After a moment of reflection, Ye Yiming made a firm decision in his heart: he would never let his mother worry about him again.

With this thought, Ye Yiming smiled and earnestly said to Wang Yulian, "Mother, you can rest assured! I was immature before, but now I've grown up. I understand your painstaking efforts. From now on, I promise not to disappoint you!"

Hearing Ye Yiming's words, Wang Yulian stood up excitedly, her eyes reddening with a touch of moisture. She looked at Ye Yiming and then hugged him tightly.

Even Duke Wu, standing nearby, was moved.

Sigh! The boy has finally grown up!

"Mother, can you let go now?" After being held for a while, Ye Yiming finally spoke, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Sweat~

I'm already 18 years old, being held like this, even if it's by my mother, it's still quite embarrassing!

"Oh, you can feel shy?"

Seeing Ye Yiming's embarrassed look, Wang Yulian couldn't help but find it amusing. After teasing him, she released her hold on him.

Ye Yiming could only smile helplessly and said nothing more.

At this moment, Old Master Ye glanced at Ye Yiming and his mother and spoke up.

"Alright, Yulian, no need to say more. That's enough." Turning to Ye Yiming, he reminded, "Yiming, you have something to do today, don't you?"

Something to do? It seems that apart from auctioning the elixirs, there's nothing else on my schedule today, right?

Ye Yiming was puzzled by Old Master Ye's words.

Seeing Ye Yiming's puzzled look, Old Master Ye chuckled, "Haha! I knew you forgot."

"Grandfather, what exactly is it?" Ye Yiming was now completely confused.

"Oh, it's nothing major. It's just that I told you seven days ago that you have to visit the palace today."

Old Master Ye's tone was extremely calm, as if going to the palace was no different from visiting a teahouse by the street.

Old Master Ye's attitude left Ye Yiming speechless, but Wang Yulian grabbed Ye Yiming's hand and said, "Yiming, you should go quickly!"

Seeing this, Ye Yiming first gave Wang Weilong a look that said 'I'll deal with you when I get back,' which made Wang Weilong shiver. Then he smiled and said to Wang Yulian, "Mother, I'll be going then!"

"Yes, go quickly and come back soon. When you see the emperor, be careful with your words..."

"Oh, I know, Mother! Yes, that's enough, I'm leaving now!"

Initially, Ye Yiming listened attentively to his mother's instructions, but as she spoke more and more, he felt overwhelmed and quickly turned and left.

This made Wang Yulian sigh in exasperation, but Ye Yiming was already out of earshot.

...

Ye Yiming arrived at the palace and, under the guidance of a eunuch, entered a hall named Juxian Hall. Upon entering, he was stunned.

Juxian Hall was already filled with more than twenty scholars and literati before Ye Yiming arrived.

"He's here, Ye Yiming is here!"

Among the scholars, someone immediately shouted upon seeing Ye Yiming, making him the focus of the entire hall.

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What's this all about?

Seeing more than twenty scholars glaring at him, Ye Yiming was puzzled and scratched the back of his head.

Seeing Ye Yiming's confused look, the eunuch who led him in stepped forward and quickly whispered in his ear.

"Little Duke, these gentlemen are civil officials from the capital. After you angered the Prime Minister seven days ago, they jointly petitioned to convict you. Leading them is Grand Scholar Zheng of Taihe Hall, along with two other Grand Scholars, the Minister of Rites, and even the Supervisory Censor and the Director of Internal Affairs. The rest are deputy ministers and scholars from various departments and the Hanlin Academy, totaling twenty-three people."

Although the eunuch spoke quickly, his words were clear, allowing Ye Yiming to quickly understand their identities. But once he did, he was completely stunned.

My goodness!

Did I hear that right? Among these people, there are seven or eight first-rank officials, and the rest are all at least second-rank. Almost all the highest-ranking civil officials of Tianyang are here, and they are all here to trouble me?

Heavens! What saint did I insult? Did I fill a pit and bury a Confucian scholar? Is this lineup necessary?

"Are you Ye Yiming?" Just as Ye Yiming was reeling, an elderly voice rang out.

Looking up, Ye Yiming saw an old man with white hair glaring at him as if they had some deep-seated enmity.

This must be Grand Scholar Zheng, but why does he look at me with such hatred? I don't remember offending him!

"Uh, yes, I am Ye Yiming. What advice do you have for me, Grand Scholar Zheng?" Although the other party seemed hostile, Ye Yiming couldn't be too rude. After all, he was a Grand Scholar of Taihe Hall!

Unfortunately, Grand Scholar Zheng was not interested in Ye Yiming's politeness. He snorted coldly.

"Hmph, advice? I dare not. The Little Duke's talent is so astounding that even Prime Minister Wu had to bow in submission. I am too unlearned to offer any advice."

Hearing the undisguised sarcasm in Grand Scholar Zheng's words, Ye Yiming raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when a sharp voice rang out.

"The Emperor arrives!"

At this sound, the officials who had been glaring at Ye Yiming immediately shifted their gaze away from him, knelt, and called out.

"Long live the Emperor!"

Ye Yiming had no choice but to kneel and bow as well.

"Rise, everyone."

A moment later, a majestic voice rang out. It was the current Emperor of Tianyang, Lin Wanjun.

After the officials rose, Lin Wanjun spoke again, "I understand the reason for your gathering today. It's about the petition you submitted seven days ago to convict Ye Yiming."

"Your Majesty is wise!" As Lin Wanjun spoke, the twenty-three officials immediately bowed and called out.

Seeing this, Ye Yiming was startled. He wanted to say something but remembered his promise to his mother to be careful with his words, so he held back.

This time, Ye Yiming managed to keep his promise, but his behavior puzzled Lin Wanjun.

Hmm, why isn't this boy talking? Why is he so obedient?

Just as Lin Wanjun was pondering this, Grand Scholar Zheng stepped forward, bowed to Lin Wanjun, and said, "Your Majesty, Ye Yiming does not know the court's etiquette. Seven days ago, he loudly disrupted the court and showed disrespect to the Prime Minister, which is also disrespect to Your Majesty. I implore Your Majesty to convict him as a warning to others!"

"Please convict Ye Yiming as a warning to others!"

As soon as Grand Scholar Zheng finished speaking, the other twenty-two officials immediately knelt and petitioned.

This left Ye Yiming completely dumbfounded.

Damn it! They're clearly trying to get rid of me!

All the high-ranking civil officials of Tianyang are now calling for the Emperor to convict me. Even if the Emperor is inclined towards me, he can't ignore the petitions of so many officials!

If I don't speak up now, I'm as good as dead!

"Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

Sigh, you finally decided to speak up, you rascal.

After hearing the numerous officials' petitions, Lin Wanjun was getting a headache. Upon hearing Ye Yiming's voice, his eyes brightened, and he said, "Ye Yiming, if you have something to say, speak freely!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ye Yiming bowed to Lin Wanjun, then straightened up, walked to Grand Scholar Zheng, smiled, and said, "Grand Scholar Zheng, you want His Majesty to convict me. May I ask, what crime have I committed?"

Grand Scholar Zheng did not want to respond to Ye Yiming, but since the Emperor had granted him permission to speak, he had to answer.

"Hmph, I have already stated in my petition that your crime is disrupting the court and showing disrespect to the Prime Minister and the Emperor seven days ago! Do you still want to deny it?"

Hearing Grand Scholar Zheng's words, Ye Yiming shook his head and said, "I disagree with your accusation, Grand Scholar. Seven days ago, I was merely debating with the Prime Minister and composing poetry. How is that disrupting the court? As for the accusation of disrespect, that's even more baseless!"

Haha, well said. This rascal is still as eloquent as ever.

Ye Yiming's words were logical and reasonable, making Lin Wanjun secretly nod in approval.

Although Lin Wanjun agreed with Ye Yiming, the other twenty-three officials might not.

"Hmph, Little Duke, your words are the ones I truly disagree with. Seven days ago, your argument with Prime Minister Wu was nothing but nonsense! As for the poems and couplets you presented, they were clearly not your own, but something you borrowed to pass off as your own!"

Damn it! This old man is too despicable. I admit the poems weren't mine, but the couplets were my own creations!

How can you slander me like this? I will sue you for defamation!