69: Easy question

The day before the assessment, in the side hall of the Zhou Residence.

The side hall was filled with a scent of aged wood mixed with old scrolls. Zhou Kang held a cup of hot tea, blew away the foam, his eyelids drooping as he listened to the Servant, who stood bowed before him, report.

The Servant was from the gatehouse, quick-witted, and specialized in recognizing the faces of visitors.

"Second Master, this morning I went to the West Market to buy provisions, and I saw two people who looked very familiar." The Servant rubbed his hands, a careful expression on his face. "Upon closer inspection, hey, weren't they those two country lads who came to seek refuge with Second Madam before the New Year? Zhao Rui from Su Family Village, and that quiet Su Ming."

Zhou Kang's action of sipping tea paused. His eyelids lifted slightly, revealing his cloudy yet shrewd eyes beneath.

"Them? Why are they here again? For the assessment?" Zhou Kang put down his teacup, the porcelain bottom clinking crisply against the small huanghuali wood table. He leaned slightly forward, the hint of laziness instantly fading from his face, replaced by the focused expression of a hound catching a scent. "Them? Can that good-for-nothing Zhao Rui even pass the County School exam?"

The Servant dared not respond, only chuckled dryly twice.

Zhou Kang's fingers unconsciously tapped the table, making a soft "thump, thump" sound.

Su Ming... that kid had a bit of a strange Aura about him, enough to make Yu Lin, that arrogant boy, humble himself and befriend him. But Zhao Rui? He was just rotten mud that couldn't stick to a wall.

Suddenly, his tapping fingers stopped.

A cold smile slowly crept onto Zhou Kang's lips.

He remembered Zhao Rui's father, Village Head Zhao Dequan of Su Family Village. That obsequious manner, as if he couldn't wait to hand over his entire fortune to curry favor with the Zhou Family, was still vivid in his mind. Zhou Kang clearly saw what was hidden in that man's eyes—ambition, the ambition to use his son to climb the high branch of the Zhou Family and then lord over the countryside.

Now, his good-for-nothing son came to take the County School exam? And staying in such a dilapidated inn? Yes, it must be Zhao Dequan's doing. Afraid of being rejected if he asked directly, he wanted to act first and report later? Hoping his son would luckily pass the exam, then come to him to show off?

Idiot!

Zhou Kang scoffed inwardly.

But this foolishness, it was foolish in just the right way.

Zhao Rui could never pass by his own ability. If Zhou Kang didn't intervene, Zhao Dequan's move would be a dead end, and he would also offend him for nothing.

But what if... Zhou Kang "helped" him a little?

It wouldn't take much effort, he wouldn't even need to show up in person. He just needed to drop a vague hint of a favor with Professor Liu, allowing Zhao Rui's name to barely make it onto the bottom of the list... Then, Zhao Dequan would owe a huge "debt of gratitude." Whether his son could stay in the County School, and whether he could have any prospects in the future, would all be in Zhou Kang's hands.

At that time, that paper-making Workshop in Su Family Village, which earned a fortune daily... would Zhao Dequan still dare to hide it? Would he still dare not to share a portion with Zhou Kang?

Thinking of this, Zhou Kang felt completely comfortable, and even the annoying cicada chirping outside the window sounded much more pleasant.

He looked up at the Servant, his tone softening a little: "Hmm, you handled this well, you have good judgment. Go to the account room and get fifty copper coins, tell them I'm giving it as a reward."

The Servant was overjoyed, thanking him repeatedly, bowing as he backed out.

Zhou Kang was once again alone in the side hall. He picked up his teacup again, slowly took a sip, the warm tea soothing his throat.

His gaze drifted out the window, as if he could already see Zhao Dequan's frightened yet grateful face, and the continuous flow of wealth, trickling into his own pocket through his son's fragile connection.

"Zhao Dequan, oh Zhao Dequan," he murmured to himself, his voice carrying the playful mockery of a cat toying with a mouse, "your son, you yourself delivered him into my hands."

This seemingly insignificant move might bring unexpected rewards.

He put down his teacup, straightened his robes, and began to ponder how to subtly open this conversation with the old-fashioned Professor Liu.

Finally, the day of the County School assessment arrived.

On this day, the air in Qingshi Town was filled with a tense scent of ink.

The entrance of the County School was bustling with people. Hundreds of students from various villages and towns gathered here, each with a solemn expression, their eyes filled with both anticipation and apprehension for the future.

Zhao Rui was so nervous his legs felt weak, his face pale, gripping Su Ming's arm, his palms covered in cold sweat.

"Su Ming, I... I feel like I've forgotten everything. What should I do? My mind is full of noodles right now, strand by strand, still swaying..."

Su Ming pulled his arm free and patted his shoulder.

"Go in."

The examination hall was set up in the County School's grand lecture hall. Rows of individual desks were neatly arranged, and the atmosphere was solemn. Several black-clad invigilators patrolled back and forth expressionlessly, their gazes sharp as eagles.

On the high platform sat two chief examiners.

The one in the center was none other than Zhou Wenhai. Dressed in a dark scholar's robe, his face was stern, his gaze sweeping across the hall below, naturally exuding an Aura of authority without anger.

Su Ming could feel Zhou Wenhai's gaze linger on him for a moment, an assessing and probing look.

"Disciple, stay calm," Lin Yu reminded him. "Your 'Comparative Verification Method' probably helped his son a lot. He's more curious about you than anything now. Don't show any fear; the calmer you are, the more profound he'll think you are."

Su Ming lowered his eyes, adjusted his breathing, his heart as still as an ancient well.

The first round: Scripture Recitation.

The invigilator loudly recited the first half of a scripture, and candidates had to write down the second half and related sentences within a specified time.

'A gentleman devotes himself to the fundamentals, for once the fundamentals are established, the Dao will emerge'...

The invigilator's voice echoed in the spacious lecture hall.

Su Ming picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and the tip glided across the paper like flowing clouds and water. These scriptures were long familiar to him; writing them down was merely instinct.

Zhao Rui, beside him, was like an ant on a hot pan. He scratched his ears and cheeks, his brush hovering over the paper for a long time, then wrote and crossed out, his face flushed red, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

Time passed little by little. Zhou Wenhai sat on the high platform, taking in the scene of all the students below. He saw Zhao Rui's embarrassment and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Then, his gaze fell on Su Ming again.

The young man maintained one posture from beginning to end, his back straight, his expression focused, his brush strokes steady, without a trace of panic.

It was as if this assessment, which determined the fates of countless people, was merely a routine copying exercise for him.

A hint of approval flashed in Zhou Wenhai's eyes.

An hour later, the bell rang, and the first round of the assessment concluded.

The invigilators collected the test papers, and the candidates were allowed to rest in the courtyard.

As soon as Zhao Rui walked out of the lecture hall, he completely collapsed, leaning against a pillar, his face ashen.

"It's over... it's all over... There were three questions, and I didn't write a single word..."

Su Ming handed him a water skin.

"Prepare for the next round."

Just then, several well-dressed students from the town walked over. One of them saw Su Ming and Zhao Rui and showed exaggerated surprise on his face.