Chapter 442: The Last Unfairness

Chapter 442: Chapter 442: The Last Unfairness

Setting aside the three extraordinary works, why look at an unremarkable piece? Normally, no one would pay attention to a piece that lacked any magical phenomena. However, Zhong Shan's behavior had been so peculiar that it intrigued everyone. His actions were almost eerie.

This was unlike Zhong Shan's usual style. Throughout the period when the four were pursuing Tian Ling'er, Zhong Shan, despite not being very conspicuous, always stood out as the most unique and exceptional. But now?

Ling'er gently picked up the thick book Zhong Shan had made.

It was a bound book with a title on the cover.

"The Adventures of Zhong Shan and Ling'er"

Seeing this title, the two women found it odd. Below the title was a small illustration—very peculiar, with two small figures that didn't look quite human, but somehow felt like they represented two people.

A man and a woman, both drawn very cutely with exaggeratedly large eyes, vaguely resembling Zhong Shan and Ling'er, but not quite. The style was unusual—clearly, these were cartoon characters!

Tian Ling'er looked at the illustrations with curiosity. They were very peculiar yet interesting. She gently opened the first page.

Inside the first page, there wasn't any elaborate prose but rather a series of simple drawings, each telling a story in sequence.

It was the same story Zhong Shan had told not long ago!

The illustrations exuded a sense of familiarity.

"Sister, look, this is Little Nanzi, haha, this is Little Nanzi when he's flustered. Look, his eyes are bulging out," Tian Ling'er exclaimed excitedly.

Tian Ling'er was utterly absorbed in the comic book. When Zhong Shan had told the story, it was just a vague mental image, but now it was a tangible comic.

As she read, Tian Ling'er felt as if she were living the story, completely forgetting about the three essays awaiting her judgment.

When she saw 'Zhong Shan' sacrificing himself to save 'Tian Ling'er,' she felt her own tension rise.

Nie Qingqing shook her head, looking through the palace door at Zhong Shan outside. She was filled with admiration. Zhong Shan's understanding of human nature was extraordinary.

Tian Ling'er, despite her exceptional talent, didn't care for the sophisticated phrases that scholars admired. She valued what resonated with her heart. So, no matter how well-written the essays were, even the Emperor's, they couldn't compare to the storybook, the comic book, in Tian Ling'er's eyes.

Thus, Zhong Shan deliberately abandoned the advantage of writing an essay, choosing instead to directly target Ling'er's soft spot, captivating her completely. Writing skillfully didn't compare to writing cleverly. Realizing this, Nie Qingqing gave Zhong Shan another deep look of admiration.

"Sister, look! This is you, Zhong Shan drew you!" Tian Ling'er pointed at a picture of a beautiful woman riding a giant blue luan.

Nie Qingqing immediately came over to look. Seeing her own likeness in the comic, she felt a sense of amusement. The little beauty in the drawing looked so endearing.

The two women spent nearly an hour reading the comic book. When they finished, Tian Ling'er let out a long sigh of satisfaction, then, still craving more, wanted to read it again.

Seeing this, Nie Qingqing knew the winner was clear. Tian Ling'er was wholly captivated by Zhong Shan's comic, more than any grand essay could achieve. This clever approach had won her heart, making the decision unmistakable.

As the session concluded, Nie Qingqing finally addressed the gathered men, "The civil test is over. Based on Princess Ling'er's judgment, the winner is Zhong Shan."

The announcement caused a stir among the participants, but looking at Tian Ling'er's joyful expression as she clutched the comic book, it was evident that Zhong Shan's unconventional strategy had triumphed.