The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

After hearing Wang Yan's words, Shen Hanyu only slightly lowered her guard.

However, throughout the day, apart from exchanging a few warm words with her at the beginning, Li Huaijiang was fine and did not cause Shen Hanyu too much trouble, so she put the matter aside for the time being.

After school, Ji Yuxiu hurriedly came looking for her.

"I'm telling you, the date for the scientific expedition has been set."

Ji Yuxiu received the news during the morning court session and came over to tell them as soon as possible.

Shen Hanyu showed a joyful expression. It would be wonderful if it were settled.

"The Prime Minister and Minister Qin finalized the time together, and I estimate that everyone else will know by tomorrow. The fact that it was completed so quickly is largely thanks to the Prime Minister's urging."

Shen Hanyu clenched her fists. The Prime Minister had played a significant role in ensuring the smooth running of the girls' school and the imperial examinations this time.

"It's good that it's settled."

Shen Hanyu dismissed those thoughts from her mind. Now that the time had been set, she should start preparing properly.

Wei Ming was also very happy, and Ji Yuxiu told them the specific time.

The timing was different from the men's imperial examinations, but the location was still the examination hall.

The specific details will have to wait until the Master speaks tomorrow.

Shen Hanyu was already very satisfied with this result.

The three of them sat in the carriage. Shen Hanyu remembered the man who had caused trouble this morning, so she asked Ji Yuxiu about him.

"That man has been arrested and hasn't been released yet. It's probably because the princess wants to make an example of him. But I've also inquired about him, and he deserves what he got. He beat his wife and was unreasonable and domineering. He should be taught a lesson."

Shen Hanyu nodded. They had done everything they could. What happened to Xia Xiaohe afterward was entirely up to her.

The next day, when they arrived at the girls' school, Xu Liyan indeed brought up the matter of the imperial examination schedule.

"The time has been set. You can participate in the preliminary examination this year. If you want to, please let me know in advance. I will compile the list then. As for the provincial examination, it is held every three years for men. The princess has secured an opportunity for us, and there will be a women's provincial examination next year. You should all think it over carefully."

Xu Liyan looked at them. These students she taught were the fastest-progressing in the girls' school. If all went well, perhaps a few of them would be able to complete the preliminary examination this year.

Shen Hanyu wanted to give it a try. This was the fastest time Princess Yongning had managed to secure for them. Who knew how many years they would have to wait for the next one?

Time was of the essence, and Shen Hanyu had to seize this opportunity.

"Master, I am willing to participate."

Shen Hanyu stood up first, and Xu Liyan looked over and met Shen Hanyu's burning gaze.

She nodded: "OK."

Wang Yan and Wei Ming also stood up, expressing their desire to participate. Several other people then stepped forward, including Liang Ruoyan.

Liang Ruoyan pursed her lips and lowered her eyebrows. If she performed well in the preliminary examination, it might bring unexpected results.

Now, deliberate imitation is no longer enough to get her through with Li Jun, so the next step is to prove her worth and show that Liang Ruoxue is inferior to her.

Liang Ruoyan was full of knowledge and felt that there was no problem with this year's children's examination.

Li Huaijiang sat in her seat, covering her mouth and coughing softly. She didn't speak, but just watched quietly, looking as if it were none of her business.

She stared at Shen Hanyu's back for a long time before silently turning her gaze away.

Xu Liyan counted and found that there were thirteen people who wanted to participate in the preliminary examination this time, more than she had expected.

These young women are quite capable.

Wei Ming sat down and gripped her pen tightly. She was a little nervous, but then she thought that this was why she had come to the girls' school. So she wasn't so afraid anymore. She decided to ask Shen Hanyu about the math she didn't know very well.

Before she could ask Shen Hanyu, Li Huaijiang sat down next to Shen Hanyu after the class ended.

"Is Hanyu so intelligent because Lord Shen taught her these things when he was alive?"

Shen Hanyu paused slightly, feeling as if everyone knew about her father.

"Yes." Shen Hanyu did not deny it.

Li Huaijiang smiled and placed her hands under her chin.

"That Lord Shen is really quite kind. Hanyu, after you come to Chang'an, will you go back to pay your respects to Lord Shen?"

Shen Hanyu's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and Wei Ming and Wang Yan beside her were also stunned.

“Your Highness…” Shen Hanyu looked into Li Huaijiang’s eyes.

Shen Hanyu sensed no malice from Li Huaijiang; her eyes were pure, as if she had only asked casually. Yet, Shen Hanyu had to be wary.

"I have always admired upright scholars and virtuous men. I learned about Lord Shen's deeds from my elder brother, the Crown Prince, which is why I was curious. I apologize for making you worry."

Li Huaijiang took the initiative to apologize, and Shen Hanyu waved her hand.

“It’s alright. I will naturally go to pay my respects to my father. He is buried in Suzhou. Suzhou is not only my father’s home, but also my home. One should not forget one’s roots.”

A glint flashed in Li Huaijiang's eyes. She smiled and said nothing more, only praising Shen Hanyu for being filial before getting up and going outside.

Wei Ming scratched his head: "The princess seems a bit strange."

Shen Hanyu also sensed it. She glanced outside and thought, "Let's reveal everything, good or bad."

Wang Yan chased after her.

"Cousin, why?"

Li Huaijiang turned to look at her, tiptoed, and touched the top of Wang Yan's head.

"Yan'er, study hard and go to the scientific expedition to prove yourself."

Wang Yan was silenced; she opened her mouth, but Li Huaijiang had already left.

Wang Yan stood there, completely puzzled. Why did her cousin ask those questions? In her memory, Li Huaijiang wasn't such a tactless person.

When class resumed, Li Huaijiang had not returned. The teacher mentioned that the boys' school wanted to have a competition with them, but not right now; instead, he gave them some time to prepare.

Shen Hanyu remembered this matter. The establishment of the girls' school naturally aroused dissatisfaction among many people. There were many opposing opinions in the boys' school, and some even wrote poems to satirize it. If there were to be a competition, they would be the first to be targeted.

The six arts of a gentleman, mathematics, and literature were the main subjects of the competition.

The teacher looked at them. This challenge was indeed quite difficult. Considering their situation, they had said that only new students who had recently enrolled would be selected to participate.

"We'll be ready."

Wang Yan suddenly spoke up, her eyes resolute.

She didn't want to lose; this was her chance to prove herself.

Shen Hanyu wasn't afraid. With the combined knowledge and experience of her two lifetimes, she was more than capable of dealing with the unconvinced freshmen at the boys' school.

Everyone has their own ideas, but the female student accepted the challenge nonetheless.

Upon receiving the news, Princess Yongning threw all the fish food she was holding into the pond.

"These girls are all very good. In my eyes, they are second to none. Keep a close eye on the thirteen girls who will be taking the preliminary examinations, and try to prevent any mistakes from happening."

The teachers readily agreed, for this was the first battle in the establishment of their girls' school, and they had to win it spectacularly.

Princess Yongning looked up at the sky. She was prepared to die rather than fail, even if it meant bearing eternal infamy.