The bustling entrance of Ruyijie suddenly fell silent at this exclamation. The crowd, startled, flinched collectively.
Rumors of the royal family's ruthlessness had always circulated, and this was not a scandal ordinary citizens could afford to get involved in.
A great many people suddenly harbored thoughts of retreat.
Seeing the dense crowd subtly begin to disperse, the scholar's eyes flashed with triumph. Once these people scattered, Lu Nianfu's reputation would never be cleared. Then, he would abscond with the money and live a life of utter freedom.
Lu Nianfu knew this all too well. She cast a disdainful glance at the scholar and suddenly declared loudly, "Why is everyone leaving? With so many of you here, even if I, this Princess Consort, had the power to cover the sky with one hand, I wouldn't dare do anything to you. The law cannot punish the masses, let alone me. Isn't it terribly unsatisfying to stop watching a show midway? Come, come, those who stay, please be witnesses with me. Once the truth is revealed, I will personally reward each of you five taels of silver."
Five taels of silver.
Several gasps echoed through the crowd.
Life in the capital was not easy. While many who came to offer incense were wealthy, the majority were commoners. To many, five taels of silver, though not a fortune, was certainly not a small sum.
Money might be easier to earn in the capital than elsewhere, but saving it was exceedingly difficult.
Moreover, this was money to be obtained for free.
Earning money and enjoying the spectacle – everyone chose to stay.
The scholar's face turned ashen. "Are you trying to buy people's hearts with money and bury the truth?"
"I am using money to let everyone witness what a liar looks like. Yu Lin, go report this to the authorities. Remember not to go to Dali Temple." This was to prevent some from accusing her of shielding the culprit.
Yu Lin was one of the hidden guards assigned to her by Situ Yan.
"Sister." Seeing the situation escalating, Lu Nianfu grew increasingly calm. Zeng Weiyang's heart fluttered as she wanted to say something to turn the tide, but the moment she opened her mouth, she was silenced by Lu Nianfu's icy glare. Lu Nianfu scoffed, "Younger sister, today you have truly refreshed my understanding of you. However, we will discuss our issues later. Everyone is waiting for the show."
She turned to the scholar, her voice condescending, "You claim to have passed the imperial examinations. Then, this Princess Consort asks you, in which year were you a candidate? What was your ranking, and what were the questions in the final imperial examination?"
"Why are you asking this? You just need to tell me the whereabouts of the child."
"You claim I have your child. Therefore, please tell me the time and place in detail."
The scholar suddenly stammered.
They had agreed that he only needed to insist she had an affair with him. Once she was mired in public opinion, she would be too busy defending herself to have any time. He could then seize the opportunity to escape. Who would have thought that a woman, accused of an affair publicly, would not rush to clarify but instead ask him for various details in front of everyone?
Sweat beaded on the scholar's forehead. Fortunately, though he hadn't passed the exams, he was still a scholar.
He calculated the time and said, "We met four years ago in the summer. At that time, Master Lu, seeing my talent, sponsored my studies and allowed me to live in your home. We grew close, and you fell for me, which is why you used your maid, Qing Ya, to give me generous gifts."
"Tsk, tsk, this plot sounds a bit familiar. Doesn't it sound like the Romance of the West Chamber?"
"Don't change the subject," the scholar grumbled, annoyed at being interrupted when he was in the middle of his fabricated story.
Lu Nianfu, however, continued, "Four years ago, my father, Lu Chaosheng, suffered from diabetes, and our family's dye workshop was coveted by others. With internal and external troubles, did my father have the mood to sponsor your scholar's trivial matters? As for this Princess Consort, hah, were you as handsome as Pan An or as talented as Zi Jian, to have made this Princess Consort secretly meet with you while my father was ill?"
The crowd gasped.
Although the Princess Consort of Rui's words were a bit crude, they made perfect sense.
The scholar looked as if he had been struck by lightning, having calculated everything except this.
Lu Nianfu did not let him off. "Alright, let's return to the original question. What is your name? Which year did you pass the examinations? What were the questions in the final imperial examination, and what was your ranking?"
The scholar could no longer answer.
"Hah, a liar," Lu Nianfu said calmly. "Qing Ya, tie him up and wait for the authorities to investigate thoroughly."
She borrowed paper and a brush from a calligraphy and painting stall owner. "Everyone, line up here to register. After this matter is concluded, come to Rui Prince's manor to collect your silver."
At this announcement, the crowd erupted in cheers. The previous somber mood vanished, replaced by groups of people discussing the events.
Compared to the hesitant and unclear scholar, the Princess Consort of Rui's counterattack was brilliant. Logical and well-founded, she had rendered him speechless with a few words.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, are people who try to cause trouble nowadays not doing their homework?
It was fortunate that the Princess Consort of Rui was wise and not intimidated by such a low-level slander. Instead, she had exposed the culprit with a few words. Truly worthy of being the wife of the Minister of Dali Temple.
This was inherited knowledge.