My younger sister insisted on marrying me and made me the Marquis' wife.

Chapter 698 An Disgrace to Civilization
Seeing that Xiao Dong was dressed in clothes personally supervised by Cui Ming, with a longevity lock around his neck and an exquisite sachet and pouch around his waist, and with a radiant and smooth face and bright, piercing eyes, showing no fear, the man abandoned his plan and went along with it, saying, "Forget it, I'm not the kind of person who bullies the weak. It's just that you don't know how to speak properly. You're lucky you met me. If you don't change your ways, you'll suffer the consequences."

Xiao Dong let out a cold snort from his nose.

He's seen this kind of person grow up from childhood.
Scholars don't become sages just because they read the books of sages.

The same rice can feed a hundred different kinds of people.

Even though everyone reads the classics, they are all different.

The man heard this and his expression changed slightly, but in the end he didn't pursue the matter any further.

At this moment, Qin Yuan had finished reading the poems and sneered, "If I remember correctly, there is still one poem missing. I wonder why Scholar Wu did not bring it out?"

Upon hearing this, both Qin Siyuan and Wu Juren were shocked.

Lin Ziqi asked curiously, "There's another one? Could it be that Brother Wu didn't take them all?"

Wu, the scholar, glanced quickly at Lin Ziqi, his expression inscrutable.

This made Lin Ziqi feel inexplicably uneasy.

Qin Siyuan realized: "I have been studying at home these days, so it is very convenient for Scholar Wu to get the poems. I don't know why he would miss this one."

Scholar Wu grinned: "I have not seen the manuscript of the poem you mentioned. Besides, why say more? What we have now is enough to convict them. Please, esteemed gentlemen, do not listen to their nonsense."

The Ninth Princess nodded in agreement.

Qin Yuan laughed loudly a few times before saying, "Does Scholar Wu think we're all fools? Just have someone bring me the 'Poems from Yu Yuan Tan' collection and read all of Qin Siyuan's poems. Then compare them with the poems in the manuscript, and we'll know whether he changed my poems or not."

If you are truly committed to reporting this, you should make a comparison and list everything so that everyone can see it.

Instead of making baseless accusations and maliciously framing others here.

King Qi nodded.

Princess Fuyun's eyes lit up immediately, and she laughed, "I knew I hadn't misjudged him. Young Master Nantang's poems are of noble character; how could he do such a vulgar thing?"

The Ninth Princess rolled her eyes and snorted coldly: "Didn't you just say not to jump to conclusions? Now there's still no progress. Isn't it a bit premature to say that?"

Princess Fuyun said, "Young Master Nantang has the confidence to say that."

Wu, the scholar, stammered, "I only recently received it myself, and I was so shocked that I didn't even think of this."

Lin Ziqi was getting a little anxious.

Qin Yuan added, "Your Highness Prince Qi, this manuscript is missing the most crucial page. Please send someone to the Imperial Academy to retrieve it. If it cannot be found, Scholar Wu will have to compensate you."

"It's just a piece of paper, why be so aggressive?"

Wu, the scholar, mocked him.

Qin Siyuan couldn't help but speak up and retort: ​​"This is Young Master Nantang's poetry manuscript, which I intend to keep as a family heirloom to teach my children and nephews how to write poetry. How could it be just a piece of paper as you say? If it is just a piece of paper, why are you taking it out and being so aggressive?"

Wu, the scholar, was speechless.

Everyone realized there was more to the story and began whispering among themselves.

Some even said, "If it's a matter of having someone read it aloud for comparison, I'd be willing to contribute."

"Me too."

"And me, whether I changed the poem or not, with so many of us helping to find out, we're sure we won't wrongly accuse anyone."

Scholar Wu was starting to panic. The situation was completely different from what Xu Tang had described, and...

He couldn't help but steal a glance at Lin Ziqi, who was frowning and seemingly lost in thought.

Hidden in the crowd, Xiao Dong immediately shouted, "Shen Chang Le, aren't you going to settle accounts for that Wu fellow scholar? How many taels of silver would it take for Young Master Nantang to compensate for the unpublished poems? Taking without permission is theft, and how many taels of silver should warrant taking him to the Jingzhao Prefecture for a beating?"

Upon hearing his voice, Qin Yuan couldn't help but smile slightly.

Shen Changle chimed in from afar, "Hey, wouldn't that bankrupt him? Recently, 'The Collection of Fireflies' has been selling like hotcakes, and booksellers are lining up to collect copies. They can't even keep up with the printing schedule."

Scholar Wu spat, "All you ever talk about is money; it's a disgrace to scholarship."

Shen Changle opened her mouth, then closed it again, feeling frustrated.

Lord Gu sneered, "Young Master Nantang's poems are renowned throughout the north and south. Could it be that Scholar Wu wants to claim them for himself so that he can make a name for himself in the future?"

"No, no, no, how could Your Excellency think such a thing? How could I dare?" Scholar Wu hurriedly waved his hands.

"With no evidence to prove it, you certainly dare to do it," Lord Gu's voice was icy, sending a chill down Wu the scholar's spine.

King Qi smiled and said, "In that case, I will send someone to the Imperial Academy to retrieve them. However, regarding this collection of poems and manuscripts... I will not examine them myself. I wonder who would be a suitable candidate?"

The scholars who had gathered around eagerly signed up, creating a lively atmosphere.

Suddenly someone said, "I am a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, and I am willing to participate in the investigation."

Another person said, "I am speaking frankly and am willing to participate in the discussion."

Then several people said, "I am a candidate for the Imperial Academy and I am willing to participate in the discussion."

Someone in the crowd said, "You are all from the Imperial Academy, so it's hard to guarantee impartiality."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Why don't His Highness Prince Qi have someone read it aloud and compare it with others, so that everyone can hear it? Alternatively, why not select five officials and students from the Imperial Academy and five students from other places who have come to the capital to take the exam, and have them judge and distinguish them together?"

King Qi nodded and said, "Very well, this way I can have an explanation."

Wu, the scholar, stood slumped to one side, his face covered in cold sweat.

Qin Siyuan was overjoyed: "That's perfect. Thank you, Your Highness Prince Qi, for clearing the name of Young Master Nantang and myself in public."

The Ninth Princess sneered, unconcerned.

Princess Fuyun nodded with satisfaction: "Judging from the confident demeanor of Young Master Nantang and Scholar Qin, this Scholar Wu was indeed slandering us."

The Ninth Princess glanced at Wu, who could not hide his guilt, and frowned. After a moment's thought, she turned to ask Brother Ximen beside her, "Young Master Ximen, do you think that Scholar Qin and Young Master Nantang are putting on a brave face?"

At this moment, Brother Ximen seemed to have lost his senses, leaving only his empty shell behind.

He was called twice before he came to his senses and said with a forced smile, "This humble subject has been playing football these past two days and hasn't had much rest. I was momentarily distracted. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

The Ninth Princess was very considerate: "I don't have anything important to ask you, I just wanted to talk to you. If you are tired, why don't you go into Ranxiang Residence for a short rest?"

Brother Ximen also wanted to slip away for a while so he could send the message out.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

Worried that the people at Ranxiangju might look down on Brother Ximen, the Ninth Princess ordered her maid to lead Brother Ximen to find the manager of Ranxiangju.

"Tell him to find a private room for Young Master Ximen to rest properly. He must serve him well. When he sees Young Master Ximen, he must treat him as if he were the Empress Dowager. He must not be negligent in the slightest, or he will be in trouble."