Chapter 7: Another Peril at the Provincial Examination, Cleverly Breaking the Predicament

Chapter 7: The Provincial Exam Narrowly Escaped, Wisdom Breaks the Dilemma

Lin Shiya turned and saw the inquisitive expression on Murong Fu’s face. She nodded slightly, quickly gathering her thoughts, and replied calmly, “Thank you for your concern, sir. I was merely considering the upcoming journey.” Murong Fu gave her a deep, meaningful look and said, “The capital is not a simple place.” With that, he turned and vanished into the twilight.

Lin Shiya gazed at his retreating figure, lost in thought.

A few days later, the results of the provincial exam were announced. Lin Shiya’s name stood proudly among the top, earning the title of Provincial Champion. News spread, and the entire inn erupted in celebration. People flocked to congratulate her, praising her remarkable talent.

Outwardly, Lin Shiya maintained a modest smile, but inwardly she was calm and unmoved. She knew this was merely the first step in a long journey.

Yet before she could even take a breath of relief, a new challenge arose.

Examiner Zhang suddenly announced a re-examination of her paper, claiming someone had accused her of plagiarism. The gazes of the surrounding candidates instantly converged, stabbing at Lin Shiya like countless needles. She felt a palpable malice in the air, an invisible net closing in around her.

Before everyone’s eyes, Examiner Zhang and Steward Sun performed their duet, deliberately distorting her handwriting and the meaning of her words, insisting she had copied the work of a poet from the previous dynasty.

Lin Shiya argued her case, pointing out the baselessness of their accusations and demanding proof. But Zhang and Sun ignored her defense, escalating their humiliation, stating that a country bumpkin like her could never produce such elegant prose—she must have used some shameful method.

The atmosphere in the examination hall grew oppressive, like the calm before a storm. Lin Shiya’s breathing quickened, her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her flesh. A fire of rage burned in her chest, threatening to consume her.

“Master Zhang,” Lin Shiya forced herself to speak, each word steady and measured, “turning truth upside down like this, are you not afraid of retribution from the heavens?”

Examiner Zhang sneered, “Retribution? I conduct myself upright and just. Why should I fear heaven’s wrath? But you, so young and already so crooked—surely you will become a great threat one day!”

“To accuse me without evidence—what crime cannot be found!” Lin Shiya retorted angrily. “Since you insist I plagiarized, do you dare display my exam paper alongside that poet’s work for all to judge?”

Zhang and Sun exchanged a glance. Sun leaned in and whispered a few words into Zhang’s ear. After hearing this, Zhang’s face twisted into a strange smile. He said slowly, “Lin, are you questioning my judgment?”

“I dare not, sir,” Lin Shiya replied, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “I only wish for the truth to be revealed.”

Zhang’s gaze lingered on her for a moment. He then said, “Since that is your wish…”

Changing his tone, he continued, “Considering your youth and ignorance, I can give you an opportunity. Admit your plagiarism in public and voluntarily relinquish your qualification. If you do so, I will let the matter rest.”

He thought he was offering her an escape, assuming this country youth would gratefully accept.

Lin Shiya, however, refused without hesitation.

“I stand upright; I am not afraid of shadows. I will never confess to a crime I did not commit! I ask you to summon other examiners to judge my paper. If there is truly plagiarism, I will accept any punishment.”

Her resolute words echoed in the hall, stunning everyone present.

No one expected that, faced with such authority, she could remain so composed and even make such a bold request.

The surrounding candidates began whispering, their eyes filled with surprise and admiration. Examiner Zhang’s face darkened; he hadn’t anticipated such defiance. But with so many witnesses, he could not openly refuse and ordered others to fetch the examiners.

Soon, several prestigious elders arrived, renowned for their scholarship. Upon hearing of the incident, they carefully examined Lin Shiya’s paper and compared it to the alleged poet’s work.

Time passed slowly, the tension in the hall suffocating.

Lin Shiya stood quietly, her face calm, her gaze unwavering.

Examiner Zhang and Steward Sun grew increasingly anxious, sweat beading on their foreheads.

Finally, one of the senior examiners set down the paper and declared aloud, “Lin’s essay is original in its conception and fluent in style—certainly not plagiarized. In fact, I find it to possess the qualities of a true master, a rare and outstanding work!”

The other examiners nodded in agreement.

Zhang and Sun’s scheme was exposed. They looked at each other in embarrassment.

A confident smile appeared at the corner of Lin Shiya’s lips. She knew she had triumphed.

“Master Zhang,” she said, her gaze piercing, “do you have anything further to say?”

Zhang opened his mouth but said nothing. He glared fiercely at Lin Shiya before sweeping out of the hall, with Sun scurrying after him.

The candidates watching cast admiring looks at Lin Shiya, filled with respect.

She nodded modestly, though her heart felt little joy. She knew this victory was small; greater challenges awaited.

Just then, a figure quietly drew near…

“Lin, you are outstanding.”

Standing in the center of the hall, Lin Shiya’s heart still surged with emotion. Though she had just weathered a dangerous storm, she remained composed. The gaze of the crowd shifted from doubt to admiration, yet she knew this was only the beginning.

In the rest area, candidates gathered in small groups, discussing the recent events in hushed voices.

Candidate Wang’s face remained clouded. He was unwilling to accept how easily Lin Shiya had defused the crisis. His eyes flickered, and he decided to strike again.

He approached several familiar candidates and whispered, “Do you know? Lin not only plagiarized, but also bribed the examiners! Otherwise, how could she have passed so smoothly?”

The atmosphere in the rest area grew tense. Some candidates, unaware of the truth, began pointing and gossiping about Lin Shiya.

Some said, “She looks honest, but who would have thought she’d do something like that?” Others murmured, “Sneaky—she must have something to hide.”

Upon hearing these rumors, Lin Shiya’s anger surged. She turned, ready to step forward and clarify, when suddenly a voice rang out from the crowd:

“Everyone, listen to me. Since I met Lin, he has always been upright and selfless, never acting against his conscience!”

The speaker was Candidate Li, the impoverished scholar.

He produced a sheet of paper, upon which several lines were written. His tone firm, he declared, “These are notes I saw Lin write while preparing for the exam; they match today’s essay exactly. There is absolutely no chance of plagiarism, let alone bribery!”

Once again, all eyes focused on Lin Shiya.

Thanks to Li’s clarification, those who had believed the rumors felt ashamed and apologized to Lin Shiya.

She nodded slightly, feeling deep gratitude toward Li. She realized that not only had she resolved the crisis, but she had also won many people’s trust.

Wang, seeing this, slunk to the side, his face twisted with unwilling defeat.

A trace of determination flashed in Lin Shiya’s eyes.

At that moment, another figure quietly approached…

“Lin, you are truly remarkable.” Lin Shiya’s composure and talent, after this storm, had completely won over the candidates present.

Their gazes were no longer suspicious, but full of admiration.

Some stepped forward to seek advice on essay writing, others praised her calm in adversity.

Lin Shiya responded to each, displaying both scholarly depth and gentle humility, earning even more goodwill.

In the rest area, the tense atmosphere vanished, replaced by an energetic spirit of learning.

Candidates discussed scholarship, exchanged insights, as if the earlier turmoil had never occurred.

Lin Shiya looked upon the scene with satisfaction. She enjoyed the pure exchange of ideas and was glad to help others.

Yet beneath the calm surface, a sinister undercurrent stirred. Lin Shiya keenly observed Examiner Zhang and Steward Sun whispering in the corner, casting venomous glances her way.

Their faces were full of resentment and malice, as if plotting anew.

A sense of foreboding gripped Lin Shiya. She knew this storm was far from over; greater dangers might yet lie ahead.

As the sun set, golden rays bathed the eaves of the examination hall, lending an air of solemnity to the place.

Candidates gradually departed. Lin Shiya rose to leave as well.

Just then, a low voice whispered by her ear, “Lin, impressive tactics.”

She turned to see Candidate Wang standing behind her, a cold smile on his lips.

He stepped closer and said in a voice only the two could hear, “Do you think you’ve won? This game has only just begun…”