Chapter 39 Chapter 39

Song Xuan'an encountered such a thing inexplicably and his face turned pale. He had no idea why things turned out like this and why there was such a thing hidden in the pen his brother gave him.

His mind went blank until he was taken away, and he didn't even have time to react.

When people around saw Song Xuan'an being taken away, they couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Song Xuan'an's grandfather was a prime minister, so why would he cheat? But the empty pen tube with something hidden in it was indeed found on his body.

No one tried to guess anymore, they just watched it for the sake of novelty. They all had exams tomorrow, so who could care less about other people at this moment?

Gu Huaisheng asked his men to collect the evidence, and then he got up and left.

*

The fact that Song Xuan'an was taken to prison was no small matter. There were people from the Song family guarding outside the tribute courtyard. When they saw Song Xuan'an being taken away, they soon found out what had happened.

The man hurried back home to report the news.

After hearing the words of the messenger, Mrs. Song became dizzy and almost fainted.

She knew this child best. There was no way he would do such a thing. Even if the Autumn Examination was important to him, he would not do such a dirty thing!

But she really didn't know why that thing was found on him and what was going on.

Why the cheat sheet was found on him was not the point. She should now think about how to get him out of jail. He was accused of cheating without knowing why. How could he expect to become an official in the future? It was just luck that he was not beaten to death.

Song Xuanan absolutely cannot bear this dirty water. If he does, his bright future in life will be gone and he will be completely ruined!

The autumn examination will officially begin tomorrow. I heard that Gu Huaisheng hasn't convicted him yet, so who knows if things can turn around.

She immediately went to look for Mr. Song, who was supposed to be on duty in the inner chamber today. He was in the palace, and it was inconvenient for Mrs. Song to go in, so she had to send someone to ask him to come back, saying that something serious had happened at home.

The servants also knew that the situation was urgent and did not dare to delay for a moment, so they hurried to the palace to pass on the message.

When they arrived at the palace gate, the servant slipped a tael of silver to the guard and asked him to go in and help pass on a message that a big thing had happened at home and they had to ask the old man to go out.

The guard did not delay any longer, firstly for the sake of the Song family, and secondly for the sake of the money, after hearing the servant's urgent tone, he quickly sent someone to the inner attic to deliver the message.

Today, Song Ge Lao and Wang Shun were on duty in the duty room together. The two of them didn't get along well with each other in private, but they were able to get along well in public, and they usually got along well.

Someone came running in from outside and whispered something in Song Gelao's ear. He wanted to get up immediately, but Wang Shun at the side spoke slowly, "Where are you going, Song Gelao?"

Song Ge Lao didn't know what happened at home, but he knew something serious had happened when he heard the anxious tone of the messenger. He also remembered that today was the day when Song Xuan'an went to the tribute court, and he thought more.

Could it be that something happened in Gongyuan?

He replied to Wang Shun, saying, "There is an emergency at home, so I need to go back."

The two men were of similar age, both over sixty years old. Compared to Wang Shun's tough appearance, Song Ge Lao's appearance seemed much softer. But at this moment, because he was anxious, he couldn't help showing some hostility in his eyes when he heard Wang Shun's words.

Wang Shun could have spoken at any other time, but chose to speak at this time. Wasn't he trying to make things difficult for him?

Elder Song Ge didn't want to get involved with him and turned around to leave, but Wang Shun spoke before him, "Today is the day your grandson goes to the tribute court. You are in such a hurry to go back that you don't even want to be on duty. This is very abnormal. If something happens later and someone talks about it, it will be a big deal."

His tone was polite, but his words were not so polite.

They are all smart people. After hearing what Wang Shun said, Song Ge Lao could basically conclude that something had happened to Song Xuan'an.

Oh, he is much more informed than him. As expected, he has connections in the capital and knows everything.

Song Ge Lao snorted in his heart, but he also knew that Wang Shun's words were a disguised warning, warning him that if he dared to go out, no matter whether Song Xuanan got into trouble in the future, he would definitely bring this matter to justice.

If something is weighed, even a thousand pounds cannot stop it.

If Song Xuan'an really got into trouble, he would be suspected of bribery if he left now. Seeing Wang Shun's behavior, he would be watched even if he left. There were his people among the Jinyiwei, and that group of people would be even more difficult to deal with. By then, his movements would be clear to them, and he would be watched by them, so even if he wanted to do something, he would be unable to do it.

Even though Mr. Song didn't know what had happened, he couldn't move after being warned like this. He had no choice but to let that man go and reject Mrs. Song.

Mrs. Song waited at home for a long time, but she got the news that Mr. Song was always busy and couldn't leave.

Her head suddenly became more dizzy.

But after forcing himself to calm down, he went to look for Song He.

Although the couple usually have a bad relationship, after all, something happened to the Song family, and Song Xuan'an is his biological son after all, so how can he just sit there and do nothing? He will always try to find a way to save him.

But Mrs. Song's hopes were shattered when she met Song He.

The two were talking in the courtyard of his yamen, where they were the only two people.

When Song He heard that Song Xuan'an was arrested for hiding cheat sheets, he was immediately furious. "This bastard! I knew he would never have a peaceful day. He didn't study hard earlier, but now he does these sneaky tricks! It would be fine if he just did it, but he was caught before he even entered the examination room. He really made the Song family and his grandfather lose face. When the emperor asks for punishment and the Song family is implicated, I will beat this bastard to death..."

His words hit Mrs. Song unexpectedly.

Mrs. Song was so angry that tears came out of her eyes. "You don't believe him? You actually don't believe him?!"

As his father, doesn't he know what kind of person he is?

He was such a kind-hearted child, but he thought his son was so cowardly and useless. In his words, his son was someone who could only gain fame and honor by cheating!

Song He still didn't think he was wrong, "Am I wrong? If he could be as sensible as A Jing, why would I miss him so much!"

When Mrs. Song heard this, she completely lost her mind and slapped Song He hard.

She must have been crazy to come to him today, and he was hoping that something would happen to her son, so that he would make way for that jerk's son! She actually wanted him to help her?

Song He was stunned by the slap and subconsciously raised his hand to hit back. However, perhaps due to the so-called gentlemanly ethics, his hand remained in the air for a long time but he still failed to slap back.

Mrs. Song no longer expected this man to come forward to save her son. With tears in her eyes, she glared at him fiercely and left.

After Madam Song left, she didn't know where to go. The nanny beside her said, "Madam, why don't you go find two girls and try..."

She has two married daughters, and they can't just stand by and watch their brother die.

Mrs. Song covered her face with a handkerchief and cried, "I'm already married, why do I bother them with anything? Hua'er's child is already four years old... If I ask them for help again, what can they do? I'm just a head shorter than my husband's family. The supervisor this time is Gu Huaisheng, he is so unkind, what's the point of him going there?"

It’s a bit difficult for Mr. Song Ge to come forward, and as for the others... forget it.

At this point, the two were silent for a moment, and only Madam Song's sobbing was left in the carriage. After a while, the nanny suddenly thought of something, and she said, "If it is for Young Marquis Gu, then wouldn't it be okay to let Miss Jiang go and plead for mercy..."

As soon as she said this, Mrs. Song stopped crying.

Jiang Jingchun and Gu Huaisheng are cousins, and the Gu and Jiang families are so close. Although Gu Huaisheng is usually unkind, he will never refuse to see Jiang Jingchun for the sake of their kinship.

Will Gu Huaisheng listen to Jiang Jingchun? She doesn't know.

But now, Jiang Jingchun* seems to be the last way out.

Moreover, Jiang Jingchun would not just stand by and watch Song Xuan'an die.

After thinking about this, she quickly asked the driver to turn around and go to Chen's house.

Jiang Jingchun and Chen Muqing didn't know what was going on yet. It was almost noon and they saw Mrs. Song running towards them in a hurry. It was clearly autumn, but she was sweating all over and looked very wet.

Jiang Jingchun and Chen Muqing looked at each other.

What happened?

Mrs. Song ran straight towards Jiang Jingchun, tears in her eyes, and held Jiang Jingchun's hands tightly.

Jiang Jingchun was even more frightened. She didn't know how to react, but she cried, "Xiaochun, please save Xuan An!"

Jiang Jingchun's expression changed instantly when he heard this. Something happened to Song Xuanan? !

It was fine this morning, what could go wrong in just a moment?

After hearing what Mrs. Song said and seeing her expression, I knew the situation was urgent.

Jiang Jingchun also became anxious. She hurriedly asked, "Aunt, just tell me, what happened to Song Xuanan?"

"He... he was caught by your cousin. Someone found cheating stuff in his bag... How is it possible? How could Xuan An cheat?! He is not that kind of person, you know... He would never do such a thing!"

Mrs. Song was very emotional. Jiang Jingchun was held by her hand, and after listening to her words, he felt dizzy and his hands and feet were cold.

Cheating? How can I cheat...

She naturally believed that Song Xuan'an was not such a person, but why did she find such things from him?

She had no idea what was going on at the moment, and she was afraid that she would only know the answer after meeting Song Xuan'an.

Jiang Jingchun felt dizzy and asked again, "Is it what happened this morning? Is the person being taken away by Gu Huaisheng?"

Madam Song nodded, she cried and said: "Xiaochun, it was your aunt's fault in the past. I shouldn't have forced him to take the exam, but he can't be labeled as a cheater, otherwise... otherwise his life will be ruined! You save him, you go and beg your cousin, wait for Xuan'an to come out, this time your aunt will definitely not force you, you can get married, and when he comes out of the tribute courtyard, your aunt will go to the Jiang family to propose marriage..."

Mrs. Song cried so hard that she became incoherent later on.

Listening to her crying, Jiang Jingchun's mind was extremely confused at this moment.

Go and ask for help from Huai Sheng.

She had just said that to him last time, saying that she wanted to end things with him completely, and she told him to stop bothering her and let go of the past...

This morning when he passed by her at the gate of Gongyuan, he didn't even look at her, obviously he took the last words to heart.

How could she beg him?

Besides, he probably hopes that something bad will happen to Song Xuan'an, so what's the point of her asking him for help?

Madam Song was still crying beside him, "His grandfather is on duty in the inner chamber and can't come out, his father is unwilling to help him, you and Young Marquis Gu are cousins, now only you can go and save him..."

Jiang Jingchun finally came to her senses and had to accept the reality before her.

Does she really want to watch Song Xuanan's future ruined?

Even if they had never been close, even if they were just friends, she couldn't do such a thing.

Now, regardless of whether Gu Huaisheng would agree or not, she had to go and ask for help anyway, even if it meant sacrificing her dignity, in order to give Song Xuan'an a glimmer of hope.

After thinking this through, Jiang Jingchun made up her mind. She grabbed Madam Song's hand and said, "Aunt, don't cry. I'll go find my cousin."

Having said this, she turned around and walked out the door towards the Gongyuan.

*

In less than an incense stick's time, Jiang Jingchun arrived at the gate of Gongyuan. The candidates had already settled down inside the Gongyuan. Compared with the huge crowds just now, there were not many people outside now.

When she arrived at the gate of the Gongyuan, she was stopped and the guards at the gate did not let her in.

Gongyuan is a strategic place, how can just any idle person enter?

Jiang Jingchun looked uneasy. She said, "I have something urgent to do and need to find my cousin. Can you please go in and tell him about it?"

The guard didn't recognize Jiang Jingchun, so he asked her, "Who is your cousin?"

"It's Master Gu."

Hearing this, the guard immediately became hesitant. Young Marquis Gu was indeed the supervisor here today. Seeing the uneasy look on the woman's face, it was probably because she had come to Gu Huaisheng for some urgent matter. If he stopped her and delayed something, he would inevitably be held accountable.

Thinking of this, the guard relaxed and said to Jiang Jingchun, "Okay, wait a moment. I'll go inside and tell them."

The guard asked someone to run an errand to the compartment where Gu Huaisheng was. Not long after, the errand man came back and took Jiang Jingchun to see Gu Huaisheng.

Jiang Jingchun followed the man into the tribute courtyard.

It is a quiet place, and there is no sound of people along the way.

The candidates were not in the same place as the supervisor, and the examination would not start until tomorrow. Gu Huaisheng watched there for a while this morning, and then, as there was nothing else to do, he went to sit in the compartment.

As for the cheating... not many people were found in the morning, only about five people hid the cheat sheets, and now they are all in prison. Except for Song Xuanan, all others have been stripped of their qualifications to take the exam this time. As for other punishments, they will have to wait until the end of the autumn exam to be decided.

As to why Song Xuan'an's crime had not been determined, Gu Huaisheng simply said that the words on the gold foil were too small to be recognized at the moment, and that he had to ask someone to identify it before making a decision. Otherwise, it would be a crime to slander someone's reputation.

The gold foil is now in his hands, but Gu Huaisheng has not yet made a statement as to when to deal with the matter.

After Jiang Jingchun arrived at the chamber, she found Shuliang waiting at the door. He was not surprised to see her, but just bowed to her respectfully and then welcomed her into the house.

She felt something was strange, but she said nothing and went into the house.

After entering the private room, the door was closed from the outside.

She looked up and found Gu Huaisheng sitting at the desk.

There was an incense burner burning in the room. He sat at the table, his face slightly obscured by the smoke, but his jade-like face seemed to have a faint fairy air. The afternoon light came in through the diamond-shaped window and sprinkled on his side face. He heard the movement and looked up at the door. His eyes, which were slightly illuminated by the light, were crystal clear, like glass ice beads.

Jiang Jingchun knew that he had nowhere to hide from the look in her eyes, and he felt even more uneasy.

Gu Huaisheng is so smart, he must know what he is here to do today.

The last time they met at Jiang's house, she begged him to spare her and she said something that almost meant she was breaking up with him.

But this time she took the initiative to come to him.

This made Jiang Jingchun blush with shame. She even felt a little regretful now. If she had known this would happen, she would never have said such cruel words last time.

She stood at the door and finally walked to the desk. It was only a few steps away, but it took her a long time.

She walked up to Gu Huaisheng, and finally whispered, "cousin."

Just these two words almost exhausted all her strength. She felt a little ashamed and lowered her head, not daring to even look at him.

A shadow fell in front of his eyes, followed by the familiar girl's fragrance. Gu Huaisheng raised his eyes and took in her expression.

Seeing her so uneasy, she knew that she was embarrassed because of what happened last time. She had originally decided to cut off all ties with him, but now for Song Xuanan, she had to stand in front of him again and had to call him cousin again.

A sarcastic smile appeared on Gu Huaisheng's lips.

His good cousin actually came to him for help for another man.

Gu Huaisheng's heart was filled with endless bitterness, but he was smiling. His smile was very beautiful and gentle, and his eyes seemed to be filled with stars.

But the words that came out of his mouth were not so kind.

He said, "My cousin doesn't want to see me."