Xie Yu left a message for Huo Ping. He decided to first check on Mu Sheng and then go with Ma Bing to the inn where he was staying to look for any clues.
If Mu Sheng made the cheat sheet himself, that would be one thing. But if someone was secretly spreading them behind the scenes, they would have to be apprehended and questioned as well.
Mu Sheng lay in the shade for a while, gradually regaining his breath, but his eyes remained lifeless, like a living corpse that had lost its soul.
More than ten years of diligent study, shattered in a single moment, was no less devastating than falling from the clouds.
Hearing approaching footsteps, Mu Sheng didn’t move, seemingly indifferent to everything happening around him.
Only when a corner of an official robe entered his sight did he suddenly struggle to rise, exclaiming, “Your Honor, I’m innocent!”
He didn’t know Xie Yu’s name or exact identity, but moments ago he had vaguely noticed that even the imperial guards and officials spoke to him with great courtesy, suggesting he must be someone of importance.
Xie Yu said, “Caught red-handed, how will you prove your innocence?”
Not long ago, this man had been full of vigor and confidence, but now he was disheveled, his shoes and socks scattered, truly a pitiful sight.
“That’s not mine!” Mu Sheng’s eyes turned red with desperation as he shouted hoarsely, “At this stage of the palace examination, my name being on the list is practically certain. Why would I take such a huge risk unnecessarily?”
Neither Xie Yu nor Ma Bing responded.
Well, that’s hard to say.
After all, every year so many officials fall from grace. To outsiders, they seem to have achieved high status and success, lacking for nothing, so why take such a huge risk unnecessarily?
But they still did it, didn’t they?
“It’s not me, really it’s not me!”
Mu Sheng grew more and more agitated. When his eyes fell upon the large drum not far away, he fixated on it like a drowning man grasping at a straw, muttering, “I want to beat the Drum of Complaints. I’m innocent! Someone is trying to frame me! I want to beat the Drum of Complaints!”
The court had set up Drums of Complaints outside various government offices. Anyone who beat the drum could file a complaint, and local officials were required to investigate immediately.
However, if the investigation proved the complainant had filed a false report, they would also face corresponding punishment.
Seeing Mu Sheng’s breathing grow increasingly ragged, blood seeping from his parched lips, and his eyes glazed over—clearly on the verge of another breakdown—Ma Bing decisively stepped forward and delivered a sharp slap across his face.
Xie Yu had a bad feeling the moment he saw her preparing to strike, but her movement was too fast and sudden, leaving him completely unable to stop her.
“Miss Ma!”
“Slap!”
The sharp, loud sound echoed in the open palace courtyard, startling countless guards on duty.
Mu Sheng was knocked flat on the ground, completely dazed, with one side of his face visibly swelling rapidly.
“Are you awake now?” Ma Bing asked, rubbing her wrist.
That really hurt a bit.
Xie Yu’s hand froze mid-air.
Hmm, if she had put in just a little more force, Mu Sheng might never have recovered in his entire life.
Dazed by the slap, Mu Sheng saw double, so whether he was conscious or not was questionable.
Not sure how much time passed before he came to his senses, feeling his left cheek swollen and painfully numb.
This woman hit me?!
Ashamed and furious, he was about to speak when he saw her frowning and saying, “If you keep getting so worked up, you might easily suffer a stroke.”
She pointed at Xie Yu, saying, “Besides, even if you beat the Drum of Complaints, it’s this official here from the Kaifeng Prefecture who handles such matters. You should talk to him properly.”
Suddenly remembering something as she looked at Xie Yu, Ma Bing asked, “Didn’t you call me just now, Director Xie? What was it about?”
Xie Yu glanced at her obviously reddened hand, then at Mu Sheng, whose face was quickly swelling into a pig’s head. He opened his mouth, then finally shook his head in silence.
Whether frightened by Ma Bing’s ferocity or afraid of actually suffering a stroke, in any case, Mu Sheng finally calmed down and spoke more coherently.
“If I really had cheated, wouldn’t I have considered carefully? Why would I put the cheat sheet in such a conspicuous place?” Mu Sheng picked up his boots, put them back on, and demonstrated for them, “Look, look! Not only would it be impossible to hide during the palace examination, but even during regular body searches!”
Admittedly, his argument had some merit.
For ease of movement, men’s long robes were split at the bottom. The high, wide boots often exposed their edges. If someone looked carefully, it would be easy to see something inside the small pocket on the inner side of the boot shaft.
Xie Yu pondered for a moment, then suddenly approached Mu Sheng and made a motion as if dropping something downward.
Startled, Mu Sheng, already on edge, jumped in fright. “Wh-what are you doing?!”
Ma Bing let out an “Ah!” sound, instantly understanding Xie Yu’s meaning:
The boot shafts of the Cloud-Stepping Boots were loose and wide, making it very easy to drop something inside.
Perhaps not on the first try, but if someone had practiced repeatedly beforehand, slipping such a small, thin paper scroll inside secretly wouldn’t be difficult.
Ma Bing comforted Mu Sheng, saying, “Did you check your boots before leaving home this morning?”
Seeing that they were still willing to ask questions, Mu Sheng couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope and became more cooperative, “Of course! I checked my clothes and shoes countless times.”
After all, the palace examination was a direct audience with the emperor. Everyone feared committing any taboos and was extremely cautious.
Ma Bing glanced at Xie Yu and, seeing no objection, continued, “Then before the exam started, who approached you?”
As the saying goes, a thief is always suspicious, especially when committing a crime right under the emperor’s nose.
Being dragged out in public like this, who could handle the pressure?
But judging from Mu Sheng’s behavior throughout, his eyes, expressions, and tone only showed the grief and indignation of someone wrongly accused, without any sign of panic or guilt.
Perhaps this person really was framed.
Mu Sheng said, “When we left, the inn staff came to see us off… On the road, many commoners were watching the commotion. We also met students from other provinces along the way, bumping and squeezing together… Later at the palace gate, everyone stayed close until the inspection, when we finally separated.”
Not only did many people approach him, there were far too many!
“Did you have any disputes or arguments with anyone?” Xie Yu asked.
Framing someone also takes effort. Unless someone bears a grudge, who would go to such lengths?
Mu Sheng looked somewhat bewildered. After thinking for a moment, he said uncertainly, “It’s common for scholars to argue and disagree… Without going into past incidents, just in the past few days at literary gatherings, haven’t we all often argued heatedly, even exchanging threats?”
At this moment, a palace attendant came out with a message, “The Emperor has ordered the Kaifeng Prefecture to thoroughly investigate this matter…”
Xie Yu was not at all surprised by this outcome.
If someone had been exposed for cheating after the exam, that would have shocked the entire nation. The emperor would have immediately appointed a special investigator in the first place.
Currently, although it was still cheating, from the perspective of those in power, catching it before the exam ensured the fairness of the test, so the overall impact wasn’t that significant.
After all, there were three hundred jinshi candidates. One more or one less wouldn’t make much difference.
It was just that the examinee was unfortunate and somewhat disappointing. The emperor would simply hand the matter over to the Kaifeng Prefecture for investigation.
Once the imperial decree was issued, action could begin.
Xie Yu asked two nearby imperial guards to take Mu Sheng back to the Kaifeng Prefecture for detention first, then turned with Ma Bing toward the inn where he had been staying.
The weather was quite nice today. A few white clouds floated leisurely across the deep blue sky, without a trace of gloom.
Within Kaifeng, several rivers flowed through the city. Boats carrying passengers and cargo moved day and night along the river.
Among them was a small, solitary boat maneuvering skillfully like a fish.
This boat had only one person poling it. Baskets filled the bow and stern—either fresh vegetables, fruits, or various snacks and delicacies, as the vendor called out loudly to passing merchants on other boats.
If someone wanted to buy something, the vendor would use a long pole to extend the bamboo basket toward them. The customer would take the goods and put the payment in the basket, which would then be pulled back without the need for the boat to stop, making it very convenient.
Ma Bing found it amusing and bought a packet of powdered apricot candy for just four copper coins.
The boatman was just a half-grown child, sunburnt and black-faced, with oily sweat covering his face. He was as mischievous as a little monkey, with a sweet mouth and round, sparkling eyes as he smiled at her, saying, “Sister, you’re really pretty.”
Ma Bing’s eyes crinkled with delight and she gave him two extra copper coins. The child went off happily.
The local area had many mountains, so peaches and apricots were not in short supply. Every year, many people made dried fruits and candied preserves from the surplus seasonal fruits, providing an additional source of income.
These apricot candies were well-made. When brought close, they emitted a faint sweet and sour fragrance. The thick layer of powdered sugar made them look substantial, with the plump fruit curled up, giving them a kind of honest, sturdy appearance.
Without even tasting them, one could tell they would be sweet.
Ma Bing waved the paper-wrapped package in front of Xie Yu, but he shook his head.
He could sleep in the wild, but he still couldn’t quite accept eating while walking.
Ma Bing didn’t insist, casually tossing an apricot candy into her mouth. The sweet and sour flavor instantly filled her mouth.
Delicious!
“Director, do you also think Mu Sheng is innocent?”
Xie Yu casually pushed aside a willow branch brushing toward him, “The case hasn’t reached a conclusion yet. Anything is possible.”
Perhaps he was framed, or maybe he decided to take a risky approach?
Everyone knows that the body search before entering the examination hall is extremely strict. The more hidden the location, the more carefully it is checked. In comparison, those obvious locations are actually easier to get through.
The willow trees along the riverbank grew beautifully, their long branches trailing all the way to the ground. When the wind blew, they swayed slowly, like charming young ladies. The tender willow leaves rubbed against each other, making a rustling sound like a lover’s whisper.
The river surface rippled, and sunlight reflected off it like scattered gold, dazzlingly bright.
Many commoners sat at roadside tea stalls drinking tea, their faces filled with smiles. If one listened carefully, one could hear a few people discussing today’s examination.
Ma Bing knew he was suspicious by nature, and what he said did make sense, so she didn’t press further.
The inn where Mu Sheng stayed was called Ruyi Pavilion, implying “everything as desired.” However, Ma Bing always felt there was something slightly improper about this name.
Good news travels slowly, while bad news spreads far and wide. Especially when it came to the highly anticipated imperial examination. It had been less than half an hour since Mu Sheng was caught, yet the inn had already heard the news. From the innkeeper to the waiters, all wore gloomy expressions.
They had hoped that if one of their guests became a jinshi, it would bring them good business. Who would have thought that before even seeing a jinshi, they would first be associated with cheating!
Truly inauspicious!
As desired, as desired—this certainly didn’t go as they wished!
Could it be that the name wasn’t chosen well? They would definitely mention this to the owner later.
The innkeeper wasn’t surprised by Xie Yu’s arrival. He personally took the keys and escorted them upstairs, sighing as they walked, “As soon as we heard the news, we guessed officials would come. We’ve already sealed the room, though we didn’t expect it to be Young Lord Xie himself…”
The emperor favored Princess Ningde and granted Xie Xian a marquis title, even generously allowing three generations of promotions without demotion, so the common people often referred to Xie Yu as Young Lord Xie.
The inn had three floors, with the third floor being the most secluded, hence more expensive.
Mu Sheng stayed in Room Wu on the third floor. As expected, two attendants stood by the door. When they saw the innkeeper bringing officials, they all stepped forward to bow.
As soon as the door opened, Ma Bing sniffed the air.
“What’s wrong?” Xie Yu asked.
“I smell… something,” Ma Bing said, following the scent for a few steps before pulling out a copper basin from under the bed—there was a pile of ashes inside.
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