Two days later, the emperor held a banquet in Changchun Garden to entertain the famous scholars and masters who had come to the capital, along with their families.
As it happened, Changchun Garden was also the place where His Majesty would feast the candidates after each imperial examination. Therefore, it was quite fitting to use it for entertaining these great scholars and renowned intellectuals on this occasion.
Moreover, besides these famous figures, there were also several Grand Secretaries from the court present today, all of whom were outstanding performers in past imperial examinations. Thus, this banquet was filled with an academic atmosphere.
Speaking of Changchun Garden, apart from its pavilions, towers, and exotic flowers and trees, the most special feature was a small stream modeled after the Lanting Clear Stream. Whenever banquets were held, guests would sit along the stream, letting wine cups float down the winding water - a truly elegant scene.
Just after 3 PM, the invited guests began to enter the garden. While waiting for the arrival of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, they started chatting amongst themselves.
Besides praising the beautiful scenery of the garden, today's guests, like the commoners in the capital these past two days, were most interested in the new story published by the Carefree Young Master.
"I've heard that each of this author's stories has a real-life prototype. I wonder which gentleman is the inspiration for this latest tale? Truly a man of high moral character and great virtue!"
"Indeed! To help so generously after not seeing a classmate's daughter for many years - such a rare example of kindness!"
"Yes, indeed..."
Overhearing these voices, Gu Hongbai, the famous scholar from Lanling, quietly said to his old friend Qi Shuguang standing beside him, "Isn't that story about you? You're amazing! When did you become acquainted with this popular Carefree Young Master?"
Qi Shuguang, who had been equally confused these past few days, could only shake his head and smile, "I don't even know this Young Master's age or appearance, let alone have any acquaintance with him. To be honest, I also don't know how he learned about this matter and wrote about it."
Mr. Gu nodded and said, "I was also puzzled, as this isn't your style. So how did people find out about this?"
Qi Shuguang shook his head again.
Before he could say anything more, an announcement was heard from outside the garden: "His Majesty has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! Consort Yi has arrived..."
Everyone immediately stood up, and soon after, the three announced figures entered the garden.
A chorus of greetings arose, and the emperor nodded, saying, "Please be seated, everyone."
The crowd complied and sat back down.
As tea, snacks, and wine were served, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Gentlemen and ladies, please don't stand on ceremony. Today's feast is specially arranged by His Majesty to thank you all. Please enjoy yourselves."
Everyone responded affirmatively and expressed their gratitude for the royal family's thoughtfulness.
After a round of drinks, the Empress Dowager spoke again, "By the way, I overheard everyone discussing some gentleman earlier. Could it be that you've all read the Carefree Young Master's new story?"
Following the incident with Ge Yuanhua, everyone had come to deeply understand the Carefree Young Master's status in the Empress Dowager's heart. Naturally, they all affirmed and went on to praise the Carefree Young Master once more.
Observing this scene, Yuwen Lan glanced at Yanshu.
He thought to himself that with so many famous scholars praising her, she must be overjoyed.
However, to his surprise, he saw her calmly eating a lotus cake while thinking, [Scholars are indeed aloof. These people saying such things are just flattering me, the top-ranking bigshot. They don't necessarily like me that much. Stay clear-headed.]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Well, it seemed her attitude was quite good.
But what did she mean by "top-ranking bigshot"?
Just then, they heard the Empress Dowager ask, "Do you all know that the prototype for this story is among the gentlemen present?"
Yuwen Lan: "???"
Was the Empress Dowager going to... point him out directly?
Was she being this straightforward?
He couldn't help but secretly look at Qi Shuguang, only to see him sitting with lowered eyes, his mind full of surprise, [She already... knows? How did she find out?]
Meanwhile, Yanshu, who had been focusing on eating, suddenly became excited and inwardly exclaimed, [The Empress Dowager is awesome! So direct!!! I wonder how Scholar Qi is feeling right now? Is he excited and thrilled???]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
As expected, following the Empress Dowager's words, a wave of surprise swept through the surroundings, with people asking, "Who is this kind and chivalrous gentleman?"
Then Madam Gu spoke up with a smile, "This humble wife knows. It's Mr. Qi. He once saved such a young lady in Fengqiu. My husband and I can both attest to this."
As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of praise for Mr. Qi arose in the garden.
Not only the famous scholars and intellectuals, but even the attending Grand Secretaries from the court expressed their admiration for Qi Shuguang.
Chancellor Zou said, "I've long heard that Mr. Qi is exceptional, but it's a pity he retired from officialdom so early, which we all deeply regret. It's my honor to be able to sit and drink with Mr. Qi today."
Everyone echoed these sentiments.
Qi Shuguang could only hurriedly stand up and say, "You all flatter me too much. I am truly humbled."
As his words fell, the Empress Dowager also smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Qi need not be so modest. To have done such a deed truly demonstrates admirable qualities, just like in the past."
Yuwen Lan paused.
Before he could say anything, his ears were suddenly flooded with a piercing mental scream—
[Ahhhh the Empress Dowager is so brave ahhhh I love it I love it!!!]
Needless to say, it was Yanshu.
The volume was so loud that Yuwen Lan wanted to cover his ears.
Of course, covering his ears wouldn't help...
He could only try hard to control his expression, not letting any abnormality show.
Then he saw Qi Shuguang bow to the Empress Dowager again, saying, "Your Highness praises me too much. This was but a small matter; I believe anyone would have done the same."
As soon as these words fell, another burst of screaming rushed into Yuwen Lan's ears.
[Ahhhh they're talking to each other ahhhh!!! The Grand Secretary is so restrained!!! Fans are going crazy ahhhh!!!]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Could she please stop screaming...
Also, what did she mean by "restrained"?
Then he heard the Empress Dowager say, "This is not a small matter. Out of a thousand people, there might not be one who would do as you did."
Everyone nodded in agreement. After all, that was 800 taels of silver, not 8 or 80!
After a pause, the Empress Dowager asked, "I presume Mr. Qi is not a man of great wealth. How did you manage to provide such a sum?"
Qi Shuguang hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, this money was not from me alone, but from several friends and fellow townsmen who helped. In particular, Mr. Gu and his wife generously contributed 100 taels of silver. Therefore, this deed is by no means my sole accomplishment. For me to receive all this praise alone would be a great injustice."
The Empress Dowager's eyes brightened, and she quickly addressed the Gu couple, "You two are also people of chivalry and righteousness, truly admirable."
As these words fell, everyone joined in the praise.
Gu Hongbai hastily said, "You all flatter us too much. We simply couldn't bear to see Mr. Qi sell his treasured calligraphy and paintings collected over many years, so we contributed what little we could. It's really not worth mentioning. Mr. Qi is truly the one worthy of the world's praise. However, coming back to the point, based on my knowledge of Mr. Qi over many years, he's a low-key person. I wonder how this matter got out?"
Yanshu quickly spoke up, "Actually, the Carefree Young Master received a letter a few days ago. The letter briefly mentioned only one sentence: 'Mr. Qi once bought a concubine from a rich merchant,' which aroused suspicion. The Carefree Young Master then passed this letter to His Majesty. His Majesty, knowing Mr. Qi's character well and also aware that Mr. Qi is single, was curious and ordered an investigation. That's how the truth came to light."
Upon hearing this, everyone raised their eyebrows, each pondering the implications.
Gu Hongbai said, "Did the person who wrote this letter know the full story, or was it just hearsay? The intention behind writing such a letter to the Carefree Young Master is worth investigating."
In contrast, Madam Gu was much more straightforward. She directly said, "To speak so vaguely and tell only half the story, isn't that just an attempt to spread rumors? If it weren't for His Majesty's discernment, wouldn't Mr. Qi have been unable to clear his name? Who on earth had nothing better to do than to do such a thing?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone nodded. Madam Gu had said what they were thinking but didn't dare to say.
Only An Hongsheng felt a bit uncomfortable.
He never imagined that the emperor would order an investigation.
Moreover, what was stranger was that the journey from Fengqiu to the capital took at least three days. How could they have investigated so quickly?
Just then, they heard Yanshu say, "Actually, this person didn't just write about Mr. Qi, but also about Mr. Gu."
Upon hearing this, the Gu couple was immediately taken aback.
Madam Gu hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, could you tell us what this person wrote about my husband?"
Yanshu coughed lightly and said, "The letter stated that when Mr. Gu was young, he disliked studying and spent his days setting up fortune-telling stalls in the marketplace, deceiving people..."
Before she could finish speaking, An Hongsheng was stunned once again. How could this be? He hadn't even sent that letter yet! He had planned to deal with Qi Shuguang first before sending it!
However, Madam Gu immediately became furious. "I beg Your Majesty to see the truth. This is pure slander! Back then, he only pretended to be a fortune teller in the marketplace for a few days just to meet me. He never actually took any customers, so how could that be considered deception? The person spreading such rumors must have some ulterior motive!"
Of course, who would do such a thing without a purpose?
The crowd quickly understood the situation. Upon hearing this, they began to condemn the act, saying, "This is utterly absurd! What could be the intention behind such slanderous rumors?"
"If we can find out who did this, they must not be let off lightly!"
Madam Gu angrily added, "If someone has a problem with us, they should come out and say it directly! Spreading rumors in secret, aren't they afraid of going to hell and having their tongue pulled out?"
Gu Hongbai hurriedly said to Empress Dowager Yanshu, "Please forgive my wife's temper, Your Majesties. She has always been like this."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Madam Gu is a woman of great spirit, and her words are entirely correct. Moreover, I've heard that the person who wrote this letter is present in the garden today."
Upon hearing this, the crowd was surprised. They looked at each other, trying to guess who it could be.
Yuwen Lan looked at the man called An Hongsheng and noticed his eyes darting around nervously. An Hongsheng was already thinking to himself, [I shouldn't stay here any longer. Once the banquet is over, I'll quickly return to Yangwu...]
Thinking of running away?
Yuwen Lan spoke up, "There's no need to worry, everyone. I've already ordered an investigation. Trust that justice will prevail, and even if this person doesn't confess voluntarily, we will surely find them."
Hearing this, An Hongsheng became even more nervous, but he still tried to reassure himself, [It's fine, it's fine. Even if they find out, I'll just say I didn't know the truth. After all, it was just a letter, not a serious crime.]
He's quite resilient.
Yuwen Lan smirked and glanced at Chancellor Zou Mozhong.
Chancellor Zou immediately spoke up, "Speaking of this matter, I recall an old incident. A few years ago, I was chatting with a new colleague who had just joined the Hanlin Academy. He told me a story from his youth. This colleague had lost his father early on, and his widowed mother supported the family by sewing. At the time, he was studying at the White Horse Academy, where a professor took special care of him. My colleague was very grateful for this. However, out of nowhere, someone spread a rumor that this professor was having an affair with his mother. As a result, the kind-hearted professor left in anger, and my colleague, unable to bear the damage to his widowed mother's reputation, also left. The person who spread the rumor then took advantage of the situation to fill the vacancy, being promoted directly from lecturer to professor. Looking back now, the methods of that rumor-monger seem quite similar to the present case."
White Horse Academy? Professor?
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look at An Hongsheng, who was trying to feign ignorance.
Isn't this about him?
So it was him all along!
However, An Hongsheng still attempted to play dumb, lowering his eyes to avoid the gazes of those around him.
Madam Gu sneered, "I remember now too. When Mr. Qi was going around raising money for that poor young lady, he had just left the White Horse Academy. The professor from White Horse Academy must have heard about it too."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and began shaking their heads as they looked at An Hongsheng.
Someone sighed, "Not helping is one thing, but spreading rumors behind someone's back? What's the point? Did you think that by ruining someone else's reputation, it would be your turn to shine?"
Finally, An Hongsheng spoke up, "What a coincidence. I am indeed from the White Horse Academy. I wonder which colleague could have done such a foolish thing..."
Before he could finish, Madam Gu angrily called out his name, "An Hongsheng! You are truly the most shameless person I have ever met! Wasn't it you who filled the vacancy after Professor Feng Xuehai left White Horse Academy in anger? You were my husband's junior at the time, and besides you, who else would know that my husband once set up a fortune-telling stall? Two years ago, when Mr. Qi was going around raising money, weren't you the one avoiding visitors? You really have quite a thick skin!"
As soon as she finished speaking, someone started applauding, and the crowd followed suit, clapping for Madam Gu.
Gu Hongbai quickly smiled and said, "My wife is just straightforward. We should at least give Professor An a chance to save face and confess on his own!"
Madam Gu snorted, "A person without shame doesn't need to save face! I don't think he has any intention of admitting it today!"
The crowd applauded again, exclaiming, "Madam Gu truly has the spirit of a female warrior!"
At this point, An Hongsheng could no longer maintain his composure. He quickly stood up, knelt down, and began kowtowing to the emperor, "This humble servant was merely confused for a moment. Please forgive my crime, Your Majesty!"
The Empress Dowager coldly replied, "If Madam Gu hadn't scolded you, who knows how long you would have continued to deny it. How can His Majesty forgive your crime so easily?"
She then addressed the crowd, "In my opinion, this man needs to be scolded! Come, write down the events of today and this man's misdeeds in a public notice. Post it in the capital and at White Horse Academy for three months, so that people can scold him properly and help him come to his senses."
Upon hearing this, everyone praised her decision, "The Empress Dowager is truly wise!"
