Madam Bai had servants serve them tea, but unfortunately, no one had the appetite for it!
Waiting and waiting, they finally managed to welcome Bai Dalang back. Feng Er, being impatient, stepped forward and asked, "Eldest Uncle, how could Canwen fail the exam? Did your reviewing process have any oversight this time?"
"What nonsense are you spouting, boy? The imperial examinations are not to be trifled with! The initial review was done by one group, and the re-examination by another. How could there be any oversight? Don't spout such ignorant words and bring trouble to the Feng family!" Eldest Uncle Bai said sternly, his face quite intimidating.
Yin Canwen wanted to stop Feng Er and urge him to slow down in defending him, but before he could reach out, he saw Feng Er speak again. "If there was no oversight, how could Canwen have failed? Eldest Uncle, his knowledge has been praised by the Dean and Fourth Uncle. How could he possibly fail!"
This was indeed true! The Dean of Yunqi Academy and Fourth Brother were both harsh critics. Receiving their praise was no easy feat. Therefore, he himself couldn't understand why Yin Canwen had failed. He was only a re-examiner, so only papers that passed the initial review reached them. Thus, he definitely hadn't seen Yin Canwen's essay and couldn't judge where the problem might lie.
At this statement, Feng Er and Yin Canwen fell silent. If they had seen the essay, it would be easy to point out the problem. But if they hadn't seen it, how could they know? Everything fell into a stalemate.
Seeing this, Feng Jinyao "kindly" reminded them, "I wonder if Young Master Yin remembers what he wrote originally? If you do, why not write it out now for Eldest Uncle to see, and compare it with those who passed the exam? It would serve as a reference for your next attempt!" She was gambling, betting that his essay was of top-tier quality, just like in her previous life! She was also gambling that he possessed the ability to recall everything he had ever seen, just like in her previous life! Therefore, when she made this suggestion, Yin Canwen looked at her with immense excitement, like a drowning man grasping at a straw, and quickly said, "I remember! I never forget what I write! If Lord Bai permits, I will transcribe it now!"
Eldest Uncle Bai pondered for a moment and then said to him, "That is a good idea. However, you few must not spread this matter outside. It is somewhat against the rules!"
"Eldest Uncle, rest assured, we know nothing!" Bai Siruo had remained silent because she couldn't help much, but she could keep her mouth shut, as it concerned the Bai family's reputation.
Thus, Yin Canwen borrowed Eldest Uncle Bai's study. Before picking up his brush, he closed his eyes and pondered for half an hour. Soon, he finished writing the examination essay in one go. The handwriting was elegant, the wording precise, the theme profound, and the emotions sincere.
Feng Jinlin, who was standing by watching him write, couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration. He then said to Eldest Uncle Bai, "Such a brilliant essay, and it was still rejected? Eldest Uncle, what exactly were your assessment standards?" He was so focused on praising Yin Canwen that he didn't notice Eldest Uncle Bai's face had become so solemn it was unnerving.
Feng Jinyao, however, missed none of his facial changes. The more solemn he became, the more excited Feng Jinyao felt. This fig leaf of the Wen family would soon be torn off!
Yin Canwen respectfully handed the essay to Bai Dalang. Seeing his unusual expression, he thought there might be a flaw in his essay. So, suppressing his unease, he asked humbly and cautiously, "Lord Bai, where is my essay lacking?"
Lacking? This essay was perfect. But wasn't this the essay they had all praised as being worthy of first place? Why was it rejected? For a moment, even he didn't know how to answer! This matter involved too many people. If this essay was indeed written by Yin Canwen, then someone must have tampered with it! To dare to reject the top essay, they must be tired of living. So he asked, "Who was the top scorer this time?" He had just come from court, and the announcement of the results was handled by the Ministry of Rites, with little involvement from their cabinet. Therefore, he didn't know who the top scorer was, hence the question.
"Hmph, speaking of which makes me angry. It was that brat Wen Mengsheng!" Feng Er gritted his teeth. He knew a thing or two about Wen Mengsheng's talent. While he wasn't bad, he shouldn't have been good enough to be the top scorer! Perhaps he had gotten lucky, to have achieved such a title. He would probably become even more arrogant in the future!
Hearing this, Bai Dalang had a thought he couldn't help but voice. "Wen Jingsong really knows how to give his son face, making his son the top scorer to take his place! Aren't they afraid of the truth coming out and their whole family losing their lives because of it!"
Seeing Bai Dalang remain silent, the others grew anxious, especially Yin Canwen, but he couldn't bring himself to ask again and again. Instead, Feng Er spoke his true feelings. "Eldest Uncle, hurry up and tell us, what exactly is wrong?"
This matter was of great importance, and they were all children. He couldn't explain much to them, so he merely kept the essay and told them, "The essay is written well, but there are some minor points that need further consideration. You all go outside for a walk. After I have carefully reviewed it, I will make a decision!" He didn't want to involve the children, but this matter couldn't be delayed. He then took the essay and headed towards his father's study, not even hearing Feng Er's shouts from behind.
"What's wrong with Eldest Uncle? He told us to go for a walk, and he wants to look at the essay, but he ran off?" While others were unaware, Feng Jinyao knew. This matter was too shocking; Eldest Uncle must have gone to discuss it with Grandfather. With such an attitude, she didn't even need to guess to know it was successful! Given Grandfather's temperament, he would surely expose this matter. As for how he would advise the Emperor, that was not something she could interfere with. As long as this matter was presented to His Majesty, and she helped find the "evidence," the Wen family's lie would be exposed! By then, facing impending doom, a full family execution wouldn't be far off! Thinking of this, she couldn't help but applaud Wen Mengsheng's foolishness! She had deliberately said provocative things to Wen Mengsheng to force him to act. She had expected him to place Yin Canwen's ranking after his own, but she hadn't expected him to be so bold as to place himself in the top position. She didn't know what had gotten into Wen Jingsong to allow Wen Mengsheng such behavior. It seemed some people were simply bent on death, and she could generously send them to hell! To wash away all these sins!
At this moment, in Prime Minister Bai's study, both Prime Minister Bai and his son were silent. Holding the brilliant essay, Prime Minister Bai, although he hadn't participated in the examination review process, could tell from his discerning eye that this was indeed a rare talent.