The Double-Chapter 63 - 61 School Examination

63: Chapter 61 School Examination

63 -61 School Examination

Ten days is neither too long nor too short, but for the people of Yanjing City, it was a significant period.

First, it was the day of the Imperial College’s school examination, where young talents would show off their brilliance, and second, it was also the school examination at Mingyi Hall, where the daughters of official families would display their exceptional skills.

Such events occurred annually, but this year, there was an even bigger attraction—the bet between Miss Jiang the Second, the Chief Minister’s Daughter, and Miss Meng, the legitimate daughter of the Gentleman Chenxuan family.

Whoever lost would have to kneel and publicly apologize.

Yanjing City had not witnessed such an incident for many years, and the crowds, relishing in the excitement, ranged from high-ranking officials to ordinary citizens, all eager for the spectacle.

Among the eager onlookers, most were biased towards Meng Hongjin.

The reason was simple: anyone with brains and eyesight would not choose Jiang Li.

Miss Meng’s past achievements at Mingyi Hall were outstanding, whereas Miss Jiang the Second, to put it bluntly, was barely above a child just starting to learn.

What did she have to compete with?

There were some contrarians, however, who insisted on supporting Miss Jiang the Second.

When asked why, one of them stroked his chin and revealed a lewd smile, “If Miss Jiang the Second comes out on top, Miss Meng will have to strip off her outer garment and kneel at the entrance of the Imperial College to apologize.

Miss Meng, being a noble’s daughter, would grant us a gracious view if she removed her outer garment. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Compared to that, of course, it would be much more advantageous for Miss Jiang the Second to win, so I’m choosing her!”

This rationale was utterly vulgar, and the crowd spat at him in disdain, choosing to ignore him thereafter.

As Meng Hongjin’s carriage passed by the street, she could still hear the people’s discussions about her.

She felt extremely angered and harbored even deeper resentment towards Jiang Li.

Jiang Li’s three bets, especially the last one, were a hot topic among the people, yet they failed to realize that even discussing whether an unwed daughter of an official family could undress in public was already damaging to her reputation.

The Elder Master of the Meng Family was furious about this and scolded her.

Meng Hongjin had never suffered such a blow.

The school exam had not even started, and she already felt at a disadvantage.

“This time, I must make sure her reputation is completely destroyed!” she vowed.

Meanwhile, the Jiang Family’s carriage was also en route to Mingyi Hall.

This time, Jiang Youyao had exceptionally waited for Jiang Li, though she still did not share a carriage with her.

The two carriages followed one another, ultimately leaving the household together.

Jiang Yuanbai seemed to adhere to the principle ‘out of sight, out of mind’ and did not see them off, but Madam Jiang the Elder sent a maid to convey a few words to Jiang Li, telling her to do her best, not to take it too seriously, which left Jiang Li rather surprised.

Jiang Jingyou and Jiang Jingrui were also participating in the Imperial College’s school exam and had left the house early.

Jiang Jingyou was not especially close to Jiang Li, and as for Jiang Jingrui, Jiang Li guessed he was only attending the Imperial College’s exam as a formality, expecting to place last at best.

Jiang Li sat in the carriage, wondering what position Ye Shijie might achieve in this exam.

If Ye Shijie performed exceptionally well, he could be appointed before the spring imperial examination the following year.

Although being the Top Scholar was indeed advantageous, reaching success through the Imperial College’s school examination was more steadfast.

After all, many Top Scholars’ careers did not necessarily flourish upon entering officialdom.

Except for Shen Yurong—his rise to his current position may not have been possible without Princess Yongning’s support in the background.

Thinking of Shen Yurong, Jiang Li’s gaze slightly darkened.

Tonger thought Jiang Li was worried about today’s school exam and took out a piece of date-flower honeycomb from a pastry box on one side, handing it to Jiang Li while comforting her, “Miss, you need not worry.

The old madam has also said that you shouldn’t take this school exam too seriously.

Besides, our master will arrange everything.

Remember, you are the legitimate daughter of the Jiang Family, the Chief Minister’s Daughter—no one dares to treat you badly.”

That is to say, even if Jiang Li lost, she could still brazen it out and not fulfill the terms of the bet.

Jiang Li took the date flower cake and, smiling, patted Tonger on the head.

Tonger was still too naive.

Not to mention whether this plan was feasible, Gentleman Chenxuan, Meng Hongjin’s father, Lord Meng, seemed to have a close relationship with Right Chancellor Li’s Family.

To be entangled with the Right Chancellor meant being an enemy of the Jiang Family.

How could the Meng Family let go of such an opportunity?

If Jiang Li lost, Jiang Yuanbai could naturally use his power to suppress the matter, but the Meng Family would surely also put in a complaint afterwards, making it difficult for Jiang Yuanbai at court.

For the Meng Family and the Jiang Family, this was not just a fierce competition between two young misses over a bet.

The deeper implications and reputation involved were far more significant than the bet itself.

“I know,” Jiang Li said, biting into the date flower cake.

The sweet taste made her smile even sweeter, “I will do my best.”

By the time she arrived at the entrance of Mingyi Hall, many people had already gathered outside the examination room.

When they saw Jiang Li approaching, they sized her up and bursts of laughter broke out, obviously mocking her.

The examination for the Six Arts – literature, rites, and mathematics – would be conducted on paper inside the examination room, with the results posted after five days.

The remaining arts – archery, charioteering, and music – had to be performed publicly in the examination grounds of Mingyi Hall, with results announced on the spot.

Therefore, the examination at Mingyi Hall was considered extremely fair and impartial, tolerating no favoritism.

When Meng Hongjin saw Jiang Li, she approached with a smile and feigned a sigh of relief, “Miss Jiang the Second, you came so late, I thought you were too scared to show up.”

“How could that be?” Jiang Li smiled, “I take my bet with Miss Meng very seriously.”

“That’s good,” Meng Hongjin smiled viciously, “I do hope Miss Jiang the Second achieves excellent results and lives up to everyone’s expectations.”

When Meng Hongjin emphasized “lives up to everyone’s expectations,” she bit down hard on the phrase, and everyone knew that this “universal expectation” was certainly not for Jiang Li.

Jiang Li smiled and nodded as if Meng Hongjin’s words didn’t bother her.

Jiang Youyao also approached with Jiang Yue, and Jiang Youyao looked worriedly at Jiang Li, saying, “Second sister, you haven’t been practicing at the mansion these past few days, don’t push yourself too hard today.”

The surrounding crowd snickered as none had seen her practicing at the mansion; they believed Jiang Li stood no chance of winning, with some even eager to see how badly she would lose.

Jiang Li simply smiled, “Youyao has been practicing diligently every day.

I hope today’s assessment will not disappoint your hard work over these past days and that it will yield some reward.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Second Sister,” Jiang Youyao couldn’t help but flash a sweet and proud smile, feeling triumphant in her heart.

For this examination, Ji Shuran had expended great effort and attention to nurture her.

The plan was to use Jiang Li’s lack of refinement to highlight her own talents under the scrutiny of all, and Jiang Youyao found the idea of stepping on Jiang Li to pave her own path very appealing.

Jiang Yue looked at Jiang Li, her gaze brimming with arrogance.

Although she did not hold the same status as Jiang Li, not being Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter, she was confident that when it came to talent and intelligence, Jiang Li was far inferior to her.

This time, Jiang Li was bound to be thoroughly embarrassed.

After exchanging a few polite words, the appointed time approached, and everyone entered the examination room, taking their seats and awaiting the arrival of the Chief Examiner.

It was to be a battle of success or failure.