The drums grew more insistent.
The lion dancers slowly approached the crowd.
The people grew happier, the atmosphere more fervent.
Suddenly, the lion dancers charged towards the crowd.
Everyone was instantly terrified, screaming and scattering.
Wang Chun instinctively tried to run, but his calf was struck by something, causing him to stumble and fall.
By the time he recovered, it was too late. The lion dancers reached him, and a man emerged from within.
The man, brandishing a knife, held him hostage. "Nobody move! This is a personal matter between me and Lord Wang!"
The crowd was in a panic, clutching their children tightly.
Su Yunmo was also instinctively shielded behind her three elder brothers.
Chen Guoxing stepped forward and reprimanded, "How dare you! Who are you to commit violence in my official residence!"
The man sneered but did not reply. Instead, he pressed the dagger against Wang Chun's neck, drawing a small cut.
"It's not surprising that Lord Chen doesn't recognize me, but Lord Wang should be familiar with me, shouldn't he?"
Blood trickled down Wang Chun's neck.
Wang Chun cried out, "How could I possibly know you! Release me immediately, or your entire family will perish!"
The man let out a mocking laugh. "Entire family? My entire family was already killed by you, wasn't it? Have you forgotten, Lord? Over two months ago, on Kunlong Mountain, the entire village was taken hostage!"
Wang Chun's face changed drastically. "You are a relative of those hostages?"
The man sneered, "It's good that you remember, Lord. Today, I am here to make you pay with your life!"
The fact that the bandits on Kunlong Mountain had taken the entire village hostage to save themselves was no secret. Everyone present knew about it.
Chen Guoxing stepped forward to persuade, "The situation was dangerous then. Although the court wished to help, the bandits were brutal and killed all the hostages. There was nothing that could be done. Lord Wang should not be blamed for this."
The man burst into sarcastic laughter. "Not blame him? Since it has come to this, does Lord Wang still intend to deny it?"
"Why don't you, Lord, take this opportunity to tell everyone here how you disregarded the lives of the common people and led your men directly into the bandit lair?!"
At these words, the crowd was shocked.
Chen Guoxing's expression also changed. "What does this mean? Speak clearly!"
The man's eyes were filled with hatred. "I was also on the mountain at the time. When Lord Wang led his men to quell the bandits, the bandits were already considering negotiations, but before they could make any demands, he led his men to attack."
"The lives of over three hundred people in the village were all lost because he was eager for merit and unwilling to deal with trouble. If it weren't for my luck, I would have died there too!"
Everyone was stunned.
The memorial Wang Chun had submitted at the time did not say this at all.
To disregard the lives of the people solely to fulfill an imperial decree – how could an official, a father to his people, do such a thing?
Wang Chun continued to clamor and deny.
Chen Guoxing's gaze towards him gradually changed.
A flicker of an unusual expression crossed Su Yunmo's eyes, and she flicked her finger towards the man.
The man suddenly cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
Wang Chun, now free, shouted with murderous intent, "Guards! Quickly, guards! Seize this rat who trespassed into an official's home!"
Servants rushed forward to apprehend the man.
The man hurled the lion dancer, knocking over several people.
The other lion dancers cooperated with him and broke out.
Wang Chun then cursed them as useless.
Chen Guoxing, no longer concerned with the man, apologized to the guests with a somber face and ended the birthday banquet early.
The children, unaware of what had happened, were all taken home by their parents.
The Chen residence fell quiet.
Chen Guoxing called Wang Chun to the garden for a private talk. "Lord Wang, do you owe me an explanation for today's events?"
Wang Chun, his neck bandaged and already in a bad mood, was displeased by the questioning tone.
"What explanation does Lord Chen want? Everything I did was for Prince Lian!"
Chen Guoxing reprimanded sternly, "Nonsense! Prince Lian is diligent and loves his people. How could he possibly permit you to do such a thing!"
Wang Chun found it laughable. "Even a wise prince needs an opportunity to display his wisdom. Lord Chen, you have been an official for so many years; you should know that officials must not be concerned with trivialities."
Chen Guoxing suddenly felt like punching Wang Chun in the head. "Trivialities? These are the lives of over three hundred people! Is this a trivial matter?!"
Wang Chun knew Chen Guoxing was straightforward. His eyes flickered, and he softened his tone. "Brother Chen, please don't be angry. I had no choice but to act this way."
"His Majesty set a deadline. Think about it, if I don't complete it quickly, won't it cause Prince Lian to lose face?"
"Prince Lian is the legitimate prince, of noble status. How can we allow Prince Lian to be reprimanded by His Majesty over such a small matter?"
Chen Guoxing gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
Even with Wang Chun's explanation, he still did not approve of their actions.
Wang Chun leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Actually, I have one more thing to ask of you, Brother Chen. Prince Lian has taken a liking to someone."
"This person's talent and knowledge are exceptional, but he is not being utilized. His Highness values talent and hopes you can assist him..."
Su Yunmo did not hear the rest of the conversation.
She emerged from behind the rockery and headed outside.
Judging by today's events, Chen Guoxing was not entirely devoid of conscience.
If so, then he did not deserve to die.
Her footsteps halted.
Su Yunmo sighed and looked at the person opposite her. "How long have you been here?"
Opposite her.
Chen Xiucheng stood beneath a tree, looking directly at her. "I've been following you since you secretly returned to the Chen residence."
Su Yunmo sighed. She hadn't intended to involve the two brothers so soon.
Chen Xiucheng looked at her with a complex expression. "You arranged today's events in advance, didn't you?"
She had known this child for quite some time, yet even now, she felt she couldn't fully grasp her.
Su Yunmo furrowed her brows. "Not entirely."
The man was indeed from the village. Ziyuan had discovered that he would use the banquet to seek revenge today.
She had merely offered to protect him and ensure his safe departure in exchange for him revealing the truth of what happened to everyone present.
As for Wang Chun... she couldn't let him be killed just yet.
Chen Xiucheng was confused. "Why would you do this?"
Su Yunmo took out a stack of papers from the glazed lock and handed them over. "These are the questions for this examination."
More accurately, they were the answer sheets.
Chen Xiucheng was astonished. "The imperial examination hasn't even begun. How do you have these?"
Su Yunmo replied, "Don't ask me how I got them. All you need to know is that this is evidence that your father intends to replace someone in the next examination."
"This is impossible! Father would never do such a thing!" Chen Xiucheng's eyes were filled with disbelief.
Su Yunmo wasn't entirely certain whether Chen Guoxing, if he became the chief examiner, would ultimately agree to Ye Jingcheng's plan.
But one thing was certain: Ye Jingcheng would do what he set out to do. Even if Chen Guoxing disagreed, Ye Jingcheng would find a way to change the answers.
Then, if the matter were exposed, all the blame would fall solely on Chen Guoxing.
She took the examination papers back and put them away. "If you believe it's not true, then so be it. However, now that you know about this, you cannot remain uninvolved."
Chen Xiucheng clenched his fists. "What do you want to do?"
This was no small matter. If it were exposed, the entire Chen residence could be implicated!
Su Yunmo furrowed her brows and said in a deep voice, "Now is the time for you to repay the favor."