Chapter 287: Eve of the Storm
"Excellent!" Mr. Xie couldn’t help but praise. After all, he was his student, and even he admired this kind of ambition from the bottom of his heart.
But his praise didn’t mean he agreed not to plead for Bai Zepei. He wore a gratified smile on his face and said, "I’m proud of your spirit. But we scholars, if we can’t express our hearts’ injustice and just watch others being wronged for the sake of our future, then it’s better not to read at all, it’s better not to enter officialdom!"
"Right, I’ll take care of this matter. Otherwise, what’s the point of being an official?" Li Shunsheng said, removing his black gauze cap.
Bai Zepei wasn’t someone who wore his emotions on his face, whether it was great joy or great sorrow, he was used to hiding it in his heart. But at this moment, he could no longer hide it. Tears slid down from his eyes. To know Xie Dun and Li Shunsheng, his life had not been in vain.
At this moment, applause came from behind them. All three were surprised and quickly turned around, only to see Jiang Yichun, wearing a mask, standing at the door.
Li Shunsheng quickly came forward to bow, "Sir, you must know everything. It’s my fault for breaking the rules and reading your paper without permission. Please punish me. But please help Bai Zepei, he is young and talented and shouldn’t have his future ruined because of the mistakes of his relatives."
Jiang Yichun didn’t rush to speak. He stared coldly at Li Shunsheng, and the other three couldn’t figure out his mood and became nervous.
"Sir, it’s my bad luck. I shouldn’t have implicated Mr. Li and my teacher. Please let me take the blame." Bai Zepei bowed to Jiang Yichun, speaking respectfully.
"Zepei!"
"Brother!"
Li Shunsheng and Mr. Xie both shouted out. How could he accept such a crime? Besides, it clearly had nothing to do with him.
Bai Zepei forced a smile. There were even crimes punishable by collective guilt, let alone the fact that he and Bai Yibo went to the exam place together. Bai Yibo had committed fraud by purchasing the exam questions in advance, and he had achieved the highest score. Who, in their right mind, would believe that he didn’t know the questions in advance from Bai Yibo?
For a moment, Jiang Yichun was somewhat envious of Bai Zepei. Mr. Xie dared to risk danger for him, and even Li Shunsheng, a recent acquaintance, disregarded consequences for Bai Zepei. Was this what legendary charisma looked like?
Jiang Yichun’s eyes were somewhat dimmed. He didn’t even have a single friend. Was that a failure? Even the attendants he trusted were sent by the ambitious ones and almost cost him his life. When would he have a friend who would risk danger to save him?
Suddenly, he thought of Bai Ruozhu. That **** girl was obviously scared white, yet she pulled him insisting that she must save him. Didn’t that mean he also had someone who would risk danger for him? With that thought, Jiang Yichun’s eyes lit up again.
"Enough." He said, interrupting the three of them, "Stop pushing and shoving. Do you think I’m dead?"
The three of them became quiet, wondering if they had angered this important figure.
"I’m also investigating this matter and know that Bai Zepei is innocent. I have already written the petition, it depends on whether you are willing to co-sign it." Jiang Yichun threw a piece of paper onto the table.
"We are willing. We are willing." Li Shunsheng and Xie Dun didn’t expect this important figure to be so agreeable. The two rushed to the table to sign the petition. Jiang Yichun turned his head and glared at them, "There’s only two of you, does it matter who signs first?"
Mr. Xie and Li Shunsheng’s faces turned red. They were so excited that they had lost their composure.
Bai Zepei looked at Jiang Yichun, feeling very puzzled. But he still stepped forward and bowed to Jiang Yichun, "Thank you, sir, for your meticulous care. I am deeply grateful."
Jiang Yichun didn’t spare him another glance, he instead took out another document and threw it to Li Shunsheng. Li Shunsheng, flusteredly received it, but failed to catch the document and it fell to the ground, unfolding.
Li Shunsheng’s eyelid twitched. It was the document he had seen in Jiang Yichun’s room earlier. He quickly picked it up and closed it.
"Orders have come from above, this matter can’t be delayed. Li Shunsheng, arrange for the officers to arrest the people involved first thing tomorrow morning. Start from the ringleader and work your way down." Jiang Yichun’s voice was stern, Li Shunsheng couldn’t help but tense up and bowed, replying, "Yes, sir."
Jiang Yichun then looked at Bai Zepei, saying, "We’ll co-sign the petition for you, but you’ll be the first one arrested tomorrow. This matter involves many people, and the emperor is very displeased, he has sent a special envoy to handle this. You can only wait for the envoy to review the case and exonerate you."
Bai Zepei felt that this important figure seemed to be explaining something to him. He was somewhat puzzled. He had no background or connections, so why was he being treated specially?
"Thank you, sir, for the reminder." Bai Zepei bowed respectfully to Jiang Yichun.
"Enough, go home and comfort your family. But don’t speak of this matter." Jiang Yichun dismissed him, indicating that Bai Zepei could go.
Family? Bai Zepei paused. He felt the problem lay with his family; this important figure was considering the feelings of his family. That’s right, his little sister had just reminded him, could it be...
Bai Zepei seemed to have found the key point, but he was very surprised. This important figure had a special status, and even Mr. Li and Mr. Xie were very respectful of him. So why was he particularly concerned about his little sister? Could it be...
Two unanswered questions made him want to rush home and ask Bai Ruozhu about it.
Mr. Xie also thanked Jiang Yichun, then left with Bai Zepei. However, after exchanging a few words with Mr. Xie, Bai Zepei went alone to the West Market.
Bai Ruozhu was busy at the stall and looked up to see her second brother coming. He looked as usual, standing tall, but gave off an air of desolation.
She had a bad feeling. Normally, he should be reading with Mr. Xie and wouldn’t come to the stall. Could something have already happened?
Bai Zepei went over and gave a slight nod to Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu paused in her task. Something had definitely happened!
"How come you’re here at this time, Zepei. Don’t you need to read?" Lin Ping’er smiled and looked at her second son, her face overflowing with pride.
Bai Zehao also patted Bai Zepei’s shoulder, saying, "Second brother, let me show you how to hawk. You need to do some hawking later. You can’t be shy."
Both Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong laughed. Bai Zehao was deliberately making it difficult for him. Everyone at home knew that Bai Zepei rarely spoke. Now you’re asking him to hawk in the market, especially while dressed as a scholar. Wouldn’t that seem strange?
Bai Zepei also forced a smile and said, "After being bullied by Ruozhu these past few days and being unable to argue with her, big brother has come to bully me now?"
Everyone laughed, only Bai Ruozhu didn’t. Her face was solemn.
"Father, mother, since brother is free today, let’s close the stall early and go home." Bai Ruozhu didn’t phrase it as a question. Rather, her tone suggested she wouldn’t accept objections.
Lin Ping’er looked at Bai Ruozhu, puzzled, and asked, "Why are we closing the stall so early? Are you still not feeling well today?"