A Top Scholar From A Humble Background.

Summary

Shen Xi failed to rank in the top thirty in the February monthly exam. The top spot in the provincial exam felt like a fleeting moment, and he was soon forgotten by scholars who shifted their attention to Su Tong and Wu Sheng Yu. Su Tong's essays were highly praised, and Wu Sheng Yu excelled in several monthly exams. The provincial exam was highly competitive, with only thirty-four spots available for over seven hundred candidates. Shen Xi's poor performance led to harsh criticism from Zhou, but Hui Niang intervened, and Zhou realized that her expectations were too high. Shen Xi registered for the academy test, and the officials recognized him, greeting him with smiles. However, other candidates mocked him, saying he only got lucky with a silly poem. Shen Xi met Su Tong and Zheng Qian, who were leisurely enjoying their time, and they invited him to meet a friend. They entered a teahouse and heard a beautiful zither melody played by a young gentleman, who was actually a woman in disguise. The woman had a delicate, scholarly aura and was accompanied by two burly men who seemed to be warriors. Su Tong greeted her without noticing anything unusual about her appearance.

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