Some things evoke one feeling when you're speculating about them, but another feeling when you actually verify them.
For example, the Prefect of Fengtian at this moment could be described as having mixed feelings.
If it weren't for the courtroom and the large crowd of onlookers, he would have liked to throw the things on the ground, shake his beard, and curse: "Damn it, how could someone cheat and get the top scholar position?"
If you were to choose a different person or a different ranking, it wouldn't be so outrageous.
Are the Fang family members lacking common sense?
Despite the cursing, the case still had to be heard. The Prefect of Fengtian, his lips trembling, finally slammed down the gavel after a long while, "Guards, summon today's top scholar."
Since Xu Mo's exam paper clashed with the exam paper of the top scholar, and the top scholar is Fang Yuan from the Fang family, then Fang Yuan must be summoned.
The yamen runners, carrying knives, hurriedly issued a summons, and everyone inside and outside the gates of Fengtian Prefecture held their breath in anticipation.
After a long while, the Fang family's carriage arrived, and surprisingly, only a steward got out.
Butler Fang.
He was dressed in a gray-white robe. He first glanced at Xu Mo with a smile before slowly bowing and saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency. Our young master is unwell and is being treated by the imperial physicians. Today's incident was nothing more than a clown's antics, which I can handle alone."
His gesture is also very much worth considering.
Xu Mo didn't kneel because of his status as a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), but Steward Fang didn't kneel because he was a lowly official in front of a prime minister—a case of a dog relying on its master's power.
With the Fang family backing him up, even a butler wouldn't kneel down.
This move was somewhat unreasonable, but it was a pure show of force, both intimidating the powerless Xu Mo and threatening the uneasy Prefect of Fengtian.
The old man in the hall was noticeably quieter.
Xu Mo, however, remained calm throughout, and even reminded the Prefect of Fengtian, "Sir, you may continue the investigation."
With so many eyes watching, this case must be investigated.
The Prefect of Fengtian straightened his posture, lightly tapped the gavel, and said in a deep voice, "Student Xu Mo has accused the examination paper of being switched, which happens to coincide with the Fang family's top scorer. Do you have anything to say about this?"
"Of course I have something to say." Butler Fang came to his senses. "It's just a clumsy trick of copying our young master's exam paper. It can only fool a fool."
The old face of the Prefect of Fengtian darkened slightly. He had also been shocked just now. Did that mean he was a fool too?
Butler Fang sensed something was wrong and immediately added, "These fools are going too far by beating the drum and crying for justice. We beg you, sir, to clear the Fang family's name."
She's a truly shrewd person; she manages to project the airs of a top-tier aristocratic family without being arrogant and making enemies everywhere.
The Prefect of Fengtian became increasingly wary and raised a question: "The examination paper of the top scholar has always been kept on a high shelf. How could it have been copied by other students?"
Butler Fang smiled slightly, "Of course, it was spread by our young master."
"Ten days ago, the young master met with friends at the Wenchang Pavilion and wrote out this examination paper from memory to satisfy the curiosity of several close friends. It must have been accidentally leaked out and picked up by this student, who then came to Fengtian Prefecture to act clever."
There are two key points here.
First: The exam paper really was circulated, so Xu Mo's dictation became copying, and the only thing that could prove his identity was gone.
Second: It was only given to a few close friends, which means it was still semi-secret, and also explains why such a brilliant article did not circulate in Fengjing.
The Fang family truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier family. Their entire logic was meticulous and closed-loop. They did not sit idly by despite their large size and influence, and even made arrangements for their escape route before Xu Mo made his move.
Therefore, it doesn't matter whether Fang Yuan comes or not; one housekeeper, Fang, is enough.
Is this the power of aristocratic families?
Jiang Sheng and Wen Zhiyun both turned deathly pale, while Chang Yan remained relatively calm with a furrowed brow.
"So, the butler said that the exam papers were leaked ten days ago?" Xu Mo grasped the key point.
Butler Fang was very wary. "It will probably be around ten days."
"Whether it's ten days or not is crucial," Xu Mo said firmly.
Butler Fang hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
Even the Prefect of Fengtian in the hall frowned, while Qi Huai outside the hall was overjoyed, applauding Brother Xu's intelligence.
"My lord," Xu Mo bowed, "this student has the date of the dictation on this paper. Please check it."
The Prefect of Fengtian immediately summoned his clerk for assistance. They unfolded the two-meter-long examination paper and unexpectedly saw the date of the end of the exam in the lower right corner—the morning of April 11th.
It was the day after the results were released.
Also nineteen days ago.
Fang Yuan leaked the exam paper ten days ago, and also went to Wenchang Pavilion on that day to arrange his escape route.
But Xu Mo was even earlier; he wrote out the exam paper from memory overnight on the day the results were released, so he couldn't possibly copy Fang Yuan's work nine days later.
Butler Fang took a deep breath.
The Prefect of Fengtian turned his gaze to him, wanting to see what other skills the powerful families had up their sleeves.
“My lord,” Butler Fang said calmly, “this is just a roll of paper. Anyone can write whatever they want on it.”
Scholars can usually infer the time of writing based on the ink marks, but they usually use months as the unit of measurement. So, it is really impossible to distinguish between them when the difference is about ten days.
Xu Mo could say that he wrote it nineteen days ago.
Butler Fang could also refute that.
Both sides presented their arguments logically and firmly, resulting in a stalemate.
The main hall of Fengtian Prefecture was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Qi Huai, who was outside Fengtian Prefecture, was so excited that he could not contain himself. He had seen Xu Mo's exam paper with his own eyes nineteen days ago and could testify to it.
However, just as he was about to speak, Xu Mo suddenly spoke up from inside the hall, "My lord, perhaps there is another way to distinguish them."
All eyes turned to them.
Qi Huai knew that Xu Mo was protecting him, and he was both moved and ashamed, his heart surging with excitement.
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