Chapter 1316: Chapter 1313: To Tell the Truth

Trembling, he said, “The only thing the person who delivered the exam papers to me said that was unrelated to the papers was asking me which students had been invited to the banquet.”

“I just mentioned a few students’ names randomly, and the other party didn’t ask further. I didn’t take it seriously. I thought he might want to sell it to someone else, so I gave him the silver in a hurry and asked him not to look for other people.” The more Zhong Yan spoke, the more he felt he had been foolish, and his face turned somewhat pale.

If that person had really sold the exam papers to someone else, when the affair grew too large, with too many students involved, he would not be noticed and could instead find an opportunity to clear the suspicions against him.

At most, they would just have to retake the exam.

But now…

“Father, in this exam, was my answer sheet the only one that matched the bought exam papers?” Zhong Yan asked cautiously.

Master Zhong sneered, “Yes, only yours, that’s why you were targeted.”

“Tell me honestly, did you go to your uncle for help to get the questions?” While Master Zhong was angry, he also did not forget to look for traces, the more he spoke, the stranger he thought the whole affair.

Zhong Yan quickly waved his hands, “Father, no, I absolutely didn’t dare ask Uncle for help. Even if I wanted to buy the exam papers, I wouldn’t involve Uncle…”

Realizing his words could be misconstrued, Zhong Yan quickly explained, “Father, I didn’t mean that, I really didn’t intend to buy the exam papers from anyone…”

“Tell the truth, if you lie to me again, I won’t care even if you are ruined.” Seeing that he still was delusional, Master Zhong kicked him hard in the chest.

Madam Zhong gasped, her face covered in tears as she embraced Zhong Yan, “Son, stop talking nonsense and deceiving your father. If we don’t resolve this matter, your whole life will be ruined.”

“Father, I’ll tell, I’ll tell.” Regardless of the pain in his chest, Zhong Yan sat up and clung to Master Zhong’s legs, confessing honestly, “Father, I had thought of buying the exam papers before, but I didn’t manage to, and then I gave up.”

“So when that person approached me, I was happy, and I agreed without even thinking.”

Master Zhong’s anger was unrestrained, “Right, and how did you answer that person’s question?”

He felt that it might just be his son’s foolishness, going around asking for the exam papers, which let someone catch him in their grasp, hence the papers being delivered proactively.

But then, who was the one who leaked the exam papers? It must be remembered, this time the only ones who could have known about the exam papers in advance were the Prefect and the Instructor.

The exam was also presided over by the Prefect.

Could it be targeting my wife’s family?

Master Zhong began to suspect.

Zhong Yan, not daring to hide anything at this point, said, “I mentioned Xie Hai, Huang Lin, and Chu Sheng.”

“Is there anything special about these three?” Madam Zhong asked, puzzled.

Master Zhong asked about the three’s backgrounds and after a while muttered softly, “It seems only Chu Sheng’s background is somewhat special, he is also from a noble family.”

“My lord, what should we do?” Madam Zhong asked anxiously.

Zhong Yan, seeing his father wasn’t paying attention to him, instinctively moved further away, shivering, and couldn’t help but touch his kicked stomach, wincing with each touch. He naturally dared not get close to Master Zhong, fearing another beating.

“I will contact the other party first, Lady, you go and arrange for the silver,” Master Zhong declared.

Madam Zhong quickly nodded.

Seeing Master Zhong leave with a flick of his sleeves, she quickly helped Zhong Yan back to his room and then ordered the servants to call for the doctor.

Zhong Yan felt he was finally safe, and naturally accepted the care offered by Madam Zhong as his mother.