"By the way, has Qingrui and Qingtong been affected?"
Yang Chuxia shook her head, "It seems they havenāt been. Theyāre still asleep. Weāll ask them when they wake up."
"The Emperor has already ordered an investigation over there. Thereāll be results soon."
"Oh dear, are these people displeased with Uncle, or is it some others theyāre unhappy with?"
Lele, holding a big sweet melon, said with a laugh.
"What profound insight do you have now?" Ye Ziāan was already used to his son frequently saying surprising things, and upon hearing this, he figured Lele knew something.
"Crunch..." Lele bit into the melon crisply, then took another bite. After a long pause, he said, "What insight could I have? Iām just a child!" His tone was quite innocent.
"If youāve no insight, why are you chiming in?" Ye Ziāan glared at him irritably.
Lele choked on a piece of melon.
Yang Chuxia stepped forward to pat his back.
"Serves you right for showing off; now youāre stuck."
After a while, Lele calmed down and said, "Isnāt it because father speaks irritably? I canāt even respond."
"Pfft!" Ye Ziāan snickered and turned to eat melon himself.
"Dad, donāt laugh." Lele tossed the melon onto the table, wiped his hands, and said, "This time, itās either aimed at Uncle, or at you meritorious folks here. Just wait and see."
"What do you mean by that?"
Seeing he piqued Ye Ziāanās interest, Lele went silent again and continued munching on his melon.
Seeing this little rascalās attitude, Ye Ziāan got annoyed, stepped forward and snatched his melon, "Speak before you eat, no talk, no eat."
"Dad, must you be like this?" Lele lamented, "Iām just a child, what do you want from me?"
"Youāre six years old now, not that young. Stop pretending, otherwise if your dad spanks you, I wonāt intercede." Yang Chuxia had enough of it too; this little kid can cause such a ruckus.
"Alright, alright, Iāll talk." Lele reluctantly spread his hands, "You see, the Imperial Exam is the main source for the court to select officials, and this is the Emperorās first selection since ascending the throne. Those chosen might become close aides of the Emperor. The Emperor surely values this exam. If itās messed up, his reputation would be affected badly. The ones who wouldnāt want to see the Emperor do well are those vying for the throne. And then we talk about you officials, each with your titles and rewards; currently, youāre shining throughout the court. With you around, itās tough for others to gain prominence and favor. But without you, wouldnāt others have the chance to rise up?"
"Dad, think it throughāwhose path have you blocked, and whose path has Uncle blocked? Youāll pretty much know who did this."
Having said this, he put his hands behind his back and shook his head, ready to leave, "I donāt want the melon anymore. Eating your melon comes with such a big price; my brainās been strained again."
"Heh, this kid!" Yang Chuxia laughed. He might not seem it when Yangyang is around, but this child is quite amusing.
Ye Ziāan gritted his teeth, "Itchy skin!" Paused, then added, "But what he said isnāt entirely incorrect."
In the evening, Ye Ziāan wanted to ask Yang Qingrui about the exam situation, but both of them were still asleep, so he let it go.
After dinner, he took Lele to the study to practice calligraphy for a while and then prepared to go to sleep.
He had just reached the bamboo garden gate when he met Yang Chuxia hurriedly heading out.
"Why are you rushing off like that?"