Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1144: Master You

Cao Juren heard this voice and paused for a moment, unable to immediately recognize who it was.

Magistrate Shi recognized it, was greatly pleased, and hastily went to greet the person: "Lord Yan, why have you come? Steward Lin, quickly arrange a seat."

Although Old Master Yan San wasn’t the highest-ranking official in the Yan Family, he had held office, retiring to his hometown eight years ago.

Cao Juren was shocked, not expecting Old Master Yan San to come personally, and judging from his words, it seemed he wouldn’t be on his side.

Though he was a very elderly man, Old Master Yan San was also quite aged and had served as an official, coming from a noble family. He didn’t need to handle him carefully like Magistrate Shi for the sake of reputation and could afford not to spare him any facetime.

Cao Juren was afraid, and his group of students were also scared. They could bully Gu Jin’an but dared not offend Old Master Yan San.

Old Master Yan San observed their cowardice, laughed angrily: "You lack the courage but still help others harm people, can’t you enjoy your old age properly?"

The words caused Cao Juren’s heart to thump as he looked to Old Master Yan San in fear... Could it be that the Yan Family already knew about Tong San bribing him?

Indeed, Cao Juren guessed right.

Since Yan Xiaowu fell ill during the Prefecture Examination, missing out on the top scorer position, the Yan Family had people watching Tong San, discovering Tong San using old Gui from Guihua Lane to run errands, sending money and information to buy Cao Juren to harm others.

Old Master Yan San didn’t waste words with Cao Juren, directly stating what the Yan Family had uncovered: "I’ve already brought old Gui along, the lord can inquire and understand."

Magistrate Shi was paying great attention to the matters concerning the Tong Family, and upon hearing Tong San had bribed Cao Juren, immediately said: "Bring old Gui up."

Old Gui was a man in his fifties; his parents had been servants for the Tong Family and, due to their service, the Tong Family freed his family after their deaths.

Yet, in the Tong Family’s eyes, he was still the family’s servant, having to do whatever task the Tong Family assigned.

As soon as old Gui arrived, he knelt down and cried: "Lord Magistrate, I was forced to do this. If I didn’t, my family wouldn’t survive in the Prefecture City... The Tong Family has so many protectors, even sending an Escort Master to teach me a lesson would be unbearable."

Magistrate Shi said: "Stop with the nonsense, speak clearly on how Tong San bribed Cao Fangshan."

Old Gui heard and dared not delay, recounting how Tong San had sent him to find Cao Juren, threatening him: "Cao Juren got a prostitute pregnant at over sixty years old; the child being raised in the countryside. Young Master Tong San initially used this matter to coerce Cao Juren, claiming he would expose his affair with a prostitute, making him a laughingstock in the Prefecture City unless he helped against the First Place Gu. But if successful, Cao Juren would receive five thousand taels as a reward, to which he agreed."

The revelation shocked everyone present, not expecting such gossip.

The watching townsfolk gossiped, mocking Cao Juren: "Oh, Cao Juren, you’re quite vigorous to father a child with a prostitute at your age. Although born from a prostitute, the child is still a treasure, should be brought home for proper care."

Some were disagreeable, saying: "Take care of what? The child’s mother is a prostitute; it’s uncertain if the child is his. How could Cao Juren accept him back? If the child grows up to resemble some man from the Prefecture City instead of him, wouldn’t he be furious?"

Cao Juren was nearly furious to death, pointing at them, trembling and berating: "You, you, you shut up, cough, cough, cough!" He was so angry he choked, coughing violently, almost rolling his eyes.

Magistrate Shi worried about Cao Juren dying on the public court, immediately hammered the gavel: "Quiet, quiet, anyone daring to speak more shall be flogged with twenty strikes!"

The watching townsfolk shut up promptly, continuing to observe.

Cao Juren was gravely angered, only enduring after receiving acupuncture from the summoned doctor.

Magistrate Shi said: "Cao Juren, considering your very elderly status, this prefect will not make things difficult for you. Regard it as being deceived by Tong San, apologize to the First Place Gu, pay a hundred tael fine, and return home."

Academic Administrator Kong nodded, agreeing: "Lord Shi is indeed benevolent; Cao Juren, you should cherish your fortune."

An incident such as being bribed to falsely accuse the top student is serious; if genuinely pursued, Cao Juren’s scholarly title could be revoked.

But Cao Juren had lost face greatly; admitting error would ruin his reputation for life. He was unwilling to apologize and instead pointed at Gu Jin’an: "Lord, Elder Gu is now nowhere to be found alive or dead, Gu Jin’an’s family has a vendetta against Elder Gu, I strongly suspect Elder Gu was murdered by their family, please, you must investigate thoroughly, otherwise, otherwise..."

Old Master Yan San laughed: "Otherwise, what will you do?"

Cao Juren, caught off guard, broke down due to heavy blows, shedding tears: "Otherwise, I shall die here in the public court, to uphold justice in the world!"

Bah, with what face do you speak of justice? You’ve just harmed others, yet dare to utter such words.

"You are incorrigible." Old Master Yan San looked at Cao Juren and said: "Cao Fangshan, if you apologize now, you can retain your scholarly title, but if you insist on pursuing Elder Gu’s whereabouts, claiming he was killed by Gu Jin’an’s family, we can’t accommodate you. Once the truth is revealed, it shall be reported to the Capital, your scholastic title will be revoked. You must decide carefully."

Cao Juren’s students heard and advised him: "Teacher, given the situation, let’s quickly apologize and leave; continuing will only bring more disgrace! The Yan Family mustn’t be offended; if offended, how can we live in Linhe Prefecture?"

Cao Juren originally intended to admit wrong, but hearing his students’ words, seeing them disdain him for losing face, felt more embarrassed, realizing that unless he succeeded in incriminating Gu Jin’an, his own future was doomed.

Cao Juren’s eyes were red with anger, glaring at Old Master Yan San: "Gu Jin’an definitely murdered Elder Gu!"

"Heh." Old Master Yan San sneered and said to Yan Xiaowu: "Go bring in Master You, Doctor Li, and Squad Leader Xue."

"Yes." Yan Xiaowu immediately left the court, summoning household servants, bringing the three waiting in the carriage.

Old Master Yan San pointed at Master You: "Elder Gu isn’t dead; he’s living at a Daoist Temple in the mountains with Master You here, and how Master You met Elder Gu and saved him, Doctor Li and Squad Leader Xue can attest."

He further explained: "I know these matters because an old friend informed me; Master You and the others were also sent by that old friend. That old friend’s surname is Ouyang, from the Capital Ouyang Family."