With only three days left until the results were announced, the atmosphere in Class C of the Heaven Battalion grew tense due to the bet.
The Hanmen Faction and the Power Faction ignored each other, their gazes fixed on the sky whenever they passed, striding away.
However, this tension did not affect Nian Jiaojiao.
Having a deskmate who never spoke to her in the first place, and with the two factions no longer engaging in arguments, her ears were granted a rare peace.
While Nian Jiaojiao enjoyed her tranquility, the examiners at the Qingzhou Examination Academy were bustling with activity.
The entire examination proceeded without any delay due to the county magistrate's murder case.
Naturally, after the exams concluded, the yamen dispatched another group of investigators.
As the niece, Leng Luo, cracked the case and saw the culprit sentenced within a mere five days. To avoid disrupting the imperial examinations, the murderer, Cao Zhubu, was to be executed seven days after the results were posted.
...
Qingzhou Examination Academy.
"Sir, look at this set of exam papers. I believe it should be awarded the top spot."
The chief examiner had been appointed on short notice.
Following Magistrate Leng's death, she was appointed chief examiner by the Prince of the Prefecture and also temporarily took on the role of county magistrate.
Therefore, in this murder case, she had unexpectedly become the biggest beneficiary?
Had the killer not been apprehended, Lord Luo would have suspected that she herself had hired the assassin.
Lord Luo opened the exam paper handed to her by her subordinate.
Huh?
There's something here!
On several sheets of paper, it was written:
Jia Shang!
Jia Shang!
Jia Shang!
Jia Shang!
Jia Shang!
...
Eight subjects with a 'Jia Shang' nearly blinded her eyes.
It was known that for years, Qingzhou had not produced a candidate who achieved 'Jia Shang' in all subjects!
"Excellent, excellent! This will truly bring honor to our Qingzhou examination hall!"
Lord Luo's face glowed.
To encounter such good fortune right after taking office, it seemed as though Heaven itself was lending her a hand!
"But, Sir, please take a look at this other set of exam papers I have here..."
At this moment, another examiner handed over another paper.
Lord Luo took the paper with a hint of confusion.
After she finished reading it, she understood why the two examiners were arguing.
Her expression then turned peculiar.
It had been years since a talent with all 'Jia' marks had appeared, and now there were two at once?
Could it be that... she truly was the chosen one?
Just as Lord Luo's thoughts began to wander, her subordinate couldn't help but remind her:
"Um, Sir, look at this..."
Lord Luo's thoughts were pulled back. She cleared her throat twice and said:
"Don't rush, let me examine them more carefully."
With that, she began to meticulously review the two sets of papers.
Half an hour later, Lord Luo put down the two sets of papers, firmly placed her hand on one of them, and declared:
"The top spot is hers!"
...
Warm Grass Pavilion.
In the boudoir.
"Meilan, my darling, I told you I wanted to redeem you, why don't you want to?"
Mother Chen, looking at Meilan, who was revealing her fair arms and drawing her eyebrows, paced anxiously.
Meilan calmly put down her brush and chided:
"You are truly impatient~"
He slowly stood up, extended his index finger to point at her chest, and said in a delicate voice:
"I know you ghosts too well. First, you redeem me, just for the novelty. After a while, when you get tired of me, you'll just ignore me~"
Mother Chen quickly grabbed his arm and pleaded desperately:
"Meilan, you've truly wronged me. I, how could I treat you like this! You are the apple of my eye, my heart's desire. Even if I had to give up on myself, I would never neglect you!"
Meilan turned his body, his gaze filled with lingering resentment:
"Hmph~ I don't believe these ghost stories. Everyone knows you have a daughter who's a dragon among men. She, with her extraordinary talent as a scholar, despises people like me from the pleasure quarters. She definitely won't agree to you taking me back..."
Upon hearing this, Mother Chen became agitated and exclaimed loudly:
"That unfilial daughter, if she dares to hinder me from pursuing true love, I'll kick her out!"
She then put on a smile again, cupped Meilan's hands, and said:
"I provide her with food and lodging, and I also provide for her education. I make all the decisions at home, and no one else has the right to comment. Meilan, I swear, if you follow me, I will treat you well my entire life, or may lightning strike me!"