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"She will. If she hadn't sent Nurse Zhu to Minglu Yard, how could she have traced Xiao Fu through her and then extracted the truth from Xiao Fu's mouth? Empress Qi understands Xiao Fu well; she knows that only by making Xiao Fu believe her plans have succeeded will she speak the truth."

Gu Changjin twirled an ivory ring on his finger and asked, "Where are Madam Shen and Inspector Lu?"

"They'll arrive in Shuntian in a few days. Madam Shen's trading convoy has been traveling day and night; at this pace, they should reach the capital before the Lantern Festival," Shiiun said with a smile. "Madam Shen is worried about Young Lady, but no matter how often Duke Liu reassures her that Young Lady is safe in the Eastern Palace, she still won't be at ease until she sees her with her own eyes. If Madam Shen arrives earlier than expected, Young Lady will surely be overjoyed."

The corner of Gu Changjin's lips curled up slightly. "Don't tell her for now. Send some people to the post stations to wait. Inform her only after we've received them, to avoid any mishaps and disappointment."

Shiiun promptly agreed and thought of something else. "Many families in the capital have sent invitations and tribute letters recently. Should Master accept them?"

All the officials had noticed Emperor Jiayou's attitude toward Gu Changjin. These experienced politicians were like human sages, doing their best to establish connections with Gu Changjin.

As soon as the New Year festivities began, tribute letters and invitations started pouring in like snowflakes.

Gu Changjin pondered and said, "Send someone to the Minister's residence to deliver some medicine to the retired minister. Is Pan Xueliang still there?"

"Yes, not only Pan Xueliang, but also Madam Pan and Lady Liao," Shiiun sighed. "According to Pan Xueliang, the retired minister probably won't survive the spring."

When Liu Yuan brought Pan Xueliang and his group back to the capital, the Qi family and Second Prince Xiao Yu had ambushed them at the ferry, trying to silence them. Fortunately, Liu Yuan and his companions had been prepared; although injured, they were not in danger of losing their lives.

Later, the truth behind the scholars' cheating scandal was revealed to the world. The three judicial organs announced that it was a trap set by the former Minister and Pan Hongfeng to expose Liao Rao's treasonous acts of selling out the country.

Pan Xueliang was thus cleared of the charge of cheating.

When he entered the palace to meet the emperor, Emperor Jia You had initially planned to postpone the palace examination of Jia You 21st year to the following February.

This way, as the top candidate of the provincial examinations, Pan Xueliang could participate in the palace examination and perhaps even receive the highest honor in the imperial court, creating a beautiful legend.

Surprisingly, Pan Xueliang requested the emperor to revoke his titles as a presented scholar and a provincial examination winner.

" Had it not been for Liao Rao's manipulation to exploit a commoner like me by adding my name to the rank of scholars, I would still be but an ordinary scholar," Pan Xueliang declared solemnly. "In that case, it would be inappropriate and unjust for me to partake in next year's palace examination under the title of a gifted student or candidate."

Pan Hongfeng, having endured humiliation for many years on Four Square Island, played a significant role in the triumphant suppression of the pirates. As her only son, Pan Xueliang naturally inherits the glory of her accomplishments.

In the following February's palace examination, Pan Xueliang is certain to be one of the three champions.

This was the aspiration of countless scholars, a path of blue clouds that so many dreamed of, paved at his feet, yet Pan Xueliang chose to forsake it, evoking both a sense of regret and admiration in those who heard his decision.

Emperor Jia You asked, "Are you aware that if you miss this opportunity, you might never have the chance to be summoned to the Golden Hall again in your lifetime?"

"I understand," Pan Xueliang admitted honestly. "But I also know that even if I don't make the rank, I can still contribute to Great Yin and bring prosperity to its people, just like my mother did."

"Gu Qing truly guessed correctly," Emperor Jiayou chuckled. "As you wish, then. I've arranged for Lin Qing to reserve a spot for you at the Imperial Academy. Next spring, you'll become a student there. I'll be waiting for you in the Throne Room."

Pan Xueliang was taken aback. It seemed that Lord Gu had indeed anticipated his decision to abandon the imperial examinations.

"Lord Gu once told me that if you were to become an official, you'd be an excellent one," Emperor Jiayou continued. "I couldn't bear to see you waste your years. I want you to benefit the people sooner, which is why I recommended you to study at the Imperial Academy. There's no need to be anxious; this is what you deserve."

The director of the Imperial Academy was an old student of the former Secretary. Given the guilt the former Secretary felt towards Pan Xueliang, a future at the Academy would be much brighter than returning to Ling Shan Academy.

Pan Xueliang knew that this arrangement was most likely the doing of the former Secretary.

Sure enough, after the former Secretary was released from the Ministry of Justice prison, he sent someone to fetch both Pan Xueliang and Pan Hongfeng to his residence, officially taking Pan Xueliang under his wing as a disciple.

Pan Xueliang had predicted that the former Secretary wouldn't survive until spring. What he didn't know was that the old man had already lived several months longer in this life than in his previous one. In the past, the former Secretary had died in the prison before even seeing the twenty-second year of Emperor Jiayou's reign.

The lights in the Kunning Palace burned all night.

Empress Qi didn't dare to sleep, fearing that Emperor Jiayou would stay up with her. Thus, she ordered for him to be sent back to the Qianqing Palace.

Wen Xi awoke in the middle of the night to find Empress Qi sitting by her bedside, tenderly looking after her. A myriad of emotions stirred within her.

When she was sick as a child, her mother would visit, but only stay for a brief time, leaving it to Qingyue and Nanny An to care for her.

From a young age, Wen Xi knew she didn't have a mother. Whenever she asked her father about her mother, he would sternly reply, "Your Ladyship is your mother. Do not inquire further!"

Later, with Qingyue's help, she discreetly learned from Nanny An that her mother had wanted a child, so she arranged for her father to have a child with a servant girl who had served her since childhood.

The servant girl's surname was Wen, and she passed away soon after giving birth. Thus, Wen Xi inherited her surname.

Which child didn't wish to have both a mother and a father?

Wen Xi had never met the person who gave birth to her and had been raised under Xiao Fu's care since infancy. Naturally, she regarded Xiao Fu as her mother.

Her mother desired a child of her father's, so he did indeed sire a child for her to raise. It was evident that they shared a deep affection. However, due to her mother's chronic illness preventing her from conceiving, they sought another means.

Learning of her fondness for Brother Changjin, her mother didn't object. Instead, she promised that once Brother Changjin achieved great success, he would give Wen Xi a rightful status.