Tong Li's face darkened. The thing he had feared most had still happened.
Fang Yun had no conflict of interest whatsoever with the Academy Students and Provincial Graduates of Jade Sea City.
Though his grandfather was a third-rank assistant minister and even had a good relationship with Li Wenying, giving his family some influence in Jade Sea City, this city ultimately belonged to the Sacred Academy and people like Li Wenying. Fang Yun was valued by Li Wenying, so Li Wenying's people would naturally help him.
The examination for Provincial Graduates was held across all Jiangzhou. It made no difference which prefectural city Fang Yun took it in, so Jade Sea City's middle-ranking scholars not only bore him no ill will, but actually hoped he would leave behind a towering literary reputation here. Many even hoped to bask in his glory and leave behind a fine name themselves.
Tong Li cursed those people inwardly. No wonder they had known Fang Yun was here and yet had not warned him—they had been waiting for him to jump into the pit, then put on an air of sharing Fang Yun's hatred for the enemy.
Tong Li knew his own abilities well, so he had deliberately delayed taking the Prefectural Examination for two years, all for the title of Maocai. As for the title of Jieyuan, first among Provincial Graduates, he did not even dare dream of it.
He had prepared for years for the title of Maocai and had been certain this year was his best chance. Yet Fang Yun had burst forth out of nowhere. He could not swallow this insult.
Tong Li's expression swiftly changed from dark to bright. Smiling, he said, "You all saw it as well. You wanted Fang Yun to participate in the dragon boat race, but