Zhao Jing, scribbling furiously in the examination hall, had no idea that the dear sister he was constantly thinking about was about to arrive in the Prefecture.
At that moment, he sat in the examination hall, carefully choosing his words as he worked on his draft, while trying his best to ignore the commotion coming from the person beside him.
The top candidate from Guyuan County had caught a chill the night before and, just as expected, had been coughing ceaselessly since morning.
He had a large, purple bruise on his forehead and dark circles under his eyes. A clear, runny nose dripped down his face. Combined with his messy hair and thunderous coughs, he was a painful sight to behold.
So much so that even the Magistrate and the other examiners—the professors and instructors from the prefectural school—couldn't be bothered to give him a second glance.
The group made their routine pass by his seat and continued toward the back of the hall.
