Ji Chengfeng listened intently to the young woman’s story across from him.

Previously, he only knew the general outline of her ordeal, but hearing the details directly was even more heart-pounding.

When he heard how she jumped out the window to escape the ruffians’ knives and clutched the iron chain, his usually calm and composed face unconsciously tensed.

Once she was safely away and entered the adjacent room, he slowly exhaled the breath he’d been holding.

Hearing about the lady who turned her back to shield her, Ji Chengfeng felt a deep sense of gratitude in his heart.

He was so tense and focused that he didn’t catch the last question clearly.

Xie Wanqing waited for a moment, seeing the person before her looking absent-minded, she couldn’t help but wave her hand, "Cousin, what are you thinking about?"

Her skin was fair and supple, her fingers slender and long, and Ji Chengfeng glanced at them, snapping back to reality.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip before saying, "Wanwan, what you went through was truly nerve-wracking."

The event was in the past, and Xie Wanqing waved it off nonchalantly, "It’s all over now."

She continued, bringing the topic back, "Did the Lin Family orchestrate this because of Second Young Master Lin? What kind of punishment will their family face?"

Ji Chengfeng slowly shook his head, "Second Young Master Lin is already over thirty, and hasn’t focused on his studies in years; he had no intentions of taking the provincial exam. The Lin Family’s actions were for their eldest grandson, an eighteen-year-old of their third generation."

The eighteen-year-old scholar, although not as dazzling as Lin Er once was, was undoubtedly a heavenly compensation for the Lin Family, who had lost Lin Er, their prodigy.

To produce a scholar from the family, especially one with a top ranking, they would do whatever it takes.

The top scorer from Anle County, being a rural native with no backing, even if he missed an exam due to illness, no family would thoroughly investigate.

For the Lin Family, a small ploy could eliminate a major threat, it was worth the effort.

Who would have thought that the Prefect himself would personally preside over the case?

The most inconspicuous Li Family in Bianzhou City managed to connect with the newly appointed Prefect, it was unexpected by all.

Ji Chengfeng said, "Since no lives were lost and there is an antidote to the poison, compensation was settled by the Lin Family paying a sum of silver coin with the victims’ agreement, involving several scholars."

Xie Wanqing frowned deeply as she listened, but before she could speak, the young man across looked over.

As if knowing her thoughts, he smiled and said, "Moreover, the Lin Family’s eldest grandson and Scholar Xu both had all their titles revoked, and for three generations, no direct or collateral descendent of the Lin Family can participate in the imperial exams."

The imperial exams are the only legitimate way for commoners to become officials.

For the Lin Family, who hoped to elevate their status through the exams, the three-generation ban was nearly life-shattering.

To elevate their status, they felt that Miss Liu was unworthy of Second Young Master Lin when he was shining brightly, forcibly breaking off the engagement, forcing them to elope.

Their prodigy wasted away more than ten years of his youth.

And now, they’re stripped of the imperial exam qualification for three generations.

Truly, it’s greatly satisfying.

In good spirits, Xie Wanqing willingly praised, her lips curving slightly, she smiled and said, "Cousin, you are fair and impartial, judging cases with divine insight, truly deserving of being Your Majesty’s appointed Champion Scholar."

What others would call flattery sounded inexplicably genuine from her lips.

Praise was indeed praise.

Just delivered too casually.

Without much force.