Contestants only need to write their poems on Xuan paper. After half an incense stick's time, the written poems will be read aloud by eunuchs. Invited judges can give their opinions, but the final decision rests with Feng Anxue.
The eunuch inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner and started timing.
Feng Anxue sat in the main seat, her gaze occasionally falling on Mu Chenshuang, but Mu Chenshuang showed no reaction at all.
I couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Mu Chenshuang calmly chatted with Linglong beside her.
"Miss, will Prince Wei be able to advance?" Linglong asked with some curiosity.
Mu Chenshuang replied calmly, "At least the first round shouldn't be a problem."
She had seen Wei Xu's calligraphy and paintings at the Prince's Mansion before. Although they weren't exactly praiseworthy, they were still quite good. If he practiced diligently, he might have achieved something in this field. However, he probably started pursuing Mu Yazhi and thus neglected his studies. It's not too late for him to realize this now.
However, the first poem was produced in a short while.
Then everyone began to hand in their written poems.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
The father-in-law began reading them in the order they were handed in.
The first round eliminated fourteen people, which meant the vast majority of them were eliminated. Mu Chenshuang guessed correctly; Wei Xu was not eliminated in this round.
Then came the second round.
When the second round began, Feng Anxue looked at the distant scenery with boredom, but in reality, she was keeping a close eye on Mu Chenshuang's situation.
But so much time has passed and Mu Chenshuang has shown absolutely no reaction. If she really took the medicine, based on the timeline, she should have already taken it. So there is only one possibility: she didn't take it at all.
Feng Anxue glanced at Mu Chenshuang out of the corner of her eye, her fingers involuntarily clenching tighter, a cold glint in her eyes.
She gestured to Lu Hua beside her with her eyes, and Lu Hua instantly understood the meaning in her eyes. She gave a slight curtsy and said in a low voice, "Yes."
Before long, the palace maids began to serve fruit.
"This is the latest dessert developed by Miaozhaifang. My father really likes it, so he specially had some prepared today."
Since these were snacks favored by the emperor, it was an unparalleled honor for the young ladies and gentlemen of the official family.
Mu Chenshuang calmly looked at the pastries placed in front of her, only to hear Feng Anxue's voice from above say, "Please have a taste."
Everyone picked up the snacks to taste and praised them one after another.
Seeing this, Linglong couldn't help but call out with concern, "Miss."
She never imagined that Qingkui was actually a spy planted by the princess next to her mistress, and she regretted not noticing Qingkui's abnormality earlier.
The princess specially invited the young lady to participate; it certainly couldn't have been just a simple invitation.
At this moment.
Feng Anxue's voice came, "Why doesn't Princess Weiyang try it? Is it because she doesn't like it?"
Because of Feng Anxue's words, everyone's attention fell on Mu Chenshuang.
The rumors about Mu Chenshuang and Crown Prince Junheng are now rampant, and they have naturally heard about them. Princess Anxue is deeply in love with Crown Prince Junheng.
No matter how noble Princess Weiyang's status is, how can she compare to His Majesty's most beloved princess? Princess Anxue will definitely not swallow this insult. Today, she specially invited Princess Weiyang, who is not good at poetry, and her purpose is obvious. There will probably be a good show to watch.
Mu Chenshuang raised her eyes, looking at Feng Anxue with an indifferent and cold expression, and respectfully replied, "I ate a lot for breakfast today, so I'm not very hungry right now. I'll eat later."
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