Only the last remnants of the sunset were left at the end of the heavenly staircase, and the hazy yellow sunset shone over the ancient and long-established imperial capital.
Zhao Fu had been chief steward for more than ten years and had never been sent out of the Emperor's upper study when Emperor Jianing was talking about secret matters, like the Qinglong bell being rung abruptly at the top of the imperial city for the first time in decades.
Although, to put it mildly, it was not quite a secret matter, he was almost certain that His Majesty must be ashamed of anger at the moment.
He slightly bent over and stood facing the entrance of the study room, always maintaining a respectful posture. When he turned his eyes and inadvertently glanced at the scene on the stone steps, a faintly visible emotion passed under his cloudy eyes.
Gu Kuan, the marquis of Zhongyi who holds tens of thousands of troops and horses in the northwest, knelt straight on the blue-patterned stone steps, gazing quietly at the closed upper study with a calm and composed demeanour.
At the corridor, Gu Zhaoyi was supported by two palace servants. Her long and slender fingertips tightened, and her complexion was a little pale.
It has been two hours since Huang Pu was summoned into the Upper Study to report everything.
Although Zhao Fu hadn't left this place, he knew that all the people in the capital were waiting for the decision of the one inside.
"Zhao Fu, come in."
By the time Zhao Fu had pacified the great eunuch sent to the Ci'an hall for the third time to ask questions, Emperor Jianing's voice finally rang out in the suffocating silence.
Marquis of Zhongyi, who was kneeling on the stone steps, was taken aback. His face was more than a touch relieved.
With a long breath of relief, Zhao Fu shook his body and pushed open the door of the upper study room——
The night pearls in the room were illuminated, casting a shallow shadow on the quietness of the room. Emperor Jianing sat on the couch with his eyes solemn, his already unwell body looking a little tired. Huang Pu knelt not far from the floor, his head bowed in silence.
Zhao Fu walked cautiously to the Emperor's side and asked in a respectful voice, "Your Majesty, what is your command?"
Emperor Jianing waved his hand and pointed towards the desk, "Bring the jade seal here and draw up a decree for zhen."
Huang Pu's ears twitched as Emperor Jianing glanced at him and commanded in a deep voice, "Pass down the decree. Because the Minister of the Da Lisi, Pei Zhan, is physically ill, zhen have ordered the shao qing of the Da Lisi, Ren Anle, to work with the two ministers to examine the case of cheating in the imperial examinations ..."
Huang Pu suddenly raised his head, looking excited.
The Emperor Jianing snorted and continued with a flick of his sleeve, "What are you so happy about? You only have one day. If the investigation of the case is still not clear by tomorrow, the official hats of all the officials in the Da Lisi will be removed, along with Ren An Le's!"
"Your Majesty, This subject is willing to trust Ren da ren..."
"Even the Qinglong Bell has been struck, Zhen does not doubt Huang Qing's trust in Ren Anle!" Emperor Jianing coldly interrupted Huang Pu.
"Your Majesty, This subject really can't bear the thought of the scholars travelling thousands of miles to the capital for the imperial examination only to end up with an illusionary scene and their efforts to be in vain...," Huang Pu said fearfully, looking embarrassed and knocking his head on the ground.