Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1343: Chapter 1345 This Ink is Not That Ink_1

With these thoughts in mind, Tang Yin summoned this year’s Provincial Examination Chief Examiner Xue Wenhui to his presence, along with the others responsible for organizing the exam place.

Before the Provincial Examination, Tang Yin had specifically instructed Xue Wenhui to look after Bai Zepei, but he also made it clear that he could not show favoritism; as long as Bai was not persecuted, it would be sufficient. Therefore, Xue Wenhui was somewhat surprised to be called upon for this matter. When had the Emperor become so concerned with a single examinee’s affairs? Could it be that state affairs were not busy enough?

The other summoned people had no idea what was going on as they came to the Imperial Study Room, except feeling somewhat nervous, for lower-ranked officials rarely had the chance to speak up close before the Emperor.

”Who was responsible for collecting the examination papers in this year’s Provincial Examination?” Tang Yin asked.

Xue Wenhui replied, ”The Alpha exam place was under the charge of Jin Xi and Liu Dong, the Beta exam place was attended to by Jiu Zhe and Zhang Xuesong, and the Gamma exam place was the responsibility of Deng Xinde and Jia Wuyun.”

Tang Yin thought about the Alpha mark on Bai Zepei’s exam paper and looked towards Jin Xi and Liu Dong, asking, ”Did you two collect the papers together, or was there a Division of labor? Did you notice anything abnormal?”

Jin Xi and Liu Dong hurriedly glanced at each other. Jin Xi spoke up, ”For collecting papers in the exam place, we each took a side; I was in charge of the left side, Liu Dong handled the right side. Only, I do not understand what the Emperor is referring to as abnormal?”

”For example, if anyone’s exam papers were untidy or had ink stains,” the Emperor said.

Jin Xi and Liu Dong both thought back carefully and then answered that they hadn’t noticed anything of the sort.

Tang Yin narrowed his eyes at the two. If someone answered without thinking, either affirmatively or negatively, it was cause for suspicion, but both men appeared unflustered and had pondered carefully for a while. It seemed the issue did not lie with them.

Xue Wenhui realized the Emperor’s intentions upon hearing this. He had carefully reviewed the papers of the top fifty candidates a few days earlier and had also noticed Jiang Yichun’s exam paper. Indeed, it was regrettable—if that part of the paper had not been dirtied and the line at the end remained, he shouldn’t have been ranked only at eighth place.

So, did the Emperor suspect that someone had tampered with the papers? Xue Wenhui’s heart tightened. Although he was not in charge of grading, he was the Chief Examiner, responsible for overseeing the entire Provincial Examination. If such an oversight had occurred, he would find it hard to shirk the blame.

What was most fatal was that he had not raised any doubts before. He really was getting old; he had been too careless!

With the Emperor silent, the rest dared not speak out of turn. For a moment, the silence in the Imperial Study Room was deafening, with only the sound of their breathing audible. Some even grew nervous, uncertain of what they might have done wrong, and whether they would be penalized by the Emperor.

At that moment, Wang Shun returned with the examination papers in hand, walked over to the Emperor, bowed, and said in a low voice, ”Your Majesty is indeed omniscient; there are indeed two types of ink.”

A chill flashed through the Emperor’s eyes. He detested manipulation and corruption in the Imperial Examination the most, those who tried petty tricks, yet now, under his very watch, someone dared to frame an examinee. Did they really view him as nothing but an ornament?

”Master Zhang also said that the ink used for answering the questions on the exam paper is Longxiang ink, a very precious and fine type of ink. It is said to be perfumed with lotus flower juice and scented powder, emitting a faint fragrance, which can still be sensed on the paper after several months. The ink spilled is merely ordinary Hui ink, which is commonly sold in the Wenyuan Pavilion in the Capital. Many examinees who participate in the Provincial Examination would buy their stationery and the ’Sibao’ from Wenyuan Pavilion,” Wang Shun explained in detail, then chuckled, ”It appears all the exam tools for Bai Zepei were prepared by Madam Jiang. Madam Jiang really didn’t hold back, providing nothing but the best.”

In his heart, Wang Shun silently praised Bai Ruozhu once more. It was fortunate that Bai Ruozhu had prepared the high-quality Longxiang ink for Bai Zepei. If Bai had used the same Hui ink from Wenyuan Pavilion as the other examinees, the consequence would have been dire.

Tang Yin sneered, ”You all should take a look as well. The writing has been verified by Master Zhang, so there is no mistake. Could it be that Bai Zepei used the exquisite Longxiang ink for his answers, only to then spill a bottle of Hui ink from the inkstone to stain his own exam paper?”

Xue Wenhui and the other examiners glanced at the papers and inwardly cursed their luck, only hoping that the Emperor would not vent his anger upon them.

”Your Majesty, it is my negligence. Please grant me three days to thoroughly investigate this matter,” Xue Wenhui knelt on the ground and said.

”Xue Aiqing, I have always trusted you. Do not disappoint me in this matter. Regardless of who is involved, everything must be investigated clearly!” the Emperor said with a cold face.

”This servant obeys the decree.”

After everyone had withdrawn, Tang Yin rubbed his temples wearily. He could probably guess who was behind this. Did they really think they could cover the sky with one hand in the Capital? Were they plotting a change of regime in Danliang Country?

”Reporting to Your Majesty, Master Zhang also offered to help. He said there is a way to restore the words obscured by the ink, but this old servant thought the examination papers are evidence, so I didn’t let him restore them,” Wang Shun spoke up.

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively, ”Why bother with such trouble, just summon Bai Zepei for questioning and we will know.”

”This...” Wang Shun cautiously reminded, ”The results have not been announced, and if we summon Bai Zepei to the Palace, I fear there might be some rumors outside.”

The Emperor took a deep breath, ”Very well, we will wait until everything is clear before proceeding.”

...

Meanwhile, Bai Zepei was gathering with friends like Tang Feng, Lin Xufei, and Leng Bin at the Welcome Guest establishment, discussing the yet-to-be-announced results.

”By normal custom, the results should have been announced today. I’m not sure why there’s been no movement. Could there be some problems?” Leng Bin speculated.

Tang Feng let out a laugh, though his demeanor remained calm and nonchalant, ”Maybe someone has cheated, and the authorities are looking into it. Let’s not inquire too much.”

The others nodded in agreement, and the conversation moved to the final policy discussions. Tang Feng turned to Bai Zepei and asked, ”What did Brother Bai write in the final policy essay? Could it have been shocking statements?”

Bai Zepei took a sip of tea and spoke indifferently, ”It was fine, quite subtle already.”

Seeing that he didn’t want to say more, Tang Feng laughed and changed the subject, but nobody expected that someone had tampered with Bai Zepei’s words he did not wish to disclose, and the Emperor had yet to see them.

...

In the Western Regions, Bai Ruozhu and the others were unaware of the plot against Bai Zepei; otherwise, given Bai Ruozhu’s temperament, she would have caused quite a stir. At the moment, she was still busily planting medicinal herbs. It was ironic that she rarely worked the land back in Mountain Village, and now she had to personally tend to the fields. However, what was exciting was that within just two days of settling in the palace, the medicinal herbs in the Space had already matured, meaning that the growth rate of plants in the Space was many times that of the outside world. Two days were roughly equivalent to several months.

Therefore, Bai Ruozhu happily planted even more medicinal materials. After finishing the plantation, she indulged in a hot spring bath, then emerged from the Space and called Jianqi to go out of the palace to handle some affairs.

These past few days, Jiang Yichun had been discussing some cooperative matters with the ruler of the Country, and they had also secretly made contact with the Second Elder.

With some free time on her hands, Bai Ruozhu thought of leaving the palace to see how Nilu was handling the business and also to sell the silk she had brought to the merchant Nilu had mentioned before.