Chapter 336: Lanting Elegant Gathering 2
The venue for the literary examination was set up on the platform in the front yard. According to the old practice in previous years, the leaders of each school would select and recommend talented people to take the exam.
Master Wang's goatee trembled slightly as his triangular eyes turned. Suddenly, like a hawk snatching prey, his fingertips pointed toward the frail young man at the back of the line. "You, you go first."
The moon-white Confucian robe he wore seemed to be hanging on a bamboo pole, and the neck exposed under the ebony hair crown was so thin that it seemed as if it would break if bent. He was really too thin, too small, and too short.
The person chosen was Zhang Zhaodi, who was disguised as a man.
The servant next to him opened his mouth to say that this was against the rules, but thinking of his own status, he could only shut his mouth and gave Song Qiquan a helpless look.
Zhang Zhaodi's fingers hanging at her side curled up quietly. She didn't expect that she would be pointed out. After all, there were many people present who were more powerful than her.
Her nails dug deep into her palms. Her experiences in her previous life made her extremely sensitive to the emotions of people around her. She could clearly feel the contempt in Master Wang's pupils. He clearly regarded her as a young bird under the eaves that could be crushed to death with just a snap of his fingers.
Just because she is the thinnest, smallest and shortest, she looks easy to bully.
But, this is just an appearance!
She insisted on straightening her back, her moon-white sleeves drawing a neat arc as she bowed. As she bowed, her sleeves slipped, revealing a wrist delicately wrapped in a blue cloth. Her voice, though clear as the clash of jade, carried an unmistakable resounding force: "Student Zhang Di, respectfully requests the Master's guidance!"
Before coming, Master Song had discussed with him that the Lanting Gathering had been held for many years, but there was no precedent for women participating. In order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, Zhang Zhaodi might need to dress up as a man.
Zhang Zhaodi had no objection to this. After all, she was alone and powerless, and didn't have the ability to solve the problem. So, if she could minimize the trouble, she would try not to cause it.
But her name revealed his identity as soon as she heard it, so she thought about it and decided to change her name.
Master Wang didn't even raise his eyelids. He banged the teacup he was holding against the stone table, making a dull thud. "How long have you been studying?"
"Teacher, it has been two months and seven days since I started my studies."
Oh? Newly enlightened?
The three old men suddenly burst into laughter after hearing this.
Master Li, the fattest of the group, laughed so hard he rocked back and forth, waving his Xiangfei bamboo folding fan. The Hetian jade Pixiu on the fan pendant dazzled everyone. "Brother Du, you're quite clever. You actually brought a baby like this to be a pillar of support? Could this kid be some unparalleled genius?"
The veins on Master Du's fingers, hidden in his wide sleeves, were bulging, but his face was frozen in indifference like ice.
He understood that the students had suffered this misfortune because of him.
These old men were jealous of his talent. Especially Master Wang, who had been chosen by the academician to enter the provincial academy, but he himself had no interest in that and went to Wutong Academy, which allowed Master Wang to enter the provincial academy.
Everyone joked that he should thank Master Du. They all said that if Master Du hadn't been unwilling, how could Master Wang have had the opportunity to enter the provincial school?
It was just a few jokes, but this old man, with a heart smaller than a needle, has remembered it for so many years. He picks on him every chance he gets. It's really boring.
It's the same today. Now that I have a chance, I must bully him, right?
But this time, these people are destined to be disappointed.
He didn't sneer back, but simply said calmly: "Oh, so what? What else can I do?"
If you have the guts, come and hit me!
"You!" Master Wang jumped up in anger.
Master Wang's face turned from red to purple from choking, and the fan in his hand almost poked his red nose. Fortunately, Master Li was quick to hold his arm and said, "Brother Wang, calm down. Master Du seems to have great confidence in his students. We must thoroughly evaluate them!"
The last few words were bitten very hard!
Master Wang calmed down, and resentment flashed in his eyes!
He glared at Master Du, then looked at Zhang Zhaodi and said, "Please answer the question: 'Han Hou wears worn trousers'. Who is Han Hou referring to? Why does he wear worn trousers? What does this reveal about his character?"
This question came out suddenly like a poisoned arrow.
Although Dragon Whip Shadow is a primer, the stories in it deeply conceal the essence of Shen Buhai's medical skills. Not to mention a child who has been learning for two months, even an ordinary student who has studied for three to five years may not be able to fully understand the key points.
Mr. Du's face turned blue, his throat rolled violently, and he wanted to attack and hurt someone as soon as he moved his body.
These three old scoundrels didn't even bother pretending and just came up with such a difficult question to embarrass the child.
This shameless old bastard is sure that he won't dare to do anything, right?
But even clay figures have some wildness, let alone him! Such naked embarrassment to others is really a mean act!
He wanted to scold her, but he saw Zhang Zhaodi suddenly raise her eyes, and her long eyelashes cast a butterfly-like shadow under her eyelids.
Those eyes shone with astonishing brightness, as if they held an entire galaxy: "The Han Hou in 'Han Hou Bi Ha' refers to Han Zhao Hou, a nobleman of the Kingdom of Han during the Warring States Period. Han Zhao Hou had a tattered pair of trousers that he had put away. When his attendants asked why, Han Zhao Hou explained that a monarch should be cautious about every move of his attendants. Even if it was just a pair of old trousers, giving them away casually would lose his authority. Only when a minister has made meritorious contributions can their value be realized, so they should be kept for rewarding meritorious people. This behavior reflects Han Zhao Hou's character traits of emphasizing laws, clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments, and being cautious and meticulous. It shows that as a monarch, he was well versed in the art of controlling his subordinates and knew how to maintain the ruling order through a reasonable reward and punishment mechanism. It demonstrates his outstanding political wisdom and profound understanding of the operation of power."
The moment Zhang Zhaodi finished speaking, the whole place was eerily silent; even the slightest sound of petals falling to the ground could be heard clearly.
No one believed that Zhang Zhaodi could answer this question, including Du Fuzi and Song Qiquan.
After all, she had only been in school for two months and hadn't even finished studying the Analects and the Three Character Classic. How did he know the allusions in Dragon Whip Shadow and understand them so well?
Su Zhuxing on the side opened his mouth to ask, but was stopped by Song Qiquan.
Now is not the time to ask these questions, after all, there are still people with bad intentions.
Zhang Zhaodi took a deep breath. "Master, is my answer correct?"
Master Wang stared intently at the ordinary pear wood hairpin on her hair crown. His Adam's apple rolled up and down under his loose skin, like a stone stuck in a dry well. After a long while, he squeezed out four words from between his teeth: "Just barely."
When he flicked his sleeves and turned around, the pattern of sea water and river cliffs embroidered in gold thread on his cuffs swept across the stone table, causing the ink in the Duan inkstone to ripple, just like his surging emotions at the moment.
"Next question, you do it!" He pointed at Gu Yuchuan, who was standing at the back and looked confused.
Such a big guy came to participate in the competition with a group of children. He must be a bit stupid.
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