Chapter 282: Furious - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 282: Furious

This remark also implicated Feng Hai, seemingly accusing him as the Minister of Revenue of not doing his job properly.

“Enough. Have you found Wen Mengsheng’s original exam paper?”

Emperor Qi was displeased with their mutual blame-shifting and scolded them.

Soon, Wen Mengsheng’s exam paper was presented to Emperor Qi.

Upon inspection, the essay was decent, but it paled in comparison to Yin Canwen’s paper. With such a level of writing, it might make the list, but it was impossible for it to be the top paper.

Seeing this, Emperor Qi’s anger intensified.

“Come, put Feng Jinlin’s and Yin Canwen’s original papers under the sunlight to see if they have fluorescent powder as they claim.”

“Yes.”

Eunuch Wang quickly stepped forward, taking the two rolls of paper and heading outside briskly.

Moments later, he returned, slightly out of breath, and reported to Emperor Qi.

“Your Majesty, as Second Young Master Feng said, there is indeed fluorescent powder on these two papers.”

In the sunlight, nothing could hide.

Looking at Wen Mengsheng, Eunuch Wang continued, “Your Majesty, there is also fluorescent powder on Young Master Wen’s paper, though not much.”

“What!?”

Everyone present was astonished. If Feng Jinlin and Yin Canwen’s papers had fluorescent powder due to their amulets, it was strange that Wen Mengsheng’s paper had it too.

Emperor Qi quickly surmised that Wen Mengsheng must have swapped the papers, causing the fluorescent powder to transfer to his own paper. But since he wasn’t from the Ministry of Personnel and didn’t handle the matter himself, how could he have managed this?

The emperor’s gaze toward Wen Jingsong now held murderous intent.

Under his very nose, such audacious people had reached the position of Minister of Revenue! Compared to the injustice faced by the poor scholars, the challenge to his imperial authority was far more grievous!

With this thought in mind, he decided not to give them any chance to defend themselves.

Thus, he immediately issued his verdict!

“Wen Jingsong, you have the audacity to allow your son to brazenly challenge the integrity of our Jin dynasty’s examination system. To swap the top paper as if the people of this world are fools! Where do you place me?”

The Wen family fell to their knees immediately.

Wen Mengsheng was so distraught that he could barely speak, while Wen Jingsong tried to defend himself.

He looked up, calling out in protest, and tearfully said, “Your Majesty… I truly did not know about the paper swap. Perhaps someone tampered with the names on the papers, leading to this misunderstanding!”

He was aware of the ink issue and hoped that this might turn things around, but he didn’t realize it would push him into the abyss!

Emperor Qi frowned, pressing on the name section of the paper heavily, and upon lifting his hand, saw that there was no change.

“Bring General Meng here.”

Emperor Qi knew a bit about the ink issue from the military but wasn’t entirely sure since he hadn’t served there himself. He wanted someone more credible to verify it.

Soon, General Meng marched into the hall with imposing presence. After receiving the exam papers from Emperor Qi, he examined them carefully and even sniffed them.

“Your Majesty, there are no signs of tampering with the name section.”

With this statement, the censors eagerly anticipated what Wen Jingsong would say next!

Wen Jingsong slumped to the ground, muttering to himself, “How could this be? How could this be? Water ink is used for altering characters!”

His comment provided Feng Jinxiu with a weapon to strike back and immediately questioned him.

“Master Wen is quite knowledgeable, even about water ink!”

The words, though not harsh, struck at Emperor Qi’s core.

His suspicious nature replayed the matter, even doubting whether the water ink had leaked from the military or was deliberately given to him. At this point, it no longer mattered.

In his eyes, Wen Jingsong was already a dead man.

Seeing the trend, Wen Mengsheng cried out in desperation.

“Your Majesty, I did not swap the papers. The guards in the Ministry of Personnel are so strict that I could not have entered. The fluorescent powder on my paper is because… because the daughter of the Bai family once admired me and privately gave me this item. But I felt that men and women should not exchange gifts, so I…”

His words enraged Bai Chaohai.

Though Bai Sihan’s matter had just recently quieted down, idle gossip persisted.

Now, he was falsely accusing the Bai family, which triggered his anger. He immediately knelt before Emperor Qi, earnestly and emotionally pleading.

“Your Majesty, Young Master Wen’s words are an attack on our hearts! Whether the matter of Miss Sihan is right or wrong, Your Majesty is aware of the circumstances. Now, this Wen family is humiliating our Bai family’s daughter. Must our Bai family shed blood to clear her name?”

The speaker had intent, and the listener took it to heart.

Emperor Qi, unwilling to revisit old grievances, was inclined to favor the Bai family.

He did not want to investigate the sordid details Wen Mengsheng had mentioned. With a decisive command, he pronounced:

“Wen Jingsong, you have been a pillar of our Jin dynasty but have done such things. Immediately arrest and investigate him. His son, Wen Mengsheng, dared to swap the top paper, showing utter disrespect for me. Also, arrest and investigate him. Feng Jinxiu, take the order to search the Wen family’s residence thoroughly, especially the secret room you mentioned, and see what’s inside. Bai Chaohai, since you are a member of the cabinet and involved in this matter, you will lead the investigation into the replacement of poor scholars. Feng Aiqing and Ying Aiqing will assist you. You must uncover the truth and give the people an explanation!”

“Yes!”

The named individuals all stepped forward.

After the guards dragged away the frenzied Wen Mengsheng and the defeated Wen Jingsong, Emperor Qi remembered that Yin Canwen and Wen Yuwei were still present.

They were also deeply involved in the case and could not be easily let off.

Wen Yuwei, knowing that the Wen family’s uncle had no future, wondered how Emperor Qi would handle the remaining members of the Wen family.

Looking at Prince Ke, it was clear that he would not break his promise to the Wen family.

So, he spoke to Emperor Qi.

“Father, Miss Wen has sacrificed her family for the greater good. This is a commendable act. I urge you to show leniency towards the Wen family based on her merits.”

Emperor Qi glanced at his son, understanding the underlying message.

Compared to the Ninth Prince, who he thought was simple and honest, he now saw that he was just as opportunistic. The allure of the throne indeed led everyone to seek ways to cause him trouble.