Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

Tianxiang Tower is arguably the finest tower in Mengzhou, with three floors, and it is rumored that the top floor is not open to the public. It offers a wide view and is arranged in an "n" shape, with students from the two academies seated on either side.

After a short while, a loud "thump" was heard, and then the steward came out and said, "Light the lamps."

Then many handsome young servants, carrying all sorts of lanterns, filed in.

Once the surrounding area was brightly lit, the manager spoke again: "I'm sure you all know more or less about the Ink Fragrance Poetry Gathering. The so-called poetry gathering is about making friends through poetry. Simply put, whoever writes the best poems has the opportunity to become famous."

"However, this year is quite different. Whoever wins the championship will receive personal guidance from the headmaster of Jizhe Academy, Lord Zhang Wen. The benefits are self-evident! Therefore, this year's poetry gathering will not be a fixed poetry creation event like in the past. Instead, the three gentlemen present will set topics on the spot."

The students below erupted in commotion. The steward then announced, "This year's judges include Master Wen from Jize Academy, Prefect Qiu of Mengzhou, and Assistant Prefect Xu."

Lin Shu looked at the three people on the second floor. They were all dressed in brocade robes and fine clothes, but the old lady in the middle stood out among the three with her sharp eyes and serious expression. She must be Lord Wen.

"Now, the Ink Fragrance Poetry Gathering officially begins!"

The sound of stringed instruments drifted from afar, adding a touch of poetic beauty to the scene.

Then, the handsome young servants reappeared, placing sheets of clean white Xuan paper on the table in front of everyone.

On the second floor of Tianxiang Tower, several guards appeared and hung the questions on the railing.

Theme: Ode to Spring, with flowers as the theme.

Requirements: Seven-character poem

The students around them pondered. Wing Chun was simple, but to use flowers as a theme and to write in seven-character verses was a bit more complicated.

Upon seeing this question, Lin Shu inexplicably thought of a poet she particularly admired in her past life, and so she picked up her pen and wrote it down.

The private room on the second floor offered a direct view of the crowd below. Lord Wen sat in the main seat, flanked by Prefect Qiu and Assistant Prefect Xu, with their daughters standing behind them.

At this moment, a woman behind Prefect Qiu teasingly asked the woman in the golden brocade robe behind Assistant Prefect Xu:

"Who do you think will win today, Sister Xu?"

Xu Jingyun raised an eyebrow and smiled, but didn't say anything. Qiu Shu then answered on her own, "I think Gu Qing and Qiao Mu from Nachuan Academy are very likely to be involved."

"Oh?" Xu Jingyun replied casually, continuing to stare at Lin Shu below.

……

The boy on the third floor lay on a soft couch, being fed grapes one by one by his nanny.

"My little darling, it's so lively down there today, shall this old servant help you go take a look?" The wet nurse felt a sense of helplessness. Ever since the General of the State left, his little darling had completely let himself go and no one could persuade him. He had even forgotten the things that Her Highness the Crown Princess had told him.

"Daddy, let's watch it later! It's only just started, poetry gatherings are so boring. Ah... feed me quickly!" Xiao Yu said, opening her mouth to urge her daddy to feed her.

The stay-at-home dad was helpless...

……

As time ticked by, Lord Wen noticed that the incense on the table had burned out, and said, "It's about time, put it away!"

"Yes."

Before long, the steward presented the collected scrolls to the three men, who then perused them one by one.

When Prefect Qiu saw the name "Qiao Mu" and read her poem, he felt somewhat satisfied. After all, he was behind the Nachuan Academy, and it would be a source of pride for him if someone could receive guidance from Lord Wen.

"Excellent, excellent. Please take a look, Lord Wen."

He then handed it to Lord Wen.

"Willow catkins drift like smoke in the warm breeze, plum blossoms resemble snow reflected in the lake."

The red cotton trees stand gracefully by the pavilion, their vibrant red blossoms reflecting the fiery passion that burns towards the azure sky.

After reading it, Lord Wen also thought it was good: "Not bad, it's called Qiaomu, right? Hmm! The quality of poems this year is quite good. I also have one here, which is just as good, written by a student named Gu Qing. I wonder which academy he's from?"

Prefect Qiu was delighted, but before he could reply, he heard Xu Jingyun interrupt from across the room: "Lord Wen, the one I have is also of the highest quality."

"Oh? Let the old lady take a look."

Xu Jingyun personally handed over the Xuan paper.

Although Prefect Qiu was somewhat dissatisfied, he strangely didn't say much, though his expression was rather unpleasant.

Just then, Wen Daren exclaimed in surprise, "This is a masterpiece for all time!"

"In Peach Blossom Valley, there is a Peach Blossom Hermitage; in the Peach Blossom Hermitage, there is a Peach Blossom Immortal."

The Peach Blossom Immortal planted peach trees, and used the blossoms as payment for wine.

When sober, I sit before the flowers; when drunk, I sleep beneath them.

Day after day, amidst the blooming flowers; year after year, drunk and sober.

I'd rather grow old and die amidst flowers and wine than bow before carriages and horses.

The dust of carriages and the hooves of horses are the pleasures of the rich, while wine cups and flowering branches are the companions of the poor.

If we compare wealth and poverty, one is on the ground and the other is in the sky.

If poverty and lowliness are compared to carriages and horses, then he must be driven while I am at leisure.

People laugh at my madness, but they can't see through me.

I remember the tomb of the heroes who cried out in the wind; now, without wine or flowers, they till the fields.

After reading it, Lord Wen was still in a daze: "I wonder who this Lin Shu is? To have such knowledge and mindset at such a young age, her future prospects must be immeasurable!"

"This... I suppose they must be students of my Nachuan Academy." Prefect Qiu really couldn't say. She had been so focused on the competition between the two academies today that she hadn't even noticed the top scorer in this year's academy examination. So, her limited perspective determined that she could only ever be a minor prefect.

"My lord, I've heard that Lin Shu is a legendary figure. She topped the list in the county, prefectural, and academy examinations and is now studying at Shangyang Academy." Xu Jingyun was very enthusiastic, which made the woman behind Prefect Qiu look at her frequently. She guessed that this person was up to something again.

"Oh? A top scholar? Not bad, not bad at all. Talented people are emerging in every generation!" Lord Wen laughed a few times, satisfied.

Seeing Lin Shu receiving so much attention, Prefect Qiu's face darkened, and he interrupted them at the opportune moment: "Sir, there are still two questions to go! Let's not delay the students from showcasing their talents!"

Lord Wen nodded in agreement, but then summoned the steward and instructed her to post the three copies out for everyone to judge.

When the manager posted the poems, it immediately sparked a lot of discussion:

"As expected, our talented Miss Gu is not just a name without substance."

"Qiao Mu's poem is really good! Haha, it's from our Nachuan Academy!"

"What's so great about it? We in Shangyang don't care..."

"Tch, sour grapes..."

"You... Eh? Lin Shu, hahaha, Lin Shu from our Shangyang Academy, look! Peach Blossom Hermitage in Peach Blossom Valley, peach blossoms... Our poems from Shangyang are much better than yours..."

"..."

Just as the people from Shangyang Academy and Nachuan Academy were arguing fiercely on the side, the manager came out again.

"Silence! Now prepare for the second question!"

-

[My darlings, I'm sick today, so this feels like a mess. I wanted to post an extra chapter, but my body won't allow it~ Please be gentle with your criticism. If you really can't stand it, you can come back tomorrow, and I'll revise it carefully... Love you all]