The Spring Examination Paper Leakage Incident was resolved swiftly and quickly. All the students who cheated in the examination were sent to Lingnan to serve in the imperial court on the grounds that their answers were "grossly disrespectful" and would not be pardoned for life.
When the news came out, there was an uproar inside and outside the capital. This harsh punishment was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up thousands of waves.
In the streets, alleys, teahouses and taverns, people everywhere were whispering to each other, wondering what taboos these tribute students had committed to offend the emperor and suffer such severe punishment.
In addition, the gate of Liu Cairen's mother's house in Yongning Lane was closed, and the whole family seemed to have disappeared without a trace.
The neighbors were secretly frightened, but they didn't dare to ask too many questions. No one dared to touch this taboo topic for fear of getting into trouble.
However, the Xingyuan Marquisate was well aware of this. After hearing the news, the old lady Hong Yingrong just sighed lightly.
The emperor did this to maintain the fairness of the imperial examination and the reputation of the court, and the cheating tribute students and Liu Cairen's mother's family could only become victims of this incident.
As time went by, the Spring Examination leak incident gradually faded from people's sight.
…
Spring is in the air, and just before the announcement of the spring examination results, the capital city is once again immersed in the joyful atmosphere of spring outings.
Whether they were princes, nobles, or ordinary people, they all went to Liquan Mountain to enjoy the spring outing, the flowers, and the beauty of spring.
After experiencing some turmoil, the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion finally returned to its former tranquility.
Old lady Hong Yingrong specially chose a sunny and warm day and invited her daughter-in-law Jiang Shuxiu's family to go to Liquan Mountain to enjoy the flowers and go for a walk.
In preparation for this day's outing, everyone in the Marquis' Mansion got busy early.
In Fanghua Garden, the fourth girl Xue Huichun came back from Baiyun Temple and waited in the mansion for the announcement of the results of the spring examination for her third brother Xue Jiyan.
"Sister, what do you think of this robe?" Younger sister Xue Shanqiu held up a silver satin robe and showed it to her fourth sister. "This was made specially for you by my eldest sister-in-law. The lotus and vine pattern on it is so exquisitely embroidered."
Xue Huichun examined it carefully and exclaimed in admiration, "This fabric must have been made by the Third Lady of the Shen family. When I was at Baiyun Temple, I heard a female pilgrim mention that the cloth shop under the Marquis's name has launched many new southern fabrics, which are now extremely valuable."
Xue Shanqiu recalled, "I was still young at that time and had only met the third sister of the Shen family a few times. I never imagined that she would be so capable now, and she is no less capable than any other man."
"At that time, my second sister-in-law was still alive, and the Shen family visited her several times in Beijing. I vaguely remember that her two younger sisters had very different personalities. The second Shen sister was reserved and taciturn, while the third Shen sister, though a few years older than me, was particularly close to me, always joking and playing."
After hearing this, Xue Huichun nodded with deep feeling: "It's strange to say, although the second sister-in-law and Shen Wei Niang were born of the same mother, their personalities are very different. On the contrary, Shen San Niang, although born to Mrs. Wang, the second wife, has a temperament very similar to that of the late second sister-in-law, as if they were born from the same mother."
Xue Shanqiu blinked mischievously when she heard this, and looked at her fourth sister with a hint of mischief in her tone: "Sister, you said we are sisters from the same mother. Shouldn't we have some similarities in our temperaments?"
Xue Huichun couldn't help laughing when she heard this. She gently pinched her little sister's cheek, her eyes full of love.
"We are sisters, so naturally we have many similarities." As she spoke, she looked at the silver satin robe again and nodded with satisfaction. "Okay, you should change quickly too. Don't waste time."
When Xue Shanqiu heard this, she turned around and ran into the inner room, and changed into the pink and colorful Hangzhou silk moonlit skirt that she had picked out yesterday. The soft Hangzhou silk material looked as gorgeous as flowing spring water on her body.
She turned around in front of her sister and smiled gracefully. Her hair was neatly combed into a flowing bun, as light and elegant as clouds, and as agile as flowing water. She was graceful and elegant, and every step she took was swaying, which was heart-beating and soul-stirring.
Seeing this, Xue Huichun couldn't help but admire and said, "It's really good. This dress looks really good on you."
At this time, the maid's voice came from outside: "The fourth lady, the fifth lady, the old lady and the young lady are all ready. We can set off."
Upon hearing this, Xue Huichun and Xue Shanqiu hurriedly tidied their clothes and walked out of Fanghua Garden with the maid.
The gate of Xingyuan Marquis Mansion was already full of carriages, and Old Madam Hong Yingrong and Young Madam Jiang Shuxiu were also walking towards from the direction of Xiangyun Hall.
"Mother, sister-in-law!" Xue Huichun and Xue Shanqiu hurried forward to pay their respects.
The second brother Xue Zhongfu and the third brother Xue Jiyan rode their horses with heroic spirit, while the female family members sat in two elegantly decorated carriages.
With the maids following in an orderly manner, the group embarked on a grand journey to Liquan Mountain.
The carriage moved slowly on the wide and flat streets. The spring breeze blew gently, bringing the fresh fragrance of flowers, which was refreshing.
…
In the deepest part of the imperial prison in the capital, there was a dead silence.
Just over a month ago, the iron prison here was crammed with over a hundred tribute students, but now it is empty.
Calculating the time, most of them have been taken to Lingnan, waiting to be accepted by the local government and then subjected to a life of hard labor.
After many days, Chen Jin once again stepped into this hell on earth, and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart. Here, fate is as light as a feather, and life and death are only a matter of thought.
He slowly walked towards the darkest cell, where the smell was disgusting, making him frown.
The jailer respectfully opened the shackles of Chen Jin's cell and brought a chair for him with flattery.
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