Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 310 - 307: Influence_1

Chapter 310: Chapter 307: Influence_1

Prime Minister Lu’s gaze swept over his two sons, onto his two reluctant daughters-in-law. He suppressed the urge to scold them and solemnly said, "Only by doing so, if the corruption in the imperial examination is proven, the results this time will be voided. The two children will have another chance to retake the exam. Otherwise, I’m afraid the Emperor will never employ those candidates who bribed; at that time, you will truly have destroyed the two children!"

Thinking about the foolish actions of his daughters-in-law, Prime Minister Lu’s anger grew stronger.

"Never mind about Yuanbao, but Yuanqing is the future hope of our Lu family. Do you want your son to fall because of this matter?!" Prime Minister Lu’s voice rose uncontrollably. "Now that the examinees have struck the Dengwen drum, do you think those aristocratic families who bribed Wen Zhenkang won’t be implicated?! Offend people... and think of your sons’ futures and the future of the whole family. Which is more important? Make your choice!"

"I realize my mistake!" Prime Minister Lu’s eldest son quickly bowed his head.

"Don’t delay. Set off to the Court of Judicial Review immediately. I must enter the palace!" Prime Minister Lu decisively ordered.

Lu Yuanpeng’s heart pounded upon hearing this. His parents were so bold, they dared to bribe the examiners!

Thinking about the fun at Wude Gate with examinees striking the Dengwen drum, Lu Yuanpeng called a servant after returning to his courtyard and then left the mansion to watch the excitement.

Anyway, with his grandfather at home and everything arranged, nothing could go wrong!

The Lu family’s actions were swift. When Prime Minister Lu’s two sons went to the Court of Judicial Review, they heard that the Minister of Judicial Review, Lu Jin, had been summoned by the Emperor and was outside Wude Gate appeasing the examinees who struck the Dengwen drum.

Upon entering the palace, Prime Minister Lu wept bitterly before the Emperor, condemning his two sons for bribing Wen Zhenkang, saying that his two sons had harmed his carefully nurtured grandsons. He pleaded with the Emperor to also punish his two sons.

The Emperor had reviewed the policy essays of Prime Minister Lu’s two grandsons and felt that they indeed had some genuine talent.

Hearing Prime Minister Lu say that his two sons and daughters-in-law had sent gifts because every aristocratic family in Dadu City with candidates did the same, worrying that without gifting, Wen Zhenkang might sabotage their children, made the Emperor’s face darken even more.

The Emperor was truly surprised that Wen Zhenkang would be so bold and blatantly accept bribes right under his nose.

No wonder... he had felt that the quality of this year’s tribute students was much lower than before.

"When I, the old minister, heard of this, I was heartbroken and felt deeply ashamed. I humbly request Your Majesty to punish me! I did not properly educate my sons. I also willingly accept responsibility for their crimes!"

The Emperor suppressed his anger and looked at the still tearful Prime Minister Lu, knowing that Prime Minister Lu had always been cautious and conscientious. This incident was likely because of his unworthy sons and daughters-in-law, implicating the two children. He said, "The Imperial Court established the imperial examination to recruit talents for our Jin Kingdom. I have reviewed the policy essays of your two grandsons. They are quite good. However, upon returning, Prime Minister, you must properly educate your two sons."

Hearing this, Prime Minister Lu breathed a sigh of relief, prostrating himself in fear and gratitude before the Emperor. "Although Your Majesty is magnanimous, as the saying goes, ’If the child is not taught, the father’s fault.’ I feel deeply ashamed. I request Your Majesty to dismiss me from my position as a warning to others, setting an example for those in the court... to take caution from my case! Henceforth, the royal court can be clear and pure. Consider this... as the last service I can do for Your Majesty, repaying Your Majesty’s favor for many years."

Hearing Prime Minister Lu’s heartfelt words, the Emperor’s anger quietly dissipated. He sighed, his voice softening, "Gao Demao, help Prime Minister Lu up!"

"I am unworthy before Your Majesty and dare not rise!" Prime Minister Lu’s voice choked with genuine emotion.

"Prime Minister Lu, since I ascended the throne, you have been supportive all the way. I’m aware of your loyalty! This incident was caused by the corruption in the imperial examination system. Prime Minister Lu, you have sacrificed your sons to reveal this matter. Consider your contributions and faults balanced! Go back now!"

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace! I am willing to die a thousand times to repay Your Majesty’s immense favor. I will henceforth properly educate my grandchildren so they can be useful to Your Majesty and repay Your Majesty’s kindness!" Prime Minister Lu, filled with gratitude, kowtowed fervently, crying aloud.

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, "Gao Demao, see Prime Minister Lu out."

Gao Demao respectfully invited Prime Minister Lu to exit. Prime Minister Lu expressed his gratitude repeatedly, fearfully but gratefully, and then slowly retreated from the great hall.

As Qin Lang was also a tribute student participating in the palace examination, Bai Jinxiu couldn’t sit still upon hearing such major news. She sternly ordered the Qin Mansion not to discuss the matter and then had a carriage prepared to return to the Bai family.

Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Dong were also uneasy, fearing that this incident might implicate Qin Lang and Dong Changyuan.

Hearing that Bai Jinxiu had returned, Mrs. Liu came out to welcome her.

Bai Jinxiu grasped Mrs. Liu’s hand, and as they walked towards the Chuihua gate, she said, "The whole Dadu City is in chaos now. Just now, Qin Lang’s cousin from his maternal grandfather’s family secretly came to inquire about whether we also sent gifts. All families with candidates either protest at Wude Gate for justice or are anxious, fearing their gift-giving might be exposed! Before I came, I heard that Prime Minister Lu had already entered the palace to see the Emperor. His eldest and third sons went to the Court of Judicial Review!"

Mrs. Liu, being a housewife, was terrified, "Will this... affect our son-in-law?"

"Our family did not send gifts. If the cheating in the imperial examination is finally proven, the results will merely be voided. Qin Lang will probably have to retake the exam." Bai Jinxiu, having explained this to Mrs. Liu, continued, "Mother, please go back to your courtyard. I’ll go discuss with the Eldest Young Lady. Let’s not panic yet!"

"Yes, yes! Go and discuss with Kid. Kid always has more ideas!" Mrs. Liu nodded.

When Bai Jinxiu entered the courtyard holding Cuibi’s hand, she saw Bai Qingyan practicing with her silver spear, repetitively performing the tedious moves of thrusting and stabbing.

"Eldest Young Lady..."

"Second Miss!" Chun Tao greeted with a smile.

Hearing Bai Jinxiu’s voice, the sweat-drenched Bai Qingyan put away her gleaming silver spear, inserted it into the rack, and took the wet towel Chun Tao handed to wipe her face and hands. "Did you come back because of the cheating scandal in the imperial examination?"

Bai Jinxiu, lifting her Moonlight gown, entered and nodded, "The Minister of Judicial Review, Lu Jin, has already gone to Wude Gate to calm the examinees. Wen Zhenkang and others haven’t left the palace yet; they are detained by the imperial guard! Once the bribery is proven, the main examiner and vice examiner will lose their heads, and all the candidates’ results will be voided!"

"So, you mustn’t panic now. Tell Qin Lang to prepare well. He will need all his focus, as he might have to retake the exam," Bai Qingyan advised Bai Jinxiu.

"Eldest Young Lady, is this..." Bai Jinxiu felt her sister was too calm and unhurried, suspecting it might be her doing. She asked in a low voice, "Is our family involved in this matter?"