Yang, like a madwoman, pointed at the new county magistrate and yelled, as if only by doing so could she suppress the panic in her heart and make these words a reality.
The new county magistrate frowned, looking at the shrewish woman, his face already showing anger. "I am the newly appointed county magistrate. Because I was busy with the county exam, I did not issue a formal announcement, but I have appointment documents and an official seal to prove it."
Saying so, he looked at the person beside him. "Go and fetch the appointment documents and the official seal."
Yang was completely flustered, not knowing what to do, and just sat on the ground blankly.
A moment later, the appointment documents and the official seal were brought.
Most parents who could send their children to academy were literate, and many were knowledgeable, so they naturally recognized the contents of the documents.
At this point, how could anyone not understand what was going on? Those who had been accusing Li Yue Shu earlier fell silent, glaring angrily at Yang.
"No... it's not like this, it's fake, it's forged, it's not true..."
Yang was incoherent, completely losing her composure.
The new county magistrate looked at her with a dark expression. "You insulted an official appointed by the court, slandered a student, and caused public trouble by spreading rumors. You will be punished for multiple crimes, and I will not show leniency! Guards, escort her to prison to await sentencing!"
"No... don't arrest me! I was wrong, I'll never dare again, Your Honor, spare me, I'll never dare again! Your Honor, spare me..."
Yang struggled wildly, but as a woman, how could she be a match for two yamen runners? Her hair became disheveled as she struggled, and she was still dragged away in a sorry state.
The troublemaker left, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet.
At the back of the crowd, Shen Cheng Cai had been observing the situation. Seeing his mother being escorted away, his already dark square face became even darker.
Damn Shen Yi Min, damn Li Yue Shu, why are they always so lucky!
The new county magistrate looked at Li Yue Shu beside him, finally having time to appraise this Madam Shen.
Before taking office, he had heard many rumors about her, and even the previous county magistrate had specifically reminded him to take good care of Madam Shen before going to the prefectural office.
But looking at her calm and composed demeanor when facing so many accusations earlier, and the swift two slaps she gave Yang, she probably didn't need his care at all.
The curiosity in the new county magistrate's eyes flashed by. He then cupped his hands towards Li Yue Shu. "I have long heard of Madam Shen's reputation. Meeting you for the first time today, you are indeed as brave and straightforward as the rumors say, which is admirable."
He deliberately raised his voice, and the phrase "meeting you for the first time" clearly reached the ears of those around him.
Li Yue Shu, not understanding his meaning, replied, "Your Honor, you flatter me. Today's events were all caused by this commoner, which has implicated your reputation. I must thank you for your magnanimity and for not holding it against me."
They had indeed met for the first time, but their witty banter was a perfect match.
To avoid suspicion, the new county magistrate said a few words to Li Yue Shu and then turned back to the county office.
Many of those who had accused Li Yue Shu earlier came over to apologize to her.
Her two sons had taken the first and second places in the county exam, which was an incredible feat in Tong Mu County.
Moreover, Madam Shen herself had such a great reputation, so of course, they had to maintain a good relationship with her.
Li Yue Shu accepted everyone's apologies with a calm demeanor, her smile as gentle and kind as it had been at the beginning, as if Yang had never appeared.
Many people witnessed her composure and admired Madam Shen even more.
However, Mo Mu, though silent, still looked unhappy on their way back.
Mo Lian noticed her mood and took her hand to comfort her. "Mother, don't take those people's words to heart and upset yourself. It's not worth it."
Mo Mu sighed. "Mother isn't upset about what those people said, but about that Yang."
She looked at Li Yue Shu with heartache. "She's already been divorced by the Shen family, how can she still be haunting us! The hard work of the eldest son and Ah Lian is evident for all to see. You are both still children, how can she have such malicious intentions to ruin your future!"
As she spoke, Mo Mu became even more angry.
Li Yue Shu, driving the carriage, glanced back at Mo Mu and comforted her. "Yang has angered an official appointed by the court this time. She will likely lose half her life when she comes out. She is not an utterly foolish person, and she will definitely not bother us again in the future."
Shen Wei looked up at her, wanting to say something, but ultimately did not.
Yang herself might not cause trouble again, but if Shen Cheng Cai instigated her, it would be uncertain.
...httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Although Yang's disturbance caused a slight unpleasantness, everyone quickly put it behind them.
After all, today was not only a good day for Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian to pass the county exam, but also the fourth birthday of Shen Zhi Yu.
Li Yue Shu, as usual, made a cake and a birthday hat. Shen Zhi Yu's eyes lit up as he looked at the cake meant just for him.
When it was time to make a wish, he closed his eyes for a long time without moving.
Li Yue Shu thought he had fallen asleep and was about to wake him when she saw the little fellow happily open his eyes.
Shen Ting Yi leaned over curiously. "Fourth brother, what wish did you make that took so long?"
Shen Zhi Yu covered his mouth with his hands and shook his head repeatedly with wide eyes.
Clearly, the little fellow remembered what his elder brother had said on his birthday, that wishes would not come true if they were spoken aloud.
Everyone chuckled.
Li Yue Shu placed the small knife in his hand. "The first cut of the cake, let Ah Yu do it!"
Everyone quickly finished the cake to fill their stomachs, and after a short rest, they had dinner.
After a satisfying meal, Li Yue Shu took out the gift she had prepared in advance, a pair of custom-made small shoes.
Ah Yu was an active child and always liked to run around, so his shoes wore out faster than his elder brothers' and sisters'. She had specifically found someone to make a pair of durable ones.
Looking at the tiger-head doll embroidered on the shoes, Shen Zhi Yu's face was full of joy. "Wow, did Mother embroider this for Ah Yu?"
Li Yue Shu's hand holding the shoes stiffened for a moment, and she quickly resumed her smiling expression. "This is a pattern that Mother personally designed. Does Ah Yu like it?"
When it came to needlework, she could at most mend a hole, and her stitches were long enough to resemble earthworms.
Shen Zhi Yu did not notice her diverting the topic and nodded repeatedly. "I like it, thank you, Mother!"
Seeing that he truly liked it, Li Yue Shu was also very happy.
Last time, on Ah Min's birthday, the knee pads she gave him were also personally designed by her. Ah Min usually wore them while reading in the study.
Every time she saw them, she felt an indescribable joy and pride.
...
Because of Yang's disturbance, the news that the top two scholars of Tong Mu County's imperial examination came from the same family, along with Li Yue Shu's reputation, quickly spread to other counties.
Self-made potent medicine, reshaping broken bones, replacing damaged internal organs...
The title "Madam Shen" spread further and further, and became increasingly exaggerated.
Because of this, there were also many people who were skeptical.
Even in a medical clinic hundreds of miles away, many doctors were discussing this matter.