After carefully reading the exam questions three times, Han Mo picked up his brush and began writing down the answers without hesitation.
The material was not difficult at all; it was just the classic "chickens and rabbits in a cage" problem.
Han Mo had mastered such problems in the third grade of elementary school.
He couldn't possibly get them wrong, even with his eyes closed.
The entire exam paper contained no questions about history, classics, or philosophy.
It was filled, from edge to edge, with elementary school math problems.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Han Mo finished answering all the questions.
Then, with a flourish, he stood up, walked over to Qin Hui, and handed in the paper.
"You're done already?"
Qin Hui looked as if he had seen a ghost.
How was that possible? Read books!
Had the boy given up in despair and decided to go with the flow?
However, upon closer consideration, that seemed to be the only plausible explanation.
The only thing that disappointed him was that the boy hadn't ripped his clothes.
To make it easier for Han Mo to act, he, who usually paid great attention to his attire, had deliberately worn an old robe today.
As long as Han Mo exerted even the slightest bit of force, it would surely tear apart.
"Such simple questions, and this speed is already quite slow!"
Han Mo coughed dryly and said in a deliberately annoying tone.
"Simple? I think you're quite full of yourself!"
Qin Hui sneered. Not only Han Mo, but even he himself wouldn't know how to solve some of the more difficult problems on the paper.
If it weren't for the fact that the esteemed elder instructors had specifically written down the answers, he truly wouldn't have been able to grade the papers.
"Can I leave now?"
Han Mo showed no signs of anger and instead asked with a smile.
Seeing the arrogant expression on his face, Qin Hui instinctively opened the paper.
To his surprise, as he glanced down, he discovered that all the answers on the paper were correct!
"Wait a moment!"
Seeing Han Mo about to leave, Qin Hui quickly called out to him.
"Does the instructor have anything else?"
Looking at the flustered expression on his face, Han Mo felt extremely pleased.
"How could you have gotten all these questions right? Did you cheat?"
Qin Hui's face turned ashen.
"Instructor Qin, what you're saying is quite amusing. The questions for everyone around here are different, and the questions were decided by drawing lots at the end. How could I have cheated? Besides, are these questions even worth cheating for?"
Han Mo said dismissively.
Seeing the sudden commotion, the remaining students all raised their heads and looked curiously at Qin Hui.
Many of them were already accustomed to Han Mo submitting his papers early; after all, he was a talented scholar, and such astonishing feats were expected.
However, Qin Hui immediately accusing Han Mo of cheating made things difficult for them to comprehend.
"I have reviewed all your previous exam papers; your score in mathematics has never once passed. And now you say you didn't cheat?"
Qin Hui slammed the desk heavily and stood up.
"Instructor, what you're saying is truly interesting. Isn't it said that after three days, one should look at others with new eyes? If you don't know something today, can you not know it tomorrow? If that were the case, then what are we doing here at the Imperial Academy? Are we wasting our time?"
"Bravo!"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, the students from the Imperial Academy began to cheer.
"You!"
Qin Hui's face immediately turned the color of a pig's liver.
Since receiving the note, he had been plotting how to trap Han Mo.
To ensure Han Mo drew this specific exam paper, he had even resorted to cheating during the drawing of lots.
But he never expected that with such difficult questions, this boy would actually answer them, and in such a short time, no more than the burning of an incense stick.
If Cai Xi came to know about this, let alone the conditions he had previously promised, it would truly be a ghost if Cai Xi didn't retaliate against him.
"Everyone, sit down!"
Qin Hui angrily slammed the desk and glared fiercely at the students.
"Someone, search him thoroughly and see if he has any hidden notes!"
Qin Hui gritted his teeth and said viciously.
Several of Qin Hui's confidantes waiting outside immediately entered and surrounded Han Mo.
"Wait a moment! As the saying goes, a scholar can be killed but not insulted. Instructor Qin, are you humiliating me?"
"This concerns the selection of officials for the dynasty. What's wrong with searching you? Would you say the same to His Majesty during the final palace examination?"
After all, learning requires accumulation over time. Even if Qin Hui were beaten to death, he wouldn't believe that this boy could have researched mathematics to this extent in such a short period.
Therefore, he was almost certain that the boy had cheated, but he hadn't found out the method of cheating.
"Brother Han!"
Seeing the escalating tension between the two sides, Zhong Yanchong quickly stood up.
If a fight were to break out at this moment, the nature of the matter would be entirely different. Read books!
"Fine, since you want to search, then search!"
Han Mo sneered, truly disbelieving that these people would dare to call black white in full view of everyone.
"I apologize, Little Official Han. Please spread your arms and stand still!"
Seeing that Han Mo had finally agreed, one of Qin Hui's confidantes stepped forward with a forced smile.
"Instructor Qin, if they don't find anything, I'd like to see how you'll get out of this!"
Han Mo sneered dismissively.
"Hmph!"
Qin Hui snorted coldly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
He was meticulous in his actions and always left himself some room for maneuver.
If others were to search, they might not find anything, but if his confidantes did the searching, then things would be different!
"Search his seat as well!"
Even as these servants began searching Han Mo, Qin Hui, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, pointed to Han Mo's seat.
The desks and chairs in the Imperial Academy were all standardized. Besides a few Confucian classics, there were only ordinary brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on them.
Han Mo knew perfectly well what was on his desk. He had nothing to hide, so he naturally paid it no mind.
"Got it!"
However, as he turned around, and all the students' attention was focused on the process of the search, the servant who went to search Han Mo's seat suddenly exclaimed!
"Bring it over!"
Qin Hui looked at Han Mo with a cold smile, his eyes full of triumph!
"You framed me!"
Seeing the smug expression on his face, Han Mo finally understood that he had fallen into a trap!