There were 30 questions on this paper, all of which were related to the Book of Songs, and the last 10 were related to the "Biography of Filial Daughters" and were about interpretation. In fact, the difficulty of the test was not very high, but it was a bit difficult for the girls in the private school.
Because students in private schools usually only study for half a day, and the rest of the time is spent on needlework, painting, etiquette, chess, and even tea tasting and identification. The Guo sisters were the most serious in learning etiquette and tea ceremony, which is understandable because they came from a family of officials and often followed their mother to socialize, where etiquette was the most important thing.
But Mi Niang's standard is that everything must be correct, word for word, so what she has to do now is to write as neatly as possible.
Thinking of this, she didn't stop writing.
Among the people in the examination room, Luo Qiujun and Guo Yaoyu were writing seriously, but Guo Yaoxian got stuck at the third question. She sighed and looked at Ji Chunfang, who was sometimes writing a few words and sometimes sitting down to think hard. Wang Sumin was a little desperate. She thought she had a good memory, but she didn't expect that she had just cramd and managed to memorize it, but she had forgotten how to write the words.
"How did it say 'Wu Mei Si Fu'? Why didn't I see it clearly just now?" Thinking of this, Wang Sumin couldn't help but pat his head.
Tao Chun'er has always been careful. She knows most of the things and does them very seriously. But she just glanced at Zhou Furou who was making small movements beside her and ignored her.
Zhou Furou was scratching her ears and cheeks, sitting unsteadily on her chair like a monkey. It was only after Mr. Xue knocked on the table that she dared not move.
One exam, a variety of life.
Half an hour later, Luo Qiujun went straight to handing in the paper. It was not because she was arrogant, but the paper was not difficult at all, and was even very simple for her.
Some people handed in their papers early, which made the atmosphere in the examination room even more tense.
Ji Chunfang became anxious as he still didn't know a large part of the test paper.
Even Tao Chun'er, who was always calm, couldn't help but look at the incense table, fearing that it would be too late.
Two moments later, Mi Niang also handed in her paper, followed closely by Guo Yaoyu.
Mr. Xue reminded them, "There are still two cups of tea left, you have to hurry." She looked at Zhou Furou carefully. The child's paper was almost blank, and she looked like she wanted to cry.
But there was no sympathy on Ms. Xue's face. Although Zhou Furou's aunt said that her family was poor, Ms. Xue did not think that was a reason. Even if she could not study at home, she still had time to study during breaks in the private school. She had carefully observed Zhou Furou and found that she did not work hard most of the time. She just played with everyone, showing her childish nature.
But he is seven years old now, and it is time for him to be sensible.
When the incense burned to the last moment, Tao Chun'er and Guo Yaoxian hurried forward to hand in their papers. Wang Sumin's paper was taken directly by Caixia. Ji Chunfang still wanted to procrastinate, but after being glanced at by Mr. Xue, he dared not delay any longer.
Only Zhou Furou burst into tears.
"Sister Luo, today's meal is very good. There are pickled quail and glutinous rice meatballs. I even ordered two more bowls of rice." Mi Niang said with a smile.
Luo Qiujun nodded: "We Jiangling people love to eat sticky food. If the meatballs are not covered with sticky rice, it will be less interesting."
They both did well in the exam, so they ate as usual. Tao Chun'er was very nervous and had no appetite. She was worried, "What should I do? I wrote the word 'Meet' incorrectly in one of the sentences, and I still can't remember the answers to two questions. What should I do?"
Mi Niang and Luo Qiujun tried to comfort her, and then Ji Chunfang, who was sitting in the front row, turned around and said quietly, "Chun'er, you only failed to memorize two questions. I got five questions half right and half wrong. I even got the sentence interpretation wrong, and I didn't even have time to write down the meaning."
While everyone was eating, Zhou Furou choked up several times again, but this time even the kind-hearted Tao Chuner felt that she did not do very well in the exam, so no one was willing to comfort Zhou Furou anymore.
In the afternoon, there was an assessment on needlework, which was Mi Niang's forte. She first drew a pattern on the white paper that was handed out. After finishing, she began to put the cloth to be used on the embroidery frame, first embroidering and then cutting out a purse pattern. This was a piece of cake for her.
Of course, Mi Niang also distractedly glanced at Luo Qiujun. Well, fortunately, she specialized in embroidering carp, and now when asked to make a purse, she could quickly make a hibiscus carp purse.
After the needlework assessment, Mr. Xue posted the papers of the first half of the assessment on the spot and even read out the rankings.
"There are two top calligraphers in Yimeiyuan Calligraphy House, and all of them are correct. Both large and small characters are written very well." Mr. Xue praised.
Ji Chunfang whispered to Guo Yaoyu: "It must be Luo Qiujun and you."
"No way." Guo Yaoyu shook his head.
Ji Chunfang smiled and said, "You are the section chief, and you usually have the best grades. I won't accept it if others criticize me, but I will accept it if you criticize me."
Apparently everyone thought so too. Tao Chun'er even looked at Luo Qiujun and Guo Yaoyu with envy, but the result was shocking.
"The first place is Luo Qiujun and Ruan Mi Niang."
Everyone looked at Mi Niang in disbelief. Guo Yaoyu's sister Guo Yaoxian even whispered, "This can't be a mistake. Hasn't Ruan Mi Niang only been in the academy for three months? How is this possible?"
Yes, Luo Qiujun is fine, after all, Luo Qiujun had always ranked first in the quarterly exams last year. But Ruan Mi Niang, when she first entered the school, she couldn’t even write her own name, and she even wrote it backwards.
Ms. Xue coughed lightly, and everyone was intimidated by her majesty and dared not discuss any more.
I only heard her say, "Haven't you heard that learning has its order and that each profession has its specialization? Although Mi Niang is young and her foundation was weak before she entered school, she is diligent in her studies. People have talent, but without hard work, it is impossible to succeed. Her mother told me that she practices calligraphy for two hours every day when she returns home, and gets up half an hour early to recite. Who among you can match her perseverance?"
Everyone lowered their heads in shame, not daring to question anymore.
Mr. Xue added: "Don't always make excuses and reasons. You are already much better than many other women by being able to study at a girls' school. You should all cherish this time."
These words were meant to hit Zhou Furou, and everyone could hear them. She was the only one who almost handed in a blank paper. She could still write and gesture with big characters, but she couldn't write small characters at all.
Then Mr. Xue read out the names after the first place. They were: Guo Yaoyu in second place, Tao Chuner in third place, Guo Yaoxian in fourth place, Wang Sumin in fifth place, Ji Chunfang in sixth place, and Zhou Furou in last place.
Guo Yaoyu was not very happy after getting second place. She was sullen and didn't even smile. Tao Chun'er was pleasantly surprised to get third place. She thought she was a bad student but she didn't expect to get third place.
As for Guo Yaoxian and Wang Sumin, they were sobbing quietly, while Ji Chunfang was happy to have Zhou Furou supporting her back. Wang Sumin was just one level higher than her, yet she looked down on her merchant family. Humph.
"Sir, what about the needlework assessment? Are they going to be combined this time?" Guo Yaoyu asked with a smile.
At this time, even Tao Chun'er had a glimmer of hope that she could advance one more place. Although Luo Qiujun had good knowledge, she was not good at embroidery. Guo Yaoyu also thought so.
Mr. Xue nodded: "Yes, the one that has both the best quality is the first one."
Guo Yaoyu showed a look of delight. Today she was embroidering the blooming of winter jasmine and she specially used the tender green spring silk thread which was very hard to find. She put a lot of effort in needlework. Perhaps, she could win the first place.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Xue took out a purse and showed it to everyone: "I think the purse embroidered by Mi Niang is the best."
What was embroidered on Mi Niang's purse was not forsythia, phoenix fairy peony or rose, but okra flowers.
This okra flower is graceful and delicate, extremely tender, gorgeous but not vulgar, charming but not coquettish. Although it is not a famous flower, it has outstanding character. The ancients said that okra flowers are like female Taoist priests, which secretly coincides with Mr. Xue's thoughts.
Just like before an imperial examination, everyone would first find out who the examiner would be, whether he preferred ancient style or fancy four-six parallel prose; some focused on practicality, while others focused on rhetoric.
In fact, considering their age, Guo Yaoyu and Tao Chun'er have done very well. They are first-class, wealthy and full of vitality. But the examiner is Mr. Xue, so they can't just do what they want. You have to know that Mr. Xue is a person of noble character and has no worldly eyes. Naturally, she prefers okra flowers, which are known as female Taoist priests. What's more, Mi Niang's needlework skills are impeccable.
"I hereby announce that the top scorer in the Yimeiyuan Academy's quarterly exam is Ruan Mi Niang."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
