Chapter 39

The examiner in charge of the examination was already standing on the stage. The female teachers were recording the participants’ names and dividing groups.

The women group would be tested first on the four arms, Guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

There were 22 people in total, divided into four groups. There were seven people who were tested on the Guqin and the other three groups of five would be tested on the other three arts.

In Shen Miao’s group, there was Shen Yue, Qin Qing, Fan Liu’er, and Zhao Yan.

Fan Liu’er and Zhao Yan were both a little disappointed. Fan Liu’er was good at the Guqin, and Zhao Yan was good at chess. Not everyone was as good at everything as Shen Yue. Fan Liu’er and Zhao Yan were not very happy that they did not get what they were good at. On the other hand, Qin Qing was as arrogant as usual. She was the only person in Guangwen Hall who was as beautiful as Shen Yue.

Shen Miao’s gaze landed on Qin Qing. Today, she was wearing a green embroidered robe with wide sleeves. There was a yellow belt at her waist, making her slender waist look even more slender. The fluttering of her clothes made her look like a fairy. Compared to the weak Shen Yue, she looked more like a lotus.

However, after the late emperor started to clean up the big families, her family declined drastically. Eventually, she became a military prostitute. Later, it was said that she took a knife and died with a young general in the military camp.

As if sensing Shen Miao’s gaze, Qin Qing looked over in surprise. Then, she turned her head away in disgust, as if she was unwilling to look at Shen Miao.

Shen Miao did not mind. Instead, Feng Anning, who was standing beside her, tugged at the corner of her shirt. “Try your best to paint whatever you can.”

Feng Anning thought it was better if Shen Miao could paint at least something instead of doing something stupid on the stage to make a fool of herself.

Shen Miao nodded. Then, she heard a soldier on the stage bang the drum heavily to indicate the beginning of the test.

The Guzhen group was the first to be tested.

......

Feng Anning was lucky. The female students who drew the Guzhen today were all mediocre.

At this moment, Feng Anning sat upright on the stage, looking like a lady. The song she played was refreshing like a breeze blowing at people gently.

A young man in a blue shirt said, “Terrific.”

Hearing that, Cai Lin kicked the young man unhappily and said, “You call that terrific? That’s because you didn’t see Shen Yue playing the Guqin. If she played a song, everyone here would be mesmerized.”

Su Minglang pouted in disdain when he heard that. He seemed to want to say something, but when he saw his brother’s warning gaze, he held back.

The Guqin competition was over very quickly. The few examiners on the field began to discuss and judge among themselves. After the Guqin competition was over, it was time for the chess competition. The process of chess was much simpler. Five people played in pairs, and eventually Yi Peilan came out first.

Shen Qing, Bai Wei, and Jiang Xiaoxuan happened to be in the same group. The three of them were usually good friends, but the atmosphere was quite tense at the test. The literature this time was themed chrysanthemum.

However, until the final result was out, no one knew who would be the winner.

In the end, it was Shen Miao’s turn.

Shen Yue glanced at Shen Miao. She probably hated Shen Miao for embarrassing her just now, so she stopped acting like a kind sister. She smiled at Shen Miao and said, “When we’re on stage later, Fifth Sister, take it easy on me. I’m a little afraid of you.”

When Fan Liu’er, who was standing beside her, heard this, she couldn’t help but sneer. “Shen Yue, if you didn’t bring her name up, I didn’t even remember Shen Miao is in our group.”

“Now that you mention it, I can’t wait to see her painting.” Zhao Yan said gloatingly, “I remember that when Shen Miao drew the Guqin last year, she broke the strings. She probably inherited General Shen’s strength. Don’t break the brush when you paint this year.” As she spoke, she touched Shen Miao’s face. “Such a fair and tender face. Don’t tell me you’re gonna paint a flower on your face later.”

Shen Miao did not move and looked at her coldly. Under that extremely cold gaze, Zhao Yan’s smile gradually froze. Fan Liu’er also felt that Shen Miao’s expression was scary. She suddenly felt a chill running down her spin.

Qin Qing seemed to be a little impatient. She glanced at Shen Miao and said, “What are you arguing about? If you want to argue, go on stage and argue. Let everyone see your ugly faces.”

Hearing that, although Zhao Yan and the others were unhappy, they did not say anything else.

At the men’s section, Cai Lin looked at Shen Yue excitedly. Su Minglang tugged at Su Mingfeng. “That pretty sister is here too. Look, Big Brother.”

Su Mingfeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He didn’t know why his brother was so obsessed with Shen Miao. He was in the third grade. This was the first time he went out after claiming that he was seriously ill, and he still looked very weak, so he couldn’t attend the test. He also knew Shen Miao’s name. After all, the entire capital knew that the mighty general had a useless daughter.

“She will definitely win.” Su Minglang clenched his fists.

Su Mingfeng didn’t know what to say but he knew that today, Shen Yue would definitely win again.

Before going on stage, Shen Yue couldn’t help but tease Shen Miao, “Fifth Sister, don’t be merciful. Show me what you got.”

“Of course,” Shen Miao replied.

She would definitely not show mercy.