"Humph, It’s good if you think like that," Mr.Luo said dismissively, "I was worried that you would look down on Brother An which would be a surprise given, you’re quite the heroine yourself. However, you must remember that there are many uncontrollable factors involved in the Imperial Exam. Some people are still unsuccessful even into their fifties or sixties. Brother An is only eighteen this year; it’s normal for him to not pass. But if he were to pass, he’d probably be one of the youngest Recommended Men in Great Zhou."
Mu Shaoling also agreed, "Yes, indeed. It’s said that there was a sixteen-year-old Recommended Man eight years ago. But he was short-lived, robbed and killed on his way to attend the spring examination."
Listening to their conversation, Yang Chuxia was somewhat speechless. She silently sneered within, wasn’t it obvious to you? Given this, why did you just scold Brother An?
Thinking carefully about Mr.Luo’s previous words, she couldn’t help but say in disbelief, "Mr.Luo, you didn’t intentionally say those things about Brother An just so I could hear them, did you?"
Mr.Luo’s ears turned slightly red, as expected.
"Tsk tsk, you must have gone through a lot of trouble," she sneered. "So, you were scared I would blame Brother An? But why yell at him in front of me?"
"I wanted to strike first and divert the blame," Mr.Luo muttered defensively.
At his words, Yang Chuxia was momentarily speechless.
All she could think was how calculating he was. No wonder he was Brother An’s good tutor. attributing Brother An’s failure to his fixation on his wife. I even found it sweet, why should I blame him at all?
"Sadly, all your careful planning didn’t work this time, as Brother An might not have failed because of himself," she remarked.
"Enough, let’s not argue about this anymore," Mr.Luo waved his hand, looking uncomfortable, "What do we do next?"
As soon as Mr.Luo stopped speaking, his wide, alert eyes turned towards Mu Shaoling.
"Young Master Mu, the famous Doctor Mu? Could you please help us?"
When Mu Shaoling heard this, he rolled his eyes, "Stop with your obsequious flattery already." He neither agreed nor disagreed to help.
Sensing his hesitation, Yang Chuxia wanted to say something else, but Ye Zi’an pulled her aside and stepped up to Mu Shaoling, bowing respectfully.
"I must trouble Young Master Mu with this matter, I’m truly grateful."
Mu Shaoling lifted an eyebrow. Looking at Ye Zi’an, he saw no resentment, only sincerity. "Alright then. I’ll handle it."
Ye Zi’an chuckled, understanding Mu Shaoling’s intentions. He merely wanted Ye Zi’an to ask for help himself, intending to help out all along. Encouraging him to express his intentions wasn’t a big deal, nor was criticizing Xiaxia for her pervasive protection of Ye Zi’an.
By now, Yang Chuxia also understood Mu Shaoling’s intentions and felt annoyed with such male stubbornness.
"Alright, wait for my news. It won’t come quickly." Mu Shaoling stood up and added, "Persuading the current stubborn Academic Administrator of Funan is difficult. Oh right, give me a copy of what you memorized."
Knowing what he wanted, Yang Chuxia hurried over to hand him the scripts from her desk, so diligently enticing a smirk from Mu Shaoling.
He pointed a finger at her in the air, intending to tease her, yet only managed to leave with the scripts in resignation.
"Thank goodness he finally left. I thought he was going to launch into another long-winded speech." Seeing Mu Shaoling depart, Yang Chuxia let out a sigh of relief.