Ugly girl only wants to farm

Zhang Xuyang: "Just for this? That shouldn't be the case."

After a moment of contemplation, Meng Jiu asked again, "Think back carefully, are there any other details you might have overlooked?"

Qi Yu tidied her somewhat messy hair and then said, "Nothing else is particularly special. They gave me some parts that they said they didn't understand and asked me to explain them and write an article for everyone to read and discuss. On the day of the quiz, I was quite puzzled because a few of the questions were indeed the same as the ones they showed me that day. I was thinking that these people were just incredibly lucky to have such a thing happen to them."

Zhang Xuyang added, "Shen Siheng was just a blind cat who stumbled upon this opportunity. Look at his smug face, his tail is practically wagging in the air."

Shen Siheng remained silent, not daring to utter a sound. He had just been thinking about how his father would punish him severely if he got involved in this matter. He had finally done well on his quiz, a chance to be proud of himself, and now this had happened. He huddled quietly to the side like a quail, not daring to say a word.

Meng Jiuhe frowned almost imperceptibly: "The magistrate's son is number one? Yet you remain unknown."

Qi Yu lowered her head: "During the quiz, I was looking at the questions and they seemed familiar. I hesitated whether to just give up to avoid suspicion. But time was tight and I didn't have much time to think. After writing a few words, I felt dizzy and had a bad stomachache. I took care of my mother for a few days and probably caught a cold. I couldn't hold on and passed away. So you know what happened next."

After listening to what he said, Meng Jiu and the other two discussed it together. They noticed that it was almost time and the jailer had already given them several meaningful glances.

Shen Siheng smiled and said nice things, saying that it would be fine in just a few more words.

Meng Jiuhe briefly summarized what had just happened: "This is what happened. They knew the exam questions in advance and deliberately leaked them, asking you to help them solve them. You accidentally solved them, and as payment, they gave you silver. Later, when the matter was exposed, they implicated you, saying that you helped cheat and even gave them silver."

Qi Yu nodded: "That's roughly how it is. They were cunning, but I fell for their tricks. If my mother hadn't been so seriously ill, I wouldn't have taken the money. I blame myself for being so stupid."

Before leaving, Meng Jiuhe gave him a piece of advice: "For now, don't overthink it. Just insist that you didn't know anything and were just discussing your studies in private. If this is proven true, your path to the imperial examinations will be over."

Qi Yu also realized the seriousness of the matter and looked at them anxiously: "Brother Meng, you must help me no matter what. My mother has supported my studies all her life, hoping that I will make something of myself. My widow and I have suffered so much scorn since I was a child. I can't let my future be ruined like this. Even if I keep failing the exams, I can't bear this stigma and make my mother worry."

Meng Jiuhe nodded and patted his hand to comfort him, "Qi Yu, don't worry too much. We'll try our best to help you when we get out. Don't worry, we'll take care of Aunt Qi. By the way, which clinic does she usually see? Should we continue your mother's medicine? I've noticed she's not feeling well these past few days, so we should go see her usual doctor."

Qi Yu immediately knelt down before them with a thud: "I, Qi Yu, thank you for your kindness in lending a helping hand when I was at my lowest point. I will be eternally grateful in this life and in the next, I will be willing to serve you like a cow or a horse to repay you."

Shen Siheng and Zhang Xuyang rushed over to help him, but the prison bar prevented them from doing so, so they could only offer words of advice.

"What are you doing? Don't you consider us friends? Get up right now."

Just then, the jailer's voice came from outside urging them to leave, so they had no choice but to go.

As the jailer was leaving, he kept complaining, saying, "You promised half an hour, but you've been dawdling for almost an hour. A person needs to keep their word for a chance to be trusted again."

Shen Siheng handed over another piece of silver with a smile, saying, "Brother, don't be angry. I'll need your help in a couple of days. You can take this silver home and buy some candy for your daughter."

The jailer grumbled and muttered as he took the silver. Before leaving, he gave the jailer a definite answer.

"Alright, since you're so straightforward, I won't hold it against you. Just remember to come at this time next time, and I'll keep an eye on things for you."

After the three of them left the county jail, they walked slowly home without saying a word. Finally, Shen Siheng couldn't hold back any longer.

"You two should at least say something. It's a bit strange that you're both so silent."

Zhang Xuyang kicked at the pebbles under his feet and said helplessly, "What do you want me to say? Aren't we trying to find a solution right now? We're just nobody here and don't know anyone. It's obvious that those bastards leaked the exam questions and now they just want to find someone to take the blame."

Shen Siheng was so anxious he was almost jumping up and down: "But we can't let Qi Yu take the blame. His elderly mother is so old and still needs his care. These people are too wicked. Luckily, I know you guys and didn't continue to associate with those people, otherwise I might have been locked up today too."

Meng Jiuhe thought for a moment: "This matter is indeed a bit tricky. The main problem is that an official from the capital happens to be passing through this area, so this matter is now out in the open. The county magistrate will deal with Qi Yu in order to give people an explanation. But right now we can't even find a way in or get any information, which is really frustrating."

Since Xu Chaoyan was still at the shop, they went there on their way. She happened to come out and saw the three of them looking dejected. Zhang Yueniang didn't say much and quickly brought them the tea she had brewed. Since there were so many people around, it wasn't appropriate to ask too many questions. Xu Chaoyan suggested they go to the backyard to wait and discuss anything important.

"Sister, your sister-in-law isn't too busy right now. Could you keep an eye on me and go check the backyard? Is there anything you can do?"

Zhang Yueniang nodded: "Sister, hurry over there, what do you need? Just call out."

When Xu Chaoyan entered, she saw the three of them sitting there looking dejected. Zhang Xuyang was silently chugging tea, Shen Siheng was pacing back and forth anxiously, and her husband was sitting there in silence.

"What was the specific situation after you went to see the person?"

When Xu Chaoyan learned the whole story, she slammed her hand on the table in anger.

"These people have gone too far. This is clearly a frame-up. They are the ones who did this despicable thing to make Qi Yu take the blame."

After the others sighed again, Shen Siheng slammed his hand on the table: "We can't just sit here and wait to die. I'll swallow my pride and go to Brother Qin Xiao to see if he can come up with a solution. I'll also borrow some money from my brother. These things need to be taken care of."

Shen Siheng was about to leave in a hurry when Xu Chaoyan stopped him: "You can go find someone to pull strings, but forget about the money. Be careful you don't get beaten up again. Just tell me if you need money."

Shen Siheng's face turned somewhat ugly as he muttered under his breath, "Sister-in-law, please don't say it out loud. What do you mean I got beaten up again and was screaming? That didn't happen at all."

Shen Siheng stubbornly refused to admit it.

Xu Chaoyan: "Last time your sister-in-law said here that you were often chased around by your eldest brother and father."

Shen Siheng was so angry he was about to jump up and down: "Why does my sister-in-law always say things to outsiders? It's fine if family members know about these things, but I also have my pride."