While the discussion was still going on, the examiner on the stage had already displayed the finished scroll for everyone to see to show that the result was fair.

Fan Liuer and Zhao Yan's paintings are similar in style, both depicting the scenery of blooming autumn chrysanthemums in the garden. To be fair, they are beautiful, but the artistic conception is too mediocre, so naturally they ranked at the bottom.

Qin Qing painted a large chrysanthemum, the "Red Fairy," likely a species she was familiar with. The scroll depicts only this single chrysanthemum, its details vivid and lifelike. She also took a different approach, completely abandoning the notion of artistic conception and interest, and simply displaying her skill. The "Red Fairy" blossom leaps onto the page, a truly beautiful sight. However, the examination wasn't just about technique; it also examined the meaning of the painting. Therefore, no matter how beautiful this chrysanthemum was, it was ultimately only third place.

Soon, it was Shen Yue's turn. She bit her lip and sat beside Chen Ruoqiu, forcing a smile on her face, her fists clenched tightly. Normally, she would have smiled calmly, accepting everyone's sincere praise and admiration. But now, this "second-class B" felt like a profound irony, making her feel like everyone was looking at her with mockery and ridicule.

Chen Yue's painting depicts withered chrysanthemums. The wind and rain howled, and many of the chrysanthemums in the courtyard had fallen petals. Yet, the scattered petals still clung firmly to the branches, standing upright, like a noble figure of great integrity. Next to them were two lines of poetry: "I would rather die with fragrance on the branches, than ever be blown away by the north wind."

This scroll also has a lofty purpose. Generally speaking, from the painting to the person, the withered chrysanthemums in the painting are of noble character, and the painter must also be seen to have a righteous and lofty character. The examiner loves people with both talent and character. If Shen Yue's painting can't even get "first class", it is really hard to imagine what Shen Miao painted.

"Your painting is so good? How come you're ranked 2B?" Bai Wei exclaimed, "Ah!" "I really don't understand."

Chen Ruoqiu was also puzzled. At first, she thought Shen Yue was a little nervous today and had taken the wrong path. But once the painting was brought out, she knew her daughter had done nothing wrong. Just like in previous years, she had truly deserved the top spot. But why was the result so different?

Ren Wanyun felt a bit gloating. Shen Yue was exceptionally talented and had always outperformed Shen Qing in the exams. Seeing Shen Yue suffer a setback this time, although she was also unhappy that Shen Miao had won first place, since it had nothing to do with her, she was happy to watch the fun.

The examiner on the stage ordered the two children to unfold the scroll, and the noise stopped abruptly.

The drawing paper was large, but Shen Miao's painting had too much white space. Her painting skills were not outstanding, so she only painted the general distant view, but unexpectedly, it had a magnificent atmosphere.

On the scroll, there is endless yellow sand, a setting sun is emitting blood red, a broken sword stands in the yellow earth, and under the sword is a bunch of white chrysanthemums.

The chrysanthemum seems to be just an embellishment here, so tiny that even the veins of the petals are barely discernible. Yet, in this painting, it is the finishing touch, bringing out a sense of desolation and sadness.

Everyone present was silent for a moment. Even through the pen and paper, one could sense the desolation and misery, the powerless struggle.

That's war.

Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue shuddered at the same time. After seeing clearly what was painted on the scroll, they knew that there was absolutely no possibility of a comeback in this situation.

Yes, Shen Yue is indeed a person of refined taste, a character unburdened by vulgarity, and a reflection of both character and integrity. However, Shen Miao's painting transcends the very concept of "humanity." If Shen Yue uses chrysanthemums to express human nature, Shen Miao uses flowers to express her aspirations. How can the emotions of a single person compare to the cruelty of war?

No wonder those examiners were arguing endlessly and hesitant to come to a conclusion. They probably didn't expect such a magnificent painting to be created by the incompetent Shen Miao.

The chief examiner, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Zhong Ziqi, said, "Student Shen Miao, please come up and tell me why you created this scroll."

Every student who received a "top" grade was required to share their thoughts on achieving first place. However, today, Shen Miao was asked to talk about the reason for painting. Naturally, it was because no one believed she could create this painting, and they were afraid she had heard the idea from somewhere.

Shen Qing smiled and whispered to Yi Peilan beside him, "This is going to be exposed."

"But this really wasn't painted by her?" Yi Peilan was a little puzzled. "We all saw it just now. She painted it herself, stroke by stroke."

"Then her painting skills are not outstanding. As for her artistic conception, who knows if she has anyone to guide her?" Shen Qing looked at Shen Miao who was walking towards the stage with disdain: "I have lived with her for so many years, and I still don't know what she can do. If Master Zhong asks her to explain the reason for her painting, I think she will not be able to say it. I am afraid she will lose face again."

Yi Peilan also laughed when she heard this: "I was saying it, how could she become a talented woman so quickly. I'm afraid she did it to attract that..." She glanced at Prince Ding in the male banquet with an ambiguous look: "She asked for guidance from an expert. Shen Miao has really put all her energy into him."

Shen Qing's expression froze, and he suppressed his unhappiness and said, "Let's wait and see."

On the stage, Shen Miao quietly looked at the unfolded scroll. She slowly stretched out her hand and stroked the scroll under the astonished gazes of the crowd.

"The reason I created this scroll is simply because I've heard my father tell me how countless heroes died on the battlefield every year, buried in the desert. The long journey meant they could only be buried on the battlefield. Back then, there were no chrysanthemums in the northwest deserts or the northern grasslands. Chrysanthemums bloomed in the warm south, in the prosperous Dingjing, where people lived in peace and prosperity, and had no worries about food and clothing. But the price was the lives of soldiers on the frontier."

The discussions gradually died down, and everyone's eyes were focused on the girl in purple.

Her eyes were calm as she spoke like a storyteller: "My father once said that the soldiers who died in the war could not even have a handful of white chrysanthemums after their death. There were no flowers blooming on the battlefield, and the soldiers did not even experience a complete mourning. And their wives and children could only wear white chrysanthemums on their heads and offer them white chrysanthemums from afar in their hometown."

"I believe that the reason you can enjoy the chrysanthemums here peacefully is because of the brave men who defended the border. Unfortunately, I can't do anything for them. I can only paint a handful of white chrysanthemums in front of a handful of yellow earth on the scroll to comfort their heroic souls."

The girl stood in the wind, her eyes were clear, but her words were powerful, as if her words were the only clear and pleasant words in the world, like morning bells and evening drums, beating on everyone's hearts.

Shen Miao lowered her eyes slightly.

Aren't the Tian family members of Mingqi going to take action against the aristocratic families and the Shen family? But the world is vast, and everyone will see and hear. It is better to guard against the people's mouths than to guard against the river. Strike first to gain the upper hand. Since the Tian family wants to attack the General's Mansion, she will let everyone in the world see.

Look, the Shen family fought for their lives to gain honors and achievements, the Shen family defended the city walls of Mingqi with their lives, and now you, the sons of nobles, are living in peace and prosperity in the capital, all of which were built of ice made of flesh and blood under swords and spears on the battlefield!

Stepping on the blood of soldiers, does the Mingqi royal family dare to suppress them openly?

If you dare, don't be afraid of the eyes of the world!