Chapter 314 Why another exam?
The Marquis of Qiyang's family was also a long-established powerful family in the capital, having been granted the title by Emperor Taizu when he helped establish the empire. The first Marquis of Qiyang was a civil official, so unlike the Duke of Chu's family, their military power was taken away, and they were later reinstated through civil service.
However, the Qiyang Marquis's mansion, starting with the second Marquis, has declined with each generation. The ridiculous things that have happened in the Qiyang Marquis's mansion could be talked about for a whole day and night. For example, they took in prostitutes, lost money gambling, and stole antiques to sell for money, and so on.
Of course, this was nothing out of the ordinary among the powerful and influential in the capital. What truly shocked everyone was that the previous Marquis of Qiyang had an affair with his daughter-in-law, who even bore him a child. Furthermore, the previous Marquis of Qiyang was caught in the act of having an affair with his sister-in-law.
Therefore, the Marquis of Qiyang's mansion had long lost its reputation.
The Marquis of Qiyang in this era has not been involved in any scandalous affairs, but he is a ruthless and unscrupulous man. Knowing that his family has lost its reputation in the capital, he acts without any scruples, relentlessly demanding and extorting money.
People in the capital all avoided him as much as possible. Lu Xiaowu never expected that Ding Zhe's father had an affair with the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Qiyang; he must be out of his mind.
"The Marquis of Qiyang asked your father to write a memorial. Does the Marquis of Qiyang have a grudge against Prince Rui?" Lu Xiaowu asked, puzzled.
Ding Zhe glanced around cautiously and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "The Marquis of Qiyang has someone backing him."
Lu Xiaowu was taken aback. "Who is it? Even someone like Marquis Qiyang is using it."
Ding Zhe shook his head, but he said, "I heard that the Marquis of Qiyang has an eight or nine-year-old grandson who is intelligent and good at studying. It seems that the Marquis of Qiyang has sought refuge with someone to pave the way for his grandson."
"This...this is quite a roundabout way of doing things," Lu Xiaowu couldn't help but say.
Ding Zhe sighed, "The people behind this are also afraid that the memorial won't be able to sow discord between the Emperor and Prince Rui, so they did this."
Lu Xiaowu nodded; most people wouldn't have guessed the intricacies involved. He patted Ding Zhe on the shoulder again and said, "I'll mention your matter to my cousin tomorrow, but I can't guarantee she'll be willing to get involved."
“As long as the Duke of Chu is willing to help, my Ding family will follow his lead from now on,” Ding Zhe immediately said.
Lu Xiaowu smiled casually upon hearing this. Even as a spoiled rich kid, he knew that the Ding family had no value to them.
Knowing his own situation, Ding Zhe could only manage a forced smile.
Lu Xiaowu got what he wanted, played with his friends for a while, and then went home. Upon entering the Marquis of Anyuan's residence, he didn't return to his own courtyard but went to the Marquis's residence instead. He then recounted what he had learned to the Marquis.
Upon hearing this, Marquis Anyuan frowned deeply. He hadn't expected things to be so complicated, even involving the Marquis of Qiyang's residence. But thinking about it, it made sense; Ding Shaojie had been in officialdom for so many years, he would have to be crazy to write such a memorial if he hadn't been forced into it.
However smooth he was, if he couldn't control what was in his crotch, his life was over.
"What did you think of from this incident?" Marquis Anyuan asked Lu Xiaowu.
Lu Xiaowu: "......."
Why is there an exam all of a sudden?
“...I just can’t touch women I shouldn’t touch.” After saying that, Lu Xiaowu carefully looked at Marquis Anyuan, “Grandfather, if I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, can I marry...no, can I marry my cousin?”
Marquis Anyuan chuckled, "Aren't you afraid of your cousin?"
Lu Xiaowu looked down at his toes rubbing back and forth on the ground. "I...I'm not afraid, I admire my cousin."
Marquis Anyuan looked at him intently for a moment, then said, "I can't make decisions about your cousin's marriage; it depends on her own wishes. But don't bother her with this. If you put in the effort, we'll all see it. As for the outcome, you don't need to be too demanding."
It means to study hard first, and leave the outcome to fate.
But Lu Xiaowu clenched his fists and said, "I will definitely try my best."
Marquis Anyuan nodded in agreement. "Grandfather believes in you. It's still early, go back to your studies."
Lu Xiaowu turned his head to look at the sky outside. The moon had already risen. Was it still early? But for those who loved to read, it should still be early.
He bowed to Marquis Anyuan and strode away with firm steps. Marquis Anyuan couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips; he knew his grandson's character well. He could prevent him from causing trouble. But if it came to studying diligently, his enthusiasm would only last a few days. However, it wouldn't be bad if it could help him curb his temper.
Regaining his composure, he began to ponder the information Lu Xiaowu had brought. Who was behind the Marquis of Qiyang? Was it the Prime Minister? If so, how could this situation be resolved?
Marquis Qiyang is shameless, but what if Ding Shaojie also loses all sense of shame? Then Marquis Qiyang will have to swallow the bitter pill. Given Marquis Qiyang's temperament, will he really do that?
Thinking of this, he picked up a pen and wrote a letter, which Lu Xiaowu handed to him before going on duty the next day, asking him to give it to Jiang Yu.
After arriving at the government office, Jiang Yu first convened a meeting with her subordinates to learn about the latest developments in the reform of the money exchange. Then she assigned them tasks, and finally, only she and Lu Xiaowu remained in the study.
Although Lu Xiaowu's feelings for Jiang Yu were impure, he dared not reveal them at all. He recounted the information he had received the previous night, and then handed over the letter that Marquis Anyuan had given him, saying, "My grandfather sent it to you."
Jiang Yu took the letter, tore it open, and read it quickly. After pondering for a while, she looked at Lu Xiaowu and asked, "What do you think about this?"
Lu Xiaowu: "......."
Why is there another exam?
This time he dared not speak recklessly. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The key now is Marquis Qiyang. Will he risk everything to protect the people behind him, or will he reveal them?"
"Do you think he'll confess?" Jiang Yu asked.
Lu Xiaowu: "That depends on the outcome after weighing the pros and cons."
Jiang Yu smiled with satisfaction, "What do you think Marquis Qiyang wants now?"
Lu Xiaowu lowered his head and pondered for a while before saying, "His grandson is studying?"
Jiang Yu shook her head, "It's about reintegrating the Qiyang Marquis's mansion into the elite circles of the capital."
Lu Xiaowu was somewhat puzzled, so Jiang Yu explained to him, "If a poor family produces a person who is good at studying, the whole family will definitely pool their resources to support that person's education. But the Marquis of Qiyang's family was once at the center of power, and they know that only by combining connections and talent can a family be revived."
Lu Xiaowu frowned and thought for a while, then nodded, "The Marquis of Qiyang wants to re-enter officialdom?"
“Yes,” Jiang Yu said, “The Marquis of Qiyang has declined, but his title is still there. If he can get a job that pleases the Emperor, the Emperor might remember the merits of the Marquis of Qiyang’s family and reward him with an official position.”
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