Chapter 83 Qiao Suwen
Jiang Zhiyu sat in the first seat, holding an ancient book in his hand, with a focused look. Liu Mengmeng was writing something down and occasionally responded. Xiao Wen, Qi Zimo, Zhang Anjie and others were either thinking or communicating with each other, and the atmosphere was very lively. Zou Ting, Liao Zhen, Xu Guokun, Hu Jiahong, and Kang Yining stood outside the pavilion, vigilantly observing the surroundings to ensure that no one would disturb them.
Jiang Shuyuan hid in the dark and listened quietly to their conversation.
"Zhi Yu, is the method you mentioned feasible? The annual exam is coming soon. If we can take advantage of this opportunity, we will definitely stand out in the Huang class." Liu Mengmeng asked doubtfully.
Jiang Zhiyu looked at Liu Mengmeng and said, "Don't worry, I have tried this method many times and it is definitely effective. As long as we work together, we will definitely be able to get good results in the annual exam."
Kang Yining nodded in agreement: "Yes, our efforts over this period of time are for this moment. As long as we unite as one, we will definitely be able to defeat the other classes."
When Jiang Shuyuan heard this, she couldn't help but feel curious. What kind of method were they researching that was so mysterious?
"They weren't planning on cheating, were they? I finally caught them!" Jiang Shuyuan thought hopefully.
Jiang Shuyuan hid in the dark, speculating secretly in her heart.
She knew the rules of the academy very well. Cheating was a taboo. If she could really catch evidence of them cheating, her status in the Imperial College would definitely rise.
Inside Moyun Pavilion, the discussion continued.
Xu Guokun added: "Yes, we have been studying the question types and patterns of the annual exams in recent years, and have summarized a set of coping strategies. As long as we act according to the plan, victory is just around the corner."
Hu Jiahong nodded in agreement: "That's right, I have compiled this set of strategies into a booklet and distributed it to everyone. When you go back, you must memorize it and know it by heart."
Jiang Shuyuan became more curious when she heard this. She quietly leaned her head out to try to see more clearly. She saw them taking out the booklets, flipping through them, nodding and discussing from time to time.
"So what should we do next?" asked Zhang Anjie.
Jiang Zhiyu pondered for a moment and said, "Starting tomorrow, we will be divided into several groups to study different subjects. We will gather at Moyun Pavilion every night to exchange ideas and make progress together."
Liu Mengmeng clapped her hands and said, "What a great idea! This way, we can give full play to everyone's expertise and improve together."
Jiang Shuyuan's heart tightened when she heard this. She felt that she couldn't delay any longer and had to find evidence as soon as possible. So she decided to follow them quietly to see what they were doing.
As night fell, Jiang Shuyuan followed them to the library of the academy. She hid in a corner, watching them flipping through various books, occasionally lowering her head to record something.
"Is this what they call cheating method?" Jiang Shuyuan was puzzled.
Just as Jiang Shuyuan was wondering, a breeze suddenly blew past, shaking the bookshelf where she was hiding, making a slight sound. Jiang Zhiyu and others immediately became alert, and Qi Zimo whispered, "It seems like someone is there."
Everyone immediately dispersed to look for the source of the sound. Jiang Shuyuan was startled and was about to retreat quietly, but Jiang Zhiyu had already discovered her. Jiang Zhiyu shouted softly: "Jiang Shuyuan, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Shuyuan was exposed and stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to explain. Liu Mengmeng walked up to her and looked at her in confusion: "Jiang Shuyuan, we are all classmates. Why can't you just tell me what's going on? Why are you secretly following us?"
"I think you are just discussing how to cheat!" Jiang Shuyuan said righteously.
"Jiang Shuyuan, you are deliberately framing us!" Xu Guokun retorted in a deep voice, the anger on his face difficult to conceal.
Jiang Shuyuan smiled disdainfully, her eyes revealing disdain and contempt: "What injustice have I suffered? You ten people are traveling together, aren't you discussing cheating strategies?"
Kang Yining stepped forward, his face serious: "Jiang Shuyuan, you are framing us. We are all students of the Imperial Academy, how could we do such a thing?"
At this time, Liu Mengmeng couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Yes, Jiang Shuyuan, you are making groundless accusations like this. Do you have something to hide?"
Hu Jiahong understood and said, "Maybe she is worried that our grades will surpass hers, so she is trying to frame us."
Jiang Shuyuan's face changed slightly when she heard this, but she still argued: "You are biting back, but I have evidence."
Zhang Anjie sneered, "Evidence? Your so-called evidence is just your one-sided statement. It is not credible at all."
Xiao Wen smiled lightly and said, "Jiang Shuyuan, do you think your little trick can get away with it? There are ten of us traveling together, how can you easily destroy the trust between us?"
Qi Zimo stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Jiang Shuyuan, what you did has violated the rules of the Imperial College. You must pay the price for this."
Zou Ting and Liao Zhen also stepped forward to express their dissatisfaction with Jiang Shuyuan. Xu Guokun was even more angry and said that he would report the matter to the teacher of the Imperial College and let Jiang Shuyuan receive the punishment she deserved.
"A person of integrity has nothing to fear. Why are you so excited? Let's wait and see!" Jiang Shuyuan left quickly upon seeing this.
"Let her go. She can't cause any trouble anyway!" Jiang Zhiyu said calmly as she watched Jiang Shuyuan's receding figure. "Let's continue. Don't let irrelevant people disturb us and affect our mood."
"Yeah, Zhiyu is right!" Liu Mengmeng responded quickly.
Jiang Shuyuan returned to the cell in a panic, and Wu Xi and Yang Jiamin hurried over to ask her what was wrong.
"It's okay, it's okay." Jiang Shuyuan covered up.
"By the way, Shuyuan, here is a letter from your mother. Since you are not here, I got it for you." Wu Xi said as he handed the letter to Jiang Shuyuan.
Jiang Shuyuan quickly opened it and took a look.
In the letter, Zhu told her daughter Jiang Shuyuan that the Minister of Justice Qiao Zhiyu had come to visit a few days ago and seemed to like Jiang Shuyuan very much. Qiao Suwen, the youngest son of the Qiao family, was only sixteen years old, two years older than Jiang Shuyuan. The Minister of Justice meant to settle the marriage of the two children first.
"What? What's going on!" Jiang Shuyuan looked at the letter in disbelief.
Jiang Shuyuan's eyes moved away from the letter and fell on Wu Xi's face, her eyes full of doubt. Seeing this, Wu Xi smiled slightly, patted Jiang Shuyuan's shoulder gently, and said, "Shuyuan, this is a good thing. The Qiao family is a family of scholars, Qiao Suwen is outstanding in talent and upright. It would be a good thing if you two could get married."
Jiang Shuyuan was filled with sorrow. Although she knew that the Qiao family held an important position in the court and that Qiao Suwen's talent and character were well known, she had never thought of marrying into the Qiao family. Was her own idea and pursuit going to be determined like this?
She held the letter tightly, but her heart was in a mess. She looked at Wu Xi, her eyes full of help.