Proud of his noble lineage, Yu Xi was furious that this scholar from a humble family dared question him in public. He rose to his full height and said loudly, "Chen Caozhi of Qiantang, I order you to go outside to the office pavilion at once and await your punishment. Must you disregard scholarly decorum and make me have you hauled out?"
Headstrong and self-willed, Yu Xi clung to his prejudices and intensely disliked Chen Caozhi's handsome appearance, easy grace, and manner of speaking that was neither servile nor overbearing. He utterly disdained the idea of having Chen Liu confront Chen Caozhi. Would that not turn this into a lawsuit? Handling lawsuits was work for low-ranking, menial officials. Once Chen Caozhi went to the office pavilion, clerks would interrogate him. As Neishi of Yangzhou, he occupied a prestigious and distinguished post. Why would he stoop to such things?
Xu Zao was deeply anxious. Once Chen Caozhi left this hall, his entire life might well be ruined. Xu Zao had judged many men, yet he was only an instructor at the Commandery School, his position low and his words carrying little weight. Yu Xi certainly would not heed his remonstrance. He immediately looked toward Lu Na, his eyes pleading.
Lu Na rose and bowed with clasped hands. "Please calm yourself, Yu Zhongzheng. According to the precedent of previous appraisals, today is only for examining these Candidates Awaiting Appraisal on their knowledge of the classics. Their conduct has always been discussed tomorrow. Let us set aside Chen Caozhi's conduct for now. To avoid unsettling all the scholars present, why not allow him to take the examination in the classics first?"
Yu Xi stared at Lu Na for a while before saying slowly, "Since Governor Lu has spoken on Chen Caozhi's behalf, let