Chapter 46 The Princess's Scholar (3) (1/2)

Lin Shiheng's words obviously made Zhao He very unacceptable. Until three or four days after this incident, he was still wondering if this sentence was a dream and he unconsciously pressed it on Brother Lin, so he mistakenly thought it was from Brother Lin's mouth.

It's no wonder that Zhao He thought so. Whether from the appearance or from the temperament, words and deeds, Lin Shiheng looked like a gentleman who walked out of a book, except that his body was a little weak.

How could such a person say such words?

He struggled for a few days, but was too embarrassed to ask Lin Shiheng whether he said this.

After all, this is really... too shameless.

He finally found such a good friend who didn't despise his merchant status and had outstanding grades. If his roommate asked such questions again, what if he angered people, where could he find such a friend again.

What's more, in the eyes of his friends, he is still a gentleman who is very willing to help others.

Today, Zhao He stepped onto the deck and saw his handsome friend standing on the deck and talking with several scholars. He walked forward and before he could answer, he heard Brother Lin say, "Brother Zhao is indeed very knowledgeable. What I just said to you brothers was what I discussed with Brother Zhao yesterday. It's just that he doesn't like to take credit and never wants me to show off." Zhao He blushed and almost couldn't keep the unnatural look on his face. He felt that his friend was good in every way, but he was too honest. Every time he discussed, he made Zhao He feel that "it turned out to be like this" and "this scripture should be like this". But Brother Lin was obsessed with the idea that if Zhao He hadn't discussed with him, he wouldn't have figured it out, so he directly pushed the credit to him. Although Zhao He liked to hear others praise him, he would not just take credit for others' work. He hurried forward, greeted several people, and told the truth. Lin Shiheng listened to him with a smile, and then he covered his lips and coughed a few times. With a smile in his eyes, he said to the scholars, "This is why I have a good relationship with Brother Zhao."

Zhao He looked at the scholars opposite him strangely, and there was a bit of inexplicable admiration in their eyes.

What's the matter with that look at the talented scholar who doesn't care about fame? ?

"It turns out that Brother Zhao's talent is so outstanding. I have to bother Brother Zhao more in the future."

"Why don't we meet here tomorrow to have a poetry meeting?"

Zhao He was flattered again. He rarely participated in such gatherings of scholars before. Except for those held by elders, he could receive invitations. Among peers, he was always treated as a transparent person.

Although merchants are more or less looked down upon, Zhao He was directly denied his talent and excluded because of the three scholars. At this moment, he was invited by the scholars who went to Beijing to take the exam together. He was flattered and accepted it immediately.

After several scholars left, Lin Shiheng looked at Zhao He, who still looked happy, and coughed softly, "Brother Zhao will attend the poetry meeting tomorrow. Don't forget to bring me some wonderful poems if anyone makes them."

Zhao He was a little confused, "Brother Lin, aren't you going?"

"By the way, what you discussed just now was clearly proposed by you and me, why did you tell them that I proposed it..."

The scholar in green smiled faintly, "I originally thought of it based on what Brother Zhao said, not to mention that they are discussing this tomorrow. Brother Zhao also knows that I am not in good health and cannot be exposed to the wind for too long, so I will not go to the poetry meeting tomorrow."

Zhao He really believed it.

"Brother Lin, you still need to wait until you get to the capital to find a doctor to treat your health. So, you won't attend the poetry meeting tomorrow, but will you read in your room?"

Lin Shiheng smiled shyly, "The poetry meeting will be tomorrow morning. I should be meeting Zhou Gong at that time."

"I am not in good health. I need to get up before the sky is completely bright. I will not attend this kind of meeting in the future."

Zhao He looked at him with more sympathy.

As a scholar, he was not excluded, but he could not even attend a gathering among scholars. How uncomfortable it was.

Thinking about how uncomfortable he felt when he was excluded, Zhao He suddenly felt that he could fully understand how disappointed his friend must be at this moment.

He looked sympathetic and resolute, "Brother Lin, don't worry. I will attend the poetry meeting tomorrow and write down some good poems and bring them to your room for you to read."

Lin Shiheng's handsome and clear face really showed some gratitude, and he bowed slowly, "In this case, thank you Brother Zhao."

"But after the poetry meeting tomorrow, Brother Zhao doesn't have to come to my room. I guess I won't wake up by then. I will go to find Brother Zhao after I wake up."

Hearing this, Brother Zhao felt even more sympathetic to his friend.

Going to Beijing to take the exam requires taking the time to study hard on the way, but Brother Lin can only sleep until noon every day because of physical reasons.

It's really pitiful.

The next morning, Zhao He really brought pen and ink to the poetry meeting. While everyone was talking, he wrote furiously.

Someone was speaking excitedly, but suddenly saw from the corner of his eye that what Zhao He wrote on the paper was exactly what he said. His voice immediately lowered eight degrees. After finishing politely, he walked to Zhao He and asked him a little embarrassedly why he had to write down all the words he said.

When they heard that Lin Shiheng was not in good health and could not go out in the early morning, Zhao He specially helped him write down what everyone said so that he could take it back to him, the students at the poetry meeting first sympathized with Lin Shiheng who could only sleep in bed in such a good morning, and then sighed that Zhao He valued friendship. Then they consciously slowed down their speech when talking, so that Zhao He could record it more conveniently.

They are all scholars, and everyone wants a reputation. Not to mention that Lin Shiheng, who makes people feel that he is a gentle scholar in terms of appearance and behavior, is very popular with everyone. Just this matter, if it is spread, it means that these people are pure and kind.

So Zhao He's recording was indeed very smooth.

He was full of joy and conscientiously recorded everything. When everyone left, it was already time for breakfast. On the way back to his room, Zhao He was blown by a gust of cool wind when he walked onto the deck. He was so cold that he hurried back to his room.

It was not too late at this time. Brother Lin should have woken up?

With this thought, Zhao He took the paper he had recorded and went to Lin Shiheng's window. He just wanted to take a look, but when he did, he happened to see the handsome scholar sleeping in bed with a calm and comfortable face.

Zhao He, who got up with a candle before it was cold and braved the cold wind to attend the poetry meeting, suddenly felt envious.

He was actually still sleepy. How comfortable it would be if he could sleep like Brother Lin until now.

With this thought, Zhao He immediately woke up and felt ashamed for having such a thought.

It was miserable enough that Brother Lin could not go out to attend the poetry meeting in such cold weather and could only sleep in the warm house. How could he still have such a thought?

Just after thinking this, Zhao He was stunned.

When he thought this way, he felt that he was the one who was really miserable. What should he do...

No, how could he think this way? He was too sorry for the weak Brother Lin.

Zhao He kept brainwashing himself in his mind and left.

In the room behind him, Lin Shiheng turned over comfortably, yawned, got up and looked at the sky outside.

Although it was time for breakfast, Zhao He was probably still attending the poetry meeting and hadn't come back. How could he have the nerve to eat for free?

It's better to sleep for a while. The colder the weather, the more comfortable it is to sleep in.

Thinking of this, the scholar on the bed closed his eyes with peace of mind and planned to have a good sleep.

Hey, Brother Zhao is really a very good friend.

Not only did he give him free meals, but he also took notes.

He wanted to be friends with Brother Zhao for life.

When the boat slowly arrived at the destination, the two had a very good relationship with the scholars on the boat.

Originally, Zhao He's identity as a merchant was taboo, but after Lin Shiheng's words were spread, even if they felt uncomfortable, they would not speak out and discuss with others.

If they looked down on others because of their identity, then what was the difference between them and the narrow-minded Hu Chuan.

Of course, no one would say the word narrow-minded in front of Hu Chuan, at most, they would mention it by the way when a few friends were together.

After getting along, they also found that Zhao He was indeed a rare friend. For example, he was a good friend of Lin Shiheng and Lin Qinzhi. Brother Lin had been weak since childhood and it was inconvenient for him to go out. Brother Zhao would record every time they discussed and give it to Brother Lin to watch.

If they really avoided such a passionate person because of his identity as a merchant, it would be really stupid.

As for Brother Lin, it made these scholars praise him endlessly.

Although he was not in good health and rarely attended their gatherings, the poems and verses that he asked Brother Zhao to bring were always excellent. It was a pity that he was not in good health. Every time we met, he was always pale and weak and coughing. The imperial examination was not an easy thing. Each candidate had a small cell, and they had to stay in it for several days in the ice and snow.

They felt cold when they were on the boat. The capital was many times colder than on the boat. In addition, in order to prevent zu0'b-i, except for food and clothes, the rest of the things during the imperial examination were provided by the court, and there were never too many braziers.

In the past, there were tragic cases where candidates caught a cold during the examination because of the cold, and died before the results came out. It was inevitable that these candidates began to worry about Brother Lin, who was talented but in poor health.

When saying goodbye, Lin Shiheng, who was handsome but still pale, was wearing a thick cloak given by Zhao He, holding a hot water bottle stuffed by a scholar in his arms. Several scholars suggested that he go see a doctor and hinted that if he felt that he couldn't hold on during the exam, he shouldn't force himself.

They said goodbye reluctantly here, while Hu Chuan and two classmates came down from behind and looked very unhappy when they saw this scene.

He was just a merchant and a sickly person, but he was so popular. It was ridiculous.

Thinking that it was because of what Lin Shiheng said before that the candidates on the boat thought that he was a person who was unwilling to admit that he had lost, Hu Chuan's face became more and more ugly.

Looking at the scholars calling Brother Lin and Brother Zhao affectionately, he really couldn't hold back his anger. After some people left, he walked forward.

After a hypocritical greeting, he looked at Lin Shiheng, who looked pale and didn't look like he was in good health, and said, "Brother Lin, are you feeling well? The examination is coming soon, and the weather in Beijing is cold. If Brother Lin feels unwell, don't force yourself. Anyway, there will be a chance in three years."

As soon as he said this, Zhao He's face fell immediately.

Just now, someone reminded Lin Shiheng that if he couldn't hold on, he shouldn't hold on. His life was more important, but that was a kind reminder, and he said it in a roundabout way for fear of triggering some bad omens.

Listening to what Hu Chuan said, it was simply a direct curse on Lin Shiheng to fail the exam.

He was about to speak, but his arm was pulled by his friend beside him.

The young scholar, wearing a white cloak and standing in the background of people getting off the boat, had a warm smile and sincere eyes.

"Brother Hu is concerned about not holding on if you can't hold on. Everyone knows this truth, and I know it too."

"Brother Hu will definitely pass the exam with his knowledge. It is fate that you and I can meet on this boat. If we can meet not far from the examination room, then the fate will be even deeper."

Hu Chuan thinks Lin Shiheng is mentally ill.

He is here to mock Lin Shiheng for not passing the exam, and Lin Shiheng said he hopes to be close to him?

Thinking about what those candidates said during this period that Lin Shiheng is a clear-minded person and is kind to others, Hu Chuan, who originally didn't believe it, now feels that he should believe it.

Of course, in his mind, being kind to others and having a mental illness are the same concept.

"If so, it's naturally good."

Anyway, the curse has been said, so Hu Chuan said goodbye directly.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with cursing people. It was a fact that Lin Shiheng was in poor health. He just said something that was very likely to happen, wasn't it?

While waiting for Hu Chuan to leave, Zhao He looked at Hu Chuan's back indignantly. He couldn't help but asked his friend beside him, "Brother Lin, he was mocking you. Didn't you hear it?"

"We all worked hard to go to Beijing to take the exam together. Why do we have to make such a fuss? Brother Hu said it, and I won't lose a piece of meat. There's no need to bother with him."

A scholar who passed by happened to hear these words. Although he didn't hear what Hu Chuan said before, he knew about the argument between the two on the deck that day. He immediately slowed down his pace and pricked up his ears to try to hear what happened.

"Even if that's the case, he's going too far. The exam is so important, but he curses you to fail."

Zhao He was so angry that he almost smoked. "Brother Lin, you are too kind-hearted. You even told him that you are destined to be together. Even if you are destined to be together, it's a bad fate!"

Facing Zhao He's anger, Lin Shiheng still smiled indifferently, with kindness and generosity written all over his face.

In the sun, he looked even more magnanimous. "Okay, Brother Zhao, he just said that. We know each other, and you and he are classmates. If you pass the exam together, you should support each other in the future."

Zhao He was stunned.

Brother Lin listened to such curses and still endured it. Could it be because Hu Chuan was his classmate?

He was touched and helpless.

Brother Lin is such a good person. Although it is comfortable to make friends with him, if he is deliberately ridiculed by someone with ulterior motives, it will make people angry for him.

He wanted to say that he and Hu Chuan and others had never gotten along well, but he didn't say it out loud as he looked at the people coming and going around him, which gave him room to talk.

"Brother Lin, the imperial examination will be held soon. My family has a house in the capital. Why don't you live with me? You can save the trouble of looking for a place to study every day."

Lin Shiheng waved his hand, looking embarrassed.

"How can I do this? I can just find an inn to stay in. I don't have the nerve to bother you."

Seeing him refuse, Zhao He was even more moved.

Brother Lin endured Hu Chuan's anger for him, and was so considerate not to cause him trouble. Naturally, he had to return the favor.

Thinking of this, Zhao He grabbed Lin Shiheng's arm and winked at the servant, "No one has lived in that house for a long time. It's lonely for me to live alone. I'd better trouble you to accompany me, Brother Lin."

"How can I be embarrassed, hey, Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao!"

Several servants hurriedly followed, squeezed behind Lin Shiheng, pushed him forward and persuaded him.

"Master Lin, you can go with us. We can't bear to leave Master Lin."

"Yes, it's more lively when there are more people."

Watching Lin Shiheng being "forced" to live in his friend's home, several scholars sighed with envy.

"This is a close friend."

Compared to living in an inn with a lot of people, it is naturally more comfortable to live in a friend's house so that people can study and wait for the imperial examination with peace of mind.

The days when Lin Shiheng lived in Zhao He's house waiting for the imperial examination passed quickly.

The two read together every day, but because of "physical reasons", he could only get up at breakfast time and rest after the sun went down.

Zhao He, who got up before dawn to study, not only did not feel anything wrong, but also felt very sympathetic to his friend who had lost so much study time in vain.

The day before the imperial examination, the book boy who could cook excitedly brought a box of small squares to show the two.

"Master Lin, I have made everything you asked me to do."

Zhao He curiously leaned over to take a look, and saw that there were small pieces of red and oily inside, and he was a little confused.

"What is this?"

"Master, it was Master Lin who told us to boil some kitchen seasonings with lard and let it dry. When we put it back into the pot, it will boil again. Even people who are not good at cooking can make very good taste."

As he said that, he added with excitement, "Master, aren't you always worried about how to cook for the imperial examination? You only need to add a piece of this thing when the time comes."

Zhao He was thoughtful, and his eyes gradually brightened. "It is indeed a good thing. I was very hungry during the last provincial examination, but I couldn't control myself when I tried to cook. I thought I would have to eat cold and hard food with water for a few days in this imperial examination. I didn't expect there would be such a good thing. I don't know how Brother Lin came up with it."

Lin Shiheng smiled a little embarrassedly, "It's not a good idea. It's hard for Brother Zhao to praise it so much."

"By the way, are the copper beads ready?"

"It's ready, and it's still burning now!"

When talking about the copper beads, Zhao He looked more excited than before.

I don't know what Brother Lin was thinking. He actually thought of throwing the copper beads into the charcoal fire and roasting them, and then bring them to the exam. In this way, the copper beads can maintain their temperature for a long time after being burned by the fire. Although they will cool down later, they can keep them warm for a while.

"I really didn't expect that the capital city would be so cold. Hey, although my elders have been to the capital city, they all wore thick warm winter clothes and came in sedan chairs. If I hadn't heard Brother Miao talk about the examination environment a few days ago, I might have gone in without any preparation and caught a cold."

Lin Shiheng smiled, "Brother Miao has an elder who has been a juren in his family, so he naturally knows these matters. When Brother Zhao gets married and has children in the future, he can also tell him these things."

Zhao He waved his hand, "Don't joke anymore, let's get through it first."

"Brother Zhao Bring more of this. If the copper beads are no longer hot, you can also boil them in water and drink them. Add Gastrodia elata and some spices that can make people feel hot, which can at least help. "

"By the way, if Brother Zhao meets Brother Hu and the others, you should also ask them if they want it."

Zhao He's eyes twitched, "Brother Lin, I really don't have a good relationship with Hu Chuan. If I ask them, they will definitely not want it."

Lin Shiheng smiled gently, "After all, we are classmates. If you get something new, you naturally have to ask. Brother Zhao, just listen to me."

Zhao He didn't want to listen.

Sometimes he really thinks that Brother Lin is good in every way, but his temper is too good.

People have bullied him to the point of being bullied, but he still wants to ask them if they want new things.

I'm afraid even a saint can't do this.

Oh, really.

Brother Lin is so kind and easy to bully, I don't know what kind of wife he will marry in the future.

As Zhao He was thinking, he suddenly remembered that it was popular to catch the son-in-law under the list. Young students like Lin Shiheng who looked good were the most dangerous. He looked like this, but he was almost caught when he just passed the exam. Isn't Brother Lin more dangerous?

When they looked at the list, they still sat in the inn and asked the book boy to check it and come back to report.

On the last day, the two of them checked the knowledge points they thought they were likely to be tested on, and finally, they went to the battlefield... the examination room fully armed.

Soldiers were checking one by one. According to regulations, the small pieces they brought, named hot pot base by Lin Shiheng, were also poked open with chopsticks for careful inspection. The copper beads were specially asked to be touched again and again by craftsmen who could tell the weight in their hands. After confirming that they were solid and could not be opened by hand alone, they were returned to them.

The clothes and mattresses they brought were also cut open one by one to confirm that there was nothing stuffed inside. The candidates were also checked. After such a strict inspection, the candidates who took the exam entered the examination room one after another.

Lin Shiheng saw Hu Chuan, who was sitting next to him.

The young and handsome scholar, wearing a furry coat made by Zhao He, walked behind Hu Chuan who was opening the door very politely and saluted.

"Hello, Brother Hu."

Hu Chuan's clothes were cut open just now, and he was freezing cold when the wind blew. When he heard someone calling him from behind, he turned around and saw Lin Shiheng's face full of kindness.

"Brother Hu, someone around Brother Zhao made a good soup base with seasonings, which can also dispel wind and cold. I brought a lot. Brother Hu, do you want to try it?"

Hu Chuan looked at Lin Shiheng in front of him vigilantly.

Made by someone around Zhao He?

If it was really a good thing, would he give it to himself?

There must be a trick!

He refused with a serious face and vigilant eyes.

Seeing his refusal, Lin Shiheng showed a little regret in his eyes, "Then I will return to my seat."

Seeing the regret in his eyes, Hu Chuan was more convinced that Lin Shiheng wanted to do something to harm him.

He knew that a scholar who lived in an inn was walking on the road and was splashed with cold water. He was caught cold in such a cold winter. Even if his grades were good, he might not survive the examination.

After Hu Chuan knew about this, he immediately stayed in his room and even his two friends disappeared.

Although this kind of thing reminded him of the fact that he hired a carriage to deliberately load Zhao He when he was taking the examination, he only felt a little panicked and did not hate it when he did it. When he knew that he might be treated like this, he felt very depressed.

If possible, he would like to do this to Zhao He, who is obviously a lowly merchant but always wants to suppress him. Unfortunately, Zhao He lives a luxurious life and actually has his own house in the capital.

He himself thought so, so he would naturally think about other people's intentions.

How could Lin Shiheng be so kind to share things with him? It must be a trick!

He refused very firmly. When the exam started and everyone answered the questions quietly, Hu Chuan still felt proud of his witty refusal of the conspiracy.

He waited until the meal time, took out the millet he brought, and sprinkled it into the boiling water pot without being very skilled, waiting for it to cook, but suddenly smelled a very fragrant smell.

Hu Chuan didn't feel hungry in his stomach because he was doing the questions with great tension before, and just wanted to make some porridge to fill his stomach. As a result, when he smelled this smell, his stomach, which had not reacted before, immediately started to growl.

Hungry, so hungry.

What on earth is this? It smells too delicious.

Hu Chuan was hungry in the front, while Lin Shiheng behind him looked at the boiling hot pot water, tore open the big pancakes and put them in one by one.

It smells so good.

Hu Chuan stared blankly at the clear rice porridge in front of him because of the lack of rice. He was wondering what it was, when he suddenly heard Lin Shiheng behind him sighing as if he had eaten something.

"It tastes really good."

His voice was so light that no one heard it except Hu Chuan who was close to him.

Hu Chuan didn't want to hear it either. His rumbling stomach seemed to have awakened the hungry cells at this moment, and kept urging him to eat, but his porridge was not cooked yet. Smelling the tempting fragrance coming from behind him, Hu Chuan gritted his teeth and poured some water to drink.

While drinking, he thought, he was not a merchant like Zhao He who was extravagant and wasteful. What's the point of doing those fancy things? Could it be that eating delicious food can also get a good grade in the exam?

Just as he was thinking this, the same fragrance came from the front.

Then, the scholar sitting in the front room also sighed softly, "It really makes my whole body warm after drinking it."

Before, after Lin Shiheng asked him not to drink it, he also asked the scholar sitting in front of Hu Chuan, and the scholar took it.

If it was just a guess before, then after hearing this sentence, Hu Chuan could be sure that this fragrance was the fresh thing that Lin Shiheng had said before.

Originally, when he said that it tasted delicious and could make people feel warm after drinking it, Hu Chuan didn't believe it. He thought that this person was exaggerating. How could there be such a magical thing.

But the student in front and Lin Shiheng only knew each other a few times. It was impossible for him to hide in the room and deliberately say such things.

Hu Chuan clenched his cold hands, which were slightly stiff from holding a brush for a long time, and smelled the fragrance from the next room, swallowing his saliva.

It smells so good, I want to eat it.

No!

He must not be as decadent as Zhao He's merchant. They are scholars, they should be frugal. What's the point of making such things!

Useless!

Lin Shiheng in the back room ate two big cakes and poured a bowl of soup and held it to his mouth.

"Slurp..."

"Slurp..."

Hu Chuan heard the obvious slurping sound of someone drinking soup in the back room, and then heard the young scholar sighing because of the delicious drink.

"Hmm..."

Deliberately! !

He must have done it on purpose! !

Who would eat so loudly! !

Hu Chuan was thinking this when he suddenly heard Lin Shiheng mumbling to himself from behind, "Add a little meat, hmm... the dish is ready to eat."

"Slurp... it's delicious."

Hu Chuan, sitting in front of his pot of porridge, "..."

He was sure that the man behind him did it on purpose.

Definitely on purpose!!

But even though he knew that Lin Shiheng did it on purpose, Hu Chuan had no way to deal with it.

Although there were people patrolling outside to prevent the candidates from speaking, Lin Shiheng spoke so quietly. Since there was no movement outside, it meant that the patrolling soldiers did not hear it at all. If he asked the soldiers to come now, not only would he not be able to produce evidence, but the examiner would also think that he was a nosy person.

For a small candidate, how could he want to leave a bad impression in front of the examiner?

Thinking of this, Hu Chuan barely suppressed the urge to rush to the back and roar, and quietly waited for his porridge to be ready.

Perhaps knowing that he had reached the end of his patience, Lin Shiheng behind him did not make any more noise, but he did not make any sound, but the fragrance continued to drift into Hu Chuan's room.

How could it be so fragrant!

The porridge was finally ready. Hu Chuan's stomach had been hungry for a long time, and he quickly filled a bowl and drank it regardless of the boiling heat.

The warm porridge went into the stomach through the intestines, and the coldness of the body just now seemed to be dissolved. Hu Chuan sighed with satisfaction and was about to drink it, but suddenly heard the sound of something moving forward behind him.

He turned around curiously and found that it was a bowl of hot and red soup with pancakes and even a few vegetables in it. It looked very delicious.

A white and slender hand was slowly pushing the bowl of soup on the ground. Through the narrow gap under the cell that could only be seen with the eyes, Hu Chuan saw with his own eyes that another hand took a spoon and scooped a spoonful of soup that was still emitting white smoke and tasted very good.

The next second, the familiar voice that made Hu Chuan despair came again from behind.

"Slurp!"

"Hmm... slurp!"

Hu Chuan was holding the porridge in his hand and almost collapsed.

At this moment, all the guesses were completely useless.

He could be sure that Lin Shiheng did it on purpose, otherwise who would put the bowl on the ground and push it so close to him!

Hu Chuan forced himself to look away from the bowl. Even though his mind was filled with the delicious soup in the bowl and the aroma that almost drove him crazy, he still had to tell himself in his mind.

Don't be fooled. Just eating is nothing.

He tried to brainwash himself for a few minutes, and when he felt that his mood had calmed down, he took the bowl and drank another mouthful of white porridge.

As a result, he only felt bland in his mouth after drinking it.

Especially with the fragrance coming from the front and back.

After Hu Chuan finished the porridge, he was not very hungry. After trying hard to convince himself not to fall into the trap, he put down the bowl and chopsticks and continued to answer questions.

At night, Hu Chuan was shivering with cold, and when he was half asleep and his hands and feet were cold and he could only curl up, he smelled the fragrance again in his sleep.

When Hu Chuan woke up with his stomach growling at the temptation of the aroma, he almost thought he was still dreaming. The firelight next door told him that this was reality.

Lin Shiheng! Actually! Eating in the middle of the night! East! West!

Hu Chuan looked numb. He got up and rummaged through his bag. He found a piece of cake that had long gone cold. He smelled the aroma and bit the cake in his hand with difficulty to fill his stomach before forcing himself to sleep. However, in his dream, he was always disturbed by the aroma.

He was greedy during the day and at night, and he was also very cold. It is conceivable that Hu Chuan did not do well in the exam.

When he walked out of the cell and stood in the sun, he smelled the stench on his body and almost didn't move his eyes.

Lin Shiheng, who had also endured many days but was energetic, came out wearing a cloak. The man in front of Hu Chuan had been waiting at the door for a long time. When he saw him coming out, he hurried to greet him.

"Brother Lin!"

He bowed and said with gratitude, "Thank you so much for the base ingredients you gave me. Whenever I feel cold these days, I boil a pot. As expected, I no longer feel cold after drinking it. It tastes very good too."

The young scholar, who still looked handsome and clear even after many days, smiled gently after hearing the return gift, "Why be polite? We all came to the examination together. Who knows, we may be colleagues in the future."

"Thank you Brother Lin for your generosity..."

While the two were talking, Hu Chuan, who was standing by, came over with bloodshot eyes after hearing their voices, staring at Lin Shiheng with hatred.

"Lin Shiheng!! We have no grudges, why do you want to hurt me!"

The young scholar looked confused, "Brother Hu? What are you saying... Hey!"

Before he finished speaking, he was pushed back several steps by the emotional Hu Chuan, and immediately covered his mouth and coughed weakly.

"Hey! What are you doing! How did Brother Lin offend you? Before the exam started, he asked you kindly if you wanted some basic information. How could you repay kindness with hatred? This is not what a scholar should do!"

The scholar in front was just grateful to Lin Shiheng. When he saw this scene, he immediately stepped forward indignantly and blocked the pale and coughing young man.

Hu Chuan was so angry that his brain was congested. "He, he deliberately used food to lure me and make me distracted..."

"Nonsense! Brother Lin asked you the first time! I saw it clearly. If you didn't want it, Brother Lin wouldn't have asked me if I wanted the background material!"

"You didn't do well in the exam, but you blame the innocent Brother Lin. How can this be justified in the world!"

"I, I..."

Hu Chuan was so angry that he was gasping for breath. He felt that he was going to vomit blood...

A fishy smell came out of his throat.

Hu Chuan stretched out his hand and wiped the blood.

No, he had already vomited blood.