Wang Fufeng's words stunned the scholars and students, and those who weren't so foolish began to think about it.
He turned around and asked gently, "Yuyao, although your marriage to Young Master Fang was arranged three years ago, the wedding date has not yet been discussed. Your uncle has also passed away, so your two elder brothers can only make plans for you."
“Yes, Yuyao,” Wang Mingyu said in a hoarse voice, “We are your cousins, we will only do what is best for you, we will never harm you.”
Won't it hurt her?
Wang Yuyao almost laughed out of anger. These two had been watching over her in Anshui County, and now they had followed her to Fengjing to ruin her plans, yet they claimed they wouldn't harm her.
If you really care about her, then get out of Fengjing and go back to Anshui County.
Before she could even scream, a quick-witted person exclaimed, "So this is Young Master Fang's betrothed. No wonder she's been so eager to slander Young Master Qingzhu."
"Good heavens, after slandering Young Master Qingzhu, wouldn't Young Master Fang be able to get away with cheating in the imperial examinations?"
"This is a classic case of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao'—the Fang family has played a brilliant move."
"Don't say it so early, it's like a weathervane that's never coming to a conclusion."
"That's right, that's right. It's still unclear who's right and who's wrong."
The quick-witted person cleared his throat and spoke again, "Instead of coming and going in confusion, why not ask Young Master Fufeng whether he has ever ghostwritten for Young Master Qingzhu?"
Since the person in question was not present, they speculated, they doubted, and they sought justice.
Now that I'm here in person, a thousand words are not as good as an answer in person.
Countless eyes turned to him again, and a handsome scholar bowed and asked, "May I ask Young Master Fufeng, in front of so many brothers, do you know whether you have ever written for Young Master Qingzhu?"
"And what about that letter?"
The topic was finally brought back on track, and dozens, even hundreds, of students present all pricked up their ears, looking for the answer.
Even Wang Yuyao shrank back and raised her head, her heart leaping back into her throat.
Xu Mo stared intently at him.
As everyone expected, Wang Fufeng would shake his head, explain, and talk eloquently.
But he didn't.
The young master turned around gracefully, neither shaking his head to explain nor answering the question, but instead clapped his hands towards the outside.
The crisp sound carried directly through the street, and the long-waiting people roused themselves, made their way through the crowd, and arrived at the main hall of Wenchang Pavilion.
One, two, three.
All the teachers, relatives, and friends that Xu Mo encountered on his academic journey were gathered together.
They still carried the fatigue of a long journey, their shoulders perhaps slightly hunched, but this did not diminish their extremely high spirits.
First to appear was Master Qian. He was the one who received a large amount of copper coins from Jiang Sheng, and he was also the one who led Xu Mo to the preliminary examination, watching the outstanding student shine.
"When I first taught this child, I knew he had a solid foundation, but I truly taught him the basics of elementary learning bit by bit. Xiao Mo's hard work is known throughout the school. What right do you have to slander his knowledge and his years of effort?" Master Qian rolled up his sleeves and shouted, "A bunch of sour grapes! Scholars love to belittle each other. Is it so hard to admit that someone is better?"
Next came the examiner, who was relatively more refined: "Student Xu is not only hardworking, but his talent is also rare in recent years. I have never seen a fourteen-year-old top scholar. I know you look down on the top scholars from our small place, thinking they are nothing special, but how many fourteen-year-old top scholars do you have?"
Then another person stepped forward, opened the envelope in his hand, cleared his throat and said, "I am the advisor of the Prefect of Anshui County. Prefect He wants me to tell the world that you can look down on any place, but you cannot despise the fairness of the Anshui County civil service examination. Prefect He is willing to guarantee with his life that there is absolutely no cheating!"
He was a student from Anshui County, and everyone in Anshui County protected him.
Even if it means traveling thousands of miles, even if it means risking one's life, even if it means facing powerful families in Kyoto.
Xu Mo couldn't quite describe his feelings; he only felt a sore throat, swollen eyes, and blurred vision.
When all the past events were confirmed, Master Qian became excited and even wanted to bring everyone in the school to testify.
The scholars and students were dumbfounded, and a sense of shame and guilt welled up in their hearts.
But some people still raised their voices in protest, "You're talking about Anshui County, but we're in Fengjing. Who knows if he went to Fengjing and started cheating because he realized he wasn't knowledgeable enough?"
Yes, Anshui County can only represent Xu Mo at fourteen, not him as he approaches seventeen.
Wang Fufeng remained calm and looked at the gate of Wenchang Pavilion again, as if waiting for someone to appear.
After a moment, a sigh was heard.
Immediately afterwards, Dou Weiming walked in with a Jinshi from the Imperial Academy, saying helplessly, "You've discovered it. I thought the hiding place was very good."
"Good afternoon, fellow students." The scholar cupped his hands in greeting. "I once taught Xu Mo at the Imperial Academy. This student Xu was known for his steady and meticulous thinking, and was recognized by his teachers as a talented scholar who had passed the imperial examinations."
Everyone was certain that Xu Mo would pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, but no one expected that he would become the top Jinshi, also known as the Zhuangyuan.
Their achievements have now far surpassed those of the teachers at the Imperial Academy.
"I've watched him come all the way from Anshui County," Dou Weiming said with a smile. "Although he initially wanted to take in a son-in-law, now he truly cherishes talent. With such talent, the nation has hope."
As expected of the old man, he both praised Xu Mo and openly pointed out his personal motives.
But when Xu Mo was competing with the Fang family, the Dou family stood up for him, and they will never forget this kindness.
Xu Mo cupped his hands in a respectful bow, momentarily at a loss for words.
With so many people attesting to his innocence, his innocence is beyond question.
Young Master Qingzhu is Young Master Qingzhu. He can be ranked alongside Young Master Fufeng, but he will not plagiarize or use ghostwriters, much less cheat in the imperial examinations.
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