Chapter 343: Cheating Scandal

Chapter 343: The Cheating Scandal

Just as Luo Qingge was caught in an awkward spot, three loud bell tolls rang out from outside.

The Canglang Poetry Talk officially kicked off!

Ji Yuntang entered the venue and took her seat.

The fourth round was the calligraphy competition, and only a handful of contestants were left at this stage.

Besides Ji Zihang, who never showed, only ten contestants had made it through.

A proctor stepped forward to read out the rules.

"This calligraphy round will last as long as one incense stick burns. Contestants who finish can turn in their papers early. Anyone who doesn't check in within fifteen minutes of the start will be considered to have given up their spot. So use your time wisely."

When the test papers were distributed, the calligraphy prompt was just one short sentence.

"What do you think of our kingdom's county and prefecture system? Share your views."

Ji Yuntang smirked. This question was way too easy for her.

If she couldn't write about this, all those years of studying ancient history would've been a total waste!

Ji Yuntang picked up her brush and started writing right away. What she didn't notice was Mu Rongyue across from her, eyeing her with a scheming look.

Ji Yuntang's thoughts came easily this round, and she wrote fast. By the time she was done, only a third of the incense stick had burned.

She figured sitting around waiting was pointless, so she raised her hand to turn in her paper. "Sir, I'm done. Turning in my paper early."

A guard in a flying-fish uniform came over to collect her paper. After grabbing it, he stepped to the side.

Ji Yuntang didn't think twice and got up to leave.

Out of sight, the guard in the flying-fish uniform shot Mu Rongyue a quick look before ducking his head again.

One by one, others got up to turn in their papers. Ji Yuntang hadn't gone far—she found a quiet place to sit down.

She glanced at the teahouse, where a window was cracked open about five fingers wide, facing her way.

Ji Yuntang knew right then that Luo Junhe had shown up again today!

She looked away and sat quietly, waiting for the judges to grade.

With Ji Zihang out of the picture today, Ji Yuntang felt everything was going smoothly.

But that feeling didn't last. Luo Jingshen's angry roar hit her ears.

"Is this the paper Princess Ye turned in? Is she trying to make fools of all of us?"

Ji Yuntang frowned. What was wrong with her essay? Why was Luo Jingshen making such a big deal?

She looked at Mei Zhuyu and Cheng Rushan, only to see both of them looking troubled—which was weird.

Ji Yuntang knew then that something had to be wrong with her paper!

Sure enough, Luo Jingshen slammed the table and got to his feet.

He sneered, "Princess Ye's handwriting is giving me a headache. Did a dog scribble all over this paper?"

"And her essay—it's basically a copy of the model essay from the Hanlin Academy. Isn't that obvious cheating?"

Cheng Rushan frowned. He figured that with Ji Yuntang's skills, cheating was out of the question.

Unless someone was crazy, who in their right mind would copy the Hanlin Academy's model essay word for word?

Before Cheng Rushan could say anything, Luo Jingshen went on, "Headmaster Cheng, Director Mei, the proof of Princess Ye's plagiarism is solid."

"Our Dongchen Kingdom has produced such a contestant. I think we should void all her scores and lock her up to get to the bottom of this."

"If Princess Ye really stole the Hanlin Academy's paper, we can't let this slide."

Hearing this, no one was happier than Mu Rongyue.

Last night, Ji Qingqing had sent word that the Crown Prince would back her up, and she hadn't bought it.

Now it looked like the Crown Prince really was on her side, sticking up for her.

Mu Rongyue couldn't pretend she wasn't happy.

The reason she'd agreed to Ji Qingqing's plan was partly for her own gain.

If Ji Yuntang got eliminated, she'd have one less tough rival, and her odds of winning the Laureate would go up.

Whether she could marry Ji Zihang didn't matter much to Mu Rongyue anymore.

From the moment he was thrown into the Dali Temple prison, he'd already been tainted with disgrace.

That also meant Ji Zihang was no longer good enough for her!

Mu Rongyue wanted to use this chance to show off her vast knowledge and make everyone see her in a new light.

By then, what would the Marquis Yongning's household be? What would Ji Zihang be?

If she wanted, wouldn't she have her pick of husbands in the capital?

She sat there daydreaming, already picturing herself picking out a husband.

The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The laughter caught Luo Jingshen's attention, and he shot Mu Rongyue a disgusted look.

Just then, Ji Yuntang walked up to Luo Jingshen and said coolly, "Your Highness has said a lot, but it all comes down to you suspecting me of cheating."

"But I can honestly say there's no cheating in my essay. Can I, as the person involved, take a look at my own paper? I'd like to explain myself."

Luo Jingshen scoffed disdainfully, "Those who cheat would never admit to it. You should know very well what you wrote yourself."

"If you couldn't write, you couldn't write—admitting it openly wouldn't make anyone laugh at you. But pulling such underhanded tricks at the Canglang Poetry Talk is a disgrace to the royal family."

A hint of schadenfreude flickered in Luo Jingshen's eyes. His reaction made Ji Yuntang feel that this matter was likely tied to Ji Qingqing.

But she had just looked around and hadn't seen any sign of Ji Qingqing.

Not just Ji Qingqing—no one from the Marquis Yongning's household had come today.

Perhaps they were afraid of being embarrassed?

Ji Yuntang couldn't be bothered to waste more words with Luo Jingshen. She snatched the answer paper from his hand.

With a single glance, Ji Yuntang stated flatly, "This is not the answer sheet I submitted."

Mu Rongyue immediately stood up and accused, "The Crown Prince has already said your political essay is identical to the Hanlin Academy's model essay, and you still have the nerve to quibble?!"

"Quibble?" Ji Yuntang looked at her calmly, her gaze tinged with scrutiny and intimidation.

"I'm just stating the facts here. Where's the quibble in that?"

Mu Rongyue's face reddened in anger, "So you're claiming that name and handwriting on the answer sheet aren't yours?"

"The name is mine, but the handwriting is not," Ji Yuntang replied, as calm as ever.

She then added with mock surprise, "What, you didn't even do your research before framing me?"

"That's not very professional, you know. It's easy to end up shooting yourself in the foot."

Mu Rongyue: "..."

Mu Rongyue: "!!!"

Ji Yuntang's words were directed at her, and she belatedly realized the other woman might be suspicious of her and trying to bait her into confessing.

Mu Rongyue clenched her fists and snorted coldly, "Who's framing you?"

"I just can't stand people cheating on the Canglang Poetry Talk. I'm only speaking up for fairness for all the examinees here!"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Ji Yuntang's lips, "Well said, standing up for fairness. But what if I haven't cheated?"

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