"So that means it's all being released outside Tian Waitian Restaurant, is that right?"
"Marvelous! Princess Sheng An truly has a heart of gold. No wonder she became the first female official of our Tiansheng Dynasty. If only the court were filled with officials like her who truly care for the people, how could our dynasty not flourish?"
Once Liu Renchang confirmed that the entire set of questions and solutions from the Five Years of Simulations had been made freely available to the public, cheers erupted inside the inn.
In stark contrast, however, were the expressions of the scions from prestigious families, who had also heard the news.
The edge their noble lineage once gave them had been greatly dulled by Yun Shu's so-called broken book. Naturally, resentment brewed among them.
Yet there was nothing they could do. This matter had already received the personal approval of Emperor Xuanwu. No matter how displeased they were, they could not overturn it. All they could do was gather in groups and mutter useless complaints that held no sway.
Word of this spread through the capital like wildfire.
Even the Crown Prince, who had not stepped beyond the palace gates that day, soon caught wind of it.
Unlike others who flew into a rage upon discovering their interests were compromised, the Crown Prince's first reaction was to burst into hearty laughter.
"To curry favor with Father Emperor and win over the support of those penniless scholars, she has certainly made a bold and foolish move. She must have been driven into a corner."
A mocking smile tugged at the corners of the Right Prime Minister's lips.
"Does Your Highness wish to lend her a helping hand?"
"Naturally, We shall help her."
Ever since the Empress had been sent to Longhua Temple, the Crown Prince had not felt this delighted.
Genuine mirth lit up his face, though his eyes gleamed with the feral sharpness of a hungry wolf.
"If all goes according to plan, we may not even need to set the rest of our schemes in motion. That dear little sister of Ours might end up digging her own grave."
"Then allow this old servant to offer early congratulations to Your Highness."
"Keep your congratulations until there is something worth celebrating."
Turning his head slightly to glance at the composed and steady Right Prime Minister, the Crown Prince's smile deepened.
"We ask that Grandfather make sure everything is handled cleanly. Such a rare opportunity must not be squandered."
"Rest assured, Your Highness. This old servant will not fail you."
…
In Fengyang Palace, Yun Shu had no idea that the bait she had cast was already reeling in its prey.
At this moment, she was stroking her cat absentmindedly while listening to Ah Ku's report.
"Dou Jifei, from Xuzhou, ranked thirty-seventh in the provincial exams. His chances of making the list in the metropolitan exam this year are slim. His parents run a small bun shop, and his three older sisters are all married. When he came to the capital for the exams, he carried fifty taels of silver."
"Fifty taels?"
That was a fortune for a family of modest means.
With that much silver, Dou Jifei should not have needed to lodge at Charity Courtyard.
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow.
"Was he robbed or pickpocketed on the way to the capital?"
"Neither."
Ah Ku answered earnestly.
"Dou Jifei arrived in the capital seven days ago. On his first day, he stayed at Tongfu Inn. That same day, a servant claiming to be from the Cao household approached him, saying he could provide the imperial examination questions in advance for just thirty taels of silver."
"Wait, the Cao household?"
Yun Shu sat up straighter.
"Which Cao household?"
Ah Ku lifted his eyes and gave the clearest answer Yun Shu would understand.
"The former in-laws of the eldest Miss of the Tang family."
Cao Wenbin's family. That treacherous scoundrel.
After helping her cousin break away from the Cao household, Yun Shu had nearly forgotten those contemptible people.
Yet here they were again, appearing at her doorstep during such a crucial time.
Yun Shu let out a cold laugh.
"Have you confirmed the servant truly belongs to the Cao family?"
"Confirmed without doubt."
Ah Ku nodded.
"The servant claimed to be romantically involved with Shao Yao, the personal maid of the Tang family's eldest Miss. It was Shao Yao who told him that the young master of the Tang family could obtain the exam questions in advance. Dou Jifei was initially skeptical. The servant then told him the examiner for this year's spring exam would be the young master's cousin, which is to say, Your Highness. He said the news would soon be made public. Dou Jifei, still half-believing, moved to Charity Courtyard to save money.
Two days ago, when Your Highness's appointment as chief examiner was announced, Dou Jifei fully believed the story and paid fifteen taels as a deposit.
Our investigation shows the servant targeted thirteen other candidates, all of whom ranked lower in the provincial exams."
"So the very first move was aimed at my cousin."
Yun Shu let out a mirthless chuckle.
Her dear imperial brother certainly never failed to meet expectations. The moment the Tang family proved too impenetrable, he immediately shifted tactics and took a detour through the Cao family. The lengths he went to were impressive — twisting and turning the plan in such a convoluted way.
Had she not encountered Dou Jifei by chance, uncovering this scheme might have required far more effort.
Was this good luck, or simply fate?
Lowering her gaze, she scratched the kitten's chin and let a slight smile form on her lips.
"Do you have the names of the thirteen others?"
"Yes."
Ah Ku handed over a note, already written out.
"Their names and places of origin are all listed."
"Good work."
Truly worthy of being trained by the Dragon Shadow Guard. The efficiency was unmatched.
After glancing over the list and tucking it away, Yun Shu gave Ah Ku a glance. Once he vanished from the room, she raised her voice.
"Ting Xue."
"This maid is here."
Upon hearing her mistress's call, Ting Xue hurried in from outside.
"What are Your Highness's instructions?"
"Make a little cloth sling for this one."
Yun Shu lifted the kitten, whose wide eyes blinked in confusion.
"The Imperial Physician said it should not move about too much, or the injury will not heal. See if you can craft a small pouch with four holes so its legs can slip through. That way, if I don't have time to hold it, I can hang it up somewhere."
Ting Xue stared, speechless. Rendered both amused and exasperated by her mistress's creativity, she reached out and took the kitten.
"If Your Highness has no time, why not simply leave it with this maid? There is no need to hang the poor creature in a pouch."
"I was worried you might not want to hold it."
Seeing how Ting Xue immediately began stroking the kitten as soon as it was in her arms, Yun Shu clicked her tongue and stood up slowly.
"But clearly I was worrying for nothing. You'll take care of it for the next few days, then."
"Is Your Highness heading out again?"
Seeing Yun Shu walk toward the door, Ting Xue moved to follow but was waved off.
"It's nothing important. No need to come along. I'm just going to beg a meal from Father Emperor and then I'll be back."
Ting Xue: "…"
Kitten: "Meow~"