Chapter 573 - Chapter 573: Chapter 560 Mutual Compensation (1/2)

Chapter 573: Chapter 560 Mutual Compensation

“You…” Zhuang Qinglan was too choked up to speak.

Because the two of them started to argue, everyone who had been concentrating on the examination turned to look at them, and discussions burst forth.

“I remember her. She seems to have taken the exam last year too. Even then, she was very overbearing. She even bullied someone. I didn’t like the way she behaved when I saw her last year. I didn’t expect to encounter her again this year. She still behaves as if no one else matters.”

“Exactly, I clearly saw her deliberately knock that young girl’s writing to the ground earlier, then she intentionally stepped on it and tore it apart. What she’s upset about now is just an imitation of her own behavior. She doesn’t even think about how someone else might feel when their belongings are damaged.”

“I heard she is the daughter of Magistrate Zhuang? I guess she is acting so arrogant because her father holds an official position at the imperial court.”

“So what if she’s the magistrate’s daughter? In theory, a magistrate should serve the people with the salary provided by the imperial court. In reality, she uses her father’s position to cause trouble everywhere, isn’t she afraid of embarrassing her family?”

“Indeed, and not to mention that this is a women’s academy, a quiet place for studying. Her aggressive behavior is damaging the reputation of scholars. How could such a person be fit to study in an academy?”

“Exactly, exactly…”

The crowd of onlookers grew larger and the discussions louder. But everyone was unanimous in their opinion, that Zhuang Qinglan should be driven away.

Zhuang Qinglan, who was used to being domineering at home, was still young. She found it hard to save face when confronted with such talk, her face turning beet red. She glared fiercely at the onlookers, “Stop making such a fuss here, or I’ll tell my father and have you all arrested.”

Her words were like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up waves of reactions.

Scholars speak of persuading people through reason, talent, and virtue. But Zhuang Qinglan, who was already in the wrong, was now making outrageous statements, trying to suppress everyone with her authority. Naturally, this aroused discontent among those who came to take the exam.

The voices denouncing Zhuang Qinglan grew louder, and the words became increasingly harsh, with an obvious intention to drive her out.

“What are you doing…” Zhuang Qinglan, who had been acting aggressively, was now frightened by the aggressive press of the crowd. She kept retreating and in her panic, stumbled over a stone protruding from the pavement and fell on her buttocks.

This fall brought out all of Zhuang Qinglan’s fear and shock, and she burst into tears with a loud cry.

Her sobs were pitiful to hear.

But she was surrounded by women who, instead of being moved by her teardroppish appearance, found Zhuang Qinglan utterly useless. They saw her as someone who only knew how to use the power of her household to oppress others. Their disdain for her only increased.

“What happened?” A woman, around her thirties, tall and thin, looking very dignified, walked over and asked loudly with a glance at the crowd.

“Master Xue is here.”

Someone in the crowd shouted, and the noisy crowd quieted down immediately.

Even Zhuang Qinglan, who had been sobbing, tried hard to stop crying. She covered her mouth, her shoulders heaving with restrained sobs.

“Master Xue,” Mr. Feng paid his respects and began to recount what had happened.