Chapter 185 The first place undoubtedly belongs to her!

Li Nanke clenched her fists tightly, but tried her best not to show any unusual expression on her face.

He even gave Xue Ting a slight smile.

"It seems I should congratulate Miss Xue."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Wanqing quickly stood up and said with a smile, "I have long heard that Miss Xue is very talented. She is truly our role model. We should learn from Miss Xue in the future."

The other girls also stood up.

"Congratulations, Miss Xue!"

"I hope Miss Xue will continue to guide me in the future!"

The room was filled with congratulations, making Xue Ting feel a little smug, and she could hardly hide her pride.

She was naturally slow at memorizing things; the Classic of Filial Piety and the Admonitions for Women were too difficult for her to memorize.

That day, her mother took her to the palace, and she overheard her aunt telling her mother that she would have someone write down the contents of the "Admonitions for Women" in advance and then secretly put them into her paper tube.

Therefore, she didn't write anything properly during today's exam.

Anyway, my aunt will eventually switch it out. Even if she stuffs a blank piece of paper in, she will still be the first place winner!

Xue Ting felt smug. She stood up, made a delicate gesture with her fingers, and gave a perfunctory return greeting to the group of young girls.

"Thank you all. I don't have any other hobbies, but I just read more books than most of you."

Empress Xue watched this scene with a smile, and nodded slightly to the head maid, indicating that she could announce the first place winner.

The head maid picked up the paper tube that had won first place.

Upon seeing this, Xue Ting quickly stepped forward to stop it.

"Wait a minute!"

The head maid paused and looked at Empress Xue.

Xue Ting curtsied and said, "Aunt, I have a suggestion. Could you please ask the head matron to announce the last place first?"

Empress Xue saw through her niece's scheme at a glance, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"It makes no sense that only the top six students who became the princess's study companions are announced, and the rankings of the rest are not announced."

Those present were either members of the imperial family, or children or relatives of high-ranking officials and nobles in the court.

She knew Xue Ting wanted to see Li Nanke embarrass himself, but this was too obvious and somewhat foolish!

Moreover, the rankings were arranged by the Hanlin Academy Lecturers, and to ensure fairness, she did not give the Lecturers any hints.

What if Li Nanke isn't in last place? Do we have to keep looking at the rankings of other people?

Empress Xue refused outright.

Xue Ting pouted, looking somewhat unhappy. She rolled her eyes and changed her approach.

"Aunt, we all know each other today, and we often play together. We have a good relationship."

We want to know who came in last place not to mock her, but to find out where she falls short so we can help her.

"Shame will motivate her to improve!"

As she spoke, she winked at her followers behind her.

Zhao Wanqing was the first to stand up and support Xue Ting.

"What Miss Xue said makes sense. I think everyone should also know their ranking so that they can make better progress."

"Yes, Your Majesty, please grant Miss Xue's request."

Empress Xue glared at Xue Ting secretly, looking troubled.

"You kids have made such a fuss that I can't do anything about it. Since you all want to improve, let's just announce the rankings."

Now that you all know your rankings and skill level, you should go back and work even harder.

With all rankings published, it's no longer just about one person!

Empress Xue looked at Consort Wang and Consort Shu.

What do you think?

Consort Wang smiled and said, "Your Majesty the Empress's suggestion is excellent."

Shu Wanyi was timid and cowardly by nature, and had not said a word all morning. When the Empress asked her a question, she was flattered and stood up.

He said in a trembling voice, "I...I will leave everything to Her Majesty the Empress."

Empress Xue smiled.

"Since everyone agrees, let's announce them one by one."

Xue Ting smiled smugly, glanced at Li Nanke, and said in a low voice, "Don't forget our agreement."

If you come in last place, kneel down and apologize to me right now!

Li Nanke clenched his fists, pursed his lips, and remained silent.

She was genuinely nervous at that moment.

Unexpectedly, the Empress agreed to announce all the rankings. Her answer sheet was Wang Tongyun's. Even though the handwriting was neat and beautiful, the content was wrong, so the ranking was definitely very low.

Even if they weren't last, it was enough for Xue Ting and the others to laugh at them.

Wang Tongyun clung tightly to Li Nanke's arm, her hands trembling with nervousness.

He didn't forget to criticize Xue Ting, "And don't forget, if Ke'er hadn't been in last place, you would all have knelt down and apologized to Ke'er!"

Xue Ting snorted coldly and turned her head away.

The head nanny started announcing the names from the seventh child onwards, and there were a total of twenty-one children. Soon she reached the twentieth child.

Li Nanke's name is still not on the list!

Only the first and last place winners haven't been announced yet!

Wang Tongyun's face turned pale with nervousness, and she murmured softly.

"Oh no, it looks like we really are in last place!"

Xue Ting's smugness was almost palpable as she looked at Li Nanke with disdain.

"You'd better prepare to kneel down!"

At this point, Li Nanke calmed down.

Only the first and last place are left.

Xue Ting's certainty that she was number one suggests that Empress Xue had manipulated the situation.

Then she must be in last place without a doubt!

Since things have come to this, let's face it calmly and find a solution!

She loosened her grip and gently patted Wang Tongyun, who was holding her tightly.

"Don't be afraid, it's alright!"

Wang Tongyun's eyes reddened, and tears almost fell.

Kerr is so kind; even at a time like this, she still remembers to comfort her, sob sob~

It's all her fault! If it weren't for her, Ke'er wouldn't have suffered like this!

She secretly made up her mind that she would stand up and admit that she had taken Li Nanke's answer sheet in a moment!

At this moment, Empress Xue felt much more at ease and said to the head maid, "Alright, announce the first place winner!"

There are only two people left. The first place winner has been announced, and the remaining person will naturally be the last place winner!

In this way, Li Nanke will lose face, and no one will think that she is deliberately targeting Li Nanke.

The head maid opened the paper tube that read "First Place" and took out a piece of paper.

At the same time, he raised his voice and shouted, "The first place is..."

Empress Xue smiled.

Xue Ting tugged at the hem of her skirt, raised her chin, and stood up, looking at the head maid with a smile on her face.

The head maid's voice abruptly stopped as she stared at the name written on the paper, her eyes almost bulging out.

Three words!

How could it possibly be three characters?

Xue Ting frowned and impatiently urged the head maid.

"Granny, please announce it quickly."

She couldn't wait to bask in everyone's congratulations and admiring glances once again!

The head maid, her face pale, instinctively looked at Empress Xue.

Empress Xue's smile faded slightly as she instantly realized something was amiss!

"What happened?"

Consort Wang was a step ahead of her, stepping forward and snatching the paper from the head maid's hand.

"You lowly servant, don't you even recognize Miss Xue's name? Let me announce it for you."

She chuckled, unfolded the paper, glanced at it, and then exclaimed in surprise.

"The first place winner is... Li Nanke!"