Chapter 6 - The Fall of the Scholar
The news of Qui Song’s downfall spread through the capital’s high society like wildfire.
In the scholar clubs and merchant halls where Qui Song had once bragged about his intellect and influence, his name instantly became a laughingstock. The noble families who had previously invited him to poetry readings and political banquets removed his name from their guest lists overnight.
At noon, Qui Song walked into the Imperial Academy, hoping to secure a teaching position or a small bureaucratic post to earn a living.
Instead, he was met at the courtyard gates by the Academy Dean—a long-time associate of my family.
"Master Qui," the Dean said coldly, holding out a box containing Qui Song's personal books and brushes. "Your presence here is no longer required."
"Dean Liu!" Qui Song pleaded, gripping the wooden box. "Why?! I am one of the top scholars of the civil examination! My credentials are flawless!"
"A man's credentials mean nothing if his character is rotten, Qui Song," Dean Liu replied with absolute disgust. "A man who abandons the wife who elevated him from the mud, who brings a concubine into his home to humiliate his family, and who squanders his children's future out of vanity possesses no virtue. The Academy will not employ a man who cannot even govern his own household."
"I was ruined by my wife's cruelty!" Qui Song argued desperately.
"You were ruined by your own arrogance," the Dean countered sharply. "Lady Wei gave you seven years of grace, wealth, and status. You mistook her generosity for your own greatness. Now, leave."
As Qui Song stumbled out of the Academy gates, a group of young scholars passed by, whispering and laughing behind their silk sleeves.
"Look, there goes the Great Scholar Qui," one laughed. "Traded an empire for a tutor, and ended up with neither gold nor honor!"
Qui Song covered his face with his wide sleeves, rushing into the alleyways to escape the burning stares of his peers.
When he finally returned to his barren mansion, he found two debt collectors standing at his front door, holding a court summons.
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Because he could not pay the three hundred thousand taels owed to the Wei Syndicate, the court had ordered the public auction of the Qui family mansion itself.
They had seven days to vacate the premises.
