While Jingchen Hall was bustling with the grading of exams, Shuaixing Hall was unusually quiet, until some inside information from Jingchen Hall was relayed back by Xiao Hongyu, who had returned temporarily.

"Number thirteen in Ren Character Field? Is it the examinee number thirteen in Ren Character Field?"

"What, already scored full marks in Poetry and Prose Skill, Painting Skill, and Chess Skill!"

"Are you kidding? Poetry and Prose Skill is a major skill, just like Classics, and it's never easy to get full marks. We've never seen full marks in these two major skills since our intake..."

"Even Han senior brother from the next hall only managed nineteen marks with his Falling Flower Grade State of No Self despite having perfect timing and setting; can't expect a perfect twenty. Did this number thirteen from Ren Character Field manage to write an even more impressive Falling Flower Grade State of No Self?"

"But Hongyu brother just mentioned that Teacher Su couldn't stop praising the exam paper of 'number thirteen in Ren Character Field', and his reaction wasn't even that big when seeing the papers of Senior Han and Senior Yu."

"Moreover, it's said this gentleman wrote an essay beyond the syllabus."

At this time, during the break, a Calligraphy assistant stepped off the podium to get a drink of water, and the students of Shuaixing Hall gathered in groups discussing the matter animatedly. Once the news broke, the atmosphere grew quieter, even causing Yu Huaijin at the front to pause and linger on a page for a while.

"So talented, wrote an essay, directly stepping out of the framework of competing in poetry." Wu Peiliang closed his book and murmured in admiration.

Since his burst of inspiration led to a magnificent Ascending poem, he had felt somewhat over the moon with the praises from classmates and friends these past two days. However, now it felt like a splash of cold water, with the gentle scholar who had aggressively challenged Zhao Rong showing signs of feeling inferior.

"Ah, indeed there's always a stronger hand behind another."

"Peiliang brother is too modest, though. The Ascending poem already surpasses us by a significant margin. Even if it's not a perfect score, it still stands among the top in this Poetry and Prose Skill exam."

Wu Peiliang shook his head, "No need to comfort me, Lingpu brother, I am somewhat aware of the gap in this matter, and everyone can see it—a piece of writing that can amaze the well-traveled Teacher Su..."

Wu Peiliang feigned a carefree smile and waved his hand dismissively, but his dejection didn't last long before he rallied again. "It seems our Mochi Academy truly hides talented individuals. I wonder which of the other five halls this gentleman with number thirteen in Ren Character Field belongs to. Once the results are released, I must meet him, exchange insights, and learn earnestly."

A student nodded in praise: "Indeed, that's the academic spirit our Mochi Academy should have, a haven envied by Confucian scholars down the mountain, harmonious and kind among students, reducing hostility and avoiding opposition just over differences..." Another student surnamed Zhao felt subtly implicated again.

Another student chimed in: "Exactly, regardless of scores, excellent students should willingly share their experiences, while those with shortcomings humbly learn, creating a nurturing academic atmosphere. Like Peiliang brother, he's a great example."

Wu Peiliang couldn't stop grinning, waving his hand and suppressing his smile. "It's not as noble as everyone says. It's just a natural desire to humbly seek guidance from this impressive number thirteen in Ren Character Field."

All the students agreed but also praised Wu Peiliang's modesty. They continued complimenting each other, eventually returning to discussing this number thirteen who suddenly emerged.

"All the neighboring halls are talking about it. Some say number thirteen in Ren Character Field is Li brother, famous for excelling in one subject from Guangye Hall, others say it's the low-key Chen brother from Sincerity Hall..."

The discussion among everyone was lively, even though the mid-month exam results hadn't been announced yet, this dark horse with full marks in three subjects was enough to astonish the Six Halls students. The last time it was this lively was when Yu Huaijin scored full marks in three subjects during the first major exam of the school year, ranking first overall.

However, this time, it was a newcomer replacing an old one. So far, they only heard that Yu Huaijin had scored full marks in Music Art, personally recognized by Teacher Si, but knew nothing about the other subjects. Nonetheless, the spotlight had been stolen by this number thirteen in Ren Character Field, undoubtedly causing murmurs. Many Shuaixing Hall students secretly observed Yu Huaijin at the front, but only saw her calm, unperturbed jade-like face.

In the back row of the hall, after attending two consecutive Calligraphy classes, Zhao Rong returned to his seat during the break to sip some water and soothe his throat. He overheard his classmates discussing 'number thirteen in Ren Character Field' repeatedly, initially confused upon hearing this title, he turned his head to ponder for a while before realizing...

Returning to his seat, Zhao Rong thought Yushu brother might come over to chat about number thirteen in Ren Character Field. He'd even prepared to reveal his examination card to him.

However...

Ultimately, he underestimated Yushu brother's 'highbrow' demeanor. Yushu had no interest in such trivial matters, leaving them behind after the exam, not mentioning anything related to it, carefree and unconcerned. Yushu brother didn't care at all about how he fared in exams, let alone other people's scores.

This was a scholar detached from trivial interests... Zhao Rong felt somewhat embarrassed for misunderstanding Yushu brother.

Outside, the deep sound of bells resonated through the mountain forest, and Yu Huaijin rose to remind everyone about class. The hall was immediately quiet, Zhao Rong proceeded to the podium according to routine, continuing his lecture and assigning some classwork exercises.

Calligraphy requires diligent practice; your brain can understand, but if your hands don't, it's a classic case of aiming high without the skills, a viewpoint Zhao Rong held dearly, though many students in Shuaixing Hall didn't buy it.

Apart from having doubted him for a long time, today was also the first day after exams, so with all the teachers grading exams in Jingchen Hall, like Zhu Yourong who had classes in the morning, teachers often allowed students to self-study and relax.

Except for Shuaixing Hall, all other halls did the same, unfortunately, a certain busty female teacher had a very diligent assistant.

As a result, some students took relaxing during the morning after exams for granted and naturally weren't pleased with Zhao Rong continuing to lecture and assign work from the podium.

If nothing unexpected happened, Meng Xuezhen, known for high efficiency, would likely announce the exam results before the end of the morning, causing restless anticipation among the Six Hall students.

However, with Yu Huaijin overseeing, keeping control, they didn't dare overtly oppose, but subtle laziness and non-cooperation were inevitable.

Zhao Rong saw through it clearly, thus he didn't ask much—those who didn't want to listen or were distracted could be, just not interrupt Teng Ying and those few genuinely focused students.

...

"Why not?" Teacher Chen insisted on asking.

"It's against the rules."

"What exactly are the rules?" Teacher Chen pressed further.

Old Teacher Zeng took a slow sip from his cup of tea before speaking:

"There's no absolute winner in literature, even with student writings; can they really be flawless? We may like them, and they might be to our taste, but we can't just give full marks easily. In my view, nineteen is sufficient, missing out on one or two points doesn't matter. It's a tradition in this academy since its establishment passed down by previous teachers in Classics, with its reason and rationale."

Teacher Chen shook his head, "Rules are dead, and people are alive. Besides, why can teachers give full marks in other subjects, yet not in our Classics?"

Old Teacher Zeng wasn't annoyed and shook his head gently, "Classics is a major subject, much more rigorous than Poetry and Prose Skill. Scholars studying Classics demand an attitude of humility and eagerness to learn. Giving full marks can easily result in pride—is not acceptable, is not acceptable..."

The elderly teacher, having seen many talented young minds, smiled slightly: "Traditions that remain must have their reasons. Young Chen, don't act impulsively, remember that excess rigidity can lead to breakage, and pride comes before a fall. You must keep these young ones in check, don't let them become arrogant."

Teacher Chen was momentarily speechless, unable to voice his thoughts. Surrounding teachers shook their heads, but at that moment, a female teacher who had been listening for a while chimed in:

"So Old Teacher Zeng also pressed down on us juniors to prevent us from becoming arrogant?"

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