Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 85: The Fox Spirit's Selection!

Zhou Wei believed that Ning He wouldn't just randomly choose someone to be the father of her child.

Therefore, Xie Yuan must have a certain identity!

Now, Ning He says that Chu Tian Ce's famous policy essays were actually written by Xie Yuan.

Zhou Wei was even more certain!

However, Xie Yuan is not a character in the original book.

I have no idea where this hidden character came from.

Jiang Yueli felt that Xie Yuan's name sounded familiar.

Ning He knew that Xie Yuan's identity could no longer be hidden, especially since Prime Minister Ning was gradually retiring from the court. If she wanted to continue to help Xie Yuan overturn the Xie family's case, she had to find a powerful backer.

"Yue Li, you should remember him. Think about it again?" Ning He held Jiang Yue Li's hand and winked at her.

Jiang Yueli was still somewhat confused, but suddenly a scene flashed through her mind, making her shudder.

"Could it be... that he is... the son of Minister Xie..."

Ning He nodded. "It's him."

Jiang Yueli was shocked: "He's still alive?"

Ning He immediately informed Jiang Yueli briefly about Xie Yuan's matter.

Ning He's tone was particularly firm when she spoke about the Xie family's wrongful conviction.

“There must be something hidden about Lord Xie’s matter! My father does not believe that he would collude with the enemy and betray the country.”

"Despite so many years of effort, we still haven't found any evidence to clear the Xie family's name."

Jiang Yueli's emotions had not yet calmed down!

This is the second time she has encountered new people since her rebirth.

The first one is Zhou Wei, who suddenly appeared.

In her previous life, Jiang Yueli was unaware of Xie Yuan's existence until Ning He died.

Most importantly, the Xie family's case was not overturned!

Therefore, despite his efforts of more than a decade, Prime Minister Ning ultimately failed.

Now she not only knows Xie Yuan, but also Chu Tian Ce's secret!

All the works that showcase Chu Tiance's talent actually came from Xie Yuan.

A dignified third-place scholar, actually a literary thief?

A strange emotion welled up in Jiang Yueli's heart, and she felt a sense of relief both physically and mentally.

In their past lives, Chu Tianze and Hu Youniang, who were so difficult to deal with, were actually full of flaws!

Now, this flaw has been conveniently handed to her by Ning He.

Things went smoothly, as if divinely inspired!

When exactly did it begin that the problems from my past life, and those difficult people, stopped causing me so much trouble?

It seems to have started from the appearance of Zhou Wei.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yueli couldn't help but turn to look at Zhou Wei beside her.

His eyes were full of gratitude and affection!

If it weren't for Zhou Wei, even if she were to live again, it would be incredibly difficult for her to contend with these heroines with such incredible luck!

Zhou Wei felt Jiang Yueli's gaze and gave her a sweet smile.

From the moment Ning He revealed Xie Yuan's identity, Zhou Wei knew that Xie Yuan and Qiu Ming were the same kind of people!

They were all robbed of their halo by the people around the female lead who had good fortune.

Xie Yuan was clearly exceptionally talented, but due to the injustice done to the Xie family, he had to hide in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) and become a rat in the gutter.

His casually written policy essay was stolen by Chu Tiance and caught the emperor's eye.

He has also become a role model for students all over the world!

At this moment, Ning He was discussing Xie Yuan's little page with Jiang Yueli.

“Xi Tong was personally chosen by my father to take care of Xie Yuan’s daily life. He should be fine.”

"But I really can't figure out how Xie Yuan's strategies were stolen by Chu Tiance?"

Jiang Yueli thought for a moment and said, "Xitong, could it be that she's been bribed?"

Ning He said, "If Xi Tong is bribed, it won't be Xie Yuan's strategy that will be lost, but Xie Yuan's head."

"Most importantly, Xi Tong is illiterate. If he steals Xie Yuan's works and tries to sell them, how can we determine their value?"

"Policy essays are something that ordinary people, unless they are scholars, cannot understand and will not value."

Ning He's analysis makes a lot of sense.

Hee-tong certainly doesn't seem to have any problems!

Zhou Wei then spoke up, "Actually, Miss Ning, you overlooked the biggest point of doubt here."

Ning He and Jiang Yueli both looked at Zhou Wei.

What are the suspicious points?

"It's the essay question!" Zhou Wei reminded her.

"Several policy essays written by Xie Yuan were stolen by Chu Tiance. Is there such a coincidence in the world?"

"Yet Xie Yuan's casual creation was actually useful to Chu Tian Ce? And even used during the provincial and palace examinations?"

Jiang Yueli and Ning He were startled.

Yup!

They actually overlooked such an important issue.

The theft of Xie Yuan's policy essays was essentially a case of literary theft.

Even if Chu Tianze is discovered, it will only ruin his reputation.

The leak of the imperial examination questions was what could be fatal!

Ning He especially thought of Xie Yuan's last words.

When he wrote those policy essays, Xi Tong guided him intentionally or unintentionally.

This means that someone knew the imperial examination questions in advance and guided Xie Yuan to act as a test-taker.

“If it’s related to the leak of the imperial examination questions, then Xi Tong is even less likely to have any problems.”

Ning He said, "He's just a lowly pageboy, his indenture is still in the Prime Minister's mansion, how could he possibly know the imperial examination questions?"

"Actually... even as a princess, I have no way of knowing the questions for the imperial examinations," Jiang Yueli reminded her.

In the imperial examinations of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the questions were usually set by the chief examiner and two deputy examiners.

Once the questions are presented, they will be given to the emperor for his review. If there are no problems, they will be sealed away.

Although the emperor personally presided over the palace examination, the questions were not decided by the emperor on a whim or by slapping his head.

The questions in the palace examination were the best test of a student's on-the-spot reaction and talent, and most of them were related to the philosophy of governing the country!

This is a momentous event that will determine a nation's cultural heritage and destiny.

The examiners would draft several questions of this type, and the emperor would ultimately choose the one to answer.

How could Xi Tong possibly have contact with someone at this level?

Ning He and Jiang Yueli were completely baffled. Where exactly did the problem lie in Chu Tiance being accused of being a literary traitor?

Only Zhou Wei possesses a certain degree of God's-eye view.

She knew that the theft of the imperial examination questions was related to the vixen Hu Youniang.

As a spirit, Hu Youniang naturally had some tricks up her sleeve.

Xie Yuan's young page must have been bewitched by a fox spirit and had his mind clouded.

That's why he guided Xie Yuan to write those policy essays, and then stole them and gave them to Hu Youniang.

It's likely that Xi Tong, this little pageboy, has no idea that he has done these things.

However, there was still one thing Zhou Wei couldn't understand.

How did Hu Youniang know that Xie Yuan was talented?

Xie Yuan's hiding in the Jiaofangsi was a secret. Even Zhou Wei, who was familiar with the original book, didn't know this until Ning He revealed it.

Even though Hu Youniang is a spirit, it won't be easy for her to discover Xie Yuan's hidden talent.

It's probably still related to that national destiny dagger.

“Miss Ning, if you want to know how Chu Tiance stole Xie Yuan’s talent, just try it and you’ll know.”

Ning He and Jiang Yueli asked simultaneously, "How do we try it?"

"Chu Tiance's essay on the imperial examination is still hanging at the entrance of the Imperial Academy for students from all over the country to see."

"Do you think Chu Tianze will respond if an article refuting his remarks is posted at the Imperial Academy tomorrow, openly challenging the third-ranked scholar?"

Zhou Wei's idea gave Ning He and Jiang Yueli a bright idea.

Jiang Yueli clapped her hands and laughed, "Then you must remember to be sharp-tongued and make Chu Tianze angry. Only then will he be willing to do anything to show off his talent and overpower the other party."

As she spoke, Jiang Yueli looked at Ning He: "Sister Ning, do you think your little lover can write an article to refute himself?"

Ning He smiled confidently: "Not only will he refute himself, he'll also have to write a rebuttal for Chu Tianze!"

Jiang Yueli was taken aback, then realized what she meant and sighed repeatedly.

"In other words, Xie Yuan actually has to write three policy essays by himself, and each one must be excellent. This is truly..."

Zhou Wei said, "Princess, you don't need to worry about Young Master Xie. He definitely has that kind of talent."

Xie Yuan, who was chosen by Hu Youniang and had his "literary talent" stolen, was no ordinary person.

During the imperial examinations in the capital, tens of thousands of candidates gathered there, all of whom were exceptionally talented individuals from various prefectures and counties.

But Hu Youniang chose Xie Yuan.

This shows how strong Xie Yuan's "literary spirit" was!

Definitely a selection of the most exquisite fox spirits.