Maternal Aunt Wen continued, "It was Madam. She heard that the second young master was participating in the autumn examinations this year, so she contrived a way to trick him into coming back!"
"Tricked into coming back?"
Maternal Aunt Wen nodded vigorously.
"Madam feigned illness, forcing the master to send a letter to the academy, asking the second young master to return and attend to her!"
"What?"
Xia Ruqing was extremely shocked.
In ancient times, there was indeed a rule: if a parent was seriously ill, their children were obligated to return and care for them. No one, not even the Emperor, could forcefully prevent it. Even if White Horse Academy was strict, it couldn't possibly prevent students from returning home to care for an ailing parent. After all, their teachings emphasized benevolence, righteousness, and filial piety.
"Where is Jingfeng?" Xia Ruqing asked furiously.
"In his courtyard!"
