12dz Chapter 338 Next time, please open your eyes wider; that's not someone you can afford to mess w
Chapter 338 Next time, please open your eyes wider; that's not someone you can afford to mess w
Yu Mengmeng was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and once served as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in the imperial court.
But for some unknown reason, he resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown. He heard that he was kidnapped shortly after arriving home.
Everyone thought he had died in his hometown, but unexpectedly, news came that he was serving as the dean in Pingyao.
This time, Pingyao County was actively recruiting teachers, taking advantage of Mengmeng's former status and betting that he had connections.
That's why he volunteered to come to this godforsaken place to be a teacher, paving the way for his son.
The more Wu Xiucai thought about it, the more sweat poured down his forehead.
When Da Niu saw Yu Mengmeng coming over, he quickly stepped forward and asked, "Master, what brings you here?"
"Hmph, you really know how to pick your time. You didn't sleep until now, did you, scholar?"
Just as Yu Mengmeng was about to speak, Qin Shen, who was standing next to her, made a sarcastic remark.
He glanced at Qin Shen Shen and said irritably, "You're sick, I don't have the medicine. There's a pharmacy just ahead on the left. I suggest you go get your head checked."
Upon hearing this, Wu Xiucai realized that the opportunity to curry favor with Dean Yu had been presented to him. He quickly walked up to Qin Shensheng, pointed at him, and loudly rebuked him: "Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to Dean Yu like that?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Yu Mengmeng frowned: "Scholar Wu? When did you arrive?"
Wu Xiucai quickly nodded and bowed: "Dean Yu, I just arrived a short while ago."
"Oh."
Yu Mengmeng gave a perfunctory reply and waved her hand impatiently: "This is none of your business, go do your own thing."
Wu Xiucai would never agree; he was busy with his own affairs right now.
He quickly pointed at Qin Shen Shen: "Dean, this person doesn't respect you and is disrespectful to you. He should be arrested and taken to the county government to be flogged!"
Arrest Qin Shen Shen and take her to the county government office to be flogged? Qin Shen Shen is the county clerk; who would dare to flog him?
Everyone was startled and stared intently at Wu Xiucai, ready to see if he had lost his mind.
When Wu Xiucai saw everyone staring at him, including Yu Mengmeng, who was also looking at him with unfriendly eyes, he couldn't help but feel a chill: "W-what's wrong?"
The air seemed to freeze, with only the intermittent chirping of birds coming from afar.
Qin Shensheng smiled knowingly, slowly adjusting her cuffs as if watching a farcical spectacle.
Yu Mengmeng stood with her arms crossed, staring at Wu Xiucai with great interest, her eyes filled with a hint of mockery.
Turning to look at Qin Shengsheng, he asked, "What, do you have a grudge against him?"
Wu Xiucai felt uneasy after being stared at by Yu Mengmeng.
However, he still maintained his composure and said, "Dean, I have no grudge against this person."
This person spoke rudely to you in public; if he is not punished, what will become of the academy's prestige?
He turned and scanned the villagers who had gathered around, trying to find support from the crowd: "Don't you all agree?"
However, he was met with silence, and the expressions on everyone's faces gradually changed from shock to pity.
This person is really quite ill, poor thing, so pitiful!
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the crowd.
Head Constable Pang, sweating profusely, squeezed in and, upon seeing Qin Shensheng, quickly pulled him out, saying, "Master Qin! The county magistrate is waiting for you to return for a meeting. What are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.
Wu Xiucai froze on the spot as if he had been frozen in place, his mouth agape but unable to utter a single word. The color drained from his face instantly, leaving it deathly pale.
Before leaving, Qin Shengsheng patted Wu Xiucai on the shoulder: "Very good, I'll remember you!"
After saying that, Qin Shensheng smiled and followed Constable Pang back to the yamen.
This person is actually a clerk in the yamen?
It’s over.
Wu Xiucai slumped to the ground, his long robe soaked with cold sweat. Watching Qin Shen's departing figure, he felt bitter, but even more bitter inside.
Wu Yang rushed over to help Wu Xiucai up, her voice trembling with helplessness: "Father..."
Looking at his son, Wu Xiucai felt there was still a glimmer of hope.
He quickly scrambled to his feet and forcefully pushed Wu Yang in front of Yu Mengmeng, saying, "Dean, my son, though unworthy, has studied diligently for many years. This time, he has achieved the highest score in the preliminary examination."
If you could accept my son as your disciple, he would surely bring more glory to the academy than anyone else!
If he succeeds in the imperial examinations someday, the credit will be first and foremost attributed to you!
Wu Yang's knees slammed heavily against the bluestone slab.
His pale face was tilted back, his eyes filled with near-madness and a hint of disdain for Da Niu:
"Yes, Dean, I'm young and I've already won the top prize, which gives me a better chance than those who are older and have failed the exam."
Please accept me as your disciple, Dean. I will repay your kindness tenfold in the future.
Yu Mengmeng was taken aback: "Failed the exam? Who did you say failed the exam?"
He quickly ran to the list, read through all the names, and pointed to the second to last name: "Isn't my apprentice's name here, Lin Zhiyan!"
"These words are so big, are you blind and can't see them?"
The blind crowd: "..."
Da Niu then walked out with his chest puffed out: "Yes, Master said I started studying late, and I've only been studying for less than a year."
I hope that in the future I will be a gifted writer and well-read.
So they gave me a formal name, Lin Zhiyan.
My master hopes that I will pass the civil service exam in the future, become a local official, be fair and just, care about the people, and be humble.
So they even gave me a courtesy name, Yunqian!
He had already seen his name on the list before.
Unfortunately, those two were so annoying, constantly interrupting him and preventing him from getting a chance to speak.
"So... this means I won?"
Uncle Zhao below murmured something, instantly overwhelmed by immense joy.
Zhao Chen quickly helped his father up and shouted excitedly, "We won! Our Da Niu won!"
As Zhao Chen shouted, the villagers and city dwellers below erupted in joyful cheers.
Wang Gougou picked up the big, chest-out ox and tossed it into the air.
Lin Xi watched as his son flew into the sky, while the villagers caught him on the ground, and her heart pounded with each step.
Gao Mengli smiled and shook her head.
Everyone was happy, except for the two of them.
Wu Xiucai couldn't believe it. Looking at the mud-covered man being tossed around in celebration by the villagers, he was utterly shocked: "How...how is this possible? He passed the preliminary examination in less than a year of study..."
I didn't know who he was just now, and he had the audacity to say he wanted the academy to expel him...
So what? He's still a teacher at the academy. Once he takes office, we'll definitely put his arrogance to a halt.
A sinister glint flashed in Wu Xiucai's eyes. He thought he had hidden it well, but Gao Mengli, who was always watching him, saw it all.
Wu Yang, standing beside him, stared intently at the boy being tossed into the air in the crowd. The fluttering hem of his clothes stung his eyes—it was he, the champion, who should have been standing there receiving cheers from the crowd.
"Impossible... This is absolutely impossible!"
Wu Yang staggered back half a step, his face contorted with jealousy.
Yu Mengmeng looked at the two of them with icy eyes: "Hmph, how is it impossible? They are my students. How could there be any difference?"