My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 181 The truth comes out

Master Cen was a little embarrassed, but he still said with a brave face: "Yes, he loved my book very much at the time, and because he went far away and couldn't come back, he simply copied it and took my book away, and gave his book to me."

When Cen Cheng heard that his uncle had smoothed things over, he was nervous and his arrogance had subsided, but now he was very proud again.

"Yes, that's right. Only my uncle could write something like this. You say it's your father's. Can you provide proof?"

He didn't believe it was a big deal for a country boy to be able to recognize a few words. The handwriting on the book was so good that it could be said to be the work of a master. How could it be written by a country boy?

"Of course, my father's handwriting must have been seen by many people." Si Muyan said calmly, "The signs at the Si family's porridge shop, food shop, dim sum shop, and duck shop are all in my father's handwriting. I think many of you here have been to my family's shop and seen the handwriting on the signs, right? Does anyone remember?"

Most of the students present had eaten at the Si family shop, but few remembered the words on the sign.

It just so happened that there were two people who loved calligraphy and painting very much. They usually collected works of various masters. They had carefully studied the sign of Sijia Restaurant and wondered which master created it, so they asked my younger sister.

The two men stepped forward and said, "I remember that I'm a student at Phoenix Academy, my last name is Zeng, and I saw the sign for Si's Restaurant when I went there to eat."

"My last name is Shao. I like to study calligraphy. I once joked that I wanted to ask the person who wrote the sign to write a piece of calligraphy for me."

Si Muyan asked them to identify the words in the book.

Master Cen never expected that this book was actually written by a countryman. He was shocked and panicked, not knowing what to do. He could only look to his nephew Cen Cheng for help.

Cen Cheng, however, spoke without thinking, angrily: "Who the hell are you? Humph, your father is a country boy, how could he write?"

But not all the people present were blind. Especially when they heard that Si Muyan worked at the Si family restaurant, they all guessed his identity and started talking about it.

"I may be a country boy now, but I was once a nobleman."

"Yes, he was a marquis in the past. How could someone who was a marquis be simple?"

"I heard that even the most wealthy young masters in Kyoto are capable of reading and writing. Moreover, he has inherited a marquisate, so his talent and learning cannot be bad."

Cen Cheng was completely stunned: "Marquis... Marquis?"

By this time, Zeng and Shao had also finished their identification and said, "Layman, the handwriting on the book and the signboard of the Si family can be recognized as being written by the same person."

"Layman, my opinion is the same as Brother Zeng's."

Dongli Jushi nodded to Si Muyan and said, "Your father is Si Xingzhi, the Marquis of Anle?"

Si Muyan saluted and said, "I am no longer the Marquis of Anle. My father is Si Xingzhi from Songji Village."

Dongli Jushi held up two books and smiled, "When I saw this book, I was always curious about what kind of person could compile such a volume, one that is well-versed in state affairs and has a deep understanding of people's livelihoods. I can also sense that this person is not only experienced in officialdom and has a good understanding of the people's joys and sorrows. Few ordinary people can understand this. Now I understand that it was your father."

Si Muyan was stunned. She knew her adopted father liked reading and writing, but she never knew he was so profound. Did she underestimate Si Xingzhi?

Dongli Jushi solemnly handed the book to Si Muyan and said, "Since it belongs to your father, it should be returned. Please cherish it and don't let anyone take it away."

Master Cen and Cen Cheng's faces flushed crimson with embarrassment. Everyone present booed and looked down upon them.

"Taking someone else's things and claiming them as your own is no different from stealing."

"How shameless! The author of the book lives in a nearby village, and they have the audacity to claim it as their own."

Dongli Jushi looked at Song Chunbo again and said, "This child is very honest and brave enough to seek justice for the master. He is really good. I will be staying at the Phoenix Academy in the county town for the next two weeks. If you are willing, I will talk to the academy director and let you stay with me for the next two weeks. Is that okay?"

Song Chunbo was stunned. He was already thirteen years old, so of course he knew what it meant to follow Master Dongli. Even if it was only for two weeks, it was an honor that many people could not ask for.

"Of course, you don't have to answer me right away. Go back and discuss it with your family. If your family is willing, you can come find me at Phoenix Academy tomorrow."

"Okay, okay! Thank you very much, Master." Song Chunbo bowed, almost crying, "I thought I would never be able to study in this life..."

Si Muyan asked, "How could that be? My father praised you for being so good. You just need to work harder. How could you possibly have no chance of studying?"

Song Chunbo explained: "It was the teacher who said that if I told the truth, he would not let me take the imperial examination..."

The imperial examinations required a guarantor, and usually the guarantor for the county examination was his own teacher. Song Chunbo was a country boy, and without a teacher to guarantee him, it would have been difficult for him to find another one.

Dongli Jushi's eyes fixed, and he said, "Don't worry, I will explain the situation to the county magistrate."

The student next to him hurriedly said, "Layman, the instructor of Fenghuang County is Mr. Cen's uncle."

Mr. Dongli just glanced at them and said nothing more.

But both Master Cen and Cen Cheng knew that their lives were over. Stealing other people's achievements was a serious crime. Even if Si Xingzhi did not report it, Master Cen would never be able to teach again, and Cen Cheng would never be able to take the imperial examinations.

Si Muyan said goodbye to An Susu and Yin Xuezi, and took Song Chunbo back.

Before this, she had secretly whispered to An Susu: "This time, sister's vision should be good."

An Susu blushed with shame. She gently hit her and turned away.

Si Muyan smiled. This was not a lie. When they came over, those students were very rude to them, but Yin Xuezi did not look down on them at all and immediately stood in front of An Susu.

It can be seen that the Indian students did not care at all that An Susu was married, nor did they care that she was a merchant's daughter.

A man like this might really be trustworthy.

When Song Chunbo returned, Si Xingzhi realized that his book almost became someone else's.

But he didn't even look at the book. He just reached out and touched Song Chunbo's face, frowning and saying, "Don't do such dangerous things again. If it weren't for your sister Yan this time, wouldn't you be in trouble?"

Song Chunbo said: "Sir, this is your book. The teacher has taken your book and your talent!"

Si Xingzhi laughed heartily: "Silly child, how could your talent be taken away? It's just a book. I, sir, can write many, many more. You must remember that as long as you are alive, there is hope. It doesn't matter if other things are lost!"