Chapter 41: Win

While the examiners on the stage were evaluating the results, the students below the stage were also discussing.

Today, Shen Miao did not make a fool of herself. Not only did she make the test a little boring, but she also made her fellow students, who usually looked down at her, pay attention to her. People were strange. As long as someone who was usually terrible performed well, they would attract more attention than those who always performed well.

Feng Anning was a little nervous and looked at the examiners on the stage from time to time. For some reason, the examiners seemed to be arguing.

“It seems like it’s going to be very intense today.” Fu Xiuan smiled and said, “But they are just girls. Why do they have to take the test so seriously? They won’t be able to become an official anyway.” He had always been a little conceited, and he was not afraid that the officials around him would be unhappy upon hearing that. After all, some people’s daughters were the students who had just performed on stage.

“The test is a rare opportunity.” Fu Xiuyi said, “Of course they have to seize it.”

“Ninth Brother is right.” Fu Xiuyuan picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. He said, “If there are especially outstanding women, Ninth Brother can get to know them in private.” Although Fu Xiuyuan looked calm, he was not easy to deal with. He was secretly testing if Fu Xiuyi would find him a wife with a strong background.

“Fifth Brother, you must be joking.” Fu Xiuyi shook his head. “Father will make the decision for my marriage. It’s not up to me to decide.”

That was true. Fu Xiuyi usually did whatever his father told him to do. He rarely had the chance to decide for himself. In the eyes of outsiders, such a prince was simply too docile and not ambitious, just like Consort Dong. However, Prince Jing, Fu Xiuyuan, had a different opinion.

“In life, we have to take a gamble. Isn’t it the same when it comes to choosing a wife?” Prince Jing said meaningfully, “Until the end, no one will know what the end looks like.”

Prince Zhou could tell that his brother was testing Fu Xiuyi. He rolled his eyes and stopped talking.

Not long after, the examiner on the stage stood up and announced the results.

As expected, Feng Anning got the first place in the Guqin category. There was nothing particularly impressive in that group to begin with, and Feng Anning was considered very outstanding. She was naturally happy. She went up to get the certificate for the test and happily got off the stage to show it to Mrs. Feng. Mrs. Feng was happy to see this. Although such glory was not something to be proud of for a woman, it was like icing on the cake. The children of noble families naturally did not lack wealth. What separated one from another was their talent and beauty.

After the test, Feng Anning became a more desirable wife for many young men.

In chess, Bai Wei was the winner. An examiner who specialized in recording chess moves showed the chess match to everyone. Shen Miao glanced at the chess match. In the first few moves, Bai Wei did very well, but as the match proceeded to the end, she became too careful and made a lot of unnecessary moves.

In terms of literature, Shen Qing was only ranked second. The first was Yi Peilan. Her poem was written elegantly. Although it was a little too much for an unmarried girl to write such a poem, Guangwen Hall was never known for cultivating talents who followed the social norms..

Shen Qing did not look pleased, but after all, literature wasn’t her strong point. There was nothing she could do.

Finally, it was time to announce the winner in the painting category.

The examiners on the stage had different expressions on their faces. It seemed like they had argued a lot over who should win. The women all guessed that the winner should either be Shen Yue or Qin Qing. After all, the two of them were often asked to paint for prestigious officials. Qin Qing sat in her seat with an arrogant expression, as if she did not care about the outcome at all.

In comparison, Shen Yue looked much more calm. She sat beside Chen Ruoqiu obediently. Chen Ruoqiu looked at her daughter with a gentle gaze. Her daughter was smart and sensitive, and her talent was as outstanding as hers. She was proficient in the Guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Every year, she would be in the limelight during the test. Looking at her, Cehn Ruoqiu was satisfied.

Shen Yue was naturally confident. Her painting was to the point and lifelike. It was as if she had long figured out what these examiners wanted. She could always produce the best work. Although Qin Qing looked pretty, she was useless. At the thought of that, she looked at Shen Miao on the other side. She thought that Shen Miao would make a fool of herself on the test stage, but Shen Miao managed to sit through the test. However, Shen Yue was positive that when the paintings were shown, Shen Miao would instantly be the laughing stock.

She was going to make a fool of herself anyway.

The examiner in charge of reading the results said loudly on the stage, “Painting Group—Shen Miao—”

Shen Miao?

Upon hearing the name, the audience burst into an uproar.

Shen Yue’s smile froze on her face. She looked at Chen Ruoqiu in disbelief and said with a trembling voice, “Mother, who did the examiner just say? Did I hear it correctly?”

Chen Ruoqiu pinched Shen Yue’s arm. Although she was angry, she knew that under such circumstances, there would definitely be many people who wanted to see Shen Yue’s reaction. If Shen Yue reacted too strongly, she would attract unnecessary attention.

The women’s section was abuzz with discussion, and the men’s section was naturally in an uproar.

“What’s going on? Why isn’t it Shen Yue?” Cai Lin stood up and looked at his fellow students. “Did I hear it wrong or did that old man read it wrong?”

There was naturally more than one person who thought that way, especially the young men who were Shen Miao’s classmates. They were all discussing in surprise.

“Look, Brother, I knew she would win.” Su Minglang tugged Su Mingfeng. Among this group of people, he was probably the happiest, beaming with smiles.

Su Mingfeng didn’t expect the winner to be Shen Miao either. Every time before the test, people would gamble in secret. He had betted a thousand taels of silver on Shen Yue!

If his father knew about it, he would definitely tear him apart. Looking at his younger brother who was overjoyed, Su Mingfeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Pei Lang frowned, but he did not look at the examiner on the stage. Instead, he looked at the purple-clothed girl in the women’s section.

Her face was unusually calm as she gave the surprised crowd a sweeping glance.

She knew she would win.