Chapter 81 – You’re Blaming Me

Chapter 81 - You're Blaming Me

In the Da Li capital this year, the spring imperial examinations were scheduled for the twentieth day of the second month.

The streets were already filled with elements of the upcoming exams—the Scholar's Pen, the Wenchang Pagoda, amulets for safety, and scholar's wine. All sorts of lucky charms hinting at success in the imperial exams were selling like hotcakes. Even households without scholars couldn't resist joining in the festivities, let alone those with aspiring candidates.

No matter how cold the weather, it could not chill the hearts brimming with anticipation and excitement.

"...My son, you must do well in this exam. Don't worry about home."

At the Jing residence, Jing Mother patted her son Jing Yuqing's shoulder, tears streaming down her cloudy eyes. Her hunched body seemed to be infused with boundless vitality as she gazed at her son's increasingly handsome face. Her rough, aged fingers trembled, hesitant to touch him. "All these years... so many years..."

"The summer heat would drench your clothes, drying and wetting them again, layer by layer, turning white as if soaked in salt. Yet, you handled your books with such care, afraid even a drop of moisture might damage them. The cicadas' noise was unbearable, but you remained calm, never missing a day of reading; in winter, your feet were covered in frostbites, your teeth chattering, yet you persisted in practicing calligraphy. You'd rather use the little hot water from burning firewood to grind ink than drink it, enduring hunger without complaint; on dark, overcast nights, when our lamp oil was scarce, you'd quietly borrow light from the front of the brothel. What kind of place is that? How demeaning for a scholar, yet you said only such places kept their lights on all night, and for the sake of studying, you could bear any humiliation..."

"Your father died early, and I, lacking ability, could only sew and mend for others, unable to provide you with the dignified life other scholars enjoy. But I believe in you; you will definitely pass the exams!"

As his mother spoke, memories of the past flooded Jing Yuqing's mind, his eyes moistening. "Mother, rest assured. Your son will pass the exams and ensure you live a good life."

The warm atmosphere between mother and son was touching, leaving Wen Yu feeling somewhat superfluous, unable to interject.

What could he say? He hadn't been part of Jing Yuqing's past, and any sincere words of comfort or encouragement would seem superficial and condescending.

Jing Mother adjusted her son's clothing, still worried. "In four days, you'll enter the examination hall. Your health is most important. Remember to conserve your energy and don't act foolishly, understand?"

"Mother," Jing Yuqing smiled. "When has your son ever made you worry about important matters? I won't act foolishly."

Jing Mother humphed, casting a sidelong glance at Wen Yu.

Wen Yu understood what she was implying, his face flushing red.

"You have no idea what's been happening with the weather recently. After the Spring Festival, it's become colder instead," Jing Mother stared at Wen Yu. "Qing-er will soon enter the examination hall. You should prepare well, understand?"

Wen Yu, of course, caught her meaning—she wanted him to support Jing Yuqing, ensuring everything was ready, especially that he wouldn't freeze. In truth, he didn't need anyone to tell him; he was more concerned about Jing Yuqing's imperial exam preparations than anyone else.

"Yes, I understand."

But Jing Mother worried he wouldn't take it seriously, hinting at something specific. "I heard that Princess Consort Jian's New Year gift to the Duke Wen's Manor was quite generous..."

Wen Yu felt a bit nauseated. "Yes, she brought many things from her husband's family to her natal home."

Jing Mother immediately exploded. "What do you mean by that? Are you blaming me for not giving you anything to bring back to your natal home, for not making you look good? If you think my son is poor, then don't marry him!"

Jing Yuqing sighed, turning to Wen Yu. "A-Yu, you won't always suffer poverty with me."

"I didn't mean that..."

Wen Yu merely disliked Jing Mother's constant criticism and belittling attitude. He never thought Jing Yuqing would remain poor forever. Compared to others, he was the one who believed in Jing Yuqing's future most firmly. He trusted that Jing Yuqing understood this, just as Jing Mother had said—if he truly found him poor, he wouldn't have married him.

But Jing Yuqing didn't want him to argue with his mother.

"I will prepare well and assist my husband. Mother, please rest assured."

Wen Yu lowered his eyes. Ignorant woman, short-sighted, what did she know? Indeed, Wen Ruan had sent several carriages full of New Year gifts to Duke Wen's Manor, but Wen Ruan wasn't the type to repay kindness with resentment. If Duke Wen's Manor treated him poorly, how could he possibly show goodwill? The gifts were all showy and ostentatious, appearing splendid to outsiders, giving Duke Wen's Manor plenty of face, but in reality, they were suffering in silence, unable to complain lest they offend Princess Consort Jian.

However, this incident reminded him once again that while Jing Mother could openly criticize him, he couldn't openly oppose her. He had to endure, to bear it all.

He couldn't insert himself into the bond between Jing Yuqing and his mother, a bond that wouldn't easily fade. To avoid being marginalized, he needed to find a way to integrate himself. He had already married Jing Yuqing, and if he wanted to grow closer to Jing Yuqing, not drift further apart, he had to try harder.

But it was really so difficult...

How had Wen Ruan managed it in his previous life?

Back in their room, Wen Yu habitually reached out to help Jing Yuqing undress.

But Jing Yuqing held his hand, stopping him from unbuttoning his collar. "Let's sleep early."

He had no such intentions! He wasn't someone obsessed with physical intimacy, knowing well what was important!

Wen Yu resented being misunderstood, biting his lip. "Are you blaming me? Blaming me for disrespecting your mother?"

"No, she hasn't been good to you. I know that."

Jing Yuqing washed his hands and face, composed and refined. "Her lack of insight and narrow-mindedness led her to criticize you often, but that isn't her fault. Her living environment and limited knowledge confined her. It was my late father's and my fault for not influencing her enough to make her a better matriarch. However, she has never truly harmed you, not in any substantial way, all because of my face."

"You come from a high-ranking family, where men in the front courtyard scheme for power and women in the back courtyard engage in domestic battles. There are countless hidden daggers and swords. I assumed your understanding of certain aspects was masterful, that you would comprehend—"

"If my mother were truly a bad person, would we be like this?"

Wen Yu promptly fell silent.

Indeed, compared to the machinations of the second branch in the manor, Jing Mother's antics were nothing, leagues apart. Thus, he had always looked down upon her, finding her unworthy... Jing Yuqing seemed to have noticed.

Jing Yuqing: "I've never demanded that you must be filial and respectful to my mother. Whenever you've talked back to her, I've never scolded you. Isn't that true?"

"Yes," Wen Yu bit his lip. "To the world, I'm already considered unfilial."

Jing Yuqing: "She is my mother, and you are my wife. Between you and her, there is no life-or-death conflict of interests. Is it really necessary for you to be sharp-tongued, always trying to gain the upper hand in every situation?"

"Her lack of insight criticizing you does you no harm, but your words can infuriate her."

"I didn't!" Wen Yu was a bit flustered.

Jing Yuqing stopped him. "You've always been smart, understanding my thoughts. You know my mother doesn't have any real means. I won't demand that you serve my mother like other wives, adhering to strict rules, after all, she's only my mother, not yours. But I've also said—she is my mother, and I won't allow her to be angered to death by my wife in my own home. Do you understand?"

Wen Yu clenched his fingers. "I really didn't..."

Jing Yuqing lowered his gaze. "I know you're capable of soothing people. You just don't want to."

Wen Yu's fingertips trembled.

He wanted to say that he would change, that he would coax Jing Yuqing's mother and grow closer to her, but he truly looked down on her. The sight of her unkempt, vulgar appearance repulsed him, and he couldn't even convince himself with such words—how could he possibly deceive Jing Yuqing? Jing Yuqing knew that Wen Yu could charm others and that he could be dismissive, but in front of Jing Yuqing, it seemed like he was becoming less capable of lying.

But if he didn't change, how could he interact with this mother and son in the future?

"I..."

"Sleep."

That night, Wen Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

As the Spring Imperial Examination approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Some seized the last moments to study diligently, striving to memorize as much knowledge as possible, locking themselves in their rooms all day. Others believed that the imperial examinations tested years of accumulated learning, and studying now wouldn't make much difference; instead, managing emotions was most important to avoid nervousness during the exam, so they wandered around the streets. There were also those who had already made a name for themselves, with deep foundations, confident in their abilities, and began to pave their paths ahead of time...

Each examinee came from different backgrounds, and thus, the paths they took varied. However, there was one path that almost every scholar preparing for the examination knew about: the route through Grand Secretary Yuan Weiang.

Yuan Weiang had established his reputation for cherishing talent twenty years ago.

He himself engaged in corruption and bribery, aiming to construct a vast network of interests. To do so, he needed a constant influx of 'talent' into the system. The imperial examinations were the basic entry point for scholars into officialdom, and it was also when young people were at their simplest and purest. Once they were lured onto his ship, it would be easy to mold them however he wished and cultivate them as he saw fit.

Of course, his personal desires were unknown to others, who only knew him for his love of talent, especially towards the candidates of the imperial examinations, whom he treated with particular care and consideration.

Yuan Weiang was very intelligent and never resorted to cheating. The consequences of cheating in the Spring Imperial Examination were too severe for anyone involved. But who said that without cheating, there were no other ways? There were plenty of methods to win hearts and minds.

He would have someone thoroughly investigate the qualities of the current batch of examinees. Those who were famous for their excellent scholarship and had high hopes of passing the examination, those who were not yet known but buried themselves in their studies and were destined for success, and various other types of people—all their names and information would be gathered and kept under his control.

Gathering this information posed no difficulty for the current Grand Secretary, and local officials would not object, assuming it was due to his love of talent.

After collecting and comparing the data, gaining a clear understanding of the examinees' information, he wouldn't want all of them, but rather, he would choose the suitable ones.

What kind of suitability was he looking for?

Their personalities couldn't be too upright, as differences in principles would prevent cooperation. They couldn't be too dull either, lacking social skills and unable to navigate the complexities of human relationships. They needed to be competent, but not overly so, and should have certain flaws that made them easy to control and manipulate, such as being timid, greedy, or lustful. These traits weren't seen as weaknesses by Yuan Weiang, but rather, as strengths.

He would separate the selected names and information, and then what?

It was simple. As human beings, everyone had their troubles. Offering assistance at the right time would naturally elicit gratitude.

Helping the poor was the easiest; some money would suffice. Providing warm clothes and food at the appropriate time, along with necessary items for preparation, all clean and free of any suspicion of cheating, would be enough. For those from decent families who lacked connections but not money, arranging a dinner with influential figures would give them the opportunity to network, tacitly granting them convenience. For those from wealthier backgrounds who didn't lack connections, there were still methods, such as quickly arranging a marriage alliance...

There was nothing he couldn't do that one might not think of.

Yuan Weiang merely selected ordinary individuals with average character among the hopefuls across the country. In reality, the truly upright and truly dull scholars were few in number. The ones he chose were the majority. These people were merely hopefuls, not guaranteed to pass the examination, but Yuan Weiang didn't mind the cost. He treated them equally before the examination, showering them with kindness and warmth. Who wouldn't acknowledge his magnanimity?

If those he cared for and favored passed the examination, they would feel that Grand Secretary Yuan had an exceptional eye for talent, recognizing their potential, and how could they not grow close to him? If they failed the examination, they might even feel guilty for letting him down. Even if they distanced themselves, when they prepared for the next Spring Imperial Examination, they would still remember the kindness of Grand Secretary Yuan.

Yuan Weiang hadn't committed any illegal acts; he merely cared for the scholars. Who could say that he was wrong?

Countless stories circulated among the scholars, and this batch of examinees was no exception. Some who received Grand Secretary Yuan's attention couldn't help but feel pleased privately, thinking that their chances of passing the examination were significantly higher since Grand Secretary Yuan had shown favor!

As more stories spread, comparisons began. Who had received attention, and who hadn't? Some had been favored days earlier, while others were only recently acknowledged. Some hadn't been noticed yet, leading to feelings of loneliness. They would even ask each other upon meeting, "Have you been favored?"

"No," Jing Yuqing was asked as well. "My family is poor, and I dare not aspire too high."

Unlike others who might feel a bit embarrassed and disheartened when asked and found wanting, Jing Yuqing stood tall and upright when answering, exuding integrity. It didn't seem like self-deprecation, but rather, he possessed a unique spirit.

However, not long after turning away, someone sought him out.

A servant of Grand Secretary Yuan, whose words and actions were always considerate, approached him in a location with moderate foot traffic, neither in public nor in a remote alleyway. Without giving gold or silver, he presented several fine medicinal herbs, knowing that the weather was cold and that Jing Yuqing's mother had a persistent cough. These medicines were prescriptions from the imperial physician, and they would surely be beneficial, allowing him to focus on his preparations for the examination without worry.

The gifts offered weren't excessive—a good brush and ink, and the most valuable item was a cloak to keep him warm. It was new, with thick fur, sufficient to serve as a blanket.

Jing Yuqing found it difficult to refuse and accepted them gratefully, maintaining his dignity.

When he returned home, he gave the medicines to his mother, explaining where they came from.

His mother was overjoyed. "I knew my son would succeed! In the entire capital, who doesn't know that the scholars favored by Grand Secretary Yuan are exceptional? Why would we need to look at others' faces and seek their help!"

This last sentence was directed at Wen Yu. She remained dissatisfied with him, partly because he was a male spouse incapable of bearing children and expanding the family line, and partly because he was too pretentious. Having married into their family, he looked down on them and required them to cater to his whims whenever they asked for something.

"Are you relieved now?" Jing Yuqing pointed to the cloak.

So warm and cozy, how could his mother not be relieved? She smiled contentedly. "I'm relieved, and you can also rest assured about the family. Focus on your examination, alright?"

Jing Yuqing responded with a smile and returned to his room with the cloak.

Wen Yu saw the cloak and asked, "Where did it come from?"

"It was given by Grand Secretary Yuan."

Jing Yuqing maintained a composed exterior outside, but inside, he couldn't help feeling a hint of pride. Grand Secretary Yuan, as the Grand Secretary, favored him, which was indeed an honor. His mother was happy for him, and surely, Ayu would also be happy for him.

To his surprise, Wen Yu's expression suddenly changed. "We can't accept this!"

Yuan Weiang was going to be dealt with! How could they accept anything from him? They would be implicated!

Not only did he declare that they couldn't accept it, but he immediately bundled it up and threw it outside.

Jing Yuqing's face instantly turned cold.

However, Wen Yu didn't notice, preoccupied with the trouble that they couldn't afford to get involved in!

After throwing the item away and returning, Jing Yuqing was still sitting in the same spot. Only then did Wen Yu realize something was amiss.

"Well, you are my wife, and you have the right to handle matters in our room."

He turned and picked up a book, reading by the window.

Wen Yu knew that Jing Yuqing was unhappy, but he was trying to save him! He would understand eventually, and it wouldn't take long for him to comprehend...

A gust of north wind blew past, causing the branches to whistle. Amidst the faint rustling, Wen Yu vaguely saw a figure dart by... Who was it! Could it be one of Yuan Weiang's men? Were they already under surveillance!

Wen Yu flew into a rage and slammed the door shut with a loud 'bang'.

Hearing the thunderous sound of the door closing, Jing Yuqing's brow twitched. It seemed he had been holding back for quite some time before finally suppressing his reaction.

...

Nanxing returned to the Prince's residence and recounted the events involving Wen Yu to Wen Ruan.

Gong Rongxue burst out laughing. "That thing? He wants to compete with Young Master? On what basis? A brain more muddled than paste, or a face thicker than the corner of a city wall?"

How could someone so quick-witted and perceptive, after being here for only a short while, not have already figured out everything about the matters around Wen Ruan? In that damned House of Duke Wen, Wen Yu was the most peculiar one. Wasn't it said that he had a reputation for talent in the capital for many years? How could such a talented young master have the brains of a dog?

"What he should be doing now, shouldn't it be to take the imperial exams himself?"

Otherwise, what good is that reputation for talent? What use does it serve? Just to add a decorative touch to marriage?

Wen Ruan thought the same way. If Wen Yu focused on the imperial examinations, perhaps he would carve out a different path for himself. Alas, he was unwilling.

He wasn't curious about Wen Yu's marital status, nor did he care about the affairs of the Jing family. The reason he had Nanxing keep an eye on him from time to time was that he felt something was off about this person. Other things aside, how did Wen Yu know of Zhu Yan's weakness? This piqued his interest. If he could find out, all the better; if not... he would just wait and see. As long as Wen Yu made a move, he would be able to see clearly.

"Has Yuan Weiang shown no signs of cheating whatsoever?"

"No," Nanxing shook her head.

"As for the Empress Sect, it's already past the New Year, almost March, and there's still no movement?"

"We haven't noticed anything here. Perhaps His Highness has made some discoveries," Nanxing expressed some concern. "Will there be any trouble with this year's imperial examinations?"

The scholars had studied hard in their cold rooms and braved the freezing weather to take the exams. They were truly innocent victims.

"There won't be. We'll watch closely and protect them well. Nothing will go wrong," Wen Ruan looked out the window. "It's just that the weather is so cold, I'm afraid it might snow. Those without warm clothes will have a tough time."

But there was no solution for this. To prevent fires, candles were given out sparingly in the examination halls, let alone charcoal braziers, which were strictly forbidden from being increased.

All they could hope for was that this year's candidates had good physical constitutions and brought plenty of warm clothes.

Suddenly, Wen Ruan remembered. "Where's Zhu Yan?"

Nanxing replied, "Didn't he say he was leaving the city today and wouldn't be back?"

"I wonder if he's cold. If it's convenient," Wen Ruan lowered his eyes, "you should deliver some warm clothes to him."

Zhu Yan didn't seem to mind the cold much, but it was so chilly today...

He couldn't let him freeze.