The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passes in the blink of an eye. Filled with eager hope, Qin Zhaoyue picked up their masterpiece.

Ode to the Cicada

The cicada clings to the tree, its voice booming; the cicadas sing their hoots all over the street.

Don't mind the noise disturbing your midday nap; you've endured seventeen torments underground.

Hmm...

Qin Zhaoyue's expression was not good. The poem was just a ditty, but at least it rhymed and had some merit.

The fact that this poem could be produced on a whim, within the time limit of an incense stick, shows that the poet has some literary talent.

It's okay, next song!

The golden armor fades from the willow tips, and thin wings flutter gently, singing of the clear autumn.

Drinking dew and eating wind, singing on a high branch, I envy not the nobles of the world.

Hmm...

It's a bit of a radical story, but barely watchable.

It's okay, next song!

Summer solstice arrives, autumn departs; a lifetime's glory is spanned in a hundred days.

Do not laugh at my short life; I have sung of the three thousand enlightenments of the mortal world.

Hmm... Next song!

A mischievous child uses a stick to catch thin wings, while an old cicada kicks its legs and curses the rogue:

The grievances of the past life are to be settled in this life; tomorrow they will come again to disturb the clear-eyed weeping.

Bang!

Damn it, is it because the Great Gan Dynasty did a good job with popular education that everyone can write a limerick? How are we supposed to fine people for this?

The students taking the exam didn't dare to breathe loudly, all secretly watching.

Seeing the Sixth Princess slam the poems onto the table, each of them couldn't help but ask themselves: Had they written them too badly and angered her?

Qin Zhaoyue picked up the next one:

Cicadas spend all day on the trees, cawing and chattering.

It's making people's hearts race and disturbing them, who cares if others are annoyed to death?

Got it!

Qin Zhaoyue's eyes lit up instantly, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. Belatedly realizing what was happening, she put the poem away and slammed it to the ground.

"Who wrote this? Step forward!"

The guilty-looking scholar quickly rushed forward to snatch the poem, only to breathe a sigh of relief when he realized it wasn't his.

Soon, a young man in his early twenties was pushed forward.

The poem has already been circulated once; no one is blind, and everyone can see how bad it is.

Many people felt comforted, realizing that their own poetic talent was superior to his.

Qin Zhaoyue crossed her arms and said, "You call this thing poetry?"

"I..." The young man's cheeks flushed red, and after a long pause, he suddenly shouted, "I may not be good at writing poetry, but I am good at policy essays!"

Qin Zhaoyue suddenly stood up, ran up to him, and kicked him hard.

Ouch! The young man was immediately kicked to the ground.

"You're not good at writing poetry, are you?" *Bang!*

"So you're good at policy essays, huh?" *Bang!*

"You're good at strategy, yet you don't take the imperial examinations and just coast along here?" Bang!

"I'll teach you to be good at it!"

...

After a brutal series of kicks, the young man lay on the ground groaning in pain.

Qin Zhaoyue was delighted and waved her hand, "Take him away and confiscate double his monthly salary."

She's also good at strategy and tactics, but does she even need that? Only those who aspire to the throne need it!

Although the scholars were somewhat frightened upon seeing this, the poem was indeed too terrible, so it was no wonder that the Sixth Prince was angry.

After making an example of someone, some more terrible poems were discovered, but in total, there were only eight people involved.

Most people breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a sense of loss.

Although they were not punished, none of them were spared either.

She knew her own limitations. Just like the Sixth Princess said, if she really had that talent, she would have taken the imperial examination and entered officialdom long ago.

Thinking about the monthly allowances they had received over the years, many people still bowed to the person at the head of the table and left with no choice.

The number of talented individuals suddenly decreased by more than half, and the military examination followed immediately after the civil service examination.

"It's very simple. Take turns sparring with my two guards. If you can last five moves, you'll pass."

The gentle breeze and light rain immediately straightened their backs, seeing another opportunity to shine.

The martial arts realm is divided into nine grades, with grades seven, eight, and nine being the lower three grades, known as the mortal martial arts realm.

Both of them were from the Qilin Guard and had already reached the Qi Martial Realm. Although they were only at the lowest level of the sixth rank, they were still not something that ordinary martial artists could contend with.

Unsurprisingly, after being tested in turn, very few people could withstand more than two moves.

The reason for two moves is that they will both let the other make the first move.

After all, given his skill level, he should at least have some of the demeanor of a master... what a load of rubbish!

If they finish the whole thing in one incense stick's time, how can we show how hard they've worked? They'll have to put in a lot more effort, won't they?

With the monthly salary of the No. 1 Restaurant under heaven, how could it possibly recruit a Qi Martial Realm expert?

Under the suppression of realm, even if one deliberately holds back, it cannot be maintained for too long.

Some of those cunning individuals deliberately lined up to appear last, hoping to exhaust the two examiners.

However, a sixth-rank martial artist has already transcended the mortal realm. With the initial formation of true qi in the dantian, their blood and qi, explosive power, endurance, recovery ability, etc., far surpass ordinary people in all aspects.

The testing team, consisting of fewer than twenty people, quickly came to an end.

Qin Zhaoyue also became slightly interested at this point, because the last one's size was really too intimidating.

He was eight feet tall, which is about two meters, and he was extremely robust, looking like a bear from a distance.

This physique is extremely rare; he could definitely make a name for himself in the military, and with the right mentor, he might even grow into a top-notch commander.

Qin Zhaoyue was puzzled. This was nothing more than a monthly allowance of five or ten taels of silver, which was nothing compared to joining the army.

If you were to be appreciated by someone and promoted to a personal guard position, wouldn't the military pay be much better?

It was Qingfeng's turn. Looking at the other person's physique, he became a little more serious. "Come on."

Without saying a word, the burly man strode forward and slammed his fist down.

There were no techniques whatsoever; it was purely physical strength.

Qingfeng dodged the attack with lightning speed, but the force of the punch ruffled the hair at his temples.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!