The Imperial Court was holding the morning court at this moment. His face was still somewhat sallow after recovering from a serious illness.
Fortunately, the ministers were understanding and simplified many matters, only reporting and memorializing what was essential, so he was still able to handle things smoothly.
The discussion of state affairs was nearing its end, and he was already exhausted and wanted to rest, even planning to have the medicine boy come over to massage his shoulders and neck again.
Until a faint commotion sounded from outside.
Eunuch Wu hurried out, then came back in a short while, sweating profusely and hesitating as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
The Imperial Court immediately felt uneasy, and stopped the Minister of Personnel who was reporting. "Eunuch Wu, just say what you have to say."
"Replying to Your Majesty," Eunuch Wu suddenly knelt on the ground, "Outside the imperial city, a group of scholars and students have gathered, clamoring to eliminate corruption in the imperial examinations, and asking Your Majesty to make a judgment..."
His voice grew fainter and fainter until it faded away completely.
But it was enough to make the ministers look at each other in dismay, pondering nervously.
Among them, the Zhu family head was the most anxious, constantly glancing at the Fang Family Head, hoping to get a reassuring sign.
But unexpectedly, the Fang Family Head was lost in thought, and didn't notice him at all.
After pondering for a moment, the Imperial Court on the dragon throne finally nodded and dismissed them.
The ministers voluntarily withdrew to the sides, leaving the center open for the emotionally charged scholars and students.
In fact, there weren't too many people making a scene this time, most of the students who had traveled thousands of miles to take the examinations had already returned home, unable to afford living expenses in Fengjing. Only local scholars and some wealthy students remained, totaling around a thousand or so.
At the very least, they were able to fit inside the entire Golden Sacred Hall.
Those who were educated in literature since childhood understood proper etiquette. They bowed and paid their respects outside the imperial city, then cried out in uneven voices, "Greetings to Your Majesty, may our Emperor enjoy lasting peace and prosperity."
The Imperial Court sighed. His brows furrowed even more and he looked dejected. "Rise."
The moment had finally arrived, it had come after all.
Xu Mo had felt somewhat nervous on the road, but was strangely calm now.
He watched as the Prefect of Feng Tian Prefecture respectfully recounted what had happened at the gates of the Fang Manor, and shook his head, saying, "Please forgive this official, Your Majesty. I truly could not control them, and could only ask Your Majesty to make your judgment in person."
Scholars and students could not be suppressed by force, and using military force would only bring eternal condemnation.
The Imperial Court nodded in understanding, his gaze shifting to Xu Mo as he suddenly asked, "The top scholar of this examination also feels the examinations are corrupt, and that the tests contained irregularities?"
As expected, being part of the scholars made him a target.
The Imperial Court would not punish any of the students, but he would blame the officials who stirred up public opinion.
Fortunately, Little Wu had sent a letter telling him to exclude himself, so Xu Mo was able to calmly cup his hands and say, "This lowly official was passing by the gates of the Fang Manor, and saw my former classmates filled with indignation. I saw how the Prefect was troubled and sighing, so I stepped forward to earnestly advise them, but unexpectedly this was misunderstood by my classmates."
As he spoke, his tone shifted from calm to indignant. "This lowly official had good intentions, how could I bear such slander? Even my identity as the top scholar is being doubted. It is truly difficult to wash away these vile accusations, I can only ask the Imperial Court to judge and restore my innocence, so that I may once again take my proper place in this world."
It has to be said, he was a scholar who had survived ten years of grinding study, and was adept at speaking appropriately and using elegant phrasing, even modulating his emotions skillfully to build to the key point and conclusion.
Most importantly, this brat actually had teary eyes, thoroughly displaying the scholars' pent-up frustrations and helplessness, wishing they could prove their integrity even at the cost of their lives.
Even the Imperial Court on the dragon throne was stunned.
It was unclear whether he was delighted at the talent he had personally promoted, or shocked at his ability to comport himself like an old minister at such a young age.
Xu Mo was especially tactful, and stopped speaking after he was done, doing his utmost to conceal himself.
The planted agents among the scholars received the signal, and one of them cried out, "Your Majesty, please make your judgment and restore fairness and justice to the examinations."
It was only after this line that the hundreds or even thousands of students all knelt down kowtowing.
At the very least, they were degree holders, who would not usually kneel in court. But they still knelt down.
Even the planted agents truly hoped for justice, hoped they could climb up the vine of advancement, hoped their lives would not be doomed from the start.
In the entire Golden Sacred Hall, there were seas of bowing heads, yearning scholars and students, countless crying souls.
Even the Imperial Court was awed into silence for a long time, unable to speak.
Upright ministers were also moved. Dou Zhenming hesitated for a moment before cupping his hands and standing up. "Your Majesty, the examinations ought to be fair and just to begin with, and justice does not fear judgment."
"Your Majesty, this minister concurs," Qi Gongzhen bent down in agreement.
"This minister concurs," Jiang Jizong no longer hesitated.
"This minister concurs."
"This minister...concurs."
Where there were people bending down, naturally there were also those standing straight.
The Fang Family Head regained his senses, and was about to crush the tablet in his hand. He hurriedly tried to stand up to object, but his sleeve was grabbed by someone.
When he looked back, it was none other than the Head of Ju family.
Thinking back on the Ju family's overt yet subtle investigation these past few days, and the Noble Consort Ju's sarcasm, the Fang Family Head felt a chill down his spine.
Serving two masters while scheming against one was a huge taboo for powerful families.
The Fang family had staked their futures on the two princes, openly supporting the Eldest Prince while secretly backing the Second Prince. This won them the Eldest Prince's trust, as well as the Second Prince's gratitude.
No matter which prince ascended the throne in the future, the Fang family would have the merit of assisting the new ruler.
However, compared to the Eldest Prince who had the support of the Ju family, the Fang family still leaned towards the isolated and weak Second Prince - assisting the new emperor carried differing significance.
At the same time, the Eldest Prince could not know about their divided loyalties, and especially could not let the ruthless Noble Consort Ju notice.
The Fang family wanted a position where they could attack or retreat freely. Especially since the Second Prince's ambitions were exposed, they had to erase all ties to avoid arousing the Noble Consort Ju's suspicions and losing the right to support the Eldest Prince.
These days, in order to prove his innocence, the Fang Family Head had worked until he was mentally and physically exhausted, currying favor at every turn.
He never could have imagined the Ju family would stop him at this moment.
With the corruption of the examinations at stake, not to mention it concerned his eldest son Fang Yuan, how could he allow these rebels to defame them?
The Fang Family Head was about to stubbornly yank his sleeve away when he heard the Head of the Ju family calmly say, "I heard the Sun Chief Minister's health has been deteriorating. When the position of Chief Minister in the Cabinet becomes vacant, the six Vice Ministers will all be powerful contenders."
The Cabinet was divided into the Chief Minister and Vice Ministers. The Chief Minister held the greatest power, and the role was held by Sun Chancellor of the Sun family. But as he was getting on in years and did not handle many matters, power had gradually dispersed among the six Vice Ministers.
If the department heads still had rising stars like Qi Gongzhen, the six Vice Minister positions were almost all held by powerful families - Jiang Jizong of the Jiang family, Fang Huairen of the Fang family, Yao Jiancheng of the Yao family, He Chengqing of the He family, Dou Zhenming of the Dou family, Zhu Liyi of the Zhu family.
Among them, Dou Zhenming was the nephew of Dou Weiming, the Minister of Personnel. Having two powerful officials in one family was why their status was second only to the Jiang family.
Although Fang Huairen had snatched the family heir position from his elder brother, his role as Vice Minister in the Cabinet was hard won through years of effort, and he had the civil service and scholarly circles in his grasp.
He knew the Sun Chief Minister was reluctant to retire because the Imperial Court wanted to prevent any one family from becoming too powerful, preferring to let the Chief Minister be a figurehead and have the six Vice Ministers check each other.
Once the Sun Chief Minister passed away from illness, this delicate balance would be disrupted, and the position of Chief Minister would eventually have to be selected from among the six Vice Ministers.
Would it be the Jiang family? Or the Fang family? The Dou family? Or maybe the He family?
Whichever family took the Chief Minister role, their power as a household would grow greater, and their influence in choosing the next heir to the throne would also be amplified.
