Chapter 124: Seeing a Ghost

(First draft)

Hearing this commotion, the dozen or so candidates nearby turned their heads one after another.

Among them was Xiao Liangchen.

Because of the unpleasantness caused by his mother Liu Shi's words this morning, Xiao Liangchen was quite restless, and it was only with difficulty that he had finally immersed himself and finished the first sheet.

Just as he was about to put down his brush, he noticed the commotion not far away.

He raised his eyes slightly and discovered that the commotion was actually coming from Jiang Zhan's exam shed, and his mood became a bit subtle.

Both were students of Xiushan Academy, both were called the 'Two Pride of Xiushan', both had excellent looks and outstanding talent, and both were highly expected by the academy.

It was precisely because of this that others were always habitually comparing the two of them.

There were even many classmates who secretly bet on who was the true heaven-favored son who could win the crown of County Top Scholar.

Before leaving, several classmates he got along well with pulled him aside and told him half-jokingly and half-seriously to be sure to suppress Jiang Zhan, saying they had already bet half their wealth on him.

Although Xiao Liangchen was a gentleman, he was ultimately a young man.

The natural desire for victory of a young person, he naturally had as well.

At this moment, he thought that if Jiang Zhan made a mistake in the exam venue, then the winner would definitely be himself; wouldn't that be beautiful?

But soon he discarded this thought.

Winning without honor is shameful.

He still hoped to have a fair duel with Jiang Zhan to see who was better...

Xiao Liangchen put his brush on the brush rest, used a paperweight to press the four corners of the exam paper, and waited for the ink to dry.

At the same time, he paid attention to the commotion not far away.

In the exam shed, Jiang Zhan looked at the cheat sheet that had fallen from the sky, and his head was buzzing.

Seeing that the number soldier had already turned to bow to the chief examiner on the high platform, "My Lord, there is a situation here!"

Jiang Zhan didn't have time to think, quickly grabbed the cheat sheet into his palm, and at the same time, took the 'Destroying the Evidence' pill Du Ruo had given him from the bamboo basket with his other hand, clasping his hands behind his back.

County Lin Xianling walked over quickly and asked with a dark face: "What's going on?"

The number soldier pointed at Jiang Zhan and said: "Reporting to my Lord, this candidate is carrying a cheat sheet, which I saw with my own eyes."

County Lin Xianling frowned, and his gaze fell on Jiang Zhan.

Jiang Zhan stood up, his back straight. "The student did not cheat."

"Whether you cheated or not, we'll know after checking."

The number soldier looked at the desk and didn't see the cheat sheet, knowing it had already been hidden by Jiang Zhan, so he immediately reported to County Lin Xianling: "My Lord, I truly saw him holding a cheat sheet just now, and his behavior was suspicious, peeking and looking around; he definitely has a problem."

County Lin Xianling sized up Jiang Zhan, seeing that he was only about seventeen or eighteen years old, with an outstanding appearance, and although he was dressed ordinarily, his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, not like someone who would cheat.

However, judging people by their appearance was never accurate.

Since the number soldier insisted that this candidate was suspected of cheating, as the chief examiner, he naturally had to investigate thoroughly.

"I ask you, did you really not cheat?" County Lin Xianling looked at Jiang Zhan, his expression solemn.

"Those who know are not confused, those who don't know are not knowing; how can one cheat? That is not knowing shame."

Jiang Zhan said loudly: "The student has been reading the books of sages since childhood, and my father once warned me: if one steals the fruits of others, how is it different from a giant rat? The student only wishes to be a human in this life, not a rat."

County Lin Xianling's eyes flashed with appreciation, and he turned to ask the few candidates nearby: "Has anyone among you seen him holding a cheat sheet?"

Those people shook their heads one after another.

"The student was focused on answering questions and didn't notice."

"The student also only knew what happened after hearing the words of that patrolling brother."

"The student also doesn't know."

Only Xiao Liangchen stood up and defended Jiang Zhan: "My Lord, this young candidate is one of the best in our Xiushan Academy, not only with excellent character but also with outstanding grades, often ranking first. With his strength, there is absolutely no need to cheat; I hope my Lord will investigate clearly and return his innocence."

Hearing this, County Lin Xianling's expression relaxed slightly.

Seeing this situation, the number soldier's eyes rolled. "Good grades don't mean he won't cheat; these are two different things."

He bowed to County Lin Xianling again, his volume raised a bit higher. "My Lord, this candidate is his classmate, so naturally he speaks for him, but I saw him holding a cheat sheet with my own eyes! Since that's the case, why not just search him, and everything will naturally come to light!"

County Lin Xianling nodded and signaled to the teacher behind him to go and search him.

The teacher walked in and searched carefully, but didn't find any suspicious items, and then let Jiang Zhan take off his outer clothes and shoes and socks, tossing for a long time, but still found nothing.

"My Lord, nothing suspicious."

"This is impossible!"

The number soldier was anxious and didn't care about his status, stubbornly squeezing the teacher away and running in to rummage around, almost overturning the exam basket.

Jiang Zhan's pupils shrank, and he quickly bent down to support the exam basket, protecting the first exam paper he had finished inside.

If it fell to the ground and got dirty, it would inevitably affect the grading result.

County Lin Xianling was a bit displeased. "Alright, alright, if you can't find it, forget it. Since it has been proven that he is innocent, come out quickly."

The number soldier was still unwilling to give up.

How could it be? He clearly threw that cheat sheet in with his own hands; how could it be gone?

Could it be that he saw a ghost?

Thinking of the two taels of silver he had already squandered, the number soldier was panicked, his gaze scanning Jiang Zhan's body back and forth.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he reached out to pull at Jiang Zhan's hair. "It's here, it must be hidden in here!"

His scalp was pulled painfully, and Jiang Zhan couldn't help but hiss.

"Scoundrel!" County Lin Xianling was furious. "Those sitting here are all disciples of sages, and in the future, they will be the pillars of our Da Zhao; how can you be so wild on their heads?"

He waved his hand, and two people immediately ran over. "Throw this clumsy and rude thing out, and watch him carefully."

"Yes, my Lord."

The number soldier only then knew he had caused trouble, begging for mercy repeatedly, but unfortunately, it didn't work at all, and he was soon dragged away.

County Lin Xianling relaxed his expression and comforted Jiang Zhan: "It's okay, just answer the questions with peace of mind."

"Thank you, my Lord." Jiang Zhan put the exam paper in his hand on the table and bowed deeply to him.

If County Lin Xianling hadn't investigated clearly today, just relying on that number soldier's determined mouth, he would probably not have been able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

County Lin Xianling was a good official.

The good official Lin nodded, turned to prepare to return to the high platform, and his gaze fell on the table unconsciously, suddenly giving an "Eh."

He tilted his neck and leaned closer to look at the handwriting on the exam paper carefully.

Most students nowadays copy the calligraphy of the Book Saint Wang, which is like flowing clouds and water, both rigid and soft, most suitable for the occasion of the imperial examination.

However, because most people use the same font, even if it is written well, it doesn't seem to be anything special.

The handwriting of the young man in front of him was unique.

Like a dragon in flight, like a startled swan, not too neat, but not too sloppy. Through this writing, one could imagine the heroism of a man and the charm of a woman, perfectly fused together.

"Good writing!" County Lin Xianling couldn't help but blurt out.

Not only good, but also familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

County Lin Xianling stroked his beard and recalled for a while, suddenly his heart jumped, and he hurriedly went to look at the name and native place on the exam paper.

Jiang Zhan, a native of Longquan Cun, Xiushan Zhen, Wutou Xian.

Could it be...

"Do you know the Top Scholar Jiang Mo Nian?"

Jiang Zhan was stunned for a moment, then said loudly: "He is my late father." ===== CHAPTER 125 =====