Chapter 56: Mother Forbids You from Entering Officialdom

"Great-uncle, if my fourth brother scores higher than me, our Qi family will truly never have another chance to rise."

In the past, Lu Zhongwang would have disdained any association with the Qi family.

They were all a bunch of mud-legged, down-and-out paupers, completely unworthy of being relatives of the Lu family.

Yet, he was adept at manipulating human hearts, knowing how to flatter whoever he spoke to, and adopting whatever persona was required. When he needed someone, he knew precisely how to sweet-talk them.

Seeing his nephew showing such concern for the rise and fall of the Qi family, Qi Cong's expression instantly turned serious.

Indeed, all their money had been seized by that scoundrel Lu澜, and if his own nephew failed to rise in prominence, they would truly be left drinking the northwest wind.

"Good nephew, tell me, what does your great-uncle need to do?"

"The metropolitan examination is about to begin. Aren't there plenty of people selling leaked examination questions in the market? Buy a copy of these questions and have them delivered to my fourth brother's Qingfeng Pavilion. Knowing his temperament, I am certain he will not be able to resist using them."

The examination questions for the metropolitan examination were a formidable temptation. He himself might not wish to use them, but Lu澜 was another story. Given his ambitious and impatient nature, he would most likely use them.

And wouldn't that leave yet another incriminating leverage firmly in his own hands?

Qi Cong narrowed his eyes.

"A brilliant idea. The moment word of the examination questions hits the market, I'll go buy a set. Leave this matter entirely to me."

Before leaving, Lu Zhongwang cautiously reminded him:

"Great-uncle, this is a matter of grave importance. You must handle it cleanly and meticulously, ensuring neither of us is implicated."

Qi Cong flashed a ruffian smile.

"Heh, Zhongwang, you're underestimating your great-uncle, aren't you? What do you think I used to do for a living? Could I throw a lump of turd and still leave behind handles for people to grab? Just sit back and watch!"

Qi Cong had been a petty thief since childhood; framing others, backstabbing, and splashing mud were talents he was born with.

Furthermore, Lu澜 had tortured him so thoroughly, he simply had to "repay" him properly.

Having arranged everything, Lu Zhongwang packed his belongings and returned to Cangqi Academy.

He was not about to pin all his hopes entirely on Lu澜 making a mistake.

To forge iron, one must first be strong oneself.

He had to achieve a high score himself, or else everything else would be pointless.

Besides, he also kept his guard up.

Since Lu澜 wanted to catch sight of Yan Zhenqing's recent masterpiece, perhaps he had caught wind of something.

This possibility could not be ignored. Upon returning to Cangqi Academy, he also began intensively studying the works of the esteemed scholar Yan.

...

Word that Lu澜 was preparing to sit for the metropolitan examination quickly spread throughout the estate.

As for who the source of the rumor was, one didn't even need to guess to know.

By the time the news reached the ears of his mother, Yan Shiyue, it was already late into the night.

Inside the flower parlor of the Jiuqu Pavilion.

Yan Shiyue rarely radiated such formidable majesty, and a disciplinary ruler lay prominently on the table before her.

Lu澜 was summoned to receive her reprimand.

"Mother, did you summon me?"

Yan Shiyue wore an icy expression, demanding with displeasure:

"Kneel down!!"

Lu澜 obediently knelt before his mother. Clever as he was, even he could not fathom why his mother was angry; he hadn't even been out carousing recently!

"Do you know where you went wrong?"

"Your son has committed far too many wrongs; I have no idea which particular offense has provoked your wrath, Mother."

Over the years, Lu澜's record of misconduct was so extensive it could hardly be written down.

Yet, Yan Shiyue was currently furious over only one specific matter.

"I hear from the servants that you intend to enter official service?"

Lu澜 quickly realized who had leaked the news.

"Yes. Your son was also raised reading the Four Books and the Five Classics, consuming ink-cakes and drinking ink-water; why shouldn't I participate in the imperial examinations, and why shouldn't I enter official service?"

Lu澜's justification for entering official service was entirely sound.

Upon hearing her son's words, Yan Shiyue's vision suddenly went dark, and a chilling, sinister coldness swept through her entire body.

"No. Your mother forbids you from entering official service, and you are forbidden from taking the imperial examinations."

Lu澜 remained silent for a long moment, his brow perpetually furrowed as he wrestled with a knot in his heart that had remained unsolved for many years.