Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 206: Qiao Zizhan

The spring examination is over, and next comes the transcription, followed by review.

This is a crucial step; not a single mistake can be made.

The first step is sealing. The exams are assembled into booklets of fifty people each, with names obscured and serial numbers added sequentially.

Serial numbers start from the first exam and proceed in order.

Once compiled, the name section is sealed with wax. If opened, any tampering will be evident, making it easy to identify.

The second step is transcription.

Since the names are sealed, those transcribing cannot see whose exam it is, nor do they need to know; they just need to copy the content exactly as it appears.

This is a large task, so several clerks are assigned to carry it out.

The third step is the review.

Then comes organizing, naming, posting, etc.

This process will take more than half a month. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

At this moment, deep into the night, the review of the spring examination results has completed the first step and entered the second step — transcription.

Several clerks are working diligently, but since they are using standard script, they cannot write quickly.

"Swish..."

In the room, there are only the sounds of turning pages and transcribing.

At this moment, a clerk’s eyes narrowed as he noticed an exam sheet with familiar script, the hand that he had seen before with cursive traces in the hook of the strokes.

His eyes lit up, knowing he had made a discovery. Without hesitation, he slightly adjusted the hook of the first character on the exam sheet.

Then, he intentionally transcribed the answers incorrectly, copying one side’s answers to the opposite side.

This way, no matter how good the essay is afterward, it won’t matter! Failure would be certain!

...

Li Qingmu returned home, had a delightful hot bath, enjoyed dinner made by his wife, and rested comfortably.

However, the next day, he found himself pulled out by Cao Yin for training once more.

"You brat, your grandpa is about to return to Xinan; this is the last bit of training you’ll get, so don’t slack off!"

Cao Yin laughed and scolded Li Qingmu as he brandished the long blade.

Li Qingmu was embarrassed, but he knew his grandfather did this for his own good, so he could only follow through the grueling training.

The following days were simple; Li Qingmu would rise early every day to train with Huanhuan and Cao Xiao, then head to the Imperial Censorate.

Huang Hua would occasionally find trouble for him, especially as the exams ended and the review began, Huang Hua became even more arrogant, almost certain Li Qingmu would fail.

"Li Qingmu, once the results are out, you can get lost!"

Every time Li Qingmu entered the gates of the Imperial Censorate, he would hear Huang Hua cursing at him, but he had grown used to it and didn’t care.

"The results will be released tomorrow, shall we make a bet?"

Gathering for gambling is not allowed in the government office, but this is only on the surface; many people in the office often engage in small wagers behind the scenes.

Thus, Huang Hua agreed unceremoniously.

"Bet, then bet; who’s afraid of whom?"

"Then let’s bet on whether I will pass the spring examination this time. Whoever loses will... crawl out of the Imperial Censorate imitating a dog, how about it?"

This wager was vulgar and tasteless, ordinarily Huang Hua wouldn’t agree, but he heard some rumors saying Li Qingmu would definitely fail, so he accepted.

"Humph, boy, get ready to bark like a dog, hahaha!"

Huang Hua laughed heartily as he left.

Li Qingmu coldly watched his receding figure, said nothing, and continued to attend to his tasks.

The next morning, at the city gates where the results would be posted, crowds had gathered.

Those present were not only the candidates but also their friends and relatives, all gathered under the city gate, nervously eyeing the red bulletin.

This is the moment of truth, the leap over the dragon gate; numerous people are nervous, fixated on the red list.

The unveiling of the red list is scheduled for an auspicious time, and it hasn’t arrived yet, so people wait anxiously.

Today Huang Hua took leave, not for any other reason than to come and see if Li Qingmu made it to the list, knowing even though he wouldn’t, he still wanted to see.

"Brother Huang, come have a drink, celebrate the nuisance finally leaving! Hahaha—"

Opposite the posting, there was a restaurant; Huang Hua sat in a private booth on the second floor with his friend Liu Yi, drinking together.

Liu Yi was the Imperial Censor who often helped Huang Hua ridicule Li Qingmu; they shared similar tastes and both disliked Li Qingmu.

"Leaving? Have you forgotten the bet we made yesterday?"

Huang Hua took a sip of his drink, savoring its flavor, drunkenly tapping the table, "That boy will have to bark like a dog, heh, just thinking about that scene is exciting!"

"Certainly! He’s been smug for so long; it’s time he took some punishment, hehehe..."

After saying this, they downed their drinks in one go!

"Come, drink, let’s not talk about that person, let’s discuss something else. Surely Qiao will succeed, maybe even make it to the palace examination, then he will truly shine!"

This person, Qiao, naturally referred to Empress Qiao’s nephew, Qiao Zizhan.

He is hailed as Shengjing’s talent, not only outstanding in poetry, but also handsome, the dream of countless young women in Shengjing City.

This person’s character is bold yet not unruly, with someone saying one day, this person will become Vice Minister in twenty years.

Truly a promising individual.

"Of course, Qiao is exceptionally gifted, how can that countryside bug compare?"

As they spoke, suddenly from behind came an exclamation, and the surroundings became lively.

Huang Hua and Liu Yi quickly turned to look, seeing a white-robed man slowly approaching from the corridor corner.

The man held a feather fan, his long hair casually tied behind, with long eyebrows extending to his temples and distinctive features; he had an excellent complexion.

His appearance elicited gasps of admiration from the people in the restaurant.

"Brother Qiao, you are here? Did you come to see the results?"

"Ha, with Brother Qiao’s brilliance, there’s no need to check; success is assured!"

"Indeed, if Qiao fails, then what would the world be reduced to? Hahaha..."

The restaurant echoed with laughter, joyous and merry.

Facing the praises from those around him, Qiao Zizhan slightly nodded, wearing only a hint of a confident smile, subtle and precise, neither arrogant nor overbearing, which seemed quite amiable.

"Come to think of it, among us there is actually a barbarian participating in the imperial examinations, truly humiliating!"

"Indeed, I heard he’s merely a scholar from a small county, humph, what is such a village scholar compared to us in the imperial examinations?"

"Right, he doesn’t belong!"

These people are either noble from Shengjing City or talented scholars, sipping their drinks and ridiculing Li Qingmu, barely hiding the envy in their eyes.

How could such a small figure garner the Emperor’s favor?

For what reason?

Jealousy can lead to irrational actions, and watching Li Qingmu’s fall, along with witnessing the Emperor’s embarrassment, is what they anticipate.

"The results are being announced, quick, the results are out!"

Someone suddenly shouted from below, drawing expectant glances from countless people.