Chapter 184 Li Nanke is Last? (Fifth Update, Please Vote)
Inside the Daqing Hall, the air was thick with the scent of ambergris.
The emperor tossed aside the memorial in his hand and raised an eyebrow at Ding Wang.
"She really said that?"
Ding Wang bowed, "The servants I sent heard it clearly; Miss Li did indeed say that."
The emperor leaned back on his dragon throne, pinched the bridge of his nose, and couldn't help but curl a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.
"The Xue family... is not what it used to be. Xue Shu still has some merits, but she is too far older than Zhao Ning."
Xue Ting... Let's not talk about her. The Empress only thinks that I am suppressing the Xue family, but she doesn't think that if Xue Ting were a good person, why would I not allow her to be Zhao Ning's study companion?
"Sigh, even a little maid can understand this principle, how come the Empress can't?"
"Your Majesty's good intentions are understood by the Empress and the Princess."
Ding Wang bent down even lower.
The emperor snorted coldly, "It seems the empress has already made a promise to the Xue family behind my back."
Ding Wang didn't dare to reply, and in his heart he also felt that Xue Ting was a bit stupid.
Even the Empress could not go against the Emperor's wishes when it came to choosing a study companion!
Xue Ting actually made outrageous remarks in the Imperial Garden, saying that the Empress had the final say on this matter!
This is a direct slap in His Majesty's face!
"Should I send someone to inform Her Majesty the Empress about this?"
The emperor shook his head. "No need for now. Keep an eye on what's happening at the Zishan Hall!"
"Yes, this servant has been sending people to keep an eye on things."
Ding Wang poured the emperor another cup of tea before leaving.
The emperor stroked the teacup, slightly lost in thought.
"Li Nanke...this little girl is quite interesting!"
The argument in the Imperial Garden continued.
Xue Ting glared at Li Nanke and continued to mock him.
"No wonder he's trying to curry favor with Wang Si. He knows he's not going to get a good ranking, so he's looking for a backer in advance."
I wonder how many lines of the "Admonitions for Women" you memorized? You're not going to be last when the rankings are announced, are you?
Xue Shu laughed so hard her shoulders shrugged, and the little followers who came with her also burst into laughter.
"The Li family is a noble and prestigious family. If they really come in last place, it will be incredibly embarrassing!"
"Hey, I heard that Li Nanke is a troublemaker at home and hasn't studied much at all."
"How can someone like that be chosen as a princess's companion? What if he corrupts the princess?"
"Don't worry, someone like her has no right to be a princess's study companion!"
The people around her were laughing and making sarcastic remarks, which almost made Wang Tongyun explode with anger.
She jumped up and pointed at everyone, "Shut up, all of you! You're talking as if you've written something really good!"
Who knows who'll be last? It definitely won't be Kerr!
Wang Tongyun spoke with absolute certainty.
But he was extremely annoyed, regretting that he hadn't held onto the paper tube tightly enough and let the two of them exchange it.
If she really comes in last place, and Kerr is ridiculed, then it will all be her fault.
The more frustrated Wang Tongyun became, the angrier she got. She pointed at everyone angrily and said, "If Ke'er hadn't been last, you all would have to apologize to her!"
Those present were all young girls, and upon hearing this, a hint of timidity appeared on their faces.
Xue Ting curled her lip, looking disdainful.
"Li Nanke is ignorant and incompetent. If she's not last in the class, who is?"
"Li Nanke, if I were you, I would have made an excuse to leave the palace right now. I would never stay here and make a fool of myself!"
Li Nanke narrowed his eyes slightly.
She knew that she had exchanged answer sheets with Wang Tongyun, so her ranking would definitely not be high!
But Xue Ting was unaware of this!
"Why is Miss Xue so certain that I will be last? Did Miss Xue see my answer sheet? Or did she see the results of the scholars' evaluation?"
Xue Ting's eyes flickered slightly.
"Don't accuse me wrongly. I didn't see anything. I... I heard it from your cousin."
She pointed at Zhao Wanqing.
"Your cousin said that when the Marquis of Anping's family was raided, they didn't find anything. I'm afraid your family can't even afford to hire a tutor for you, right?"
She also said that you used to be naughty at home, didn't like studying at all, and hadn't even practiced writing for more than a few days!
"With your skills, it's no wonder you're last in the class."
Li Nanke frowned and looked at Zhao Wanqing.
Zhao Wanqing's gaze darted away, and she subconsciously moved closer to Xue Ting, her hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes.
Xue Ting just called her over to talk and asked her a lot of questions about Li Nanke.
She wanted to befriend Xue Ting, so she could only reveal Li Nanke's affairs.
Zhao Wanqing explained hesitantly, "We all live in Bianjing, so we know each other well. Cousin, please don't try to be stubborn."
Otherwise, it will be even more embarrassing when the rankings are announced later!
Li Nanke snorted coldly.
What if I weren't last?
Xue Ting blurted out, "If you weren't last place, we would all apologize to you!"
But if you come in last place, then you'd better kneel down and apologize to me!
Li Nanke smiled slightly.
"Okay, it's a deal!"
At this moment, a palace maid from Empress Xue's side came over.
"Her Majesty the Empress requests that all young ladies return to Zishan Hall."
It's time to announce the rankings!
Xue Ting glared at Li Nanke, snorted, and left with a group of girls.
Wang Tongyun looked annoyed, grabbed Li Nanke, and deliberately lingered until the very end.
As if she had made up her mind, she whispered to comfort Li Nanke, "Don't be afraid. If we really come in last place, I will stand up and confess."
Just say that I secretly switched your answer sheet, and then you can write it from memory in front of everyone. No one will suspect you.
Li Nanke never expected Wang Tongyun to make such a suggestion.
Even though it was she who took the initiative to suggest the exchange, Wang Tongyun was willing to take the blame.
"Aren't you afraid your grandfather will punish you for doing this?"
Wang Tongyun patted her chest and said, "At worst, they'll break my leg and lock me in a dark room. I can grit my teeth and get through it. I won't die!"
Li Nanke felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to pat her.
"Don't worry, we won't come in last place."
Wang Tongyun asked, puzzled, "Why are you so sure? What if...?"
"Stop talking, Her Majesty the Empress is looking over here."
Li Nanke made a shushing gesture.
The head maid said, "Please return to your seats, ladies. Now, we will announce your rankings for reciting the 'Admonitions for Women'."
A palace maid came in from outside carrying a tray with a row of paper tubes on it.
No more, no less, exactly twenty-one people—that's the exact number of participants in the selection process.
Each paper tube has its corresponding ranking pasted on a red paper.
The head maid said, "Only the top six will be announced in this selection. Let's announce the sixth one now."
She opened the tube with the sixth place written on it, took out the paper inside, and unfolded it.
"Sixth place, Zhao Wanqing."
Zhao Wanqing suddenly stood up, tears welling up in her eyes.
She had a very difficult ten days, studying and memorizing day and night, and now she is finally seeing results.
She came in sixth place, bringing her one step closer to becoming a princess's study companion!
The head maid then announced the fifth, fourth, and third place winners.
"Second place, Wang Tongyun."
Wang Tongyun bit her lip, stood up, curtsied, and subconsciously looked at Li Nanke.
Li Nanke smiled at her.
Empress Xue twitched the corners of her mouth and said to Consort Wang, "The Wang family is indeed a family of scholars. Your niece is well-mannered."
Consort Wang bowed slightly, smiling with a sense of pride.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. She is nowhere near as good as Miss Xue."
"By the way, Miss Xue's ranking hasn't been announced yet. It seems that the first place is definitely hers!"
Xue Ting straightened her back and looked at Li Nanke triumphantly.
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