The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class
Chapter 451

Vice Minister Shao was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the usually unyielding Grand Scholar Han to reveal the truth so readily in front of Luo Jingfeng.

Qin Ye’s title of top scholar was preserved.

But Tao Jingyu wasn’t actually the fourth-ranked candidate either…

Vice Minister Shao lowered his head even further.

He silently reassured himself: This is enough. Qin Ye has already secured his rightful first place and received the fairness he deserved. Though Tao Jingyu wasn’t truly the fourth-ranked candidate, he still ranked within the top fifteen—just slightly higher than he should have been. After all, every successful candidate would start their official careers as seventh-rank officials.

This outcome was already fair. Aside from these two cases, every other scholar’s ranking was correct.

Grand Scholar Han’s submission soothed Luo Jingfeng’s temper somewhat. With a cold snort, he was about to hurl the finalized ranking memorial to the ground when his nephew discreetly tugged at his sleeve.

Leaning down, Luo Jingfeng tilted his head and asked, “Is there still a problem?”

The two examiners were stunned.

Who was this young man?

How could he make the all-powerful Duke of State Protection lower his head and listen to him with such patience?

Grand Scholar Han’s heart pounded wildly.

Luo Jingfeng had stormed in solely for Qin Ye’s sake. Had they unknowingly provoked the wrong person? Had Qin Ye himself brought the Duke to their doorstep?

Zong Jincheng had been trying to stay unnoticed, but seeing that Luo Jingfeng hadn’t caught the irregularity, he pointed at Tao Jingyu’s exam paper and whispered, “This man’s policy essay doesn’t seem like something a fourth-ranked candidate would write.”

Tao Jingyu’s essay was decent, but it paled in comparison to those of candidates like He Zheng. Given the earlier tampering with Qin Ye’s results, Zong Jincheng suspected foul play here as well.

“Let me see.” Luo Jingfeng scrutinized the paper again.

Though the Duke was well-read, he had never taken the imperial exams himself. He could recognize outstanding essays like Qin Ye’s, but Tao Jingyu’s level was harder for him to judge.

Still, if his nephew sensed something amiss, there had to be more to it. A sharp glare from Luo Jingfeng sent the two kneeling men trembling.

Slamming the paper onto the table with such force that the solid wood collapsed under the impact, Luo Jingfeng demanded in a voice laced with fury, “Vice Minister Shao, explain. Aside from Qin Ye, what other injustices plague this year’s exams?”

Caught off guard by the Duke’s direct question, Vice Minister Shao instinctively glanced at Grand Scholar Han for guidance—only to flinch as a teacup shattered near him. Terrified, he blurted out everything.

“Yes! There is! Tao Jingyu wasn’t fourth—he was fifteenth! It… it was Grand Scholar Han’s order to change it! He said that if a commoner scholar outranked the Zong family’s young masters, they might protest. So, he elevated Tao Jingyu of Duke of Ying’s household to the top scholar position instead!”

Zong Jincheng was dumbfounded.

He had never imagined such a reason existed—that his and his brother’s high status meant no commoner scholar could rightfully surpass them.

And what of Qin Ye?

Had Qin Ye nearly lost his first place not due to lack of merit, but because his family lacked influence?

The young master had never felt such rage before. For three years, he had studied relentlessly, dreaming of surpassing Qin Ye—only to learn that these officials would have handed him victory not because his essays were better, but because his father outranked Qin Ye’s family…

What had his three years of effort been for, then?

Would they have awarded him top honors even if he were illiterate, simply because of his father’s status?

Furious, Zong Jincheng lashed out, “You’ve gone too far! The imperial exams are meant to be fair! This is an insult to the system—to every scholar who strives for justice!”

Vice Minister Shao inwardly sighed.

He shared the sentiment, but as a minor official, he lacked the power to defy orders. Long ago, he had abandoned any hope of challenging the system.

With Luo Jingfeng remaining ominously silent, Vice Minister Shao grew increasingly frantic. Desperate to avoid blame, he cried, “Spare me, Your Grace! This was my first time overseeing the exams, and I merely followed Grand Scholar Han’s instructions! I… I didn’t dare disobey!”

Luo Jingfeng’s gaze shifted to Grand Scholar Han.

A second-rank official, revered for his erudition and integrity—yet he had orchestrated the gravest injustice of all.

“Han Pei,” Luo Jingfeng said coldly, “as chief examiner, you led the fraud yourself. How dare you still wear that second-rank robe? Correct the rankings, then resign and return home. Don’t waste my time.”

Vice ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍Minister Shao’s forehead nearly touched the floor.

Resign and return home… The Duke was demanding Grand Scholar Han’s retirement.

It had taken Han Pei over a decade to rise to second rank. At just over forty, he should have been at the peak of his career.

But this was Luo Jingfeng—the infamous Duke of State Protection. For him to demand resignation instead of execution was already merciful.

Han Pei remained silent for a long moment before finally lifting his head. Meeting Luo Jingfeng’s gaze, he said firmly, “Your Grace, I will resign as you command. But today, Tao Jingyu’s ranking cannot be changed. Even if he isn’t named top scholar, he must remain fourth—the highest of the second-tier candidates.”

Vice Minister Shao’s head jerked up in shock.

Had Grand Scholar Han lost his mind?

Luo Jingfeng’s patience was rare enough, yet Han Pei was openly defying him? This was suicide!

Sure enough, Luo Jingfeng’s fury erupted.

The hot-tempered Duke surged to his feet and kicked Han Pei with such force that the man was sent sprawling, blood spraying from his mouth.

“What gives you the right to defy me?” Luo Jingfeng snarled, glaring down at him.

Accustomed to universal submission, he would tolerate no challenge to his authority.

Zong Jincheng rushed forward, grabbing Luo Jingfeng’s arm. “Calm down!” he urged.

If left unchecked, he feared his uncle might dismantle the entire Ministry of Rites in his rage.

Vice Minister Shao was on the verge of fainting, too petrified to even breathe.

Han Pei coughed violently, as if his lungs might rupture. Struggling to speak, he gasped, “I have no ties to the Duke of Ying. Do you think I’d favor a nobleman’s son without reason? Luo Jingfeng, this was the Emperor’s decree—His Majesty wished for Tao Jingyu to rank highly! When the sovereign commands, can his subjects refuse? Could I? Could you?”