The most supreme was the Imperial power. But more powerful than the Imperial power were the commoner's mouths.
Of course, one could use iron and bloody methods to suppress them down but till that day comes, the commoners dare not to speak nonsense and words would only spread through jokes and would not be a big offence.
The Imperial family of Ming Qi was probably like this; inwardly they had obviously done so many filthy deeds but to the outside world, they still put on a farce of being devoted to the empire. They have no qualms to receive the aristocratic families' sacrifices and protection but at the end, still wanted to beat them down.
Hearing Shen Miao's remarks, everyone started to gradually quieten down.
Daughters were thinking of the glory of their ancestors if they were from military lineage they would be moved. As for male students, as they were at the age when they were hot-blooded, they naturally worshipped heroes since soldiers who fought in the battlefields would be admired wherever they went.
But there were some people who were not so happy.
The three Princes of Ming Qi that were present all coincidentally frowned. Others may not know but they knew what the Imperial family's intention for the aristocratic families was. The Shen family was a tall tree that attracted the wind and sooner or later will be eradicated by the Emperor with some excuse. Due to the uncontrollable good reputation of the Shen family on the commoners, it would not be an overnight matter to bring them down. For Shen Miao to say such words, it seems to be mourning for the fallen soldiers but in fact, eulogising the meritorious achievements and putting officers and soldiers on the stage where everyone was looking. If the Imperial family did any shred of inappropriate, by virtue, they would be in the wrong.
Were her actions intentional?
Everyone looked up and stayed silent after the young lady finished speaking. Her robes were slightly large and made a fluttering sound as the cold wind blew past it, making her stature endlessly fragile.
Most likely her thoughts had strayed off since she was an unmarried daughter. This time the reason she uncharacteristically came out onto the top position was that she was Shen Xin's daughter and it was just a coincidence that he spoke about the events of a battlefield.
Prince Yu of First Rank's eyes followed closely with the purple-clad young lady and after a moment he suddenly gave a profound smile, "This Shen family's daughter is indeed very interesting."
No one knew why but when Prince Yu said these words, Pei Lang and Fu Xiu Yi frowned at the same time as a bad premonition hinted in their hearts.
Prince Zhou heard it and asked meaningfully, "Does Huángshū fancy that gūniáng from the Shen family? According to the rumours, the gūniáng from the Shen family is an ignorant idiot but now it seems she is not. She is clever, eloquent and looks not so bad. If there would be a Huángshěn…" His laughter was extremely uncouth, "That would be very interesting."
Prince Jing thought further than his older blood brother. As of now, even if the Imperial family was determined to suppress the Shen family, the Shen family had the military power and it was like an idiot carrying a treasure. If any of the princes acquired the Shen family's assistance, it would be a huge bargaining chip on the road to the throne. However, if Shen Miao married Prince Yu, since he had no more energy to fight for the highest position, it would be equivalent to placing the military power back to the Imperial family and perhaps the best method of not letting any prince covet after it.
Thinking about this, Prince Jing nodded, "The Gūniáng of the Shen family is shrewd and creative. If Huángshū feels good, that would be understandable."
Fu Xiu Yi's brows wrinkled much more. He naturally took into account what Prince Jing thought about. He knew that if Shen Miao were to marry into Prince Yu residence, it would be a hundred advantages and no harm to him at all. First of all, he could free himself from Shen Miao's entanglement and there would be one less joke about him. The second was that Shen Xin's military power was an extremely hot potato and even if he intended to use it, he was afraid that it would ignite the Emperor's suspicion. It would be better to be placed in Prince Yu residence and wait for an opportunity to use it. But he did not know why there was an annoying feeling in his heart like it was not right to do it like that.
Pei Lang worriedly looked at Shen Miao who was coming down from the state. She leisurely walked down with a calm expression as she most likely did not know that her own destiny was already in the hands of these sons of the Imperial family. He sighed in his heart, after all, they were teacher and student but he was just a small and low ranked teacher who was unable to change anything and could only feel sorry for Shen Miao in his heart.
Prince Yu waved his hands somewhat impatiently and even though he did not seem necessarily happy, there was some ruthlessness in his smile, "Huángzhí, Běnwǎng does not necessarily not know what your intentions are. Yù Wángzǐ's residence cannot swallow such a big Buddha like the Shen family." His eyes landed on his own crippled leg, "But Shen Gūniáng is interesting and it would not be bad to play with her."
Su Ming Feng glanced over to that side. He was seated closer to Fu Xiu Yi and the rest and looked as if he was seriously watching the situation on the stage but there were some grievances in his heart. Even if Shen Miao was an idiot or stupid, if she was eyed by Prince Yu, everything would point to disaster. It would be fortunate if Shen Xin was in Ding City but unfortunately he would only return after the end of the year. Without her father or older brother to protect her, how would a young lady be able to compete with these vicious wolves?
As if he had already expected what tragic ending would happen, Su Ming Feng sighed and brought Su Ming Lang to Master Su before leaving the banquet area.
Shen Miao was unaware of the changing situation on the male side of the banquet. Jing Zhe was very happy for Shen Miao but it was Shen Yue who was finally unable to maintain a good expression and left the banquet somewhat stiffly.
After the female group of examinations, it was time for the male group to take their turn. There were already many young ladies who had left the banquet after taking the examinations. Feng An Ning followed beside Shen Miao and this previously proud young lady finally showed a convincing look to Shen Miao before saying, "What you did just now was really good. It was really great."
Shen Miao replied plainly, "You were also good."
Most likely Feng An Ning was thinking about receiving the first rank for 'Qin' category as she said smilingly, "Time cannot defeat determination. I will go to the carriage to pick up something, wait for me here."
After Feng An Ning left, Shen Miao walked to the middle of Bei Yan Tang's plum blossom forest to wait for her. In this season, the plum blossoms had not yet flourished and the trees were very lush.
Gu Yu walked out from inside and looked around before whispering, "Xiǎojiě, I have already sent it to Èr shàoyé of the Historian Adviser Jing by bribing the footboy from outside to switch it to ensure that it was secure."
"Very good." Shen Miao said.
Gu Yu was somewhat confused and did not understand why her own Xiǎojiě would do such a thing. There was no possibility of her own Xiǎojiě to be familiar with the Young Master of the Historian Adviser Jing.
Just at the same time, one heard a chuckle from up above one's head. The three of them raised their heads and saw that near the top of the branches there was a purple figure floating down and fell in front of them.
That purple-clad youth was so handsome that he did not look like a mortal. He folded his hands across his chest as he leaned against the trunk of the tree and there was a smile but not really a smile on his lips as his eyes brought out a chilly cold look that was like Ding City's winter night.
It was Xie Jing Xing.