"Ju Ren Wang speaks of hiding one's inadequacies?
This old woman would like to ask, how could one hide them?
If Fourth Miss originally possessed exceptional embroidery skills and intentionally embroidered something unrecognizable to conceal her talents, that would be understandable.
But Fourth Miss's own skills are barely sufficient for mending and patching.
No matter how much she tried to hide her inadequacies, she could never achieve the level of skill that we embroiderers possess!
Perhaps Ju Ren Wang does not quite understand what I mean.
Then let me give another example!
It is like when children begin their education—a dull child who can barely recite the Three Character Classic.
No matter how hard they try, they could not produce a literary masterpiece that would astonish the imperial family in a single day!
Now, does Ju Ren Wang understand?" Madam Wu said solemnly.
After hearing this, what else was there not to understand?
"Ju Ren Wang, you have been deceived by someone!"
"Exactly, someone casually sends you a gift, claiming it is from a young lady of some noble family who admires you, and you believe it.
You really do have your mind solely on studying the classics!"
"It is only because the ladies of the Ye Family are kind and reasonable that they have kindly explained how you were deceived, so you will not repeat the mistake in the future.
If it were another family, such as those of officials or nobles.
With you slandering the young lady's reputation like this, beating you to death on the spot would be considered lenient."
"That's right! It's also because his intentions are not pure, thinking that tales of talented scholars and beautiful ladies, or catching a son-in-law after the imperial examinations, would happen to him.
If someone were to catch a son-in-law, or secretly admire someone, it would be someone like Su Jieyuan!"
…
One after another, harsh words pierced Wang Lianju's mind like needles.
Everyone was convinced that Ye Cishu had suffered an unjust calamity, having her reputation slandered for no reason.
As for Wang Lianju…
"Your Honor, please uphold justice for this student! This student has devoted himself entirely to his studies and did not know others would frame me.
Moreover, that person not only framed me but also sowed discord between me and Brother Su, damaging our friendship as fellow students.
This student is also a victim!
This student truly never intended to slander Miss Ye's reputation!
That maidservant… yes, that maidservant also delivered gifts to Brother Su. None of this was planned by this student!"
Wang Lianju bowed deeply to Prefect Liu.
Prefect Liu's expression was also unpleasant. That such an incident had occurred under his governance, and in Chun Bu Wan of all places.
It seemed his evaluation by the Ministry of Personnel at the end of the year would be difficult.
"If you were slandered, do you have any suspicions about who might be responsible…"
"Magistrate Liu, this young lady has something to say." Ye Cishu once again interrupted Magistrate Liu.
Magistrate Liu was displeased, but given the circumstances and the fact that Ye Cishu was the aggrieved party, he motioned for her to speak.
"Your Honor, in this matter, our Ye Family is the greatest victim.
If I had not insisted on reporting this to the authorities and allowed others to spread rumors, what would I and the Ye Family have faced?
Both the Ye Family's and my own reputation would have been damaged.
Today, all the respectable families in the city are present. For such an incident to occur would have humiliated me and the Ye Family before everyone.
The Ye Family would also face public criticism, affecting the reputations of all the women in the family, with people believing the Ye Family failed in educating its daughters.
Although Ju Ren Wang is also a victim.
If he had not harbored his own selfish thoughts and failed to adhere to proper etiquette and rules, how could someone have taken advantage of the situation?
Therefore, this matter is not simply a case of Ju Ren Wang being deceived."
"The mastermind behind this is malicious in intent. I implore Your Honor to conduct a thorough investigation."
After speaking, Ye Cishu performed a deep curtsy.
Everyone in the hall nodded repeatedly.
Indeed, when all was said and done, the Ye Family was the greatest victim.
If Miss Ye had not insisted on reporting this to the authorities, they would likely all be whispering about the Ye Family's lax discipline, poor upbringing of their daughter, and the chaos within the household.
Upon hearing this, Wang Lianju hurriedly bowed deeply to Ye Cishu once more.
"Fourth Miss, please forgive me. I know the mistake I have made is irreparable, but I truly did not intend it.
I am also a victim. I hope Miss Ye will not pursue the matter against me for now.
Allow me to investigate who is behind this scheme. Once I find out, I will personally visit your home to offer my sincerest apologies."
Ye Cishu remained silent, simply looking at Magistrate Liu.
Madam Li and the rest of the Ye Family also turned their gaze to Magistrate Liu.
Magistrate Liu sighed, knowing full well that if the Ye Family insisted on pursuing the matter, he would indeed have to continue the investigation.
"The mastermind behind this plot is malicious, not only seeking to ruin the reputation of the Ye Family's young lady but also to frame the newly appointed Provincial Graduate.
I will certainly investigate this thoroughly and provide an explanation to both the Ye Family and Wang Lianju.
As for Wang Lianju…" Magistrate Liu glanced at the trembling Wang Lianju.
"His impure intentions gave the wrongdoer an opportunity. Although he was also framed, he is not without fault.
Wang Lianju is hereby stripped of his annual stipend for one year and must teach children free of charge at the Charity Hall in Gusu for three months.
As for next year's Metropolitan Examination in the capital, we shall see based on Wang Lianju's performance."
Magistrate Liu's words left Wang Lianju with mixed feelings of relief and worry.
He was relieved that his scholarly title had been preserved.
But he worried that he might not be able to participate in next spring's Metropolitan Examination.
As for the annual stipend due to a Ju Ren, that was a minor matter.
Wang Lianju walked over to a spot not far from Ye Cishu and bowed deeply to her once more.
"Fourth Miss Ye, I apologize. Once I uncover who is behind this scheme, I will certainly come to seek your forgiveness."
"Indeed, Wang Lianju should investigate carefully to find out who orchestrated all this.
Someone who knows your preferences and understands your situation so well must be someone close to you!" Ye Cishu said slowly.
Wang Lianju paused.
Su Xiaosheng, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward.
"That's right! This person planned meticulously, not only aiming to ruin Cishu and Brother Wang but also to drive a wedge between my friendship with Brother Wang.
Lianju, I will certainly help you investigate who is behind this plot to harm us." As he spoke, Su Xiaosheng tightly grasped Wang Lianju's hand.
Seeing this, Wang Lianju was so moved that his eyes reddened.
Ye Cishu inwardly rolled her eyes before walking over to Madam Li.
"Mother, I feel a bit tight in my chest and would like to return home."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li quickly took a porcelain bottle from the maid behind her, poured out two pills, and placed them in Ye Cishu's mouth.
"Let's go! After all this commotion, everyone is tired!
Everyone, we shall take our leave now. When we have the time, we will invite you all for tea.
Magistrate Liu, after I return home, I will inform the elders of our household. They will surely visit to express their gratitude for Your Honor's fair judgment."
With that, Madam Li led the Ye Family out of Chun Bu Wan.
After such a long delay, the Tea Champion selection at Chun Bu Wan would have to be postponed to another day.
Watching the crowd discussing as they walked away, Shopkeeper Dongniang also took a deep breath.
This year's Tea Champion competitions for Chun Bu Wan across various regions seem quite turbulent!
Magistrate Liu, after whispering a few words to his wife, hurriedly made his way back to the private room on the third floor.
Just as he reached the door of the room, Magistrate Liu heard a lazy voice from inside.
"That young lady from the Ye Family is quite clever—calm in the face of danger and adept at countering every move.
When faced with an unfavorable situation, she has the courage to drag everyone down with her.
A rare and intelligent woman indeed!
As for that Wang Lianju, he’s as foolish as they come. Even a pig running in circles would have a better sense of direction than him.
He acts as a blade but complains it’s not sharp enough, then sharpens it himself on a whetstone.
Such a man has little promise. Even if he passes the Metropolitan Examination in the future, he should be sent to study the classics.
Better not to assign him to a local post and let him harm the people."
Magistrate Liu…
These two masters, why must they speak so carelessly!
"Young Master Heir, Twelfth Master, please lower your voices, lower them!
Walls have ears!" Magistrate Liu quickly pushed the door open to remind them.
The man by the window earlier was none other than the Twelfth Master Magistrate Liu had mentioned.
"What? Must I worry about eavesdroppers when speaking in Chun Bu Wan?" Twelfth Master raised an eyebrow and asked.
Magistrate Liu trembled slightly and hurriedly said, "I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare…"