Eastern Lu also felt this matter was quite tough to handle and looked at Jiang Chen.
“Your Majesty, your subject has come to the Aurum Imperial Hall not to engage in a verbal spar with this Du Ruhai. He has been an official for more than a decade and has long since trained his official eloquence to a perfect and flawless realm. He would even be able to say that a stick of straw was a bar of gold.
There was indeed a matter involving six hundred thousand silver, but it definitely wasn’t from my father requesting him to cheat and let me through. But rather, this man came to my Jiang Han manor to solicit a bribe, hinting that my Jiang family could buy peace of mind with money. If we didn’t pay up the six hundred thousand, then he would halt my progress in the foundational exams.
He accepted the money but then came once again to my family after receiving pressure from some parties. He indicated that he had received the money but would still halt my progress in the foundational exams. My father could not contain his anger and argued with him a bit. He did indeed say that Du Ruhai has accepted money but not done the corresponding work.
If six hundred thousand could buy peace, then our Jiang family was willing to be that sucker. When it’s all said and done, we could just go back to our territory and tighten our belts for a few years of hard living. But, never did we anticipate that this Du Ruhai, charged with royal favor, would accept the threats from a few parties and completely ignore the regulations of the ancestors and blatantly undermine the rules of the Hidden Dragon Trials. He employed slight of hand and switched out my answer scroll! Those present are all heavyweights with names and reputation in the kingdom. I would to ask how is it possible that I could pass the first two exams, but couldn’t pass the third that was based off rote memorization? Does this conform with common sense?”
“What? Switched out the answer scroll?”
“This Du Ruhai has such presumptions?”
“No one has ever messed around with the Hidden Dragon Trials throughout the ages. Can this Jiang family be making a false complaint?”
“What Jiang Chen says makes sense. The third exam completely relies on rote memorization. Even a seven, eight year old child could pass given some time!”
The officials held heated discussions. They suddenly didn’t know what was true and what was false.
If based on usual reputation, the duke of Jiang Han, Jiang Feng, was indeed a staunch and steadfast man.
On the other hand, Du Ruhai’s reputation was more mediocre. Many in the capital had heard that the man was greedy and had his fingers in and ate out of many pies when he was an official.
Eastern Lu rubbed his forehead and looked out at the rows of his subjects. He sorely wished that Princess Gouyu could materialize at this moment and help him make a judgment.
Except, this Gouyu hadn’t appeared even now. What was she busy with?
Du Ruhai was hopping mad, “Jiang Chen, you’re making unfounded, venomous accusations! Let me tell you something – this is the Aurum Imperial Hall. Your words must be backed up with evidence, if you have none, then I can sue you for the crime of defamation against an important official.”
“Evidence?” Jiang Chen gave a cold laugh. “I only ask one question. Du Ruhai, you say that my answer scroll is complete bullshit and irrelevant. Then let’s make a bet in the Aurum Imperial Hall. Summon the subject officials in charge of reading the scrolls, I will answer for them again, right now. We’ll see if my answer scroll is as unbearable as you say!”
“Answer again?” Du Ruhai planted his hands on his waist and laughed. “Jiang Chen, who do you think you are? The rules set forth by the ancestors have never been modified. Why should they be changed for you?”
“Du Ruhai, you object with all your might because you have a guilty conscience.”
At this moment, all the subject officials and Jiang Chen’s answer scroll had been presented to Eastern Lu.
Eastern Lu took a brief look and sighed lightly. “Jiang Chen, this answer scroll has your name on it and this handwriting is the same as yours. You will need more evidence to prove your innocence.”
Jiang Chen was wholly unafraid as he looked lightly upon the four subject officials. “Your Majesty, it would be difficult for your subject to find evidence given how the situation is now. However, I happen to remember all the contents of the exams as well as clearly remember my answers. I respectfully request Your Majesty to give me an opportunity to rewrite my correct answers. In this way, even if my Jiang family still loses this lawsuit and the dukedom, I, Jiang Chen, will accept and admit my defeat!”
“In that case, bring out the four treasures of the study!” Eastern Lu immediately gave his approval.
“Your Majesty, doesn’t this violate the writs of the ancestors?”
“Please consider carefully Your Majesty, how can the laws of the forefathers be easily changed?”