Three days later
After three days of fermentation, the entire Chang'an City knew about the competition at the Lakeside Pavilion, and even the concubines deep in the harem heard about it.
The matter was also being discussed in the imperial palace.
Imperial Study
After Emperor Wenxuan discussed with several important ministers, they started chatting about family matters.
Just now, a court official was talking about the competition at the Lake Center Pavilion that has been widely rumored recently.
"I've also heard about this. That little guy is quite courageous."
The ministers could tell from Emperor Wenxuan's tone that he was quite optimistic about Little Mo'er. The Minister of Rites, who had been planning to remove him from the rank, secretly broke into a cold sweat, thankfully not having the time to do so.
"Looking at the time, it seems like it's almost starting over there," a minister said.
Just as he said, there was still a cup of tea left before the agreed time.
At this time, the area outside the Lakeside Pavilion was already crowded with people. Near the center of the Pavilion were students wearing various academy uniforms, while the outer layer were candidates from all over the world who came to Chang'an City to take the exam, and the outermost people were peddlers and hawkers.
On the eve of the imperial examination, all the students should have been studying day and night, preparing for the exam. However, today, they all flocked to this place. This was probably the largest gathering of students from all walks of life at one time, apart from the imperial examination.
"At this hour, he still hasn't appeared. Could it be that the five-year-old prodigy is scared?"
"It's not time yet, don't talk nonsense."
"I heard that Hanshan Academy, Taibai Academy, Fengxing Academy and other major academies all have people who want to compete with that child prodigy."
"I have to hope that this prodigy has some knowledge, otherwise the one-sided situation will not be exciting.
"Look, everyone at Xiangshan Academy is getting a little impatient waiting."
…
Everyone standing in the pavilion in the middle of the lake could hear the discussions outside.
Tao Jing frowned, "Could it be that he is afraid of fighting and dares not come?"
Jin Xuan looked up at the sky and said, "Don't be impatient. There's still a cup of tea left before the agreed time. Just wait a little longer."
"Tao Jing, you guys made such a big scene that they scared people away from coming. After all, they are only six-year-old children." Someone said jokingly.
Tao Jing curled her lips, "I didn't cause such a big scene, it was all because of his own arrogance."
As the agreed time approached, Xiao Moer still hadn't appeared, and everyone was certain that he didn't dare to come and challenge them.
"Alas, it looks like he's not coming."
"I guess he's scared."
"What a bummer! I thought I'd see something exciting, but they're not coming. Seriously, I even asked the girls from Hongxiufang to come here."
"Oh, I should have stayed in the inn and read a little longer. I wasted so much time."
…
In the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Tao Jing's face was gloomy, and he cursed angrily, "That coward, he didn't even come."
"Why don't we go to Wenjin Academy to find him?" someone suggested.
"What do you think? Is that guy playing tricks on us on purpose?" someone speculated maliciously.
"It's possible."
Just as everyone was talking and cursing, a childish yet clear voice came from the back of the crowd.
"I'm not late, am I?"
It was obviously very noisy around, but his voice appeared next to my ears, as if it drowned out everyone else's voice and reached my ears.
Everyone looked towards the source of the sound.
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