It was getting late, but the matter’s resolution was much smoother and more impactful than Shao Yunan had expected. After the Dean announced Wang Zhisong’s departure, Shao Yunan also thought of leaving. The county magistrate looked at the sky and ordered the people who came with him to escort Wang Tianyan and Wang Guo to Xiushui Village to announce the penalty. At this time, Zhao Yuande, the son of Zhao Lizheng and Wang Shuping, the son of the Wang clan patriarch, hurriedly came forward to plead guilty.

Although the county magistrate did not mention whether he would investigate the crime of Zhao Lizheng and the Wang clan, Wang Shuping and Zhao Yuande were still scared. The county magistrate was quite polite to the two of them, saying only that when they went back, they should tell their fathers that as family patriarchs, human feelings should also be taken into account, but they could not violate the law. In short, they were also knocked down a peg. 

Shao Yunan was secretly surprised to hear that the county magistrate seemed to be a little partial to them? Otherwise, with his and Wang Shijing’s identity, it was already rare that the county magistrate was willing to manage this matter, but he not only helped them with his words, he also warned Zhao Lizheng and the Wang clan patriarch through Zhao Yuande and Wang Shuping. 

Shao Yunan immediately had a plan in mind. After Wang Shuping and Zhao Yuande said that Wang Tianyan was outside the county school, the county magistrate sent someone to catch him. Shao Yunan stepped forward and bowed, “Your Excellency, I have another unkind request.” The county magistrate did not seem to mind Shao Yunan’s self-address and said, “Go ahead.”

Shao Yunan said, “This man is innocent, but even innocent men get into trouble because of their wealth.” Another amazing sentence came out. “Your excellency ruled that the stone belongs to Wang Shijing, but now everyone knows we have valuable stones in our possession. Wang Shijing and I are just ordinary people and after this incident, there is no guarantee that there will not be any curiosity about the stone, so I want to hand over the remaining stone to you for safekeeping, so that I can protect my family of four with your excellency’s authority.” 

When Shao Yunan said this, the audience was shocked. Wang Shijing was also stunned, but he pursed his lips tightly and did not say anything. The county magistrate also could not hide his surprise. “I’m afraid this stone is extremely rare, right? I have already made the decision for you, so if anything happens later because of the stone, you can beat the drums to voice your grievances and I will not refuse. It’s just a matter of handing it over to the Yamen officers.” 

But Shao Yunan already pulled out the stone directly from his bosom. Amid the surprise of the whole audience, he stepped forward and handed the stone with both his hands. “Your excellency, do you think this stone will not attract the attention of the criminals? My family has two young children and at the beginning, I told the truth about the stones in order to dispel the doubts of the villagers. But who would have thought that even my own family would covet it, so how can I be rest assured about others? The truth is, my family had four stones. I sold three of them to the Butterfly Jewelry Pavilion, and this is the last one. Now that things have come to this point, even if it wasn’t my wish I also have no regrets. But I don’t dare to keep this stone with me anymore, so please grant my rude request. When we are able to keep the stone in the future, I will come to get it.”

The Dean reached out and took the stone from Shao Yunan’s hand, touched it again and again and looked at if from every direction before nodding, “This stone is almost identical to meat, I was almost wondering why brother Shao took out a piece of meat.”

Shao Yunan smiled ‘foolishly’ as the Dean handed the stone to the county magistrate, who looked at it and touched it in amazement. “It is indeed a rare thing.” Saying that, he handed out the stone again. “You all come and take a look.”

When the county magistrate said it, the two teachers and students all gathered around. Even Wang Zhisong couldn’t help coming closer and taking a look. After everyone saw it, the Dean said, “Your excellency, brother Shao’s worries are not unreasonable. Even though the Yongxiu region is relatively safe, for brother Shao to keep this stone, you are the best option. In this old man’s opinion, you might as well take care of this stone for both of them.”

The words of the Dean surprised Shao Yunan again. This Dean also seemed to be a powerful person! It could be said that he was worthy of the title of school Dean, because his moral character was so high!

The county magistrate touched the flesh-like stone in his hand and pondered for a long time, before looking at Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing and speaking. “In that case, this official will keep it for you. In the future, if you two have the ability to protect the stone, this official will return the stone to you. Everyone present today is my witness. During the term of office of this official, I will keep this strange stone for Wang Shijing and his wife, Shao Yunan, safe. This is also guaranteed by the Dean.”

“This old man is willing to vouch for it.”

“Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Dean!” Shao Yunan thanked them excitedly, with a relaxed smile of ‘the trouble was finally sent away.’ The Dean pointed at Shao Yunan and laughed, with a helpless smile of ‘you really had a good idea,’ but also seemed to have a bit of affection for this younger generation.

The county magistrate said, “It’s getting late, so you two can go back.” With that, the county magistrate took out a jade plate from his pocket and handed it to him. “Take this jade plate, so if you have any grievances in the future you can go straight to this official office and beat the drum. This official also exempts you from the rule of thirty boards first, so you don’t need to come to the county school again to disturb the teacher’s lecture.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency!” Shao Yunan happily took the jade plate, which was an ultimate talisman!

Then the county magistrate said, “Although the Dean and the two teachers did not punish you, but you disturbing the county school is still true. This official can’t leave it unpunished, otherwise others would learn from this example. You can go home and settle your family matter, but after three days you will need to come to the Yamen to receive your punishment.” 

“Your excellency!” Wang Shijing became very anxious after hearing him. Shao Yunan gripped Wang Shijing’s hand tightly, letting him know to calm down and just bowed saying, “I know I was wrong, I’ll come to the Yamen in three days to receive punishment.” The county magistrate waved his hand, “You can go back.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Dean! Thank you, two teachers!” After paying his respects, Shao Yunan grasped the hand of the tense-faced Wang Shijing and left together with him. Zhao Yuande and Wang Shuping also went to pay their respects before taking the disheveled and pale Wang Zhisong with them. 

With all the people gone, the Dean also let the students leave class and the next day’s morning study time was also moved up by half an hour. The students, who had watched a lively show and learned something new, scattered excitedly. When the surroundings quieted down, teacher Chen immediately said to the Dean, “Dean, that little brother Shao is a strange person, those words of his, no student have ever heard them before.”

To scholars, novelty was always full of temptation. The Dean’s expression also became quite serious as he stroked his beard in deep thought. “Indeed, I wonder who he studied under.” With Shao Yunan’s performance, no one would doubt that he studied before.

The county magistrate also had a thoughtful look on his face as he said, “This official will send someone to check it out first. When he comes in three days, this official will also ask him for details. The two teachers should also keep quiet for now and discipline their students more.”

“Yes.”

Although the county magistrate was young, he was the favored pupil of the great scholar Weng Lao of the current dynasty and imperial teachers of two emperors. Even an old man like the school Dean had to be respectful in front of him. The Dean and the two teachers were also sure that punishing Shao Yunan was just an excuse to meet him again alone and block gossip. 

This was also the reason why Shao Yunan let Wang Shijing know, to not be impatient, because he also saw the county magistrate’s true intention. After leaving the county school, Shao Yunan first apologized to Wang Shuping and Zhao Yuande, who also suffered a bit from the disaster. Wang Shuping and Zhao Yuande repeatedly said that there was no need to take it to heart, but also in turn comforted Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan, making Shao Yunan confused. How could their attitude be so friendly?

Sure enough, Wang Tianyan was no longer at the gate. Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing were told that Wang Tianyan had been taken away by the Yamen officials. Thinking that the official messengers must have already gone to Xiushui Village, Wang Shuping and Zhao Yuande needed to rush back immediately to explain the situation. Shao Yunan happened to need to buy some things so he let the

Edited by: Jaisland

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