Chapter 299: End of the Examination

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Su Xiaolu nodded. “Okay.”

Su Xiaolu was not so worried anymore. She even ate an extra bowl.

After dinner, Wang Huilan asked Su Xiaolu to rest.

After Su Xiaolu fell asleep, her heart ached for no reason. She felt very uneasy, as if something was going to happen.

Thinking of Su Chong and Su Hua, Su Xiaolu was no longer sleepy. There was a plague in the city. How was the exam hall?

The more Su Xiaolu thought about it, the harder it was for her to fall asleep. Without hesitation, she got up and quietly left.

Perhaps it was because of the uneasiness just now, Su Xiaolu could not wait any longer. She jumped onto the roof and flew in a direction.

At this moment, the exam hall was in an abyss of suffering.

Many Elementary Scholars had fevers, coughs and other symptoms.

However, no matter what the doctor said, they were unwilling to quit the exam now. Tomorrow morning was the last round. They could only leave after the exam was over.

Even those with fevers gritted their teeth and said that they could still persevere.

Qi Ming, the invigilator, said to Hong Zheng helplessly, “Dr. Hong, as you can see, no one is willing to give up on this exam. Every student present has experienced danger to sit in this position. Now, let alone a plague, they probably won’t leave even if the world collapses.”

The most important thing for scholars was the imperial examination. The imperial examination was not just a little difficult. Many Elementary Scholars were poor Elementary Scholars. The money they paid to take the examination was borrowed. If they missed this opportunity, they did not know if they would have another chance next time, so it was impossible for them to leave.

Hong Zheng frowned. “Lord Qi, this is no joke. This plague is no small matter.”

Qi Ming frowned and said, “Dr. Hong, the plague only appeared in the past few days. The examinees have already entered the venue. They didn’t have the chance to interact with the outside world these few days, so it’s impossible for them to be infected. They just caught a cold because of their weak bodies. Every time after the Fall Quarter Examinations, a large number of them would fall sick. It’s the same this time.”

An examinee chimed in, “Lord Qi is right. We’re just too busy studying and our bodies are weak. We’ve been taking exams for many days in a row and our bodies have caught a cold.”

“That’s right, that’s right. A little cold is nothing. We’ll be fine after taking medicine. There’s nothing to make a fuss about.”

“Furthermore, we’ve already listened to the arrangements and put on masks. One night won’t make a difference if there’s really a plague. Life and death are predestined by the heavens. Everything is predestined! Anyway, I’m only infected with a cold. Unless you beat me to death now, I can’t leave the exam hall to treat my illness.”

The group of examinees spoke one after another, and more and more people agreed.

Qi Ming looked at Hong Zheng and said calmly, “Dr. Hong, as you can see, it’s impossible for them to end the exam now.”

Hong Zheng sighed. “Since you’re so insistent, there’s nothing I can do. I’ve only said what I needed to say. You’re the ones who made the choice. Since that’s the case, you’d better wear your masks. After tomorrow’s exam, if there are any signs, you’ll immediately be quarantined and treated.”

These examinees insisted on their own opinions. He had said everything he needed to say. Since this was their choice, there was nothing he could do.

Hong Zheng carried the first aid kit and left with a few medicine boys.

After he left, Qi Ming also said, “Alright, it’s getting late. All of you should rest early. Try to recuperate and deal with the last exam tomorrow morning.”

The examinees all agreed.

Everyone returned to their resting areas to rest.

Su Chong asked with concern, “Are you guys alright? Can you hold on?”

Su Hua, Zhou Heng, and Liu Zijin nodded. They were indeed very tired from this exam, but their bodies were still good and they could endure it.

Moreover, they had the medicinal cuisine pancakes that Su Xiaolu had prepared for them.

“Let’s be careful too. Even the authorities take the plague so seriously. We can’t underestimate it. Let’s try our best not to interact with others. Just take care of ourselves.”

Liu Zijin said. He was very worried about the outside world. They had such a commotion in the exam hall. He did not know what was going on outside.

Su Chong nodded. “Zijin is right. Let’s not interact with others and just take care of ourselves.”

Their expressions were solemn.

Su Hua secretly retreated a little. His throat was a little itchy, making him want to cough. He said in a hoarse voice, “My body isn’t right. Stay away from me.”

“What’s wrong, Hua?”

Zhou Heng hurriedly asked with concern.

Su Chong and Liu Zijin also looked at Su Hua worriedly.

Su Hua smiled and said, “It’s nothing. I might have caught a cold. Don’t get too close to me to avoid catching a cold.”

Su Hua did not know if it was a cold or a plague, but he had to be careful. He should not get too close to them.

Su Chong looked worried. He said, “Hua, come here. I’ll pass you some internal force.”

“I’m a martial arts practitioner and we are all wearing masks. Besides, that’s just your guess.”

Su Chong looked at Su Hua’s melancholic eyes and wanted to refuse. He hurriedly said, interrupting Su Hua’s guess of letting one’s imagination run wild.

Su Chong took a step towards Su Hua, who hurriedly dodged. He said firmly, “Brother, there’s no need. I haven’t finished my Medicinal cuisine pancakes. I can withstand this cold, but it would be dangerous for you to come into contact with me. No matter what, don’t come near me now.”

“Brother…”

Su Chong was about to say something when Su Hua interrupted him with a smile and said, “Brother, it’s precisely because our bloodlines are connected that I won’t let you do this. We’re not children. Since I said I don’t want it, I hope you will respect me.”

Su Hua did not think that a plague that the government valued was a small one.

He would not let Su Chong take the risk. The two brothers were the hope of the family, so they should be extremely vigilant.

Zhou Heng looked at Su Hua and Su Chong and felt suffocated and uncomfortable.

Liu Zijin took out a medicine bottle from her book bag and said, “Hua, I still have the anti-cold medicine that Xiaolu prepared. There’s one more pill. Eat it first.”

Su Hua took it. “Thank you.”

Su Chong gritted his teeth and did not speak in the end.

Zhou Heng also took out his medicine and gave it to Su Hua. “Hua, I still have one more. Eat it together.”

Su Hua nodded and swallowed the pills to prevent colds.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s rest first and recuperate. It’ll end tomorrow.”

Su Hua said that after taking the medicine, his condition was actually much better than many candidates, and there was only one night left until the end of the exam. No matter what, he had to wait until after the exam.

Su Chong felt a little uneasy. He returned to his resting area and curled up in the small place. Su Chong could not fall asleep for a long time.

What they did not know was that Su Xiaolu had been here. Because there were too many people and it was dark, she did not find Su Chong and the others.