Hong Yingrong's eyes were sharp as a torch, and she continued in a deep voice, "What's even more serious is that Yan Boxi is currently staying at the Marquis' Mansion. If this matter were to be exposed, it would be traceable and impossible to conceal. This would inevitably implicate your third brother and Jiang Lun, and even the entire Xingyuan Marquis' Mansion."
She cannot be soft-hearted in this matter, nor can she take chances. No matter whether it is directed at Yan Boxi alone or the entire Xingyuan Marquis Mansion, she cannot afford to gamble!
This concerns the lives of more than 200 people in the entire Marquis' Mansion. It is not as simple as embezzling rice from the orphanage, where it can be resolved by simply doubling the compensation.
"Son understands what mother means. What does this note have to do with Yan Boxi? Has he read it? This is not a matter that our mansion needs to delve into. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Prison will investigate in detail later."
"What we need to think about now is how to turn this matter from a mistake to a merit in the eyes of His Majesty..." Xue Zhongfu responded.
Hong Yingrong nodded slowly, with a hint of approval in her eyes. She knew very well that her son had a quick mind and could always grasp the key to the problem quickly.
"Tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM, as soon as the imperial city gates open, we will immediately enter the palace to see His Majesty." Hong Yingrong said decisively, "We must get His Majesty to change the exam questions before they are sent to the Imperial Examination Hall."
She paused, a look of deep worry between her brows. "The third day's test questions are set by His Majesty himself. Their importance is self-evident."
"The exam questions have been leaked. If they are made public, Your Majesty will be caught in an awkward situation, facing the consequences of a government oversight. A single move could lead to a ripple effect..."
Anyone can make mistakes in this Spring Examination, but Your Majesty is the only one who cannot make mistakes!
So this third question must not be the same!
Xue Zhongfu's eyes gleamed as he suddenly realized something. "Don't worry, mother. I will prepare my statement and will go to the palace with you to see the emperor tomorrow morning."
That night, Xue Zhongfu returned to the courtyard and could not fall asleep. He kept thinking over and over again about the possible situations of meeting the emperor the next day. It was not until the second half of the night that he closed his eyes and rested for a while.
Before dawn the next day, the mother and son dressed up and took a carriage to the imperial city before the hour of Mao.
The lanterns hanging on the gate of the Marquis' Mansion were still flickering. Xue Yuanchu, the eldest son of the Marquis' Mansion, was leaning on a cane, quietly gazing at all this in the dark.
The attendant Guanqi supported him carefully: "My lord, let's go back. It's still dark. It would be bad if he fell." Guanqi reminded him with concern.
Xue Yuanchu sneered, "Prince? Who in the Marquis' Mansion still thinks I'm the Prince?" His words revealed deep self-mockery and resentment.
"What are mother and second brother discussing? I have no idea! They treat me like a decoration! When third brother passes the imperial examination and returns, I'm afraid this Xingyuan Marquisate will become their world."
He finished speaking angrily, the rage in his heart growing stronger and stronger, and he couldn't help but slam the blue bricks on the ground with the crutch in his hand, making a dull "thump thump" sound that echoed in the empty courtyard.
Xue Yuanchu used to be a tall and handsome man, but ever since he broke his leg, he started to show a listless air, and his former high spirits disappeared without a trace.
Guanqi looked at him distressedly and tried to comfort him with words: "My Lord, these are just your speculations, they are all groundless. Besides, the Emperor's decree only requires you to reflect on your mistakes, but he did not say that you will be disqualified from inheriting the title..."
Xue Yuanchu snorted coldly and interrupted him: "If my leg doesn't heal, when my second brother remarries and gives birth to a boy, will I still be able to sit firmly on the throne of the crown prince?"
At this point, he looked towards Tingyuxuan, where his wife Jiang Shuxiu lived in the distance, and said, "Since she wants to avoid me, don't blame me for not considering the love between husband and wife."
He turned to Guanqi and ordered, "Go find Jiang Ren from Shoukangbo's family and ask him to help me with something."
Guan Qi showed an embarrassment on his face and tried to persuade him, "My Lord, please forgive me for saying so much. The Jiang Ren and Jiang Yi brothers don't have a good reputation. Although they come from aristocratic families, they behave improperly and often engage in illicit activities. They are not good people. You have been injured for so long, and they haven't even sent a letter to express their regards..."
Before he could finish his words, Xue Yuanchu slapped Guanqi hard in the face, "Now even you don't listen to me?"
Guanqi's cheeks immediately became red and swollen, and he held back tears in his eyes, but he could only lower his head and obey the prince's orders.
In Tingyuxuan, Jiang Shuxiu did not sleep well that night. He had a light sleep and many dreams. Seeing this, her personal maid Rui'er gently lifted the curtain beside the bed.
"Miss, the old lady and the second young master just left the house. Did the noise disturb your sleep?"
Jiang Shuxiu frowned slightly and shook her head: "No, I just feel a bit depressed."
"Miss, you have been busy with the cloth shop and silk shop recently and may have been overworked. Would you like to try some calming soup? Maybe it can provide some relief?" Rui'er asked with concern.
Jiang Shuxiu showed a bit of bitterness on her face: "I feel uncomfortable when I think of the taste of the medicine. But the wolfberry and silver sprouts I made in the kitchen yesterday were mixed with just the right amount of sweet and sour, and very appetizing." She was no longer sleepy at this time, so she simply got up.
Rui'er immediately went forward to help her change clothes: "Then I will ask the kitchen to make more sweet and sour dishes."
When she changed out of her pajamas, she whispered, "Girl, your period is irregular again. It seems that you are really exhausted."
Jiang Shuxiu's eyes calmly swept over the menstrual belt in Rui'er's hand, without showing much worry on his face.
"We've already separated into separate rooms, so I don't need to worry about it anymore... When mother returns home, have someone inform her and I'll go pay my respects to her."
Rui'er responded and carefully helped Jiang Shuxiu tidy up her dress and combed her long hair. In this quiet morning, the tacit understanding between the master and servant made everything in order.
…
The carriage that Hong Yingrong and Xue Zhongfu were riding in slowly drove towards the Dong'an Gate of the imperial city in the dim light of dawn.
When we arrived, it was not yet the hour of Mao, and the royal guards in front of the palace gate were on high alert, with a solemn atmosphere in the air.
Hong Yingrong sat upright in the car, looking at the situation outside calmly through the gap in the curtains.
"Fu'er," she said softly, a hint of solemnity in her tone, "Do you know which palace gate the test papers were sent out of the palace through two days ago?"
Xue Zhongfu thought for a moment and replied in a deep voice, "It is the Qianqing Gate."
"Okay, then let's go to Qianqing Gate and wait." Hong Yingrong made a decisive decision.
Xue Zhongfu frowned slightly: "Mother, ladies of high rank enter the palace through the Dong'an Gate."
"Let's put these rules aside for now." Hong Yingrong waved her hand, signaling the driver to change direction and head towards Qianqing Gate.
After Xue Zhongfu got into the car, Hong Yingrong turned her gaze back to look at her son, her expression becoming more serious.
"Fu'er, you must do what I'm going to say next no matter what! Are you willing to trust your mother?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Zhongfu's expression froze, and a determined light flashed in his eyes. He nodded heavily, his voice firm and powerful.
"Mother, please give your orders. Even if it means sacrificing my life to ensure the safety of the Marquisate, I will not hesitate for a moment!"
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