Chapter 32: Scandal

Chapter 32: Scandal

The commotion was quite noticeable, and everyone on the Mingfeng Platform turned their attention towards it. Upon hearing Du Yunjing's name, Du Yunse's eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yun Se, is this person your clansman?" a newly acquainted scholar whispered.

Others around also noticed the similarity in their names and looked towards Du Yunse.

Du Yunse nodded calmly, "Du Yunjing and I are from the same village and clan, but there has been long-standing enmity between our families. Since coming to the city, I haven't spoken to him, and I don't know why he hasn't arrived yet."

As for the specific grievances, as the saying goes, family scandals should not be aired in public, so Du Yunse did not elaborate in front of everyone.

However, what people would say in private, how they would investigate, and how much Du Yunjing's reputation would suffer as a result, Du Yunse could not control.

Du Yunse had never forgotten how Du Yunjing and his family had bullied and framed Qiu Huanian.

With a few words, Du Yunse distanced himself from Du Yunjing. Some present admired his straightforwardness, while others felt he was too self-righteous. Regardless of personal grievances, since they were from the same clan, they should support each other in public.

Facing these opinions, Du Yunse remained composed and unwavering.

Feng Mingjun greatly appreciated Du Yunse's approach. In his view, right and wrong were the most important things for a scholar to remember. Blindly following personal feelings and private laws would ultimately harm justice and undermine the authority of the court.

Du Yunse neither covered up for his clansman nor took the opportunity to vent his anger and slander him, which aligned perfectly with Feng Mingjun's principles as an official and a subject.

Looking at Du Yunse, who exuded an aura of integrity like a green pine in the snow, Feng Mingjun compared him to Du Yunjing, who had shown his disgraceful side at the examination hall gate at noon, and found Du Yunjing even more despicable, like rotten wood.

Feng Mingjun was known for his stubborn temper. When he was the Censor-in-chief, because Prince Pingxian's ceremonial procession did not conform to the rites, Feng Mingjun had submitted over a dozen memorials to the court. His colleagues tried to stop him but couldn't, infuriating Prince Pingxian to the point of turning green. The Yuanhua Emperor had no choice but to issue an edict reprimanding Prince Pingxian and deducting three months of his salary.

If the academy exam results had not already been posted, and Du Yunjing's status as a scholar had not been earned through his own efforts, Feng Mingjun would have even considered removing Du Yunjing's name from the list to avoid having such a person as a scholar tarnish his record as the examination commissioner.

Feng Mingjun's anger was evident, and the servants dared not delay. After leaving the Mingfeng Platform, they immediately rode to the examination hall to check Du Yunjing's records and then went to his rented residence to investigate.

The three locations were not far apart, and it took less than two quarters of an hour for the servants to reach Du Yunjing's rented house.

The landlord, hearing that several mounted officials had arrived, was frightened and came out personally to greet them.

When asked about the tenant of his house, the landlord quickly had the servants who often stayed in the outer courtyard respond.

A servant wiped his sweat and said, "Young Master Du came back at noon after seeing the results, looking very upset. He hasn't come out since. I thought he hadn't passed the scholar exam and didn't dare to call him."

Who would have thought that Du Yunjing's furious appearance upon returning was because he had passed the scholar exam!

"He hasn't come out until now?" the servant frowned, realizing something was wrong.

With all the commotion outside, Du Yunjing still hadn't come out. Could something really have happened?

The landlord, fearing trouble, tried to distance himself, "Officials, this family claimed they came to the city to take the academy exam and have been renting here for over a month. They've been very normal, and I really don't know anything about their affairs!"

The servant waved his hand, "Where do they live? Just knock on the door."

"They rented these two rooms. The left one is occupied by Scholar Du's parents and younger brother, and the right one by Scholar Du and his cousin."

"How old is his cousin?" the servant asked, confused.

"I'm not sure exactly, but I guess she's past sixteen."

"This is absurd!" the servant frowned and knocked on Du Yunjing's door, but there was no response after several knocks.

Feng Mingjun was waiting for a response, and the servant had no patience to wait. He called a few people and kicked the door open from the outside.

The landlord was deeply troubled but dared not say much.

After a dull crack of wood, the low door of the back house swung open. It was nearing evening, and the unlit room was dim, only vaguely revealing a figure on the small kang (a traditional heated bed).

Seeing that the figure remained motionless despite the commotion, the official grew wary. "Bring more people with candles inside."

Maids quickly brought lit candles, and the officials, landlord, and servants entered the room together.

The flickering light from several candles gradually illuminated the scene on the kang.

"Ah!—" A young maid blushed deeply, almost dropping her candle.

On the kang, there were two naked figures intertwined!

The officials, unprepared for such a scandalous scene, were momentarily speechless.

They had thought something terrible had happened to Du Yunjing, but upon entering cautiously, they found him in the arms of a beauty, lost in a dreamland!

"Identify who these two on the kang are," the official demanded for final confirmation.

At the landlord's signal, a servant stepped forward and, under the candlelight, glanced a few times before saying, "It's Du Yunjing and his cousin Li Guer."

"Are these two married?"

"Not that I've heard," the servant added, his eyes shifting. "Recently, Du Yunjing's mother, Zhao, was considering arranging a marriage for Li Guer with someone in the city."

The servant didn't mention seeing Li Guer drugging someone; in front of officials, saying too much could lead to trouble, and he didn't want to be questioned further.

He also remembered how Du Yunjing had kicked him into a pile of hay earlier that day! If you don't treat servants like people, don't expect them to defend you!

"The examination commissioner is waiting. I'll return to Mingfeng Terrace to report. You stay here, watch Du Yunjing, wake them up, and question them thoroughly."

The leading official left the house, mounted his horse, and hurried back to Mingfeng Terrace. Over forty-five minutes had passed.

Naturally, the people at Mingfeng Terrace wouldn't wait for a low-ranking scholar. The Hundred Flavors Test had already begun. Before the official selection, several banquet tables were set up in the spacious pavilion for officials, new scholars, and notable figures from Xiangping Prefecture to enjoy.

But the main purpose of those present wasn't to eat, so many left their seats to mingle and chat.

When they saw the official sent by Commissioner Feng return, everyone lowered their voices, curious about the follow-up to the earlier incident.

In all the years of the Hundred Flavors Test, this was the first time a new scholar had failed to appear without notice!

Feng Mingjun's anger had somewhat subsided. When the official approached, he asked, "Well? Where is Du Yunjing now?"

The official was hesitant, unsure whether to report publicly.

Seeing this, Feng Mingjun frowned. "What exactly happened that makes you so hesitant? Tell me the truth."

The official organized his words. "We went to the house Du Yunjing rented but didn't see him. The servant said he returned at noon after seeing the results, looking very upset, and hadn't come out since entering his room."

"When there was no response to our knocking, we feared something had happened and had to break in, only to find..."

Feng Mingjun, impatient, demanded, "Find what?"

The official had no choice but to continue. "We found Du Yunjing... and his cousin Li Guer lying on the kang, still asleep."

Although the official didn't explicitly state what the two were doing on the kang, who couldn't guess from his hesitant manner?

Feng Mingjun's anger surged, and he laughed in fury. "Good, good! Just having passed as a scholar, and already adopting the corrupt habits of the court's parasites, indulging in pleasures and forgetting oneself."

"Jealous of his own family, spouting malicious words, and after being reprimanded by me, harboring resentment, deliberately avoiding the Hundred Flavors Test, engaging in debauchery in broad daylight—is this his way of showing me disrespect? This is the new scholar I selected?!"

Feng Mingjun was boiling with anger, and for a moment, no one dared to step in.

Wang Yinzhi and several other new scholars from Qingfeng Academy quietly told those nearby about the incident they encountered while checking the results at noon. Only then did everyone realize that there had been such an incident before the Hundred Flavors Test.

No wonder Feng Mingjun had taken an instant dislike to Du Yunjing upon arrival.

Mingfeng Terrace fell into a momentary silence. Feng Mingjun had yet to decide how to handle the matter when another servant rushed back on horseback.

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the pavilion, the newly returned servant couldn't help but curse Du Yunjing a hundred times under his breath, but he still had to deliver his message.

"Master Feng, we have roused Du Yunjing and his family. His cousin, Li Guer, has been weeping uncontrollably since waking up, claiming that Du Yunjing, after drinking, acted like a beast and assaulted her, demanding that he marry her. Du Yunjing's mother, Zhao, denies this and is demanding to report to the authorities to have Li Guer drowned. Du Yunjing's younger brother took the chance to harm Li Guer."

"Now, the household is in chaos. Since Du Yunjing is a newly listed scholar, we didn't know how to handle it and had to return to report."

When the servant left, Zhao was choking Li Guer's neck, calling her a slut, while Du Yunjing's brother was kicking her repeatedly. The entire house was in an uproar, forcing the landlord to plead with the servant to settle the matter quickly.

Feng Mingjun took a deep breath. He truly hadn't expected the situation to become even more absurd. Du Yunjing and his cousin had engaged in an improper relationship, and now, neither side would acknowledge the other's claims.

"What does Du Yunjing say?"

"Du Yunjing seems to be in shock. Upon hearing that we were sent by you, he sat on the kang, alternating between tears and laughter, babbling incoherently."

The servant dared not repeat the disrespectful remarks about Feng Mingjun, the new academy head, or even the court. Feng Mingjun didn't want to hear them either.

"This matter should be handed over to the authorities, but since Du Yunjing holds the title of scholar, he can be treated leniently. I will personally pardon him," Feng Mingjun said indifferently.

As the education commissioner of Liaozhou, he had the authority to handle matters related to the students of Liaozhou. The prefect wouldn't oppose him over a scholar with questionable character.

Feng Mingjun made his decision, "Du Yunjing's actions are absurd and not fit for significant responsibility. I am tasked by the emperor to oversee the students of this province and cannot let him act recklessly. He is barred from participating in the next three provincial examinations. Only when he truly understands the principles of the sages' teachings can he attempt the imperial examinations again."

Three provincial examinations, a span of ten years, and being publicly labeled as "not fit for significant responsibility" by the provincial education commissioner, effectively closed Du Yunjing's path to higher imperial examinations.

If Feng Mingjun had shown some leniency towards Du Yunjing at the examination hall earlier that day, considering his youth, that bit of mercy had now been completely eroded by Du Yunjing's own actions.

"Today's incident is entirely Du Yunjing's fault. Li Guer is a virtuous woman and Du Yunjing's cousin; she should not suffer such injustice. I will act as their matchmaker and officiate their marriage, doubling the joy."

"Go and convey my orders: after returning to his hometown, Du Yunjing must restrain his temper, focus on his studies, and treat Li Guer well. He must also control his younger brother and advise his parents to minimize the chaos in their scholarly household!"

These words, spoken publicly, were final and allowed no room for appeal.

After the servant left with his orders, Feng Mingjun's anger finally subsided somewhat. "I have been careless in selecting talents, allowing a fake to mix with the genuine, ruining everyone's mood."

Others quickly assured him it was no trouble, feeling relieved.

Prefect Si Jing smiled and said, "Master Feng is dedicated to serving the country and the emperor, strictly following the imperial mandate with fairness. This has been a lesson for the new scholars and has deeply moved us colleagues. How could it be said to have spoiled the mood?"

Si Jing, with his smooth and tactful manner, hid all his thoughts behind a smile, a stark contrast to Feng Mingjun.

With the education commissioner's anger quelled and the prefect smoothing things over, the atmosphere at Mingfeng Terrace finally began to improve.

The kitchen steward came in to report that the twenty-one famous dishes for the Hundred Flavors Test were ready. The prefect smiled and instructed them to set up new tables.

"The earlier appetizers were exciting, but let's not forget the true highlight of the Hundred Flavors Test."

"After hearing names at the examination hall, we now step onto Mingfeng Terrace to savor delicacies. I have long anticipated the elegant affair of the new scholars tasting dishes and composing poems."

The servants moved the existing tables to the side and set up a five-zhang-long, three-chi-wide redwood carved floral table in the center of Mingfeng Terrace, evenly arranging the twenty-one beautifully presented, fragrant, and delicious dishes.

Next to the table, small stands were arranged for chopsticks and small dishes, with several servants attending to facilitate the guests' enjoyment of the delicacies.

To allow all fifty-plus participants of the Hundred Flavors Test to taste the dishes, the portions were quite generous. For example, four or five fish and three or four chickens were prepared, stored in layered food boxes. As soon as one layer was nearly finished, the servants responsible for that dish would promptly replace it with another layer.

Even so, each person could only manage a bite or two.

However, this was for the best. Just like you shouldn't chug tea, enjoying food isn't about how much you eat but how good it is—overdoing it ruins the experience.

On the Mingfeng Terrace, apart from high-ranking officials like the prefect and the examination commissioner, the most notable figure was the new academy exam top scorer, Du Yunse.

Not yet twenty, he had already outshone all the scholar candidates in the prefecture to claim the top spot in the academy exam. Given time, he was bound to rise to great heights!

Some in the know had already found out that Du Yunse was the prodigy taken as a disciple by Wen Huiyang nine years ago. With previous county and prefecture exam top scores, he was a genuine triple top scorer.

In Xiangping Prefecture, with so many scholars, no one had ever achieved a triple crown before!

Although some were wary due to Wen Huiyang's disfavor with the emperor and his continued house arrest, keeping a cautious, wait-and-see approach, more people wished to befriend this prodigy and establish goodwill in advance.

As Du Yunse tasted the dishes, many eyes were on him, eager to hear his comments.

The poised young man stayed composed. After sampling the dishes, he complimented a few standout, uniquely crafted dishes, then set down his chopsticks and bowed respectfully to the prefect.

"I have tasted the delicacies at the Hundred Flavors Test. I will not participate in the subsequent evaluations, and I ask for the prefect's understanding."

Si Jing paused, stroked his beard thoughtfully, and smiled, "Why is that?"

When everyone turned to look, Du Yunse explained, "The dish 'Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds,' which many have praised, is also my favorite. However, the red fermented tofu used in this dish was specially made by my husband. To avoid any conflict of interest, I should not participate in the evaluation."

"..."

Si Jing thought for a moment, stroked his beard, and smiled, "Good, good, you make a valid point."

Having navigated the complexities of officialdom for many years, he could see that Du Yunse's move was a strategic retreat. By ostensibly giving up his voting rights, Du Yunse was subtly indicating to everyone present that 'Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds' deserved the top spot.

This way, anyone looking to curry favor with Du Yunse would vote for this dish, and those who hadn't noticed it before would reconsider and taste it again.

Plus, the mention of the red fermented tofu crafted by Du Yunse's husband stuck in everyone's minds.

Si Jing had initially worried that Du Yunse, being so composed and young, might lack the flexibility needed for the intricate world of officialdom. Now, it was clear that this young man was quite adept, truly a disciple of the great scholar Wen Huiyang.

After Du Yunse stepped aside, many went to taste the 'Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds.' Seasoned gourmets praised the complex cooking techniques and the intricate flavors of the special red fermented tofu, while others admired the dish's presentation, symbolism, and creativity.

During the final voting, each official had three votes, new scholars had two, and those who composed poems for the dishes could earn an extra vote. Other qualified tasters had one vote each.

Even though Du Yunse chose not to vote, Huang Daniang's new dish 'Phoenix Resting on Rosy Clouds' still rightfully claimed the top spot at the Hundred Flavors Test, thanks to his influence.

When the news reached the kitchen, Huang Daniang and Huang Erniang were thrilled beyond words. Huang Daniang had been confident in her dish but never imagined it would win first place.

To rank first among renowned chefs, both skill and luck were essential. At the Hundred Flavors Test, if a particular flavor didn't win many fans, if the scholars composed fewer poems, or if the creativity didn't appeal to the officials, the top spot could easily slip away.

The steward, a longtime friend of Huang Daniang, was the first to share the good news with her, smiling, "This is your good deeds coming back to you. Your dish being chosen as the best is not only due to its excellent taste, aroma, and appearance but also thanks to Du Yunse's words."

"Where did you get the red fermented tofu specially made by his husband? I didn't taste it, but many connoisseurs at the Hundred Flavors Test praised it highly, and some are already asking for the recipe!"

Huang Daniang understood the source of her good fortune and was thrilled, grateful that she had befriended Qiu Huanian's family from the start.

Truly, good actions lead to good outcomes. Who would've thought a scholar from a backwater village in Zhang County could ace the academy exam in Xiangping Prefecture and influence the prefect's Hundred Flavors Test with just a few words!

When Wei Dexing, who runs Wei's Seasoning Shop, gets wind of this, he'll surely be filled with regret.

"The red fermented tofu was bought directly from Mr. Du's spouse, and the recipe would have to be asked from them." Huang Daniang thought of something and became a bit worried, "The people at the *Hundred Tastes Competition* are all important figures. If they want the recipe, will there be any trouble?"

The manager chuckled, "What do you think Mr. Du is? If it were ordinary people, perhaps there might be some unscrupulous people forcing a sale, but the person with the recipe is the spouse of our Xiangping Prefecture's promising new top scholar of the academy. Who would dare to mess with him?"

Huang Daniang breathed a sigh of relief, "I was just overly concerned and forgot for a moment."

The manager smiled, "Alright, the important figures at the *Hundred Tastes Competition* are still talking. I came out early to tell you, so get ready to go up to the *Mingfeng Terrace* to receive your award later."

On the *Mingfeng Terrace*, the results of the awards had been announced. Including *Phoenix Lying in the Clouds*, six dishes had received awards, four of which were made by famous chefs from renowned restaurants and eateries in Xiangping Prefecture, and the other two chefs came from smaller places.

However, after today, many restaurants and eateries would surely offer high salaries to hire these two chefs, especially Huang Daniang, who won first place. Several wealthy merchants with related businesses were already eager to make their move.

Besides making money, gaining cultural prestige and face was also very important!

Prefect Si Jing read through the poems made by the newly minted scholars again with everyone, among which Yu Min's poem was the best, and coincidentally, the dish he awarded was the *Phoenix Lying in the Clouds*, which had a close relationship with Du Yunse.

Some people who knew Yu Min's temperament couldn't help but glance at him secretly, to which Yu Min raised his chin and did not respond.

He was not convinced by Du Yunse, believing that as long as he found the right direction, he could surpass him sooner or later, but this did not affect other matters. It was a matter of cultural refinement and enjoyment for newly minted scholars to present poems at the *Hundred Tastes Competition*, and he naturally chose the best dish to write about, otherwise what would be the point? If he avoided writing about this dish just because it was related to Du Yunse, it would seem as if he was afraid of Du Yunse.

Yu Min looked at Du Yunse, waiting for his reaction. Du Yunse calmly praised Yu Min's poem a few times, displaying no particular emotion, which made Yu Min somewhat disheartened.

Seeing this, Min Taikang, the headmaster of Qingfeng Academy, shook his head slightly. Although Yu Min had gained some insight and changed, he was still too young and impetuous, showing his emotions too openly. If he had a steady peer who could keep him in check, he would grow much faster.

Min Taikang was increasingly keen to invite Du Yunse to study at Qingfeng Academy, but he was in no hurry to bring it up. The next enrollment for Qingfeng Academy would be in early spring next year, and it would not be too late to discuss this matter after the *Hundred Tastes Competition*.

After the six chefs who received awards came to the *Mingfeng Terrace* to receive their prizes, this year's *Hundred Tastes Competition*, which had a slightly rocky start but was overall uneventful, finally came to an end.

Some relatives of officials or merchants approached Du Yunse to talk, wanting to buy the recipe for the special red fermented tofu used in *Phoenix Lying in the Clouds*, but Du Yunse refused all offers regardless of the price.

"The red fermented tofu is a specialty of the capital area, rare in Liaozhou. The recipe my spouse uses was carefully crafted by him, and even in the capital, its taste is unique and unparalleled."

"My spouse is not feeling well and needs to rest well. Recently, he hasn't had the energy to think about the recipe, and I prefer not to make decisions on this matter without his consent. Please wait a little longer."

After hearing Du Yunse's words, the few people were totally confused. They came from wealthy families and had seen much of the world, of course, they had tasted the red fermented tofu from the capital area and knew its taste was indeed good, which was why they wanted to buy the recipe.

Du Yunse refused to sell the recipe while also praising how good and difficult it was to develop. What exactly did he mean? Was he willing to sell or not?

If Du Yunse and his spouse were ordinary people, these few wouldn't have to think so much, they could just have their servants bring them in for questioning and offer some money.

But Du Yunse was the promising new top scholar, highly regarded by Prefect Si Jing and the examination commissioner, and even the headmaster of Qingfeng Academy held him in high regard. In the Yu Dynasty, scholars were highly esteemed, and these merchants and relatives of officials didn't dare to act rashly, so they could only wait as he suggested.

Du Yunse dismissed these people who wanted to buy the recipe and, while the *Hundred Tastes Competition* was still ongoing, approached Prefect Si Jing.

After Qiu Huanian suddenly fainted today, Du Yunse was anxious and only wanted to stay in the courtyard to watch over him, having already planned to take a leave of absence and not attend the *Hundred Tastes Competition*.

The only reason he was here now was that Qiu Huanian wanted him to "market" the red fermented tofu. What Brother Hua had tasked him with was the most important, and since he was here, he had to handle every detail properly.

Prefect Si Jing smiled and asked Du Yunse, who had come to him on his own initiative, "Mr. Du, do you have something to discuss?"

Du Yunse said, "Just now, several people approached me wanting to buy the recipe for the special red fermented tofu, but unfortunately, my spouse has been unwell recently and has no time to deal with this matter."

"Thanks to everyone's kindness, I plan to give away a few jars of red fermented tofu that I brought with me for the examination. However, the supply is limited, only nine jars. Since the *Hundred Tastes Competition* was organized by you, sir, I would not presume, could I ask you to handle the distribution?"