Chapter 596 The Integrity of the Scholar Is Shattered

Ning Chen looked at Feng Gaojie and said, "Sir Feng, do things according to your conscience and don't let down the students who have studied hard for ten years."

Feng Gaojie understood what Ning Chen meant and told him not to be partial to others.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."

Ning Chen nodded slightly.

Li Hanru smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't go home recently."

"Hmm?"

Ning Chen looked at him strangely.

Li Hanru smiled and said, "Most of these students come from aristocratic families. At this time of year, the number of students who give gifts can flatten the door of the examiner's house."

"Besides, students also start to pay respects at this time... The prince is now a new noble in the capital, and there are probably countless students who want to be his disciples."

"Everyone is different, especially those who have failed the exams are mostly stubborn, and sometimes they do a lot of crazy things."

"So, the prince should hide for a while!"

Ning Chen smiled bitterly, "I'll try my best!"

After sending Li Hanru and Feng Gaojie away, Ning Chen called Gu Yichun and asked him to be on guard recently to prevent those examinees from disturbing the people in the mansion.

Although he made preparations in advance, Ning Chen still underestimated the madness of these students.

In the next few days, some gave gifts, some knelt at the door for a long time, and some climbed over the wall. It can be said that there are all kinds of tricks...but there is only one purpose, to make connections.

The character of the literati was shattered to the ground!

Of course, there are also people who truly admire Ning Chen. After all, Ning Chen is a great poet, and these people are easy to deal with.

That day, Ning Chen came back from the palace.

"I go... there are several times more people than yesterday!"

Feng Qizheng said.

Ning Chen lifted the curtain of the carriage and took a look, only to see that the gate of the palace was full of people.

These days, Ning Chen didn't dare to ride a horse.

Because as long as he showed up, no matter where he was, someone would recognize him.

Ning Chen was annoyed and simply took a carriage to travel.

"Dad, my dear dad... Can you come out and see your son?"

Suddenly, a wailing sounded.

Ning Chen could hear the loud sound from a distance.

"What's going on again? I'll go over and take a look."

Feng Qizheng jumped off the carriage and ran to join in the fun.

Ning Chen wanted to call him, but Feng Qizheng had already run away.

Feng Qizheng ran over and looked for a while, then ran back.

"Ning Chen, I didn't realize you have a son who is almost fifty years old."

Feng Qizheng laughed so hard that he fell backwards.

Ning Chen's face darkened, "Is the biological father he mentioned me?"

Feng Qizheng smiled and nodded, "This man looks to be in his forties or fifties, but he actually kneeled at the door and called you dad, and said you abandoned your wife and children."

Ning Chen was numb.

Where is the character of a scholar?

He doesn't care about his face.

He is only in his forties or fifties, so he must have failed the exam many times.

Ning Chen shook his head, "Enter through the back door!"

When he got to the back door, he saw that it was also surrounded by people.

"Forget it, go back to the Supervisory Office!"

Ning Chen was convinced.

These scholars are the most difficult to deal with. Although it is annoying, you can't use force against them... The pens of scholars are very scary.

Ning Chen planned not to go home for a few days.

As a result, the next morning, Ning Chen was still sleeping, and Feng Qizheng broke in directly.

"Ning Chen, something bad has happened!"

Ning Chen sat up and frowned, "What happened?"

"Someone died!"

"Huh?"

Feng Qizhen said, "Do you still remember the man who knelt at the gate of the palace yesterday and called you dad?"

Ning Chen nodded.

"Yesterday, after Gu Yichun drove him away... who knew he would come quietly in the middle of the night and hang himself at the gate of the palace."

Ning Chen was stunned.

Feng Qizheng frowned and said, "It is widely rumored that Gu Yichun forced that candidate to death, and they want you to hand over the murderer."

"Some people say that you sent Gu Yichun to force that candidate to death... In short, there are all kinds of rumors."

Ning Chen's face darkened, "Where is the body?"

"In the Jingji Yamen."

Ning Chen frowned slightly, "Why not send it to the Supervisory Office?"

"Only one student died, and he hanged himself... There is no need for the Supervisory Office."

Ning Chen's eyes flickered, "Are you sure it was suicide?"

Feng Qizheng shook his head, "I'm not sure about this."

"Old Feng, go to the Jingji Yamen immediately to confirm whether this person committed suicide or was murdered?"

Feng Qizheng nodded and turned away.

Ning Chen went out and rode Diao Chan back to the mansion.

From a distance, he saw a large group of people gathered at the gate of the palace.

Ning Chen looked grim, and turned to call the city defense army.

"Look, it's the King of Zhenguo."

Someone whispered.

The students gathered at the gate looked over.

Ning Chen rode forward with a cold face.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The students knelt down to pay respect.

Ning Chen said calmly: "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up.

"The people in Your Majesty's mansion forced the examinee to death. Please hand over the murderer and give everyone an explanation."

Ning Chen's eyes fell on the person who was speaking. The latter was in his early thirties, his clothes were washed white, and it seemed that he was not rich.

Most students were not so bold as to dare to question him in public.

Ning Chen said indifferently: "What's your name?"

"Student Li Gui."

"What makes you say that it was the people in the mansion who forced someone to death?"

"Everyone saw it. It was the people in Your Majesty's mansion who drove Zhang Huaicai away yesterday. Their attitude was rude and bad, which led to Zhang Huaicai committing suicide in front of the mansion."

Li Gui said loudly.

Ning Chen looked at him. He was shouting so loudly. He was either trying to incite others or he was guilty.

"Do you know the deceased?"

Li Gui nodded. "We stayed in the same inn. Brother Zhang admired the prince and came to visit him. He didn't expect to be driven away and insulted by the people in your house... Brother Zhang is a scholar. How could he bear such humiliation? So he committed suicide because he couldn't think it through."

"The prince is famous and impartial. He is a role model for scholars... I think the prince will definitely not protect the murderer."

Others nodded.

Ning Chen said indifferently: "When you admire and worship someone, do you call him dad?"

Li Gui's face flushed.

Ning Chen said sternly: "Besieging the palace is a capital crime... I remember that you have studied hard for ten years, so I didn't bother with you."

"What is your purpose in besieging the palace? Is it really just because you admire and respect me?"

"I avoided seeing you, just to tell you that I don't accept guests or bribes... This spring examination is fair and just, relying only on real talent and learning, and there is no shortcut."

"But you are so ugly, kneeling down to acknowledge your father, climbing over the wall, is this what a scholar should do? Where is the civility you talk about every day? Where is the character of a scholar?"

"If you really let people with impure thoughts like you become officials, can the people still have a good life?"

"I will give you three breaths of time. If there are still people blocking here, you will be disqualified from taking the exam and driven out of the capital."

The candidates were so scared that their faces turned pale, and they scattered like birds and beasts.

Ning Chen called the general of the city defense army and asked him to send two people to keep a close eye on Li Gui.

He always felt that this matter was not simple.

The imperial examination is of utmost importance. If something goes wrong, it will be a big trouble.

He heard from Li Hanru that every time there is an imperial examination, various problems will arise... some officials will be dismissed, and even worse, their entire family will be executed.

Moreover, these students are well-read. If they unite, it is enough to ruin a person's reputation.