Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

With a clear path to redress, the grandfather and grandson bid a deep farewell to the students at the tea stall.

Gu Zhen and Qin Ji walked to Mangshan without any servants.

Fortunately, Fu Xingjian had come by carriage, and he arranged for servants to escort the grandfather and grandson into the city in the carriage.

Qin Ji gestured for Bian Dou to send an ingredient along.

After finishing their tea, the group left the tea stall and prepared to climb the mountain.

Fang Yanqing, carrying his book bag, followed them confidently, ready to climb the mountain together.

The group soon arrived at the entrance to the mountain.

There are many stalls on both sides of the entrance to the mountain, and you can hear the vendors' shouts from time to time.

"Fruit, fresh fruit, essential for replenishing energy and hydration while hiking. Selling the last ten pounds cheap."

"Jiang Jibai, the great scholar Jiang, has published a copy of his newly published manuscript. This is the only copy available here, so don't miss it! Only 3 taels of silver—a steal! An essential book for passing the imperial examinations! Everyone come and take a look!"

"Wear the same veiled hat and outer robe as Jiang Daru during his discourse at Mangshan. For only 300 coins, you can own the same style as the great scholar, enjoy his demeanor, and become the most dazzling literary figure at the poetry gathering!"

Qin Ji listened to Jiang Jibai on the left and Jiang Daru on the right, his mind filled with good fortune.

He casually picked up a copy of "A New Collection of Jiang Daru's Writings" from the stall, flipped through it, and after reading a few lines quickly, he slammed the book down in his hand with a livid face.

My already bad mood got even worse.

The vendor retorted angrily, "Fine, I won't buy it then! What do you mean by smashing my book? You've broken the pages! Pay up!"

Fang Yanqing picked it up with great interest and flipped through it. "Tsk tsk tsk, tsk tsk tsk, well, boss, you're selling fake books!"

The vendor hesitated for a moment, then, noticing several other customers glancing over, he forced a brave but ultimately weak response: "What do you mean? You have to take responsibility for what you say. Why are you saying I'm selling fake books?"

"Your content might fool students of average ability, but it won't fool those with good eyesight."

The first part is indeed Jiang Daru's article, but it's an old piece that's been published for who knows how many years; the second half is full of hype, claiming to be Jiang Daru's latest manuscript, but it's not written by him at all, and its quality is worlds apart.

"Selling for three taels of silver? Tsk." Fang Yanqing shook his head. "Is this robbery?"

He held up three fingers, "Three coins, I'll just buy one."

Three coins?

We can't even afford to buy enough paper!

The vendor was so angry his face contorted. "Turns out he's just a penniless wretch who deliberately vandalized my stall. Three coins? You think three coins is worthless?"

Fang Yanqing: "Can I just buy the second half?"

The vendor, as if finding evidence, said, "Since you say my book is fake and the second half is terrible, why did you still buy the second half?"

He quickly said to the other customers at the bookstall, "Look, look, he let it slip! He clearly wanted to take advantage of me, that's why he deliberately belittled my books!"

Fang Yanqing: "Can't I buy it to use as toilet paper? After all, the first half is Jiang Daru's genuine work. Using it as toilet paper would be an insult to literature."

Vendor: "...Get out if you're not buying!"

Fang Yanqing looked away with slight regret.

If he could buy it for three coins, he really wanted to buy a copy to play a joke on his teacher.

Unfortunately, anything over three coins is too expensive.

I can't afford to take a joke that's so expensive.

His outburst opened up a new way of thinking for Qin Ji.

If I use this book to annoy the Poison Master, I wonder if I'll get some good fortune in return...

Qin Ji casually tossed down three taels of silver, picked up the book, and went to the next stall.

Fang Yanqing stared at the three taels of silver that Qin Ji had tossed down as if it were trash.

If you have money to burn, spend it on me!

They're wasting their money in the wrong places!

Fang Yanqing's eyes flashed.

In that case, it shouldn't be too difficult to get the twenty coins back for the osmanthus cake, right?

The next stall sold the same straw hats and clothing worn by Jiang Jibai, which were very eye-catching.

Every student who passed by this stall couldn't help but take a second look.

But I don't know if most scholars are just reserved or what. They've certainly gained enough attention, but very few are actually willing to spend money to buy it.

The level of shame in having Jiang Daru, a famous scholar, attend a poetry gathering while cosplaying in Mangshan is still too high.

You can't do this unless you have social skills disorder.

This is perfect for Qin Ji.

Anyway, not many people know him, so wearing a veil to cover his face while attending the poetry gathering can avoid the trouble of too many people seeing him at the poetry gathering during the imperial examination.

Given his tendency to cause trouble whenever he shows his face recently, he might actually be able to protect the national image to some extent.

Qin Ji paid for the outfit without hesitation and changed into it behind the mat the vendor had set up.

After the change was completed, the national tactical equipment was hidden away, and all eyes, like bees attracted to flowers, swarmed around it.

"Brother Jiang..." Gu Zhenhe hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

He really wanted to ask, "Aren't you afraid Mr. Gu will find out? What if Mr. Gu also comes to the poetry gathering?"

Mr. Gu's hands were so brutal...

Or is his guess wrong?

Is Mr. Gu not Jiang Daru?

Jiang San is neither Jiang Daru's younger brother nor nephew.

Amidst a multitude of emotions, Gu Zhenhe's face was filled with unspeakable sorrow, as if he were suffering unspeakable pain.

Seeing that Jiang San had already climbed the stone steps, they followed.

...

Goal achieved! Double update tomorrow!