41 The Maidservants

On the stage, Gao Yan finally finished reciting the "Strategy for Governance".

There was silence around first, and then people began to whisper.

The students didn't understand the meaning of this treatise yet. They only knew that it quoted many classics and was very magnificent.

But the adults in the male guests' seats understood the depth.

This treatise seemed casual but could hit the loopholes in the laws of Ming Qi and provided ingenious methods for improvement. It was really incredible for a student.

The examiners on the stage probably didn't expect that Gao Yan was actually so talented.

But the rules still had to be followed. Once they doubted the result of a student, they would naturally test them first.

For example, for Ye Lily's painting before, to be fair, this "Strategy for Governance" was more brilliant than Ye Lily's painting, combining both literary talent and practicality.

The examiner asked, "As you said in the treatise just now, the laws of Ming Qi cover a wide range. You said they need to be divided carefully. How exactly should they be divided?"

Gao Yan was overjoyed.

In addition to this "Strategy for Governance" in the manuscript, there was also a question that was exactly the same as the one asked by the examiner.

He was very grateful to the person who wrote the manuscript for him and thought that he must give more money as a reward in the future.

Therefore, he stood up straight without panic and answered according to the manuscript, "It should be divided into three layers. The business way, the official way, and the people's way should all be separated..."

Under the stage, Master Gao of Jing Dian Shi was already smiling from ear to ear.

He had reached his current position in the officialdom relying only on the emperor's support and wide connections. But he really had no such real ability.

Fortunately, he had a good son, Gao Jin, who could help him handle many things at a young age.

Now his second son, Gao Yan, also showed such an extraordinary side. He had to go back to the ancestral hall and burn two sticks of incense to pray to his ancestors.

Gao Jin was smarter than his father.

After all, he didn't believe that his younger brother could have such wisdom. But he could talk freely in response to the examiner's questions.

It couldn't be that even the examiner was bribed. Therefore, he was also unsure.

Hao picked up the tea cup on the table and took a sip.

His hand was still trembling slightly. Somehow, every word Gao Yan said seemed to be imprinted in his mind.

That familiar feeling made him feel very absurd, and the anxiety in his heart couldn't be calmed down at all.

Su Ming Lang just took a nap.

Seeing that the people around him were all looking at Gao Yan on the stage with admiration. He simply pulled Mr. Su's sleeve and asked, "Dad, did he speak very well?"

"A young talent," Mr. Su said directly.

Su Ming Lang pursed his lips, seeming very puzzled.

After looking around and not seeing Su Ming Feng's figure, he asked, "Why hasn't brother come back yet?"

Mr. Su coughed lightly, "Your elder brother is weak now. It was already reluctant for him to come today. Let him rest for a while."

Xu Hao heard the commotion here and looked at Mr. Su.

Seeing that Mr. Su was still worried when mentioning Su Ming Feng, he then thoughtfully withdrew his gaze.

Anyway, Gao Yan's performance today was extremely excellent.

He answered the questions raised by the examiners freely, thus dispelling the doubts in everyone's hearts.

Without a doubt, he got the "First Grade". The ranking was secondary.

But in the future, when people mentioned Jing Dian Shi, besides Gao Jin, everyone would also know that he had a talented second son.

Gao Yan proudly stepped down from the stage.

This round of "selection" ended here, and the "selection" for the female group began.

Feng An Ning didn't go on stage.

She was outstanding in the "qin" category. She had already been selected for the "qin" category in the "drawing lots" just now.

Since the others were not outstanding, there was no need to go on stage.

Ye Cindy chose "chess". She was good at arithmetic, and chess also required calculation, so it was also her strength.

Ye Amy unsurprisingly chose "qin".

Ye Amy had always loved these things that could make her seem refined and otherworldly.

Because Chen Ruo Qiu originally played the "qin" very well.

Not only could she play, but she could also compose some small pieces and write some lyrics by herself. Ye Amy learned this very well.

She could get the First Grade every year.

Therefore, every year here, it was the time for everyone to appreciate her qin skills.

Among the female group, once Ye Amy was there, others probably wouldn't humiliate themselves by choosing the "qin" category.

Ye Cindy naturally worked hard. In the "chess" category, she got the First Grade.

When it came to the "qin" category, there were discussions on the field again.

Ye Amy gracefully went on stage, burned incense, and washed her hands.

She was originally gentle and delicate. The pink dress made her look very charming.

And the shallow smile on her lips really made her look like a little fairy.

She played "Ode to the Moon".

"Ode to the Moon" was a very difficult piece.

It was about a traveler far away missing his hometown and relatives. The beginning was gentle and melancholy, then became intense and sorrowful, and ended with sighs.

The transitions were very challenging for the qin skills and also very touching emotionally.

In her previous life, Ye Amy also gained fame with this piece.

For a while, she was very famous. In contrast, she was even more incompetent.

Now thinking about it, it seemed that every time Ye Amy gained a good reputation, it was by stepping on Ye Lily's embarrassment.

Ye Lily looked at the girl on the stage.

Ye Amy had already started.

As soon as she plucked the strings, the strings seemed to have a spirit. They were infinitely soft and spread under her hands.

The piece was ethereal, and the charm floated into everyone's ears present.

Her fingers flew over the strings like butterflies穿梭 a sea of flowers. Every turn was seamless and natural.

Feng An Ning bit her lip.

Even though she didn't like Ye Amy, she had to admit that Ye Amy's qin skills were outstanding.

Compared to this, the piece for which she got the First Grade just now seemed really clumsy.

It was a piece about missing relatives and hometown.

But it made Ye Lily's fist gradually clench.

Even if she was reborn, the dead couldn't come back to life.

Qing and Yi wouldn't appear again. Ye Amy's piece was like a funeral bell of revenge.

When people heard it, there was no comfort but only blood feud.

Cai Lin ran outside the seat.

He tried hard to get closer to the high platform to take in every expression of his sweetheart. He was intoxicated by the wonderful sound of the qin but was suddenly interrupted by someone's conversation.

"The second young lady is so unlucky. She has never been second. But this time, she was robbed of the First Grade by the fifth young lady using tricks." The speaker was a slender maid.

Cai Lin recognized that she was Ye Amy's personal maid, Shu Xiang, and involuntarily looked over there.

"That's right. Besides, the fifth young lady didn't even choose in the 'selection'. She was clearly against the second young lady on purpose." Another maid said.

"Alas, it's just that our second young lady is kind-hearted. I don't know how much anger she has suffered from the fifth young lady in private. The fifth young lady just dares to treat the second young lady like this because of the eldest master. The second young lady is so pitiful. She prepared for so long, but her fruit was stolen by others for no reason."

"It would be great if someone could stand up for the second young lady. For example... Make the fifth young lady go on stage during the 'challenge'?"

"Stop talking nonsense." Shu Xiang interrupted her words.

"Everyone knows that the fifth young lady is not good at qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Challenging the fifth young lady wouldn't it be lowering one's own status? I don't think it's possible in the female group. But if someone in the male group challenges her, it would be standing up for the second young lady."

The voices of the conversation gradually became smaller.

Cai Lin rolled his eyes and looked at Ye Amy on the stage. He had an idea in his heart.