Chapter 409 Caught in the Act (First Update)

Outsiders were not aware of the close relationship between Ning Zhiyuan and Xiao Liulang. Even the coachman named Wu Lao Er only learned about it by chance after bumping into them a few times.

He kept his mouth shut and didn't divulge anything to outsiders.

However, now that Ning Zhiyuan is in trouble, Wu Lao Er can't care about anything else.

"What happened to Editor Ning?" Xiao Liulang asked.

Wu Lao Er said anxiously and worriedly, "He broke an antique inkstone in the Wenhua Pavilion. I heard it belonged to the late emperor... What should we do? If he really gets into trouble, Ning, the compiler, will lose his career!"

Damaging royal property is indeed a major taboo; even Scholar Han couldn't protect Ning Zhiyuan.

Wenhua Pavilion is not far from the Examination Hall. Xiao Liulang asked the people from the Examination Hall to go there first, as he had some things to take care of and would arrive later.

Afterwards, Xiao Liulang and Wu Lao Er went to Wenhua Pavilion.

Every plant, tree, brick, and tile in Wenhua Pavilion is exactly as it was originally, and the fragrant osmanthus scent that wafts through the seasons easily awakens memories.

Xiao Liulang's expression faltered for a moment.

“Xiao Xiuzhuan, Xiao Xiuzhuan?” Wu Lao Er called out to him.

Xiao Liulang snapped out of his daze, looked at Wu Lao Er, and asked, "I'm fine. Where is he?" Before Wu Lao Er could give him directions, he nodded and said, "I know. He's at Tingfeng Courtyard."

After saying that, he strode towards Tingfeng Courtyard.

Wu Lao Er was completely confused: "I don't think I told you that someone was at Tingfeng Academy... And have you been here before? How do you know where Tingfeng Academy is?"

Wenhua Pavilion consists of one main building and three courtyards. The main building is called Wenhua Pavilion and is used to store books. Tinglan Courtyard is Princess Xinyang's private courtyard, Tingtao Courtyard is a separate courtyard used to entertain guests, and only Tingfeng Courtyard is used to store antique treasures and some classical books that need to be restored.

The reason why Scholar Han came here today is because Princess Xinyang brought back a large box of paintings by famous masters from Fengdu Mountain, including two books of Mencius and Doctrine of the Mean, which were annotated by the great Confucian scholar Zhuge Liang of the previous dynasty.

Princess Xinyang planned to donate these two books to the Hanlin Academy.

Because the books were just moved back and were about to be sent away, they were not put into the library, but were temporarily placed in Tingfeng Courtyard.

Xiao Liulang arrived at Tingfeng Courtyard with practiced ease.

He discovered that not everything had remained unchanged; at least, none of the people inside were familiar faces.

The manager in charge of Wenhua Pavilion now shares the same surname as Wu Lao Er. He is almost fifty years old, but looks only in his early forties.

This matter caused quite a stir, and not only him, but also several deputy managers of Wenhua Pavilion came along.

Ning Zhiyuan was brought here by Han Xueshi, so he can't escape responsibility if something goes wrong. He is pleading with the stewards to see if he can take the inkstone with him. There is a Five Classics Doctor in the Hanlin Academy who is good at restoring antiques, so perhaps he can give it a try.

The stewards, however, did not give Han the courtesy he deserved and insisted on detaining Ning Zhiyuan, to be handed over to Princess Xinyang for judgment later.

"Lord Han." Xiao Liulang walked over, cupped his hands in greeting to Scholar Han, and then glanced at Ning Zhiyuan beside him.

When Ning Zhiyuan saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline: "Sixth Brother!"

Scholar Han frowned and said, "Didn't you go to the examination hall? Why are you here? This is none of your business. You should leave now."

Xiao Liulang said, "The Imperial Examination Hall doesn't start classes this early. I heard something happened here. I recommended Ning, the editor. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have gotten into this mess."

"Six..." Ning Zhiyuan corrected the form of address, "Xiao Xiuzhuan, don't say that. I accidentally knocked the inkstone over myself. It has nothing to do with you."

Xiao Liulang didn't rush to appease Ning Zhiyuan, but instead looked at the stewards opposite him: "May I take a look at that inkstone?"

When Manager Wu saw that he was wearing the official robes of the Hanlin Academy, he knew that he was a Hanlin official, so he did not refuse his request. However... Manager Wu looked at his lame leg and cane with a strange look in his eyes.

Xiao Liulang was used to being scrutinized like this. He stood there neither humbly nor arrogantly, waiting for the servants of Wenhua Pavilion to carefully bring over the broken inkstone on a tray.

This is an imperial inkstone used by the third emperor of the Great Western Dynasty. It belongs to an antique from the previous dynasty, no wonder the stewards of Wenhua Pavilion are so nervous.

However, this inkstone was not broken by Ning Zhiyuan; it had been broken long ago by young Xiao Heng.

Worried about being spanked by Princess Xinyang, he asked Long Yi to find some fish glue, and then casually stuck some on himself.

So Ning Zhiyuan really was tricked by him.

Xiao Liulang said without changing his expression, "This inkstone was originally broken."

"You're talking nonsense!" Steward Wu said sternly. "How could it be broken? Are you implying that we broke the inkstone and framed your Hanlin Academy?"

Ning Zhiyuan was also somewhat doubtful, but since no one believed him, he didn't dare to voice his doubts. Now that Xiao Liulang had spoken up, he felt more confident: "I also don't think I broke it. The floor is wooden, and this thing wasn't placed very high. Who knows how a light bump could break it in two..."

Scholar Han looked at Xiao Liulang: "What evidence do you have?"

Although she didn't want Ning Zhiyuan to be guilty, she wouldn't let someone else take the blame just to exonerate him. Princess Xinyang wasn't known for her good temper, and the consequences of slandering her servants would be severe.

Xiao Liulang showed the inkstone to Han Xueshi: "This crack is quite old, and there are traces of fish glue used to glue it together. If you gentlemen don't believe me, you can invite Dr. Nie from the Hanlin Academy and the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. They will know the truth at a glance."

Dr. Nie is the Five Classics Doctor who is an expert in restoring antiques.

Needless to say, the old master craftsman could not only identify antiques, but also make fake antiques.

Upon hearing this, Han Xueshi immediately sent people to the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy to invite the experts.

After careful examination, the two confirmed that what Xiao Liulang said was true; the inkstone had indeed been broken for many years.

However, the managers still looked skeptical.

Scholar Han smiled faintly: "If you officials don't trust the Hanlin Academy, do you also not trust the Imperial Academy? The Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy have no connection whatsoever!"

This is the absolute truth. Everyone knows that the Hanlin Academy is in Zhuang Taifu's camp, and Zhuang Taifu and the old Chancellor are each in their own camp.

Old Master: Can you tell me about your apprentice at the Hanlin Academy?

The old chief priest stroked his beard and said solemnly, "Alright, alright, there are some things that shouldn't be said, after all, the young marquis has passed away, and discussing him again would be quite inappropriate, but we can't let an innocent person take the blame because of this. Actually, this inkstone... was broken by Xiao Heng! He was mischievous as a child, and when he broke the inkstone, he didn't dare tell Princess Xinyang, so he secretly took it to the Imperial Academy and asked me to repair it for him... That's right, I'm the one who glued this inkstone back together! If you don't believe me..."

Don't believe me? Go underground and ask the young marquis for confirmation.

The managers all had a picture in their minds, and they all shuddered, no longer daring to speak!

The old chief priest waved his hand: "Alright, I will speak to Princess Xinyang about the inkstone myself. I won't make things difficult for you."

Only then did the managers finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Even if they had never served the young marquis, they knew that the old chief priest was the young marquis's teacher. Since he had taken on the responsibility, there was nothing for them to do.

The incident was thus resolved.

Scholar Han had hoped to run into Princess Xinyang, but she never came to Wenhua Pavilion, much to his disappointment.

After leaving Wenhua Pavilion, Xiao Liulang looked at the old chief priest with a complicated expression: "Teacher's mouth is really something..."

The old chief priest waved his hand: "Excellent as always, I know!"

Xiao Liulang: "..."

As long as you're happy.

Meanwhile, Gu Jiao entered the palace.

She's a regular at Renshou Palace now; she doesn't even need her token checked anymore, she can just enter by scanning her face.

She was going to deliver candied fruit to her great-aunt. Recently, her great-uncle improved the candied fruit, making it sweeter but with less sugar, so her great-aunt could eat one more piece every day.

As she was walking toward Renshou Palace, she suddenly heard someone calling her.

"Miss Gu!"

It was Princess Rui's voice.

Gu Jiao hadn't seen Princess Rui for a while, mainly because she had encountered an assassination attempt on her way back from visiting Consort Jing at the nunnery. Prince Rui was terrified and for two months he forbade Princess Rui from going out.

"I knew it was you!" Princess Rui walked over and affectionately took Gu Jiao's arm. "You seem to have grown taller again! Unlike me, I can only gain weight."

Looking at her slightly plump figure, Gu Jiao said, "You're not fat."

She's really not fat. Princess Rui used to be too thin; this is what's normal now.

Princess Rui said, "Only you and the Prince say that! The nannies don't allow me to eat too much, for fear that the fetus will grow too big and make childbirth difficult."

Gu Jiao deeply agreed. In ancient times, when medical care was not advanced, childbirth was always natural, and the best choice was to avoid overeating while ensuring nutrition.

But judging from Princess Rui's complexion, it was clear that the maids were taking excellent care of her.

Princess Rui sighed, "I haven't been out for so long that I didn't even know that Consort Jing had passed away. The prince probably kept it from me because he was afraid that I would be too sad and upset and it would affect my pregnancy."

The matter of Consort Jing was kept very secret, and Gu Jiao was unsure whether Prince Rui had heard any rumors.

"How have you been lately?" Princess Rui asked.

"It's alright," Gu Jiao said.

Princess Rui sighed, "Why don't you come to my residence to see me? You have no idea how bored I've been these past two months."

Gu Jiao looked at her prominently pregnant belly and said, "Aren't you bored with him around?"

Princess Rui and Lady Yao both had the same due date in early October, and she was currently more than seven months pregnant.

Her belly looked bigger than Yao's.

When the topic of her unborn child came up, Princess Rui revealed a tender maternal expression: "I don't know if it's a son or a daughter, but I want to give the Prince a son! If it's a son, then he will be Father Emperor's first grandson, and Father Emperor will be very happy!"

No one else would dare to say that, but Princess Rui was straightforward and outspoken, and she trusted Gu Jiao completely, so she spoke without any reservations.

Just as Gu Jiao was about to use a stethoscope to listen to the fetal heartbeat in her belly, a woman's exclamation came from behind the artificial hill not far away.

"What—uh—"

As soon as Princess Rui opened her mouth, Gu Jiao warily covered it!

(End of this chapter)