Episode 30 recap: It was evident to all that Rou Fei had undergone a drastic change in just a couple of months
Even at a casual family gathering, her ambition was barely concealed Jing Lan was perplexed by this, and Li Rong told her that the most terrifying aspect of power is its ability to corrupt the human heart, to the point that even those on the verge of complete rot have no inkling of it
Therefore, the simplest way to ruin someone is to suddenly grant them far more than they can handle. This way, they will bring about their own downfall without any need for intervention. Subsequently, Su Rong Qing used Pei Wen Xuan's offenses of insubordination, unlawful entry, and assaulting a government official as a pretext to personally have him imprisoned in the Ministries' Jail.
Li Rong believed that although Su Rong Qing appeared gentle and refined on the surface, if anyone stood in his way, he would transform into a deadly venomous snake. Li Rong took the initiative to meet with Su Rong Qing, stating that while he had no intention of hating Su Rong Qing for the previous attempt on his life, he would hate him forever if he were to kill Pei Wen Xuan.
Su Rong Qing suddenly visited the Mingle Palace, saying he wanted to know who had advised Rou Fei, and also told her that she had already been plotted against and would have difficulty escaping. Rou Fei had originally planned to get the support of the Hanzu clan for Su Wang, but unexpectedly, the civil service exam cheating scandal was exposed, which could potentially tarnish Su Wang's reputation.
Troubled by this, Rou Fei's maid suggested that she continue to cooperate with Su Rong Qing.
A few days later, the Emperor sent Pei Wen Xuan to assist Rou Fei in investigating the civil service exam cheating case. He ordered a thorough investigation of all involved parties, especially the Shangguan family and other influential families. Seeing Pei Wen Xuan's diligence, Rou Fei had him and his team run all over the city, conducting the investigation with great vigor.
This earned Rou Fei widespread praise from the common people, who admired her courage in not fearing the powerful. Pei Wen Xuan also gained great fame, although his reputation among the elite families was not so favorable.
Jing Lan, a maid in the Princess' Palace, observed Rou Fei's transformation, and Li Rong told her that power can corrupt people, and those corrupted by power are often unaware of it themselves.
Rou Fei felt it was time to back down. She only wanted to eliminate her enemies, not truly serve the common people. She then approached Pei Wen Xuan, wanting him to persuade the exam takers to not pursue the issue of proxy test-taking, and promised to give them money.
Additionally, Rou Fei instructed Pei Wen Xuan to arrest the Minister of Personnel, Wang Hou Wen.
Pei Wen Xuan led his men to surround Wang Hou Wen's residence, leaving no way out. Wang Hou Wen knew Pei Wen Xuan had come to arrest him, but he remained unperturbed and summoned Su Rong Qing. As a result, Su Rong Qing, citing Pei Wen Xuan's insubordination, had him imprisoned in the Ministries' Jail.
Li Rong knew that although Su Rong Qing appeared amiable on the surface, if anyone got in his way, he would not hesitate to use force. She had to find a way to rescue Pei Wen Xuan, or else she didn't know what he might do. On the other hand, Pei Wen Xuan and his old friend Su Rong Qing were chatting over tea at the Ministry of Justice.
Pei Wen Xuan directly asked Su Rong Qing when he had returned. Su Rong Qing said he had awakened a month before the Spring Feast, feeling as if he had just had a dream.
Although Su Rong Qing liked Li Rong, he still watched as she married Pei Wen Xuan. He wished for Li Rong's happiness, but in his heart, he felt that Pei Wen Xuan was not worthy of her. At this moment, Li Rong rushed into the Ministry of Justice to retrieve Pei Wen Xuan, warning Su Rong Qing that if he killed Pei Wen Xuan, she would hate him for the rest of her life. Then she escorted Pei Wen Xuan out of the Ministry, and Su Rong Qing watched their retreating figures, feeling somewhat bittersweet.
On the way home in the carriage, Pei Wen Xuan told Li Rong about Rou Fei's matter. To cover for the injured Pei Wen Xuan, Li Rong claimed that she had forcibly brought him back to the Princess's Residence, so that others would think of her as a lovesick princess. Rou Fei had instructed Pei Wen Xuan to arrest Wang Hou Wen, but she had only wanted to scare the aristocratic families.
However, before she could deliver an apology gift to Wang Hou Wen, she received a note containing a mocking poem, cursing her for her humble origins. Rou Fei was furious and immediately led a group to storm the Wang Mansion and arrest Wang Hou Wen.
The next day at the court audience, Shang Guan Xu and others accused Rou Fei of arbitrarily arresting people. Rou Fei and Su Wang presented evidence of Wang Hou Wen's bribery, leaving the aristocratic families speechless. Though tortured, Wang Hou Wen refused to confess, telling Rou Fei that the aristocratic families were united, and anyone who betrayed them would only meet a dead end. Rou Fei had no choice but to report the matter to the Emperor and promised to take good care of Wang Hou Wen's bird.
The civil service examination fraud case was soon resolved. Su Wang requested the Emperor to restart the examinations, giving the students a fair chance. Su Wang originally wanted to be the chief examiner himself, but the Emperor had other arrangements. Pei Wen Xuan suggested that the Emperor increase the number of military examinations. The Emperor had been in poor health lately, sometimes experiencing blindness upon waking, which worried the eunuch Fu Lai. He secretly informed Pei Wen Xuan about this, and Pei Wen Xuan was alarmed, feeling that a major event might be about to unfold.
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