2nd additional chap this week!!! Many thanks to the donors!!! Enjoy!!!
Chapter 34: Winning
The examiners were up on stage discussing the results of the examinations and the students below the stage were also in the heat of discussion.
Today Shen Miao did not make a fool of herself and that made the academy examinations seem a little boring, but many of her classmates who did not look at her now paid her more attention. Humans were all weird. When a normally terrible person performed a little better, perhaps others would think that there would be a reversal of fortune.
Feng An Ning was somewhat nervous and kept looking over at the examiners from time to time. For some unknown reasons, the few Darens on stage had a dispute over something.
“It seems that it is also very intense today.” Fu Xiu An laughed, “But for females, why should one be so competitive since they would not enter the official circles.” He has some conceited characteristics and was not afraid that the Darens beside him would be unhappy upon hearing his words, after all some of their daughters were those who were up on the stage.
“The opportunity of an academy examination is rare and naturally one would take advantage of it.” Fu Xiu Yi said.
“Ninth Younger Brother’s words are not wrong.” Fu Xiu Xuan picked up the tea on the table for a sip before speaking, “If there is any particularly outstanding female, Ninth Younger Brother must pay a little more attention.” Although he looked quiet, he was not one who was easy to dealt with. He was secretly and openly testing if Fu Xiu Yi would find a wife with a strong family background.
“Fifth Older Brother is joking.” Fu Xiu Yi shook his head, “Imperial Father will call the shots for my marriage. I would not have a say in the matter.”
That was also true. It was the Emperor that arranged Fu Xiu Yi’s current tasks and he rarely took the initiative to think of anything up by himself. In the eyes of an outsider, this kind of Prince was simply overly docile and had no ambition, just like Consort Dong Shu. But in the eyes of Prince Jing, Fu Xiu Xi, it would always be different.
“There is only one life and one would need to take a chance at it. Wouldn’t it be the same with marrying a wife?” Prince Jing’s words had an additional meaning, “Until the end of it, who would know what the outcome would be?”
Prince Zhou heard the temptation made by his own younger brother to Fu Xiu Yi, his eyes shifted but he did not speak.
It was not long later when the examiners came out and announced the results.
In the qin category, as expected, it was Feng An Ning that came out on top. Originally there was no one particularly powerful and Feng An Ning could be regarded as the most prominent one. She naturally was happy as she went up to collect the examination certificate and happily came down to show it to Feng Furen. Feng Furen looked happy as such a glory like this would be the icing on the cake even the female would not be an official. Noble and rich families’ children naturally do not lack of wealth or valuables but their talent and beauty would be able to separate them on different grades.
Feng An Ning used the academy examinations and elevated her grade up a level.
In the chess category, it was Bai Wei that came up on top. The records of the proceeding chess match were shown from the people below to view to ensure fairness. Shen Miao glanced at the chess game and repeated the moves in her mind. Bai Wei’s game was meticulous and could last the longest. Unfortunately too much attention was placed in trifles details and there was no better focus on the overall situation which hindered the progress and making it somewhat a burden.
For the literary category, Shen Qing only got the second rank. The first rank belonged to Yi Pei Lan. Her poem of a blooming Chrysanthemum’s complains was elegant and adorable. Even though it was a little excessive for an unmarried young lady to write such a poem but Guang Wen Tang was a place that broke through etiquettes and was not too harsh on female requirements. In addition the poem was written in an interesting and adorable manner and not merely from a Chrysanthemum’s point of view but using a Chrysanthemum to voice out one’s thought and thus added another higher level.
Shen Qing’s expression was not good but she was naturally not good at writing poetry thus was very helpless at the result.
Finally it was Shen Miao’s group on ‘painting’.
On the stage the examiners’ expressions were mixed and it was most probably that this was what the dispute was about. The females started to speculate that it was that Shen Yue’s and Qing Qin’s pieces had their own merits and it would be hard to make a choice, after all both of them were often compared against one another in Guang Wen Tang. Qing Qin sat in her original position arrogantly as if she scorned the result but the fingers that were holding the teacup stiffened.
In contrast, it was Shen Yue who seemed much more calmer. She sat beside Chen Rou Qiu, looking somewhat coquettish and shy while Chen Rou Qiu looked at her warmly. This daughter of hers was intelligent and talented and was as outstanding as her, well versed in the four scholarly arts. She would be the most outstanding one in every academy examinations, second to none. Seeing her being that cheerful, she must be extremely certain of the results today.
Shen Yue naturally had a well thought up plan, her brush strokes showed strength, it was interesting and even the conception of it was all thought out. It was as if she had found out the preferences of these examiners for her to always come out with the best works. So what if Qing Qin looked beautiful, it was only to look at and of no use. Thinking of useless, her eyes landed on Shen Miao who was sitting at the side. Shen Miao had made her suffer such a big damage and she thought that Shen Miao would make a fool of herself in the academy but who knew that she went through it safely. Now when the pieces are all displayed for everyone’s viewing, Shen Miao would not be able to escape ridicule.
Anyhow she would be a joke and a trace of comfort flashed in Shen Yue’s heart.
The examiner who was responsible for reading the results shouted out on the stage loudly, “Painting group’s first rank – Shen Miao.”
Shen Miao? First rank!
One stone created a thousand ripples. Everyone created a ruckus that the names of subsequent ranks that were read by the examiner were drowned in it.
Shen Yue’s smile stiffened on her face in a moment as she looked at Chen Rou Qiu with an incredible look and spoke with a trembling voice, “Mother, just now… Just now, who was the first ranked? I must have heard it wrong.”
Chen Rou Qiu pinched Shen Yue’s arm. Even though there were shock and anger in her heart, she ate a few decades of rice more than Shen Yue, and thus knew that under such a situation there will be many who would certainly watch Shen Yue’s reaction. If Shen Yue was magnanimous, it would be good but if she was like it was a matter of life or death like before, she would be at a disadvantage.
Although Shen Qing and Ren Wan Yun were gloating that it was the first time that Shen Yue has lost her face, they were also shocked when that person was Shen Miao. They thought that the examiner had mistaken Shen Yue for Shen Miao.
There were continuous discussion among the female side of the banquet and naturally there was an uproar in the male side.
“What is going on? Why was it not Little Yue?” Cai Lin suddenly stood up and looked at his classmate sitting beside him, “Was it me that heard it wrong? It was that old man that wrongly read it, right?”
He was not the only one thinking that. Especially the youths who were Shen Miao’s classmates had a shocked look in their eyes.
“Eldest Brother, see. I knew that she would win.” Su Ming Lang tugged Su Ming Feng. In this group of people, it was most likely that he was the happiest of all and the fats on his fair face also followed along and trembled.
Su Ming Feng head was also aching. Who knew that it was Shen Miao. Every year there would be a underground betting for the academy examinations and he bet Shen Yue for one thousand liang!
Finished. One thousand liang were squandered away just like that. If Master Su were to know, he would definitely tear him apart. Looking at Su Ming Lang who was jumping for joy, Su Ming Feng wanted to cry but there were no tears.
Pei Lang frowned but he did not look at the examiners on stage and instead looked at the purple clad young lady in the middle of the female side of the banquet.
She was exceptionally calm and was indifferent with all the surprises and doubts from others.
She had long known that she would win.
Yes! Now for the fallout! Thank you! Hahahahaha, big brother bet against her and lost, probably the only happy person is little brother!
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I think SML is the only happy person in the entire audience… LOL
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Even much happier than the winner 😝
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Sometimes I really wish CN authors wouldn’t drag things out so much, blargh.
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I understand you and I would agree to it for other novels… But this drag out is good… 😛
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I agree with both of you but I really want to know what she painted!
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Not me. I just think it would be boring if they didn’t. Ah well. T.
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Its Started! Thank you for translating.
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Thanks for supporting!!
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The two Su brothers are so funny! Hahaha… Take that those audiences. That that those Prince’s.
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LOL Thanks for supporting!!!
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Edited version: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d5_gBDrUHkymuMiRbiHiBF3jrho6B_c_4UUHjsV_KRs/edit?usp=sharing
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Thank you so much!!! *HUGS*
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Thank you….
Did she bet as well….?
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Since it was not mentioned… I guess not 🙂
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Thank you!
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Thanks for supporting!!
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And I want to read more…. XD
Thx for ur hardwork
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Monday is only 2 days away… 😛 Thanks for supporting!!!
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Hahahaha!!!! In your snobbish faces, faeces!!! Ok. . . that was horrible XD
I wonder why they were having a dispute over choosing the winner? Because they were having trouble believing that it was Shen Miao who painted the thing or her painting had caused a huge ruckus because of what she painted? Hmmm. . . interesting. SML is probably the only one who’s jumping in joy because of Shen Miao’s victory 😀
Thanks for translating~
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Thanks for supporting!!! Your questions will be answered in the next chap!! 🙂
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Thank you so much!! 😘😘😘.
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Thanks so much!!
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thank you for the chapter 🙂
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Thanks for the chapter!! 😀
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Thanks for supporting!!!
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I have a feeling …That they would say that SM cheated or someone switched the painting just because they said she’s a good for nothing fool..
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Sth like that… Next chapter… 😛
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how long we have to wait to know what exactly was her work?
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Monday… Just a 2 more days 🙂
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See? You should also listen to your younger brother! The cute dumpling knows stuff!
Ha! Slap them with your painting Shen Miao!
Thank you for the new chapter 🙂
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Love that SML is our Empress ardent fan 😛
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Thanks for the chapter!
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Finally…the result that we are waiting for.
Thanks
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Thanks for supporting!!! Next chap will be on the painting itself… Stay tune 😛
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Jump jump brother, SML told you so 🙂
Dark cloud is coming to town, serve you right SY
urgh, 2 days is not long x2.
Thank you for the chapter love yah ❤
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Thanks for supporting!!! Just love how much SML believe in SM 🙂
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Thumbs up for Shen Miao 👍
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We all belong to the Empress Fan Club… Hehehe…
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*pukes blood*
The cliff is real…T___T
But thank you so much for the updates! And thanks to the sponsor too! \o/
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Thanks so much for supporting!!! And thanks donors!!!!
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Finally! Ahaha….. No one expect SM to win, of course except of the cute SML~ Lol. I really want to see what SM draw. Also, I hope SY get third rank and QQ second rank. Thanks for the chapter desu~
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Thanks for supporting!! We will know what she and SY drew in the next chap!!
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Thanks for the chapter!
I couldn’t help myself but hit myself from this logic of SY, she had done a lot of bad things to SM but it’s fine, but if SM humiliated her, that’s unforgivable. -_-
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Thanks for supporting! I don’t think SY parents taught her to treat others like how she wants to be treated 😛
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Thanks for the chapter.
When is the male lead coming?
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Thanks for supporting!! In a few chapters time, our XJX will appear… Let SM shine a little more 😛
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Ah.. Just want to know what Shen Miao draw.. Couldn’t wait for the next chapter..
Thank you for the generous donors.. And for our translator-sama, thank you for the update..
Have a nice weekend fellow readers.. 😀
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Thanks for supporting!! Have a great weekend!!!
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Hehe, we all knew she would win~ I wonder what she painted, that caused such a ruckus! And now to see everyone either saying she cheated or just got lucky, until she wins again lmao….. She’ll completely change everyone’s view of her, can’t wait! Also, I’m sure that after the examinations end, there will be many families that will want her as their daughter in law lol! And many guys, other than our favorite little marquis, will have their eyes on our beautiful SM ^.^
Thank you for your hard work, see you on Monday!!!
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Next chapter and we can all read about it… Tbh, I totally did not expect that she would paint what she painted… Totally exceeded my expectations
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I miss the little marquis! Give us some male lead and female lead interaction please. 😢😢😢
-Chanting-
Shen Miao, Xie Marquis.
Shen Miao, Xie Marquis.
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Soon… They will both appear in a few chaps time!
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Yay she won… Can’t wait for them to show her painting to everyone in the banquet
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Monday it would be out!!! Just a few more days… 😛
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Let me take a guess… Did she drew a bloody chrysanthemum that signifies the royal family and wilted flowers that scatters on the floor representing the Families that dies from their hands? Thanks for the hard work! 😍😍😍
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Thanks for supporting!!! If only she did that…
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Sometimes I wish I can stop reading this so the chapters will pile up and I can binge read them all but I have no self control.
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LOL Welcome to my life… Thats why I get dark eye rings when I find an exciting novel
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Thank you so much! I’m your face annoying side characters!!
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Thanks for supporting!!
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Su Ming Lang so cute! >.<
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Yes!! Just hearts him to bits…
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thanks a lot, you are awesome!!!
I’m officially addicted to this story…
but I have a bad feeling… I hope It will not have a sad ending…
I really hate sad ending…
😦
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No worries, its a happy ending!!! Thanks for supporting!!
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Ahh I am really impatient to know what she would he painted that caused such a big commotion… thanks for the translation…..this book drags but then again it’s so interesting that I am ok with it…😁
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Thanks for supporting!! Monday u will know what she draws… 1 more day 😛
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Ugh, I’m so curious now! T_T I wonder what she’d drawn. Something bold? Gentle? Nothing? Something symbolic?
Thank you so much for the update. All caught up! xD
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The next chap release tomorrow will say everything 😛 Thanks for supporting!!
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Thanks so much for translating this! So glad I found this yesterday and *cries* became addicted. I have to say that this has become one of my favorites! The start has been so good and that’s partly due to your awesome translation so thank you!! If only SML betted than he would be swimming in money hahaha!
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Thanks for supporting!!! Glad to know that you are addicted to it as much as me 😛
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I want to know what she drew! AHEUGHUHG
In other news, this inspired me to write my own story between the days with no updates. Thanks!
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It would be up soon!!! Thanks for supporting!!! Post it up on WP, I will go and read it 🙂
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Aw, that’s so nice of you! Yeah, I’ll consider it once I’ve written more chapters! I’ll keep you updated
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Thanks for the chapter!
Heehe, lil bun is best!
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Thanks for supporting!!!
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Thank you for the chapter~
Yey, she won!
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Thanks for supporting!!!
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I cant read next chapter..T.T
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2 more hours… 😛
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Hehe, but I wish to know what she painted!!!! Hope they show it and let us all know and be put out of our miseries!!
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More interested in her chess game she was playing with herself
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lol, looks like he should have consulted with his little brother before betting 😉
Though, I have to wonder why he’d bet on Shen Yue when she was likely the heavy favorite. Even if he won, he wouldn’t have gotten much out of it.
I wonder if she won through bribery, blackmail or actual talent. Blackmail seems the most likely, but it’s hard to be certain.
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Although I am glad for Shen Miao, I can’t help but think : Poor Ming Feng 😂
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Ufufufu Shen Miao… cutie dumpling Su Ming Lang…
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Oh man!! Did she bet for herself?? Was that what she made her maid go and do?? How awesome would that be, start rolling in that money Empress!!! Your gonna need it! Please let that be the case!
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I’m re-reading this and somehow found some inconsistency. From the previous chapter, it was stated that Yi Pei Lan is on the chess group and won. While on the literary group were Shen Qing, Bai Wei, and Jiang Xiao Xuan(?) but now it became Bai Wei who’s in the chess group and won whil Yi Pei Lan was moved to the literary group and won. 🤧
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Pingback: Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage – Chapter 34 – Dramas On My Mind
and that’s how you put all these people in their place 🤩
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