The examination lasted several days, and during this time, Taoyao Square continued its business as usual, only worrying in the evenings whether Zhou Wangshu inside was eating and sleeping well.
However, everyone understood that not eating and sleeping well was the norm; those with frail bodies could lose half their life upon exiting the examination hall. Such cramped conditions were not conducive to sleep, and the food was all dry, plus the stress of the exam questions, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted.
A few days later, Su Yaoguang and the others waited again outside the examination hall for Zhou Wangshu to emerge.
When the doors opened, the first to come out was not Zhou Wangshu, nor pampered young masters like Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu, but Xiao Yanci being carried out.
The government officer carrying out Xiao Yanci aroused much curiosity, as people scrutinized the person before them.
"I’ve heard that some examinees with poor mental resilience would be carried out. So it was true. Who is this?"
"I know him, he’s Student Xiao, the one the Mountain Master and teachers at the academy are particularly nurturing."
"It’s him? Why is he being carried out?"
Xiao Yanci was not only carried out, but looked ghastly pale and emaciated, as if all essence had been drained from him.
Jiang Yihuan, dressed flamboyantly, waited at the entrance, hoping to be the first thing Xiao Yanci saw upon exiting, so he could become more infatuated with her.
However, Xiao Yanci leaving the examination hall in such a manner was utterly embarrassing.
"Who is part of Xiao Ci’s family?" the government officer called out, "Hurry and take him home."
Jiang Yihuan reluctantly stepped forward, forcing a wry smile, "Lord, what happened to him?"
Xiao Yanci seemed in a terrible state and didn’t respond upon seeing Jiang Yihuan, looking dumbfounded.
"He had diarrhea in there, for several days," the officer said, "To avoid leaving toilet marks, he just relieved himself in his examination cubicle, utterly disgusting."
As Jiang Yihuan approached, the strong smell hit her, and upon the officer’s explanation, she understood the reason and dared not touch him any further.
"Lord, I’m just a weak woman and can’t move him, could you please help carry him back?" Jiang Yihuan took out her purse, pulling out ten cents to hand over.
The officer disdainfully left Xiao Yanci on the ground and departed without a second glance.
Ten cents, are you kidding me?
Xiao Yanci was dropped to the ground, crying out in pain. Clutching his stomach, he scrambled to get up, but the more he exerted himself, the more the situation worsened.
Pffft...
A rancid odor permeated the air.
Jiang Yihuan covered her nose.
Good heavens, how much more embarrassment could he cause?
Was this the man she had carefully chosen?
Su Yaoguang pulled Zhang Zhaodi and others further away.
"Ugh..." someone nearby started to retch.
"What’s wrong with this guy? Let’s go, it’s indecent."
"So disgusting. Did he really relieve himself like that inside? The students near him were surely out of luck."
The crowd looked at Xiao Yanci with disdainful eyes.
If their own family encountered such a problem and it affected their performance, they’d really want to see this man torn apart.
For an ordinary family, raising a scholar meant selling everything they had. If they didn’t pass the exam, they’d have to study for several more years, which would mean more hard work for several more years.
Jiang Yihuan wished to take him away too, but she truly couldn’t. It wasn’t just that as a weak woman she couldn’t move him; even if she could, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Xiao Yanci was utterly powerless, and now, having caused such a scene, he wished he could disappear into a hole in the ground.
He looked at Jiang Yihuan and saw an unhidden look of disgust on her face. At that moment, his heart turned cold.
If it were Su Yaoguang, she would surely have taken him away immediately, cleaned him up herself, changed him into dry clothes, and found a doctor for him.
Her eyes would show no disdain, only care.
Xiao Yanci looked towards Su Yaoguang in the distance.
Su Yaoguang covered her nose, her gaze fixed on the entrance.
More and more examinees began to exit.
"Mother, someone next to me was so disgusting, constantly having diarrhea. The odor made me dizzy, and I fear for my performance this time." said one examinee.
The mother of the speaker glanced over fiercely.
Others also looked over with unfriendly eyes.
Jiang Yihuan hurriedly pulled out broken silver, finding two strong men in the crowd to carry Xiao Yanci away.
The two strong men found the smell unbearable too, but the reward from Jiang Yihuan was tempting. Withstanding the odor for a bit earned them one tael of silver each, easy money just for enduring a little.
"Wangshu is out..." Su Yaoguang shouted happily.
As Xiao Yanci was being carried away, he glanced back and saw Su Yaoguang running towards Zhou Wangshu with a water bottle in her hand, passing it to Zhou Wangshu.
Zhang Zhaodi and others gathered around Zhou Wangshu.
Zhou Wangshu was being treated like a shining star, with everyone fussing over him.
This was all supposed to belong to him.
In his past life, he looked down upon these things, but now he missed them so much.
In the past life, when Su Yaoguang and Zhang Zhaodi came to see him off at the exam, he felt embarrassed by their humility and told them not to speak to him, to see him off quietly as if they didn’t know him.
"Wangshu, I heard someone relieved themselves inside. It was terribly smelly and must have affected your performance, right?" Zhang Zhaodi asked.
Zhou Wangshu smiled, "Mother, didn’t you say it’s okay whether I pass or not?"
"That’s what I said, but it’s fine if you don’t pass, as long as it’s not because you were affected by someone else." Zhang Zhaodi replied.
"Don’t worry, Mother, I was far away from there and didn’t smell anything."
"That’s good," Zhang Zhaodi said, "Otherwise, I’d really want to scratch his face off."
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu also came out.
However, their families only sent servants to pick them up; neither of their parents came personally to fetch them.
"Chushan, Buyu, we’ve prepared a feast at Jiang’s Restaurant for you. If you don’t have other plans, why not join us for a celebration?"
"Godmother, we’re just here to make up the numbers and probably won’t pass. What’s there to celebrate?" Zhong Chushan laughed.
"If you pass, you’ll have a private celebration. Right now, it’s about celebrating that you’ve completed the exam, marking a step forward in life. Do you look down on your godmother and don’t want to eat together?"
"How could we? We went through a lot inside. Godmother, we haven’t had anything decent to eat in days, we really need to replenish. Look, I’ve even lost weight!" Chen Buyu comically pulled at his face, acting pitiful.
Zhang Zhaodi was amused and laughed heartily.
Zhou Wangshu’s friends were particularly likable, without any airs. After drinking last time, they called Zhang Zhaodi godmother, and they continued to do so when meeting again. Initially, Zhang Zhaodi felt awkward responding, but after hearing it more, she responded openly, and now, she had gained seven or eight godsons at once.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter