He cleared his throat and said, "Yun's words are polite, and indeed not unfilial. Yun, how do you explain this part of the silver?"

Yun Yuan bowed to the county magistrate and took something out of her bosom: "Sir, this is my household account book. I thought I might need it before I left, so I brought it along."

"Pass it up."

The county magistrate opened the account book, with a flash of surprise in his eyes. Not to mention the income from Qi Sheng's paintings and inscriptions, the book mentioned the hot pot that was popular in Yunnan and Shu, and the recipe was actually thought up by a woman.

"Send the owner of Keyunlai over here. I have something to ask you."

Soon, Ke Yunlai's boss arrived.

"The hot pot soup recipe is indeed from the Qisheng family. Do they get a share of the profits every month?"

This was originally a commercial secret, but the owner didn't dare to hide it after the county magistrate asked. He knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "Your Excellency, yes, the Yun family gets 20% of the profit from the recipe. Now is the peak season, and last month's share... was 600 taels of silver."

Yun Yuan had already made double preparations.

It can be said that ever since she found the chili pepper seedlings, everything went according to her plan. She had long expected that the Qi clan would make trouble. In order to avoid large expenses of unknown origin, when she went to the city to buy materials for cultivating mushrooms, she took out the dried chili peppers in the space and signed a contract with Ke Yunlai. They were responsible for planting the chili peppers and doing business, while she took 20% of the profits from the recipe.

The onlookers gasped, so Qi Sheng really did not hide his adoptive parents' property. Everything he has now was earned by himself.

Qi Hai still didn't want to believe it.

"Then the money for his medical treatment..."

"It's the income from writing inscriptions and painting for wealthy merchants and gentry." Yun Yuan said, "My husband is good at calligraphy and painting. Sometimes people outside ask for his paintings. He uses ordinary medicinal herbs to treat illnesses, so it doesn't cost a lot of money."

"I will investigate the account books myself," the magistrate said. "During the investigation, you are not allowed to leave the county office without permission."

The county government was very efficient. Some people went to the village to investigate the incident of Qi Sheng being kicked out of the house, and some people questioned the person who bought the painting and the doctor in the pharmacy according to the account books to prove that Yun Yuan was not lying.

In the afternoon, the county magistrate's verdict came down.

"According to the laws of this dynasty, false accusers are held responsible. The Qi clan leader and the twenty or so plaintiffs are ordered to 'make compensation' for the value of Qi Sheng and his wife's village house and their property in the county, totaling four hundred and fifty taels. In addition, each of them will be given ten strokes of the cane."

This is the law. For example, if someone accuses someone of murder, according to the law of life for life, if it is found out that it is slander, the person will have to pay with his life.

The onlookers were talking about it.

"Sir," Qi Sheng said, standing up with a sad face. "They are unkind, but I cannot be unjust. I don't want the compensation. Consider it as a repayment for my parents' kindness in raising me for over ten years. In addition, I am willing to give Master Qi twenty taels of silver to help him spend his last years in peace."

In this way, he has done his best and no one can say anything bad about him.

The county magistrate narrowed his eyes and asked, "Have you thought it through?"

Qi Sheng shook his head: "Please allow me to sever ties with them. From now on, my life or death, honor or disgrace, will have nothing to do with them."

"Yes."

After leaving the court, Yun Yuan and Qi Sheng were surrounded by people.

"You did well." The headmaster patted him on the shoulder. "Don't be sad. Such greedy people are gone, and that's it. You still have a long way to go. You will go further without them."

"Thank you for the compliment, Principal. I am not sad at all."

"That's good." The dean originally wanted to take Qi Sheng back to the academy for a drink and chat, but considering that Yun Yuan was waiting on the other side with a big belly, he suppressed the idea.

Thinking of Yun Yuan's performance in the hall, the headmaster said, "Your wife is intelligent. Treat her well."

It is both praise and admonition.

He has been the headmaster for many years. Some students change their minds after passing the imperial examination. I hope Qi Sheng will not be like that.

Qi Sheng's face turned serious: "Student Union."

In fact, he was also surprised. He had been prepared to deal with it personally in the lobby. Even if it damaged his reputation, it would not affect the imperial examination as long as he was right. It was a complete surprise that the matter could be resolved perfectly.

Yuan'er is also better than he imagined. How could he be so worthy as to marry such a wife?

Qi Sheng felt a sense of crisis in his heart, and for a moment, he felt that he was not worthy of her.

"Sister, are you okay? Are you frightened?" Yun Lan asked with concern.

Yun Yuan shook her head and said with a smile, "Brother, the weather is cold, let's go to Keyunlai to eat hot pot. You've been living a hard life in the academy, so eat more meat today. I'll treat you."

Yun Lan habitually wanted to refuse, but then she nodded when she remembered that the hot pot recipe was thought up by her eldest sister. She thought her eldest sister was not short of money now, so why should she spoil her fun? There would be many opportunities for them to get along in the future.

He doesn't believe that he will be a failure in his life.