"How can it be unrelated to Li Zhiyuan? If that's the case, then why does Li Jiaojiao always tell outsiders that you will definitely win the top scholar title this time! And that this time is different, and you can win it next time too."

A voice rang out from the crowd; it was Granny Zhao.

Behind the screen, Ye Caiping and the others turned around and found that Granny Zhao was nowhere to be seen; they didn't know when she had run away.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyuan's expression changed drastically.

Granny Li lunged forward to grab Granny Zhao's neck: "You old slut, shut up!"

"Ah—" Granny Zhao quickly stepped in to stop her. The two of them actually started fighting.

Prefect Qin slammed his gavel: "Guards, separate them for me!"

Two constables immediately rushed out and pulled the two apart.

Prefect Qin then said, "Please invite the old woman who just spoke in."

Granny Zhao was overjoyed and rushed in, kneeling down: "Greetings, Your Excellency."

Who are you?

"Your Honor, I am from Qinghe Village, which is near Li Zhiyuan's village. Everything I said is true."

"Whether it was before Li Ziming took the county-level exam or before Li Zhiyuan took the provincial-level exam, Li Jiaojiao shamelessly said that Li Ziming would definitely be the top scholar and Li Zhiyuan would definitely be the top scholar in the provincial-level exam."

"If you don't believe me, sir, you can go to any person near our village and ask them if Li Jiaojiao has ever said such a thing!"

"If Li Zhiyuan hadn't cheated, how could he dare say he would definitely be the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

Prefect Qin's eyes lit up, he snorted, and stared at Li Zhiyuan: "And how do you explain that?"

Li Zhiyuan's face turned ashen: "I... the reason I said I could become the top scholar... is because I was confident in my talent..."

Prefect Qin nearly spat in his face: "What talent do you have?"

Li Zhiyuan choked, then angrily retorted, "How dare you look down on a student, sir! A student..."

Prefect Qin: "Putting everything else aside, how old were you when you passed the imperial examination?"

Li Zhiyuan's face was ashen: "Twenty-seven..."

At what age did you pass the imperial examination at the county level?

"Thirty-three... but even if..."

What was your ranking when you passed the imperial examination at the county level?

Li Zhiyuan: "..."

"I am asking you a question."

Li Zhiyuan stammered, "50th place..."

Before Prefect Qin could speak, the students outside burst into laughter:

"Each county only admits 50 scholars in each county's provincial examination! He was last! And he was thirty-three years old when he passed, so it's really nothing special."

Prefect Qin was already laughing in anger: "So what talent do you have? Where does your confidence come from?"

Li Zhiyuan's face was ashen: "I...I didn't do well on the exam. And recently my studies have improved by leaps and bounds. Anyway...no matter what, I think I can pass the imperial examination..."

Prefect Qin couldn't stand it any longer: "Master Sun, read Li Zhiyuan's exam paper aloud, all the questions and essays."

"Yes, sir."

Master Sun picked up Li Zhiyuan's exam paper and began to read it aloud.

All the candidates and scholars present, as well as the students outside, listened attentively.

But they listened while shaking their heads and even laughed out loud.

After Master Sun finished reading, Scholar Song shook his head and said:

"What kind of answers are these? They're empty, meaningless, and nonsensical."

A fellow scholar, looking disgusted, said: "It's all just a bunch of empty words piled up with fancy phrases. The whole article doesn't actually solve the problem."

"There are solutions to the following question, but they are all overused methods, just blindly applied without any original ideas."

A cynical old scholar exclaimed: "Trash!"

The scholar outside said, "That was a terrible answer!"

"If this is what you call talent, then my sow should be able to take the exam too."

"What talent? Where does his confidence come from?"

"With his lack of literary talent, I don't know how he even passed the imperial examination."

The old scholar sighed, "Grading papers is tiring too. I participated in grading papers a few years ago. I was full of energy at the beginning, but I got more and more tired as it went on, and my brain couldn't work anymore. Anyway... please be understanding."

The scholars understood immediately! It meant that everyone has moments of failing eyesight with age. Even the most rigorous grading can make mistakes.

Li Zhiyuan was the one who slipped through the cracks and got caught up in it.

These comments were practically a public execution of Li Zhiyuan!

Li Zhiyuan's mind went blank. His talent, which he had always thought was superior, was actually trash in front of these Jinshi and Juren!

It turns out he... had no talent...

Was his success in passing the imperial examination at the county level merely a fluke?

Li Zhiyuan couldn't accept it, and went somewhat insane: "Hahahaha..."

But the next second his smile vanished.

Prefect Qin slammed his gavel and coldly shouted, "Li Zhiyuan, are you still not telling the truth? Guards, bring the cangue!"

Li Zhiyuan was startled and said urgently, "No matter what, I am a scholar. I have an official title, you have no right to put me in torture!"

Prefect Qin sneered, "Although Li Ziming has been removed from your family genealogy, Li Jiaojiao has not. It is a fact that she assisted in the cheating. As her father and as a scholar, it is your fault for failing to supervise her properly. I hereby strip you of your scholar's degree!"

Li Zhiyuan felt a sudden, overwhelming shock, and collapsed to the ground.

His fame and achievements were his source of pride, but now, they're gone!

He, Li Zhiyuan, was no longer a scholar...

Ye Caiping watched with great interest from behind the screen.

Ancient times differed from modern times. In ancient times, there was a system of collective punishment, especially for those with official titles. If a person's character was flawed, they would lose their title, let alone if their children committed such a grave mistake.

Prefect Qin shouted coldly, "Men, bring the leg clamps!"

Li Zhiyuan's face changed drastically. How could he bear it! Rather than suffer, he would rather confess now!

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!