Chapter 42: Dismissal from Office
Among the guests was a Mrs. Wu, who found herself particularly congenial with Yan Xuerui. Mrs. Wu, originally the daughter of an escort agency owner, had traveled extensively with her parents since childhood. She later married her childhood sweetheart, the boy next door. Her husband, through his ambition, passed the military examinations and became a military officer. Mrs. Wu managed the escort agency business, while her husband drew a salary from the court. The couple had an only son and led a comfortable, stable life in the capital, where land was exceedingly precious.
Mrs. Wu did not enjoy socializing; she found it difficult to relate to the delicate noblewomen of the capital. When she first received the invitation from the Marquess’s wife, she almost thought it had been delivered to the wrong address. Grudgingly, she went to the designated place, and to her surprise—no wonder they were top-tier nobility! Madam Yan was truly stunning!
Having escorted caravans for so many years, she had never seen such a beautiful woman—like a celestial fairy, with every fold of her clothing and strand of her hair exuding elegance and nobility.
It was just that she seemed frail; her waist was so slender that Mrs. Wu feared a strong gust of wind might blow her away. Tall and robust herself, Mrs. Wu couldn’t help but feel a protective pity for the delicate and graceful Yan Xuerui.
To have given birth to three children with such a slender frame—it couldn’t have been easy.
Yan Xuerui was a skilled hostess. Whether dealing with high-ranking official wives or families of modest means, she treated everyone equally. To avoid awkwardness, she invited guests of similar backgrounds and temperaments, and served tea and snacks tailored to individual tastes. Her soft-spoken words, gentle smiles, and demure demeanor made everyone feel as though they were bathed in a warm spring breeze.
Mrs. Wu had never been fond of such delicate women, but she found her interactions with Madam Yan unexpectedly comfortable. Within a month, Mrs. Wu’s visits to the Marquess’s residence became increasingly frequent. Well-connected and resourceful, Mrs. Wu soon had her temperament understood by Yan Xuerui, who quietly asked for her help in finding doctors skilled in treating bone injuries and burns. Mrs. Wu readily agreed, patting her chest in assurance.
A month later, on the day the results were posted, Su Huaimo’s name appeared at the top of the list. The first rank had three names, the second rank several dozen, and the third rank several hundred—over a hundred scholars in total, riding high on their success, their hooves galloping swiftly in the spring breeze. These proud and ambitious scholars only awaited the Deer Cry Banquet hosted by the emperor, where they would receive their official seals and, from then on, hold court tablets and wear official headpieces, soaring to great heights.
The adopted son recognized by the Yan family, whom Yan Xuerui had rarely met, did not pass the exams. Gu Yan had written to hint for him to come, and as the chief examiner this time, the young man had hoped to rely on his brother-in-law the Marquess to secure an official post in the capital. Yet, once again, his name was not on the list. Frustrated and disheartened, he dared not question Gu Yan. Instead, he spent a fortune on several rare flower seeds and sought out Yan Xuerui for help.
The spring examinations were a grave matter. It was Yan Xuerui who had repeatedly urged Gu Yan not to show favoritism. She offered a few perfunctory pleasantries and sent him away, but afterward, she too felt suspicious.
Logically, with the spring examinations over, Gu Yan should have freed himself from the busy paperwork. Yet, he seemed even busier, disappearing during the day and returning to their room late at night. Sometimes, if it was too late, he would sleep in the study to avoid disturbing her rest.
She wanted to discuss Ming Wei and Su Huaimo with him but struggled to find the right opportunity.
Amid this strange atmosphere, on the eve of the Deer Cry Banquet, Guo Congjia, a second-rank jinshi, along with over thirty others who had participated in the spring examinations, struck the petition drum outside the Meridian Gate.
"Student Guo Congjia accuses Gu Yan, Senior Tutor Gu, of leaking the spring examination questions, undermining the fairness of the imperial exams, and disrupting the principles of the world!"
"This treacherous official—we beg Your Majesty to open the heavens’ ears, investigate this matter thoroughly, and restore justice to scholars across the land!"
"Your Majesty is wise and holy!"
A group of young men, wearing tall hats and broad sashes, shouted with thunderous voices, quickly alerting the palace authorities. The next morning, Yan Xuerui felt unusually restless. Amid the rustling sounds of clothing, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Marquess?"
She called out softly. Through the hazy silk bed curtains, she could see Gu Yan changing behind the screen. His white silk trousers were tied at the waist, revealing a well-defined upper body, with firm, streamlined muscles on his forearms bulging with each movement.
He leisurely picked up his outer robe, covering his broad, powerful back.
"Here."
He walked to the bedside, bent down slightly, and tucked her hand back under the brocade quilt.
"It’s still early. Sleep a bit longer."
Yan Xuerui grabbed his sleeve. Still half-asleep, she paused for a moment before saying, "I have a sense of foreboding."
Gu Yan frowned slightly. He placed his hand on her forehead, then felt her pulse for a while, but found nothing unusual.
He said, "I’ll have Mr. Gao examine you later."
Outside, the sky was gray and overcast. Inside the room, his warm, fragrant, and soft-skinned wife held onto his sleeve. Gu Yan sighed inwardly about the hero’s grave being in the beauty’s embrace, and the difficulty of refusing a beauty’s favor.
He gently pried her fingers open and said, "I’m going to court. When I return today, I’ll spend more time with you."
Yan Xuerui didn’t particularly need his company. In fact, during his busy days, she had been spending her time chatting idly with Mrs. Wu and others. Mrs. Wu was well-traveled and knowledgeable, and Yan Xuerui greatly enjoyed listening to her stories about escorting caravans—they were fascinating.
She closed her eyes vaguely. Gu Yan did not linger affectionately but instructed the maids to "take good care of Madam" before stepping gracefully into his sedan chair for the morning court session.
As soon as Senior Tutor Gu arrived at court, the eyes of all the civil and military officials were glued to him. Gu Yan remained expressionless, as if unaware of the previous day’s commotion at the Meridian Gate. He looked straight ahead, composed and unflappable.
The Minister of Personnel, Li Shuhong, was the first to step forward. "Your Majesty, the scholars who struck the petition drum yesterday have been detained and interrogated at the Dali Temple. Both witnesses and material evidence are present, and their signed confessions have been submitted to the throne."
"Most are scholars from other regions, of impeccable backgrounds, with no powerful families backing them. Now, risking their lives to petition, they beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and restore justice to the humble scholars of the world!"
Minister Li, over fifty years old, spoke with forceful and righteous indignation. A chorus of agreement followed.
"Indeed, the founding emperor created the imperial examinations to gather talents from across the land. Cheating in the spring examinations shakes the nation’s foundation and disrupts the order of the world. The crime deserves death!"
"..."
Senior Tutor Gu had long instilled fear with his authority. Despite the uproar, not one person dared to mention Gu Yan’s name, afraid that if they failed to bring him down, he would later retaliate.
"Silence, all of you!"
The emperor rubbed his forehead and slammed the confessions onto the table, his fierce tiger-like eyes fixed on Gu Yan.
"Minister Gu, what do you have to say?"
The Upright faction had aimed carefully, emphasizing in their words that those who had struck the drum to appeal were out-of-town scholars, "of impeccable backgrounds" and "without powerful backing," implying this was not a struggle between two factions.
They were now filled with righteous indignation, fighting for the principles of the world and upholding the founding emperor’s sacred intent—their stance was one of lofty righteousness.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yan was even more composed and self-assured than they were.
"I have been wronged," he said. "I have served for twenty years, striving day and night to repay the emperor’s grace, never daring to slacken for a moment."
"I have never leaked the spring examination questions. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly."
Compared to the witnesses and evidence presented by the Upright faction, Gu Yan’s defense seemed weak and inadequate. Soon, someone began listing the evidence of his crimes one by one. The Crown Prince’s faction was caught off guard, suffering repeated defeats. Finally, the emperor made his decision, declaring in a hoarse voice:
"Minister Gu is a pillar of the court, but the spring examinations are of utmost importance. Effective immediately, he is stripped of his position as Senior Tutor, and his official seal is temporarily confiscated. The Ministry of Justice will collaborate with the Dali Temple to investigate further before a final decision is made."
The emperor’s words struck like a thunderclap, shocking both factions. Neither the Crown Prince’s faction nor the Virtuous Prince Faction had expected that Senior Tutor Gu, who had dominated the court for twenty years, would be stripped of his official seal so easily.
It felt like a dream.
The emperor looked at the ministers below, each with varying expressions, and continued, "Loyalty or treachery will be revealed upon investigation. I will not let the virtuous and loyal be disheartened, nor will I spare those who undermine the court’s principles!"
"Court is dismissed."
...
The Upright faction had entered the court session eager for a fight, but having achieved their goal, they left with diminished fervor—Gu Yan’s expression was too calm. It was unclear whether this was the composure cultivated over years of facing crises or if he had a backup plan.
His emotions were unreadable, making it impossible to gauge his depth.
People stole glances at him but avoided him. Gu Yan walked back without looking sideways when suddenly, a voice called out from behind.
"Senior Tutor."
The Crown Prince hurried over, his jade crown slightly askew from rushing.
"Senior Tutor, this must be the Virtuous Prince’s deliberate framing. How dare he use the spring examinations for his schemes!"
"Your Highness, watch your tongue."
Gu Yan said calmly, "How many times have I told you, the walls have ears. Whether the Virtuous Prince is bold or not is another matter, but gossiping about your elder brother isn’t how a crown prince should act."
"It must be him—he’s guilty!"
The Crown Prince spoke with certainty. Coincidentally, the Virtuous Prince had recently called in sick and missed several days of morning court, remaining completely removed from today’s turmoil.
The accuser was a provincial scholar unaffiliated with the Virtuous Prince Faction, leaving no way to pin it on the Virtuous Prince. This was clearly a calculated move.
The handsome Crown Prince wore a worried expression. "Grand Tutor, what should we do?"
Before his wings were fully fledged, he could not do without Gu Yan.
Gu Yan replied, "Let His Majesty investigate thoroughly to prove my innocence."
"That can’t be! Grand Tutor—"
"Your Highness."
Gu Yan interrupted him, his tone steady. "I have been stripped of my official rank. You should no longer address me as Grand Tutor."
The Crown Prince paused, then said, "You have been my mentor for years, teaching and guiding me. How can a lost title sever such bonds?"
Gu Yan had not expected the Crown Prince, whom he had long given up on, to say such words at this moment.
The Crown Prince looked hopeful. "Grand Tutor, do you already have a plan?"
After all, Gu Yan’s calm demeanor hardly seemed fitting for someone who had just been dismissed.
"Not at all."
Gu Yan spoke slowly, watching the flustered Crown Prince. "I do things right and stay honorable, so I naturally have nothing to fear."
"Your Highness need not worry. Your priority now is to produce an heir with the Crown Princess."
Mention of children made the Crown Prince lower his head in some embarrassment. Gu Yan patted his shoulder and walked past him. He did not go to the Eastern Palace to lecture today and returned early, so news of the Marquess’s dismissal quickly spread throughout the Marquess’s estate.
...
The Marquess was the head of the household, and Gu Yan’s dismissal felt like the sky had fallen. Gu Yuan and Ming Lan waited for him in the study, while the old madam and the third household were in an uproar. Gu Yan first went to Chunhui Hall to reassure the old madam before heading directly to the main courtyard.
"Innocence will be proven, guilt will be exposed. What is there to fear?"
Gu Yan was unfazed. He removed his outer robe and sat casually on a rosewood chair, asking:
"What did Mr. Gao say today? Did he prescribe anything?"
Gu Yan had instructed that even if Yan Xuerui didn’t trust this "Divine Doctor Gao," she could not refuse him. This time, after taking her pulse, Mr. Gao did not prescribe any medicine but simply advised the lady to relax.
"Depression consumes the vital energy the most. Life is full of hardships, and since the lady already has insufficient vitality, she should try to be more at ease."
Yan Xuerui was baffled. She had been doing well lately—where was this depression? He was clearly a quack.
She vaguely agreed and pressed Gu Yan further. "The imperial exam matter... was it a setup by the Virtuous Prince Faction?"
Gu Yan thought to himself, it wasn’t just the Virtuous Prince; the man she carried in her heart was deeply involved behind the scenes.
Secretly seeking doctors—for bone injuries, for burns—how dare she!