At night, Fan Xian returned to his own place. He chatted to Wan’er about meeting the Second Prince the day before greeting an unexpected guest—vice-minister Xin Qiwu, the Crown Prince’s aide from the eastern palace.
Having been given a seat and some tea, Fan Xian stared at the names on the strip of paper. He knew what Crown Prince was up to, but he didn't know the reason for this visit.
"Why are you showing this to me?" Fan Xian asked while shaking his head, "Vice-minister, I’m afraid I do not have the authority to interfere with the examination in any way."
