USWHC -Chapter 247 Why Is It You? (Part 7)

“Where is it?” Old Master Ji searched anxiously. In truth, he couldn’t read, yet he still stared endlessly at the big red sheet of paper.

“It’s not there, right? You know your Erhan well enough—so stupid. How could he possibly pass?” Old Madam Ji said with a face full of mockery. “I told you there was no need to come. Wouldn’t it have been better to stay home and take a nap?”

When Zhu Jie heard that, she almost wanted to kick her aside. Who invited you here anyway? Wasn’t it you who eagerly sent Sister-in-law You to call Ji Yi? And even made Ji Yi drive the ox cart to bring all of you to town?

“Our Ji Yi is a genius! He memorized the Analects in a single night. How could he not pass? I think he might even take first place!” Zhu Jie immediately retorted indignantly.

But the moment she finished speaking, a burst of laughter erupted beside her. Not only the Ji family members, but even the young scholars gathered in front of the results list began laughing as well.

“Such a foolish wife praising her husband! Don’t you know what level your Erhan is at?” Old Madam Ji said irritably.

Zhu Jie refused to pay her any more attention. Turning angrily to Ji Yi behind her, she said, “Help me squeeze inside a bit. I can’t see!”

Yes, the area in front of the notice board was already packed with people. As a young girl—well, a girl pretending to be delicate—there was naturally no way she could push her way through.

But when she turned back, Ji Yi seemed completely uninterested and said lazily, “No need to look.”

“What do you mean, no need to look?” Zhu Jie replied confidently. “I guarantee you’ll pass! And I have a feeling you’ll definitely be first this time!”

Unfortunately, her confident declaration didn’t inspire the slightest agreement. Instead, it triggered another wave of laughter.

“Second Sister-in-law! Passing the xiucai exam isn’t that easy! You’d better spare my brother!” Ji Mei couldn’t help but join in the mockery.

Zhu Jie ignored them all and began forcing her way inside by herself. “Make way, make way!”

Just as she was sweating heavily while squeezing among the crowd of smelly men, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her, pushing the men around her aside.

Looking up, Zhu Jie saw that Ji Yi had come after all. Using his broad frame, he shielded her as he pushed through the crowd. The rest of the Ji family followed along, squeezing their way to the very front.

“Meizi, see if your brother’s name is on there!” Old Master Ji said with concern.

Ji Mei had already begun looking impatiently. Starting from the top, she scanned downward. “No… no!”

The moment Zhu Jie heard that, she panicked. “How could there be no name? That’s impossible!” Yet her own gaze also began scanning downward line by line.

“Is he the top scholar?” Old Madam Ji asked deliberately, even though she had clearly heard Ji Mei.

“No! It’s someone called Jiang Pingxu, not my brother!” Ji Mei deliberately shouted loudly.

“Jiang Pingxu? Isn’t that the young son of Old Master Jiang from town? I remember he’s only a little over nine years old!” Sister-in-law You suddenly said in realization.

“Nine years old? Hahaha! So Erhan isn’t even as good as a nine-year-old child?” Old Madam Ji mocked loudly.

This time, however, not many people laughed with her. Instead, a scholar-looking man corrected her seriously, “No, he’s already ten.”

“Ha! Ten is still just a child!” Old Madam Ji laughed loudly again.

Zhu Jie’s face had already turned as dark as coal. She had no mood to argue with Old Madam Ji now—she had to find Ji Yi’s name! Her eyes moved downward row by row. There were really so many examinees in ancient times! Her eyes were beginning to ache from searching.

“Sister-in-law, stop looking. My brother’s name definitely isn’t there!” Ji Mei had already given up early, and as she said this, she even glanced at Ji Yi mockingly.

Ji Yi simply gave her a silly grin, looking completely calm, as if he had no idea people were laughing at him.

“How ridiculous—talking about taking first place. Aren’t you afraid the wind will twist your tongue?” Old Madam Ji continued her endless ridicule.

Seeing that, Zhu Jie was practically exploding with anger. Anxiety, worry, even agitation filled her heart.

Heavens! Why is it like this?

Wasn’t he supposed to be first place?