Madam Qin, already guilty, found her hands trembling. Had her deeds been discovered?
No, impossible. Today was her first time. She gritted her teeth and finally assumed the air of an elder: "Niece, what do you mean by that? I merely went out shopping. Does this warrant such an interrogation?"
"Apologies, Second Aunt, but the matter is of great importance. We must be cautious."
What matter was so grave that it alarmed the Marquis and the young uncle? Madam Fang, wanting to find fault with Lu Nianfu, sensed something was amiss with Madam Qin. Her suspicious gaze flickered between the two, but one wore a stern expression, and the other feigned one. Neither intended to offer her an explanation.
Madam Fang was consumed by curiosity, and just as her patience was about to run out, Gu Rong and Gu Li returned.
Also returning with them was her least favorite eldest son, Gu Yan Chen.
However, she had no time to pick on him now. Her mind was entirely occupied with what Madam Qin had done. It wasn't that she looked down on Madam Qin; it was just that this sister-in-law was notoriously weak, the type who couldn't be nudged into saying a word even with three sticks. She truly couldn't fathom what significant offense such a simple, honest woman could commit.
The expressions of the three men were as somber as could be. Especially Gu Li, who, despite his usual delicate demeanor, struck Madam Qin across the face without a word: "Kneel."
"Master..."
"Kneel."
Madam Fang was stunned. Gu Rong began ushering people out, dismissing all the governesses and maids, leaving only the masters.
Gu Yan Chen said, "Second Uncle, don't be impulsive. Ask first."
"What's there to ask? Your Second Aunt never leaves the house. If there wasn't a reason, why would she be at the elusive Dawn Pavilion?"
Madam Fang quickly asked, "What Dawn Pavilion?"
Gu Rong shot her a glare: "It's none of your business. Listen quietly if you don't understand."
Madam Qin, covering her face, sat dazed on the floor, clearly still reeling from the shock of her husband striking her.
Gu Yan Chen explained, "Second Aunt, that Dawn Pavilion is where candidates exchange rumors. I just learned that someone there is selling the current year's examination questions. Do you know the consequences of being implicated in examination fraud? At best, beheading; at worst, exile for the entire family. Think of Fourth Brother and Sister Yan Shu. How could you bear to do this?"
"What, leaked questions? Qin Fang, you're trying to get us all killed!"
Madam Fang excitedly slammed the table, but Gu Rong pushed her back: "Madam Fang, do you want to shout any louder? Are you afraid others won't know?"
Madam Fang quickly covered her mouth, but her gaze remained resentful, fixed on Madam Qin.
Her two sons were candidates in the current year's examinations. If their aunt had the questions, why wouldn't she think of her own nephews first, and instead sell them for money?
This was outrageous.
Madam Qin knelt properly, her face blank: "Eldest Nephew, I didn't leak any questions. I don't even know what the questions are. If I wanted to leak them, I wouldn't have the chance."
Gu Li quickly nodded: "I can attest to that. Even I only found out about the questions just now. Where would she have gotten them?"
"Then why did Second Aunt go to Dawn Pavilion?"
Madam Qin stammered, "I... I just went to sit there."
"Second Aunt, think clearly before you answer."
Gu Li glared at her: "Foolish woman, you've been used. If you don't speak up now, we'll all face the executioner in your stead."
Under the intense gaze of the entire family, Madam Qin finally broke: "A few days ago, Madam Luan sent someone to give me a letter, saying she had a way for me to get rich. She said if I just sat in Dawn Pavilion for a while today, she would give me ten thousand taels of silver."
Gu Yan Chen asked, "The letter?"
"Burned."
Gu Li was almost angered to death: "So someone could just wave a carrot and you went?"
"Master, ten thousand taels! You don't understand the cost of living. Years ago, when we divided the property, Eldest Sister-in-law took all the profitable businesses, leaving us with only two struggling shops. Even the land, though seemingly equal in quantity to the elder branch's, was all arid land while theirs was fertile. When Old Madam was alive, she always favored Eldest Brother, giving them all the good things, and we got nothing." Madam Qin grew more upset as she spoke: "For years you've been in the Hanlin Academy, a mere sinecure with no income but many expenses. We're on the verge of collapse. When someone offers ten thousand taels, how could I not take a risk? With this money, Yan Bei's betrothal gifts will be secured. Even Yan Shu's dowry can be increased by twenty percent. Tell me, tell me how I could refuse such a temptation?"