You rascal, stop right there!

Zhengzhou provincial capital.

Danqingyuan examination room.

A group of people who were assessing painters were queuing up for inspection. The gatekeepers patted their shoulders and arms lightly, which was very strict.

Today is the first test for painters, and most of the questions are set by the state government, so they are not difficult.

Luo Wenqi kept reminding Bai Wan to sort out all the objects and rules. Bai Wan naturally agreed and promised solemnly that he would definitely pass.

"Hu——" Bai Wan raised his arms and turned around in circles according to the rules.

"Baiyun City, candidate Bai Wan. Nothing unusual, go in!" said the middle-aged man who was checking.

Bai Wan put on a smile and timidly held the bamboo slip with his name printed on it in his hand.

As he turned around, he seemed to see a dark shadow at the entrance of the government office, but then he shook his head fiercely.

Chen Yu told me that he would go back to Baiyun City for a few days, and he probably wouldn't be able to come back, so how could he come back to take my exam?

The man smiled silently, turned his head and walked into the door.

As soon as he entered the door, he was startled by the crowds of people in the yard. Everywhere was filled with pens, inkstones, paints, and brush wash basins needed for the examination, and countless people in long gowns stood in front of the tables. It was really spectacular.

"Little Pea, you're here at last!!" The man in blue in front of him poked his arm lightly.

"Boss Cheng, will you be the invigilator?" Bai Wan was a little ecstatic.

The picture of Cheng Su and Bai Wan standing together was seen by the candidates around them, and they all gave meaningful looks.

"Ahem!" Cheng Su quickly took a step back and kicked him a few times. "Well, Candidate Bai, you should do your best in the exam! Don't stand there like a fool!"

The man in blue straightened his clothes solemnly, walked over in a very official manner, and once he passed the white peas, he took small steps to the table in the front.

At this moment, all the candidates looked at Bai Wan with extremely sympathetic eyes and sighed.

Bai Wan narrowed his eyes and the corners of his mouth straightened into a straight line.

Just avoid suspicion if you want, why kick yourself?

He remembered this grudge!

I'll go complain to my sister-in-law later!

Thinking of this, Bai Wan was about to glare at Cheng Su at the table, but he suddenly discovered that there was a man in black clothes who was about thirty years older than him next to Cheng Su.

The man looked very familiar, even more familiar than when he first saw Ling Han. Although he looked very dignified and decent, he had a kind of superiority and alienation.

Bai Wan felt that she should have known this person in the past.

"Today, the imperial painter Luo Qingbiluo Shizhao and I, Cheng Su, will be in charge of the examination. Please paint according to the examination questions within two hours." After Cheng Su finished speaking, he opened the scroll.

A huge scroll fell down, with four words clearly written on it.

"The peacock takes flight." said the person who opened the question.

Bai Wan was delighted. This question was really simple. He immediately remembered the peacock painting he had copied a few days ago. He picked up his brush and began to paint what he had in mind.

However, he suddenly remembered what Brother Zichen said about painting realistically. He nodded and thought for a moment before putting pen to paper.

Two hours later, a picture had appeared on Bai Wan's paper, and his painting skills had improved a lot.

His left-hand painting skills are not as profound as those who have learned to paint since childhood. In order to please others, he deliberately emphasizes intention rather than resemblance to form.

"The time has come! Candidates please leave the examination room!" Cheng Su shouted.

Bai Wan watched as other candidates left the examination room. He also handed in his paper and glanced at the painting of the person next to him.

Sure enough, the paintings of those around him, behind him, and on his left and right seemed to be better than his.

He burst into laughter.

Do your best and leave the rest to luck!

When collecting the paintings, Cheng Su looked at Bai Wan's paintings dejectedly and shook her head.

He naturally guessed the level of Bai Wan's left hand. Even if his left hand improved rapidly, it would never be as good as his right hand. Moreover, most of the painting students who took the imperial examinations were students of famous teachers.

Bai Wan's paintings now can only be said to be much better than the secret play pictures he painted eight months ago.

Luo Qingbi raised his sword-like eyebrows and said, "Why hasn't this examinee left the examination room yet? Do you want me to kick you out?"

"I'll leave right away!! I'll leave right away!" Bai Wan said respectfully.

Then, he finally breathed a sigh of relief the moment he walked out of the Danqing examination room.

This is just the first level of the provincial examination, and there are provincial and palace examinations after that. I can't be so tense and anxious every time.

While I was thinking about it, someone patted me on the shoulder.

"Hey, you are the candidate who was kicked several times by Cheng Zhiyuan!" the man asked angrily.

Bai Wan hates it most when someone pats him on the back, and he turns around and gets angry.

However, he turned out to be a round-faced boy with a silly smile. He looked honest and it was hard to resist.

"Why, do you want to be kicked by him too?" Bai Wan teased.

"No!" The round-faced boy wrinkled his nose. "I just think it's enviable to be kicked a few times by Cheng Zhiyuan from the Painting Academy!"

Ah? ?

Does this person have any masochistic tendencies?

Bai Wan glanced at the round-faced boy in confusion. Apart from thinking that his round face was very symmetrical, she didn't think there was anything that needed to be corrected.

"My name is Cai Jiang. My great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and brother are all painters." The round-faced young man bowed and said.

Five generations of painters?

Is there a painting nest in this person’s house?

It's the same lineage!

"My name is Bai Wan." Bai Wan also imitated him and returned the greeting.

Although Cai Jiang's family are all painters, none of them has ever been admitted to the Daying Art Academy. Therefore, he is full of longing for the academy.

Therefore, even though Bai Wan had the embarrassing experience of being kicked a few times by the painting officials of the painting academy, he felt it was an honor.

"But the Wan in Wanwanliqing? Brother Bai's family actually gave you a girl's name?" Cai Jiang asked him familiarly.

Bai Wan originally thought that this man was honest and kind, and had a good impression of him. But this next sentence really irritated him.

What are you talking about! You just picked a girl's name!

That was the name he gave himself after he was rescued by Old Man Bai and because he was holding a wild pea tightly in his hand.

So, Bai Wan said unhappily:

"You're wrong. I'm the pea from Pea. I'm a relative of yours! I might even know all the shredded ginger in your house!"

Cai Jiang then realized that the person on the other side thought his name was a girl's name, and she became angry.

The man immediately smiled and said, "Oh, peas. In ancient times, peas were called Shanrong. During the plague and famine in the past, we were lucky to have this thing to fill our stomachs. It's life-saving food! What a good name!"

Bai Wan glanced at the man and asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

He took so much trouble to get to know me, is he attracted to my money or my beauty?

"Brother Bai, I just saw that you seemed to know Cheng Zhiyuan. So, I wanted to discuss something with you..." Cai Jiang said flatteringly.

Oh, this person’s purpose is quite clear!

"Let me tell you, Cheng Zhiyuan has nothing to do with me. He can't help me, nor can he help you!" Bai Wan lowered her voice and whispered in his ear.

"If I could establish connections, why would I need to take the exam?"

Cai Jiang frowned and felt that it was indeed the case.

If he had connections with the art academy, he would have been recommended in long ago. Is it necessary to take the exam with him?

However, he still grabbed Bai Wan's sleeve and said, "Brother Bai, what are you talking about? I just saw that you have an extraordinary demeanor and wanted to be friends with you. Don't think too much!"