In the Same Group

The examiners in charge of the assessment had already taken their positions on the stage. The female teachers who had held the lottery barrels earlier were busy recording each person's item one by one, as the assessment was to be carried out in groups.

First up was the female group, with the four categories of qin (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), chess, calligraphy, and painting. The students from the first - year class of Guangwen Hall didn't need to participate in this assessment. Only those from the second - year and third - year classes were involved. The third - year students would be in the next batch, and this batch of second - year students numbered only about twenty - odd people.

The girls who came to Guangwen Hall were all daughters of noble families in the capital. Illegitimate daughters naturally had no chance, and among the legitimate daughters, there were also those who invited private tutors to teach them at home. Moreover, the threshold of Guangwen Hall was quite high. Every year, one had to pay a thousand taels of silver.

Ye Xin didn't care about such worldly possessions at that time. He sent all three daughters of the Ye family to Guangwen Hall. Ren Wanyun was a bit displeased about this, but with Ye Xin's decisive gesture, she didn't dare to argue further. After all, the confiscated silver was all rewards from the emperor for Ye Xin's military achievements.

The twenty - two people were divided into four groups in total. There were more people in the qin category, with seven. Girls always liked things that could showcase their charm. The other three categories each had five people.

In the painting group where Ye Lily was, there were Ye Amy, Qin Qing, the legitimate daughter of the Censor - in - Chief, Fan Liu'er from the residence of the Prefect of Fengtian, and Zhao Yan from the residence of the Left Assistant Minister.

Both Fan Liu'er and Zhao Yan were a bit disappointed. Fan Liu'er was good at playing the qin, and Zhao Yan was good at chess. Not everyone was as proficient in every subject as Ye Amy. Not drawing the subject they were good at, and in front of the male guests, Fan Liu'er and Zhao Yan were not very happy. However, Qin Qing was as arrogant as ever. Qin Qing was beautiful and was probably the only one in Guangwen Hall who could rival Ye Amy. But it wasn't because of her talents. Although Ye Amy was gentle and charming, Qin Qing's stunning beauty could overshadow her without effort.

Ye Lily's eyes fell on Qin Qing. Today, she was wearing a long, embroidered cotton robe with wide sleeves in cyan, and a goose - yellow belt around her waist, which made her slender waist seem as if it could be encircled with one hand. Her fluttering sleeves gave her an air of a fairy. Compared with the delicate and weak Ye Amy beside her, she was more like a clear lotus.

However, this proud and beautiful woman, when the previous emperor started to clean up the noble families and the Censor - in - Chief's family declined, became a military prostitute. Later, it was heard that she fought with a young general in the barracks and died together with him.

As if sensing Ye Lily's gaze, Qin Qing looked over. She seemed a bit surprised, then turned her head away in disgust, as if she didn't want to look at Ye Lily even for a second.

Ye Lily didn't care. Feng Anning, who was standing beside her, pulled the corner of her clothes and said, "Later, just draw casually. Don't think too much."

Feng Anning thought simply. Since she was going to make a fool of herself anyway, doing it openly would make those people lose interest. But if Ye Lily did something out of the ordinary on stage to prove herself, that would be a big problem.

Ye Lily nodded. Then, the ceremony official on the stage struck the drum heavily, and the assessment officially began.

The first category to be compared was "qin".

Feng Anning was really lucky. The female students who drew "qin" today all had mediocre skills. And the few who usually played the qin best happened not to be in this category. It was like a free ride for Feng Anning.

Feng Anning had been practicing the qin hard recently, and her efforts finally paid off. When she sat upright, she had a ladylike demeanor. Coupled with her good looks, the melody of the qin was so ethereal. Compared with the mediocre skills of the previous few, it was like a refreshing breeze, making people feel as if they were being caressed by the wind.

A young man in a blue shirt in the men's area said, "The melody lingers for three days."

Cai Lin, who heard this, kicked the young man unhappily and said, "What's this? You haven't seen Ye Amy play the qin. If Ye Amy plays a tune, even the fairies in heaven can't compare. You have no taste!"

Cai Lin always protected the girl he liked. But Su Minglang, who heard his words, scornfully pouted. He seemed to want to say something, but when he saw his elder brother's warning look, he held back.

The "qin" category was quickly compared. The examiners on the stage began to discuss and judge. After the "qin" group was over, it was the chess - playing category. The process of the chess - playing category was much simpler. Five people played in pairs, with one - game - win system, and were scored based on their chess - playing style and strategy. In this category, Yi Peilan won.

After chess came "calligraphy". Ye Cindy, Bai Wei, and Jiang Xiaoxuan happened to be in the same group. These three were good friends on weekdays, but in the assessment, the atmosphere was rather tense. This time, the calligraphy was to compose a poem with chrysanthemums as the theme and write it down. One was to judge the calligraphy, and the other was to judge the talent. Ye Cindy was best at chess and arithmetic rather than poem - writing. Unfortunately, arithmetic was in the men's group, and she didn't draw chess.

But until the final result came out, no one knew who would win this category.

Finally, it was Ye Lily's group's turn.

Ye Amy looked at Ye Lily. Probably still bearing a grudge for Ye Lily making her lose face earlier, Ye Amy didn't even pretend to be the kind - hearted elder sister anymore. She smiled at Ye Lily and said, "Later on the stage, Fifth Sister, you must let your elder sister win. You look so confident. I'm a bit scared."

These words happened to be heard by Fan Liu'er, who was standing beside them. She couldn't help but sneer and said, "Ye Amy, what are you talking about? What confidence? Could it be that Ye Lily has some tricks up her sleeve?"

"Now that you mention it, I'm also a bit looking forward to it," Zhao Yan said, gloating. "Remember last year when Ye Lily drew the qin and broke the strings of the fine Zhuxiang Qin. She probably inherited General Ye's valor. This year, when painting, don't break the brush." As she spoke, she touched Ye Lily's cheek. "Such a fair and tender face. Don't end up painting it like a clown's later."

Ye Lily didn't move and looked at her coldly. Under that extremely cold gaze, Zhao Yan's smile gradually froze. Fan Liu'er also felt that Ye Lily's expression was unfriendly. She suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of fear in her heart and involuntarily pulled back Zhao Yan's hand.

Qin Qing seemed a bit impatient. She looked at Ye Lily and said, "What are you arguing about? If you want to argue, go on stage and do it. Let everyone see your ugly faces."

With her words, although Zhao Yan and the others were unhappy, they didn't say anything more.

In the men's area, Cai Lin was looking at Ye Amy's figure excitedly. The chubby Su Minglang tugged at Su Mingfeng and said, "That pretty sister is there too, Big Brother. Look."

Su Mingfeng was a bit amused and annoyed at the same time. He didn't know why his younger brother was so obsessed with Ye Lily. He was in the third - year class. This was the first time he went out after feigning a serious illness and still looked very weak, so he couldn't participate in the assessment. He also knew Ye Lily's reputation. After all, the whole Dingjing City knew that the Mighty General, who was so powerful on the battlefield, had a stupid daughter.

"She will definitely win," Su Minglang said, clenching his fists.

Su Mingfeng didn't express his opinion. He just thought that today, Ye Amy would surely win again.

Before going on stage, Ye Amy still couldn't help provoking Ye Lily, "Fifth Sister, don't hold back later. Your elder sister is waiting for you."

"Definitely," Ye Lily replied.

She definitely wouldn't hold back.