"Your Majesty, the person who wrote this article is not on the list."
"What?"
Emperor Qi suddenly understood Elder Xu's intention for coming. He put the article aside and looked at the unfamiliar face behind him.
Knowing that His Majesty intended to question him personally, Elder Xu glanced at Yin Canwen, signaling him to step forward.
Yin Canwen had never met the Emperor before and was naturally nervous. However, he forced himself to remain calm despite his nervousness, knelt before Emperor Qi, and shouted, "Long live the Emperor."
"This humble subject, Yin Canwen, a native of Cangzhou, pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years."
After speaking, he respectfully kowtowed.
There was nothing to criticize regarding his etiquette.
"Lift your head. I have something to ask you."
Emperor Qi's demeanor as a superior for many years made Yin Canwen a little flustered.
But having come this far, he knew there was no turning back. So, he swallowed and looked up at Emperor Qi. Although his eyes held tension, they showed no guilt.
Emperor Qi stared at him, exerting the imperial authority that had intimidated many emperors. Seeing that Yin Canwen, despite his fear, did not flinch, Emperor Qi understood the situation.
"Is this article written by you?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, yes."
"With such outstanding talent, why do you not follow the righteous path? Instead, you are here to accuse the Minister of Personnel under my command?"
Upon hearing this, Yin Canwen anxiously looked at Elder Xu.
Why would His Majesty ask this? Shouldn't he first inquire about why he failed the examination?
But the Emperor's will was unfathomable. Even Elder Xu, who had served in the court for a lifetime, could not always guess His Majesty's thoughts.
Hearing his question, Elder Xu's heart also grew uneasy.
Could it be that His Majesty intended to shield the Minister of Personnel today?
If that were the case, he would risk his old life to give an explanation to all the impoverished scholars in the land!
Just as he was about to speak in defense of Yin Canwen, he was interrupted by Emperor Qi.
"Elder, I am asking him, not you."
With those words, Elder Xu's words, which were on the tip of his tongue, were blocked.
"I want to hear from you."
His gaze fell on Yin Canwen. His face was impassive, and his expression revealed neither joy nor anger. Such a situation was undoubtedly immense pressure for a young man who had not yet entered the officialdom.
Even Bai Dalang, who followed behind, found this expressionless questioning unbearable.
He couldn't help but break out in a sweat for Yin Canwen.
Yin Canwen, at this moment, did not know how to answer. But as he panicked, a graceful figure suddenly appeared in his mind – a figure who was always calm and composed, able to face any ordeal with equanimity, even in times of disaster.
Thinking of this, the pounding in his chest gradually slowed.
After composing himself, with a resolve to face death, he slowly said to Emperor Qi.
"Your Majesty, please enlighten me. I, your humble subject, come from Cangzhou. I was fortunate enough to be appreciated by the Dean of Yunqi Academy, who allowed me to study and work part-time at the academy, learning the works of great scholars. Naturally, my intention was to serve Your Majesty and benefit the region. I participated in this imperial examination, but alas, I was not on the list. My fervent passion was defeated by officials in the court who abused their power. How could I endure this? Your Majesty asks why I do not follow the righteous path. Then, I, your humble subject, will boldly ask Your Majesty: I followed the righteous path, but it did not yield the results I deserved. In such circumstances, should I not accuse Lord Wen, who ruined my future?"
As he finished speaking, beads of sweat trickled down Bai Dalang's forehead.
Indeed, he was a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, daring to speak like this during his first audience with His Majesty. Was he not afraid that His Majesty would unleash his imperial wrath and have him beheaded?
On the other hand, Elder Xu beside him smiled with relief. Good, he had not misjudged the person.
Such wealth could not corrupt him, nor could power intimidate him. With time and experience, he would surely become a pillar of the Great Jin!
He then looked at Emperor Qi with a posture of vouching for Yin Canwen.
Emperor Qi raised an eyebrow and looked down at Yin Canwen, who was kneeling. He was quite spirited.
Which of the ordinary sons of noble families, upon seeing him, did not bow their heads respectfully, appearing subservient?
Yet, this young scholar, who had nothing and was nothing, possessed a few more qualities of integrity and unyielding spirit.
So, he said to Elder Xu, "His demeanor reminds me of the first time I met you in my childhood. You also managed to retort to my father, the former Emperor, so much so that he couldn't speak. I thought then that this person was truly impolite. If I were the Emperor, I would have had you beaten!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Canwen clenched his fists, feeling that he had completely offended His Majesty.
But it didn't matter. If he couldn't express his thoughts fully now, he would never have the chance later.
Thinking this, his fear lessened further.
Instead, Elder Xu beside him burst into hearty laughter.
"But the former Emperor did not punish this old minister for it. Instead, he upheld my cause. Therefore, I believe Your Majesty today, like the former Emperor, is someone who cherishes his subordinates and will naturally uphold justice for Scholar Yin, right!"
"You old fox!"
With two sentences, he dissolved the solemn and tense atmosphere, replacing it with an air of harmonious camaraderie between ruler and subject.
Emperor Qi, who had been staring at Yin Canwen, now had a look of joy in his eyes.
"Indeed. Facing my reprimand, you were afraid but did not retreat. You are a good prospect. If I were to specially recruit you into the Grand Secretariat, would you be willing?"
Special recruitment into the Grand Secretariat was an unprecedented honor.
Bai Dalang was happy for Yin Canwen, but Yin Canwen and Elder Xu did not think so.
Since he had come to lodge a complaint, he should see it through to the end. Currently, Wen Jingsong's wrongdoing had not been punished. He would not be happy to enter the Grand Secretariat.
So, he kowtowed to Emperor Qi again and pleaded, "Thank you for Your Majesty's appreciation, but Canwen still believes that following the righteous path is the only way to repay heaven's grace. I implore Your Majesty to give me a fair outcome and to bring the corrupt and fraudulent Lord Wen to justice! Even if I cannot enter the Grand Secretariat or become an official in the future, it is fine, but justice must be served for all impoverished scholars in the land!"
This was already his second "defiance" of Emperor Qi. The Emperor, whose expression had initially softened, now turned grim.
He looked at Yin Canwen without a word.
He had underestimated this person. Young as he was, he feared nothing. He had no family ties to hold him back, but the Emperor, having sat on the throne for many years, had deeply intertwined interests that always required careful consideration.
Wen Jingsong's abuse of his position to promote the sons of noble families was a matter that could be serious or minor.
Although he also detested corruption in the imperial examinations, it was a case of pulling one thread and affecting the whole tapestry. Punishing him would also mean that those behind him would need to be disciplined, which would involve too many people. Therefore, Emperor Qi did not wish to make a move at this point.
He had originally intended to offer Yin Canwen a bright future to silence him.
Afterward, he could find an opportunity to deal with the Minister of Personnel. This way, it would suffice.