Chapter 113: Chapter 112: The Most Loyal Supporter
After a few rounds of drinks, the private tutors mentioned the article Song Wei wrote for the academy exam, insisting that Song Wei present it to broaden their horizons.
Of course, Song Wei dared not reveal the original text; otherwise, his mentors would be frightened half to death.
After all, it was truly radical and indeed extreme.
Had it been before, he wouldn’t dare take such a risk, but the reason he did so was that he had consulted Wanwan beforehand.
As long as she said it was fine, then it must be fine.
Honestly, he was quite surprised this article was selected and that he wasn’t held accountable, emerged unscathed, and ranked so high. Not gaining the top spot was something he anticipated early on.
Facing his mentors’ enthusiasm, Song Wei smiled and replied, "I had a few too many drinks and feel a bit muddled, can’t quite recall everything. When Yuanbao goes home next time, I’ll ask him to take it to the town school."
The old gentlemen trusted Song Wei’s character and asked no further, letting the matter drop.
——
As Song Wei was returning from the town, he bumped into Xie Zheng.
"Where’s Third Cousin off to?" Xie Zheng asked.
It was rare to see him out without that lucky little wife of his, and it was quite refreshing.
"A banquet to thank my teachers."
As soon as Song Wei spoke, Xie Zheng understood. He too had once treated his town school mentors to a meal when he became a Scholar.
Seeing Song Wei reminded Xie Zheng of something, "The other day when I was at your house for drinks, there were too many people to bring it up, but today I want to ask, what’s the deal with Hao Yun?"
Song Wei understood, "Are you referring to the top spot?"
"What else could it be?" Seeing that Song Wei’s expression didn’t change at all, Xie Zheng became anxious first, "Others might not know Hao Yun’s level, but you were his teacher, surely you’re clear about it? If he can get the top spot, then the examiners must be blind."
Song Wei glanced at him, "In any case, he’s a young man with high qualities who studied at the county school for several years, not someone to be criticized behind his back like this."
"Hey! I’m standing up for you, and you say I’m lacking manners?" Xie Zheng glared, "It’s just the two of us here, nobody else, stop preaching and tell me, what’s really going on? Did Hao Yun use connections to seize the top spot? No matter how I think about it, something feels off. You were top in both the county and prefectural exams. I’ve read your articles, and they truly deserve the top rating. How did you drop so much for the academy exam, even falling to the sixth rank? It just doesn’t make sense."
Song Wei said, "You’re overthinking it. Hao Yun doesn’t have any connections, how could he use backdoors? He gained it by merit."
"I don’t believe it." Xie Zheng was resolute, "I still think the top spot in the academy exam should be yours, there must be someone messing with the outcome."
"So according to you, wouldn’t that mean whenever I don’t get the top spot, someone has tampered with the results?"
"Exactly!"
Being Song Wei’s most loyal supporter, Xie Zheng had absolute trust in him, "In my heart, Third Cousin should top anything he competes in, surpassing others with ease."
Back at the town school, Song Wei never lost his position at the top, and Xie Zheng already saw him as someone akin to a god.
To see the deity he had always admired suddenly fall from the pedestal was something Xie Zheng couldn’t reconcile.
Perhaps if he lost to anyone else, it wouldn’t be so hard to bear, but it had to be Hao Yun.
In a month’s interaction, Xie Zheng at least got a six or seven-tenths understanding of Hao Yun’s character.
He seemed humble and gentle, yet actually loved to exploit loopholes.
Such people might joke and chat with you openly and cordially, but who knows what schemes they harbor inside!
Seeing Xie Zheng about to speak again, Song Wei interrupted him, "Alright, stop for a bit before you choke. My schedule for Beijing is tight, and I must leave in a few days. Since we’ve bumped into each other, how about visiting my house for a bit?"