"However, Jun Ye would naturally not give up just yet. He put on a pitiful expression and said:
'My home is very far from here, and my clothes are all wet. I'm afraid that on the road...'
Jun Ye didn't finish his sentence, but the implied meaning was conveyed.
Xingyun looked at the other person's body.
Because he was wearing rather thin clothes, after being drenched by the rain, his flesh could faintly be seen through.
If such a handsome man walked on the road in this state, he would undoubtedly attract the covetous glances of female hooligans.
Thinking of this, Xingyun hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to let him in.
At the very least, he had to let the other person change into a set of clothes, so as to avoid danger on the road.
Before he could speak, Nan Qing's voice came from behind:
'Young master, it's difficult not to worry your family when you are out in the rain and haven't returned home for a long time. We can call a carriage for you and note down the appearance of that woman who took you, to ensure you get home safely.'
Xingyun and the latter part of the man's conversation were overheard by him.
The man's strong desire to enter his home was too evident, clearly indicating impure motives.
And when he saw the man's face, he had already confirmed his identity.
Those phoenix-like eyes were impossible to ignore.
As for his foolish younger brother, he was unable to discern what phoenix-like eyes were...
Jun Ye sized up the 'prime suspect' in front of him.
Although he couldn't confirm his identity yet, he was quite impressed by the man's 'alertness' at the moment.
Someone so meticulous was precisely suited for our 'Black Lotus Sect'...
Jun Ye had already made up his mind that regardless of whether the person was Uncle Xu's son, he had to take this person with him.
However, if he pushed any further today, he would reveal his true intentions.
Unaware that Nian Jiaojiao had already told her husband everything about her situation, Jun Ye believed he was hiding his identity perfectly.
Therefore, he thanked them politely and got into the carriage that Nan Qing and Xingyun had called for him.
After the person left, Nan Qing calmly closed the door and returned to the front hall with Xingyun.
'Nan Qing, who was at the door?'
Yuchuan asked immediately when he saw the two enter.
Nan Qing did not want to worry everyone. Moreover, although the man seemed to have left, he was a person with extraordinary powers, and might have unknown means to hear their movements.
Therefore, he replied calmly:
'It's nothing. A passerby didn't have an umbrella, so we lent him one.'
Hearing Nan Qing's words, everyone's hearts were put at ease.
Fortunately, it wasn't someone of unknown origin...
On the other hand, they felt a bit anxious and disappointed.
Did Madam Lei receive her wife's plea for help?
...
Lei Residence.
Lei Juan generally cultivated in the miscellaneous studies school. This was the residence where she lived when she came into the world.
The steward of the Lei Residence received the letter and hurried to an iron forging shop in the east of the city.
Lei Juan had previously instructed that if she received a letter from Nian Jiaojiao, she must notify Grandma Sun at Grandma Sun's blacksmith shop in the east of the city.
Grandma Sun's blacksmith shop was a liaison point established by the miscellaneous studies school of Qingzhou in the secular world, serving as a channel for information transmission between the miscellaneous studies school of Qingzhou and the secular world.
The message had been passed on, and all that was left was for Lei Juan to see the letter and rush to the Nian family.
...
Baichuan Academy.
Chongsheng Hall.
The debate competition had now entered a white-hot stage.
According to the rules.
There were three debate topics each for the Tong Sheng, Xiu Cai, and Ju Ren categories.
Nian Jiaojiao's Tong Sheng group was currently one win and one loss, and the key to victory rested on Nian Jiaojiao, who was the last to appear.
'Be diligent, Head Tong Sheng Nian.'
'Sister Nian, I believe you can do it!'
'Head Tong Sheng Nian, the reputation of our Noble Faction depends on you!'
'Be diligent! Be diligent!'
Because it was in the white-hot stage, Nian Jiaojiao's cheers were actually higher than Li Jing's before.
And Nian Jiaojiao was currently facing her deskmate—Chen Liangyu.
Chen Liangyu raised her head proudly.
Although she didn't interact with the other party much in daily life, it didn't mean she didn't 'understand' her deskmate at all.
Ever since the other party was brought into Baichuan Academy through 'back doors,' she had never seen the person in front of her study seriously.
And after class, she mingled with the good-for-nothings in the class, how could she have the time to study?
Moreover, Chen Liangyu herself was the Tong Sheng of Qingzhou Prefecture City. How could she be compared with the Tong Shengs from these small places?
Thinking this, Chen Liangyu became even more confident.
The moderator in the center announced:
'The third round begins!'
With the sound of a gong, the third debate topic was revealed to everyone as the scroll unrolled.
Greed: Between a female scholar from a poor background becoming an official and a female scholar from a wealthy background becoming an official, who is more greedy?
The crowd gasped after reading the question.
This was equivalent to asking:
Will the officials from our Humble Faction be greedier in the future, or will the officials from our Noble Faction be greedier?
The debaters from these two factions would naturally defend their own factions!
Chen Liangyu of the Humble Faction would certainly say that wealthy female scholars who become officials are greedier, while Nian Jiaojiao of the Noble Faction would definitely say that poor female scholars who become officials are greedier!
'Silence!'
The moderator in the center frowned.
This moderator was from the Xiu Cai class, and she was a Jinshi. Her words had a very good effect, and the scene immediately quieted down.
The moderator from the Xiu Cai class on the left said:
'Which of you two will answer first?'
The moderator from the Tong Sheng class on the right did not speak.
Both were her students, and saying too much might give the impression of favoritism.
Although she really wanted to favor Nian Tong Sheng, whom the Dean had brought in...
'Moderator, I will speak first!'
Chen Liangyu calmly stood up and said first:
'I believe that naturally, it is the wealthy female scholars who will be greedy after becoming officials.
Firstly, female scholars born into wealth are accustomed to fine clothes and jade. If they rely solely on the dynasty's salary, it will not be enough to support their extravagant life of wine and luxury.'
Speaking up to this point, Chen Liangyu sneered and cast a meaningful glance in the direction of Li Jing and the others, making Li Jing and her group gnash their teeth in anger.
Chen Liangyu continued:
'Secondly, wealthy female scholars have poor character. They cannot empathize with the suffering of the common people. Poor female scholars have lived with the common people since childhood. After becoming officials, they will be able to understand and sympathize with the people more. My speech is complete.'
After speaking, Chen Liangyu gracefully sat down.
The moderators on stage also nodded repeatedly.
Nian Jiaojiao also believed that what Chen Liangyu said was indeed good. Her arguments were well-founded, her logic was clear, and her reasoning was sufficient.
However...
Under the worried gazes of Li Jing and the others, Nian Jiaojiao calmly stood up.
The philosophy she had learned told her: Things, as a unity of opposites, contain two mutually contradictory and opposing aspects. Therefore, we must look at problems from an all-encompassing perspective...
'I think what Chen Liangyu said makes sense.'
Nian Jiaojiao's words made everyone think she was going to surrender. Before everyone could finish their surprise, Nian Jiaojiao continued:
'I believe that both wealthy female scholars and poor female scholars have corrupt officials and upright officials. If you ask me who is more corrupt, I would say, those who want to be corrupt are more corrupt!'"