In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1051 - 1047 Exile

Chapter 1051: Chapter 1047 Exile

His Majesty placed exceptional importance on this additional examination!

Originally harboring high hopes for this Beneficent Examination, he was infuriated by the leak of the examination topics. Now, as the exam commenced, he appointed his trusted aide and good friend, King Ye Han, to personally oversee the examination process.

Ye Han himself was a man with an icy countenance. The moment he took his seat as the Chief Examiner, his aura of bleakness and sternness immediately ensured that all the students behaved themselves, not even daring to speak loudly.

The examination proceeded in utter silence.

The additional test consisted of one essay from the Four Books, an eight-line poem written in five-character verses, two classic passages, one policy question, and at the end, there was unexpectedly an additional question concerning water irrigation.

Speaking of water management, it has always been a prime concern for those in power. Notably, when His Majesty was still a general stationed at Hezhong City, an opposing commander severed the river course, leading to a calamitous flooding of the great river that submerged Fengdu Ancient City and resulted in the deaths of countless people in the deluge.

The appearance of a question on water management in the additional examination was unexpected yet within reason.

Fortunately, Su Ke had heard a great deal about water management several years ago, naturally because of that particular man-made disaster. Encountering this topic in the examination filled him with joy—fate was indeed siding with him!

Su Ke completed the additional examination smoothly. Once it was over, Ye Han immediately sealed the examination papers and presented them directly to His Majesty.

Qin Yi glanced at the thick dossier and immediately ordered that they be graded overnight.

Simultaneously, he continued the investigation into the mastermind behind the leak, determined to uncover the culprit before the results were announced.

The ministers responsible for the investigation were under tremendous pressure, but fortunately, by starting from the source, they arrived at a preliminary conclusion within a few days. However, the result they uncovered was something everyone found hard to believe!

"Are you saying the person who leaked the topics is Qin Hao? He wasn’t responsible for setting the exam; why would he be the one who leaked the topics?"

Qin Yi’s brow furrowed into a character for "river," and he rubbed his tired eyes with a headache.

Lord Zhuang, who came to report, did not dare to raise his head, "Your Majesty! After thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that the exam topics were indeed leaked by Lord Qin. Due to Lord Qin’s unique status... On the day the incident occurred, after Your Majesty and several ministers had determined the topics, they were locked in a special dossier at the Court of Judicial Review. Somehow, as if by some demonic force, Lord Qin secretly entered the room, copied three of the topics, and hurriedly left. He later sold the topics, ranging from fifty to one hundred taels of silver each."

Selling the topics!

Qin Yi slammed his fist onto the dragon desk!

Enraged, he abruptly rose and began pacing back and forth rapidly in the grand hall.

"Did I not decree that he temporarily refrain from going to the Hanlin Imperial Academy and reflect at home instead? How did he leave the Qin Family’s Mansion and make his way to the Court of Judicial Review, moving about freely without any hindrance within its walls?"

Qin Hao had just caused an unsettled murder case, and now he had gotten entangled in such a serious affair; even if Qin Yi wanted to spare his life, it might no longer be possible!

This statement made the three people kneeling on the ground glance at each other before burying their heads even lower.

Lord Zhuang, who had originally spoken, had a flushed face, "Your Majesty, Lord Qin, he... he has a unique status. Furthermore, at that time, he entered the Court of Judicial Review under the pretense of seeking an audience with Your Majesty. Thus..."

This reminder made Qin Yi recall that he indeed saw Qin Hao at the Court of Judicial Review on the day the topics were determined.

On that day, Qin Hao had sought an audience with him to plead for leniency. Annoyed by Qin Hao’s misdeeds, he had scolded him on the spot and ordered him to return to the residence to reflect. Could it be that... it was at that time...

Seeing the change in His Majesty’s expression, Lord Zhuang realized His Majesty had remembered the event of that day and quickly clasped his fists again.

"Your Majesty, now that the matter has arisen, the most pressing issue is how to resolve the current blunder. There is deep public resentment over the leak of the examination questions, so it’s crucial to resolve this case quickly to appease the public sentiment."

Should Lord Qin Hao be punished, or should some other method be used to resolve the issue? In any case, a course of action must be decided upon.

"Why need a course of action?"

Qin Yi scoffed twice, "As the saying goes, ’There is a law for the country and rules for the home.’ When the emperor breaks the law, he faces the same punishment as a commoner! Qin Hao is but a mere scribe at the Hanlin Imperial Academy, could he possibly be above the law?"

With these words, the three people kneeling below understood that His Majesty had resolved to punish this person severely!

It was dark by the time Qin Yi returned to the Imperial Harem’s Palace Hall.

Su Pan’er was leading Little Yan Yan and Little Sugar Bean to dinner. Upon receiving a report from a eunuch, she hurriedly quickened her pace to welcome him.

"You all may rise. Are you having The Imperial meals? Good, I’m extremely hungry too!"

Qin Yi strode in like a shooting star and relaxed a little when he saw the food laid out.

Earlier, servants had already reported to Su Pan’er the news of Qin Hao stealing and selling the examination questions.

Seeing that Qin Yi seemed in a good mood, Su Pan’er also secretly breathed a sigh of relief and, with a smile, had Qingwen bring a clean set of bowl and chopsticks, "I thought Your Majesty would be dining at the Purple Zen Hall tonight and didn’t prepare a set for you. However, I did instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a few of Your Majesty’s favorite dishes. Please try them and see if they suit your taste?"

"Anything prepared by Pan’er is definitely delicious."

Qin Yi cheerfully accepted the bowl and chopsticks and started eating heartily. He had been so busy since morning that he hadn’t touched a drop of water and was genuinely hungry. He ate the food in the bowl quickly, not bothering to talk.

Seeing that he had a good appetite, Su Pan’er felt relieved. She occasionally served dishes to Qin Yi and Little Yan Yan, and also taught Little Sugar Bean, who was learning to use chopsticks, sneaking in a spoonful of food when she could.

After everyone had eaten their fill and the bowl and chopsticks had been cleared away for clear tea, Qin Yi finally relaxed his expression.

"You’ve heard about what happened earlier, haven’t you?"

He glanced at Su Pan’er, who nodded in acknowledgment, and then continued, "Qin Hao has been incredibly audacious, daring to jeopardize our land and kingdom. In the past, he knew when to restrain himself, committing minor offenses from time to time, and in consideration of the Qin Family’s past kindness in raising me, I have repeatedly tolerated them. But now, I am no longer willing to forbear."

Su Pan’er touched his arm gently, without expressing agreement or disagreement, "What does Your Majesty intend to do with him?"

Qin Yi, taking the opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist and bury his head in the crook of her neck, took a while to look up, "I originally intended to sentence him to death. But then it was Lord Zhuang, who is in charge of this case, who petitioned suggesting that Qin Hao be exiled to the Southern Fujian region, and I accepted his proposal."

The Southern Fujian region has always been wild and uncultivated, and many of these offending officials often die on the way to their destination, with very few surviving.

How could he forgive Qin Hao for such a grave offense?

Of course, Su Pan’er understood Qin Yi’s thoughts.

She nodded and smiled, "This is an excellent move by Your Majesty. Once Qin Hao is out of the Capital City, he won’t be able to commit offenses under your esteemed name any longer. It’s the best of both worlds!"