Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 646 - 646 647 Its a Trap_1

Chapter 646: Chapter 647: It’s a Trap_1 Chapter 646: Chapter 647: It’s a Trap_1 “Everyone must be aware that I am the chief examiner for this imperial examination, and this time has truly widened my perspective. Our Daqian Dynasty indeed abounds with talent, especially the top scholar Feng Rui. Some views in his answer sheets even received my hearty applause. However, I have always been puzzled, unsure of where these ideas originated from, or how they were analyzed. The content of that answer sheet, I have already circulated it earlier, and now even His Majesty knows about it. Presumably, everyone is also aware,” Master Ning stroked his beard and said.

Muniang smiled and said, “Of course we’re aware. The top scholar’s answer sheet can truly become an exemplary work of excellence. I admire it greatly.”

The crowd echoed their agreement, for the noblewomen of the Capital are not like those from lesser households—their education starts from a young age, and there are even Women’s Private Schools in the Capital. Therefore, regarding the content of that exam paper, everyone had heard and truly admired it from the bottom of their hearts.

As soon as Feng Rui heard mention of this exam paper, his heart skipped a beat and his face suddenly turned pale.

Muniang raised her eyebrows slightly, “What’s the matter? Mr. Feng seems suddenly so tense. Could it be you don’t know how to respond? That’s your own answer sheet, written word for word. Surely you haven’t forgotten.”

Feng Rui stiffened his neck and said, “Would I not know about what I’ve written myself? Mind your own business.”

Master Ning continued, “If that’s so, let’s make that very topic, analyzing the views and perspectives in this paper, the subject of this test. I wish to see who can provide answers most in line with my way of thinking.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. They had assumed that Master Ning was invited by Qiao Muniang, and thus the test topic would naturally skew in her favor somehow. They hadn’t expected him to directly use the views from Feng Rui’s paper as the subject. Clearly, he intended to use this to embarrass Qiao Muniang. With his own paper’s perspectives and ideas, wouldn’t Feng Rui have a clear advantage?

Besides, even if Qiao Muniang was clever, could she surpass the learned Master Ning? He himself had expressed difficulty in grasping some concepts, so it would be strange for her to analyze them thoroughly.

Without even saying, everyone knew who was likely to win this contest.

Lady Jin couldn’t help but whisper with a touch of mockery, “Humph, it seems Qiao Muniang has exhausted all means to curry favor with Master Ning. Unfortunately for her, he doesn’t appreciate her efforts at all. Master Ning must be here to watch her make a fool of herself. I said it, didn’t I? A countrywoman like her gaining Master Ning’s favor would be odd indeed.”

Jin Qingqing gloated even more, “Finally, we get to see her make a fool of herself. She ruined my reputation, and I won’t let her off easily. Let Feng Rui teach her a good lesson, and show her what it means to be out of her depth! She really thinks she’s something! With not a drop of ink in her belly, she dares to be arrogant. After today, she’ll become the laughingstock of the entire Capital!”

The crowd also began whispering among themselves, feeling that Qiao Muniang really had dug her own grave. Now she would truly be humiliated. For Marquis Chen Mansion to be stuck with such a disgraceful daughter-in-law was unfortunate indeed; from this day forward, their name would be sullied.

But Muniang remained serene, and with a soft chuckle, she said, “Very well, Qingya, bring ink and brush!”

“Yes!”

The crowd watched in astonishment. What was the basis for Qiao Muniang’s confidence? Could she really be as capable as she seemed?

On the other hand, Feng Rui was still hesitating, his face as white as a dead man’s. It was truly baffling to behold.

The moment Feng Rui looked up, he met Qiao Muniang’s mocking gaze, and suddenly everything clicked in his mind. This had all been a trap laid by Qiao Muniang, waiting for him to be deceived into leaping further into her snare until there was no turning back, before revealing it was all about the examination papers. If she went to such lengths, could it be she knew something?

Had Feng Rui known from the start that Master Ning was coming or that today’s contest related to the examination papers, he would have never come, not even if it killed him.

It was only because he knew the challenge came from Qiao Muniang, a shrew without a drop of ink in her, that he dared to show up. Little did he expect, it was all a setup.

His mind was blank at this moment. Naturally, he knew the content, but he was just a straw man with a slight knowledge of literature; how could he analyze it? The timing of this question, outsiders might think it was to make things difficult for Qiao Muniang, but in reality, it was he who was truly cornered.

Muniang, unsurprisingly, saw the pale look on Feng Rui’s face and feigned shock, “What’s the matter? This should be something Mr. Feng excels at, right? Not daring to compete with me? It’s simply shocking. If Mr. Feng is so inept that he doesn’t even know how to analyze his own answers, then I might start to doubt whether the top scorer’s paper is truly his…”

Feng Rui shuddered and hastily said, “Who says I don’t know? If I wrote the paper myself, how could I not know how to analyze it? Bring on the writing materials!”

Feng Rui, his face turning dark with anger, flung his sleeve and sat down at the desk with a huff. Was Qiao Muniang making it her mission to torment him today? So what if he needed to analyze? Even if his analysis wasn’t good, no one could deny those were his answers. Even if Master Ning was disappointed, he couldn’t change the fact that he was the top scorer; at most, they’d say he achieved his score by a fluke.

As for Qiao Muniang, hmph, a mere peasant girl who might not even recognize the words. She was talking up a storm about competing, but surely she knew nothing herself, just looking to pressure him into compliance. He believed she wouldn’t be able to write anything of substance, and even if his analysis turned out poorly, Master Ning would have nothing to say. In the end, he was still the winner!

Only, Feng Rui was overly simplistic in his thinking. If Muniang dared to set such a trap today, she must have made all the preparations to corner him without the slightest chance to turn the tables.

The time limit was one incense stick, and everyone quietly waited.

Muniang, confident in her approach, did not hesitate for a moment, while after initial panic, Feng Rui began to calmly start writing.

Only Lady Feng was pacing anxiously, afraid that her son might accidentally give himself away. If it came to light that his academic title was stolen, not only would the Feng Family lose face, but if the emperor’s reprimand came down for abusing power for personal gain, the family could be found guilty. It had not been easy for the Feng Family to attain their current status, and she prayed they wouldn’t ruin it over this single incident.

Outside the Clearwater Pavilion, Jian Yue peered around the curtain to observe the scene, then her lips curved into a faint smile as she turned to leave. Qiao Xin couldn’t help but express her worries, “Is the Marquise really going to let the Princess do as she pleases? If we lose, our Marquis Chen Mansion’s reputation will be ruined.”

“The Princess is not as thoughtless as you imagine. I trust her. If the Feng Family faces hurdles now, Mrs. Feng won’t have it easy either,” Jian Yue replied coldly.