The chief examiner was Zhong Ziqi, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. He was a little old man with a head of white hair, but he was usually very serious and upright. He pulled open the scroll in his hand and started to read the theme for today.
The theme for "painting" was actually different every year. However, this year, the test and the chrysanthemum banquet happened to be together, so the theme was much simpler. For example, "literature" was about chrysanthemums, and "painting" was about chrysanthemums too.
On the stage, there were five long tables. On the table, there was a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The participants walked to the table in order, and the soldier banged the drum heavily to signal the beginning of the test.
Everyone craned their necks to look up.
These five people were considered to be very unique. Shen Yue was a well-known talented girl. Qin Qing was beautiful, and Fan Liu'er and Zhao Yan were talented too. As for Shen Miao, she was naturally that stupid and ignorant fool.
Most of the men were looking at Shen Yue and Qin Qing, but most of the women were looking at Shen Miao.
Bai Wei covered her mouth and said, "Shen Miao seems to be quite obedient today. She didn't do anything strange."
In addition to this, Shen Miao had already gone through a total of four tests in the past. The first time, she drew chess. She played a few random pieces and was defeated. The second time, she drew literature. She knocked over the ink plate and dirtied her clothes. The third time, she drew the Guzhen. She broke the strings on the Guzhen. Everyone was wondering how Shen Miao was going to embarrass herself today.
But today was different.
On the spacious platform, the girl sat in front of the table. The way she held the pen was very standard, as if she had received strict training. In October, a cold wind blew through the hall, lifting the hair on her forehead. She lowered her head slightly, and one could only see her oval face and her lowered eyelashes.
She was actually quite beautiful.
Her green cloak fluttered. She sat upright, but her hand movement was elegant, and in every stroke she made, there was a clear sign of confidence.
Mrs. Yi pursed her lips and said to Ren Wanyun meaningfully, "Shen Miao really grew up a lot."
Ren Wanyun forced a smile and secretly clenched her fists.
The sound of girls chatting came from behind.
"Shen Miao hasn't made a fool of herself yet. Has she really changed?"
"That's impossible. She should be just putting on an act. Let's wait for a few minutes. She is probably just scribbling on the paper right now."
Looking at Shen Miao on the stage, Feng Anning had a strange feeling that today's chrysanthemum banquet might not be like before.
In the male section, some people gradually realized the difference too.
This group was probably the most pleasing to the eye among all the female groups. Shen Yue was dressed in pink, elegant, and beautiful. Qin Qing was dressed in green and had wide sleeves, looking proud and beautiful. Fan Liu'er was pretty and charming, and Zhao Yan was dressed in a playful way.
However, among the five of them, not only was Shen Miao not inferior, but she also stood out.
She sat there quietly. Though her head was lowered, she gave off a feeling that she was looking down on all living beings, as if… she was standing on the throne, looking down at her subjects.
Pei Lang frowned. How could a person's temperament change so drastically? Was this person really Shen Miao?
Fu Xiuyi could not hide the surprise in his eyes. He was not surprised by the drastic change in Shen Miao today, but the way she sat there, which reminded him of someone, the Empress.
Fu Xiuyi knew that this idea was ridiculous. Everyone in the capital knew that Shen Miao loved him, and he hated it when such a woman adored him. However, most of the time, he got to know Shen Miao mainly through rumors. Rumors said that Shen Miao was ignorant, vulgar, rough, and stupid. Now it seemed that the rumors weren't accurate.
"That's strange." A blue-shirted boy said curiously, "Didn't they say that Shen Miao from the second grade is an idiot? She doesn't look like one."
Cai Lin was also stunned. Shen Miao seemed to have a magical power that could make people involuntarily notice her. It was as if she was born to be seen, especially today. He shook off the thoughts and snorted. "She's just putting on an act."
"Brother, she will win, right?" Su Minglang tugged at the sleeve of the person beside him.
Su Mingfeng smiled, but his expression was a little strange.
"Shen Miao?"
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, the drummer hit the drum again, indicating that time was up.
Shen Yue put down her pen. She was very confident in her painting today. On her left was Qin Qing, who had also finished her painting and was washing her brush. Even the way she washed the brush was pleasing to the eye.
However, no matter how charming she was, beauty was not the only thing that mattered in the test.
She turned to look at Shen Miao, surprised that she didn't make a fool of herself today. However, no matter how well-behaved she was, Shen Miao couldn't possibly come up with a painting.
At this moment, Shen Miao put down her brush and was looking at the examiner calmly.
Shen Yue's smile froze.
After everyone's paintings were put away, it would take time for the examiners to score the works.
"Fifth Sister, what exactly did you pain?" After Shen Yue got off the stage, she couldn't wait to ask Shen Miao.
For some reason, Shen Miao made her feel very uneasy.
"You'll know later." Shen Miao smiled. There seemed to be something deeper in her smile.
She turned around and walked to a place where no one could see her. Then she said to Gu Yu, who was beside her, "Find a way to send this to the second young master of the Shi family. Look, it's the third person from the left who is dressed in green."
Gu Yu was baffled for a moment before saying, "I understand."
"Go." Shen Miao patted her shoulder and walked back to her seat. She looked at Pei Lang from afar.
Pei Lang looked up and met a pair of eyes. From afar, he could see the scrutiny in them.
"I'm sorry, Pei Lang." Shen Miao thought to herself, "I'll use you to shake the unbreakable foundation of the Ming Qi Royal Family."
After all, you owe me.