Fang Yu was lost in thought when suddenly someone came up and greeted him. Fang Yu found the person very unfamiliar, but he politely returned the greeting. In the past, he would have quietly walked alone to the lecture hall, but today, people kept greeting him along the way. Many were ones he had never seen before, and he didn't know how they learned his name.
When he entered the clas sroom, before he even reached his seat, classmates who usually had no interaction with him immediately stood up to greet and talk to him. They followed him all the way to his seat, everyone crowding around: "Brother Fang, when did you become acquainted with Education Commissioner Li's son?"
"Brother Fang, did you receive guidance from any esteemed Juren or famous scholars at the table? Zeng Juren was quite complimentary of Brother Fang!"
"Yesterday we saw Brother Fang chatting happily with young master Ji from the Assistant Prefect's residence..."
Fang Yu's ears ached from the noise. He smiled and gave official replies to each one. Fortunately, he had come late, and before he had been sitting long, the bell rang for class, and everyone reluctantly dispersed.
After everyone had settled in their seats, they noticed that Liang Minxu had actually not come today. It was said he caught a chill yesterday at Lingxuan Cave Mountain and truly couldn't get out of bed today, hence he asked for leave.
The matter had long spread among the classmates. Everyone couldn't help but chuckle secretly. A chill was probably false, but a broken heart was likely true.
Fang Yu, however, couldn't be bothered. But he figured Liang Minxu would no longer have the face to act up in front of him again.
During class, Fang Yu transcribed the key points he had selected from yesterday using a brush. He gently patted the back of his deskmate in front, Qiu Yanqi: "Brother Qiu, these are the notes I took at the gathering yesterday. Would you like to look at them?"
Qiu Yanqi was startled upon hearing this and quickly and carefully accepted them: "I would be only too pleased."
Fang Yu smiled. He was the only guest of honor from their classroom, closer to the Juren and famous scholars than those on the periphery, so he heard and learned more than those outside. Yesterday, Qiu Yanqi, thinking he didn't have an invitation, had kindly offered to take notes for him. This was his way of returning the favor.
After class, he also brought the venison to give to Master Zhang. Master Zhang thought it was a gift, and since it wasn't any particular festival, he was unwilling to accept it.
Fang Yu explained it was venison. Only then did the old Master show a slight change of expression and accept it, saying he was thoughtful.
He also called him in for quite a long talk.
He said the Lingxuan Cave Mountain literary gathering was the last relaxation before the academy's minor exam. After this, they needed to intensify essay writing and review their lessons. This minor exam would be ranked. Later, the essays written would be posted on a large board next to the academy's bulletin board, displaying the grade rankings and excellent essays. Not only that, but there were also some gifts prepared by the dean.
Master Zhang praised him for his improvement in essay writing and told him to perform well in the minor exam.
Achieving a good result in the minor exam would naturally bring joy to everyone. Not only could they return home for a pleasant New Year, but they would also save face while drinking and socializing with classmates. However, if they performed poorly, they would inevitably be reprimanded by the teacher and be burdened with numerous holiday assignments. The New Year period itself involved many social obligations; heavy assignments would only add to the strain for all involved.
All the students knew this logic and began to study with full force. Fang Yu arrived at the classroom a quarter of an hour earlier than usual, but unexpectedly, he still wasn't as early as his classmates and almost became the last one to arrive.
Amidst this study atmosphere, he also found the feeling of final exams. During this period, he didn't go out to eat at restaurants, temporarily setting aside his food guide and travel plans. He reviewed his lessons, waking early and sleeping late. The days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the minor exam.
This time, the test questions were set by the academy. Xiucai, tongsheng, and students without official rank took separate exams. It was said that some of the test questions for their Xiucai exam even drew from past provincial exams. Everyone spread this news as if it were miraculous, but Fang Yu did not take it seriously—this was a common question-setting routine in later times, and held no novelty for him.
On the exam day, they were tested on poetry, classical interpretation, as well as discourse and policy. The exam subjects were fixed, the variations lay only in the question styles. However, this time the academy's questions were quite standard and not particularly tricky.
He buried his head and started answering the questions. The first two days of exams passed just like that. However, on the third day, during the discourse and policy exams, a small incident occurred.
Originally, there was only one Master Dai supervising the exam in the classroom. Midway, someone passed by outside, seemingly needing to speak with Master Dai in the classroom. Master Dai went to the doorway. In the mere moment his back was turned, Fang Yu saw the two people in front, to his left and right, fidgeting as if about to pass a note.
This scene was all too familiar from later times. Fang Yu hadn't expected to witness it now. The scholar in front preparing to receive the note saw Fang Yu craning his neck and glared at him with narrowed eyes, mouthing a curse: "What are you looking at?"
Fang Yu saw the scholar was already over thirty years old, yet he was asking for a cheat sheet from someone barely twenty. It was really... thought-provoking. He didn't want to ruin the other's scheme, so he averted his gaze.
"Hurry up and throw it over! Dithering like you're giving birth!"
"Brother Zhou, I don't dare, Master Dai is at the door."
"Do you want the other half of the silver or not!"
Fang Yu lowered his eyes: Well now, a monetary transaction.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a faint tap sound came, and a small ball of paper the size of a fingertip rolled to the side of his foot: "You idiot, where are you throwing it!"
"Brother Zhou... I... my hand slipped."
The man gave the scholar a look that could kill, then turned to Fang Yu: "Hey, what's-your-name, kick that paper ball over to me. I'll treat you to drinks later."
Fang Yu lazily glanced at the man in front and acted as if he hadn't heard. He wasn't lacking for a meal of drinks.
"I told you to kick the paper ball..."
"What are you all doing!"
Before the man finished his sentence, a voice tinged with anger and authority came down from above them.
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