Chapter 109 Betrayal, Ending the Relationship on the Spot
Aunt Zhao asked worriedly, "Why do we suddenly have to go see the county magistrate? Can't we not go?"
“The provincial education commissioner would visit the county schools and private academies around the time of the annual examinations to understand the situation. In previous years, he would also invite some outstanding students to come and talk to them. Last year, the provincial education commissioner held a banquet in Xinye to encourage the students.”
Zhao Yunjing paused for a moment, then said, "This year, I did very well in the annual examination, ranking first in the academy. I will represent Huilan Academy to be questioned and assessed by the Academic Commissioner."
Aunt Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, but thinking of Young Master Chen and Miss Chen, her heart started to race again. She turned to look at Zhou Mujiao: "Ajiao..."
Zhou Mujiao smiled: "Brother Zhao got first place, that's great! Come on, let's go get some spare ribs, I'll make you braised spare ribs when we get back!"
Zhao Yunjing's smile warmed: "Thank you, Ajiao."
"We're family, no need to thank me. Just remember that if you're going to drink, don't get too drunk. Drunk people make a complete fool of themselves."
I don't drink alcohol.
Aunt Zhao hesitated for a moment, but still mentioned, "If Miss Chen wants to talk to you, you must be careful not to offend her or make her feel that you are holding back."
"Mother, Father, Ajiao, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Shiba hugged Zhou Mujiao and said, "Anyway, I don't want Miss Chen, I just want Sister Jiaojiao to be my sister-in-law!"
"Me too! Me too!" Chu Liu and Chu Jiu also chimed in.
Xiao Wu stood beside Zhou Mujiao with his lips pursed. He didn't say anything, but his attitude was always clear: he would unconditionally support whatever Zhou Mujiao wanted to do.
The two academies sent people to post the rankings of the annual examination at the city gate. The news that Zhao Yunjing had come in first place spread throughout Peach Blossom Village before the Zhao family even arrived home. In an instant, Zhao Yunjing and Zhou Mujiao once again became the envy of everyone in the village.
Of course, not everyone envies her, such as Chen Xiuxiu.
However, now most families in the village have someone working for Zhou Mujiao, and even her older brother has joined the security team. She can't say anything bad about Zhou Mujiao at home, and she doesn't dare to say anything outside either, for fear of being attacked by the group. She can only whisper a few words to her few girlfriends.
Unexpectedly, Deng Sanya and Tian Erya retorted: "Xiuxiu! We didn't have any contact with Miss Zhou before, so we thought she wasn't good enough for Zhao Yunjing. Now that we know the truth, Miss Zhou is beautiful, has a good temperament, and can make money. Everyone in the Zhao family likes her, and everyone in the embroidery workshop likes her. Everyone likes her, so why can't Zhao Yunjing like her?"
"Exactly, Miss Zhou is the best money-making girl I've ever met, and also the most likable girl I've ever met. She can read and do math, she's smart, she can do everything. Even a big boss like Boss Tang is begging to cooperate with her. She's so outstanding, how come she's not good enough for Zhao Yunjing?"
"She's not just a good match for Zhao Yunjing now, she'll be a good match even if Zhao Yunjing becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination! I don't believe there's any other girl who knows more or has more insight than her!"
Chen Xiuxiu was furious. She broke off all ties with Zhou Mujiao on the spot and even went to the Zhao family to glare at her.
The Zhao family was having dinner when Zhou Mujiao politely asked, "Miss Xiuxiu, would you like a bowl?"
Chen Xiuxiu stomped her foot angrily: "You just wait!"
——
True to his word, Feng Wei personally drove to pick up Zhao Yunjing.
In winter, it gets dark early. By the time the carriage arrived at the city gate at mid-afternoon, it was already completely dark.
Before Zhao Yunjing came down, Hu Peiran and He Jiu came up to greet him: "Brother Zhao, Brother Feng, come quick, we've been waiting for you! Everyone's at the Good Luck Restaurant!"
Feng Wei had set off for Peach Blossom Village quite early and was unaware of this, so he asked in surprise, "Why are you all here?"
He Jiu explained, "Originally, everyone thought they would go in by themselves, but Chen Liangjin said that if all of us from the academy appeared together, it would make a bigger impression and leave a good impression on the academic official, so we decided to go together at the last minute."
Just as Young Master Chen had predicted, when the students of Huilan Academy, dressed in uniform, entered the Chen residence at the same time, everyone looked over.
The well-tailored college uniform, in a youthful and vibrant color, somehow managed to exude the breath of spring on this bleak winter night.
Liang Shanhai led the top ten students in the annual examination to pay a visit to the provincial education commissioner.
The academic official, surnamed Fang, looked at the ten young people in front of him and smiled: "It's been many years since we last met. Headmaster Liang doesn't look old at all. It seems that the saying that Peach Blossom Ridge is good for nurturing people is not just a rumor."
Upon hearing this, the headmaster of Shanglin Academy, who was only fifty years old but had only a few strands of white hair, laughed: "Lord Fang is wrong. It's not that Peach Blossom Ridge is good for people, but that Huilan Academy has received several good students. I heard that there is even a student with the potential to become the top scholar. As the saying goes, people are in high spirits when they have good things happen. Headmaster Liang has a top scholar in his hands, so naturally he is getting younger and younger."
Liang Shanhai's face turned green. When had he ever said anything about having the appearance of a top scholar? Even if he had, it was just a moment of excitement and a bit of an exaggeration. But this old man brought his impulsive remarks to Lord Fang's face, trying to make Lord Fang think he was arrogant and displease him. If Lord Fang was displeased, then he would be completely displeased with Huilan Academy.
That guy surnamed Wang is really a bastard!
Just as Liang Shanhai was about to explain, Lord Fang pointed at Zhao Yunjing and asked, "Headmaster Liang, isn't this the top student at your Huilan Academy?"
"Yes, sir, this is Zhao Yunjing."
Lord Fang looked him up and down and nodded: "A full forehead, square jaw, bright eyes, and earlobes like pearls and jade—truly the countenance of a top scholar."
Liang Shanhai broke out in a cold sweat and quickly explained, "Please forgive my rudeness, sir; this was just a momentary lapse of judgment on my part—"
"Just a joke?" Lord Fang said, displeased. "To say that a student has the potential to be the top scholar is a very serious matter. Did Headmaster Liang just casually utter it as a joke?"
Liang Shanhai was sweating even more, and his mind went completely blank.
Isn't that bastard next door just holding a grudge against Young Master Chen for dropping out of Shanglin Academy and switching to his school? So many students from Huilan Academy switched to Shanglin Academy in previous years, why doesn't he hold onto that?
Furthermore, the academy's mission is to provide education for all without discrimination. If someone has passed the entrance exam with good grades and is not a criminal, why can't he accept them?
Moreover, Young Master Chen is the son of the county magistrate. If he wants to come, can he stop him?
Those bastards are treacherous and cunning; they want to devour them all and take them back to Lan Academy every day!
Liang Shanhai grew angrier the more he thought about it, but then he caught a glimpse of Wang Shanzhang's sly smile out of the corner of his eye. His blood boiled, and he felt an urge to rush over and pin Wang Shanzhang to the ground and beat him up.
Just then, someone stepped forward from behind and stood beside him.
It's Zhao Yun Jing!
Liang Shanhai was already panicked, and now he was even more panicked: "What are you doing standing up here? Get back down right now!"
Zhao Yunjing bowed to Lord Fang at the head of the table and said, "Lord Fang, please allow me to answer your question."
Lord Fang smirked: "Alright, go ahead."
Wang Shanzhang next door laughed.
With the air of a top scholar, yet so arrogant, how can he possibly defend himself?
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