Chapter 732: The Duke’s Perfect Counterattack in the Trial (1)_1
Mo Yan stepped into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and thereafter, quite a few more people entered. Before long, the originally spacious hall filled up, buzzing with conversation. Some were discussing the upcoming public trial, and some were whispering about the only woman in the room, Princess Hejia.
Mo Yan, keen of hearing and sharp of sight, caught every word of the discussion. Indifferent to the praises and criticisms being murmured, she quietly watched the doorway of the hall.
A few old scholars nearby, observing Mo Yan’s calm and undisturbed demeanor, grew even more favorable towards her. Seeing her standing there alone, younger than their own granddaughters, their hearts softened, and they struck up a conversation with her.
However, since they were strangers before, there wasn’t much to talk about, and the conversation, unintentionally, drifted towards the examination cheating scandal.
"This examination cheating incident has wide implications. Once responsibilities are determined, the punishments may be much harsher than before. I’m afraid the whole Ministry of Rites might be implicated in this."
The Ministry of Rites was in charge of the imperial examinations. The leakage of questions and answers must have resulted from the ministry’s negligence. In past incidents of cheating, a few officials from the Ministry of Rites were always made to bear the blame, with dismissal from their posts being the lighter punishment. Worse outcomes could include confiscation of property or even imprisonment and conscription.
"Alas, it’s the Ministry of Rites’ own fault! They seem untroubled on normal days, but when trouble arises, it’s always a major issue. It’s to be hoped that this time it does not involve the innocent."
"Right now, only one person has been arrested for the cheating, and with both human and material evidence against him and no claims of injustice, last night he almost died in a fire. It seems that he won’t be able to escape this time!"