Looking at Qin Zhaoyue's undisguised, almost radiant, infatuated expression, Meng Jian felt a surge of anger rise from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!
My heart was burning and my throat felt tight.
He laughed in anger, a cold and stiff smile curving his lips, and he squeezed out a heavy sound from his nose.
"snort!"
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly turned around, and the armor plates made a crisp, cracking sound as he moved.
With swift strides, he walked rapidly toward the palace gate.
That figure exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay, as if even the surrounding air itself had frozen.
Qin Zhaoyue: ?
Startled by this sudden change of attitude, he silently bared his teeth at the departing figure.
Hey, you think you can take advantage of me just because I gave you a little attention?
Damn it, you think you can get away with this?
Before she could finish her internal monologue, her third sister Qin Zhaowan, fourth sister Qin Zhaoshu, and fifth brother Qin Jingzhan surrounded her.
"Zhaoyue, what were you talking about with Commander Meng just now? Look how quickly he left."
"It's nothing," Qin Zhaoyue quickly composed herself, waving her hand as if the little incident just now was insignificant.
"Let's go. Didn't the Empress grant permission for us to stay temporarily in Qinghui Palace?"
She took the first step, and the three of them followed behind, but the atmosphere was slightly awkward.
A faint layer of contemplation lingered between Qin Zhaowan's brows. She seemed to walk with ease, but her gaze seemed to be fixed on a point in the void.
Like the other officials, she also felt that the Second Princess of Shuofeng's audience was too... childish, and was pondering her true intentions. Qin Zhaoshu's face remained expressionless, her lips were slightly pursed, and her eyes glanced at Qin Zhaoyue's face, which was full of "it's none of my business," several times as if unintentionally.
Finally, she quickened her pace to stand beside Qin Zhaoyue, turning her head to gaze at her like a probe.
"Sixth Sister, have you heard something?"
Qin Zhaoyue paused and stopped.
The other three also stopped instinctively, their eyes instantly focusing on her.
The third brother, in particular, quickly glanced between the fourth and sixth brothers.
Qin Zhaoyue tilted her head, looking at Qin Zhaoshu with an incredulous expression.
"Fourth sister, have you lost your mind? You're asking me?"
Everyone: ...
The third brother finally couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
Extending her slender fingers, with a hint of doting yet a warning, she gently touched Qin Zhaoyue's smooth forehead.
"You, you really have a sharp tongue."
Be careful not to offend your fourth sister too much, or she might find a chance to make things difficult for you later.
Qin Zhaoyue immediately shrank her neck in cooperation, pretending to be scared, her big eyes blinking.
"Oh dear, that's terrifying! Third sister, you have to protect me!"
Fourth Brother: Okay, okay, so I'm the only bad guy, right?
Looking at her younger sister, who was pretending to be stupid and unyielding, she felt a lump in her throat.
"I just noticed that Sixth Sister seemed very relaxed, as if nothing was bothering her, so I asked this question."
"You little brat!" Qin Zhaoyue cursed inwardly. "You're really determined to throw work at me, aren't you?"
"I'm relaxed because I don't have to worry about anything. I have two virtuous and talented older sisters ahead of me, so why should I care?"
Fifth Prince Qin Jingzhan beside him: ...
She blinked hard at Qin Zhaoyue, as if to say: What about me? I have a good older brother! I'm right here!
The third son chuckled, "You're just trying to slack off. Who knows, Mother might assign you another task."
Qin Zhaoyue immediately snapped to attention, "No way! I'd rather die than leave the capital!"
The three sisters chatted and laughed as they walked forward.
Qin Jingzhan: !!!
I'd like to ask you something? I work from 8 AM!
Just as Princess Shuofeng was about to pay her respects, the notice boards outside the imperial city were already abuzz with excitement.
The yamen runners had just laboriously slammed the huge yellow notice, covered in paste, onto the wall and flattened it with a long pole when the surging crowd rushed up impatiently.
The final list of candidates for the supplementary preliminary examination for the Zhongchendao Women's Provincial Examination has finally been posted!
Riding on the wave of Princess Shuofeng's arrival in the capital, like a spark thrown into a pot of oil, the entire city of Fengjing was instantly ignited into a frenzy.
The crowd pushed and shouted, almost pressing those in the front row against the cold wall.
Those who could read craned their necks, eagerly searching for familiar names among the densely packed names;
Those who couldn't read anxiously tugged at the sleeves of those around them, repeatedly asking questions.
Discussions and exclamations rose and fell.
Several clever vendors pushed their carts selling sweet soup and pastries around the crowd, calling out their wares.
A fortune teller also set up a stall, shouting, "Predict your future and pass the imperial examination with flying colors!"
Logically speaking, it shouldn't be this enthusiastic about just supplementing the list of candidates for the preliminary examination, even if there is curiosity surrounding the news that Xiao Yunshuo will also participate in the provincial examination.
Actually, there was another reason behind the scenes: starting yesterday, rumors began to circulate in various places.
Major gambling dens and some secretive entertainment venues will all offer astonishing odds based on the rankings of the women's provincial examination!
After a day of fermentation, the news spread like wildfire.
An investment of ten or a hundred coins could yield a return of a hundred or a thousand times if you bet on an underdog dark horse!
The allure of getting rich overnight is like the strongest liquor, igniting the flames of greed and wishful thinking in the hearts of countless people.
Amidst this uproar, an incredibly shrill voice suddenly rang out:
"Wait a minute, why isn't the name of the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zheng's family on this list?"
These words were like a thunderclap, instantly silencing a small area around them for a moment.
"Bullshit! How could Miss Zheng not be on the list?"
"That's right. Even if she's not the most talented woman in the capital, she's definitely in the top three."
"They're definitely a favorite to win this time, how could they not sign up?"
"You can't read, can you? Get out of my way right now."
The man was thoroughly scolded, and his face immediately turned red. "Really, there's nothing there! See for yourselves!"
There was another commotion ahead, but it quickly turned into an eerie silence.
"This... there really isn't one?"
"That can't be right, could it be something I forgot? Or was it written wrong?"
"Hiss... There really isn't any."
"Take a look, look again carefully!"
As more and more people searched from beginning to end, whispers of astonishment spread rapidly like ripples.
Many people wore expressions of disbelief, unable to accept this fact.
The eldest daughter of the Duke of Zheng's family is one of the favorites to win the provincial examination this time.
Many people at the event even decided to bet on her, but ended up not registering at all?
...
At this moment, the carriage bearing the insignia of the Duke of Zheng's mansion had just smoothly left the palace grounds.
They were walking unhurriedly along the wide Zhuque Avenue towards the government office of the Shangya.
Duke Zheng Mingyuan sat upright in his carriage, his eyes closed as he rested, his fingers unconsciously twirling the oily sandalwood prayer beads on his wrist.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the rapid, frantic sound of horses' hooves...
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