Chapter 642: The Major Case Settles in Dust

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

It is already early summer, and in the center of Rongqing Hall, the acid branch wood Arhat bed and the sixteen carved nanmu chairs on both sides have been replaced from the gold-woven group flower red satin cotton satin to the cool and soft jade gauze silk soft cushions.

The partition screens on both sides of the green gauze cabinet have been replaced from the heavy pear-inlaid shell landscape screens to the cool and exquisite cloud-dark flower glass screens.

All the curtains and drapes in the hall have been replaced from the luxurious and heavy tones of autumn and winter to the elegant and clear soft tones suitable for spring and summer. The breeze blows, beautiful and beautiful, and refreshing.

Since Jia Cong inherited the title and managed the house, and the second branch moved into the East Road Courtyard, the expenses of Jia Mu's Rongqing Hall have not only not been discounted, but are even more exquisite and delicate than before.

Throughout the four seasons, all the utensils in Rongqing Hall are often changed and new, making people feel very comfortable while staying in it.

The reason for such a scene is also Wang Xifeng's essential means of managing the house.

Although the first branch inherited the title and managed the house, and the second branch moved to the East Road Courtyard, it fell to the side.

But Jia Mu is the most respected in the Jia family, and has the highest title. No matter which branch is in charge, Jia Mu is the face of Rongguo Mansion.

After Jia Cong inherited the title, Wang Xifeng managed the house again. She got Jia Cong's meaning and gradually reduced and rectified the excessive extravagance of Rongguo Mansion.

Only the expenses of Jia Mu's Rongqing Hall followed the old practice. Wang Xifeng even spent a lot of thought, and under the same expenses, the daily items were more exquisite.

Because Wang Xifeng knew clearly in her heart that the first branch inherited the title and managed the house, and Jia Mu felt quite lost. Only by coaxing the old lady well, the first branch would have less trouble.

Even if her aunt jumped up and down, she couldn't pick out half a word.

Moreover, every year during the New Year, noble relatives come to visit, and they all have to visit Jia Mu in Rongqing Hall. Rongqing Hall is equivalent to the face of Rongguo Mansion, and spending some silver is also on the knife edge.

Even if Jia Cong didn't need Wang Xifeng to say it clearly, he was as clear as a mirror in his heart, and naturally knew that Jia Mu was the mascot of Rongguo Mansion. If she was well served and ignored, everything would be fine.

Besides, the sisters in the family go in and out of Rongqing Hall to greet and chat every day, and they spend a lot of time all year round. Wang Xifeng made Rongqing Hall's face bright, and Jia Cong was also happy to see it.

It is Jia Cong's main hall, Rongxi Hall, because he only lives in the East Mansion, unlike the original Jia Zheng and Wang Lady moving in, and raising a large group of maids and old women.

Now Rongxi Hall, except for Xiaohong bringing a few maids to manage, is usually vacant, which saves a sum of expenses. Comparing the two, outsiders can't pick out any faults.

Perhaps it is because of this reason that since Jia Cong inherited the title for more than half a year, Jia Mu has gradually become accustomed to everything in front of her from the initial loss and anxiety, and the injustice for her son Jia Zheng and grandson Baoyu.

Since Jia Cong and Wang Xifeng treated her as usual, Wang Xifeng was as filial and enthusiastic as before, and Jia Cong was still polite and slightly distant, Jia Mu gradually became accustomed to everything in front of her.

Jia Mu was born in a noble family and married into a large clan. She has seen too many things about family status and power.

Now she can see clearly that the most promising among the Jia family children is naturally Jia Cong.

Among the granddaughters of the Jia family, the one who can marry into a high door like her in the future, with a husband's power and glory, must be the second granddaughter Yingchun, who let her have a brother like Cong Ge'er.

Although Yingchun is reluctant to part with her brother now and refuses to discuss marriage, and is not very willing to marry, Jia Mu thinks this is not a matter, and after a few years, the granddaughter will mostly change her mind.

Jia Mu thought of these, and felt that it was a wise move to agree to let Yingchun enter the East Mansion, otherwise how could there be such a day of turning stone into gold.

She said to Yingchun with a kind expression: "Second girl, I have heard some rumors these days, saying that this imperial examination has caused a major fraud case.

Many candidates have been imprisoned, and even imperial officials have been involved, and it seems that the matter is very big.

That Jinshi imperial list has also been delayed for a long time, and the imperial court has not posted it. Everything said outside is evil. Is Cong Ge'er's fame okay?"

Yingchun smiled and said: "Although this imperial examination fraud case is fierce, it involves many candidates and officials, but it has no effect on Cong Di at all.

Grandmother, think about it, the Emperor still gives Cong Di such a decent reward at this time, which shows that the fraud case has nothing to do with him. Grandmother can rest assured."

Daiyu also smiled: "I also heard Third Brother say that the fraud case has been noisy for many days, and now things are about to subside, and it will definitely be posted again before the end of the month.

Grandmother, just wait to hear the good news. It won't take long, Third Brother will be a proper Jinshi, what a glorious good thing."

……

Baoyu heard the message from Qiuwen, and threw away the shame and annoyance caused by Musk's words, and picked up the set of West Chamber to offer treasures to Daiyu.

He knew that Daiyu's temperament was elegant and spiritual, her eyes were dust-free, and she did not stick to vulgar flow, so she would definitely like this strange book of West Chamber.

Although there was a huge embarrassment last time, his father Jia Zheng severely reprimanded him, and Wang Lady planned to discuss marriage with the Xia family, Baoyu mostly knew that he and Daiyu were no longer possible.

But he had coveted it for many years, how could he let go for a while? Finding some reasons, he was thinking of going to provoke and get close...

He came in a hurry holding the book, passed through the mountain corridor, the parrots and thrushes hanging under the corridor were chirping, and he didn't feel noisy in his ears, but felt pleasant.

Suddenly a figure inserted horizontally in front, Baoyu walked too fast, couldn't stop his steps, hit the shoulder of that person, and the books in his hand were scattered all over the floor.

He was angry and wanted to kick people, but seeing the person was slender, with curved eyebrows, and refined, he changed his face immediately.

He smiled: "So it's Sister Hearing Zi Juan, where did you come from, why didn't you follow Lin Meimei?"

Hearing Zi Juan saw it was Baoyu, was startled, subconsciously stepped back, thinking of Baoyu's madness last time, she still remembers it fresh, and now she is still a little scared.

Hearing Zi Juan looked at the scattered books on the ground, which were exactly a few volumes of West Chamber. She didn't know how to read originally, but she had followed Daiyu for many years, and naturally learned some literature, and could recognize a few words.

She knew that this corridor led directly to Rongqing Hall, and now the girl is there...

She asked: "Bao Er Ye is in a hurry, where are you going?"

Baoyu knew that Hearing Zi Juan was Daiyu's confidant, and she was also beautiful, so he was very polite to her, how could he blame her for hitting him.

He picked up the scattered books on the ground and smiled: "I got a good book, thinking that Lin Meimei must like it, so I am going to give it to her."

Hearing Zi Juan heard Baoyu's words, and couldn't help but feel a headache. Didn't Bao Er Ye see that the girl was hiding from him, why did he provoke her again.

The girl speaks sharply, if she provokes Baoyu to get sick again, it won't look good in front of the old lady...

Hearing Zi Juan looked at the West Chamber in Baoyu's hand, her bright eyes turned slightly, and said: "Bao Er Ye's book, the girl also has it, Bao Er Ye should keep it yourself."

Baoyu was slightly stunned when he heard this, and he was a little unhappy in his heart, saying: "This book is a bit rare, not easy to get, how could Lin Meimei have it?"

The reason why Baoyu said this was not nonsense. Although West Chamber is a strange book, in the current world, it does not belong to the orthodox classics, but is classified as a wild talk.

It has always been despised by orthodox scholars. On the surface, only drama craftsmen will talk about West Chamber.

But West Chamber's words are elegant and rhythmic, and the story is charming and moving, and it has its own attraction. Those scholars despise it on the surface, but they are tireless in the back, which is not strange.

And the women in noble families, many of them are literate, and they are quite obsessed with love stories like West Chamber. It is a common occurrence to find them to read in the deep house.

Therefore, in the orthodox bookstores, West Chamber is not clearly sold, but every family has stock.

And any customer who buys West Chamber, whether it is a drama master or a rich daughter, is not short of silver, which leads to such books being expensive and hard to find.

Baoyu's set of West Chamber was also obtained by Mingyan after a lot of effort, so he had the words just now.

Hearing Zi Juan is Daiyu's personal maid, and naturally understands her girl's thoughts the most. Her heart is full of Third Brother, and she can't accommodate anyone else.

Not to mention Baoyu's words and deeds are absurd and ridiculous. Although he claims to cherish jade, he is the king himself, and others have to look at his face, and he has to accommodate him, making people avoid him.

Hearing Zi Juan is loyal to Daiyu, naturally wants to help her block the car, and said: "Bao Er Ye's words, the girl also has it. This West Chamber is rare outside, but it is a common book in the East Mansion.

Originally, Lingguan, the girl beside Third Brother, had it. Once the girl saw it, she borrowed it to read. Third Brother saw that the girl liked it, so he bought a set outside and gave it to the girl. That book is placed on the girl's desk every day, and the girl will take it to flip through when she is free, so she is very familiar with it, so Bao Er Ye should keep this book yourself."

Baoyu's face turned pale when he heard Hearing Zi Juan's words, his heart was full of frustration and depression, and he felt that heaven was different, and he almost wanted to cry and scream.

He finally got a set of West Chamber, thinking he could use it to please Daiyu, but didn't expect Jia Cong to have already given it to Lin Meimei. How come he is everywhere?

Baoyu was indignant in his heart. Jia Cong, this kind of person, only knows how to do this kind of elegant thing, following Lin Meimei's heart to please her, it is truly shameless!

Hearing Zi Juan saw Baoyu stunned again, worried that he would be crazy, and when the crime was planted on her head, she hurried away.

Baoyu stood there, complaining about himself for a while, and finally couldn't let go of the impulse to see Daiyu, called a maid passing by, asked her to send the book back to his courtyard, and went to Rongqing Hall.

He just arrived at the gate of Rongqing Hall, thinking about what exquisite topics he could use to make Lin Meimei happy besides West Chamber, so that his sister would know that he was not worse than Jia Cong...

The maid guarding the gate saw Baoyu coming, and hurriedly opened the gate. Baoyu just heard Daiyu's spiritual and pleasant voice.

"I also heard Third Brother say that the fraud case has been noisy for many days, and now things are about to subside, and it will definitely be posted again before the end of the month."

"Grandmother, just wait to hear the good news. It won't take long, Third Brother will be a proper Jinshi, what a glorious good thing."

Baoyu heard Daiyu's voice, his heart was intoxicated, but his face changed instantly.

Why did Lin Meimei also say such muddled words? Is this Jinshi so rare that everyone has to talk about it? It's really vulgar!

And Daiyu's words revealed heartfelt joy, and even a trace of faint pride, making Baoyu feel like he was in a nightmare, thinking he must have heard it wrong, this is not what Lin Meimei said...

!

……

Shenjing, Investigation Office, Zhou Junxing's official office.

Since Censor Sun Shouzi impeached the imperial examination fraud case in court, Zhou Junxing took advantage of the situation and was invincible in the investigation of the imperial examination fraud case, arrogant and full of spirit.

But eventually, he was happy and sad. He never dreamed that Wu Liang, who he thought was a soft bone, would commit suicide in anger when testifying against Lin Zhao.

Wu Liang's death made the effort Zhou Junxing put into the fraud case almost go to waste, making the whole fraud case fall into an awkward situation. He not only had no merit, but had faults, and was beaten back to his original shape.

On the day of the incident, he knew the situation was serious, but he hesitated slightly and was one step slower than the Court of Judicial Review, letting Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Wei Guanyao enter the palace to report first.

By the time he just arrived at the gate of Qianyang Palace, the Emperor was already furious, and he knelt at the gate of Qianyang Palace for two hours, his legs almost lost consciousness, but the Emperor still didn't want to meet him.

Finally, he sent Guo Lin to reprimand him, and then he was driven out of the palace gate. It was truly embarrassed. Perhaps his attitude of pleading guilty was sincere, and he finally avoided a major disaster.

Originally, he wanted to make an effort in investigating the violation of the spring examination officials and regain his face and merit in front of the Emperor.

But unexpectedly, a joint report of seventy-three candidates suddenly appeared, and an appendix of the petition recording the improper behavior of officials completely disrupted his attempt.

According to this appendix of the petition, the Court of Judicial Review questioned dozens of spring examination officials in just a few days, and more than twenty officials were imprisoned for corruption and bribery.

The swift and decisive action of the Court of Judicial Review occupied the initiative, making Zhou Junxing have no place to use his strength.

And these days at the early morning court, Zhou Junxing watched the wind and situation, and noticed that the Court of Judicial Review's investigation of the spring examination officials' improper behavior was rising, and it had reached the limit of the Emperor's endurance.

Recalling the death of Wu Liang, the shock it caused him had not yet faded, and he dared not add fuel to the fire or act rashly at such a time.

Even though the Court of Judicial Review had lost its position as the lead investigator of the fraud case, it still held the duty of assisting the Ministry of Justice in the trial, and Zhou Junxing also displayed a low-profile, retreating posture, seeking only to avoid mistakes rather than merit.

Recently, whether it was the Ministry of Justice interrogating Xu Liangxiong or questioning the crowd of incriminated officials from the Spring Examination, Zhou Junxing rarely showed his face, only letting his trusted aide Zheng Yingquan come forward to handle matters.

On this day, as usual, he was handling official business in the office with some boredom. When the afterglow of the setting sun began to shine through the window, familiar footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the figure of Zheng Yingquan.

Every day at sunset, Zheng Yingquan would return from the Ministry of Justice to report the day's developments to Zhou Junxing.

Zhou Junxing asked: "Yingquan, what progress has been made on the case today?"

Zheng Yingquan said: "Although Xu Liangxiong has been in prison for many days, he has been crying out his grievances in jail, refusing to confess that he committed fraud, claiming only that the candidates were opportunistic and cunning, which is why the disaster of fraud arose.

He is a high-ranking official of the third grade; before he is convicted, the Ministry of Justice does not dare to apply torture rashly. After Wu Liang died, His Majesty finally lost patience and issued an oral decree yesterday to apply punishment.

Although the Ministry of Justice has already applied torture to Xu Liangxiong, he has been isolated in prison for many days and does not yet know that Wu Liang is dead, so he harbors a glimmer of hope, and he also knows that once he confesses, he will be beyond redemption.

After struggling all day yesterday, he refused to confess to the death. Today, with the palace urging, the Ministry of Justice applied heavy torture to Xu Liangxiong, and by noon today, he had confessed and signed his deposition.

Coupled with the Ministry of Rites' analysis of the nine fraudulent candidates' policy papers, the two sides corroborated each other.

It has now been confirmed that Xu Liangxiong took over as the chief examiner on short notice, and because he only had one night to prepare the policy questions, he hastily borrowed the themes of previously drafted questions.

Although the wording and phrasing were quite different, it still provided an opportunity for Wu Liang and others who had been tipped off by him, and his crime of dereliction of duty and leaking questions is indisputable.

Although there was no deliberate fraud and he never accepted bribes from candidates, he can at most escape the death penalty, but he cannot avoid living punishment; this Left Vice Minister is already finished...

Your subordinate is a bit puzzled; the fraud case is implicated to such an extent, yet the Ministry of Justice actually let Xu Liangxiong escape the death penalty, which is somewhat contrary to common sense."

Zhou Junxing sneered: "Wei Guanyao is an old fox; he is not an incompetent person. Xu Liangxiong being able to escape the death penalty is for a reason.

First, Xu Liangxiong only rose to Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in the thirteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao, which was the peak of his official career.

A person like him would only put effort into accumulating achievements in order to ascend to the position of head of the Six Ministries; he would not do the stupid thing of deliberately committing fraud and destroying his own future."

It was precisely because he wanted to rely on being the chief examiner of the imperial examination to accumulate and expand his reputation to help his future career that he accepted visits from candidates before the metropolitan examination, acting as a teacher and giving pointers on questions.

After unexpectedly taking over as chief examiner, because the time for preparing questions was hasty, and to avoid being mediocre and becoming a laughingstock in the scholarly community, he harbored a glimmer of hope and borrowed the themes of previously successful questions, giving people an opportunity and bringing about a monstrous disaster.

So, it is indeed true that he did not deliberately commit fraud.

But the fraud case is so widely implicated that His Majesty did not kill him to vent his anger because Wu Liang's death and the inside story of the metropolitan examination fraud case have already caused criticism and suspicion among the scholars and people in the court and the public.

If Xu Liangxiong is confirmed to have deliberately committed fraud, in the hearts of the scholars and people of the world, the governance of the Great Zhou would be so corrupt; where would the prestige and face of the imperial court be? How could His Majesty tolerate it?

The crime Xu Liangxiong is convicted of is less about his actual guilt and more about His Majesty's instructions and the needs of the situation.

His life is fundamentally insignificant; it wouldn't be simple for His Majesty to take it away.

His Majesty needs the fraud case to settle as soon as possible, to handle it lightly, and it would be best to let people forget it quickly..."

Zheng Yingquan felt a chill in his heart; his superior, although his methods are sinister and he stops at nothing, is not just blindly fierce and reckless; his depth of strategy and sharp vision are equally extraordinary.

Zheng Yingquan continued: "Since the day Lin Zhaohe was taken back to the Ministry of Justice prison, for some reason, the Ministry of Justice invited a physician to treat his torture wounds. Although there was interrogation, no further torture was applied.

Yang Hongbin, the Director of the Ministry of Justice, personally led men to search Lin Zhaohe's residence carefully, but did not find any evidence involving fraud.

Therefore, the Ministry of Justice judged Lin Zhaohe innocent due to lack of evidence, and he will be released in these two days.

My lord, whether Lin Zhaohe committed fraud is a matter for another time, but thinking about the whole affair, this person was imprisoned yet still did not reveal a single flaw and escaped unscathed; he is quite extraordinary."

Zhou Junxing thought of the day in the torture room, a weak scholar who was stingy even with screams under torture, as if he had lost the sense of pain, and the terrible expression of his eyes splitting when he witnessed Wu Liang's death.

Even though Zhou Junxing was cruel by nature, he felt a slight chill in his heart...

Zheng Yingquan added: "When the Ministry of Justice was judging Lin Zhaohe, Yang Hongbin once mentioned Zhou Yan, because it was Zhou Yan's statement that implicated Lin Zhaohe..." (End of chapter)