If this matter were to come out, it is likely that Lord Wen and the so-called court officials of the Wen family would cease to exist in this world.
Both siblings harbored resentment but had no means to act, so they could only endure.
Hiding this deadly blade behind their backs, it would be a wise strategy to present it personally only when someone appeared who was not afraid of the assembled officials.
And who was this person who was not afraid of the officials?
Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, was one. Elder Xu was another. Prime Minister Bai was a third.
Unfortunately, he had no access to these individuals on a daily basis. He mused that perhaps when the Princess hosted another banquet for the assembled officials in the future, he might "accidentally" deliver this news.
While he was still contemplating this, a scout had already delivered the news to Elder Xu's mansion ahead of time.
It was purely by chance that Xiao Tingyi sent people to monitor the Wen family.
Ever since he had confirmed his special feelings for Feng Jinyao in his heart, he had paid close attention to everything concerning her.
For some reason, he always felt a strange hostility from her towards the Wen family.
This evening, she had acted uncharacteristically by showing favor to the young master of the Wen family. He was unsure if it was jealousy or some other hidden motive, so he had his men monitor Wen Mengsheng.
Who would have thought that by sheer coincidence, the scout overheard this earth-shattering secret and rushed back to Prince Ding's mansion to deliver the news.
Listening to the report, Elder Xu, who had arrived with great enthusiasm to play chess with Xiao Tingyi, was so enraged that his eyes turned red.
He himself was from a humble scholarly background and deeply understood the hardships of such individuals.
Participating in the imperial examinations might require the entire family's effort, or even the entire village's, to gather enough travel expenses to reach the Eastern Capital. To think that Lord Wen, this black-hearted minister, had extinguished the entire family's hope. How could he suppress his anger!
"You scoundrel Wen Jingsong, I always thought you were polite to everyone, never showing any inclination to take sides, and I even thought you were a rare upright official. To think you're a wolf in sheep's clothing, so carelessly ruining the scholars from humble backgrounds! No wonder there are so few officials from humble origins in court these years; this is the reason!"
He paced back and forth, puffing out his beard and scolding.
If it weren't for the strict security in Prince Ding's mansion, this news might have already spread through his furious ranting.
Xiao Tingyi had also not expected that such an accidental action would lead to the discovery of such a significant matter.
Recalling Feng Jinyao's recent change in attitude, had she known something in advance?
It must be said that Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, had a mind that others could not comprehend. He connected these seemingly unrelated matters.
Alas, Feng Jinyao knew nothing yet and was happily having dinner with her family. Little did she know that the scheme she had been planning for so long was about to be discovered by Xiao Tingyi.
Upon hearing the news, Elder Xu immediately wanted to take action.
"No, I must go to the palace and report to His Majesty. This year's spring examination must not be allowed to be manipulated by the Wen family again. If it continues, where will the scholars from humble backgrounds have a place in the Great Jin dynasty? Might as well hand over the entire empire to the powerful and influential."
"Elder, be cautious with your words."
Although they were in Prince Ding's mansion and such presumptuous words could not be spread, if he became accustomed to such talk and accidentally let slip of it outside in the future, it would lead to ruin and even disaster for his entire family. Thus, Xiao Tingyi had to remind him.
Elder Xu also knew he had spoken out of turn. The raging inferno of his anger had somewhat subsided after this dousing.
Looking at Xiao Tingyi, he asked, "What does Your Highness intend to do?"
"Nothing."
"You... you're just going to let the Wen family continue their misdeeds? Do you intend to fill the court of the Great Jin with nothing but the powerful and influential before you're satisfied?"
"Elder, the spring examination has not yet begun, and the exam papers have not been filled. If you expose this matter now, there is no evidence. You cannot possibly tell His Majesty that it was a scout from my Prince Ding's mansion who secretly overheard it, can you? His Majesty's suspicion would likely leave my Prince Ding's mansion with no place to stand."
Elder Xu snorted. What he said was not without reason.
"Then am I to stand by and watch them trample on scholars from humble backgrounds? A few days ago, the one named Liang went to Jinling City. I thought you had prepared a path to hell for him. And now? How will you deal with this Wen family?"
"Everything will be dealt with after the spring examination. Once the evidence is in hand, Elder, are you afraid you won't be able to convict the Wen family?"
Hearing him say this, Elder Xu was finally reassured.
"The urgent matter is to find out how many people have entered the court through such connections over the years. They must all be revealed at that time. Those who should be punished will be punished, and those who should step down will step down. These matters will be left to His Majesty to decide, right?"
Elder Xu nodded. "I will go back and investigate immediately. I will see who enters officialdom each year and how many are undeserving!"
His original intention to play chess was ruined. He threw up his sleeves and rushed outside.
In his eyes, the Wen family was now even more detestable than the Liang family.
The Liang family had ruined his granddaughter's marriage; that was a private matter. But the Wen family had swapped exam papers, causing countless scholars from humble backgrounds to fail; that was a matter of state!
If he had to choose one family to eliminate, the Wen family would undoubtedly be the first to face the blade!
After Elder Xu left, Xiao Tingyi said to Yang Zhao by his side, "Inform Su Cheng and Feng Jinlin about this matter. Also, have the dark guards keep a close watch on the Wen family and the scholar who entered the Feng residence."
"Yes."
Yang Zhao looked on, thinking that His Highness was using this opportunity for personal revenge and to monitor a love rival. However, Xiao Tingyi inexplicably felt that this matter was inseparable from that scholar (Yin Canwen) and Feng Jinyao.
Ayao, oh Ayao, you have more secrets than I do.
His interest and obsession with her deepened further.
Meanwhile, the Feng family, who were now being monitored, were completely unaware. They were watching the young child Yunli recite ancient poems.
He recited the poem "Min Nong" smoothly and with emotion, a complete change from his demeanor a few months ago under Aunt Linlang.
Now, under Madam Wen, he was much more well-behaved and polite, and he had even learned a hundred characters.
"A single grain of millet sown in spring, yields a thousand grains in autumn. No field lies fallow under heaven, yet farmers starve to death." While saying this, his little face twitched as he spoke to everyone.
"Yunli will never waste a single grain in the future and will not let the rice painstakingly grown by farmers be spoiled."
Hearing his words, Feng Hai and Feng Jinxu, who already had matters weighing on their minds, exchanged glances.
Even a child of four years old understood this principle, yet those shrewd old men in court did not.
Perhaps they knew, but for the sake of power and wealth, they had forgotten their original intentions and joined the corrupt practices.
It matters not. If the court is not just, let them be the ones to govern. If the people suffer, let them be the ones to care. For matters of the court and the people of this world, there should always be hope. They should not have to live in dire straits, be oppressed, and remain unaware!
What they needed to do was to correct the wrongs and bring clarity back to the people of this world.