With only three days left until the spring imperial examinations, Emperor Changwu suppressed the case. However, the moment candidates entered the examination cells, the Luan mansion was surrounded by the Ministry of Justice. As soon as the imperial edict was proclaimed, the Luan family finally learned that Madam Luan had audaciously sold the exam questions.
Luan Zhonghui and Madam Zhan were sentenced to immediate execution, followed by confiscation of their property and exile for the entire family three thousand li away.
The old Madam Luan was stunned, while the other two branches collapsed onto the ground, shouting that they had long since separated from the main branch. They claimed the main branch's crimes had nothing to do with them. Unfortunately, it was too late.
Not only could Luan Zhonghui not be saved, but Zhan Zhongcheng, Madam Zhan's father, was also ordered to resign and return home for failing to discipline his daughter.
The revelation of the case sent shockwaves through the court. Luan Zhonghui had many disciples, and no one expected him to be implicated so severely by his wife. Zhan Zhongcheng must have held a grudge against him, otherwise, why would he have married his daughter to such a man?
Those in the inner court were more concerned about Madam Zhan's pronouncements on managing the household, as many moneylenders outside had been involved in this line of business.
The men of various households also paid more attention to their wives who managed the household, fearing that they might commit major offenses outside due to financial difficulties. As for the candidates who had paid for the exam questions, they were naturally recorded. Even if the questions were changed, and they managed to write brilliant essays, they would still not be selected.
Madam Zhan's death settled everything, but her daughters were ruined by her actions. Those who had married years ago, had children, and even mourned their in-laws were better off. Although they were now neglected, the law prevented them from being divorced. Those who were only engaged but not yet married were all rejected. It was unlikely that the Zhan daughters would find good matches in the capital and would have to marry far away. The most pitiable were the newly married wives, all of whom were divorced and sent back. One even had just given birth to a daughter.
Lu Nianfu also felt that Madam Zhan had caused a lot of trouble but felt no sympathy.
If Madam Zhan's plan had succeeded, she herself might have been the one to be investigated and exiled by now. However, her father-in-law and second uncle had already separated, so even if Madam Zhan had accidentally become a scapegoat, it should not have implicated the Guangling Marquisate.
This incident also served as a warning to the large families who prided themselves on their family's prosperity. Even with the elders still alive, they put off the matter of dividing the family. They feared that an unfilial descendant might be as audacious as Madam Zhan and implicate the entire family.
The spring imperial examinations lasted for nine days. After nine days, few scholars were left with any energy; many stumbled out, leaning against walls. Some even had to be carried out.
It took them at least until the next day to recover from the nine days of hellish examinations.
It was then that they discovered the chief examiner had been beheaded. Upon further inquiry, they were shocked to learn that the exam questions had nearly been leaked. Fortunately, the Minister of Justice had been sharp-eyed, or it would have been a great disappointment.
Those who had bought the questions felt as if a huge stone had been placed in their hearts. When they entered the examination hall and found the questions were different, they had thought of finding the seller of the fake questions to settle the score. Now, they all acted like quail, afraid that the court would retaliate and hold them accountable, daring not to cause any more trouble.
A few even wanted to go to Shuguang Tower to inquire about the news, only to find that Shuguang Tower had already been sealed.
With the case concluded, those who were supposed to be executed had been, and those who were supposed to be punished had been. It was time for rewards.
Gu Yanchen received a large sum of rewards, significantly adding to his wife's private fund. Although the chief examiner was gone, the imperial examinations continued. Someone had to be in charge of grading the papers.
The Emperor remembered the "clever" second wife of the Gu family in the case and thus appointed Gu Li as the chief examiner. This was a good opportunity. The position of Grand Scholar in the Hanlin Academy was now vacant, and if he handled the task well, it was entirely possible for him to be promoted.
However, Gu Li was guilty. He didn't have the courage to admit that his wife had been tricked, so he nervously accepted the task.
As for a promotion, he no longer thought about it. He believed he didn't have the brains to manage the Hanlin Academy.
Gu Rong threatened to divorce her, and Madam Fang finally didn't dare to gamble. She obediently handed over one hundred thousand taels of silver to him. To pretend to be poor, she even sold a lot of jewelry and antiques, which pained her so much that she couldn't sleep for several nights. Then she set her sights on Lu Nianfu, but unfortunately, although Lu Nianfu had money, she refused to play along.
What a joke! Her money wasn't blown in by the wind. If Madam Fang treated her husband well, it would be one thing, but she didn't. Not only that, but she also tried to torment him at every turn. When Lu Nianfu thought of how Gu Yanchen, at such a young age, was being bullied by his stepmother, she felt heartbroken and would not let Madam Fang take advantage of her.
Let alone one hundred thousand taels, she wouldn't give ten taels.
For this reason, Madam Fang started to fuss about establishing rules for her. She originally thought that Gu Rong had just taken money from her and was feeling guilty, so he wouldn't interfere in Lu Nianfu's trivial matters. Who knew that Gu Rong didn't interfere, but Gu Yanchen became even more resolute. He went to Gu Rong, informed him, and directly took Lu Nianfu back to their residence on Hulu Street.
They lived even more freely and leisurely.
Emperor Changwu had been preoccupied with the exam leak case these days, so he had put aside the matter of choosing a wife for Gu Yanchen. Unexpectedly, he received the news that Gu Yanchen had been driven out of the Marquisate. Thus, the pitiful Gu Rong knelt in the imperial study once again.
"Gu Rong, who gave you the courage to drive Yanchen out of your home? Do you really think he's your son to be bossed around?" Emperor Changwu's questioning was righteous, as if he had already legitimized Gu Yanchen's status.
Gu Rong mumbled, "Yanchen is indeed this minister's son."
"What did you say?"
Gu Rong immediately caved, "This minister means, it's a misunderstanding..." Then he explained how Madam Fang had been making things difficult for Lu Nianfu.
Emperor Changwu's dissatisfaction grew, "For the sake of a woman, you don't even care about filial piety? Is that how you teach your son?"
Gu Rong: ...
Who said women are unreasonable? Men can be just as unreasonable, can't they? He knelt on the ground dejectedly. What did His Majesty want him to do? Could he give him a clear answer?
Unfortunately, he didn't have the guts.
Emperor Changwu's patience with Gu Rong had reached its limit. He had asked him to find a wife of higher status for his son, but after so long, there was no progress. He was so slow in handling matters, no wonder he could only stay in a useless place like the Ministry of Rites.
It seemed he had to handle this matter himself. Emperor Changwu made Gu Rong kneel and reflect for half an hour, then sent him away and went to Consort Hui's palace, asking her to host a flower-viewing banquet and invite all the potential daughters-in-law he had chosen.
Consort Hui looked at the list and found it strange. Chen Susu, the legitimate younger sister of the Minister of Revenue; Fu Yingran, the legitimate second daughter of Duke Cao; Qu Wanwan, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Grand Scholar; and Zhao Siyue, the daughter of the Right Prime Minister. These were not just noble ladies; these four women were renowned in the capital, raised from childhood to be empresses, each qualified to be a prince's consort.
The problem was that her son was already married, and his children were studying in the imperial study every day. Could it be that she was choosing a secondary consort? Then, weren't these women's statuses too high? Consort Hui thought of their beautiful faces and suspiciously looked at Emperor Changwu, who had a hint of anticipation. Suddenly, a realization struck her. His Majesty was also human; everyone had a love for beauty.
Indeed, His Majesty had postponed the grand selection for two consecutive terms, and the palace had not seen any fresh, tender faces for a long time.
As the daughter of a military general, she was bolder than other imperial consorts. Consort Hui did not keep it to herself but asked in a low voice, "Does Your Majesty happen to fancy someone and wish to summon them into the palace to serve you?"
Emperor Changwu: "...What are you thinking? These young girls are so young. If I summoned them to accompany this old man, what would their fathers and brothers think?"
"Your Majesty is joking. You are the Son of Heaven; it is their good fortune to be favored by you."
Emperor Changwu glanced at her, "I just asked you to host a flower-viewing banquet, why so much talk?"
Consort Hui had no choice but to swallow her anger and agree.
Consort Hui's flower-viewing banquet came unexpectedly, and the four girls who received the invitation and their families were also stunned, all guessing the hidden meaning. In the end, they concluded that this was to choose a secondary consort for Prince Yong.
Prince Yong, Situ Sheng, had undergone extensive training in the military camps and had solid military achievements, far more capable than the Crown Prince. It was a pity that his face was disfigured; otherwise, with these military achievements, what was the point of the Crown Prince and Prince Ning competing?
These families naturally did not want their carefully raised legitimate daughters to become secondary consorts to a prince who would never ascend the throne. However, Consort Hui had not explicitly stated this, so they couldn't refuse, or it would be too insulting to Prince Yong.
Although he could not ascend the throne, Prince Yong was not a weakling to be bullied. No one wanted to offend him over such a matter.
Therefore, on the day of the flower-viewing banquet, all the ladies who received invitations dressed up elaborately and obediently went to the palace for the banquet.