Chapter 273: Silencing the Witness - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 273: Silencing the Witness

“Master, what’s wrong with you?”

“Are you sure it’s the top scholar?”

“There’s no mistake. Everyone who went with us saw it clearly. It’s impossible to be wrong!”

Hearing this, Wen Jingsong was completely panicked.

If this matter leaked, the Wen family might not see the light of day again.

He immediately ordered, “Quickly find the young master. Why is he running around at a time like this? Also, go find the housekeeper and bring him to me, fast!”

The servant, without suspecting anything, carried out the orders.

He rushed to find the young master and the housekeeper.

Wen Jingsong was stunned by the news, but he knew he couldn’t panic. Otherwise, everything would go wrong.

First, he had to find his son and make sure he memorized that essay thoroughly. Then, Yin Canwen had to be silenced. As long as he was alive, their lives would be in danger. After the commotion died down, they needed to quickly destroy the exam papers.

While thinking about how to handle the situation, he tried to recall the essay from memory. He managed to scribble down as much as he could remember, though it was far from complete.

In a state of panic, his mind was a blank slate.

He had only glanced at the essay briefly, remembered a few fragments, and his notes amounted to less than thirty percent of the original text.

How could he avoid exposing himself with so little?

Therefore, the most urgent task was to eliminate Yin Canwen. Without witnesses, there would still be room to maneuver.

As for why the essay had discrepancies, he would investigate later.

Reflecting on the recent behavior of Wen Mengsheng, he suspected that some fool must have taken his son’s money and intentionally sabotaged Yin Canwen.

It was a pity to waste a potential pillar of the nation, but compared to the Wen family’s future and lives, Yin Canwen had to die.

Unbeknownst to him, Yin Canwen was already safe in Elder Xu’s residence, and this would become the Wen family’s fatal blow.

At the Xu residence.

Elder Xu was furious.

Although he had long suspected Wen Jingsong of scheming behind the scenes, he never imagined they would dare to demean even the top scholar.

Holding the essay in his hand, looking at Yin Canwen, he felt an odd resemblance to his younger self.

Both came from humble beginnings, both had lofty ambitions.

Only, he had encountered a good Emperor and the right opportunities, and had risen step by step to his current position.

If not for the vigilance of the Bai and Feng families, this gem might have remained hidden for many years.

His sympathy for talented individuals outweighed everything else.

So he said to them, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I will make things right. The imperial examinations are meant for recruiting talent, not for the Wen family to seek personal gain or for powerful families to profit. Since things have come to this, we must make a big fuss about it!”

With Prince Ding on their side, they could use both open and covert methods.

If they wanted to squeeze out the humble scholars’ opportunities, they would see the terrifying power of united humble families!

He approached Yin Canwen and asked, “Child, are you afraid?”

At this moment, he was no longer the fierce and scolding figure but a kind elder speaking to a concerned young scholar.

Yin Canwen had been somewhat afraid before, worried that as an unknown nobody, facing powerful figures would be like a pebble cast into the sea, disappearing without a trace.

But now he was no longer afraid.

With support from the Feng family, the Bai family, Elder Xu, and countless humble scholars across the land, he felt empowered.

If he backed down now, he would despise himself forever.

So, with a determined gaze, he said to Elder Xu, “Rest assured, Elder. I came here today with no intention of backing down. I’m committed to this petition!”

Elder Xu’s eyes showed a look of satisfaction.

It was not because of the quality of his essay, but because of his courage in the face of power.

If he were to enter government service in the future, he would likely face many such challenges. If he constantly backed down, being a top scholar would mean little!

Thus, Elder Xu felt optimistic about the future of the Jin Dynasty upon receiving Yin Canwen’s affirmative response.

“That’s good. If that’s the case, I will accompany you through fire and water!”

Bai Chaohai also stepped forward, saying in a loud voice, “Elder, count me in!”

Bai Chaohai, also a member of the cabinet, had not had much interaction with Elder Xu before. Seeing him now, he resembled Bai Xiang in his past demeanor, and he felt a sense of nostalgia.

He patted the shoulders of the two and said, “Alright, the three of us will go to see the Emperor and tear down the curtain hiding the examination fraud. I want to see who is behind this and dares to be so shameless as to endanger our great Jin!”

“Understood. We will follow the Elder’s instructions!”

“Understood. We will follow the Elder’s instructions!”

The two replied in unison, their voices full of resolve.

Before leaving, Elder Xu called the housekeeper and whispered a few instructions. The housekeeper, with a serious expression, hurried out.

The two looked at him curiously.

Elder Xu smiled and explained, “Our Emperor is very slippery. If this matter isn’t big enough, it might be downplayed, and the Wen family might escape punishment. But I won’t allow that. I intend to make it a thunderous scandal that will shake the heavens and earth!”

With that, he laughed heartily and strode out.

Bai Chaohai was momentarily confused. Wasn’t Elder Xu often ill? Why did he seem so vigorous and full of energy now?

He didn’t understand what was going on, but the situation required him to follow along.

The three of them took the Xu family’s carriage and headed towards the Imperial City.

At the same time, the message Elder Xu wanted conveyed had reached the Prince Ding’s residence.

Xiao Tingyi, smiled after hearing the news. “Elder Xu is truly formidable—his methods are precise and ruthless! Follow his instructions to the letter! Make sure that within one hour, every family in the Eastern Capital that participated in the examinations knows about the fraud!”

“Yes!”

Yang Zhao received the order and quickly arranged matters through Xu Lin and Su Cheng.

Indeed, by the time Elder Xu and the others entered the palace, discussions had already begun to spread in the city.

Meanwhile, the eldest young master of the Wen family stood proudly at the Feng family’s door, unaware that disaster was about to strike him!

“Go, knock on the Feng family’s door! I want the Wen family to see what treasure and what trash really are!”