The banks of the Luo River were teeming with people, and as this place was not far from Bibo Pavilion, guards quickly reported to Noble Consort Yao and the Sage.
The Sage was composing poetry with the scholars taking the imperial examinations this year in a peach grove. A few had already caught the Sage's eye.
Today was the third day of the third lunar month, and the first session of this year's spring examination was on the sixth. The Sage had high hopes for these few.
The guards' report was like pouring a bucket of ice water on the Sage's enthusiasm. The sixth daughter of the Yu family had been beaten by Madam Luo?
Was Madam Luo insane, to bully a little girl in broad daylight?
Upon hearing that her sister had been beaten, Yu Mingjing immediately excused herself from the Sage. The Sage suppressed his anger and said, "I will go with you."
This year marked the largest number of participants in the imperial examinations since the Great Wei abolished the Nine-Rank System. The banks of the Luo River were even more lively than in previous years.
For the past century, the Central Plains had been plagued by continuous warfare, causing hardship for the common people. Many scholars and aristocratic families had moved their entire households to Jiangnan to flourish. Over time, this led to a decline in talent in the north, leaving the court with no capable individuals.
The scholars this year were mostly from Jiangnan, and more or less had some connection with the Cui family.
The Great Wei had been founded not long ago, and aristocratic families held sway in their regions, their influence even surpassing that of the imperial family.
The hasty suppression of the Five Great Clans in the past had instead caused them to band together even more closely. Many talented individuals preferred to be retainers of aristocratic families rather than serve as officials.
The court recruited very few talents through the imperial examinations, and still relied on the Five Great Clans for recommendations. The Sage hated this, grieved over it, but was powerless.
This was also why he had betrothed the Yu family's young daughter to the seventh prince. Madam Luo, that fool, was about to ruin his grand plan.
Lord Yao, the second of the Yao family, as a newly favored minister, had been by the Sage's side. Upon hearing of Madam Luo's troublemaking, a flicker of disdain crossed his eyes.
He didn't need to lift a finger against this Madam Luo; she was already full of flaws.
When the Sage arrived, Noble Consort Yao was already there. Seeing the Emperor approach, everyone quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.
The Emperor took the Noble Consort's hand to comfort her, then, with an angry expression, asked, "What exactly happened?"
Zhu Yu, with half her face swollen, knelt before the Emperor and explained the entire sequence of events: "I beg the Sage to uphold justice for my mistress."
Yu Mingyue's pink gauze skirt was stained with grass, and her hair was a little disheveled, but her demeanor was excellent. This contrast gave her an air of unyielding spirit.
Yu Mingjing clenched his fist beneath his wide sleeves and stood beside his sister, patting her shoulder, "Don't be afraid!"
The Emperor then looked at Madam Luo, who was kneeling on the other side, trembling like a sieve. Madam Luo had now completely calmed down.
She had been too impulsive today. She could deal with Yu Mingyue to avenge her daughter at any time; there was no need to cause trouble today.
"Your Majesty, this humble wife... this humble wife was thinking of Third Daughter, and lost my composure for a moment." Madam Luo was not entirely foolish, knowing how to use Third Daughter as a shield.
"Since you know you are also a mother, how could you bear to treat another family's daughter like this!" the Sage said coldly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This humble wife missed her daughter and lost her way for a moment. This humble wife knows she was wrong." Madam Luo quickly admitted her mistake.
Marquis Chengen rushed over upon hearing the news and immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness: "My wife is foolish, and I have failed to discipline her. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Marquis Chengen was furious with Madam Luo. The recent quarrels between the two branches of the Yao family had become a laughingstock in the capital, and his second brother had also become estranged from him. She still hadn't repented, and instead caused more trouble. What a fool!
"Since you know you were wrong, you should apologize to Sixth Daughter and beg for forgiveness at the residence of the Duke of Dingguo." The Sage said with a dark expression, his voice resounding.
The scholars, upon hearing of this matter, were all indignant. They feared that if this matter was not handled properly, some might even go on strike.
"Yes, yes, yes," Marquis Chengen repeatedly agreed. "This humble subject will immediately take my wife to apologize to the Duke of Dingguo's residence."