Chapter 590: Chapter 590: The Cheating Case Ye Shi covered her lips with a smile, “Husband, why do you speak of the Crown Prince, Sixth Brother, in such a manner?” “You siblings have a deep affection for each other and naturally defend one another,” Yu Haoqiong said with a smile. “We are all family here; some words can be spoken without detriment to dignity, and I believe if the Crown Prince were here, he would not blame this insignificant prince.” Ye Zhengmo chuckled lightly, “Ah Shi, your husband’s words are quite right and cannot be faulted. The Crown Prince’s situation is known to all under heaven; there’s nothing to hide. We are all brothers and sisters here, and speaking frankly is without harm.” Hearing this, Ye Zhenyu slightly curved the corners of his lips but did not speak. Although Qintian Bureau said only that the auspicious day chosen for Ye Yiheng and Leng Yu Yan’s marriage was suitable, he envied Ye Yiheng, who would soon be marrying a beauty. At the entrance of the hall, Ye Zhenxian arrived with Yu Yinglei and commanded his servants to carry in an exquisitely crafted screen. “It’s bustling with everyone here,” Ye Zhenxian said as he directed his attendants to place the screen properly before turning to Yu Haoqiong to ask, “I heard laughter from afar. What were you discussing?” “What else could it be?” Ye Shi feigned annoyance as she pushed Yu Haoqiong slightly, “He was making fun of the Crown Prince, Sixth Brother.” “The Crown Prince has a generous heart and naturally would not take offense,” Ye Zhenxian said aloud. “Unlike me, who completely embarrassed myself on my wedding night. No one is to speak of it, whoever does will have a problem with me!” “You speak of the Crown Prince, but we might as well speak of Ah Ju. He’s not young anymore, and finally, he’s about to marry. It truly is a cause for celebration!” Ye Zhenxian’s eyes held a fierce smile, but he pretended to be the good elder brother. The most beautiful women under heaven, one marrying Ye Yiheng and the other to be wed to Li Yuyue. Thinking of this, Ye Zhenxian felt dissatisfied with Yu Yinglei beside him. Yu Yinglei smiled sweetly as she spoke, “Husband, what are you talking about?” Ye Zhenxian embraced Yu Yinglei tightly, his tone unmistakably frivolous, “If you ask me, the Crown Prince, Sixth Brother, isn’t as good as me. I married a Princess, while the Crown Prince, Sixth Brother, is about to marry the illegitimate daughter of Prince Zhenbei.” With these words, everyone’s thoughts turned to the reputation of Leng Yu Yan’s mother. Yu Haoqiong and Ye Shi exchanged glances before Ye Shi spoke, “A few days ago in the Imperial Study, Princess Beilan and the Crown Prince, Sixth Brother, went to the Emperor to ask for an investigation into Mrs. Zhang’s affair all those years ago.” Yu Haoqiong snorted, “What’s there to investigate? Any clear-minded person knows the truth, otherwise, how could she have given birth to a child?” At once, the hall of Xingning Palace erupted with discussion. Li Yuyue and Ye Jiu, who were still recuperating their breath in the room, heard the conversation and were filled with righteous indignation. Regardless of the blush of shame on their faces, they forcefully pushed open the door, “What nonsense are you spouting?” Their movements were in unison, even their tones of interrogation were identical. The people in the hall were astonished to see them both flushed, seemingly angered by their unrestrained words. Considering their upcoming marriage, everyone laughed and explained in a chorus, “Just a joke.” “Joking, just joking.” “Ah Ju and Heir Lai, please don’t take offense!” Just then, a sharp, high-pitched announcement came from outside the hall. “The Emperor has arrived, the Eldest Princesses have arrived—” The people in the hall quickly stood in order to pay their respects. The Emperor strode to the throne and seated himself, raising his hand to indicate everyone to sit, and then looked around the room to ask, “Why has the Crown Prince not arrived?” As his words fell, numerous footsteps could be heard outside the hall. Everyone turned their heads to look towards the entrance, where they saw Ye Yiheng, his eyes covered with a white veil, supported by Leng Yu Yan. Following them were the Minister of Rites and the Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, and behind them a procession of officials. The crowd was shocked; what was the meaning of the Crown Prince’s actions? Ye Yiheng led the officials in paying their respects to the Emperor seated in the principal position, then raised his hand, “Someone, take down the Seventh Prince of Beiliang, Yu Haoqiong, and Seventh Prince Consort Ye Shi!” Immediately, elite soldiers from the Northern Garrison stepped forward, positioning themselves behind Yu Haoqiong and Ye Shi. Ye Shi shot a glance at the elite soldiers, then promptly stood up and walked to the Emperor, “Father Emperor, I do not understand what purpose Crown Prince Sixth Brother has in doing this.” The Emperor furrowed his brows, “Crown Prince, today is a banquet following the ceremony, what is the meaning of this?” Ye Yiheng slowly turned to the side and said indifferently, “Father Emperor, the officials standing behind me are the setters and chief examiners of this Imperial Examination.” “This Imperial Examination, Beiliang has claimed both the second and third places, in addition to two seats of Advanced Scholars. I have always believed that Beilan’s scholarship far exceeds that of the Beiliang people, and therefore, I harbored suspicions and had it investigated.” According to his implication, his own fiancée’s learning was quite profound. Even though Leng Yu Yan was already the top scorer, others were far below her in scholarship, at least the Beiliang people were to be ranked way behind. Ye Yiheng’s blind pride in Leng Yu Yan made Yu Yinglei very uncomfortable. Unable to resist, she spoke out, “In the eyes of Your Highness the Crown Prince, must the Princess of Beilan always be the best?” Ye Yiheng responded indifferently, “Everyone says that I am blind; my sister-in-law should say that in my heart, Beilan must always be the best.” By stating so bluntly that he held Leng Yu Yan dear, he indeed won the admiration of many. Leng Yu Yan lightly released Ye Yiheng’s arm and bowed to the Emperor, “Emperor, I, as the newly titled top scorer, had the honor to be entrusted by the Minister of Rites and the Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, along with various ministers, to analyze the exam papers written by the five scholars from Beiliang.” “We found that the answers on Beiliang’s five papers were very similar, their arguments were all the same. This is not a coincidence; it can only mean cheating.” “Their opinions were not seen in the answers given by our Tiansheng students, hence, we judged that the Beiliang people cheated in this Imperial Examination.” The Minister of Rites clasped his hands together, “I concur with what the Commandery Princess said!” The Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs also clasped his hands, “I second the motion!” The ministers standing behind them stepped forward in succession, “We also concur!” Yu Haoqiong clenched his fist, forcing himself to maintain composure, “Crown Prince, this is too much of a bullying act! Beiliang scholars cheating, how can you blame me for it? I admit they are scholars of Beiliang, but in the examination hall, it was their own doings, how can the Crown Prince blame the crime on me and Ah Shi?” The Emperor’s countenance grew stern, his eyebrows furrowed deeply, with the wrinkles between his brows suddenly deepening. That the Beiliang people were able to cheat on the Tiansheng Examination ground indicated significant loopholes in the proud Tiansheng examination system. Ye Yiheng lifted his hand slightly, “Bring forth Meng You.” Meng You, who was already locked in shackles, was immediately dragged forward. Ye Yiheng said, “The case of Beiliang people cheating was initiated by Yu Haoqiong. He ordered Ye Shi to obtain the examination questions from Meng You. Before the examination, Yu Haoqiong distributed the questions to the five Beiliang scholars.” “Put them in shackles,” Ye Yiheng lazily moved his slender and pale fingers. “Yes, Your Highness,” the elite soldiers responded in unison, showing no leniency as they shackled Yu Haoqiong and Ye Shi. Ye Shi, never having suffered such treatment, looked at the Emperor with tears, “Father Emperor, I did not obtain the examination questions from Meng You.” Ye Yiheng circled his wrist and said coolly, “Meng You, speak.” Meng You kneeled with a thud and kowtowed, “Emperor, this official is guilty!” As a Tiansheng Official, to have been biased and aided Beiliang people in obtaining the Tiansheng Imperial Examination questions was tantamount to colluding with the enemy and committing treason. Such crimes merit the extermination of the entire family! Ye Yiheng spoke unhurriedly, “Be more specific.”