CHAPTER 309: CHAPTER 294: A FINE POEM (PART 3)

County Magistrate Ma pondered for a moment in his heart and stood up.

"For the final round, I vote for Yu Xueguan."

Given the situation, Zhao and Lu would definitely vote for Yu Xiaolian. Rather than letting them win two to one, it was better for him to cast the first vote for Yu Xiaolian, perhaps saving some face and showing his fairness.

For County Magistrate Ma’s contrary action, Zhao, Lu, and Ying exchanged glances, quite surprised.

However, in an instant, the three regained their composure.

Zhao Zhiyun and Lu Manluo also cast their votes for Yu Xiaolian, and Dean Ying announced the competition result symbolically.

Yu Xiaolian won.

Ma Xiyue suddenly let out a piercing scream and then, with much flair, fainted.

Yu Xiaolian had already noticed Ma Xiyue’s unsteadiness when she was teetering and circling, so when Ma Xiyue fainted, Yu Xiaolian swiftly caught her.

Ma Jingwen came over and took his sister from Yu Xiaolian’s hands, thanking her.

Yu Xiaolian nodded indifferently.

She was pondering whether to talk to Lu Manluo about issuing an official document for Ma Xiyue. After all, she had no significant enmity with Ma Xiyue and there was no need to ruin a girl’s life, especially in ancient times where women already lived tough lives.

Before Yu Xiaolian could think deeper, she saw Head Zhao laughing heartily as he ran towards her, "Teacher Yu, we struck it rich! You’ve got fifteen thousand taels, and I’ve got five thousand taels. Let’s go to my fourth brother’s place to get the money, and I’ll treat you to a drink after!"

Head Zhao was so overjoyed that he didn’t realize Su Jingchen was watching coldly from the side until he realized it too late, remembering that Teacher Yu was a woman and probably wouldn’t drink.

Head Zhao originally thought the thousand taels he casually placed as a bet were gone, not expecting such a turnaround, haha...

He couldn’t wait to see the awkward look on his second brother’s face.

Ah, five thousand taels, how delightful!

Teacher Yu was like his lucky star, five thousand taels, just thinking about it made him happy. It was the most he had earned since starting the Escort Agency. He had to quickly go to his fourth brother to get the money, then head back to the old house to show off a bit.

After thanking Zhao, Lu, and Ying, the three deans, Yu Xiaolian planned to go to the gambling house with Head Zhao to collect her winnings, but she was stopped by County Magistrate Ma.

County Magistrate Ma expressed a desire to talk to Yu Xiaolian privately.

Yu Xiaolian roughly guessed what County Magistrate Ma wanted to talk about, probably still about Ma Xiyue’s graduation document.

Sure enough, after walking a short distance, County Magistrate Ma succinctly expressed his request.

Indeed, it was a request.

County Magistrate Ma spoke courteously, asking Yu Xiaolian to speak to Lu Manluo to open a back door for his daughter Ma Xiyue.

Even if County Magistrate Ma hadn’t asked, Yu Xiaolian had no intention of ruining Ma Xiyue completely; if Ma Xiyue took it too hard and resorted to suicide, it would be a huge sin on her part.

Moreover, County Magistrate Ma was Prince Jin’s man and also the magistrate of her registered residence. If he decided to secretly sabotage her, could her life be as smooth?

Besides, it wasn’t Yu Xiaolian who insisted on betting against Ma Xiyue; it was Ma Xiyue who set her up. If she didn’t dare to accept the challenge, she would seem cowardly, making it hard to establish herself in Luocheng.

She was still hoping that her Ninth Grade status could climb up a bit!

Furthermore, as they talked, County Magistrate Ma extended five fingers, indicating his willingness to repay Yu Xiaolian with this amount.

Yu Xiaolian’s eyes curved into a smile, "Five thousand taels?"

County Magistrate Ma’s mouth twitched, and he whispered, "Do I look like such a rich magistrate?

Five hundred taels!"

Yu Xiaolian pouted – such a cheapskate!

County Magistrate Ma heard that Yu Xiaolian and Zhao Wuye had placed a bet at the gambling house and saw Yu Xiaolian being eager and happy to collect her winnings, knowing she loved money, which is why he thought of bribing her.

Five thousand taels would have been okay, but five hundred taels weren’t tempting enough; it would be better for her to ask for a favor from County Magistrate Ma instead.

As County Magistrate Ma hesitated whether to raise the offer, Yu Xiaolian pretended to be serious, stating that it was all a joke, and that intellectuals shouldn’t be discussing money.

Talking about money is vulgar!

I can’t guarantee success, but I’ll do my best, okay?

County Magistrate Ma saw Yu Xiaolian being so accommodating and praised her high moral standards and modesty.

"However, there’s one thing I hope County Magistrate Ma can clarify..." Yu Xiaolian brought up, referring to the plagiarism accusation against Su Jingchen.

County Magistrate Ma blushed, "Sure, sure..."

Earlier, he had just casually made up the statement for his daughter to win.

He regretted it immediately after saying it, not expecting such strong backing for the young Su Jingchen.

County Magistrate Ma indicated that as long as Yu Xiaolian could persuade Lu Manluo to issue the Women’s Virtue Academy’s graduation document for Ma Xiyue, he would be willing to issue a public statement clearing Su Jingchen of plagiarism allegations.