After packing his things, Zhao Qianci followed the constable to the Provincial Education Commissioner with a beaming smile.
"It is truly an honor to meet you, Professor Xue Zheng, in this lifetime."
Zhao Qianci's flattery was so natural.
The professor's lips curled up slightly, then he resumed his serious expression.
Do you know why I called you here?
Zhao Qianci shook his head.
When he learned that someone had accused him of harassing others, Zhao Qianci's face turned serious.
"May I ask, sir, is there a rule prohibiting candidates from eating in the examination room?"
The academic official shook his head.
"May I ask if there are any restrictions on candidates taking medicine or sprinkling snake and insect repellent powder in the examination room?" The academic official continued to shake his head.
"Since there are no such regulations, all of your actions of declining apologetically are reasonable and legal."
They accused me of intending to disrupt the examination hall. May I ask if I made a loud noise? Did I cause any disturbance?
Everyone in this examination room brought food. Why is it that when others are eating, you don't say it's a disturbance, but when I eat, it's considered a disturbance?
Why is it that other people also sprinkle some pesticide powder or insect repellent, and the smell is even stronger? Why am I the one causing trouble?
"May I ask what grudge I have against you, or did I jump into a well with your baby to slander me like this?"
Wu Heping never expected Zhao Qianci to be so shameless, not even offering an apology and immediately trying to distance himself from the situation. It was infuriating.
"You, you're just making excuses."
Putting aside yesterday, you kept munching away without stopping, and today, what kind of powder did you sprinkle? If it weren't for your powder, I wouldn't have fainted. Waaah…”
As Wu Heping spoke, he began to cry. It was so difficult for him to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. He felt so wronged. He was the pride of the whole village.
If the other party were to use force, Zhao Qianci wouldn't be afraid at all; he could just stand his ground and fight to the end. But when this big, strong man starts crying...
Zhao Qianci felt a bit lost and looked up for help from the Academic Affairs Officer.
The academic official actually felt it wasn't a big deal. Zhao Qianci's actions were unintentional; he simply ate when he got hungry in the examination room.
This is normal. Some people even eat durian, and no one says they're disrupting the exam.
As for sprinkling pesticide powder, this is common practice. In exam rooms that are used only once or twice a year, no one cleans them, and it's become a regular occurrence for examinees to sprinkle pesticide powder.
What does this have to do with any interference?
If we're talking about noise, nothing beats the chirping of cicadas in the trees.
The academic official remained silent, looking at the two people below with a serious expression.
Zhao Qianci adopted the same attitude he showed towards his grandson, since he often had a stern face towards his son, but he treated his grandson with the utmost kindness.
"Young man, please don't cry. I apologize to you, okay? I apologize to you. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have eaten and bothered you."
I didn't mean to. Otherwise, I'll give you all the food in the basket; it's delicious.
Hey, can you please stop crying?
What's wrong? Are you complaining that there's not enough stuff in this old man's basket? Or did you forget to bring any food and are you hungry?
Let me see what's in your basket. If you don't answer after I've looked, I'll take that as your consent. Have I looked?
As Zhao Qianci spoke, he actually reached out and lifted the other person's exam basket, and there was indeed nothing to eat inside.
He slapped his thigh.
"I knew it! You're just hungry. Let me tell you, the meat skewers and spicy hot pot at my family's food stall are absolutely delicious."
The taste is absolutely unique. I'll treat you to it later. For now, since you're hungry, have a couple of bites of apple to tide you over.
I also have some waterless cakes here made entirely with honey, eggs, and milk.
There's absolutely no water added to this, and it tastes incredibly sweet.
And there's more...
Zhao Qianci was interrupted by Wu Heping before he could finish speaking.
With a sob in his voice,
"Shut up! Who's hungry? I'm not hungry at all. If it weren't for you, would I have been carried out before I even handed in my exam paper?"
My dream of becoming a scholar is about to be ruined, oh dear…
The cacophony of voices filled the air. The academic official and the grading officer exchanged a glance. Hadn't this person already handed in their paper? Why was they still crying?
The provincial education commissioner coughed and said, "Stop crying and listen to me."
Wu Heping was crying so miserably that he didn't hear what the adults were saying at all. Zhao Qianci, however, heard them and was afraid that Wu Heping would anger the examiners, which would cause trouble.
He coaxed her, "Don't cry, the Academic Commissioner wants to speak."
Wu Heping, like a child, twisted his body and wouldn't listen to reason, while shouting.
"Get out, get out, it's all your fault."
Zhao Qianci was furious. Although he was the weakest in terms of martial arts at home, he was practically steely when facing the other scholars.
A sharp slap landed on the back of Wu Heping's neck.
"Shut up and listen to what the adults have to say," Zhao Qianci said.
Wu Heping really shut up.
This left the examiners, including the academic affairs officer, utterly speechless.
So this guy really deserves a beating. Their official respect isn't as effective as a slap.
He cleared his throat.
"You, are you Wu Heping from Qingfeng County?" the provincial education commissioner asked.
Wu Heping nodded, wiping away his tears.
"Alright, since you are Wu Heping, we have received your exam paper. It was personally sealed by Lord Liu, who is sitting next to me."
Are you still going to sue Zhao Qianci for harassment?
Wu Heping's tears grew even more intense; he wiped them haphazardly as he asked,
"May I ask, sir, have I really handed in my paper? That's wonderful!"
"I won't pursue this further, I won't pursue this further. Thank you for your leniency, sir. Please forgive me."
The change of expression was incredibly fast; he even knelt down and kowtowed, his forehead turning red with genuine sincerity.
The academic official was tolerant, after all, he had just gone through life and death to preside over this scientific expedition.
I didn't notice that quite a few people had already missed the exam.
Those who were either not firm in their resolve or did not trust him as the education commissioner.
If you trusted him a little more and let him stay a few more days, wouldn't he be able to take the exam?
Look at this young man, his commotion after fainting is all because he thinks he failed to hand in his exam paper. Sigh, he really values this imperial examination.
Forget it, you're too magnanimous to hold a grudge.
Zhao Qianci watched Wu Heping cry so pitifully, struggled with his conscience for a few seconds, then took out a handkerchief from the exam basket and handed it to him.
"Alright, wipe your face. It's really unsightly for a grown man to cry."
This is a classic case of having an extra mouth.
Wu Heping is too lazy to argue with Zhao Qianci now.
Zhao Qianci bowed to the officials and took his leave, but after reaching the door, he turned back.
He opened his exam basket and took out several bright red apples wrapped in an oil paper bag.
"This is my granddaughter. She washed and wrapped the fruit before I entered the examination room. If the adults don't mind, please enjoy it."
And these cakes, also homemade, and individually packaged, are all ones I've never touched before. The adults can try them if they don't mind.
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