Third-Ranked Scholar Hou Yuchen ran the fastest.
Hou Yuchen was only eighteen, the youngest Third-Ranked Scholar of Emperor Deyuan's reign, and rather proud of himself.
He and the Top Scholar had passed the same examination. Because he was so handsome, Emperor Deyuan had selected him as the Third-Ranked Scholar.
Third-Ranked Scholar Hou and the Top Scholar looked down on each other. Hearing there was gossip about the Top Scholar, he took advantage of his youth and long legs to arrive first.
Sure enough, quite a crowd had gathered outside the Hanlin Academy.
Men and women stood clustered together, and there was no telling who was who.
Fu Yongsi did not dare come out, so the argument could not get started. There was no commentator, either.
Hou Yuchen watched for a while, then immediately ran back to fetch Jian Ruonan. "Scholar-in-Waiting Jian, Compiler Fu's wife from his hometown has been accused of adultery. She's crying outside the gates. Come take a look with me."
Jian Ruonan had been planning to head out for some gossip after tidying her desk. Seeing his burning gaze and how he was even more eager than she was, she casually asked, "Why do you need me to go?"
Hou Yuchen said, "I heard your father works at the Ministry of Justice, Scholar-in-Waiting Jian. You must be good at separating right from wrong. With you there, Compiler Fu certainly won't suffer an injustice."
Fu Yongsi said, "Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep-"
Hou Yuchen said, "Compiler Fu heard you're coming to help judge the case, and he's so happy he can't even speak!"
"Compiler Fu, sorry for the trouble, but please tidy Scholar-in-Waiting Jian's desk for her. I'll take her along to clear your name."
Fu Yongsi: "..."
Jian Ruonan thought Top Scholar Fu did not look happy