On the stage, Gao Yan finally finished reading "Xinglu Ce".
The surroundings were initially quiet, then hushed in discussion. The students didn't yet understand the significance of the essay, only its eloquent quotations from classics. But the adults at the banquet understood its depth. This seemingly casual essay, however, managed to pinpoint a loophole in Qi law and cleverly address it. For a student, this was truly incredible.
The examiner on the stage probably didn't expect Gao Yan to be so talented. However, the rules still had to be followed. Once doubts were expressed about a student's results, they would naturally test him first. For example, Shen Miao's painting before, to be fair, this "Law of Execution" was more brilliant than Shen Miao's painting, and it was both literary and practical. The examiner asked: "As the essay just said, the scope of the Mingqi Law is very broad. You said that it needs to be broken down into details. How do you break it down?"
Gao Yan was delighted. Besides the "Law Regulations," the manuscript also contained a question, exactly the same as the one the examiner had asked. He felt deeply grateful to the person who had written the manuscript for him, and he thought he would reward them with more money in the future. Therefore, he calmly raised his head and chest, and answered according to the manuscript: "It is divided into three levels: the business path, the official path, and the civilian path should all be distinguished..."
Below the stage, Imperial Secretary Gao was already grinning from ear to ear. He had reached his current position in the officialdom thanks to the emperor's support and his extensive network of connections. But he truly lacked such ability. Fortunately, he had a good son, Gao Jin, who, at such a young age, could help him with many matters. Now that his second son, Gao Yan, had also shown such extraordinary qualities, he had to return to the ancestral temple to burn two sticks of incense and pray for his ancestors.
Gao Jin was smarter than his father, but he didn't believe his brother could be so wise. He could answer the examiner's questions with confidence, but he couldn't believe that the examiner could be bribed. Therefore, he was a little undecided.
Pei Lang took a sip of the teacup on the table, his hands still trembling slightly. For some reason, every word Gao Yan had said seemed to be imprinted in his mind. The familiar feeling struck him as absurd, and the anxiety within him was completely uncontrollable.
Su Minglang had just dozed off when he saw everyone around him looking at Gao Yan on the stage with admiration. He simply tugged at Master Su's sleeve and asked, "Dad, did he speak well?"
"Young talent." Old Man Su said directly.
Su Minglang curled his lips, seemingly unable to understand. After looking around and not seeing Su Mingfeng, he asked, "Brother, why hasn't he come back yet?"
Master Su coughed lightly and said, "Your eldest brother is weak now. It was difficult for him to come here today. Let him rest for a while."
Fu Xiuyi heard the commotion over here and glanced at Master Su. Seeing that the gloomy expression on Master Su's brows did not change when he mentioned Su Mingfeng, he withdrew his gaze thoughtfully.
Regardless, Gao Yan had fought brilliantly today, answering the examiner's questions with ease, effectively dispelling everyone's suspicions. He naturally received a top-tier ranking. The ranking was secondary; in the future, when people mentioned the Imperial History Department, besides Gao Jin, they would also know that he had a talented second son.
Gao Yan walked off the stage triumphantly. This round of "selection" ended, and the "selection" of the women's group began.
Feng Anning didn't go on stage. She was already good at the "qin" category, having already picked it in her previous draw. Since the other categories weren't impressive, there was no need for her to go on stage. Shen Qing chose chess. She was good at math, and chess requires calculations, so she had some strengths there. As expected, Shen Yue chose "qin."
Chen Yue had always loved things that made her appear otherworldly and unworldly. Chen Ruoqiu was already a skilled qin player, not only able to play but also compose small tunes and write lyrics. Chen Yue had mastered this skill to perfection, achieving top marks every year. Consequently, every year here, everyone would admire her qin skills.
In the women's group, once Shen Yue was there, the others probably wouldn't humiliate themselves by choosing the "qin" category. Shen Qing naturally put in a lot of effort and won first place in the "chess" category.
When the topic came to "qin", people started talking again.
Chen Yue leisurely took the stage, burning incense and washing her hands. She was naturally delicate and graceful, and in her soft pink dress, she looked incredibly charming. With a faint smile on her face, she truly looked like a fairy.
She played "Ode to the Moon".
"Ode to the Moon" is a highly challenging piece, expressing the longing of a wanderer in a distant land for his homeland and loved ones. It begins with a gentle, melancholic feeling, then becomes intense and poignant, ultimately leaving one sighing. The melody's progression, climax, and conclusion are both highly demanding of the instrument's skill and deeply moving.
In her previous life, Shen Yue also took advantage of this song and was extremely popular. In comparison, she was even more miserable. Thinking about it now, it seemed that every time Shen Yue rose to fame, she was stepping on Shen Miao's embarrassment.
Shen Miao looked towards the girl on the stage.
Chen Yue had already begun. As she plucked the strings, they seemed to come alive, spreading softly across her hands. The ethereal, melodious music drifted down the air, reaching the ears of everyone present. Her fingers fluttered across the strings like butterflies through a sea of flowers, each turn a seamless and natural flow.
Feng Anning bit her lip. Even though she didn't like Shen Yue, she had to admit that her piano skills were outstanding. In comparison, the piece she had just won the "First Class" award for seemed really clumsy.
It was a song about missing family and homeland, but it made Shen Miao's fists gradually clench.
Even if I were to be reborn, the dead could not be resurrected. Wanyu and Fu Ming would never appear again. Chen Yue's song sounded like a death knell, a song of revenge. It offered no comfort, only blood feuds.
Cai Lin ran outside the banquet hall, trying to get closer to the stage so he could take in every expression on his beloved's face. He was engrossed in the beautiful piano music, but was suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone talking.
"The second young lady is so unlucky. She has never been second, yet someone like the fifth young lady used tricks to snatch the first place." The person who spoke was a slender girl. Cai Lin recognized her as Shuxiang, Chen Yue's personal maid, and couldn't help but look over there.
"That's right. Besides, the fifth girl didn't even choose 'choose'. She is deliberately going against the second girl." said another girl.
"Alas, it's a pity that our Second Miss is so kindhearted. I don't know how much anger she has endured from Fifth Miss in private. Didn't Fifth Miss rely on the eldest master to dare to treat Second Miss like this? Second Miss is so pitiful. She prepared for so long, but the fruit was snatched away by someone else."
"It would be nice if someone could vent the Second Miss's anger, like...letting the Fifth Miss take the stage during the 'pick'?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Shuxiang interrupted her. "Everyone knows that Fifth Miss is not good at music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Choosing Fifth Miss is just lowering your status. I think it's impossible for the women's team. If she is chosen by the men's team, then it will be a relief for Fifth Miss."
The voices of conversation gradually died down. Cai Lin's eyes moved, and he looked at Chen Yue on the stage. An idea came to his mind.
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