Chapter 738: The Duke’s Perfect Counterattack in the Trial (3)_1
freēwēbnovel.com Speaking to this point, Mo Qingze paused, his gaze fixed on the three unsettled figures as he continued, "To demonstrate fairness, I request a public competition in the main hall."
As these words were spoken, the room was filled with shock. No one had anticipated Mo Qingze would make such a request. Just as the three witnesses had said, each examiner’s tastes differed, and their views on the essays varied accordingly—there was indeed an element of luck in becoming a Scholar.
Now that Mo Qingze had called for a competition in the hall against the three men, while a victory could clear his name, since he had absolute power, who would risk ruining their future prospects by cheating? However, the prospect of winning was by no means easy, unless he possessed overwhelming superiority over the three men.
The eight chief examiners simultaneously looked toward Emperor Huian; while a competition in the hall was problematic, it was indeed the best way to clear any suspicion. Ordinary people wouldn’t have the courage to propose such a thing, yet Mo Qingze was unexpectedly firm.
Emperor Huian watched Mo Qingze, his face resolute, a flash of intense admiration in his eyes, yet he did not immediately agree. If Mo Qingze won, his name would surely be acclaimed far and wide, but if he lost... the Crown Prince could be implicated!
As if perceiving Emperor Huian’s hesitation, Chu Heng stood up and respectfully said, "Father, Your Humble Son supports the competition in the hall."
Nobody expected that the first to advocate for the hall competition would be the Crown Prince. They all guessed he supported it to clear his own name, but the risks were indeed substantial.
"Your Humble Son seconds the motion!"
"Your Humble Son seconds the motion!"
"Your Humble Son seconds the motion!"
"..."