The group looked left and right, each hoping someone would produce evidence of Guo Feng's crimes.
Yet no one spoke up.
"Do any of you have anything else to say?" Shen Qingping's brows furrowed with unmistakable anger. "So you spread rumors to tarnish Guo Feng's reputation without verification or reporting to the authorities first? Do you realize this is a punishable offense?"
The gavel struck again, and the crowd outside wore complex expressions.
From the looks of it, it seemed Young Master Guo had truly been wronged.
"You're the bad ones, framing Uncle Guo!"
A boy pushed to the front of the crowd. "Uncle Guo even gave me a very expensive inkstone, and later sent fine brushes and ink to my home. My mother says only good people do such things."
"Your Honor, these men must be punished harshly. Our teacher says passing the provincial exam means becoming an official. If men like them hold office, how can common folk survive?"
Such sharp words from a child made Shen Qingping's eyes glint imperceptibly.
"Gou Dan, why are you running around again?"
A woman grabbed the boy by the ear, apologizing profusely to those around them. "Your Honor, my son is unruly. Please don't take his words seriously."
"Mother, I meant every word!"
"Ow, ow, ow—it hurts!"
Gou Dan was dragged away by his ear, but his words lingered in everyone's minds.
"I'll ask one last time—do you have proof to support your accusations against Guo Feng?" Shen Qingping smirked. "If not, don't blame me for reporting this to the prefect and revoking your provincial exam results."
"Have mercy, Your Honor! Spare us!"
The men finally grasped the gravity of their actions, kowtowing desperately.
"Did any of you consider what would become of me when you spread these lies?"
Song Yu's frail voice cut through the silence, drawing all eyes to his sickly frame.
"If not for the prefect and Lord Shen's presence in Ji'an Prefecture, no one could clear my name now. Even with high marks in the exams, my reputation would be ruined, barring me from office. Is that what you wanted?"
Their schemes laid bare, the men flushed crimson.
"A true gentleman achieves his goals with honor. I, Guo Feng, aim to become a provincial scholar—and I'll earn that title fairly. You? You're nothing but rats scheming in the shadows. You've brought this upon yourselves."
With that, Song Yu broke into coughing fits and was helped out of the courthouse.
That same day, Song Shihuan personally ordered the revocation of the men's exam results. Those who spread the rumors were punished according to the law.
And once again, Guo Feng's name was on everyone's lips.
......
At the gambling den:
"The provincial exam results will be announced soon. Who do you think will top the list?"
The mention of exams had everyone calculating, hoping to strike it rich by betting on the top scorer.
"I wager on Zheng Fang. That lad was wrongly accused—he must be burning with determination now."
"My money's on Ling Ming. He's always steady."
"I bet—"
Voices overlapped as patrons clamored to list every notable candidate. Then, one voice cut through:
"I bet on Guo Feng."
A collective gasp filled the room.
"Since the founding of Great Qi, no examinee assigned to the foul-smelling cell has ever topped the list. Old Wang, don't be reckless," someone laughed.
"With the 'Toad Palace Incense,' anything's possible," Old Wang said mysteriously. "I consulted scholars—Guo Feng's past exam performances were leagues ahead. Leagues! Do you understand?"
"No."
The crowd shook their heads.
"Fine! If none of you back Guo Feng, I, Old Wang, will!"
A golden phoenix remains a golden phoenix, even in a stinking cell!
When word reached Song Yu that Old Wang had staked his entire fortune on Guo Feng, the frail man grew so excited he ate an extra bowl of rice porridge. "That man has sharp eyes and a bright mind. Fortune favors him."
With the slanderers punished, Song Yu's health improved rapidly. Soon, he was speaking with vigor again.
"Liuxi, discreetly place my silver on the bet—that I'll be the top scorer."
"Baoxia, stake mine too," Song Shihuan chimed in instantly.
"Nian'an, add my wager as well," Shen Qingping said calmly, though inwardly he was overjoyed—this was a golden opportunity!
Liuxi, Baoxia, and Nian'an also quietly bet their savings. Suddenly, the odds shifted dramatically.
"How odd—why are more people betting on Guo Feng now?" muttered the gambling den owner before tossing a gold ingot onto Guo Feng's pile.
......
In the examination grading hall, the summer heat left Ye Shijie and his colleagues drenched in sweat.
"Gentlemen, take a break. Cool off with some iced watermelon."
At the attendant's call, Ye Shijie set down his brush. "Let's eat."
The watermelon, chilled in a well, was sweet and refreshing. The officials devoured it—the heat was unbearable.
Between bites, they relaxed.
"The provincial exam truly differs from the lower tiers. I've already seen several outstanding papers," one remarked. "This year, Ji'an Prefecture may produce many exceptional scholars."
A "bumper year" in imperial exams meant an unusual number of talented candidates.
"Indeed," Ye Shijie agreed. "I've reviewed many impressive ones too."
"After the watermelon, resume grading. First, separate the outstanding papers without ranking them. Shuffle and re-evaluate multiple times to ensure no gifted examinee is overlooked. Then we'll decide the rankings."
Once finished, they returned to their stations.
By dusk, weariness set in—until one official's eyes lit up. He clutched a paper, engrossed.
A full quarter-hour passed as he read.
This is the top candidate!
Trembling with excitement, he placed it among the outstanding pile, restraining his enthusiasm.
He sensed it—this paper...
was the crown jewel of this year's provincial exams.
