Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The Imperial Examination lasted for nine days in total. Zhuang Ming barely managed to exit the examination hall after the nine days were over. He was still in relatively good shape compared to others; numerous candidates collapsed the moment they stepped out, while some had even been carried out unconscious in the preceding days.

Hu Baoguoyi, who had come to fetch Zhuang Ming, spotted her tottering figure at once. He immediately rushed over with his attendants to support her into the carriage. Zhuang Ming, at this moment, was too preoccupied to bother about propriety. She lay down on the spacious seat and promptly fell asleep.

Upon returning to Zhuang's residence, the physician they had summoned was already waiting. After diagnosing Zhuang Ming, he confirmed that it was merely excessive exhaustion and prescribed some rest as the remedy.

Madam Zhuang, Lady Hu Baogui, and Lady Qi all sighed in relief simultaneously. Immediately afterward, Madam Zhuang dispatched a servant to the Marquis's residence to inform Meng Die that all was well.

As the candidates of the examination hall emerged, the entire capital was enveloped in an eerie atmosphere.

Some wept bitterly and drowned their sorrows daily; others, convinced of their impending success, continued to study relentlessly. The majority, however, were uncertain about their performance—today hopeful, tomorrow plagued by doubts, perpetually gripped by tension and anxiety.

In the midst of this peculiar mood that had seized the city, a shocking case unfolded.

A group of impoverished citizens brought charges against the Marquis Yongyi's estate, accusing them of trafficking in human beings.

Nobles, often they did not embody virtue in the eyes of the people. At least, when commoners thought of them, the image that instinctively came to mind was of idle, indulgent playboys who engaged in cockfighting and dog racing, bullied merchants, abducted innocent women, and harmed others without cause. Such deeds were certainly attributed to them.

Surely not? How could that be? It's always portrayed that way in operas, so it must be true.

You mentioned that the ancestors of these noble families were founding heroes. While founding heroes are commendable, their descendants don't necessarily follow in their footsteps; it's not uncommon for a tiger father to have a dog son.

For the common people, when it comes to criminals deserving the most severe punishment, none incite more hatred than human traffickers. Throughout history, they have been the most despised criminals, without exception.

Nobles! Familiar figures in operatic dramas, they are top-tier celebrities with a multitude of detractors.

Human trafficking! This issue directly impacts ordinary people and is a hot topic concerning social welfare.

What kind of impact does it have when a top influencer becomes a trending topic? Imagine common folk filing a complaint at the county office, and when asked whom they accuse, they simply reply with "Marquis Yongyi's manor is involved in human trafficking." Those eight words instantly set the capital ablaze.

News travels as swiftly as wings on the wind, and within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, it has spread throughout every corner of the city. The county office is swarmed by layers of people, so much so that even the Nine Gates Inspectorate is alarmed, sending soldiers to maintain order.