Chapter 368: Chapter 366 Substitute Exam
"Director, this is freshly made puff pastry with red beans."
On the third floor of the White Box Library, Cha Shiyin sitting in his office watched as the blindfolded girl came in, holding a lunchbox in her hands, the lid unable to contain the rich aroma of the puff pastry.
"The only benefit of having Shi Wen working part-time here is being able to occasionally eat snacks that I can never order in the dining hall," Cha Shiyin said with a laugh. "Ah, in such a grand Imperial Academy, only you come to show filial respect to me. Those students only know how to flatter the teaching staff for a few credits and completely ignore me, an honorable knowledge manager. Truly, they are short-sighted; this batch of Imperial Academy students is indeed lacking..."
Liya had long been accustomed to Cha Shiyin’s tendency to suddenly complain off topic. She had interacted with Cha Shiyin a few times before, and although she also had the intention of gift-giving to curry favor, she also considered Cha Shiyin as a friend. Perhaps because of her poor eyesight, Liya could keenly sense others’ attitudes towards her; the workers, the aunts, the students, the teachers she encountered mostly harbored goodwill and sympathy, although some had malice.
Sympathy is not bad, and Liya was grateful to those who helped her out of sympathy. She wasn’t as awkward as Shi Wen. But she never felt sympathy from Cha Shiyin, nor any malice of course. The director would casually mention her disability, tease Shi Wen’s daily stupidity, but the tone was just right, neither making people uncomfortable nor moved, only prompting a chuckle from those who heard the jokes.
To describe it, Liya felt as though Cha Shiyin treated her like a normal person. He didn’t possess the ’superiority’ hidden in sympathy, nor the ’discrimination’ bundled with disgust, instead seeing her as an immature child, help and tease were only natural.
Though there were many virtuous and benevolent people in the Imperial Academy, Cha Shiyin was the only one who didn’t ’sting’ them. Even someone like Shi Wen, who would flare up at the slightest provocation, could work and study in the White Box for so long, and there was a reason for that.
Liya cautiously walked with a cane, placing down the lunchbox: "Because it’s not safe, I didn’t bring your favorite honey Five-Flower Tea..."
"No problem, I’ll make it myself," Cha Shiyin said with a smile, "Come a bit closer."
Obediently, Liya approached, and as Cha Shiyin placed a hand on her head, his palm glowed a bright green, quickly healing the bruise where Liya had bumped her forehead. Not only that, the verdant glow traveled along her head, washing over her body, healing all the bruises on her skin.
"Alright, the pain is all gone," the director said, retracting his hand. "Go and tell Shi Wen that I’ll be staying here for the next two hours. Whatever happens outside, I won’t interfere—but he shouldn’t overdo it, and remember to put all the books back by five."
"Thank you, Director," Liya nodded, turning with her cane to leave.
"Don’t mention me to your teachers, or they’ll definitely trouble me," Cha Shiyin said with a chuckle while stirring honey. "You’re all his ’experiments’, and I’m just a defenseless knowledge manager who knows a bit about health with internal Scenic Battle Technique; I can’t stand up to Qin Le Yin’s bad vibes."
Liya was a bit uneasy: "Does that mean I shouldn’t visit the director anymore?"
"Come see me when you feel heavy, your legs like lead, and so pissed you want to bash Shi Wen’s head in," said Cha Shiyin. "Because either your mind is close to breaking, or you’re sick, I can help a bit. Or you could bash Shi Wen’s head in, it might work wonders."
"Thank you, Director," Liya said, bowing.
"Wrong direction, I’m on your right."
"Ah!" Liya quickly turned her body, and as a result, bumped her head on the side of the bookshelf, murmuring as she clutched her slightly hurting forehead.
Cha Shiyin laughed heartily: "To thank me, try making that dessert I mentioned earlier. My big brother used to tease me about it, but I’ve never had it, don’t even know where he had it... Off you go, that brat Shi Wen can’t wait any longer."
"Alright!" Liya left the office with her cane, not at all annoyed.
Cha Shiyin opened the lunchbox, took a bite of the puff pastry, and drank a cup of warm honey Five-Flower Tea, exhaling a lazy sweet breath.
"Things never fully go one’s way, yet they’re never entirely against," he mused. "Life mostly doesn’t meet expectations, but there’s always a sliver... Yet Qin Le Yin himself never practiced, can’t blame him, and he lacks teaching experience, being strictly academic is normal, just a bit heartless..."
After finishing a pastry, the White Box director picked up a second one, taking a bite, and his expression immediately changed.
He chewed slowly twice, then gagged and spat it into the trash can beside him. Upon inspecting the pastry closely, he quickly noticed something amiss—this pastry was unlike the others, possibly made by a different person.
He smacked his lips and casually remarked:
"But, making Shi Wen eat his own creations till he pukes, with either mouth, I’m quite in favor."
...
...
Seeing Liya coming out of the office, Shi Wen immediately asked, "What did Cha Shiyin say?"
"He won’t concern us for the next two hours."
"Waiting for that sentence!" Shi Wen said with a clenched fist. "Qin Le Yin’s people will arrive soon. You head to the second floor, I’ll go down to meet them!"
"Switch it up," Liya suddenly said, "I’ll go meet the teacher’s people, you prepare upstairs."
"Why?" Shi Wen instinctively questioned, then immediately realized, "You think I might suddenly raise the price, or drive them away with harsh words to exploit the agreement and make Qin Le Yin’s people fail, for revenge?"
Liya said nothing, obviously conceding.
"Don’t underestimate me, Liya," Shi Wen said. "Sure, I dream of gripping his throat, but I know restraint. We’re not yet skilled, not strong enough yet. Until I can resist him, I won’t risk offending him with small schemes."
He lifted his trembling left hand, the glaring black steel gauntlet seemed to bite his left arm like a crocodile’s mouth: "If I can endure this gut-wrenching pain, how could I not bear this brief moment?"
But Liya remained unresponsive, even though her eyes were covered, Shi Wen still felt scrutinized by her distrustful gaze.
Shi Wen wanted to say more, but at that moment, a crowd of students suddenly streamed into the library. He turned and jumped directly from the third floor: "No time, I’m going to meet them!"
Liya sighed, hurrying down the stairs.
When Shi Wen landed on the first floor, he saw Qin Yueshi and Li Ying entering. They had already met before the exams, Shi Wen beckoned them and led them to a storeroom on the second floor. In it was a large table with a simple map laid out.
Grabbing their copied test papers, Shi Wen picked up a pen, quickly scanning the questions and selecting answers: "A, A, B, D, D, B... Zone Three, Row 21, Shelf Five on the first floor, ’The Fascinating Contest of Glory’, hurry!"
"Ah?" Qin Yueshi and Li Ying were puzzled.
Impatiently, Shi Wen pointed to the spot on the map: "Go find this book here! The answer to this question is in it!"
"Oh, oh, oh!" Qin Yueshi went to find it.
"D, B, A, B..." Shi Wen frowned slightly: "’My son is the bastard of my wife and the palace medical officer, my grandson is the bastard of the general and my daughter-in-law’... Do you remember this emperor’s scandal? I recall reading it, but I’ve forgotten."
"Isn’t the answer ’D’, the only non-emperor historical figure of the four options?" said Li Ying, remaining there, shocked, "This turned out to be an Imperial scandal?"
"It’s because it comes from the Imperial family that there’s such a scandal," Shi Wen explained. "Ordinary people couldn’t possibly verify if their son is really theirs, or their grandson theirs... But the Imperial Family with the Holy Sword Shine can verify bloodlines." He pointed out on the map. "Alright, hurry up and go to section three, row twenty-first on the first floor, ’The Glorious Mystery Prize’. Go!"
"Alright, I’m on it now!" Excitedly, Li Ying rushed over.
As one book after another was brought over, Qin Yueshi looked at Li Ying’s copied answer pleasantly surprised: "This actually comes from the royal family’s scandal?"
Already on edge, Shi Wen snapped instantaneously: "Of course, unlike someone who looks good but is utterly ignorant..."
Liya’s expression subtly changed, but Shi Wen had already lashed out in an instant: "Alright, although I dream of nothing more than wringing his neck, I know my limitations. We haven’t honed our skills enough yet; we don’t have enough strength. Until I can fight back against him, I won’t jeopardize everything over something trivial by playing games to offend him."
He raised his trembling left hand, the glaring black steel gauntlet seemed to tightly grip his left arm like a crocodile’s mouth: "I can endure this kind of gut-wrenching pain, how could I not bear it for a minute or two?"
But seeing Li Ying’s reaction, it was clear that she had already accepted his mindset.
Li Ying was stunned by the retort, and Qin Yueshi quickly tried to smooth things over: "Li Ying didn’t mean anything else, she just wanted to compliment your knowledge..."
"Thank you for your explanation, Miss Qin. I am very moved, even grateful to the point of tears, seeing as you’re an Imperial Academy student and the sister of Qin Le Yin, one of those ’privileged individuals’ who can enter the Academy without exams. After graduation, you’ll surely become a pillar of Glory. For someone as esteemed as you to actually stoop to console someone as lowly as dirt like me, I’m so touched I’d risk life and limb for your Qin family."
Qin Yueshi’s face also changed—Shi Wen’s sarcastic comments were one thing, but her admission without examination was indeed a stain she couldn’t argue away.
"Hey, we didn’t offend you, did we?" Li Ying couldn’t fail to notice Shi Wen was losing his temper, and said, "I don’t know what grudge you have against Teacher Qin, but Teacher Qin is Teacher Qin, and we are us. You have no reason to take it out on us!"
"Take it out? You’re mistaken. I’m not transferring my anger towards Qin Le Yin to you. I’m purely angry at you both." Shi Wen sneered, "Am I not right? I recall your name is Li Ying, right? Last semester, your overall grade was the tenth from the bottom in the Guard Department. That’s because they don’t officially rank the bottom ten; they don’t show scores, just marking names in gray...meaning you might be the very last."
"Besides that, you’ve been warned multiple times about absences and not doing assignments. Just a few days ago, you were caught by Qin Le Yin for being late to class while standing in for someone... Since you don’t want to study, why not just marry someone and live in idle luxury? Are you at the Imperial Academy to do charity? Do you come personally to be the bottom line to raise the rank of other students?"
Shi Wen looked at Qin Yueshi: "As for you, Qin Le Yin’s sister, a rich heiress... I mean, why do you rich folks still come to the Imperial Academy to gild yourselves? Entering without exams aside, this year’s ’privileged individuals’ don’t lack for one more of you, but you’re even better than those Palace Masters. You have a brother who blatantly plays favorites, practically feeding you credits."
"In all the years the Imperial Academy has been established, you’re probably the first student with a teacher providing a safety net."
"Do you think I want him to be biased towards me!? Do you think I want to come to Yanjing to study at the Imperial Academy?" Qin Yueshi slammed the table hard, her eyes reddening with fury, "You don’t know anything—"
"What does that have to do with me?" Shi Wen lifted his head, speaking coldly, "I just know you two are the scum that tarnishes the Academy’s reputation. Perhaps birds of a feather flock together..."
"You’re not even an Academy student, so why are you so angry?" Li Ying found a point of counterattack and sharply retorted, "You keep saying we don’t deserve to be Academy students, but you aren’t even one yourself!"
"Oh? You’re right, I’m indeed not one."
Like seeing prey stepping into his carefully laid trap, Shi Wen showed a cruel and delighted smile, shaking the test paper in his hand: "So, my esteemed Academy students, do you still want this Eye of Omniscience test answer I, a mere outsider to the Academy, have prepared? If you two are really better than me, why not just refuse my answers and make your own? I’ve even got all the materials ready for you."
Li Ying and Qin Yueshi’s faces instantly turned awkward—they both had forgotten that since they couldn’t complete the Eye of Omniscience exam, Qin Le Yin had asked Shi Wen to help them.
"Yes."
Li Ying snatched the answers from his hand, "Only a fool wouldn’t!"
"So you’re admitting—"
"Exactly, I’m precisely the kind of student who wastes educational resources at the Academy, and I’m worse than even you, a disgrace to the Academy, alright?" Li Ying suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Shi Wen’s collar: "But Sister Shi is not as you say! Apologize to her!"
"What did I say wrong, you tell me!" Shi Wen pushed her hand away, growling in a low voice: "Of course, I can also apologize, given that I’m just a piece of dirt beneath the Academy students, how could I possibly refuse the demands of you superior beings—"
"Don’t think the whole world revolves around you being the most pitiful!" Li Ying lunged forward, grabbing Shi Wen by the collar and pressing him against the wall: "My dad’s dead, my whole family’s dead, does that mean I have to go around with a nasty expression and lash out at everyone? If you’re in a bad mood, does everyone have to suffer your tantrums? I admit I was wrong before, but Sister Shi didn’t say anything, so why do you speak to her like that!?"
"She—"
"Everyone has flaws, has stains! Would you dare eat a radish if it was as clean as crystal? You only see her entrance without exams, not realizing she’s far from home?" Li Ying glared at Shi Wen. Though shorter than Shi Wen, she now seemed to be towering over him: "Just because it’s not as bad as your situation, do you have the right to hurt others?"
"Li Ying!"
"Shi Wen!"
Qin Yueshi and Lai Ya spoke at the same time; the difference being a hint of pleading in Qin Yueshi’s voice and anger in Lai Ya’s.
Li Ying released her grip on Shi Wen’s hand, Shi Wen paused in silence, then touched the fishbone bracelet on his left arm, taking a deep breath: "Sorry."
Qin Yueshi said nothing, taking the answers and leaving with Li Ying. Before exiting, she bid farewell: "Thank you for your help."
The utility room fell silent, Lai Ya said nothing, and Shi Wen sat down, saying: "I didn’t break my promise—I did argue with them after finishing my work."
Although she felt it meaningless, Lai Ya asked anyway: "Why?"
"Because I’ve been struggling in the mire all my life, I despise those lounging on the lawn enjoying the sunshine, those chilling in the shade under trees, those soaring in the blue sky breathing fresh air, isn’t that normal?"
Shi Wen raised his trembling left arm: "If I admit their happiness is deserved, how can I endure this pain? Is the suffering I’ve endured all my life also what I deserve?"
Lai Ya sighed, unable to persuade Shi Wen.
She kind of wanted to find the curator now.
Perhaps smashing Shi Wen’s head could be a solution too...
...
...
"I need to go to the bathroom."
A female student suddenly raised her hand to ask to go to the toilet, just as Zhaoye Bai was passing by the exam room, he waved her over: "I’ll take you, what’s your name?"
"Ming Yue Yan." The girl, appearing slightly sleep-deprived with dark circles, replied.
Zhaoye Bai’s expression subtly changed, escorting her to the bathroom, watching as she entered the stall, standing guard outside.
Even though Chanchan Chenchen decided not to help Qin Le Yin, their Flame Alliance was after all still in collaboration with the Qin Family, and Qin Le Yin had already shown his hand—his Sword Master is Ming Shuiyun.
Thus Ming Yue Yan was naturally an enemy of his.
If they hadn’t run into each other, it would be one thing, but since Zhaoye Bai had encountered her, he certainly wouldn’t allow Ming Yue Yan any chance to cheat, knocking on the door every five seconds: "Finished?"
Thirty seconds later, the stall opened, and ’Ming Yue Yan’ walked out: "Finished."
Zhaoye Bai checked the stall, finding nothing suspicious, not even a smell, as if it hadn’t been used, and led Ming Yue Yan back to the exam room, wondering if she really just needed the bathroom?
At that moment, Ming Yue Yan quietly jumped out of the bathroom window, tiptoeing across the bushes, quickly heading towards the grove.
Just then, a fierce jackal suddenly blocked her path. Startled, Ming Yue Yan turned to see two leopard cats closing in from behind.
She immediately decided to climb a nearby tree, perched on a branch. Seeing the three beasts prowling below, seemingly unable to climb after her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, her left shoulder was tapped, and instinctively looking left, she saw nothing there.
When she turned her head back, she found an upside-down, red-haired man appearing before her.
"Good afternoon, Moon Feast Palace."
Ming Yue Yan’s body went rigid, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted in fright.