Core of the Sage.

Summary

In the midst of mockery, Du Yu remained stoic as the chief examiner, Yang Xiong, distributed daunting test papers for the provincial examination. The first subject, focused on the classics, aimed to test scholars' memorization and recitation skills. Yang Xiong's gaze fell on Du Yu, hinting at his disfavor. While scholars expressed despair over the challenging first question, Wang Yi excelled, completing the lengthy recitation of [Yongzi] swiftly. Yang Xiong praised her publicly, contrasting her success with Du Yu's blank paper, leading to humiliation. As chaos erupted in the examination hall, envy fueled the scholars’ delight in Du Yu’s downfall, revealing their animosity towards his previous acclaim.

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