Chapter 37: The Eyes of Age Grow Dim

"Cough, cough. Zijun, do not misunderstand."

Shangguan Zhao hurried forward to explain. "It is not that we wish to go back on our word; we merely wanted to see your true capability. As long as you pass the assessment, we will seal your enrollment immediately. We will never go back on our promise."

"And if I do not pass?" Luo Zijun raised the admission letter in his hand. "Is this thing to be taken back?"

The room fell silent.

Han Sanzhi spoke in a deep voice, "If you do not pass the assessment, the admission letter must indeed be returned. However, I can compensate you. I can introduce you to other academies. You may return to take the exam next year, or the year after, and at that time, I can grant you additional marks."

Luo Zijun glanced at him without a word. After a pause, he walked over and placed the admission letter on the table.

Then, with an expression of indifference, he said, "Actually, it makes no difference to me which academy I attend. It does not have to be this West Lake Academy."

With that, he prepared to leave.

Was this not just playing with him? An assessment? To be admitted and then assessed? To have something given, only for it to be reclaimed? Where was their integrity?

Never mind. There was still the academy examination next month. He would simply pass that one fair and square. Besides, he had already met Xu Xian and knew where he lived. There was no rush.

Yuan Mang hurriedly blocked his path, urging, "Zijun, just try taking the exam. Perhaps you will pass?"

The others joined in the persuasion. Han Sanzhi frowned, remaining silent.

Luo Zijun said, "Teacher Yuan, there are only two spots for exceptional admission each year. It is quite obvious that this Elder Han already has other candidates in mind. Even if I perform well, it will be of no use."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Han Sanzhi’s face flushed red immediately. "You boy, spouting slander! I... I..." He paused, then roared in anger, "I did have other candidates in mind, but I would never deliberately deprive you of your qualifications for that reason! As long as you pass the assessment, I will naturally let you enroll! Furthermore, you are taking the exam on the spot, and these teachers will grade it together. Even if I wanted to target you, it would be impossible!"

With that, the old gentleman clutched his chest in anger, breathing heavily. "You boy actually suspect me of corruption and favoritism, of intentionally bullying you! You... you have angered me to the core!"

Yuan Mang hurriedly said, "Elder Han, please calm down. That is not what Zijun meant."

Shangguan Zhao added quickly, "Zijun, Elder Han is not the type of person you describe. We can all vouch for him."

Han Sanzhi trembled with rage, his eyelids twitching. Several people rushed to calm him down.

Shangguan Zhao went to retrieve the test paper and handed it to Luo Zijun. "Zijun, give it a try. Elder Han is selfless and highly respected in our academy. He is not targeting you; we can all guarantee that."

Yuan Mang also urged, "Zijun, write it. I believe you can pass the assessment. Su Bie asked about you this morning. You are friends; would it not be better if you both studied at the same academy?"

Han Sanzhi suddenly gasped for air, slammed the table, and roared, "If you pass, I... I will kneel and apologize to you! Even if you do not pass, I will still apologize to you! Write! If you do not write today, I will not let this rest!"

"Elder Han, do not be angry. Do not let it ruin your health."

"Zijun has just arrived and does not understand your character. Do not hold it against him."

"Zijun, write quickly. We can give you an extra hour."

The others chimed in with advice.

Han Sanzhi suddenly said with red eyes, "I have lived for the better part of a lifetime, and this is the first time I have been accused of partiality and bullying a student! I... I..." The old man’s voice choked with emotion; he was on the verge of tears.

Everyone was startled and rushed to comfort him. Luo Zijun was speechless.

Is he that fragile? Just one sentence, and he is moved to tears?

"This junior will write, then."

Fearing the old man might drop dead from anger—which would be a grave matter—Luo Zijun took the test paper, walked to the table, and sat down. If he had to take it, he would; it would not take much time anyway.

"Grind the ink for him!" Han Sanzhi said, his beard trembling.

Yuan Mang personally stepped forward, picked up the ink stick, and began to grind.

Luo Zijun lowered his head to read the test. The first question was an analysis of a text. The second required continuing a passage. The third was multiple choice. The fourth asked for a poem about "Spring." The final question was an essay using an object to express one's aspirations—a free-form task without a set title.

"The test was created by myself and the other teachers. For the fourth and final questions, you may choose to do only one. You have two hours. A passing grade is sufficient." Han Sanzhi’s eyes were still red, his chest heaving violently.

Luo Zijun read the questions again. After a moment of thought, he dipped his brush in ink and began to write.

The room fell silent. Everyone held their breath, fearing to disturb him.

"Let us go out first. Teacher Yuan, you stay to supervise," Han Sanzhi said in a low voice and led the way out. The others followed in silence.

Yuan Mang remained, standing by the window, feeling anxious. If this young man failed, it would be troublesome. It was he who had first recommended the boy, leading to the admission letter. If he failed and the letter was reclaimed, he would have no face left to remain in the academy.

Sighing, he lost himself in thought. About a quarter of an hour passed. He looked up at the inkstone, intending to grind more, when the boy suddenly set down his brush and stood up. "Teacher Yuan, this junior is finished."

"Eh? Finished?" Yuan Mang was startled and walked over. "So fast? Was it too difficult? Did you skip some questions?"

Outside the door, Han Sanzhi heard this and shouted, "Young man, do not be temperamental! Complete the task properly!"

Yuan Mang picked up the paper and glanced at it quickly, saying in surprise, "He really did finish..."

"Creak..." The door opened.

Han Sanzhi walked in immediately, his face dark. "How could it be so fast? Did you have a grudge and just scribble nonsense?"

Shangguan Zhao and the others followed behind. Yuan Mang looked down at the paper in his hands without answering.

Han Sanzhi strode over, snatched it away, and said indignantly, "Let me see what you have written! If you dared to scribble nonsense, I will... Hmm?"

The first question: all correct!

The second question... all correct!

The third question... also all correct!

Han Sanzhi’s expression shifted, and he quickly looked at the fourth question. The prompt was to write a poem about "Spring" in any style.

He read:

"Dressed in emerald, a tree stands tall,
Ten thousand willow branches hang like green silk ribbons.
Who knows who cut these slender leaves?
The spring breeze of February is like a pair of scissors."

Han Sanzhi’s heart skipped a beat. He stood stunned for a moment before reading on.

The fifth question: an essay using an object to express one's aspirations.

He read:

"On the Love of the Lotus..."

When he finished the last word, Han Sanzhi’s face was filled with excitement, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

"Elder Han, do not be angry! Do not be angry!"

"Perhaps Zijun was too nervous and did not know how to answer..."

Seeing this, the others assumed the boy had written nonsense and angered the old man, so they tried to calm him.

"No... you all look..." Yuan Mang, having read the first question earlier, spoke up. He seemed to have guessed something. Perhaps Elder Han was not angry, but... moved.

"What is it?" Shangguan Zhao asked, puzzled. He took the paper and began to read. The others crowded around.

A moment later...

"This..."

"'Dressed in emerald, a tree stands tall, ten thousand willow branches hang like green silk ribbons...'"

"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!"

"This poem is simple and plain, devoid of flowery language, yet one read immediately brings the essence of spring to the face. It is marvelous!"

"'The spring breeze of February is like a pair of scissors'... what a metaphor! Truly a great metaphor!"

"Novel and apt, it feels entirely fresh! Just reading these lines makes one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. What a poem! What a poem indeed!"

Everyone was stirred with excitement, clicking their tongues in amazement and showering the work with praise.

When they reached the final question, they suddenly fell silent.

"This... this essay..."

After a long pause, someone spoke in a trembling voice.

"I alone love the lotus, for it emerges from the mud yet remains unstained; it is washed by clear ripples yet does not appear coquettish... It is hollow inside and straight outside, neither spreading nor branching, its fragrance carrying far and clear, standing tall and pure..."

Shangguan Zhao recited it in a murmur. The others held their breath, reading and rereading it word for word, savoring the meaning as if they had lost their souls.

"Sigh..."

At this moment, Han Sanzhi let out a long sigh, his face filled with self-mockery.

"I am truly old after all... My eyes have grown dim... My eyes have grown dim indeed..."