Chapter 696: Taking Without Asking
Chapter 696: Chapter 696: Taking Without Asking
Upon hearing these words, the heavy shackles in my heart were suddenly lifted.
Qin Siyuan relaxed his brows; yes, his poetic inspiration had been awakened, and no matter how much mud was slung, it would be to no avail.
Just now, in a moment of panic, he had actually forgotten this.
Qin Siyuan raised his head and said, "I will go down and confront them."
Qin Yuan nodded, "No rush, we’ll go down together in a moment."
Marquis Gu said, "Do not fear, no one can bully those of my house."
Qin Siyuan smiled gratefully.
Mr. Songshan stroked his beard and said earnestly, "Si Yuan, you must deeply reflect on your mistakes afterward. Those who enter officialdom face dangers far greater than this every day. A single mistake not only means your efforts are in vain, but it could also implicate your family and clan."
Qin Siyuan nodded solemnly.
Usually immersed in his studies, he mostly interacted with teachers and friends, and had never encountered the evils of the world. Even if he had defenses against people, they were of no use.
Qin Yuan said, "After the exams, you should read more miscellaneous books, you can buy more officialdom notes," and after a pause, he added, "even historical books record a lot, but when reading them daily, you won’t think about yourself... ultimately, you must put knowledge into practice."
He then turned to Mr. Songshan and said, "Again, we must trouble you, sir, to offer Si Yuan more guidance."
Mr. Songshan furrowed his brows and glared at Qin Yuan, "Very well!"
It had a taste of gnashing teeth.
The corners of Qin Siyuan’s mouth couldn’t help but lift slightly. All the previous anger and guilt in his heart vanished, and he immediately calmed down.
Prince Qi had already sent someone to invite them; Qin Siyuan descended from the attic, with Qin Yuan and others closely following. As they passed through the crowd, the crowd’s gaze was no longer reverent and enthusiastic, but filled with suspicion and injustice.
Qin Siyuan paid no mind to it.
Qin Yuan and the others were even more composed.
Seeing this, Wu Junren felt even more hatred in his heart, exclaiming, "Your Highness Prince Qi, Your Highnesses the Princesses, please stand up for the scholars of the world. I risked my safety to uncover this matter not for personal gain, but only to seek justice for the scholars of the world."
"Yes, we need justice. No matter whose nephew he is, seeking fame and reputation is improper and should be despised by scholars worldwide."
Lin Ziqi stood silently on the side, seemingly at a loss for what to do.
After approaching, Qin Siyuan first performed four bows to Prince Qi and the princesses before saying, "This young scholar Qin Siyuan has met Prince Qi and the princesses."
Mr. Songshan, Young Master Nantang, and Marquis Gu also performed their salutes and stood by the side.
Princess Fuyun kept her beautiful eyes fixed on Young Master Nantang, mostly obscured by Marquis Gu.
Her heart was also overjoyed.
If the occasion weren’t inappropriate, she would have rushed over to chat already.
The Ninth Princess disdainfully huffed, lightly arranging her collar.
Although Young Master Nantang has fine features, his figure is thin and weak, there’s really nothing worth looking at.
How could he have captivated someone this much?
Still, the Seventh Sister has seen too little of the world.
Once everyone stood settled, Prince Qi cleared his throat and said, "Qin Siyuan, you heard what Wu Junren just said, and I won’t repeat it. I’ll only ask you this, was what he said true?"
Qin Siyuan replied deeply, "Naturally it is not true. I ask Prince Qi to hear my defense."
Prince Qi nodded, "Speak."
Qin Siyuan remained calm and composed, "It is true that I was once enlightened in poetry by Young Master Nantang. At that time, I was invited by my cousin-in-law Lin Ziqi for a trip to the Jade Spring Pond. During our conversation, we mentioned the idea of starting a poetry society. I have always felt ashamed that my poetry was inferior to others, and in lamenting this, I was fortunate to receive guidance from Young Master Nantang. After that trip to the Jade Spring Pond, my poetry was vastly different than before. Therefore, Wu Junren’s accusation that I and Young Master Nantang have been deceitfully seeking fame is slander."
Wu Junren was about to speak.
Prince Qi said, "Wu Junren produced a draft of the poem as evidence, claiming that it was written before your trip to Jade Spring Pond, composed by Young Master Nantang and that after you made minor modifications, you gained fame with it. As a reward, Qin Jijiu and the Dingbei Marquis Mansion promoted Young Master Nantang’s talents. Do you admit this?"
The crowd was in an uproar.
"Wu Junren is saying that Qin Jijiu married his daughter to the Marquis Mansion, and the mansion used silver to promote Qin Siyuan!"
"Qin Siyuan borrowed Young Master Nantang’s poems to gain fame, and then Qin Jijiu conducted a poetry competition in the Imperial College to promote Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan. That’s quite a move!"
"If that’s true, it means those of us scholars without powerful patrons are being trampled underfoot by them? This is outrageous!"
Qin Siyuan remained calm and said loudly, "Naturally, I do not admit it."
Wu Junren shouted, pointing at him, "How can you not admit it? I took this draft from the book chest by your bed, and it even has annotations with Young Master Nantang’s poems on it."
Qin Siyuan sneered, "You, as a scholar, engage in such sneaky thievery, utterly devoid of morals!"
Wu Junren flushed and said, "I was seeking fairness for the scholars of the world, I did it out of necessity!"
Qin Siyuan addressed Prince Qi, "Your Highness, Young Master Nantang did have someone deliver a draft of poems to me before the trip to Jade Spring Pond, encouraging me to understand his methods of composing and selecting words. But I do not know if what Wu Junren presented is the original draft I received."
"Look, you yourself admit it happened, yet you still say you don’t admit it!" Wu Junren smugly pointed at Qin Siyuan.
The crowd was abuzz with discussion.
Qin Siyuan stepped back disdainfully and said, "Wu Junren, remain calm. What I am not admitting is your accusation. I did not modify Young Master Nantang’s work for fame.
The claim that the Dingbei Marquis Mansion and Lord Sacrificial Officer promoted Young Master Nantang’s talents out of gratitude is nonsense.
Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan’s poetry had already been published and recognized all over the world, anyone with eyes could see their talent, they didn’t need Dingbei Marquis Mansion and Lord Sacrificial Officer’s promotion.
The shopkeeper of the Book Sea Pavilion sought them countless times but never met them.
If they were after empty fame, why not seize such a golden opportunity?"
Wu Junren sneered, "Still talking tough even when facing death. They’re trying to curry favor with the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, willing to use their talents to highlight your reputation! The Book Sea Pavilion has been operating for many years, but its owner did not enter officialdom and is a fellow advanced scholar by background, naturally, they look down on them."
Princess Fuyun couldn’t help but exclaim, "Wu Junren, although this place is not a government office, the dignity of the Royal Family cannot be lost. Do not make reckless accusations."
Wu Junren hurriedly shut his mouth.
Prince Qi’s lips curled into a smile as he glanced at Princess Fuyun.
The Ninth Princess urged, "Brother Prince Qi should quickly let Qin Siyuan verify if the drafts Wu Junren produced are the originals."
She had already sent for King Jin. If Prince Qi dared to show favoritism to the Qin Family, he shouldn’t blame King Jin for using him as a stepping stone, nor should he blame mother for whispering in father’s ear.
Prince Qi nodded, and the guard beside him handed a stack of drafts to Qin Siyuan.
Qin Siyuan received them, frowned, and carefully looked through them.
After a long while, he finally said, "Your Highness Prince Qi, this is indeed the original draft sent to me by Young Master Nantang. After reading it, I carefully stored it in the book chest by my bed, intending to pass it on to my descendants one day. I never thought Wu Junren would steal it.
Wu Junren took without asking, acted recklessly, spoke indiscriminately, and baselessly accused officials, I ask Prince Qi to uphold justice."