TGCFNM -Chapter 243 Forbidden to Take the Exam

The next day.

The atmosphere in Yuchuan County was unusually heavy. Even though people had seen the notice early in the morning and knew what had happened, no one could lift their spirits.

Anyone passing by the county office couldn’t help but glance at it. Once they did, their steps would falter, because in the afternoon, there would be a case to be heard—and the one being judged was none other than Lord Cheng.

At the Fulai Inn.

Chu Ling sat quietly in the main hall, seemingly lost in thought, her mind wandering far away.

After a while, the inn’s waiter approached, bowing to Chu Ling: “My lord, do you still have time today to treat my arm with acupuncture?”

Chu Ling seemed to snap out of her reverie. She stared at the waiter for a long moment before a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth: “I thought you wouldn’t ask today, since I’m going to interrogate your Lord Cheng.”

The waiter shook his head gently: “My lord, I did not come because you could heal my arm. Lord Cheng said that right and wrong, black and white—all will be clarified by you, Lord Chu. Heaven and Earth will judge this case.”

Chu Ling’s curiosity was piqued. She looked at the waiter and asked, “If your beloved Lord Cheng were guilty, what would you do then?”

The waiter lowered his head, sadness in his eyes, and shook it desperately: “I don’t know.”

Chu Ling let out a soft sigh.

Then the waiter suddenly raised his head and asked earnestly, “My lord, do you know how it should be judged?”

Chu Ling gave a wry smile and shook her head. She then took out her silver needles, motioning for the waiter to sit and roll up his sleeve.

After briefly warming a needle, Chu Ling looked at the waiter’s arm, noticing some atrophied muscles, and began inserting the needle slowly.

Half an hour later, the acupuncture treatment was finished.

Chu Ling looked up at the waiter: “The people of Yuchuan County probably hate me to death.”

The waiter shook his head frantically: “No, Lord Chu, you are a just and good lord. Lord Cheng himself said that only your judgment in this matter could be truly fair.”

Chu Ling paused as she withdrew the needle and solemnly promised: “I guarantee that I will judge this case fairly.”

In the afternoon.

By now, quite a few people had gathered outside the county office, but everyone waited quietly—no one spoke out of turn.

Chu Ling dressed in her official robes and left the Fulai Inn, getting into the carriage. When the carriage arrived at the county office, Zhang Dong placed a low stool down and helped Chu Ling alight.

The onlookers instantly split into two lines, watching as Chu Ling walked in. Low murmurs began to rise, most filled with worry.

Chu Ling slowly climbed to her seat on the dais. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and struck the judge’s gavel once.

“Bring in the prisoner, Cheng Dian!”

Today, Xu Wangshui was not in official robes, but in simple civilian clothes as he walked slowly into the hall, standing below.

Meanwhile, Wan Sanjin and Su He carried in a wooden box. Before everyone, they opened the box, removed the bones inside, and placed them on the white cloth that had already been laid out.

The onlookers couldn’t help but let out a gasp. Their eyes darted between the bones and Lord Cheng, filled with disbelief and inner conflict. Expressions of nervousness and worry slowly emerged; everyone began to tense up.

Chu Ling looked past Xu Wangshui and instead turned to the crowd outside.

“Today’s case is the first of its kind I’ve ever encountered. Therefore, for this trial, the people shall witness it, and Heaven itself shall pass judgment.”

Wan Sanjin and Su He set down the bones and stepped aside next to Chu Ling. Hearing her words, the two exchanged glances, unsure of her intentions.

Chu Ling then turned to Xu Wangshui.

Xu Wangshui gave her a faint smile, his expression full of trust.

Chu Ling glanced at Ghost Cheng Dian beside her.

Ghost Cheng Dian spoke slowly, “My lord, please begin the judgment. I trust in your fairness.”

Chu Ling nodded softly and then shifted her gaze to the crowd outside. “I imagine everyone here is curious why someone would accuse the magistrate of Yuchuan County, Cheng Dian, and what the bones on that white cloth signify. What crime has Lord Cheng committed, and how does it relate—or not—to the deceased?”

“Do not worry. I will tell you a story. Once the story is told, everything will become clear.”

Chu Ling did not sit down. She circled around, passed Xu Wangshui and the bones, and stood before the eyes of the people.

“In the twenty-first year of the Great Zhou, during the Spring Examination…”

“That year, two examinees traveled to the capital to take the exam. One was named Xu Wangshan, from Xiahe Village. His family was poor. His elder sister had been sold to another region years ago and later became a palace maid. The young brother started apprenticing as a craftsman at a very young age.”

“Xu Wangshan worked tirelessly, never daring to slack off. To achieve fame and rank, he studied day and night, often forgetting to eat. So, the villagers pooled together some money to allow Xu Wangshan to travel to the capital for the exam.”

“The other examinee was Cheng Dian, from Wanhe County. His family was also poor. His mother earned a living washing clothes for others, and his fiancée, Song Yu, earned money by embroidery and mending clothes. Cheng Dian also studied diligently and decided to participate in the Spring Examination.”

“The two met in the capital. Due to their similar circumstances, and lacking funds for an inn, they pooled money to rent a small firewood room at an inn, living together temporarily, studying together, encouraging each other, and looking forward to the Spring Examination.”

As Chu Ling’s words fell, the crowd’s eyes turned to the white bones: So that’s Xu Wangshan? Could it be that Lord Cheng harmed Xu Wangshan?

Chu Ling turned to look at Ghost Cheng Dian standing under the “Justice and Clarity” plaque. He looked ashamed, yet still nodded resolutely.

Chu Ling spoke again: “Cheng Dian’s right leg is slightly lame, so his fiancée Song Yu made shoes for his right foot with slightly higher soles.”

“As you all know, the court’s selection of officials would reject anyone with a physical disability or a frightening appearance. Cheng Dian’s limp would easily be noticed. Xu Wangshan kindly reminded him to make his clothes longer to cover his feet.”

“As for why Xu Wangshan reminded him, it was because Xu Wangshan’s left leg was also slightly imperfect. When he was young, he saved his mischievous younger brother and twisted his left ankle, making his legs uneven in length. To hide this, he padded his shoes with straw paper.”

“You might think the two shared mutual sympathy and admiration because of their similar conditions.”

Chu Ling paused, scanning the anxious faces of the crowd, and continued:

“But the truth is otherwise. Both were examinees, so they were competitors. After all, the Spring Examination is like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-log bridge. Only a few can succeed. Fewer opponents mean greater chances for oneself.”

“On the day of the exam, the proctor conducted a routine inspection of all belongings, including body searches.”

“During this inspection, the straw paper under Xu Wangshan’s foot was discovered. Normally, such padding was harmless, and there were no markings on it.”

“But Cheng Dian suddenly spoke up, saying that since the paper was brought, it was against regulations and that Xu Wangshan should be expelled from the exam—forbidden from taking the test!”