Chapter 108 Qualified

The old scholar reluctantly shut his mouth.

Having lived to this age, he can tell from this simple gesture whether a student has real talent or is just all show and no substance.

It was obvious that this student in front of me didn't need any further instructions.

Several students who had come to join the fun were gossiping and laughing, waiting to see Xiao Yuxuan make a fool of herself.

"She's only had a few archery lessons, how could she possibly pass the test?"

"You can't just know how to draw a bow, can you? Hahaha..."

"If she can pass, then what does it matter that my family has been hiring famous tutors for nearly ten years?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a young girl in red riding attire strode briskly from the neighboring horse farm, her eyebrows raised in a mocking tone:

"You're stupid! You've studied for ten years and you're still in the bottom tier. You could study for another ten years and still not make any progress."

"You! Zheng Yanling! Don't go too far!"

"Hmph, instead of wasting your time making sarcastic remarks and gossiping about others, you should practice your horsemanship and archery."

"Who said she was being sarcastic? We were just expressing our concern as classmates."

Zheng Yanling retorted sharply, showing no mercy whatsoever:

"I was just showing you some concern, why did you say I went too far? Did you get angry because you touched a sore spot?"

Those students naturally knew that Zheng Yanling was not someone to be trifled with, and if they started arguing in front of everyone, they would all be punished by the teacher.

"Don't talk to her anymore, let's go!"

"A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle; we can't afford to offend the Zheng family!"

The two students pulled their classmate, whose face was flushed with anger, away.

Zheng Yanling turned her gaze away from their backs and saw that Xiao Yuxuan had already fired ten arrows, each hitting the bullseye!

Zheng Yanling: "!"

The old master stood there, stunned, unable to find his voice for a long time.

"You, you..."

"You really only studied archery for a month?!"

Zheng Yanling asked the question that the old master wanted to ask.

She shook Xiao Yuxuan's shoulders excitedly, her voice changing with excitement.

"Good Yuxuan, you have such skills! You should go to the front lines to defend our country! Have you ever considered becoming a female general? How did you grow those hands?!"

Zheng Yanling bombarded Xiao Yuxuan with a barrage of questions, leaving her completely bewildered.

"Sister Zheng!"

She struggled to escape, and said with a bitter smile:

"The longbow used in the assessment was originally designed for women. It was easy and convenient to use, and my ability to hit the target also had an element of luck. I am not a person with any special talent."

The old master finally realized what was happening. He strode over to her side and his first instinct was to pick up the longbow.

He held it in his hands and examined it carefully, then tried to pull it, and indeed there was nothing unusual.

"I hereby declare that you have passed the archery test."

He put down the bow, a hint of praise on his face.

"Actually, it's not difficult to do what you just did in such a short time. It's just that most students are afraid of getting injured or developing calluses on their hands, which is why they practice more slowly."

"You are very good."

Xiao Yuxuan wholeheartedly agreed.

The archery test for girls was simple: a modified bow, a closer target, and only posture was assessed. As long as one was willing to put in the effort, one could do well.

She was eager to make progress during this period, and she practiced and reinforced her skills every day after returning from the girls' school, which is why she made rapid progress.

Zheng Yanling calmed down and looked at her hands with some complicated feelings.

Sure enough, a thin layer of calluses had already formed in her soft hands.

"So, you're not planning to do embroidery anymore?"

Xiao Yuxuan shook her head: "Actually, when I was living with my adoptive parents, I would wrap my hands in silk before embroidering so that the calluses on my hands wouldn't damage the embroidery. My hands were never as delicate as those of young ladies, so I didn't mind these things."

Zheng Yanling understood.

Seeing that Xiao Yuxuan had taken the disciple register stamped with the "Excellent" assessment mark, but instead of returning to Class D, she turned and headed in another direction, she hurriedly asked:

"The assessment only requires testing three things. You've already been tested on etiquette, music, and archery. Do you still want to take another one?"

"Don't worry, Sister Zheng, I know what I'm doing."

Having passed the tests in five subjects except horseback riding, she didn't believe there would be any dissenting voices within the academy.

Since her admission without examination has been criticized, she will prove with her actions that she has the talent to enter the academy.

The person in charge of examining teachers was Master Nie.

She arrived at the assessment site early, standing with her hands behind her back. When she heard Xiao Yuxuan's footsteps behind her, she looked as if she had just expected it.

"I knew you'd take it one by one. You're just as stubborn as Mianmian was when she was young. You're just like her, trying to do too much at once. Don't cry if you fail the test."

The examinations at Yuxiu Academy were usually conducted by the teachers at a designated examination location, allowing students to choose their own examination venue.

If she failed one assessment, she could choose another, so the Six Arts Masters were all waiting for her.

The news that Xiao Yuxuan had finished all three exams was immediately relayed to the other teachers.

The teacher in charge of charioteering and mathematics was already planning to go back, but Teacher Nie stayed and also tried to persuade the teacher in charge of mathematics to stay.

"That child might take the test one by one. Since we've already waited for three, what's wrong with waiting a little longer?"

The teacher said with some disbelief:

"She has already passed three tests, which is considered passing. No one ever wants to take more tests, so I don't think she will come over."

"This little girl looks so quiet and gentle. It's already surprising that she passed the archery exam. Could she possibly pass my math exam as well?"

Master Nie shook his head slightly: "This student is a bit different. Don't be fooled by her calm demeanor in the face of gossip. She's definitely holding a grudge and doesn't want to admit defeat. You should wait a little longer."

The teacher had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Xiao Yuxuan smiled, then gracefully curtsied in a disciple's salute: "Student Xiao Yuxuan humbly requests Master Nie's guidance—"

“I won’t make things difficult for you. This is a copy of Yan Zhenqing’s calligraphy. Make a copy and give it to me. It will take about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.”

"At that time, I will assess you from the aspects of brushwork, ink usage, character formation, and composition. If I find any mistake in any of these four aspects, you will fail the assessment."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuxuan's eyebrows twitched.

She didn't speak, but Zheng Yanling was somewhat indignant:

“Master Nie, this is not fair. In our other assessments, we only need to choose three out of four or three out of five to pass. Why do you have to pass all four?”

Master Nie glanced at her indifferently.

"Logically speaking, she could have already reported back to the dean. Since she still wants to take the test, then she has too many demands, and the conditions are naturally different from those of a normal test."

"Thank you, Master Nie, for making this possible for your student."

Xiao Yuxuan chuckled and personally lit the incense stick, signaling the start of the assessment.

The Xiao residence.

"Xiao Yuxuan went to the girls' school to take the exam? Nonsense! She's only been there a few days, what could she possibly learn? She's not going to embarrass the Xiao family again, is she?!"

Xiao Min had just returned home from the academy to rest for a day when he suddenly heard about this.

"Although Yuyao was wrong in that matter, she has a reputation as a talented woman in the capital, a hundred times better than Xiao Yuxuan. Didn't she still get expelled from the girls' school? She's just showing off!"