Hearing what was being said outside, the little dumpling looked blankly at Mu Tingzheng and asked:

"Father, are they talking about me?"

Mu Tingzheng also heard the passersby's discussion. After all, it wasn't just one or two people whispering; it was many people protesting loudly.

"General, something terrible has happened!" came the voice of Steward Zheng from outside the carriage.

"The road ahead was surrounded by people, all shouting for Puxi Academy to give an explanation."

Mu Tingzheng instinctively hugged the little dumpling into his arms. Although Butler Zheng didn't say what kind of explanation everyone wanted, the little dumpling and Mu Tingzheng both knew.

All they wanted was an explanation of why the little dumpling was able to pass the exam.

In fact, Mu Tingzheng also had a doubt in his mind: although his daughter's poem was full of childlike fun, it was not really a good poem.

As for why Master Wu chose that poem, Mu Tingzheng couldn't guess either.

Wu Fuzi is an eccentric person. From the day Mu Tingzheng met him, he has never seen him play by the rules.

Furthermore, Madam Wu was a person of upright character and incorruptible integrity.

Mu Tingzheng did not believe that Wu Fuzi would let Xiao Tuanzi pass the exam out of personal feelings just because they were old acquaintances.

To ensure fairness, all essays at Puxi Academy were copied by the teachers before being sent to the examiners for review, making it virtually impossible to identify a person by their handwriting.

No matter how he thought about it, Mu Tingzheng felt that Wu Fuzi's decision this time was not influenced by personal feelings or the power of the Mu family.

As for why Xiao Tuanzi was able to pass the exam, perhaps only Master Wu himself can explain it.

The area in front of Puxi Academy was crowded with parents of students who had failed their college entrance exams, and a group of intellectuals demanding an explanation.

For a moment, the Mu family's group and other students were trapped outside the crowd.

The little dumpling poked its head out of the carriage and looked into the distance.

The gates of Puxi Academy slowly opened.

The little girl watched from afar as several people walked out of the academy, but she couldn't make out how many there were or what they looked like.

"Father, someone has come out of the academy."

The little dumpling turned around and said to Mu Tingzheng.

Mu Ting was carrying the little dumpling when he got off the carriage and walked forward into the crowd.

The fact that the academy sent people out at this time is presumably to appease everyone and give them an explanation.

They need to get closer and listen.

A slender man with regular features stood on the steps, looking down at the clamoring crowd with neither arrogance nor fear. Behind him stood about thirty men and women dressed as school teachers.

Mu Tingzheng immediately recognized the man in the lead. He pointed at the man and said to the little dumpling:

"That man is the Master Wu that your father told you about. He is also an academician of Puxi Academy. An academician is equivalent to the head of an academy."

Mu Ting was tall, a head taller than the people around him.

The little dumpling was being held by Mu Ting, and he immediately spotted the academician his father had mentioned.

Oh, so this is Mr. Squid.

Master Wu was unaware that he had acquired the nickname "Mr. Squid." He raised his hand and gestured for people to quiet down.

After everyone quieted down, Master Wu spoke:

“I know why you’ve gathered here. I’m here now to give you an explanation.”

“Yes!” a burly man roared, “I suspect this exam was completely unfair! Someone bribed you.”

The burly man spoke his mind.

Master Wu remained calm and said:

"Yes! Not only this time, but the entrance exams for Puxi Academy every year are unfair!"

His words immediately caused an uproar, and even the teachers behind him looked terrified.

By saying this, isn't Master Wu implicitly admitting that Puxi Academy is a privileged institution for children from wealthy and powerful families?

The founding emperor's edict is still hanging in the academy. Has he gone mad?

A gentleman stepped forward, intending to pull Wu Fuzi away.

Wu Fuzi pushed him away and continued to wave his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

He pointed at the burly man who had just spoken and asked, "What's your child's name? Did he also take the entrance exam?"

The burly man's neck turned red with anger, and he gasped for breath as he said yes, then gave the name of his child.

Five students, who looked like teenagers, came out, each holding a thick stack of papers.

Master Wu pointed to the papers in the students' hands and said, "These are all the exam papers submitted by this year's candidates."

After saying that, he turned to the students and said, "Find the exam paper with the name that person just called out."

The exam papers were arranged by the stroke order of the names, and soon the burly boy's exam paper was found.