USWHC -Chapter 403 If You Don’t Seek Death, You Won’t Die (Part 3)

The county magistrate, seeing Liu Xuezheng muttering and stammering, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He cursed, “Enough! The facts are clear. The examinee Ji Yi bribed Xuezheng with five hundred taels to cheat and secure a county exam qualification. Men, why aren’t you arresting him yet?”

Was he planning to close the case so hastily? Zhu Jie immediately objected, “Wait! Can you decide just based on his word? Everyone can clearly see—this is obviously a forced confession!”

“Everyone can clearly see that Ji Yi’s exam paper is undeniably fraudulent, okay? If everyone could pass just by casually reciting the Analects, then all the county’s examinees would pass! Even three-year-old children could take the exam. Do you really think no one would believe he bribed the examiner?” the magistrate sneered.

But Liu Xuezheng was really interesting—why had he chosen the Analects so easily? Zhu Jie turned to seek support from the others, only to find them all whispering among themselves.

“Must have been a bribe, right? There’s no way he could pass that easily!”

“Exactly! I worked so hard on my essay, and he just copied a bit and passed. That’s unfair!”

It really was unfair! At this moment, no one was on Ji Yi’s side. Sometimes being too lucky draws jealousy. Zhu Jie glared at Ji Yi in frustration—this was all his fault. She couldn’t believe he couldn’t write an essay on his own, yet he chose to copy the Analects. Clearly, he didn’t want to put in the effort!

And Liu Xuezheng—he was also infuriating. Full of arrogance and arrogance—if he claimed he had an eye for talent, who would believe him?

By now, a few constables had approached, reaching out to grab Ji Yi. The magistrate declared, “I will report this matter to the provincial academic office and strip him of his examinee qualification. For now, the offender will be imprisoned pending further action!”

He struck the gavel loudly, announcing, “Court dismissed!”

“I didn’t bribe anyone! You can’t falsely accuse me!” Ji Yi shouted in protest. But before he could finish, he was immediately surrounded.

Was this court really planning to close the case so carelessly? Zhu Jie panicked, but with everyone watching, she couldn’t just rush in to save him. She saw several constables advance and restrain Ji Yi.

They moved quickly, seemingly afraid Ji Yi might resist, and dragged him away. Was this really their plan—to wrap up the case so sloppily?

The magistrate disappeared as fast as a rabbit. In no time, everyone in the office had vanished without a trace. Even Liu Xuezheng was dragged away, leaving Zhu Jie standing alone, wind-tossed and disoriented.

Outside, the crowd, seeing the commotion end, dispersed like theatergoers after a show. Everyone kept gossiping about Ji Yi’s alleged cheating, but not a single person cared about his safety.

“Did Erhan really cheat?” Someone did show concern—Old Madam Ji approached, disbelief in her voice.

“Oh, what a fuss. Why bother cheating? Wouldn’t it have been better to just plant crops honestly?” Ji Yi’s eldest brother muttered with regret.

Then Elder Sister-in-law You chided, “It’s not like he had a choice. Erhan’s wife insisted on taking the exam. You should be satisfied—I didn’t make you sit for the scholar exam! If we didn’t have the ability, why chase fame?”

“You just wanted me to go. You don’t even have enough money to bribe the examiner!” Ji Yi’s eldest brother scoffed.

Ji Mei, worried, said, “Mother, won’t this ruin our family’s reputation? How will I get married? Won’t people mock us?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Ji’s eyes widened. “Yes! A complete failure at achieving anything worthwhile. If this ruins Meizi’s good marriage, mark my words, I won’t let you two troublemakers off!”

Seeing them still focused on their petty interests and even finding ways to mock Ji Yi, Zhu Jie’s anger flared. With a flick of her sleeve, she stormed off, leaving a cloud of dust behind. Hmph—a whole family of villains!

“Hey, why are you leaving? Don’t you want to say something? Clearly, you ruined our Erhan!” Old Madam Ji shouted after her, exasperated at Zhu Jie’s disdainful expression.