Because Zhao Yan had violently broken the door locks at the Tribute Examination Hall, the autumn imperial examination was forced to a halt.
The Emperor was consumed with thunderous rage. A crowd of officials from the Ministry of Rites knelt trembling before Chuigong Hall, and the examinees were hauled off to the Ministry of Justice for questioning. The only exception was that rebellious son, Zhao Yan. The Emperor had sent men to find him several times, but the Imperial Guards returned each time bruised and bloodied.
The crux of the matter was his maternal grandmother, who held the status of a First-Rank Lady. She kept clinging to her "ailing body" to shield the boy, and the Imperial Guards dared not make a move. Whenever they pressed too hard, she would collapse to the ground, moaning and groaning about a heart condition.
Chapter 75