WBSGVS Chapter 58 V2

Wang Yongming’s voice remained cold. “If he were the top scholar, perhaps he’d be worth nurturing. But there are plenty of others more capable than him. He’ll likely fade into obscurity after the imperial exams. And what is he now? A mere scholar, with a brother who colluded with bandits in a scandalous marriage scam. Even if he passes the exams, he’s not worthy of you!”

Wang Huixin’s forehead was beaded with sweat from anxiety. “I don’t care if he’s worthy or not! Father, you love me the most—just let me see him!”

“Nonsense!” Wang Yongming scolded again. “If you marry someone like him, how will you ever hold your head high in front of your sisters? Are you truly willing to settle for that?”

Wang Huixin lifted her chin defiantly. “I am! Father, it’s been three days. Isn’t that proof enough? Do you want me to starve myself to make you understand? I want to be with him! I don’t care what his brother has done—that has nothing to do with him! You’re so powerful, Father. Just one word from you, and the magistrate would give you face!”

Wang Yongming’s face darkened, and he glared at her.

But Wang Huixin wasn’t intimidated in the least. With tear-filled eyes, she clung to his sleeve, pleading, “Father, I don’t want to fight with you. I’m begging you, please help him.”

This wasn’t the first time such a confrontation had occurred.

From the moment Cheng Zhaohua first came to see her, Wang Yongming had opposed it. To him, Cheng Zhaohua was just an ordinary student with no future, unworthy of his daughter, so he forbade them from meeting.

When the news of Cheng Zhaoyang’s crime reached them, it only reinforced Wang Yongming’s resolve.

But his daughter remained undeterred.

She’d even tried sneaking out several times.

He had spoiled her too much when she was younger, so much so that despite knowing he was on an official inspection, she had dared to secretly follow him. And now that she was here, what could Wang Yongming do?

He could only protect her the best he could.

Wang Huixin had been spoiled too much. From a young age, her father had never refused her any request. This time, when she encountered resistance, she was not planning to back down.

It was just a small matter, a trivial case. As the provincial governor, he could smooth it over with a wave of his hand.

Wang Huixin didn’t see this as a problem, and neither did Wang Yongming. His opposition was simply because he believed that such a person wasn’t worthy of his daughter.

“Father!”

Another pleading cry rang out.

Wang Yongming gritted his teeth, finally unable to hold back his compassion, and relented. “I can help him, but he must place in the top three in the imperial exam! Otherwise, I will never approve of your relationship!”

Wang Huixin’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Father!”

She bowed happily, waved her hand, and dashed out with her maid.

Meanwhile, Cheng Zhaohua, who had been rejected again by the servants, gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

But just a few steps away, he heard a crisp call behind him: “Young Master Cheng!”

Cheng Zhaohua stopped in his tracks, a glint flashing in his eyes. This time, his plan had worked.

The provincial governor’s daughter cared for him more than he had anticipated, and given the situation, he had to tightly bind them together.

Cheng Zhaohua turned around, forced a smile tinged with bitterness, and glanced back.

At the Cheng family home:

Cheng Yue’er sat alone on the doorstep, gazing in the direction of the county, her heart heavy with worry.

Earlier that afternoon, a bailiff had arrived with the jade pendant that her elder brother, Cheng Zhaoyang, had lost. She had thought it was a delivery for the family and was about to accept it, but instead, the bailiff had stormed in and taken her mother away.

Cheng Yue’er had chased after them but couldn’t catch up. The bailiff had been on horseback, and she hadn’t dared to go to the county alone. She had returned halfway and was now waiting here.

Ban Chun, also anxious, had prepared dinner. “Yue’er, go ahead and eat. They may return soon. By then, Zhaohua will be a scholar, and everything will be better!”

Cheng Yue’er pouted, feeling the same, but her unease deepened.

She stood to go inside but suddenly heard the sound of horses approaching. Her eyes brightened, and she hurried outside. A group of riders soon appeared before her.

Before she could speak, one of the bailiffs asked, “Is this the home of Cheng Zhaoyang?”

“Yes!” Cheng Yue’er smiled brightly and eagerly asked, “Excuse me, sir, have my brother and mother returned?”

The leading bailiff waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to dismount. He casually replied, “They’re not coming back.”

“What?!” Cheng Yue’er gasped in shock, her face immediately draining of color. Her voice quivered as she forced a weak, faltering smile. “You’re joking, right?”

The bailiff scoffed. “Your brother colluded with bandits and tricked a woman into marriage. He’s been sentenced to fifty lashes and ten years in prison. Your mother is an accomplice, sentenced to thirty lashes and ten years as well. If you want to see them, go to the prison in the northern part of the county. But we’re here for something else. The story about your family rescuing the Luo family’s daughter was all a lie. The Luo family’s money you’ve received over the years must be repaid, along with an additional two hundred taels as compensation. Little girl, hurry up and find the silver, or I’ll have to go looking myself.”

Cheng Yue’er’s face turned pale, and she stared at the bailiffs in terror, too shocked to speak.

Ban Chun, hearing the commotion, ran over. Upon hearing the news, she staggered back, unable to believe it. “Impossible, how could he have tricked someone into marriage?!”

“Impossible or not, it’s not up to you,” the bailiff sneered. “The magistrate himself made the ruling. Your mother, Xiong, and your brother, Cheng Zhaoyang, have both confessed. Hurry up, it’s already dark, and we need to report back.”

Cheng Yue’er’s legs gave way, and she leaned against the wall, tearfully asking, “Are you serious?”

This couldn’t be true!

How could something like this happen to their family?

She quickly insisted, “My second brother has surely passed the imperial exams. Don’t joke with me! He’ll be angry when he comes back!”

“Fine, if you won’t cooperate, we’ll search on our own,” the leading bailiff said, already losing patience. He pushed past her and entered the house.

Ban Chun tried to stop them, but one of the bailiffs easily waved her aside, sending her crashing to the ground.

The bailiffs weren’t here to joke around. They immediately began rummaging through the house, opening chests and drawers in search of the money.

In the chaos, Cheng Yue’er rushed inside and cried out as she saw them enter her room. “Get out! This is my room!”

“I don’t care,” the bailiff retorted, frowning as he pulled open a cabinet and tossed out the clothes inside. Then, he found a purse.

Cheng Yue’er’s heart sank. This was her savings—money she had collected over the years. She rushed forward, crying, “Waa…! Let go! It’s mine!”

“What’s yours? Didn’t you benefit from this?” The bailiff shoved her aside, sending her sprawling to the floor. He opened the purse and glanced inside, disgusted. “Only about fifty taels? Keep looking.”

“Boss, here’s another purse!”

“Boss, I found another one here…”

“Get out! This is my house!!” Cheng Yue’er screamed in frustration, watching as they found silver in her mother’s room and her brother’s room too.

The bailiffs paid no attention to her. When they couldn’t find enough, one of them scowled, clearly unhappy, and said, “Let’s see if there’s anything valuable we can take as repayment. Pack it up!”

Cheng Yue’er never imagined things could escalate like this. As she looked around at her disheveled home, she covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably. “Waa…! Brother, Second Brother, Mother, please come back soon!”