The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1208 - 279: Xie Yi Escapes_3

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the rumors spreading outside and then summoned Princess Yong’an and Princess Xi Yun, bestowing numerous gifts on Princess Xi Yun as part of her dowry, to show her importance. When seeing Xiao Guangjing, she also mentioned that Princess Xi Yun must have dignity; other Commandery Princesses and Princesses were married to nobility, while Wendong only had his scholarship. Pei Qin and Mo Heng did not count as his family background.

Xiao Guangjing understood her meaning: with the spring examination approaching, he was to promote Pei Wendong in the exam.

When Xiao Guangmin met with him, they played chess without ever mentioning the matter. If his son-in-law truly had talents and learning, unless Xiao Guangjing was incompetent, he was sure to stand out!

As the warmth of the season crept in, both Tiance Mansion and the Pei Residence grew increasingly busy. There were too many things to prepare, none of them trivial, leaving no time for anything else.

The day of the spring examination swiftly arrived, with Pei Wendong, Chang Yonglin, and Fang Fu entering the arena. freewēbnoveℓ.com

After the three exams were over, the trio emerged from the examination hall as if they had been stripped of a layer of skin.

Pei Qin’s hope was simple: to attain scholarly honors. With that ladder, she trusted that the "Radishes" she and Mo Heng taught would prove useful and not disappoint anyone!

When the results came out, Pei Wendong’s name was at the top of the list, closely followed by Chang Yonglin. Although Fang Fu did not rank high, he was still on the list.

Seeing such results, some were suddenly dissatisfied, "Isn’t this far too obvious!? General Pei and Marquis Mo have made great contributions, but they shouldn’t abuse their power to rig the process in favor of their own!"

Some candidates, having studied hard for ten years, barely managed to reach the spring examination, only to see Pei Wendong and Chang Yonglin’s names at the top of the list. Stirred by a few words, they felt indignant.

Candidates who obtained the qualifications of scholars were entitled to discuss state affairs, let alone the matter of the examination.

Pei Wendong was also somewhat worried. His ambition was the top rank, but if he took the top spot directly in the next exam, his and Yonglin’s results would surely be linked to his elder sister and her husband.

Prince An Ping called Pei Wendong over to talk, asking about his examination answers. After hearing the rehearsed response, the Prince nodded in approval, "This year’s chief examiner Elder Fan is known for his strictness. If anyone were to make claims of bias and corruption, he will not let them off. You just focus on preparing for the final stage of the examination."

Pei Wendong did not expect this sort of comforting encouragement from his father-in-law and quickly expressed his gratitude, "Your son-in-law understands well."

The Cabinet also reviewed his and Chang Yonglin’s exam papers again.

Elder Fan was furiously indignant. He had gone to great lengths to have Shen Bi recuse himself due to conflict of interest and took over as the chief examiner. To be accused of bias and corruption!? He would not spare even Pei Qin and Mo Heng’s siblings if they failed to impress, let alone them.

The matter was quickly suppressed.

Seeing Pei Wendong secure the top rank from the outset, the Zheng family rushed over to demand Xie Yi and Xie Ze, the siblings, from the Pei Residence, "They are our nephews and niece! Pei Wendong is set to become the top scholar and marry a Commandery Princess, abandoning his betrothed fiancée. Now you even imprison them, keeping our grandchildren from seeing our family! Have you killed them to silence them?"

It was inappropriate for Xie Yi and Xie Ze to stay in the General Mansion from the start, and now the Zheng family, as their maternal relatives, legitimately came to take them.

Pei Qian, infuriated, was about to go out immediately.

Pei Yuan hurriedly held her back, "You’re now the wife of a Sixth Rank official. Are you really going to go out and quarrel in the streets with those scoundrels?"

"It’s clearly Xie Yi who has no shame; she even went to seduce my elder brother-in-law! The Zheng family had ill intentions from the start, not willing to take them back, and now they’re demanding them, clearly out of jealousy against us! If I don’t teach them a lesson this time...," Pei Qian loathed people like Xie Yi and the Zheng family.

"Or what? How many times has your big sister told you to control your temper! Do you have to cause real trouble before you reflect?" Pei Yuan reprimanded.

"When have I caused trouble!? Are we supposed to just sit at home and do nothing while those lowlifes come bullying at our door?" Pei Qian couldn’t do that.

Pei Yuan let go of her, "Then go confront them! Go make a scene! Go ’kill’ them! Wait till your elder sister is gone, when no one’s backing you up anymore, when Fang Liuming is fed up with your troubles and can’t protect you anymore, let’s see if you can fly up to the heavens then!"

Pei Qian was abruptly taken aback, "Who said my elder sister is leaving!?"

"The Northern Place is naturally cold, which is detrimental to your sister’s recovery. After Wendong gets married, do you think her husband will let her stay in Capital Jingcheng to overwork and be bullied?" After saying this, Pei Yuan turned and left. Xiao Chen had said that the brother-in-law was arranging military affairs. The Manufacturing Bureau was also gradually being transferred to Xiao Yong’s control. Sister needn’t stay in Jingcheng, where she was plotted against and harassed, nor be troubled by these petty matters. She could recuperate and focus on her treatment in peace.