Chapter 46: I Want Him Barred from the Imperial Examinations for Life

Madam Wei burst out laughing, her anger palpable. Did these people really think she was a fool?

“If you didn’t confess, why were you thrown here?” she snapped, fully aware they had already admitted everything, revealing to Shen Shilang that they had acted on Wei Jianming’s orders.

“Mother!” Wei Jianming panicked. “If Shen Shilang reports this to the authorities, I… I’ll be barred from the imperial examinations!”

Slap!

Madam Wei backhanded Wei Jianming across the face.

“Knowing the consequences, why did you still do it?” she scolded, her anger stemming from deep disappointment.

Wei Jianming cradled his cheek, stunned. Never in his life had his mother struck him.

“You finally passed the provincial exam, just one step away from success. Why risk everything now?” Madam Wei fumed. “Can’t you prioritize what’s truly important?”

“Mother, scold me all you want later, but now we need a solution!” Wei Jianming pleaded urgently.

“Go to Shen Shilang. Swallow your pride, apologize, and beg for his forgiveness. Ask him not to report this,” Madam Wei instructed. “We’ve supported him for years; he owes us. Even if people accuse us of leveraging that debt, let him spare you this once.”

She turned to the five men still bound on the ground. “Did you provide Shen Shilang with any concrete evidence?”

The five remained silent, wishing to deny it. But their signed confessions were already in Shen Shilang’s possession. Any denial now would be futile.

After a moment’s hesitation, one blurted out, “We had no choice! He was going to kill us!”

“He wouldn’t dare kill anyone!” Madam Wei retorted, almost breathless with fury. “Does he not care for his future? Besides, Chong’an still has laws!”

“That’s uncertain,” one man muttered. “In the wilderness, with no witnesses, he could kill us, dismember our bodies, and use them as fertilizer. Who would ever know?”

Madam Wei: “……”

Now you can argue well!..

“What evidence does he have?” she pressed, needing clarity to face Shen Shilang.

Before they could answer, a servant rushed in. “Madam, Shen Shilang is approaching.”

Moments later, Shen Shilang arrived.

“Madam Wei,” he greeted, looking sharp and utterly sober.

Wei Jianming calculated the timing. When they left the banquet, Shen Shilang had appeared thoroughly drunk. He should have just returned from the outskirts, with no time to sober up.

Yet here he stood, clear-headed and alert. The only explanation: Shen Shilang had been feigning intoxication all along!

But why? Could he have anticipated the plan and prepared accordingly?

As Wei Jianming’s thoughts raced, Shen Shilang spoke: “I’ve come to inquire about my coachman’s whereabouts, Second Young Master.”

Wei Jianming’s face flushed with guilt, fearing Shen Shilang might produce evidence of his bribery at any moment.

“Your coachman indulged in some wine during the banquet. Finding him inebriated, we brought him back to prevent any accidents. We sent another driver for you. Did you not meet him?”

Shen Shilang chuckled softly, nodding towards the bound men behind Wei Jianming. “Perhaps you should conceal those five before continuing our conversation?”

Wei Jianming paled, nervously licking his lips. “Come to think of it, I’m curious myself. Who are these men, and how did they end up in my courtyard?”

“You may not know them, but I do.” Shen Shilang produced a signed confession from his robes, handing it to Madam Wei. “Their testimony, complete with signatures and fingerprints. Please, Madam, take a look.”

Madam Wei accepted the document, her expression darkening as she read. “What do you intend to—”

Before she could finish, Wei Jianming snatched the confession and tore it to shreds.

Madam Wei: “……”

Fool!

If Shen Shilang dared show this confession, he surely had copies. Did Wei Jianming truly believe destroying it would solve anything?

As expected, Shen Shilang raised an eyebrow. “No worries. I have more.”

Wei Jianming: “……”

“What do you want?” he shouted, his composure shattering.

Madam Wei interjected coldly: “State your terms. What will it take for you to spare Jianming?”

“I want him barred from the imperial examinations for life,” Shen Shilang declared, producing another copy of the confession. “As I said, I have more.”

“Should Wei Jianming attempt to take the imperial exam, I’ll submit this to the authorities immediately,” Shen Shilang continued firmly. “Even if he passes in secret, I’ll ensure his name is struck from the records. He’ll be permanently disqualified.”

“Shen Shilang! You—” Wei Jianming lunged to grab Shen Shilang’s collar but was easily evaded.

In both intellect and physical prowess, Wei Jianming was no match for him.

Ignoring Wei Jianming entirely, Shen Shilang addressed Madam Wei: “The Second Young Master sought to destroy my future, to bar me from the examinations forever. Is it not fair that I reciprocate?”

“Besides, I’m not crippling him. Even without the imperial exam, he remains a provincial scholar.”

“But he’ll never rise above a mere scholar!” Madam Wei gritted her teeth. “My son has a brilliant future ahead! You can’t destroy it like this!”

Shen Shilang remained unmoved.

Madam Wei took a deep breath. “Shen Shilang, doesn’t our family deserve your gratitude?”

Shen Shilang’s first thought was that Madam Wei had uncovered his true identity. But he quickly dismissed the notion.

He knew Madam Wei’s character well, as did Wei Zhaoxian and Wei Jianlang. Fiercely protective and somewhat selfish, especially regarding Wei Zhaoxian, she would never act against his interests and often made decisions unilaterally to protect him.

Had Wei Zhaoxian revealed Shen Shilang’s identity to her, she would have reported it long ago out of concern for her family’s safety. Shen Shilang wouldn’t have even had the opportunity to take the provincial exam.

As expected, Madam Wei continued, “You came to us as a child. We raised you, clothed you in fine robes, and hired renowned tutors for your education. Without those teachers, do you truly believe you could have passed the provincial exam and become the top scholar?”

“Had you not lived with us,” she pressed on passionately, “who knows where you’d be now, wearing patched up clothes and studying by weak candlelight? Even if you’d managed to pass the exam, without guidance from renowned teachers, could you have become the top scholar?”