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If it weren't for Jia Gujing's manipulation, saying that Scholar Yang, a student from a farmer's family, preferred to study alone at home rather than attending the county school, it was clear contempt for the knowledge and abilities of the Scholar Officials, a great disrespect and insult. They had to be severely punished to deter others.

Otherwise, in the future, other students would follow suit, not only disrupting the county school's order but also tarnishing the reputations of all Scholar Officials.

He and Du Xuezheng felt they were justified, so they persuaded the other Scholar Officials to go to the Yang family with them. Unfortunately, the others were unmoved, and only he and Du Xuezheng followed Jia Gujing there.

Who would have thought that Scholar Yang was actually a disciple of the Imperial Teacher? No wonder Scholar Yang chose to study at home. With the Imperial Teacher being so talented and knowledgeable, their lifelong learning as Scholar Officials could hardly match even a fraction of the Imperial Teacher's.

Glaring fiercely at Jia Gujing beside him, Du Yingyuan nodded in agreement with Fu Ping, "Indeed, we only came to inquire about Scholar Yang's studies."

"I heard that Scholar Yang did not attend the county school, and I thought it was because his family was struggling. I came to see if I could help solve that issue. But after seeing Scholar Yang's family's wealth, yet still refusing to attend the county school, I thought Scholar Yang was arrogant about his talents.

In a moment of frustration born from a desire for his improvement, I spoke too harshly. Please, on account of my good intentions for Scholar Yang, may the Imperial Teacher and Sir Xiao be magnanimous and forgive me," Jia Gujing pleaded.

Even though the position of Scholar Official was a ninth-rank one with a very low salary, he came from a poor background, and that meager salary was his one and only stable source of livelihood.

What mattered most was that after becoming a Scholar Official, relatives and people around him treated him with great respect, going out of their way to curry favor with him. He enjoyed the feeling of being flattered and feared. If he were to lose his position as Scholar Official, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Saving his office was still the priority. As for dealing with Chengyou, there would be other opportunities in the future.

Hearing Jia Gujing blaming everything on Chengyou and singing his own praises, Old Hai and Xiao Hongtao couldn't help but laugh in anger.

Mengchen's eyes were slightly narrowed, her expression calm as water, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.

The Eight Brothers of the Yang family had been instructed by their sister: leave the matter to Old Hai and Xiao Hongtao. After all, these three men were Imperial Court Officials, and with the exception of Chengyou, the rest of the brothers were commoners.

One misstep could lead to the charge of disrespecting Imperial Court Officials (a consideration that had prompted Old Hai and his group to appear in time). Therefore, they had remained silent. Now, upon hearing Jia Gujing's words, each of them glared furiously.

"Defamation, coercion of students, abuse of power, disdain for the law—these are heinous crimes, unforgivable!" Old Hai spoke slowly: "If any of you confess first who gave you the authority to arbitrarily strip Chengyou of his titles, I will spare that person and their family from the death penalty. The other two, however, will be executed!"

The current Emperor had granted Old Hai the special right to act on his behalf, which meant that if he discovered any officials breaking the law or engaging in misconduct, Old Hai could execute first and report later.

"No one gave us the authority!" the three men almost shouted in unison.

Stroking his gray beard, Old Hai's expression was somber as he looked at the three with eyes deep and dark as ink, as if they were the black vortex of an endless universe. The three felt that if they looked any longer, they might be sucked in—an immediate wave of fear and chill swept over their entire being.

"Reporting to the Imperial Teacher, I was misled by Scholar Jia. He said that Scholar Yang's refusal to attend the county school was a clear act of disrespect toward the knowledge and abilities of the Scholar Officials, a direct insult to all of us. He insisted that we had to punish severely to set an example. Please, Imperial Teacher, see through this!" Fu Ping decisively betrayed Jia Gujing.

He hated Jia Gujing to the core. If it weren't for him, how would he have come to face a crime that could lead to the extermination of his family?

Moreover, Jia Gujing had just absolved himself, neglecting him and Du Xuezheng in his defense. Why should he cover for Jia Gujing, who was so selfish and heartless?

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Du Yingyuan also immediately echoed in defense, "I, too, was deceived by Scholar Official Jia's bewitchery, I beg for the Imperial Teacher's grace!"

"Imperial Teacher, I am wronged!" Jia Gujing, however, did not kowtow and beg for mercy like Fu Ping and Du Yingyuan.

Old Hai raised an eyebrow, "Then tell us, what injustice do you claim to have suffered?"

"I admit, I indeed spoke such words with Scholar Official Fu and Scholar Official Du," Jia Gujing defended loudly, "But I, too, was misled by slander and, in an effort to uphold the ethos and system of the county school, I misunderstood Scholar Yang. I acknowledge my sin of failing to investigate, and I earnestly request the Imperial Teacher grant me another chance to mend my ways.

From now on, I will certainly not listen to or believe in falsehoods again!"

Having heard Jia Gujing's words, not only did Old Hai find it amusing, but even Song Bochao's six men and Xiao Hongtao were amused by his brazenness: claiming innocence with such a righteous excuse, what a marvel of the age!

"Then tell us, whose slander did you listen to? And when and where did you hear it?" Old Hai pressed on.

Jia Gujing shook his head, "Three days ago, I happened to pass by the county school garden, and I overheard some talk behind the rockery. It was said that Scholar Yang claimed that the Scholar Officials were not learned enough to teach him, which was why he would not attend the county school. I immediately went to find the dean and did not see those who were discussing this.

Every word I speak is true, I dare not deceive in the slightest."

After observing the three for a long time, certain that they were not lying, Old Hai turned his gaze to Xiao Hongtao, who was also looking at Old Hai at that moment; they exchanged a glance, and Old Hai spoke authoritatively, "Sir Xiao, take these three and imprison them in the dungeon, we'll decide their fate later!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Xiao Hongtao immediately ordered the government officials to take the three back to the County Office.

Rising to his feet, Old Hai approached Yang Chengyou and said with affection, "Let your teacher handle this matter, Chengyou, focus on your studies with peace of mind."

"Your disciple will heed the teacher's command!" Yang Chengyou bowed respectfully in response.

Glancing at Yang Mengchen, Old Hai left the reception hall. Song Bochao and his six men followed him back to the East Wing Room. Today was Yang Mengchen's birthday, so they had given the children a day off.

After the seven, including Old Hai, left, Wu Licheng and others gathered around Yang Mengchen, "Cousin, are you alright?" Fu Ping and the other three had specifically met with Yang Chengyou, so Yang Mengchen had asked her cousins to stay in the inner courtyard and not come over.

"I'm fine," Yang Mengchen said with a smile. "It's time for studies, brothers and cousins should go learn, don't keep Old Hai and the others waiting."

With such events having transpired, Yang Chengrong and the others could scarcely calm their minds to study, but seeing their sister (cousin) so resolute, they left for the East Wing Room only after repeatedly asking her to take care.

Before mounting the carriage to return to the County Office, Xiao Hongtao was seen off by Yang Mengchen, who whispered something in his ear. Xiao Hongtao's face involuntarily changed color; seeing Yang Mengchen's meaningful glance, he nodded his head in understanding, and then rode off in the carriage.

Watching the carriage grow distant, Yang Mengchen's expression grew solemn, and a deep malice flickered in her dark eyes.

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