Chapter 322

That person was tied to the wooden board like a pig ready to be slaughtered, his hair disheveled, covering most of his face, making it impossible to see his features.

However, the moon-white Confucian robe on his body was enough to prove that this pig... oh no, this person should also be a candidate.

Second Uncle Duan shook his head with a tsk, tsk, tsk.

Needless to say, it must be that his constitution was too poor to withstand the tossing, so he fainted in the examination hall or died suddenly.

Such things happened in previous years, nothing strange.

"What a sin..."

He let out a pretentious sigh.

Before he finished sighing, the book boy beside him suddenly rushed up, threw himself on the person, and cried: "Young Master, Young Master, what's wrong with you!"

Young Master?

Second Uncle Duan was startled and opened his eyes wide to look carefully.

Hey, it really was his own nephew.

He hurriedly ran over in two or three steps, fumbling and checking Duan Xiu's body, and only after confirming that he was not injured did he breathe a sigh of relief. Then he raised his head and was furious at the two bailiffs. "What's going on? What did you do to my A-Xiu? Why did he become like this!"

The two bailiffs didn't want to offend the Duan family.

But facing Second Uncle Duan's accusation of the victim being the perpetrator, they couldn't help but get angry.

One of the bailiffs was the one whose face was bitten by Duan Xiu, and he was full of grievances and depression. He couldn't help but say with a fake smile: "Second Master Duan, you are wrong. It's not that we did something to Young Master Duan, but that Young Master Duan did something to us."

As he spoke, he swiped off the bandage on his face and pointed to the shocking wound.

"Look, this is what Young Master Duan bit me. Fortunately, it was on my face, just disfiguring me. If he had bitten my neck, my cheap life would have been lost in his hands!"

The onlookers exploded.

"What? Biting people? Could it be that he went crazy?"

"Who says not? I have accompanied my young master to take more than a dozen exams, and this is the first time I've heard of a candidate biting people in the examination hall."

"Eh, I heard that people bitten by dogs become like this when they get sick! That's an incurable disease, and it's contagious..."

As soon as these words came out, the crowd instantly retreated three zhang away like a tide.

Everyone had a fearful expression on their face.

Joke, don't look at that Young Master Duan who has already been tied up; what if he goes crazy and breaks free? If one is accidentally bitten, it's all over!

Seeing this, Second Uncle Duan's face twitched violently. "You explain it clearly to me, what do you mean A-Xiu bit people? For no reason, why would he bite people?"

"That's for Young Master Duan to answer."

The bailiff glanced at Duan Xiu, who was motionless on the wooden board like a living dead man. "Young Master Duan not only bit me, but there's something even more outrageous. He actually... actually beat the chief examiner, Lord Su, in public. Lord Su's eyes are still so swollen that he can't open them! Everyone can testify to this; if you don't believe it, Second Master Duan, feel free to ask!"

Beating Su Qingyao?

This, how is this possible?

Second Uncle Duan couldn't believe his ears. A-Xiu has always been steady and smart, and he is best at assessing the situation. What good would beating Su Qingyao do for him? What good would it do for the Duan family?

He didn't believe it!

Before he could recover, the other bailiff added: "Because of Young Master Duan's bad behavior, Lord Su has already ordered the abolition of all his past grades, and he is never allowed to take the exam again."

Second Uncle Duan rolled his eyes and fell straight down.

If it weren't for the servants catching him quickly, he would have bumped his head.

"Second Master, now is not the time to talk about this; let's hurry and take the Young Master back to the mansion first!" Looking at Duan Xiu, who had no life on the wooden board, the book boy felt extremely distressed.

Second Uncle Duan finally woke up and hurriedly called people to carry Duan Xiu onto the carriage.

Then he ran away in a flash.

Until the carriage completely disappeared from view, the crowd felt relieved and began to discuss it boldly. They said everything: some felt pity, some sympathized, some gloated, and some smart ones reminded everyone to say less, lest trouble come from the mouth.

In the crowd, Du Ruo lowered her eyes and curled her lips imperceptibly.

It seems the medicine worked well. Duan Xiu was indeed as she expected, making a fool of himself in public, his future ruined; at most, he would have the life of a rich man in the future.

With this stain, he would never want to climb to a high position in his life!

Regarding Duan Xiu's encounter, Du Ruo just wanted to send him two words—serves him right.

Duan Xiu took the initiative to declare war, and when he couldn't win the exam, he played dirty. Heh, then let's see who is dirtier!

However, with the Duan family's petty and vengeful nature, they will definitely not give up. They might be brewing something big behind the scenes, so she still needs to be vigilant...

Du Ruo walked while listening to the students of Xiushan Academy whispering about Duan Xiu's affairs.

Occasionally, she would nod in agreement.

Looking like she knew nothing.

The group returned to the county hostel happily.

The prefectural exam was completely over, and now they just had to wait for the list to be posted. Under normal circumstances, the list would be posted within these two days, and then everyone could return to Wutou Xian.

That night, Bian Dou Dou hosted, ordering a big table of good wine and food, inviting Master Yan and the two government students, as well as classmates, to eat together.

Of course, it also included Du Ruo and Master Jiang.

At the dinner table, when everyone was full of wine and food, Master Yan talked about the return arrangements.

"This time we won't take a boat; we'll change to land travel. I have already contacted several carriages, and we will set off in two days."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Carriages are good; they didn't want to take a boat again. It was too terrifying; who knew if they would be unlucky enough to encounter water bandits again?

Du Ruo hesitated for a moment, but decided to give a heads-up. "Master, you have worked hard, but I still have some things to do and will be delayed for a few days before returning. I will leave A-Zhan to your care."

Everyone looked over together.

"Sister-in-law, you aren't going with us?" Jiang Zhan asked hurriedly.

"Yes, I haven't had time to tell you about this." Du Ruo explained with a smile. "Actually, it's like this: I have already signed up for the Apricot Forest Conference in a few days and want to stay and see it, so I won't go back for the time being."

So that was it.

Everyone suddenly realized.

Bian Dou Dou stood up and slammed the table. "Good! With Sister-in-law Jiang's ability, she will definitely shine, and I also want to stay and see it!"

Anyway, he had money and leisure, and he wasn't in a hurry to pass the scholar exam; it didn't matter if he played for a few days before going back.

Other students looked at each other.

One of the failed candidates also raised his hand weakly. "Um, I also want to see it."

With two people taking the lead, the response voices immediately increased.

"I also want to stay for a few more days. I was just busy with the exam before and haven't shopped yet. I can take this opportunity to bring some good things for my family."

"Yes, yes, yes, I think so too. It's hard to come here once; wouldn't it be a big loss to return empty-handed?"

"I'm different; I'm staying for my old mother. My old mother has a headache that hasn't been cured for more than ten years. Now that there is such a rare opportunity to see a divine doctor, I certainly can't miss it..."

The students talked one after another, and it was very lively.

After finishing, they suddenly realized something and looked at Master Yan eagerly together.

That is, the person who can really make the decision.

Master Yan frowned.

From his heart, he didn't approve of staying. First, the expenses here are high; just the accommodation fee is one tael and five qian a day, not counting other expenses. Although most of the students' families are not short of money, there is no need to waste it.

Second, there are many nobles in the prefectural city; if you are not careful, you might offend someone, which is too dangerous.

For example, Jiang Zhan.

Such a well-behaved child, he was targeted by the Duan family; there is simply nowhere to reason.

So it is better to leave early.

However, seeing the expectant eyes of the students, Master Yan really couldn't bear to dampen their spirits.

In fact, thinking about it, studying cannot just be reading dead books; one must walk more and see more, otherwise, if they pass this prefectural exam, what about the next academy exam? What about the future provincial and palace exams? Without some knowledge, one cannot write good policy essays.

Thinking of this, Master Yan made the final decision. "Alright, let's stay for a few more days."

Everyone cheered.

"But there is one thing you must firmly remember, the same four words—be cautious in words and actions! You must not cause trouble, otherwise, no one can save you!"

"Yes, we will remember Master's teachings!"

So this matter was decided hastily like this.

Everyone was very excited.

Except for Xiao Liangchen.

Xiao Liangchen touched the little silver left in his sleeve, feeling very conflicted.

Of course, he also wanted to stay, more than anyone else.

Leaving A-Man alone here, how could he be at ease?

It's just that his money is only enough for the return trip...

Bian Dou Dou caught a glimpse of Xiao Liangchen's embarrassment, his eyes turned, and he immediately stood up and announced heroically, "Brothers, I was the first to propose staying this time, so the food, clothing, housing, and transportation for everyone these few days will naturally be covered by me. Don't save money for me, okay?"

The scene cheered again.

"Brother Bian is generous!"

"Then I won't be polite. Tomorrow morning I want to eat lotus root and pork rib soup!"

"Brother Li is going too far. Why eat so luxuriously early in the morning? Unlike me, I just need two abalones, hahaha."

For a time, talking and laughing, the atmosphere reached a climax.

Xiao Liangchen knew that Bian Dou Dou did this to take care of his self-esteem, so he smiled gratefully at him.

Bian Dou Dou returned a smile.

He is not stupid; helping Xiao Liangchen is partly because of the friendship between classmates, but partly for the future.

Although Xiao Liangchen is not as outstanding as Jiang Zhan, he is also a rare young talent and has a good hope of passing the imperial exam; it is true that the Bian family has money, but they lack a foundation, that is, official power. Showing favor to Xiao Liangchen in advance has only benefits and no harm.

Thus, everyone is happy.

Early the next morning, Master Yan sent someone to wait at the gate of the prefectural school for news as usual.

If it's fast, the list will be posted today.

Of course, it could also be tomorrow, depending on the chief examiner's grading efficiency.

Du Ruo and the others were not in a hurry.

Anyway, the grades were already there; if there were no accidents, Jiang Zhan would be the Prefectural Top Scholar.

Therefore, everyone's mood was very relaxed, resting while waiting.

This wait lasted until noon.

Du Ruo and Jiang Zhan were eating in the lobby on the first floor when suddenly a servant who accompanied them rushed in, shouting with a terrified face: "They are here, they are here!"

Du Ruo looked outside suspiciously.

Who is here?

"They are here, why make such a fuss?" Master Yan stood up and walked over. "Is it the people bringing the good news?"

According to custom, the top three have government officials beating gongs and drums to deliver the good news.

The servant was about to speak.

At this moment, dozens of soldiers wearing armor and carrying horizontal sabers rushed into the lobby like tigers and wolves, surrounding everyone.

The leader was a black-faced soldier, very burly.

And very familiar.

It was Xiong Er.

Xiong Er waved his hand and ordered: "Guard all the passages, don't let a single fly fly out!"

The soldiers responded yes and immediately dispersed.

Soon both the front and back doors were blocked.

The manager of the county hostel hurriedly stepped forward. "Soldier, what is this for? Our Wutou County hostel has always been law-abiding, and the silver that should be paid has not been delayed or owed. I don't know what we did wrong to trouble you..."

Xiong Er ignored him and scanned the lobby.

"Where is Jiang Zhan?"

Du Ruo's expression changed, and she immediately blocked in front of Jiang Zhan, saying coldly: "General Xiong, what is the meaning of this?"

Seeing her, Xiong Er's eyes were a bit evasive and guilty.

But he immediately returned to normal. He cleared his throat and straightened his chest. "By the order of the Education Commissioner, Lord Bi, I invite Jiang Zhan to the government office for questioning!"