Hold the thick thighs tightly [My father is a traitor]

Chapter 837 Contradictions

Xiao Yining turned her head to look at the heavy snow outside the door, which still showed no signs of stopping.

This time last year was the peak season for banquets, but now with heavy snow, even the banquets she could have enjoyed for free have been cancelled, leaving only some weddings and funerals that had nothing to do with her.

It was as if God heard her thoughts. When Qiu Yi returned from delivering the buns, she told her that someone in Yanjing was holding a banquet.

Qiu Yi ran back panting. As soon as she saw her master and mistress, she couldn't wait to say, "Madam, Princess, Brother Baozi said before he left that the Lian Mansion sent invitations to many people this morning, saying that they were inviting them to attend the family recognition banquet, and the date chosen happened to be the day the special examination results were announced."

As soon as these words fell, Xiao Yining frowned and asked in confusion, "But Dad clearly said he wouldn't go to the family recognition banquet. Who are they holding the banquet for?"

As she spoke, she looked up at her mother, only to see her mother shaking her head: "Mother doesn't know, and mother hasn't received the invitation from the Lian Mansion."

Then the little kid turned to look at Qiu Yi, seeking an answer.

She replied, "My Lady, Brother Baozi said he only saw the Lian Mansion sending out invitations. As for who the family reunion banquet was for, he will follow the Lian Mansion's shopping servants tomorrow to see if he can get any information."

Xiao Yining thought for a moment, and for some reason she had a hunch that the Lian family was trying to morally blackmail her father.

While thinking, Wan Niang said to Qiu Yi, "Qiu Yi, tell Bao Zi that we already know about this matter and there is no need to follow."

Qiu Yi took the order and left quickly.

Little Yining looked at her mother in surprise and asked hurriedly, "Mom, do you know?"

Wan Niang slowly shook her head: "No matter who the Lian Mansion holds the family recognition banquet for, we will stand on your father's side."

The little girl understood that this was another banquet that had nothing to do with her.

She pursed her lips and continued to rest her chin, admiring the snow scene.

Inside the palace

The emperor stood in front of the window with a frown on his face, looking at the snowflakes that were bigger than goose feathers.

Beside him, Pei Dafu was reporting in detail what had happened in the Imperial Examination Hall.

"Your Majesty, after Prime Minister Ai took over the Imperial Examination Hall, he discovered cheat sheets hidden in candles and charcoal. He arrested the students who had taken the cheat sheets. The next step is to review papers with similar answers to identify any that slipped through the net."

"Qiu Xuanzhi stayed by Prime Minister Ai's side without any unusual movements, still chatting and laughing with him. However, the original officials are being interrogated separately, and I think there will be results soon."

Sheng Jingchen lowered his eyes and sighed, "Thank you for your hard work, Prime Minister Ai!"

Then he changed the subject and asked, "How did Lin Yuzan and Wang Cheng respond?"

"It is said that after receiving the examination papers, they only thought for a moment and then began to answer them, without even making a draft. Looking at their speed, and with your special favor of allowing them to hand in their papers early, I'm afraid they will be able to leave the Imperial Examination Hall tonight." Pei Dafu answered truthfully.

Sheng Jingchen snorted coldly upon hearing this: "How arrogant! You simply don't take my grace seriously."

"Pei Dafu, tell Prime Minister Ai that after I grade these two papers, I will personally review them."

Pei Dafu quickly responded respectfully, then asked, "Your Majesty, if they really hand in their papers early, will they be allowed to pass?"

Sheng Jingchen sneered when he heard this stupid question and said ruthlessly, "If they hand in their papers tonight, we'll make them kneel at the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall and let them go tomorrow morning."

Pei Dafu's eyes twitched, and he couldn't help but plead, "Your Majesty, if Princess Jiahe knew, she would probably be heartbroken. After all, there are nine days and six nights in total, and there are three exams to be held. This..."

However, the emperor was too impatient to listen and just spat out the word "get out".

Pei Dafu: ...

The old eunuch wiped away his sad tears and quickly "rolled" out.

The emperor turned and walked to the dragon table, tapping the table twice.

A figure appeared silently in the palace, and at the same time the emperor's voice echoed in the sky.

"Tell Prime Minister Ai that this time we are selecting the people who will replace the emperor, and we must be strict."

After the words were spoken, the figure disappeared into the darkness without any warning.

The emperor's gaze was once again drawn to the heavy snow outside the window, and his eyes, which were originally filled with anger, gradually became filled with worry.

Under the white sky, a hurried figure wearing a straw raincoat walked through the street and knocked on a door in panic.

The door opened slightly, and the man hurriedly squeezed in. He quickly reached the main hall and said to the people inside, "It's bad. Minister Ai has returned. He asked the emperor for permission to replace all the invigilators at the Imperial Examination Hall. Our people have all been taken away from the Imperial Examination Hall and cannot be contacted."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone sitting in the hall stood up with expressions of disbelief.

"Ai Lang, why would this old man return to Yanjing?" one of them exclaimed.

"It was the emperor who asked Ai Lang to come back. Prime Minister Xie was imprisoned. The emperor has been reluctant to appoint a new prime minister because he is waiting for Ai Lang to return." Leng Qingyin, who was sitting in the east seat, analyzed.

The Marquis of Xuanping beside him took over the conversation and said angrily, "First it was Prime Minister Xie, and now it's you. Aren't you civil servants the most calculating? You are all useless and can't even handle an imperial examination. If you ruin our plan, I will let you..."

Before he could finish his words, Sheng Jingzhan, who was sitting below, interrupted him, saying, "Marquis Xuanping, please be patient. Even if my brother finds out, it would only be a simple fraud case. Prince Yuan's rebellion was not long ago. He certainly wouldn't have imagined that there are still people plotting rebellion in the dark."

Leng Qingyin glanced at him disapprovingly, "Prince Yu, nothing is absolute. You can say such foolish things, and you are destined to accomplish nothing great in this life."

Sheng Jingzhan: ...