The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 136: A Cheater?

Chapter 136: A Cheater?

The examination had ground to a complete standstill in the middle the rising commotion. The brown haired ger, appearing utterly baffled, surveyed the group of fellow test takers with a furrowed brow.

He wasn’t the only test taker surveying the group as the snitch continued.

"He cheated! He cheated!" echoed in the once quiet examination area, transforming it into a center of confusion.

A cute ger, now identified as the whistle blower, remained unapologetically verbal as he called out the alleged cheater. Even in the strict atmosphere of the exam hall, he didn’t shrink back in the slightest. His attire was lavish and luxurious, completely different from the serious atmosphere of the exam setting.

Ming Hua had captured the attention of all since his entrance on the first day of the local scholar’s exam. On both days he was flaunting a fur coat of a striking deep orange-red hue and an elaborate headpiece.

Even during the initial strip search that was mandatory for all gers, he insisted on maintaining his appearance and keeping his outfit intact before sitting for the exam.

Most other gers had opted for simpler outfits that were functional and comfortable so they could focus on the near full day exam periods, and make the strip search process move quicker.

The brown haired ger who was more practically dressed, could only commend Ming Hua’s commitment to aesthetics.

Though comfort was his primary concern, the brown haired ger couldn’t help but acknowledge the undeniable influence of beauty in Yilin town.

As spring officially began, he still sported a thicker navy cloak adorned with intricate silver detailing. Ordinarily, the silver accents would complement his silver hair and draw attention to the bright and conspicuous mole on his face.

Xu Feng, having meticulously prepared for the exam over the last few months, was dedicated to making sure Xuan Yang’s efforts to secure his last minute qualification wasn’t in vain.

He aimed to keep a low profile and try his best during his first scholar’s exam.

With newly dyed brown hair and makeup applied (by Si) to slightly dull the deep red of his mole, he intended to approach the exam earnestly.

Xu Feng felt a bit like a Rebel ™ in Donghua. Instead of highlighting his mole, he was downplaying its vibrance in public. The entire situation felt a bit comical, with only his hair color and mole color altered, he’d been treated less like a spectacle.

If he could completely remove his mole, life would become even easier.

He was successfully-ish keeping a low profile and taking the exam seriously. Until, he was caught cheating?

The unexpected cheating allegation caught him completely off guard. Just a moment ago, he was looking around the crowd, wondering who was stupid enough to get caught cheating...apparently, he was the idiot?

Ming Hua, the cute ger he met once during winter, was pointing directly at him, tears streaming down his face as he cried wolf. The surprise on Xu Feng’s face was unmistakable.

Where had he cheated? If there was a method, he wished someone would share it with him.

While Xu Feng considered the exam neither too difficult nor too easy, he was opposed to getting through it by cheating. He was lazy at times, Xu Feng could admit that, and he might even wish he had ready made answers, but doesn’t everyone secretly wish they had all the answers during an exam?

The fact was, he didn’t cheat, and given the chance, he wouldn’t cheat. It would put not only his reputation on the line, it would also put the reputations of those who vouched for him in a bad place. To be able to take the exams, scholars need to give recommendations to students. Xuan Yang had called in a few favors to get Xu Feng recommendations outside of the family, cheating would be a big slap to his face.

The lead proctor, positioned at the front of the exam courtyard, called out, "Who?" His piercing gaze landed directly on Xu Feng "incógnito version", who sat a few rows behind and diagonally behind Ming Hua.

Ming Hua, still teary eyed, pointed insistently at Xu Feng. "Him! The ugly one!" he declared, adding a dramatic pause as if the insult had slipped out unintentionally. Despite the act, Xu Feng saw the mischievous glint in Ming Hua’s eyes, sensing the teasing beneath the pretense.

Remaining outwardly composed, Xu Feng responded calmly, "He should be talking about this ugly one." While he offered an unruffled exterior, underneath, he seethed with a mixture of anger and nervousness.

The desire to crush something simmered within him. In addition to his carefully crafted disguise, the heavy bags under his eyes revealed a sleepless night.

The lack of sleep wasn’t unique to him; many gers in the exam room likely endured nights of little to no rest due to the impending Xuicai exams administered throughout Donghua. The fellow panda looking Gers in the exam room proved this.

However, Xu Feng’s panda like appearance was not a result of study related anxiety. The cause of his "panda puffs" was an entirely different story.

"You admit to cheating?" questioned one of the junior proctors, his disbelief evident as he stared at Xu Feng with an open mouth, as if encountering such audacity for the first time.

The junior proctor seemed dumbfounded, unable to comprehend why someone would openly confess to cheating, especially publicly during the crucial Xuicai exams with their peers watching the farce. Didn’t Xu Feng care about his reputation?

Word would undoubtedly spread like wildfire after such a public admission. The other proctors maintained their positions, glancing toward the commotion but refraining from intervening immediately. Despite the discovery of a potential cheater, they recognized the importance of upholding the integrity of the exam.

The debates in the court regarding the eligibility of gers to become scholars and hold government positions added to the pressure. All the proctors in the room were gers who had successfully taken and passed the preliminary scholar exams and gained the Xuicai title at the very least.

Preserving the integrity of the ger scholar was top priority for most, and any cheating needed swift resolution, preferably internally, without involving the male proctors and yamen from the other group of testers only a wall and building away from them.

A hushed silence descended over the room as Xu Feng resolutely maintained eye contact with the lead proctor, refusing to back down. The tension held until a familiar voice broke the stillness.

"I can vouch for Xu Feng; he is not a cheater!"

The speaker, dressed in casual yet elegantly comfortable clothing that struck a balance between minimalism and sophistication, was none other than Bai Mo, Xu Feng’s sole friend in Yilin town.

After the first month of Xu Feng’s marriage, he and Bai Mo had become nearly inseparable, taking turns visiting each other. What started as study sessions gradually transformed into shared meals and recurring companionship.

Over three months, Bai Mo’s once slightly lonely appearance seemed to change. He was just as confident, but he had gained something more. Even Bai Mo’s light brown hair and eyes seemed to have brightened, reflecting his upright and positive aura for the world to see.

Once he spoke up, Bai Mo’s aura seemed to take center stage, causing Ming Hua to frown and show visible distaste for the older ger.

If anyone had an understanding of Xu Feng’s capabilities in the room, it was Bai Mo. The head proctor, initially ready to come down hard on Xu Feng furrowed his brows.

With Xu Feng wearing his more casual cloak and humble dress in contrast to Ming Hua’s lavish fur coat, it was a no brainer whose side the proctor should be on, but with Bai Mo’s declaration, things became more hazy.

Although the Bai family of Yilin might be nearing its end, a lean camel was still larger than a horse.

The head proctor, while holding the highest rank in the room, lacked the backing of a major family. He would undoubtedly think twice before blatantly offending the Bai family.

Not even the Sun (Sun Ming Hua) family could walk sideways in front of the Bai family.