Chapter 89: Body Search
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
After hearing the invigilator's words, the surroundings scholars' faces were filled with laughter. They waited for Fang Zhengzhi to be brought out of the examination venue, yet Fang Zhengzhi quietly sat at his spot, as if nothing had happened.
"Fang Zhengzhi, come out with me!" The invigilator saw that Fang Zhengzhi didn't move, and urged.
"Why?" Fang Zhengzhi's face was filled with innocence.
"You brought in materials into the examination, and have been counted as cheating, yet you still ask why?" The invigilator became rather impatient.
"Invigilator, as the invigilator of the theory examination, mustn't you bear responsibility for your words? I wish to ask you, have you personally seen me bring materials into the examination venue?" Fang Zhengzhi retorted.
The invigilator was taken aback. He indeed hadn't seen Fang Zhengzhi bring in any materials, but, a witness had reported him. Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi just now seemed to have already admitted…
Wait, no, it seems like he didn't admit!
"Why not you search me?" Fang Zhengzhi saw that the invigilator didn't speak, and took the initiative to suggest.
"Search?" The invigilator was somewhat hesitant. The Great Xia Dynasty respected human rights, especially those of scholars participating in the examination. If there wasn't any good evidence, searching the bodies of examinees as he pleased wasn't within his powers.
"Invigilator, I have personally witnessed him bringing in materials into the examination venue, and furthermore, in his pockets, there is a letter. Inside it, are the materials!" Li Zhuangshi affirmed by the side.
"Are you sure?" The invigilator continued to hesitate.
"Yes!" Li Zhuangshi nodded.
"Then… search!" The invigilator stared at Li Zhuangshi for a full three seconds, then finally gritted his teeth.
When the surrounding scholars heard about the search, they instantly stood up. Searching a person in the examination venue was a rare occasion, and naturally caused their interests to be perked.
But, they were rather doubtful, based on the behaviour Fang Zhengzhi had just shown, it probably wouldn't be very easy to search Fang Zhengzhi's body?
"Come! Search me!" Fang Zhengzhi's cooperativeness was completely unexpected.
As he spoke, he even took the initiative to stand up from his seat, and conscientiously flipped open all his pockets and poured out a few notes and silver pieces he had. Then, he signalled to the invigilator that he could personally begin the search.
Looking at Fang Zhengzhi's actions, the invigilator felt that something wasn't quite right. He had also heard some news about Fang Zhengzhi, especially the incident that happened at the Serene Ink Pond.
The people involved might have not been able to understanding what was happening, but how could the spectators not guess?
To be able to magically frame everything on Cai Yongfeng, what good things would come out of a person like that?
Then what was wrong?
The invigilator momentarily couldn't understand, but since Fang Zhengzhi had already signalled that he could begin the search, as the saying goes, the arrow is already on the bow, and has to be shot!
Without a choice, he couldn't only trust Li Zhuangshi once!
Instantly, the invigilator took two steps forward and began the search. Fang Zhengzhi on the other hand didn't resist at all. He opened his hands and his express was calm and magnanimous, similar to that of a lamb waiting to be butchered.
Seeing Fang Zhengzhi's manner, Li Zhuangshi similarly had a feeling that something was wrong. Fang Zhengzhi was too calm and composed, just like a third party uninvolved in the situation. This wasn't possible. If he really brought in materials, he would definitely not be able to be as composed.
But, the materials were clearly on Fang Zhengzhi's body. This point, Li Zhuangshi could almost confirm.
"Don't have?!" The invigilator searched thoroughly, and he instantly felt somewhat cold. If he really managed to find something, it was still acceptable. But now, he didn't manage to find anything, what should he do?
His gaze quickly landed on Li Zhuangshi.
"That's not possible, there clearly is. I've seen it myself, let me search!" Li Zhuangshi was also similarly in disbelief, and instantly went forward to search personally.
This was actually against the rules, but Fang Zhengzhi seemed as if he hadn't even noticed. He continued to open his hands, his expression calm, and accepted Li Zhuangshi's search…
At this moment, the surrounding scholars also stared with their eyes rounded. They searched on the table, on the chair and on the floor. They also believed that Fang Zhengzhi definitely brought materials into the examination venue.
But, why wasn't there any?
"Can I participate in the examination now?" After waiting for everybody to finish searching the areas around him, Fang Zhengzhi finally spoke.
"I'm sorry for the disturbance!" The invigilator frowned, and prepared to leave.
"Wait a moment!" At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi suddenly halted the invigilator.
"What's the matter?" The invigilator stopped in his tracks, but for some reason, his heart suddenly trembled. Because, he could clearly see the smile at the edges of Fang Zhengzhi's mouth.
It was a very harmonious smile, yet, the invigilator felt a sense of chilliness in his heart.
"My Great Xia Dynasty has always been people-oriented, and respects scholars taking part in the examination. Everything has to be fair. Previously, somebody suspected me of bringing in materials into the examination, then, I accepted the search. This is something I believe everybody had seen. Then, I wish to follow the invigilator's principles in dealing with things, as long as there is a report, he can carry out the search. Now, I also wish to make a report!" Fang Zhengzhi revealed a slight smile.
"You are also making a report?!" When the invigilator heard this, he instantly felt that an ominous feeling.
"Yes, I suspect everybody had brought in materials into the examination venue, and hope that invigilator can search everybody participating in the capital examination one by one?" Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the invigilator with a casual look.
"What?! Search one by one?"
"What logic is this!"
"Why search our bodies without any evidence?"
The surrounding scholars were instantly provoked, and began to cry out. But, after a thought, they suddenly began speechless. Because, they had also previously helped the invigilator to search Fang Zhengzhi.
"Search everybody?!" The invigilator was taken aback. He finally understood why Fang Zhengzhi was so cooperative just now. Furthermore, he even took the initiative to request for a search. This was simply digging a hole for him to jump into!
Searching everybody one by one, how long was this going to take? This time, the number of participants in the capital examination was at least five times more than the past examinations. The delay wasn't very important, but such an act is indeed too extreme!
It would definitely cause the chief examiner to notice.
If he didn't do as Fang Zhengzhi said, then it would be unfair. If Fang Zhengzhi blew up the matter, he wouldn't be able to do anything.
At this moment, he finally understood who was the true butchered lamb!
"This, without evidence…" The invigilator said these words with huge difficulty. Such words couldn't even convince himself.
Because, previously, he had very clearly searched Fang Zhengzhi without any evidence at all.
"Wasn't suspicion the same as evidence? I seem to have been searched just like that just now? I hope invigilator can believe me! Furthermore… I think I can also be like Li Zhuangshi and help invigilator to conduct the search!" Fang Zhengzhi seemed to have full confidence.