Book 14: Chapter 19

Ingenious Solution (Part 2)

What happened to Uncle Huang? I stepped on the rope He s.h.i.+ tried to unknot and made sure he was completely immobilised before letting go. You think Id harm Uncle Huang?

Surrendering to his fate as my captive, He s.h.i.+ heaved a big breath. No.

What did you run for, then?

He s.h.i.+ shook his head in disillusionment. I dont want to be collateral damage when the faculty members butcher you.

They want to butcher me?

What? I saved Uncle Huang. Shouldnt they be wors.h.i.+pping me? Wow, how broken is their moral compa.s.s?

Princ.i.p.al Huang has been bedridden since he returned, pale, vommitting, having diarrhoea and unable to fight off a fever.

Not sure what you people expected when he had to fight a strong opponent in a badly injured state. Hed be dead if it wasnt thanks to his extensive training and sound foundations. Give him two days, and hell be mint.

And he keeps mumbling your name.

To be expected. I saved him, after all. No need for thanks.

You wish. He keeps mumbling your name and crying, No!

N-no? S-so all of his disciples and grand disciples stood next to his bed listening to him yell, Ming Feizhen, no,?

He s.h.i.+ heaved another big breath. Heaven knows what you did to him.

Dont make me puke!

For some reason, He s.h.i.+ kept scuttling backwards despite being tied up.

No wonder why they want to butcher me! Id want to butcher me, too! All I did was force feed him unknown pill, though, not to mention he was the one who asked me to help him restore his internal energy! Im innocent!

What could I have possibly done to him?! All I did was fed him a pill to save his life.

Kukuku, we might believe that if they werent you. You know what officials in the capital say about you? They say youre bis.e.xual, but you have a preference for men. What do you think everyone in the academy thinks?

What the h.e.l.l?! Why am I being suspected of molesting an old man when I saved his life?! Whats wrong with this world?! Im not Liu Yuan! Ah, forget it. There will be a way to clarify it First things first.

As soon as I cut He s.h.i.+s restraints with a pocket knife, he immediately put distance between us.

Come back!

Sure, He s.h.i.+ realised he was backed up against a wall, but we have to keep our distance.

There will be a way to clarify it!

Fine, stay there. I have something important to talk to you about.

Business or private?

Will you cut it out?! Is there any difference?

Of course. We can talk business. Private things He s.h.i.+ moved a step sideways since he was backed up against the wall. Lets stop while were ahead.

Do you scholars all have some intellectual disease?! Why are all of you sick minded?!

Business! You know the exams are around the corner, right?

He s.h.i.+s mood changed positively an instant. And?

I have important information to share with you.

What important information would you have?

Ha. I smiled wryly. He who does not suspect another of dishonesty or second guesses anothers honesty is virtuous.

From a.n.a.lects book fourteen. Your point?

Exactly! You, too, know you cant trust them unless they give you one million.

He s.h.i.+ framed. No need to give one million.

Exactly. Thats the att.i.tude. Never believe them without one million.

He s.h.i.+ looked at me the same way Prime Minister Li did.

I got the quote from the Prime Minister.

You mean

I raised two fingers up. If I lied even once, Ill be fed ten fat pigs a day until I die from bloating.

You dont need to go that far. I should believe you if youre willing to swear an oath. Hmm But why are you telling me this?

I gave him a smile with narrowed eyes. He looked back in confusion. Once he finally got it, he sprinted off. I was ready for that, so I grabbed him back straight away.

As he tried to wrestle free, He s.h.i.+ yelled, Y-youre breaking the law! You want me to be your accomplice?!

Dont say that.

Never. I never asked you to leak the topic. Im good enough to pa.s.s on my own.

I know, but I wont make it without you.

Then why did you leak the topic to me?!

Well, that makes you my accomplice.

Finally realising his predicament, He s.h.i.+ exclaimed, You shameless vermin!

I didnt visit Prime Minister Li to try and pry out the topic. What he told me might not have been the topic, either, but it came from his mouth, and my oath was real. All I had to do was convince He s.h.i.+ that he was my accomplice.

I wont help you.

Were in the same boat now. No need to stand on ceremony.

I want to stand on your head! If you have an accident, Ill be in trouble! I refuse!

He had a good head, but I didnt have just one trump card.

Dont say that. What if I can help you?

With what? I dont want the topic.

Sharing the topic was just an expression of sincerity. Arent you supporting Blue Prince? What if I support him?

He s.h.i.+s brain fell behind mine. What?

Blue Prince is trapped on Mount Dayan in Beiping. If you help me, Ill give him a hand and help him escape.

Following a hard think, He s.h.i.+ shook his head. I will never help you outright cheat. Ive spent all these years studying a.s.siduously to win. I cant let Princ.i.p.al Huang down when he has so much faith in me. How am I supposed to help you when there are so many eyes?

You dont need to write on my behalf or switch names with me. You wouldnt be able to learn my handwriting in the short time we have. Even if you could, itd be impossible for you to write on my behalf in front of so many proctors.

What do you want, then? Pre-write you a paper? Im telling you: that quote alone could have thousands of possible responses. If the examiner adds the context of the national status quo and requires real references, then there are infinite possibilities. Theres no way I could pre-write you a paper.

No need to. I grinned. When the time comes, just

Thats all?

Thats all. I smiled. Simple, right? No risk to you and no risk of getting exposed. You can do it without getting caught for sure.

He s.h.i.+ nodded. Well, if I turned even that down, then Id be too nasty. Fine.

Great!

That was a big-heavy weight off my shoulders.

By the way, regarding the idol compet.i.tion, wh-

Ming Feizhen!

I looked over my shoulder in the direction of the loud voice to see two columns of guards. The person at the forefront shouted, You have some nerve showing up at the academy! Arrest him!

Glossary

One million Okay, this is impossible to translate. Its the same quote Prime Minister Li said to Ming Feizhen in chapter 11 of this volume. If you didnt read the glossary from then, I cant help you.