He detested Yin Canwen the most.
Before the results were announced, he had been furious with his father for days, thinking, "If he doesn't even care about his own son, what else can he care about?"
He didn't realize his father's intentions until after the results were posted.
Yin Canwen, so what if you're brilliant? So what if you're adored by everyone? You're still no match for me today!
One in heaven, one on earth. If he were to propose to the Feng family today in front of everyone, they would probably all agree.
After all, I'm the top scholar!
My future is bound to be limitless!
The young servant following Wen Mengsheng was also a reckless fellow. He rushed forward, and a few urgent knocks on the door brought out the Feng family's gatekeeper.
Then, with his chin held high, he said to the gatekeeper, "Tell your master, my young master has come to visit."
"Who is your young master?"
"The son of the Minister of Personnel, and this year's top scholar."
The servant said this with immense arrogance, but the Feng family's gatekeeper was no pushover.
Just a top scholar, and he dared to put on airs at the Feng family's doorstep?
Remembering the second master's instructions, he said coldly to the servant,
"Oh, my master said he is not receiving guests. He will not see anyone."
With that, he slammed the side gate shut. The servant, having been snubbed, could not stand it.
Turning to look at his master, Wen Mengsheng, he saw that his face was also ashen.
"Hmph, ungrateful wretch! When I propose to your family another day, I will surely humiliate you!"
With that, he turned and left!
The servant quickly followed.
Not long after the master and servant had walked away, they encountered someone looking for them. "My lord says there's something of utmost urgency to tell the young master. The young master should return to the manor with us quickly."
Utmost urgency?
Now that the results were out, what could possibly make his father send for him so urgently?
Half-believing, half-doubting, he returned to the manor and entered. Upon seeing his father pacing anxiously in the study, Wen Mengsheng grew even more perplexed.
"Father, what is wrong?"
He had achieved the top rank, so his father should be happy. Yet, as he walked, none of the arrangements his father had made were in place – no firecrackers, no streamers, nothing grand or festive.
As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Jingsong turned and slapped him across the face. Wen Mengsheng was stunned.
He covered his face with his hand, then looked at Wen Jingsong with confusion and anger, saying indignantly,
"Father, what are you doing? Did I disgrace you? I am the top scholar now!"
The mention of "top scholar" made Wen Jingsong wish he could slap him again. But his son had made a mistake; what was the point of beating him to death? Thus, he raised his hand high, then lowered it.
"You, I, your father, have long told you not to be so high-profile, not to be so high-profile. Now that you have taken Yin Canwen's name to become the top scholar, do you know how many eyes are watching you? If you slip up even once, you will expose yourself. At that time, let alone you, the entire Wen family, and those powerful figures behind us, will all be implicated! Don't you understand this principle?"
Wen Jingsong said with great distress.
Hearing this, Wen Mengsheng was even more bewildered. "Father, wasn't this your arrangement? I thought you had already handled everything properly!"
Neither father nor son was foolish. Upon hearing this, both showed a look of astonishment.
Wen Mengsheng believed that this matter was arranged by Wen Jingsong. Since he dared to let him become the top scholar, he must have made all the arrangements, which was why he was so carefree!
Meanwhile, Wen Jingsong believed that his son had secretly bribed the scribes of the examination papers and boldly changed the name, which had caught him so off guard.
Who would have thought that one party was unaware, and the other had not made any changes?
In that case, who could have been the one to change the name?
A chill ran from the soles of their feet upwards, making them both feel as if they were naked in a world of ice and snow, a chilling realization.
"This is bad! Someone must have discovered our replacement of the examination papers and deliberately changed Yin Canwen's name to yours, intending to blow this matter wide open. In that case, wouldn't it be dangerous!"
Only then did the father and son realize they had been schemed against.
Alas, it was too late!
By the time they recovered and intended to destroy the evidence, Elder Xu had already reported the matter to Emperor Qi.
In his hand, he held the Loyal and Treacherous Whip, bestowed by the late emperor. It now shone with a blackish-silver light, demanding attention.
The Loyal and Treacherous Whip was once a protective charm bestowed by the late emperor upon three individuals.
One was Elder Xu, another was Prime Minister Bai, and the third was the Earl of Changyi.
Possessing this whip was equivalent to having a death-exempt token. No matter what actions one took, they could escape death. At the same time, one could impeach the emperor and strike down treacherous officials. With it, it was as if the late emperor were present.
Therefore, when Emperor Qi saw the Loyal and Treacherous Whip, his expression involuntarily became solemn.
"Elder, why have you rushed into the palace today to see me urgently? And you've even brought the Loyal and Treacherous Whip? Has something happened?"
"Your Majesty, this old subject has come today to implore Your Majesty to uphold justice for the scholars from humble backgrounds across the land!"
"Oh? What has happened?"
Elder Xu's humble origins were known to all in the court.
His solemn appearance at the palace today was certainly no minor matter.
Emperor Qi was also somewhat puzzled. When he learned that Elder Xu had exposed the matter of Yin Canwen, Emperor Qi was shocked.
"This old subject accuses the Minister of Personnel, Wen Jingsong, of abusing his power while in office and engaging in corruption during the imperial examinations. He replaced the examination paper that rightfully belonged to this scholar with his own son's name. Today, the whole world knows that the Wen family has produced a top scholar, but they don't know that this top scholar's achievement was stolen!"
In one sentence, the matter was clarified. Emperor Qi was first shocked, then somewhat disbelieving.
The Minister of Personnel had served in the court for many years without any notable mistakes. He had even intended to promote him to Minister of Personnel during the next official performance appraisal. Who would have thought he would be so audacious to such an extent?
"Elder, this matter is of grave importance. Do you have any evidence?"
"Naturally, I do. Your Majesty, please discern!"
With that, he presented the examination paper that Yin Canwen had just transcribed.
Emperor Qi unfolded it and, after a moment of furrowed brows, his expression quickly relaxed. Seeing the brilliant passages, he couldn't help but clap his hands in praise.
He said excitedly, "Elder, who authored this essay? Such literary talent and insight are truly extraordinary!"
Hearing Emperor Qi's words, the three who had come to lodge the complaint felt a slight sense of relief.
Elder Xu then asked, "Your Majesty, if you were the chief examiner, what rank would you give such an essay?"
"Hahaha, Elder, you wish to test me again? Such a capable person should naturally be placed among the top three. Even giving him the first rank would be acceptable."