The streets were alive with the vibrancy of early spring.
Occasionally, branches of blossoms would arch over courtyard walls, their petals drifting down with the wind, bestowing a touch of floral fragrance.
Lu Nianfu abandoned her carriage, eager to immerse herself in the street's spring atmosphere. Then, she was taken aback by the bustling crowds.
The streets were filled with scholars in long robes and caps.
Lu Nianfu asked doubtfully, "Has the Spring Imperial Examination concluded?"
Qingya replied, "The exam starts on the twenty-sixth, and today is only the eighteenth."
"Then why are they out and about? Don't they need to bury their heads in their books?"
"Miss, you wouldn't understand. For examinations, mere diligent study isn't enough. As the exam date draws closer, it's natural to seek advantages."
"What kind of advantages?"
"For instance, visiting temples to pray, or inquiring about the chief examiner's preferences for essays. I heard this year's chief examiner is Grand Academician Luan Zhonghui, who favors ornate writing. Essays with plain language, no matter how well-structured, won't be selected."
Lu Nianfu pouted, "Is the Emperor selecting officials or writers?"
"Who knows? Oh, that person looks like the Second Madam. What is she doing so stealthily?"
Lu Nianfu followed Qingya's gaze and saw a familiar figure entering a teahouse. If Qingya hadn't pointed it out, she might not have recognized her as Gu Yanchen's second aunt, Madam Qin.
After all, they had only met once on New Year's Eve.
"Why is Second Aunt here? This establishment looks so small and dilapidated; it's quite out of place for someone of Madam Qin's status."
A flicker of excitement crossed Qingya's small eyes, "Miss, shall we follow and see?"
"No, I have things to attend to," Lu Nianfu refused outright. What Qin's actions had to do with her was irrelevant, she couldn't even be bothered to manage Madam Fang.
But Qingya insisted, "Miss, do you know what kind of place this Shuguang Tower is? Although its facade is small, it has hidden depths. Many scholars secretly exchange information here."
"Why secretly?"
"Because they exchange insider information about the imperial examinations, and many people offer predictions. Who knows if they'll hit the mark?"
Lu Nianfu was startled. If the examiner's wife appeared here and didn't predict correctly, it might be fine. But if she did, the scholars of this batch would surely revolt. "Qingya, go immediately and bring Second Madam out."
"But she might not listen to me."
"Then knock her out and carry her out, mind you, discreetly."
Carrying people was something Qingya was skilled at. She immediately agreed, "Alright. What about you?"
"I'll go to Dali Temple to find Yanchen. You take Second Madam back to the Marquis's residence immediately."
Qingya was taken aback, "We need to involve the son-in-law? Is this matter that serious?"
Lu Nianfu shook her head, "Not yet. I hope I'm overthinking it. But if there is indeed a case of cheating, it will be a major issue. If Second Aunt is involved, it will surely bring ruin upon the entire family."
In her previous life, a cheating case had occurred, though it was in the next batch.
At that time, four thousand candidates had marched, their essays filled with accusations, verbally attacking everyone from the chief examiner to the imperial court. They had forced the Emperor to execute the entire family of the chief examiner before they stopped.
That was the first revealed cheating case in the Great Yin dynasty, and also the one with the heaviest sentence.
After that, there were no such lapses in the imperial examinations, at least not during the years she lived.
The chief examiner had four brothers, and along with their servants, there were over three hundred people in total. None were spared. On that day, the executioner's blades were all blunted, and the blood in the market flowed so heavily that the market had to be closed for ten days.
Qingya shivered, "Miss, it can't be that bad, right? Perhaps Second Madam was just out for a stroll?"
"I hope she was just strolling, but what if she wasn't? I cannot gamble the lives of the entire household. Qingya, hurry."
"Yes." Qingya was exceptionally reliable at this moment. With a promise, she disappeared in a flash.
Lu Nianfu had lost all interest in sightseeing. She summoned a soft sedan nearby. Then, she gave each of the sedan bearers one tael of silver, instructing them to reach Dali Temple as quickly as possible.
For ordinary citizens, one tael of silver was no small sum.
The two sedan bearers ran with all their might, bringing Lu Nianfu to Dali Temple in half an hour. The one tael of silver easily found its way into their pockets, and they happily ended their workday early.
The gatekeepers at Dali Temple were already familiar with Lu Nianfu and courteously led her inside.