"Heh..."
Xiao Jinxuan saw through Jiang Xiaobai's intentions and chuckled.
Jiang Xiaobai had made himself sound so pitiful, but really... wasn't he simply asking for an imperial decree to hold over others?
Xiao Jinxuan immediately spoke slowly. "Jiang Xiaobai, receive Our decree."
"Your student is here."
Jiang Xiaobai clasped his hands and bowed.
"As this year's Top Graduate, you would ordinarily enter the Hanlin Academy."
Xiao Jinxuan's voice was unhurried, yet it reached every civil and military official clearly. "Today, We shall first appoint you to the post of Imperial Examination Case Investigation!"
"You may consult all records, ledgers, rosters, and incoming and outgoing documents concerning this examination held by the Ministry of Rites. You may question anyone implicated, regardless of rank."
Here, Xiao Jinxuan paused briefly before continuing. "Furthermore, We order Pei Shen, Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to assist in the investigation, together with one representative each from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate."
"Anyone who obstructs you..."
Xiao Jinxuan's gaze slowly swept across the assembled officials, and his voice turned utterly cold. "Shall be punished for defying an imperial decree."
Boom!
At those words, Chen Zhanqiu and An Zhiyuan instantly turned deathly pale.
The Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate would jointly investigate.
How was this merely an investigation into the examination case?
They were going to turn the Ministry of Rites upside down!!
Chen Zhanqiu immediately looked toward the elderly Chief Grand Secretary.
But the old man's expression remained placid, as though this matter no longer concerned him in the slightest.
Seeing his reaction, Chen Zhanqiu lowered his head.
An Zhiyuan was equally pale, kneeling there with his whole body trembling.
Indeed, he had understood none of what had happened!
The scheme had clearly been so well