Chapter 41 - Win (1/2)

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.