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“Was the paper out of your hands?”

“Yes, when we fell, it flew out of our hands, but it was picked up and given back to us by the other person.”

Hearing this, Chu Qingzhi immediately understood, “Did the other party write the second line ‘Reflecting the moon in the moon well, casting moon’s shadow in the well’s embrace. The moon in the well, the shadow eternal, lasting through millennia’?”

“Yes, Fifth Sister, you got it right,” Chu Xuyao realized, “Wait, Fifth Sister, you weren’t at the scene, how do you know their second line? Did you write it?”

“I wrote it,” Chu Qingzhi said. “Your paper was switched when it was picked up and given back to you.”

“Despicable and shameless!” Chu Xuyao stomped his foot in anger.

“It’s a trivial matter, don’t be angry,” Chu Qingzhi gently patted his shoulder. “This afternoon, I’ll have them publicly confess how they stole someone else’s work, how about that?”

“Great,” Chu Xuyao said excitedly. “This afternoon, the Emperor himself will be there to observe the winners of the competition and award prizes. Revealing their misdeeds then will surely ruin their reputations.”

“Fifth Sister, I’ll go and tell Brother Zhuang and the others so they don’t misunderstand you.”

“Go ahead, and be careful.”

“I know.”

After inquiring around, Chu Xuyao found out that Zhuang Yuyan and the others had already returned to the inn, and he quickly made his way there.

Upon hearing Chu Xuyao’s story, Zhuang Yuyan and the others were furious.

“It’s outrageous! These Imperial College students are indeed adept at scheming. We didn’t wrong them.”

“No integrity at all. If they become officials after the imperial examination, they’ll only bring harm to the people.”

“We must expose their misdeeds this afternoon. Unforgivable!”

They vented their anger in the room for a long time before slowly calming down.

At the Imperial College, Go competition area.

“Admit defeat!” Chu Xuyuan miraculously discovered that he was about to win.

Lin Jixian stared at the board in disbelief, “How is this possible?”

Chu Xuyuan toyed with a Go piece, deliberately provoking Lin Jixian, “Why isn’t it possible? Didn’t I tell you I have a ‘magic book’? Now you see how powerful it is, right?”

Lin Jixian’s face grew increasingly pale. He had many moves to make on the board, but whichever he chose, Chu Xuyuan would win on the next move, “Impossible, impossible!”

Chu Xuyuan lightly tapped the table with the Go piece, “Hurry up, it’s just us left.”

Lin Jixian looked up and realized they were indeed the only ones left in the area. Reluctantly, he placed his piece down.

Chu Xuyuan cheered, “I won!”

The teacher came over, looked at the board, and announced, “Xuyuan wins.”

Chu Xuyuan stood up and respectfully bowed to the teacher, “Thank you, Sir.”

Lin Jixian, tears in his eyes, rushed out. He couldn’t believe he had lost. Chu Xuyuan was just a beginner; how could he lose to a beginner?

Chu Xuyuan, with his unexpected skill, successfully advanced to the semi-finals.

The competition continued, and Chu Xuyuan drew Zeng Zhengming as his opponent.

Zeng Zhengming was the best Go player in the Imperial College, unbeaten throughout the academy, and had even challenged a national champion three months ago. He lost to the national champion after 56 moves and had locked himself up indoors since, only emerging yesterday.

Facing Zeng Zhengming was a completely different level compared to Lin Jixian, but Zeng Zhengming wasn’t as skilled as Tang Jinghong. Ultimately, Chu Xuyuan lost after 78 moves.

Zeng Zhengming was very surprised. He sized up the young man in front of him. He had a handsome face and a smart brain. He was not eye-catching, but he seemed to be a bright kid. “May I ask, little junior brother, who is your master?”

Chu Xuyuan proudly said, “Do you know General Tang Jinghong?”

Zeng Zhengming was surprised, “1 didn’t expect you to be a disciple of General Tang. My apologies.”

Chu Xuyuan, feeling a bit embarrassed, quickly clarified, “Actually, General Tang hasn’t formally accepted me as a disciple. 1 just regard him as my master in my heart.”

Calling General Tang Brother Jinghong meant that their relationship was definitely not ordinary. “Your skill in Go is quite impressive, especially considering our age difference. It feels somewhat unfair that I won.”

“Senior brother, you’re too polite,” Chu Xuyuan waved it off, not minding at all. In fact, he was thrilled; he never expected to make it to the top four, performing beyond his expectations.

It was now time for the final rounds to determine the champion.

Zeng Zhengming faced Nan Yunming, the best Go player from Yunfei School, known as a “Go fanatic,” deeply passionate about the game.

In Shuiyun County, by a river, some elderly men liked to play Go in the afternoons. When Nan Yunming became proficient in Go, he challenged each of them and defeated them all.

Eventually, whenever these elderly men saw him coming, they would pack up their Go boards, refusing to play with him.

Chu Xuyuan found a good spot to watch the match, knowing that observing skilled players would greatly benefit his own skills.

Chu Xuyao came over and asked in a low voice, “Seventh Brother, have you finished your match?”

Chu Xuyuan’s face was radiant, “Yes, I made it to the top four. Impressive, right?”

Chu Xuyao joked, “Impressive, indeed. I thought you’d be eliminated in the first round.”

Chu Xuyuan pinched Chu Xuyao’s cheek, “You underestimate me.”

Chu Xuyao laughed, “1’11 never underestimate Seventh Brother again.”

“That’s more like it.”

At the Zhou Residence.

The butler hurried into the study, “Master, Miss Chu Qingzhi has come to discuss a business matter with you.”

Zhou Xiangfu looked up, “Please have her in.”

The butler quickly stepped out and ushered Chu Qingzhi into the study, “Miss Chu, please have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Zhou Xiangfu walked over from behind the desk and sat next to Chu Qingzhi, “Miss Chu, what brings you here in person?”

Chu Qingzhi didn’t like beating around the bush and got straight to the point, “1 heard that the Zhou family farms pearls?”

Zhou Xiangfu nodded, “Indeed, we do. Most are ordinary, but we only get one or two top-quality pearls a year. They’re very rare. What kind of pearls are you interested in?”

“I’m interested in the deformed pearls you usually discard. I heard from General Tang that you throw them away. Would it be possible for me to acquire them?”

“Of course, I’ll have someone collect them for you. You don’t have to pay a high price, just the workers’ wages will do.”

“Thank you, Master Zhou.”

“No need to thank me.” Zhou Xiangfu hesitated before asking, “Miss Chu, with your medical expertise, could you possibly treat our oysters?”

“What’s wrong with them?”

“Recently, for some reason, the oysters keep dying mysteriously. Many doctors have looked at them but couldn’t figure out the cause. So, 1 was hoping you could help.”

“I can, but I need to examine them on site.”

“I’ll personally take you there.”

After some preparation, Zhou Xiangfu, accompanied by Chu Qingzhi and a few servants, rode horses to the pearl farming site..