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Gu Changjin gazed at Pan Xueliang with his dark, composed eyes and asked calmly, "What did you mean when you said 'such an unexpected coincidence' after leaving the examination hall?"

Pan Xueliang fell silent, his fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly. After a long while, he spoke, "The headmaster of the academy where I studied is an old friend of the former Minister. In Jiayou's thirteenth year, the former Minister visited our academy to give a lecture. None of the students knew his identity back then; we all thought he was a fellow classmate of the headmaster. I had the privilege of serving tea to the former Minister for two days and received some guidance on scholarly matters from him."

Gu Changjin understood now.

"You're saying that the question posed by the former Minister in this year's metropolitan examination was very similar to the scholarly issues you discussed with him before?"

Pan Xueliang hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

It was precisely because of the former Minister's guidance and teachings back then that Pan Xueliang could abandon his previous rigidity in this year's examination and produce a remarkable essay beyond his usual capabilities.

Gu Changjin observed Pan Xueliang's expressions throughout, convinced that he was telling the truth. He nodded and rose, saying, "I have no more questions. If what you've said is true, you'll be able to leave here today."

As he turned to leave, Pan Xueliang called out to him, "Lord Gu."

Gu Changjin paused and looked back.

Pan Xueliang bowed solemnly and said, "This humble citizen remained silent before because I was afraid others would sully the good name of Elder Minister. I believe in Your Excellency, that's why I am revealing everything. I hope Your Excellency will clear Elder Minister's name. I would be endlessly grateful!"

Gu Changjin looked down at him, seeing the unwavering trust in the man's eyes, almost childlike in its obstinacy.

"If you and Elder Minister are truly innocent, His Majesty will vindicate you," he replied coolly.

Exiting the detention room, Gu Changjin recounted Pan Xueliang's words to Hu He. Hu He walked back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, asking, "Was Pan Xueliang telling the truth?"

Gu Changjin replied, "Pan Xueliang studied at a school in Yangzhou. If Your Excellency sends someone to inquire at Ling Shan Academy, we should be able to verify the veracity of his claims."

Hu He glanced at him and smiled. "Be honest with your thoughts."

Gu Changjin paused slightly before saying, "In my opinion, Pan Xueliang is telling the truth."

Hu He sighed. "This is tricky."

If Pan Xueliang was telling the truth, then the key to this cheating scandal did not lie with Pan Xueliang but with Elder Minister.

Elder Minister had taught Pan Xueliang and guided him, and Pan Xueliang had remembered every bit of advice given to him. It was likely that he had etched Elder Minister's words into his mind, allowing him to excel in the imperial examination.

Hu He, now well beyond his forties, had also taught the younger generation in his clan. To be honest, if those young scions in the clan lacked natural talent but could strive as diligently as Pan Xueliang, remembering every word he spoke, and if one of them could gain recognition on the famous list, it would be a remarkable tale.

A person who relied on sheer diligence to pass the exams and become a scholar was indeed admirable.

"Might the old Minister of Rites have grown too old to recall giving Pan Xueliang special tutoring?" he muttered to himself. "This is quite a predicament. The old minister has been bedridden for so long, and this year's exam is his last as chief examiner. Who could have foreseen such an incident? It can't possibly be that the old minister deliberately set a question to coincide with Pan Xueliang's knowledge, ensuring his place on the list, right?"

Hu He laughed at his own thought, shaking his head. "The candidates and those who didn't make it won't believe in such a coincidence. We've only just managed to appease them by detaining Pan Xueliang. If we release him today, I'm afraid the scholars will cause a ruckus."

These scholars had always held the old Minister of Rites in high esteem. Knowing that someone they revered had engaged in favoritism and corruption, how could they simply let it go?

They'd probably be furious enough to overturn the heavens!

When scholars were enraged, their madness surpassed even that of soldiers on the battlefield!

Gu Changjin said, "Since Pan Xueliang didn't cheat, he shouldn't be kept in custody. But his safety might still be at risk once he leaves here."

There had never been a shortage of impulsive individuals in this world.

Who knew how much criticism and vilification Pan Xueliang would face upon leaving this place?

If fate was unfavorable and they encountered someone unreasonable, they might even suffer some physical torment.

Hu He let out a long sigh.

"Well then, I'll ask him myself. Whether he wants to leave or stay, it's his choice."

Recalling Pan Xueliang's stubborn gaze, Gu Changjin knew that he would undoubtedly choose to leave, and do so honorably.

True to his prediction, when his shift ended, Gu Changjin learned from Hu He that Pan Xueliang had chosen to depart the detention house and return to the Scholar's Lane Academy.

As the carriage approached the Phoenix Tree Lane, Gu Changjin instructed Heng Ping, "Keep an eye on the academy. Make sure nothing happens to Pan Xueliang."

Heng Ping took his orders and departed.

...

Before they knew it, the end of March arrived, and the apricot grove outside Minglu Yard burst into a profusion of blossoms.

Rong Shu placed the carefully inventoried deeds back into the wooden chest.

Madam Shen, observing Rong Shu's gleeful, money-minded expression, couldn't help but remark, "If you need silver, Mother will provide it for you. But is it really worth being so delighted over mere land deeds?"

"Madam, you don't know this yet," Ying Que explained with a proud lift of her finger, "The lands Miss has purchased recently struck hot springs. They're now incredibly valuable."

Rong Shu chuckled. "I'm not selling them just yet. In another two months, their value should double. Then, I'll consider selling."

Madam Shen calculated the potential earnings. If it doubled again, that would amount to around forty or fifty thousand taels of silver – a substantial sum.

She hurriedly asked, "What business do you plan to invest in with all that silver?"

Rong Shu shifted her cushion closer to Madam Shen. "Mother, I want to buy a horse ranch in Datong Prefecture."

Madam Shen's brows knitted together. "A horse ranch? You want to raise horses? That's a money-losing venture. The cost of raising one horse could sustain twenty-five people! Do you have extra silver to burn?"

Rong Shu replied, "I understand that raising horses is expensive, but I've already thought of other ways to earn silver. The border conflicts are intense, and Great Yin is desperately short of horses, to the point of requisitioning them from civilians. I don't aspire to own a large ranch; my goal is to lend some assistance to the military commanders at the borders."