Among the teachers at the academy who specialize in Classics, Old Teacher Zeng may not be the most formidable, but he is undoubtedly one of the most experienced old-tirs, and there aren’t many people above him who he needs to consult. It’s not even a multiple-choice question.
Old Teacher Zeng shook his head, interrupting Teacher Shen’s words, "I set the Classics question, but when I was crafting the exam questions for the major test, that person happened to be present. This pivotal Trial Policy question, he made a suggestion which I found quite sensible, and I adopted it. Now, to award a perfect score, I need to present it for that person to look at, as a matter of procedure and courtesy. Don’t you all agree?"
Initially, Teacher Shen and the others who had objections were left speechless.
Old Teacher Zeng turned to look at the silent Zhu Yourong, stroked his beard, and spoke frankly:
"Little Zhu, you are quick-witted, and likely have already guessed a few things. I know you may see yourself in this suppressed student’s circumstances from your past, but you must understand, if it were just Shen and alone, we wouldn’t hesitate to give a nineteen. The writing is indeed excellent, but if it’s sent to that person, based on his strict standards..."
"To review the paper of a re student, he would undoubtedly employ very high standards, at least equal to the First Rank of a scholar. It’s uncertain whether he would even give nineteen."
Old Teacher Zeng shook his head, "Risking so much for that one point is not worth it, especially considering this student—let check the exam number—oh, it turns out to be that ’Ren Number Thirteen,’ haha, it’s him again!"
The elder laughed heartily and nodded, "I just revised the paper, and my ears have beco calloused from hearing about it. Now I’ve witnessed it, haha, this Ren Number Thirteen wants to score a perfect in our Classics again."
The hall instantly buzzed with astonishnt, and the gathered teachers were amazed, even Su Changfeng and Duan Jiuling, who had unhesitatingly awarded perfect scores before, exchanged a surprised look. All known are already close to perfect scores in four subjects, it’s baffling.
Xiao Hongyu and Li Xueyou, along with other female scholars who were like little invisible figures in the hall, had faces filled with admiration.
Was Ren Number Thirteen aiming for perfect scores in Classics and Poetry—music, the full-score double crown? Initially, achieving three full scores was impressive enough, yet now his Trial Policy has led to argunts between Old Teachers and Zhu Yourong, even reaching higher academy levels for certain authorities to review, a recognition even Yu Huaijin had never achieved!
The female scholars started to beco restless. Teacher ng, who had been watching without intervening, turned to glance at them, making them instantly beco quiet and demure, though the excitent flushed upon their faces was hard to hide.
Even though Ren Number Thirteen wasn’t them, might not even be from their school, and they didn’t really know him, they still felt honored, as if witnessing and being part of so glorious event.
Like a school where the top of the grade is far away from everyone, yet everyone knows his na and takes pride in sharing his feats outside the campus. If this top-school achiever surpasses predecessors in other schools or years, it makes it worth talking about outside, and being in the sa year seems to provide a certain glow.
As for envy, jealousy, or resentnt, he has surpassed so much that any comparative emotions vanish before they even arise, akin to Fan Yushu’s outlook on life, so today, facing the mysterious Ren Number Thirteen, all female scholars present are like Fan Yushu—a curious analogy...
At this mont, Old Teacher Zeng, after a period of contemplation, turned to see Zhu Yourong:
"Old and senile as I am, I know you all think I am capitalizing on my age, stifling youngsters, thinking old people like are incompatible with youthful vigor, but Little Zhu, truly I have never thought that the high spirits of young people are bad. It’s wonderful to have that ’ambition to challenge the heavens.’ I appreciate that."
"However, at the sa ti, you must accept the reality that human effort has limits, while heaven has no bounds. Too much ambition without enough skill will face the risk of falling from heights. The higher you stand, the more it hurts when you fall. I’ve seen many young people fail to assess themselves properly, ending in great falls. So sotis, a slight restraint through old conventions still has rit, like now, there’s no need to chase this single point... Do you understand? If we truly follow your advice and send this paper out, risking it, in the end, would the student thank you or bla you?"
Zhu Yourong silently watched the elder in thoughtful reflection and the quiet crowd, after a mont, she turned and glanced at the paper in the elder’s hand.
Wanting to beco the master elder sister was a dream for the female teacher, yet yesterday she saw Zhao Rong’s calm eyes. She lifted her head, pointing at the paper in Zeng’s hand, saying, "This Ren Number Thirteen has astonished and everyone today. He deserves more full scores, deserves to be introduced to that person anew. I have always believed that the ambition and verve of our generation of Confucian scholars can’t be suppressed. This young man should be proud! He should stride forward with his head held high!"
The woman’s gaze remained unwavering.
This is the true ’young master brother’ I envision. Just a thought she did not express aloud.
Zhu Yourong naturally understood the risk of sending Zhao Rong’s paper to be marked by that person, even more than Old Teacher Zeng, not just due to the high standards of that person, but because of her own connection. As long as it was a man she fancied, that person would mostly find him disagreeable, inherently discontent.
Nevertheless, Zhu Yourong still supported sending the paper because she believed in Zhao Rong.
She had misunderstood him a few days ago, assuming he was distracted during this major test and hadn’t given his all, disappointing her expectations. But today, in the morning, his perfect score papers appeared before her one by one, and the image of his calm eyes from yesterday’s farewell flashed repeatedly in her mind... Zhu Yourong felt strangely ashad and apologetic, a heart wrapped in emotional ties felt sowhat uncomfortable and guilty.
"Zhao Ziyu, I will never doubt you again... Go ahead, let that person reassess you," Zhu Yourong quietly thought.
At this mont in the hall, the resounding voice of a certain female teacher seed to still linger, echoing in everyone’s ears.
Teacher Shen and other teachers fell silent, so nodding lightly.
Old Teacher Zeng paused as well, contemplated for a while, gazed again at the paper, which had vigorous and stylish handwriting, and exchanged glances with Teacher Shen, the latter nodding gently.
"Alright, Ren Number Thirteen’s paper still warrants further discussion!" Old Teacher Zeng acknowledged aloud, then suddenly picked up his teacup to moisten his lips, continued to nod: "I will now send it to the person who crafted the question for review."
After saying so, Old Teacher Zeng nodded at ng Zhengjun, took the paper, got up and left the room. Outside, the elder sighed, shook his head, but ultimately moved in a certain direction.
Jingchen Hall remained silent for a mont, under ng Zhengjun’s supervision, the teachers and scholars returned to their positions to continue the final tasks of paper grading and score assignnt.
ng Zhengjun glanced at Zhu Yourong, who did not turn to look back.
The voluptuous female teacher dusted off her sleeves and returned to her seat as if she had just expressed a spontaneous righteous argunt, then no longer concerned herself with the outco of Ren Number Thirteen’s paper...
Soon, all the papers in Jingchen Hall had been graded, the teachers put down their pens.
As for the final tallying of scores, it was up to ng Zhengjun and the sixteen female scholars to busy themselves.
...
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PS: Four thousand words, making up for yesterday’s missing update. Also, little Rong wishes for all book-loving friends taking the high exam to be like Zhao Rong, easily scoring full marks in every subject (Music Art: Aren’t you forgetting about ?), climbing the ranks! Brothers in the alliance, don’t be afraid, just charge ahead!!
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