Mrs. Mu had no say in the matter and could only sigh in frustration.
Outside the door, Mulan Jing, who came to look for her mother, listened to every word of their conversation, then wiped her tears and left quietly.
Xu Jiang did not go back to the bookstore directly, but went straight to the Dali Temple. After she asked the guard to pass on the message, Lou Yunchun rushed out without even opening an umbrella.
When Xu Jiang saw him, her heart ached. He looked more tired than when he was trying the Zhou family case.
She quickly took out an umbrella to shield him from the rain, thinking to herself, "Have you not had any rest these days?"
Lou Yunchun pulled her aside, his gaze like a carving knife, as if he wanted to carve her into his heart.
I haven't seen her for a few days and I miss her so much.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
"Such a big thing happened, why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't want you to get involved."
"Do you think you can keep it a secret? Or do you think I should stay out of it?"
Lou Yunchun rarely saw her get angry, and was a little at a loss for a moment. He took advantage of the rain to hold her fingertips and apologized softly, "I was wrong, don't be angry."
Xu Jiang couldn't bear to blame him, so she asked with red eyes, "How is Mr. Du?"
Lou Yunchun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Although I was imprisoned, I didn't suffer."
"What happens after that?"
"The Censorate has searched the Du Mansion and Zhao Xiu's residence. Aside from some of Zhao Xiu's writings, no other evidence of bribery or leaking of exam questions has been found. Therefore, Lord Du's life is not in danger."
It was just as she thought.
Xu Jiang asked hopefully, "I heard Zeng Zhui say Zhao Xiu was a good writer. Now that we've found his writings, doesn't that prove he's truly talented?"
"While the discovery of the article proves Zhao Xiu's talent, it also proves that he had regular contact with Mr. Du. Furthermore, the article contains Mr. Du's comments. He could easily argue that Mr. Du taught him to write the article."
Lou Yunchun had previously checked Zhao Xiu's background, but found out that his examination papers and household registration files had long been transferred away by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, and could not be traced.
"The key to this case isn't whether Zhao Xiu is talented or not, but the fact that as long as he insists that he got into high school because Lord Du leaked the exam, then Lord Du will never be cleared of suspicion."
Whether he has talent or not, Zhao Xiu can always find excuses.
As the third place winner, if he could accuse Du Hui of cheating, it would surely cause a huge uproar, regardless of whether it was true or not. Add to that the fact that some people with ulterior motives fanned the flames, and once public opinion was in full swing, even if Du Hui had a hundred mouths, he would be unable to refute it.
So even if they knew that Zhao Xiu had ill intentions, even if they were on guard everywhere, as long as this game started, Du Hui would no longer be able to escape responsibility.
Because no one could have imagined that Zhao Xiu, who had finally passed the imperial examination and won the third place, would ruin his future by trying to corrupt a director of the Imperial College. This matter was too unbelievable for those who did not know the truth, so they naturally believed Zhao Xiu's words and concluded that Du Hui had cheated.
After figuring this out, Xu Jiang said viciously, "This Zhao Xiu is a mad dog!"
To pollute others by polluting oneself is tantamount to perishing together. This person is simply insane.
Lou Yunchun soothed him, "Fortunately, Lord Du is honest and upright, and fortunately, you refused to print the collection for Jiang Gu, so they couldn't get hold of any evidence. This left Lord Du with some leeway. Although he looks dangerous now, his life is actually not in danger."
"But his career and good reputation were ruined now." Xu Jiang couldn't help but choke up.
Du Hui is a man of noble character and values his reputation very much, but from now on he will be criticized and scolded. How can one not hate him?
Lou Yunchun rarely saw Xu Jiang show vulnerability.
The first time was when she came back late because Jiang Gu got into trouble, and she cried secretly after learning that he was looking for someone in the streets in the snow. The second time was when Xu Twelve came to her house, and her hands trembled unconsciously when she mentioned the past. The third time was now.
Every time she inadvertently revealed her vulnerability, it pierced his heart.
He softened his tone and said, "For now, as long as you can save your life, once the dust settles, there will still be a chance to clear your name and make a comeback."
"I know, I just feel sorry for him, and I hate myself for not being able to do anything for him." Just like when she could do nothing for her master and could only watch them suffer.
He patiently consoled her, "Zeng Zhui once came to me and said that you had given him the idea to host a banquet for the scholars to denounce Zhao Xiu and redress the injustice for Lord Du. You have done a very good job."
Xu Jiang's expression lightened slightly.
Lou Yunchun continued to explain the situation to her, "Lord Du has served at the Imperial College for so many years, and he enjoys a high reputation among the students. As long as someone raises their voice, someone will surely speak up for him. Furthermore, this matter involves a conflict between the aristocracy and the poor. Even for their own sake, the court officials and candidates from humble backgrounds will side with him. When the time comes, my father and I will join forces with other ministers to petition for his favor. At the very least, we can prevent him from being demoted to a commoner. As long as he can keep his official position, there's a chance he'll be reinstated."
Xu Jiang felt much more at ease when she learned that Du Hui was able to keep his official position. As the saying goes, as long as there is life, there is hope.
She then asked, "What about Mr. Yuan?"
"While Lord Yuan will be implicated, since he has no direct connection to this case, the consequences won't be as severe as Lord Du's. At least he can remain in the Imperial College. Furthermore, the Sage would not allow the Imperial College to lose both its Chief Priest and Dean, thus giving those with ulterior motives an opportunity to exploit. Now that Lord Du is gone, Lord Yuan will be protected at all costs."
Lou Yunchun paused, then continued, "Also, there's Hu Xu. As long as Hu Xu can pass the palace examination tomorrow and prove that Lord Yuan wasn't partial, he can be cleared of most of the involvement."
"Moreover, their initial intention was not to prove the false accusation, but to use it as an excuse to stir up disputes and shake the scholars' trust in the Imperial College and the Ministry of Rites. They will not pursue the two relentlessly." At this point, Lou Yunchun's eyes became gloomy.
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