Chapter 446: The Second Prince

Chapter 446

The Second Prince served in the Ministry of Clans, primarily assisting the Old Imperial Uncle in managing old scrolls, past histories, and so on.

Occasionally, he would also handle conflicts between members of the Imperial Family, gradually shedding his neglected and dispirited prince's reputation.

What Chang Yan entrusted him to find were the old scrolls of his mother, Lady Yan.

The Second Prince devoted himself wholeheartedly and delivered them personally within a few days.

He remained as honest as ever, always wearing a sincere smile. He lacked the imposing arrogance of the Eldest Prince and the boisterous pride of the Fourth Prince. He was calm and modest, unlike a typical member of the Imperial Family.

"Fifth Prince, I have brought you what you wanted." He wiped the dusty scrolls clean with his sleeve, displaying his honesty and even a hint of eagerness to please.

Chang Yan smiled and took a few steps forward. "Thank you so much for your efforts, Second Imperial Brother. You have managed to find the old editions from ten years ago, and I don't know how to express my gratitude."

"Hey, why talk about gratitude between brothers?" The Second Prince did not shy away from physical contact and handed over the scrolls with a smile.

The two of them stood close, but their relationship was not intimate enough for physical contact. However, it didn't stop Chang Yan from deeply inhaling when he received the scrolls.

A wounded person carries the scent of blood, even if it's covered with ointment and bandages.

Yet, what entered Chang Yan's nostrils was only a faint fragrance of osmanthus.

He straightened his posture, his mind filled with countless thoughts and emotions.

"Fifth Prince, take a look and see if these scrolls are correct." The Second Prince smiled innocently, rubbing his palms together unconsciously.

These actions were consistent with the characteristics of an honest person being nervous and timid.

Chang Yan replied casually, "They are correct. Thank you, Second Imperial Brother."

After exchanging only a few words, the Second Prince used the excuse of having other matters to attend to at the Ministry of Clans and left.

The entire Imperial Garden fell into complete silence.

Finally, the guards dared to speak up and inquire, "Your Highness, is it him?"

Yes and no.

Ever since the incident involving the Fang family, Chang Yan's speculation had been one-sided and lacked conclusive evidence.

The Fourth Prince's drunkenness might have been a means to avoid questioning. He didn't dare to take risks and it wouldn't be impossible for him to use a legitimate descendant of the Mu family, like Jiang Sheng, as a hostage.

The Eldest Prince was obviously foolish, but who knew if it was intentional deception to lower the enemy's guard.

The Second Prince, likewise, used his honest and sincere demeanor as a protective shield, meticulously crafting every move to avoid any flaws.

It was said that the face of the Second Prince turned pale at the time, wanting to deny it instinctively, but he was recognized by Jiang San and Jiang Si who had come along. "It's this young master, turns out he is Your Highness. I've seen Your Highness before."

He could no longer refuse and could only accept it with a bitter smile.

The news reached Chengqian Palace, and Lady Ju smashed a set of teacups on the spot.

"They say a biting dog doesn't bark. Today, this palace realized that the Second Prince is so conniving," she gritted her teeth, her face full of disdain. "But is it a loss for him to calculate and help a bastard who has been cast aside, or does he think that with his background, he can only be matched with a bastard?"

No wonder Chang Yan directly had the Jiang family express their gratitude, showing no fear that Jiang Sheng would be coveted by other princes.

It turned out that in the eyes of aristocratic families, Jiang Sheng, a girl who had been wandering since childhood, was no different from a bastard, even if she was the legitimate daughter.

She couldn't compare to the noble status of Jiang Chengyu, not even in the hearts of the Jiang family.

That was the rule, the upbringing, the bias, and the aristocratic families.

"Does he think he can easily seize the throne by climbing onto the Jiang family? He's dreaming!" Lady Ju smashed the last cup, her face cold, and gave an order, "If he can focus his attention on the Jiang family, it means there is other support behind him. Find out for me!"

With this investigation, the Fang family couldn't avoid being flustered.

It was also at this time that the controversy over examination fraud reached its peak in the Wenchang Pavilion.

There was no more cheerful conversation within the pavilion, only angry students shouting together, demanding to find the cheaters, to find the ones causing trouble in the imperial examination.

"Give us a fair imperial examination!"

"Expel the filthy cheaters!"

"Even the imperial examination is not fair and just. Those of us from humble backgrounds have no hope!"

"Ordinary people have no path to climb upward. Are we born only to be farmers, laborers?"

"Why is it that you're born as gentlemen, while we're born as commoners? And now you cheat in the imperial examinations, ruining my prospects!"

"Give hope to everyone, ensure fairness in the imperial examinations!"

On that road paved with blood, there stood figures advancing one after another.

From youth to adulthood, from middle age to old age, without exception, they all came from impoverished families.

They may lack ability, but when they unite, their strength is formidable. Joined together like a solid rod, they have the power to shake the noble families.

"The Fang family has been unwilling to give an explanation for so long. It's pointless to howl here; we might as well go to the Fang family's doorstep," someone cleared their throat and made a crucial suggestion.

Indignant intellectuals are most prone to wielding weapons.

The anger that has accumulated to its breaking point erupts at this moment. The people who yearn for fairness, mixed with resentment toward the wealthy, surge out of the Wenchang Pavilion in great numbers. for new novels