Chapter 32 Descendants for three generations after this point cannot take the imperial examinations
"In my opinion, an official should have no criminals within at least three generations. If even one person commits a criminal offense, their descendants should not be allowed to hold office."
As soon as Jiang Yu finished speaking, Consort Su's somewhat sharp voice rang out, "Jiang Yu, don't be so unforgiving."
If the Emperor thinks Jiang Yu is right, then based on what Su Yuezhen did this time, wouldn't the Qingshan Marquis's family be unable to serve as officials for three generations?
This is even more ruthless than taking someone's life directly. If no one in a family holds an official position in the imperial court for three generations, that family is bound to perish.
Jiang Yu is really ruthless!
The emperor remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Qi Yuanhong is morally deficient and unworthy of being the top scholar. He is hereby stripped of his title and official position, and his descendants for three generations shall not be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations or serve as officials."
With a thud, Qi Yuanhong collapsed to the ground.
He had just said that Jiang Yu was ruthless, but he didn't expect that she had something even more ruthless waiting for him.
"Su Yuezhen committed arson and murder. Considering that the victims are unharmed, she shall be sentenced to thirty strokes of the cane at the execution ground," the emperor added.
"I..."
"shut up!"
Su Yuezhen tried to resist, but was sternly rebuked by Consort Su. Her face was pale; thirty strokes of the cane would surely kill her, especially since it was being carried out at the execution ground. She would never be able to hold her head up again.
"Lord Qingshan has not been strict in disciplining his family, but considering your many years of hard work for the court, you are hereby fined two years' salary as a warning to others." The emperor then looked at Consort Su and said, "Consort Su is also responsible for not disciplining her family properly. She is hereby fined two years' salary and confined to her quarters for two months."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
The Earl of Qingshan and Consort Su prostrated themselves in worship. They could accept this result, at least that no one could become an official without three generations of their descendants.
The emperor looked at Jiang Yu with a deep gaze, "You are the victim in this matter. Do you have any requests?"
These words drew everyone's attention to Jiang Yu in the Imperial Study, especially the Earl of Qingshan and Consort Su, who feared that Jiang Yu might say something detrimental to them.
They truly recognized Jiang Yu's prowess. After arriving, she neither complained nor spoke ill of them, and she almost brought their Qingshan Marquisate to the brink of ruin.
If Jiang Yu were to say anything detrimental to them again, it might lead to a fight to the death, but they would not do so unless absolutely necessary.
But then Jiang Yu calmly said, "Miss Su sent people to burn down my family's house, so she should compensate for the losses."
Both the Earl of Qingshan and Consort Su breathed a sigh of relief, while the Emperor lowered his eyes and said, "That is only right."
"I will certainly compensate you," said Lord Qingshan hurriedly.
The emperor grunted in acknowledgment, then said, "Rise, all of you."
Jiang Yu stood up, feeling some pain in her knees; she had been kneeling for a long time today. Qi Yuanhong and Su Yuezhen, on the other hand, were unable to stand up on their own and had to be pulled up by the eunuchs.
Everyone looked at Qi Yuanhong, who could barely stand, and then at Jiang Yu, who stood straight, exuding confidence and radiance. The difference in their demeanor was stark. Just a few days ago, one was a triumphant top scholar in the imperial examination, while the other was a discarded woman forced into divorce. In just a few days, the situation had taken such a dramatic turn.
The emperor sighed again, lamenting the disappointment of this year's imperial examinations.
Next, the Empress Dowager spoke a few more words to the Duke of Chu, praising Jiang Yu a few more times, before dismissing them. Jiang Yu went over and helped the Duke of Chu leave. She could feel the complex, hateful gazes directed at her from behind, but what could she do?
When they left the palace, the Duke of Chu was still in a sedan chair, with Jiang Yu following beside him, and the Earl of Qingshan, Su Yuezhen, and Qi Yuanhong behind them.
Upon arriving outside the palace, Uncle Qingshan approached Jiang Yu and the Duke of Chu, looking at Jiang Yu and saying, "Miss Jiang, you truly have remarkable skills!"
Jiang Yu looked at him and smiled, "You're not as shrewd as Miss Su, who forced me to take action."
In other words, the Qingshan Marquis's family brought this outcome upon themselves.
The Earl of Qingshan was so angry that his face turned ashen. He looked at the Duke of Chu and said, "The Duke of Chu has truly gained a fine granddaughter, but it's a pity she's not a son."
This is a mockery of the Duke of Chu's sons and grandsons, implying that the Duke of Chu's mansion is about to fall into ruin.
The Duke of Chu showed no sign of anger, and instead humbly said, "She is just a little clever, she won't bring any trouble to the family."
This time, Qingshanbo's face was almost turning blue. He snorted heavily, flicked his sleeves, and walked to his sedan chair. Jiang Yu said behind him, "I will send the details of the losses to Qingshanbo's residence as soon as possible. I hope Qingshanbo will keep his word and return the money as soon as possible."
Uncle Qingshan was so angered by her words that he tripped over the sedan chair pole as he got into the sedan chair and almost fell. He gritted his teeth and didn't retort; he knew he couldn't win an argument with that grandmother and granddaughter.
He got into the sedan chair and left. Su Yuezhen, supported by two maids, stared at Jiang Yu with venomous eyes. Jiang Yu didn't even glance at her before getting into the sedan chair and leaving.
A gust of wind blew by, lifting the sedan curtain. Her gaze met Qi Yuanhong's extremely complicated eyes. She raised the corners of her lips and looked away indifferently, as if they were strangers.
Qi Yuanhong stood there, dejected. He felt as if he were standing on a high platform, surrounded by people who were all pointing and laughing at him.
He was nothing but a joke. He betrayed his wife, abandoned her, and used all his energy to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy, only to end up disgraced and unable to pass the imperial examinations for three generations. Meanwhile, his wife was a true member of the powerful and wealthy class.
........
Sitting in the sedan chair, Jiang Yu listened to the regular creaking sounds it made, thinking about the past. Her feelings for Qi Yuanhong weren't very intense, partly because she was an adult soul; when she died in her previous life, although she hadn't experienced romantic relationships, she was nearly thirty.
At thirty, and with her rational nature, it was difficult for her to feel the first stirrings of love like a young girl. At that time, she felt that Qi Yuanhong was someone she knew well, and he seemed hardworking and ambitious. Living a simple, ordinary life as husband and wife with him would be a good option.
Another reason why her relationship with Qi Yuanhong wasn't very strong was that while Qi Yuanhong was more intelligent than the average person, he wasn't a prodigy who could easily pass the high school entrance exam with just a little study.
He studied very hard, while she was busy with her business. Although they lived under the same roof for thirteen years, they didn't actually spend much time together.
But she had also given her true feelings to Qi Yuanhong, only the outcome was not as she wished. Jiang Yu let out a soft breath, putting the past behind her, ready to start a different life from now on.
The sedan chair traveled for half an hour before arriving at the Duke of Chu's residence. The Duke of Chu was in poor health, so the sedan chair went directly into the residence. Jiang Yu got out of the sedan chair and followed beside the Duke of Chu's sedan chair.
Upon arriving at the Duke of Chu's residence, Jiang Yu helped him out of the sedan chair and into the study. She then had someone serve the Duke of Chu medicinal tea and massaged his shoulders.
The Duke of Chu waved his hand, "Sit down, let's talk."
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