Chapter 309: Deprivation of Honor
Prefect Qin looked at Li Jiaojiao and Li Zimo: "Li Jiaojiao, Li Zimo, is what Li Zhiyuan said true?"
Li Zimo was still in a daze, he was so scared that his brain was a mess.
Li Jiaojiao said dejectedly: "Yes. When I gave him the test paper... he angrily swept it to the ground. He didn't memorize the answers... The reason why I said he would win the first place was because I thought he would ask for my answers..."
"Who would have thought that he didn't want it. But I can't take back what I said... I can only rely on him..."
Prefect Qin: "Li Zimo?"
Li Zimo followed Li Jiaojiao blankly and responded: "Um... yes..."
Li Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Prefect Qin frowned and asked, "How did you get the answer?"
Li Jiaojiao's face changed. She couldn't tell anyone about her X-ray vision! Otherwise you will be burned to death as a monster.
Li Jiaojiao gritted her teeth and said, "Whether you believe it or not... I picked up this test paper... on the street! It's a ball of paper..."
"I didn't know what was written on it at the time. My brother saw it and said it was a test question. He also said why not give it a try. So I went to ask for help and memorized the answer. Who would have thought that he actually won the test."
Prefect Qin frowned and asked, "Where's the paper ball?"
"It's long gone."
"What about this provincial examination?"
"I found it in the same place too! I felt at the time that someone was helping us. But I didn't know who would do this."
"We are all ordinary villagers, how could we know anyone who could get the test papers? But, but we really picked them up... otherwise, how could we have the ability to get the test papers..."
"Woo woo... If you don't believe me, you can go check and see if we have ever stolen the test questions..."
Prefect Qin and Mr. Sun looked at each other.
No one knows better than them how strictly the test questions are guarded.
And the Li brothers and sisters don’t have that ability.
This matter needs further investigation.
Li Jiaojiao said anxiously again: "Sir... I was forced to cheat. It was my brother who said he wanted to take the first place in the case and asked me to accompany him to consult those candidates and Jinshi..."
The reason why she helped pick Li Zhiyuan out just now was because she also wanted to pick it out herself! Put all the blame on Li Zimo.
Li Zimo was startled: "Jiaojiao..."
"Brother, I've been so good to you. I was the one who saved you and mom when we were at the Sun family. I gave you money and food first, and you actually forced me to do this!"
This was a warning to him that if he didn't take all the responsibilities on himself, he would never get any benefit from her in the future.
Li Zimo felt dizzy and unwilling to give up.
Obviously it was Li Jiaojiao who asked him to do this, but he has to bear all the responsibility alone!
But he also knew that Li Jiaojiao was his life guarantee.
Even if he goes to jail or something, he will get out one day. Only if he protects Li Jiaojiao can he have a good life in the future.
Li Zimo gritted his teeth and said, "I dragged Jiaojiao to do it... She's just a little kid, what does she know... It's all my fault!"
Mrs. Li outside shouted excitedly, "No way! It was Li Jiaojiao who did it alone. It has nothing to do with my son and grandson! You can send Li Jiaojiao to jail or even kill her, but let my son and grandson go..."
Li Jiaojiao turned around and stared at Mrs. Li.
"Silence!" Prefect Qin slammed the gavel hard, "The court is temporarily adjourned. Mr. Sun, please go in and discuss this with me."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves fiercely and turned away with Master Sun.
Li Zhiyuan and the other two were still kneeling there.
Behind the screen, Ye Caiping was still eating melon seeds.
Old Lady Ye and the others were somewhat bewildered. Ye Daquan whispered, "Why do I feel like Li Zhiyuan is going to escape?"
Old Lady Ye said, "Don't talk yet. The Lord hasn't made the judgment yet."
As he was speaking, a yamen runner came in and said, "Mr. Shen, Prefect Qin wants to see you."
Shen Zhiyan nodded and looked at Ye Caiping: "Let's go together."
Ye Caiping stood up and left with him.
Old Mrs. Ye and Ye Daquan looked at each other in bewilderment. What did this have to do with Mr. Shen and Ye Caiping?
…
The back hall of the government office.
Prefect Qin was sitting on the main seat. When he saw Shen Zhiyan coming in, he quickly stood up.
Seeing Ye Caiping coming, he was slightly startled, but didn't say much.
Prefect Qin said: "Mr. Shen has just seen it. The case can only be tried here. Li Zhiyuan and Li Jiaojiao cannot be convicted of serious crimes. Do you want to..."
The meaning was to ask whether to give the two of them a heavier weight according to Shen Zhiyan's opinion.
Shen Zhiyan looked at Ye Caiping.
Ye Caiping shook her head, and Shen Zhiyan understood: "Just convict him according to the law."
Prefect Qin smiled and said, "Okay."
Ye Caiping knew that if Shen Zhiyan spoke up, Prefect Qin would have Li Zhiyuan and Li Jiaojiao punished more severely.
But Ye Caiping didn't want to gain power.
She could deal with him however she wanted, but she still wanted the law to be fair and just.
Prefect Qin said again in embarrassment: "Who is the person behind the paper ball that Li Jiaojiao picked up?"
Prefect Qin didn't know how Shen Zhiyan knew about the leak of the test questions.
That day, Shen Zhiyan suddenly found him and told him about this, but he didn't explain the source.
He was a low-ranking official, and with Shen Zhiyan's authority, he naturally believed in Shen Zhiyan. And it turned out that he was right.
Since Shen Zhiyan knew about the leak, he might also know who was behind the leak.
Shen Zhiyan said: “There is no need to investigate the person behind the scenes anymore, let’s end it here.”
He had asked Ye Caiping about the leak of exam questions before, but Ye Caiping didn't want to say anything, so he stopped asking.
Prefect Qin breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay."
He felt that this was a fight between the Shen family and their political enemies. He didn't want to get involved anyway. It was enough for him to do his own job.
"Then I will go out and make the judgment now."
…
Ye Caiping and Shen Zhiyan returned behind the screen.
Although Old Lady Ye and others were curious, they did not dare to ask more questions.
In front of the hall.
After Prefect Qin sat down at the desk, he slammed the gavel hard:
"I have ruled that according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Li Zimo cheated in the imperial and provincial examinations and shall be punished with 20 strokes of the cane and three years in prison. He shall be stripped of his title of scholar and shall never be allowed to take the imperial examinations again."
"Li Jiaojiao assisted Li Zimo in cheating. She will be punished with ten strokes of the cane and jailed for a month. Her descendants will not be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations."
"Although Li Zhiyuan did not cheat, he protected his daughter and helped her cheat. He was caned with ten strokes of the cane, stripped of his title of scholar, and banned from taking the imperial examinations forever. His descendants are also banned from taking the imperial examinations."
"Also, the Weiyong Marquis' Mansion, you condoned your descendants to cheat. How will you deal with this? Wait for this official to report it and then decide."
No matter what, Li Zimo is now a member of the Weiyong Marquis's Mansion.
The old man was almost angry to death. What the hell was going on?
Li Zhiyuan's body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.
Li Jiaojiao also looked pale.
Mrs. Li outside screamed and fainted.
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