Chapter 286: Large Scale Fraud Case
Bai Ruozhu wanted to discuss things with someone, but she hesitated. How was she supposed to explain Jiang Yichun’s cryptic words to her family? Would it cause them to worry too?
Moreover, since Jiang Yichun couldn’t speak very clearly about it, it must be classified information. If she revealed it, it might endanger both Jiang Yichun and her family, right?
She pondered over this all the way and finally decided to talk with her second brother.
For dinner, Bai Ruozhu still went to cook for the Xie Family. Yu Hongxiu had already visited Fushou Hall, and the doctor confirmed the news of her pregnancy again. But the doctor could not determine whether or not she was carrying twins, so they could only wait and see.
Bai Ruozhu congratulated her and Mr. Xie, and after dinner, she called her second brother Bai Zepei to walk home together. With one glance, Bai Zepei knew that his sister had something to say to him.
"Second brother, there have been disorderly disputes at the old mansion recently, but finally, Uncle and the Wang Family have divorced." Bai Zepei had been studying during the day, unaware of this, so Bai Ruozhu briefly explained to him, including the threats Bai Yibo made when intimidating the Wang Family.
Bai Zepei frowned, "Uncle is going to drag us down sooner or later."
"Although this matter has been settled, for some reason, I always feel uneasy, as if I sense that something big is about to happen at the old mansion." Bai Ruozhu decided to claim it as a premonition since the matter was indeed vague.
"I dare not tell my parents. My eldest brother is about to get married soon, and everyone at home is busy, so I do not want them to worry. But you are the most resourceful one at home, so I feel I ought to mention it to you, to avoid any potential involvement from uncle."
Bai Zepei frowned deeper, thought for a bit and said, "You shouldn’t worry too much, if something were to happen, I’ll deal with it first."
Bai Ruozhu nodded. As long as her second brother was alert and prepared, that would be enough. But what exactly was the matter? Up till now, she wished that Jiang Yichun hadn’t mentioned anything at all. These half-mentioned matters were the most annoying, wanting to know but unable to find out, was making her restless.
...
The next day at the county government office, Li Shunsheng went to look for Jiang Yichun to ask for assignments but didn’t see him. A memo was opened on the desk. Li Shunsheng recognized it as classified information and wanted to leave, but while setting down his dossier, he inadvertently caught sight of Bai Zepei’s name.
Initially, Li Shunsheng desired to befriend Bai Zepei because he appreciated talent, but after interacting more, he admired Bai Zepei even more. Now, his regard for Bai Zepei was not only of approval but of friendship. So, when he saw Bai Zepei’s name, his heart immediately skipped a beat.
Unable to resist, he read further and was so startled that he almost fell to the ground. He left immediately, unable to stay a minute longer.
Shortly afterward, a man jumped down from the roof beam - it was Jiang Yichun, the owner of the room. Apparently, he intentionally hid and let Li Shunsheng see the content of the dossier.
After considering it for a while, Li Shunsheng sent someone to the Xie Residence to invite Mr. Xie and Bai Zepei over on the account of an urgent matter that needed to be discussed and asked them to hurry.
Bai Zepei, who was studying with Mr. Xie, had a sudden jolt in his heart upon hearing that. Could this matter have anything to do with his little sister’s premonition?
Mr. Xie took Bai Zepei to the County Government Office, where they quickly met with Li Shunsheng.
Li Shunsheng was pacing back and forth in the room, thinking about how to deliver the news, and whether doing so would be considered leaking confidential information and even result in impeachment. Finally, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
"Mr. Li, what happened? What did you go through?" Mr. Xie asked, worried upon seeing Li’s state.
Mr. Li stopped and looked at them, saying, "Might as well, since I’ve already seen it. If worst comes to worst, I’ll die."
Seeing the determined expression on his face, Bai Zepei’s heart skipped a beat and asked, "Does it concern me?"
Mr. Li nodded. "Indeed, the wise brother is insightful. It’s a pity..." He sighed heavily. "Just now, I went to deliver files to his room. I accidentally saw his secret dossier. You should know who he works for, but the dossier, it mentioned a cheating scandal in the county’s recent examination."
"What? This is highly confidential; you must be careful not to get implicated." Mr. Xie quickly warned.
Li Shunsheng shook his head, "It’s too late, the matter has already affected Zepei. During the Child Student Exam, some people leaked the questions. Many people bought the exam questions and passed the exam to become scholars. The list of offenders is named in the dossier, which includes Zepei’s uncle, Bai Yibo."
"What?" Mr. Xie’s eyes widened. As a man in the Anxi Residence and a civil servant, how could he not understand the implications of this information?
"Not only did Bai Yibo purchase the exam questions, but he also sold them to several individuals. His crimes won’t be minor, and usually, he would be stripped of his titles and permanently banned from the Imperial Examination, and even exiled. And Zepei will also be implicated and strip of his scholar title, forever banned from Imperial Examination!" Li Shunsheng’s eyes turned red as he spoke. He knew that it was not easy for Bai Zepei to get where he was today. How could he be implicated in such a matter?
Bai Zepei swayed, his face turned pale momentarily, but soon, his eyes filled with determination, he stood up straight and said calmly, "The innocent will always be innocent. I will go to the government office to appeal. I refuse to believe that there is nobody who could bring me justice."
"No, no!" Li Shunsheng waved his hand hurriedly. "The ministry has already dispatched a secret decree. It is the decision of the superiors to handle this matter quietly. If you create a fuss, not only you won’t receive any benefits, but you won’t even get to meet the prefecture magistrate."
"What... what should we do then? Zepei is a true scholar, as his teacher I can attest to that. Yet, he’s going to be brought down by that damn uncle of his?" Mr. Xie was so enraged he actually cursed.
Bai Zepei was touched by his teacher’s concern for him. Considering that Li Shunsheng was willing to reveal such a secret, risking being impeached, he also felt warmed. How lucky he was, Bai Zepei, to have such a teacher and a friend?
"For the time being, we should go and beg that person to co-sign a petition with us and request the ministry to reconsider Zepei’s judgment." Li Shunsheng said.
"Yes, we should go and find him now." Mr. Xie was so anxious he was about to leave.
However, Bai Zepei stopped both of them, bowed deeply, and said, "It is my honor to be able to become a student of the teacher and to make friends with Brother Li. I would never be able to forgive myself if any misfortune were to befall because of me."
"What are you saying, child? Are you going to just stand by and see yourself get wronged without cause? Where is the justice in that?" Mr. Xie’s eyes were turning red, tears welling up in his eyes.
Li Shunsheng also patted Bai Zepei on the shoulder, "I’ve already seen it, I’m not afraid of being implicated. Let’s go."
Yet Bai Zepei firmly stopped the two, "Even if I am denied literature study, Bai Zepei will still have a roof over my head, food on my table, and I will still have my opportunities."
----
The answer to the mystery has been revealed, did anyone guess it? In fact, clues were laid out very early on. Bai Yibo’s sudden success in passing the examination despite the lack of hope was the hint. If you think back, you might remember.
Thanks to the book friends Da Wei and Street Vendor for their support and rewards, muah~
Recently, our book has been making steady progress, and Mouka is deeply moved. I bow in thanks once again for everyone’s support and encouragement. I will continue to work hard to provide more updates! Today we have six updates~