CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 68: RETEST_3

One could soon learn the detailed information of the top scorer in the Academic Palace’s initial test, such as their place of origin, parents’ occupations, and family businesses.

However, almost no one knew He Fanshuang’s information—even those from Youzhou who came to take the Academic Palace’s exam with her were completely unaware of her identity.

Could she be from outside Youzhou, deliberately falsifying her place of origin to conceal her identity?

The thought flashed through Li Ang’s mind. But, is that necessary?

Descendants of the eminent Five Surnames nobility do not conceal their identities. Even the relatives of the Li Family enroll under their real names. The circles of the Imperial Family in Chang’an are neither too large nor too small; there are always acquaintances, so there’s no need for secrecy.

"Li, Mr. Li."

Yong Hongzhong’s voice came. Li Ang turned his head to see Yong Hongzhong standing behind him, bowing with a smile.

"Oh, Hongzhong."

Li Ang smiled. He didn’t particularly like the so-called Princess Le’an, but he bore no ill will toward Yong Hongzhong. "Have you been feeling dizzy lately?"

"No, not anymore."

Yong Hongzhong said with a smile, "I exercise every day as you instructed. I haven’t had an episode since."

"That’s good. How is your preparation for the retest?"

Li Ang chatted casually with him. Yong Hongzhong’s scores were quite good: strategies, Scriptures, and Poetry were all Upper Class A. However, during the Imperial Examination, fearing a relapse of his ear-stone syndrome, he dared not speed up. He finished the course on horseback slowly, ending up in the last place, D Class Lower.

Overall, his score ranked sixtieth in the last preliminary test.

As the two chatted, a voice called out, "Hongzhong."

Li Ang and Yong Hongzhong turned their heads and saw a group of elegantly dressed youths from the Five Tombs area approaching.

Leading them was Chou Jinghuan, the eldest son of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Pei Jing was not with them.

"What are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you for ages."

Chou Jinghuan patted Yong Hongzhong’s shoulder, then turned to Li Ang with a strange smile, bowing as he said, "Yongjia Square, Chou Jinghuan."

Li Ang returned the bow. "Yizhou, Li Ang."

"Well, well, if it isn’t Brother Li Ang, the runner-up of the initial test and the star of the Imperial Examination."

Chou Jinghuan grinned, exchanging glances with his companions. He intentionally pronounced "Li Ang" rapidly, making it sound like the word for "cool." "Since Brother Li Ang knows Hongzhong, then he is my friend too. We should definitely become closer in the future."

"Oh."

Li Ang’s response remained indifferent. He wasn’t surprised by Chou Jinghuan’s unexplained hostility—it was partly due to the preliminary test and partly because this son of the Deputy Minister from Yongjia Square had grown up as a neighbor to Princess Le’an.

According to gossip monger Yang Yu, Chou Jinghuan was one of Princess Le’an’s suitors... one of many.

Chou Jinghuan beckoned. "Eighth Brother, bring the gifts over," he said. A nearby companion immediately brought two books.

He took the books, smiling as he handed them to Li Ang. "Just a small gift. I hope Brother Li Ang won’t mind."

The two books were the "Classical Acupuncture Manual" and the "Qianjin Yifang·Forbidden Scripture," both antique-looking and yellowed with age.

Yong Hongzhong looked at the Medical Books, his eyebrows furrowing slightly, his lips pursing with annoyance.

Li Ang being a Doctor was no secret, and Chou Jinghuan’s gift of two Medical Books was not well-intentioned. The "Qianjin Yifang·Forbidden Scripture" contained Curse Prohibition Techniques. Curse Prohibition, although once an official subject at the Imperial Medical Bureau, was fundamentally primitive witchcraft. It involved dancing, praying, and chanting to expel the curses afflicting patients as a form of "healing."

Curse Prohibition Techniques were the ignorant products of backward medicine, born from the necessity of resorting to illusory witchcraft when existing Medical Skills failed to cure diseases.

As the Academic Palace’s study of Aliens deepened over the centuries, Curse Prohibition Techniques, originating from primitive religions, continued to decline and were on the verge of extinction. Even the Imperial Medical Bureau was considering canceling the Curse Prohibition Department.

Chou Jinghuan’s gift of this book was clearly intended as mockery. The subtext being: ’If you can’t be a great minister, then be a great doctor. Just stick to being a good doctor.’

The richly dressed youths accompanying Chou Jinghuan chuckled. As for Li Ang... "Heh."

He shook his head and smiled, more amused than angry.

This typical atmosphere of young men trying everything to gain a girl’s attention, with companions egging them on. Familiar yet alien, close yet distant.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG—

The Haotian Bell resounded throughout the Imperial City. All the scholars looked up, put down their books, and, under the guidance of Ministry of Rites officials and Academic Palace Instructors, entered the examination hall.

"I’ll pass on the Medical Books."

Li Ang laughed, waved his hand dismissively at Chou Jinghuan and his group, and strode towards the examination hall.