Chapter 261 They said it was Zhao Yunjing who leaked the exam questions.
On the day the Emperor Emeritus, along with six senior scholars and several old dukes, left the capital for Lingnan, the new imperial examination of the Great Liang Kingdom officially began. Zhao Jia, who achieved the top score in the provincial examination on the sixth day of the month, quickly caught the attention of the new emperor. Rumors circulated that Zhao Yunjing, the previous year's top scholar, had secretly given him private lessons and imparted his unique experience.
Some people say that Zhao Yunjing was the one who set the questions and knew the content of the questions beforehand, implying that Zhao Yunjing leaked the questions.
When one person says this, it doesn't cause much of an impact. But when someone with ulterior motives spreads the rumor, turning it into "Zhao Yunfei is the pre-selected top scholar," the biggest public opinion crisis of this imperial examination so far has emerged.
Yu Huaizhi was only one place behind Chu Liu in the provincial examination. He had been determined to compete with him. When he heard these rumors, his first reaction was not to be secretly pleased, thinking that Chu Liu would lose the people's hearts by becoming the top scholar. Instead, he was quite worried.
Because he knew better than anyone how hard he had studied on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
Starting a year ago, the two of them would study by lamplight in the academy's library every night, going to bed at three in the morning and getting up at five. Even during mealtimes, Chu Xin would always have a book in his hand. He was able to get first place in the academy's examination, which he earned with his sweat and hard work, without any fraud.
“This rumor is so low-class.” Yu Huaizhi found Chu Liu and said, “I eat, live and study with you every day. I’m the best person to say whether you’ve been given special treatment or not. I’ll go down the mountain and explain it to those who are jealous.”
Chu Liu chuckled lightly. The young man was already handsome, and his smile made him even more beautiful, like a hundred flowers blooming at the same moment. Yu Huaizhi's mind went blank for a moment.
On the sixth day, not noticing anything amiss, Chu Liu said, "A hundred people have a hundred different opinions. Originally, no one cared, and the rumor would dissipate in a few days. If you try to refute it, you will not only reignite the hype but also bring trouble and criticism upon yourself, with people saying you've been bribed."
Yu Huaizhi's expression changed, and he was about to lash out when Chu Liu said calmly, "Huaizhi, I know you mean well, but I don't want you to be tainted by controversy because of me. Our competition for the top scholar title should be pure and simple, without any sentiment or interest involved. If you stand up for me, then should I accept the title or not?"
Yu Huaizhi was originally worried that the rumors might affect him on the sixth day of the lunar new year, but he was speechless. He had worried for nothing. He couldn't help but retort, "...You talk as if the top scholar title is something you've already got in your pocket."
"It's also possible that it was originally yours, but I took it at the last minute."
"Then I'd like to see how you're going to get it!"
How do I retrieve it?
On the sixth day of the lunar month, Chu pounced on Yu Huaizhi and threw him directly onto the bed: "I'll take it like this!"
On the sixth day of the lunar new year, she originally wanted to liven up the atmosphere and let Yu Huaizhi know that she didn't care so much about those rumors. However, when she pushed Yu Huaizhi down onto the bed, both of them became inexplicably uncomfortable.
It's strange. He used to joke around like this with Chu Jiu, Xiao Wu, and Xiao Jiu all the time. Back then, he didn't seem uncomfortable at all; it was all about winning and wanting to be the boss. But now...
Xiao Wu brought Chu Jiu and Xiao Jiu to talk to Chu Liu about the rumors. When they saw that the dormitory door was not closed, they pushed it open and immediately saw Chu Liu pinning Yu Huaizhi down. He paused for a moment.
It's no wonder he overthinks things. There are at least four or five homosexuals in the academy. Even Ning Xian himself has an ambiguous relationship with the Emperor Emeritus. He didn't understand when he was young, but after consulting his older sister, he understood a lot more about this kind of unusual 'relationship'.
But what about Zhao Chuliu and Yu Huaizhi?
Chu Jiu, being more naive, burst out laughing: "Brother Yu, you should just admit defeat. You'll lose ninety-nine times out of a hundred. When it comes to strength, you can't compare to my Brother Chu Liu."
Yu Huaizhi was three years older than Chu Liu, and his figure was taller and thinner. He was also quite strong. He always lost before because Chu Liu was younger and not as tall as him. Now that so many people were watching, Yu Huaizhi thought to himself that he was a man.
With a swift turn, he easily subdued Chu Liu and raised an eyebrow at Chu Jiu: "You came at the right time today; you witnessed my only victory."
After releasing Chu Liu, Yu Huaizhi sat down with a smile, and Chu Liu followed suit. Both of them looked normal, and it was impossible to tell what was going on. Chu Liu asked Xiao Wu if he wanted to talk about the rumors.
The other person had clear eyes and an open and honest expression, so Xiao Wu wondered if he was overthinking things. He said, "What's the point of spreading rumors? I came to see you because I wanted to organize a get-together. My older sister had a lot of Lingnan fruits and food sent up, and she also sent some new clothes. Dean Ning said that in order not to make the Imperial Academy next door feel uncomfortable, we should make this get-together bigger and more lively, and make the Imperial Academy feel even more uncomfortable."
Ning Xian was petty, and his pettiness was written all over his face. He was clearly stingy and made it obvious that he was a villain. But by taking this villainy to the extreme, he became a rare true gentleman. If he said he would anger the Imperial Academy, then he would definitely do it, and he would make them faint with anger.
So, on the sixth day of the lunar month, Yu Huaizhi and I are now at the gate of the Imperial Academy, personally going to invite Chancellor Chen over for a gathering.
Chen Jijiu was seething with hatred. Over the past two years, he had tried to assassinate Ning Xian more than once and had to fight countless villains in the back mountain. However, Chu Liu was the chief minister's younger brother and a hot candidate for the next top scholar. Even those who accompanied him were talented individuals who had a chance to win the top scholar title.
So, Chen Jijiu put aside his personal grudges with Ning Xian and tried his best to recommend the Imperial Academy to Chu Liu and Yu Huaizhi. Chu Liu was used to giving perfunctory replies, while Yu Huaizhi showed great interest, making Chen Jijiu think that he really had a chance. He was very enthusiastic towards Yu Huaizhi along the way.
To his surprise, when he arrived at Canglan Academy, the person who had been so friendly to him before never showed up again. Later, when he tried to contact Yu Huaizhi, he was met with icy indifference. Yu Huaizhi said that Canglan Academy had shown him kindness and had saved him from dire straits. If he abandoned Canglan Academy, he would be an ungrateful person.
"Canglan Academy taught me etiquette and a sense of shame, but the Imperial Academy incites me to be an ungrateful and treacherous person. I cannot agree with the Imperial Academy's educational philosophy!"
Chen Jijiu was so angry that he cursed Ning Xian's ancestors for eighteen generations!
It's true what they say, like begets like. The students taught by that old scoundrel Ning Xian are all just as shameless and scoundrel as him!
The imperial examinations arrived as scheduled.
Before he entered the examination hall, Zhou Mujiao brought him some soup she had made herself, wishing him good luck in the exam and that he would get the top score.
After sending the person into the examination hall, Zhou Mujiao went to Canglan Academy. She had something to say to her two younger brothers.
Xiao Wu also had something to say to Zhou Mujiao. Just as he was about to go down the mountain, he saw Zhou Mujiao coming. He smiled and went up to her, saying, "That's why we say we're siblings."
Xiao Jiu was a little jealous, but she was appeased by the two bowls of rice cakes and happily made room for Zhou Mujiao and Xiao Wu to talk about important matters.
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