Chapter 150 The Test Paper is Lost
Upon learning that Li Xiaoxiao had become Meng Guanqi's fiancée, Meng Wenli was speechless and didn't know what to do.
Meng Maoxian, on the other hand, came to his senses and said frankly to Meng Guanqi, "Your grandfather will not agree to this marriage."
No matter how newly rich Li Xiaoxiao is now, as long as she was once a maid and a servant, in the eyes of Minister Meng, she is a low-class person. She can be a concubine, but she can never be the principal wife of a scholar who has passed the imperial examination.
Liu's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously looked at Li Xiaoxiao. Just as she was about to speak, Meng Guanqi said, "We have already separated into different households, and my marriage does not need my grandfather's consent."
Meng Mao said, "Do you know why we came here? The clan chief and your grandfather both intend to take you back. We are still one family."
Meng Guanqi was somewhat surprised by Meng Mao's frankness, but he said frankly, "My marriage to Xiaoxiao will not change. We plan to get married after the palace examination."
This means they've chosen to stand up to Minister Meng head-on.
Meng Mao looked at Meng Guanqi, then at Li Xiaoxiao: "This is an excellent opportunity to repair the relationship with the Meng family. Are you going to give it up for a woman?"
Meng Guanqi smiled slightly: "One must always have one's own principles in life."
Meng Mao nodded: "Okay, I understand."
He stood up and walked out. Meng Wenli looked at Meng Guanqi, then at Meng Mao who was leaving without looking back, stomped his foot, and followed Meng Mao out.
Meng Wenli caught up with Meng Mao: "Why are you leaving already? We haven't finished talking yet!"
Meng Mao got into the carriage, and Meng Wenli had no choice but to follow. Meng Mao signaled the driver to drive away, and only after they reached the alley entrance did he say to Meng Wenli, "We have conveyed our message to Meng Guanqi, and he has replied. Is there anything else we haven't said?"
Meng Wenli opened his mouth, then closed it again in despair.
Meng Mao asked, "How do you plan to explain this trip to your family after you get back?"
Meng Wenli said, "Of course I will tell the truth."
Meng Mao chuckled: "Cousin, are you alright? Tell the truth? Are you trying to anger my father to death?"
Meng Wenli was puzzled: "But it's a fact that he's engaged to his former maid, and didn't you hear? He said they'd get married after the palace examination results were announced. How could that be kept secret?"
Meng Mao said, "You really don't understand my father. If he found out now, wouldn't he use the family law to punish Meng Guanqi? He hasn't even taken the imperial examination yet, and you're already thinking of ruining his future?"
Meng Wenli was dumbfounded: "Me, how could I do this?"
Meng Mao said irritably, "If you were telling the truth, wouldn't this be what you did? I always said that doing things with an honest person like you is the most boring thing. You don't know how to be flexible at all. If the result is the same, why don't you just say it in a different way?"
Seeing that Meng Wenli was completely oblivious, Meng Mao said impatiently, "We've only gotten one result from this trip: Meng Guanqi doesn't want to return to the manor. He's gotten too big for his britches and climbed up to a higher branch, looking down on our Meng family. It's that simple. As for their curiosity about who the Li family is, we've only been here for less than half a cup of tea's time. How would we know who they are? Just say they're the Crown Prince's new favorite, and we don't know their background. That's all we need to say. When dealing with these meddlesome elders, just fool them. Who wants to hear your version of the truth?"
Meng Wenli stammered, "But, but—"
Meng Mao said, "You mean to say that this matter can't be kept secret in the end? But what does it have to do with us? Didn't you hear what Meng Guanqi said? We're two different families now. You should mind your own business and not cause trouble for yourself. As for why Meng Guanqi would be willing to marry a maid, use your brain to think, can she be an ordinary person? She even got the Crown Prince to bestow a mansion in her name. Why isn't it in Meng Guanqi's name? What does that mean? It means that she was the one who saved the Crown Prince! Meng Guanqi passed the imperial examination at such a young age. Can he be a fool? Don't use our stupid brains to speculate on the behavior of a genius. It's just humiliating."
He grew increasingly impatient as he spoke, waving his hand and saying, "You figure it out yourself. If you still want to tell the truth after all this, then don't ask me to come out with you next time. We're not the same kind of people; we can't sleep in the same bed."
Meng Wenli had previously thought that Meng Mao was an ignorant and incompetent playboy, but he never expected that Meng Mao would see things so clearly and that his twisted logic was not entirely without merit.
He looked at Meng Mao in surprise, as if he were meeting his cousin for the first time: "Fifth Brother, I think you are very insightful. You shouldn't be wasting your life like this."
Meng Mao smiled sarcastically: "What good will it do? Who in my family will listen to me? Others may not know about our family, but you do, right? Without official rank, you have no say."
Unfortunately, he disliked reading. Apart from Old Madam Meng's favoritism towards him, Minister Meng was the one who disliked him the most.
But Madam Meng's affection for him was like that of a mother hen doting on her chicks; she could give unconditionally, but it wasn't trust or affirmation.
He tried to struggle and work hard, but found it all in vain, so he finally gave up.
Meng Wenli was speechless. When it came to being unable to speak, no one was more powerless than their branch of the family. Their family was the clan's moneybags, and they never hesitated to spend money when needed. However, the eldest and second branches of the family looked down on their branch the most, and no one listened to his father. They always had to involve the clan chief to get a few words in him.
The two fell silent for a moment.
Back at the Meng residence, Meng Mao relayed his message to Minister Meng and his wife as he had intended. He expected Minister Meng to fly into a rage, but to his surprise, he nodded calmly and said, "You've finally developed the temperament of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)."
Madam Meng said, "Since the fifth son is no good, why don't I go? The fourth son's wife should give me some face, right?"
Meng Mao was shocked: "Mother, they made it very clear that they don't want to come back, how can you go again?"
Madam Meng rolled her eyes at him: "What do you know? These things can't be settled with just a word. It's normal for Qi-ge'er to have a temper after passing the imperial examination. We need to make a big show of him so that he can vent all the anger he's suffered before they might even consider coming back. Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Go back, this is none of your business."
Meng Mao was speechless, but he still stopped her: "Mother, since you have already made up your minds, I can't persuade you anymore. But if you really want to go and persuade them, you should at least wait until after the palace examination, otherwise it will not look good if things get out of hand."
That makes sense. Minister Meng glanced at Meng Mao and said, "Let's wait until after the palace examination. It won't make a difference if we wait another month or two."
He raised his eyelids slightly: "By the way, what's the background of that Li family? How did Qi-ge'er's family end up living there?"
Meng Mao yawned: "I don't know. We were asked to leave in less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. We didn't see a single man. But I remember that the two alleys in Chang Le Fang are owned by the Crown Prince. I guess he's some new nobleman."
Minister Meng and his wife nodded, having no suspicions, and decided to wait until Meng Guanqi passed the palace examination before discussing it further.
Meng Mao breathed a sigh of relief. He had done Meng Guanqi such a big favor, and he wondered if the kid would thank him in the future.
He walked along casually, then chuckled silently. Oh well, someone like him, even if he did something, who would notice?
He should just stick to being a spoiled brat.
When Meng Wenli returned home, he used Meng Mao's excuse when questioned by his uncle and father. As a result, the Meng clan chief and Meng San Taiye did not suspect anything and decided to wait until Meng Guanqi took the imperial examination before visiting him to reconcile.
It was the first time Meng Wenli had lied to his father and uncle. He was so nervous that he was sweating profusely. Not only did he not get caught, but the two adults also thought that Meng Guanqi's temper tantrum was extremely reasonable and that he should be coaxed.
He recalled Meng Mao's words: In their Meng family, was it really only those who had passed the imperial examinations who had the right to throw a tantrum?
Meng Guanqi went to bed early on the day Meng Wenli and Meng Mao left, to conserve his energy and prepare for a big battle. However, after waiting at home for two or three days, the door was quiet, and not even a mosquito passed by.
Even someone as composed and calm as him couldn't help but sneak a peek through the door several times, only to return empty-handed each time.
You made thorough preparations, but the other party didn't respond? Did you give up so easily?
Li Xiaoxiao said confidently, "They must have heard about my great achievements from my uncle and are afraid of being beaten by me, so they dare not come!"
Turning her head, she saw Meng Guanqi looking at her with a complicated expression. She nodded solemnly, "That must be it, there's no other reason!"
Meng Guanqi rolled her eyes, too lazy to pay attention to her.
He had been preparing himself, gathering his strength and energy, ready to have a great debate with the Meng family, but they remained completely silent. It was as if he had punched a pile of cotton; no one else was embarrassed, but he was the one who felt awkward first.
Meng Guanqi chuckled self-deprecatingly. It seemed he had taken himself too seriously; the other person hadn't paid any attention at all.
However, since they haven't come after two days, they probably won't come. He still has one last hurdle to overcome and doesn't have that much time to waste waiting for them to come.
It would be better if he didn't come, saving him the trouble of explaining. He immediately focused his attention back on his book, completely unaware of the favor Meng Mao was doing for him.
While Meng Guanqi was reading and writing in his study, Liu Shi had already chosen an auspicious date. She even went to Hongluo Temple outside the city to have someone calculate it and picked the most recent and lucky day. On June 13th, Meng Guanqi officially married Li Xiaoxiao.
On May 19th, Meng Guanqi finished the palace examination. The Ministry of Rites only needed to review 312 papers, and the results would usually be announced within ten days. After the results were announced, the newly appointed scholars would be paraded through the streets on horseback, attend the Qionglin Banquet, and then be given an official appointment ceremony. All of this should be completed before June 5th. At that time, Meng Guanqi had achieved academic success, obtained a job, and was also going to marry a new bride. It was a triple celebration. Every day, Liu Shi happily took Granny Qi to buy wedding supplies. The house was filled with joy.
Time flew by like water, and soon it was May 19th. Early that morning, Meng Guanqi arrived at the palace gate under the escort of Li Xiaoxiao. They were not late, but there was already a long line of newly appointed scholars at the palace gate. People who knew each other gathered together and talked in hushed tones, their faces full of pride, which was quite different from the scene of people waiting for the examination in front of the examination hall on the day before.
This is understandable. Those who can stand in line here are all the chosen ones who have already made it onto the list. Even if they are ranked low, they will not fail the palace examination. At least they will get the title of Jinshi. But if they fail the examination in the examination hall, they have to go back home and start over. How can they be in the mood to joke around?
Seeing Meng Guanqi gracefully step down from the carriage in a light blue robe, the gentle breeze caressing the two flowing ribbons at the back of his hat, he seemed like a celestial being descending from the heavens in the soft morning light, handsome, noble, and immaculate.
All the candidates stopped talking and stared blankly as he slowly walked to the back of the line with his book basket and quietly lined up.
Finally, someone couldn't help but start whispering among themselves: "Do you know who that is?"
"I don't recognize you. Where did you come from?"
"Too young! Is he even sixteen?"
"The youngest Jinshi on the list is Meng Guanqi, who is only eighteen years old and ranked seventh. Could it be him?"
Are any of his classmates there?
Ignoring the stares of others, Meng Guanqi lowered her eyes to look at the dark patterns on the hem of her clothes.
Fortunately, the man in front of him was a middle-aged man with a beard, about thirty years old, tall and strong. He wasn't interested in Meng Guanqi, but his body blocked most of the stares, allowing Meng Guanqi to escape unscathed.
The palace gates opened, and the leading eunuch came out. The imperial guards checked the book baskets of the newly appointed scholars one by one before letting them pass. The leading eunuch led them into the Wenhua Hall, where rows of desks were neatly arranged. The new scholars found their assigned seats and took their places. Just as they were seated, a eunuch shouted, "His Majesty has arrived!"
Meng Guanqi was slightly startled, but his face remained expressionless. On the day of the palace examination, Emperor Jian'an indeed appeared.
All the students knelt down to pay their respects and kowtow. Meng Guanqi's table happened to be placed on the side of the main aisle. The sound of the wheelchair gradually approached him, glided past him, and then slowly moved away, eventually reaching the highest point.
Emperor Jian'an calmly said, "No need for formalities, rise."
The students thanked him and returned to their desks.
Emperor Jian'an said, "Today's palace examination is the last one of this spring's imperial examinations. After today, you will all be Jinshi of this year. But whether it is in life or in work, you cannot relax until the very last moment. Those who are arrogant will often fall before reaching the top."
He paused for a moment, and Meng Guanqi felt as if a gaze had fallen upon him, but he did not dare to look up. He then heard Emperor Jian'an continue, "You are more than three hundred outstanding individuals selected from over five thousand people. I hope you will maintain a sense of awe and take this final test seriously."
The students responded in unison. Emperor Jian'an waved his hand, and Liang Qisheng released the scroll in his hand, immediately unfolding the final question of this palace examination.
The exam lasted until the sun was setting. Meng Guanqi deliberately slowed down, dragging his feet until the bell rang before finally finishing copying the article. After letting the ink dry slightly, he handed it to the eunuch to collect, and then slowly followed the other students out of the Wenhua Hall.
Actually, the question wasn't difficult for him, and it was far less difficult than the imperial examination. However, when he was halfway through writing the draft, he noticed that Emperor Jian'an seemed to be looking at him. He didn't know if Emperor Jian'an had recognized him, but he obviously didn't want to finish too early and then stare at him. So he deliberately slowed down and didn't finish the paper until the bell was about to ring.
Even after he turned and left the Wenhua Hall, he still felt that probing gaze following his back, making him feel somewhat uneasy.
Emperor Jian'an kept looking at him, and it is very likely that he had already recognized him as the culprit who caused the Sixth Prince to be imprisoned that day. He placed his score in the provincial examination at seventh place. Could it be that he deliberately manipulated the palace examination to make him fail?
What was the meaning of his words before the exam? Was he warning the students, or was he only warning himself?
Upon realizing this, Meng Guanqi broke out in a cold sweat.
If Emperor Jian'an had deliberately allowed him to enjoy the glory of passing the provincial examination, but then let him fail the palace examination, it would have been a fatal blow to him.
Everyone knows that Meng Guanqi, who ranked seventh in the provincial examination, was not favored by the emperor. Despite his high ranking, he was eliminated in the palace examination. If a candidate who is not favored by the emperor takes the exam again, which examiner would dare to accept him?
After returning home, Meng Guanqi was restless and uneasy, even when the results of the imperial examination were announced.
Li Xiaoxiao was very worried and asked him what was wrong, but he wouldn't say. When she pressed him, he finally said that he might not have done well on the exam and was a little worried.
Li Xiaoxiao had never seen him like this before. She really thought he hadn't done well on the exam. Could it be that he went off-topic? What should she do? He ranked seventh in the exam. Could he be demoted to a junior scholar just because of one off-topic answer?
She was anxious too, looking longingly towards the palace every day, hoping the results of the imperial examination would be released the next day.
Meng Guanqi knew Li Xiaoxiao's personality; if he told her his guess, she would definitely find a way to make a scene in front of Emperor Jian'an.
He could say nothing; he could only wait.
He would go to the palace again in ten days to verify whether his thoughts were true or whether he was just being petty and judging others by his own standards. He thought Emperor Jian'an was not so narrow-minded and had long forgotten about him.
The examiners finished grading the 312 papers in less than three days, but the clerk recording the scores was shocked. There were 312 candidates on the list, but he only found 311 papers. One paper was missing!
The clerk's legs went weak with fear. He searched through all the examiners' desks but couldn't find the last exam paper. Losing the students' exam papers was a capital offense!
With trembling hands, he began to check the list of students one by one. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he finally realized whose paper was missing: it belonged to Meng Guanqi, who ranked seventh in the provincial examination.
His examination results were outstanding. Even Grand Secretary Yang rated it as excellent and placed him in the top ten. Minister Xie and Minister Zhou also rated it as excellent. This paper was exceptionally good, and the clerk would never have made a mistake. So why did it disappear?
The clerk was so frightened her legs went weak. She immediately sent someone to summon Minister Zhou. When Zhou Huaijin arrived in a flurry, the clerk collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face: "Minister Zhou, one exam paper is missing!"
Zhou Huaijin frowned and shouted sternly, "Whose is missing? Have you checked it carefully?"
The clerk said with a mournful face, "We're missing Meng Guanqi, who came in seventh..."
Meng Guanqi? Zhou Huaijin immediately remembered that this person was the grandson of Minister Meng, whom His Majesty had mentioned before.
He might not remember anyone else, but he certainly remembered Meng Guanqi. First, he was the grandson of his former superior; second, he was the youngest among all the Jinshi graduates this year; and third, his exam paper was exceptionally well done, earning him high marks from Yang Ge Lao, Xie Ji Jiu, and himself. It was no surprise that he was in the top ten this time. But now the clerk was telling him that his exam paper was missing.
Isn't this a ghost story? When they left, this exam paper was lying perfectly fine among a pile of papers, and now they're telling him it's gone?
Zhou Huaijin thought for a moment: "Besides you, has anyone else entered this room?"
The clerk racked his brains, trying to recall everything. After the examiners left, he was the only one left organizing and filing the papers; he hadn't seen anyone else come in. But—
His face suddenly turned pale: "After the officials left, I went to the outhouse and was away from here for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
Seeing Zhou Huaijin's expression change, he immediately said, "But I swear, I locked the door when I left here." He took out the key hanging on his waist and showed it to Zhou Huaijin.
Zhou Huaijin glanced at his key. It was just a very ordinary key, like all the other keys in the palace that needed to be locked.
Zhou Huaijin said in a deep voice, "Can you confirm that you still had this exam paper before you went to the outhouse?"
The clerk gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, after the officials left one by one, I stayed here to tidy up these messy books and papers, and rearranged these papers according to their numbers. I didn't leave during that time, unless the officials took the papers with them. Otherwise, these papers were always here during that period."
The examiners were either the Vice Minister of Rites, Grand Secretary Yang, him, or Chancellor Xie—only four people in total. Why would they take Meng Guanqi's exam paper? But if it wasn't one of them, and the clerk hadn't left at all, then it must have been during the time it took him to use the outhouse that the door was opened and the paper stolen.
Zhou Huaijin asked, "Is it time to go to the toilet, or did you suddenly have an upset stomach?"
The clerk hesitated for a moment, his face gradually turning pale. He subconsciously looked at the bowl of tea that he hadn't finished drinking. It was after drinking that bowl of tea that he felt unwell in his stomach and went out. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to the outhouse before even finishing his work.
Zhou Huaijin, his face ashen, picked up his tea and ordered his attendant outside the door, "Go find a royal physician!"
The attendant received the order and immediately went to find the imperial physician.
Zhou Huaijin continued, asking the clerk, "Who brought this tea to you?"
The clerk thought hard for a moment, then stammered, "It seems...it seems to be an unfamiliar little eunuch."
He then realized that he recognized the eunuchs and maids who usually worked here, but the young eunuch who came to serve tea today was a complete stranger. He had assumed he was new and hadn't paid any attention to him.
Could it be that he poisoned the tea?
The clerk stammered, "This humble official may have been tricked... But Your Excellency, why would he steal a test paper? Could it be that Meng Guanqi has an enemy who has come to take revenge on him?"
Zhou Huaijin wasn't sure either, but since this happened at the Ministry of Rites, if the exam paper really couldn't be found, not only the clerk but he himself would be guilty!
The other candidate did perfectly well on the exam, and the scores were even released, but then the exam paper was lost? How is he going to explain this to the emperor? And how is he going to explain it to the other candidates?
The most important thing is how to explain this to Meng Guanqi?
His place in the top ten was already a sure thing, but he lost someone else's exam paper. The entire Ministry of Rites bears an inescapable responsibility for this!
While waiting for the imperial physician, Zhou Huaijin grew increasingly agitated. Who on earth dared to steal Meng Guanqi's examination paper?!
Meanwhile, Meng Guanqi's examination paper lay quietly on a dusty table in Qinghe Palace.
The Sixth Prince, Li Chengyao, lazily picked up the exam paper and clicked his tongue, saying, "Shuangxi, do you think if I get angry, with a hiss, this genius will fail the exam?"
Shuangxi lowered his head: "Please, Master, prioritize the important matters."
Li Chengyao said disappointedly, "This is boring. You've ruined the little bit of fun I finally found. Do you think the clerk has discovered that the money is missing? When will Father Emperor find out?"
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