Chapter 863: Chapter 863: All Parties Gather
The storyteller on stage was getting into the swing of things, growing increasingly frustrated as he was repeatedly interrupted. Suddenly, he heard the commotion below and realized it was about the incident in Taiyuan Prefecture involving Lian Mu.
He quickly moved his lips, hastily concluding today’s storytelling session with a few fabricated words, wrapping up in a rush. He slapped the wood panel with a resounding crack: "To find out the details of the collusion between the Scoundrel Xue and Kui Bao, join us in the next session."
After finishing, he tossed the wood panel aside and ran off with the crowd.
The waiter stood at the entrance of the establishment, repeatedly saying "Hey, hang on," as many patrons hadn’t paid for their tea!
On the second floor, a few scholars suddenly stood up, glanced at each other, and hurriedly dashed downstairs, only to be stopped at the door by the waiter.
Scholar Zheng anxiously pulled out a handful of Silver from his pocket, tossed it toward the waiter without even looking, and hurriedly rushed toward the Shuntian Prefecture with the others.
Meanwhile, within the Imperial Academy.
Minister Jia grabbed the front of the person before him and shouted, "What did you say? Brother Lian has entered the Shuntian Prefecture?"
This is serious!
The student being grabbed nodded frantically, "Mr. Jia, it seems something about beating a drum to seek justice, and it’s also related to that Scoundrel Xue. Someone seems to have something to do with that Scoundrel Xue!"
Nothing good can come from being linked to that Scoundrel Xue!
Minister Jia immediately became anxious, "This is bad, this is bad, I must make a trip!"
He released the student and dashed off with his legs.
The student hadn’t finished speaking, quickly caught up, and called, "Sir, sir, slow down, there’s also, there’s also, Brother Lian, he he he..."
Minister Jia, filled with anger and anxiety, did not stop his pace, cursing, "Spit it out if you have something to say, what’s with the stuttering?"
The student finally made up his mind and hurriedly chased after, "Mr. Jia, Brother Lian he took the imperial exams under a false name!"
Minister Jia’s steps halted abruptly, as if struck by lightning, and he unconsciously repeated, "False, false name..."
"Yes, indeed, rumors are circulating all over the capital that Brother Lian took the exams under a false name and was exposed. Another rumor says it’s related to Scoundrel Xue, so..."
That’s why he’s at a loss about what to do. He had taken leave today for some matters but ran to the Imperial Academy to inform Minister Jia as soon as he heard, unable to pay further attention to other issues, and feeling troubled himself.
Minister Jia’s mind was in turmoil. For someone who upholds justice in the imperial exams and wrote "Public Opinion" for fairness, it was absurdly ironic to be accused of taking exams under a false identity!
And being entangled with the Scoundrel Xue would mean a capital offense!
Yet, recalling their past interactions vividly, the Lian Mu he knew was like a bright and upright gentleman, exuding talent and brilliance in conversation, unlike any cunning villain. With his natural talent, why would he need to take exams under a false name?
Surely there must be some misunderstanding or pressing reason forcing him into such a situation.
Unable to sort through these threads, Minister Jia decided to calm down and asked the student to explain in detail what exactly was going on.
Upon hearing it all, he clapped his thigh, "Something’s wrong, someone is targeting Brother Lian!"
Initially, it seemed like someone was beating a drum to seek justice, accusing Lian Mu of taking exams under a false name and getting involved with Scoundrel Xue.
But after careful listening, the problem became apparent.
Clearly, the truth of the matter is not yet clear. The entire Lian family is involved, yet the rumor emphasizes only Lian Mu taking exams under a false name, with detailed accounts of both impersonation and connections to Scoundrel Xue—something’s fishy!
Minister Jia quickly started running again. After a few steps, he thought of something and turned to shout, "Go gather everyone who is free from tasks and have them accompany me to Shuntian Prefecture."
His chest heaved as he glared fiercely, "Brother Lian has taught at the Imperial Academy and is one of us. We cannot allow false accusations; we must ensure justice!"
No matter right or wrong, they needed to clarify the situation. If someone truly schemed to defame Lian Mu, those from the Imperial Academy wouldn’t stand by idly. But if the rumors turn out to be true...
Then it would be as if they never knew him, and the Imperial Academy wouldn’t advocate for such a person!
Soon, the entire Imperial Academy became agitated.
Elsewhere in the capital.
"Preposterous, preposterous." An elderly man with snow-white hair smacked the table hard, fiercely scolding the person before him, "Fool, how can you believe street gossip? Go inquire, go to Shuntian Prefecture and find out."
The middle-aged man, about fifty, hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, father, don’t get excited. I’ll go right now." With that, he turned to leave.
"Come back!" Minister Fan reconsidered and found it unacceptable, directly calling him back, deciding to go himself!
In the Lv Residence, a woman shattered a teacup, her expression blank, "What?"
After a long pause, she stood up with determination in her eyes, "Father always said, by listening to both sides, one will be enlightened; listening to only one side leads to ignorance. Something is wrong about this case. Prepare the sedan, I must leave the residence."
The maid was taken aback and hurriedly advised, "Miss, that person was only met once, why bother..." Concerned with his fate.
The eldest daughter of the Lv Family, with her beautiful eyes raised, the maid immediately knew she couldn’t persuade her, reluctantly agreeing to prepare the sedan.
In the Southern City, a group of people hurried along the road, with some carrying poles, some shovels, and some manure scoops, looking as if they were off to fight.
Leading the way, Old Lady Wu hurried and cursed, "That’s bullshit! How could Talented Lian be involved with that stinking Scoundrel Xue from the Xue Family? Just let me find out who’s slinging mud, and I’ll dump a bucket of manure on their head."
Elder Sister-in-law also cursed along, "Indeed, Talented Lian is such a good person, how could it be possible? What false name? Falsehood my foot! Just looking at Top Scholar, he’s a man of great talent; he doesn’t need anyone else’s name!"
Trailing behind, Er Ya, panting heavily, said, "Mother, is it because someone is envious of Top Scholar’s talent? Let’s hit them with our poles and shovels."
Upon hearing the news, Old Lady Wu and Elder Sister-in-law began cursing, leading their families and calling nearby households. A group went straight to Shuntian Prefecture.
That day, outside the Shuntian Prefecture, the place was teeming with people, and a squad of soldiers stood outside to prevent the crowd from rushing in.
Not far away, a few people dressed as scholars listened to the crowd’s discussions, their expressions changing with mixed emotions, unsure whether to be pleased or angry.
Suddenly, thinking of something, these people let ambiguous smiles creep onto their lips.
One of them comforted, "Brother Li, this is just the beginning, let’s watch and see."
The one called Brother Li bowed to this person, "Thank you, Brother Tian. You’re right, we already have people on our side, and when things are done, there will be ample rewards."
Tian Cuozi raised his hand to decline, "Oh, Brother Li, we’ve known each other for years, no need for such polite words, especially when I can’t stand that cheap imitation."
Another person spoke admiringly, "Brother Tian, you’re truly noble and righteous, a clear and virtuous person. It’s a pity the public is so ignorant, so easily deceived, alas..."
Regarding this matter, Tian Cuozi was furious. Now, in the capital, he was practically a drowning dog.
He had no personal grudge against Lian Mu, but among the scholars punished and demoted in Taiyuan Prefecture were his close friends.