you still have the face to enter the palace? Hurry up and go back home so we can collect her corpse! ”
Lin Jing was a civil servant, and was already too old. Even if he hated her for bleeding, he could not compare to Zhou Leping who managed to struggle free from his restraints easily.