Chapter Fourteen: Dance of Deception

  Someone came under the high signboard and pulled down the red silk that originally covered it, revealing this time's exam questions.

  When the birds chirp, thoughts of spring arise,

  Peach blossoms bloom, and branches are full.

  The oriole and sparrow call to each other,

  On the rocky shore, flowers bloom like brocade.

  Look at the beautiful mountains, so serene and lovely,

  In front of the mountains, mist rises, floating gently.

  The sound of water is soft and deep,

  A good place to stroll and play by the water's edge.

  Flowers are like snow, pear blossoms shine bright,

  Reflecting light, pure and clean, like jade.

  The creek is gentle, with soft grass on its banks,

  Double butterflies fly in, alighting on flowers in the woods.

  Birds chirp and call without rest, remembering spring,

  Good times, good wine, like intoxication, leisurely strolling through spring's colors.

  In the midst of spring's beauty, we meet and reminisce about traveling together,

  Our hearts at peace, returning home, coming and going, resting and working.

  Inside the court is quiet, but outside it's chaotic, what kind of strange situation is this?

  The bailiff shouted for silence, countless attendants glared fiercely, and the crowd fell silent. Some who understood poetry pondered in silence, unsure of how to interpret this question.

  It goes without saying for those in the arena, a stick of incense has been lit, and when it's finished is when it ends.

  Li Si Ming glanced at the side, where Yin Hong Xiu was standing, and revealed a bitter smile. This time, they would have to take down quite a few people. Originally, in order to be fair, the questions were set by the Jin Tian Book Academy, the White Deer Book Academy, and three other small book academies. Passing three rounds was considered passing, and this question was from the Red Sleeve Book Academy.

  This first snow test is naturally not as serious as the imperial examination, and the topics are extremely broad, covering poetry, songs, flowers, birds, fish, insects, classics, history, and philosophy. If Xian were to say it, it has a bit of the meaning of quality education, and it's precisely this entertaining aspect that allows this activity to thrive for so long. As for the so-called elegant scholars, in this world there is no Cheng-Zhu Confucianism, and the prosperous era's open atmosphere makes it expected that the Red Sleeve Academy's group of women would participate. The group of beauties in the venue must have attracted countless gazes from outside.

  Pan Yu thought once, thought twice, thought thrice. Then he began to write.

  If Xu Xian didn't have so many people watching, he would have fallen asleep on the table long ago. In his previous life, he often did this during English exams. But a person needs face and a tree needs bark, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he could only stare blankly and pretend to be constipated.

  A voice suddenly sounded in his ear "Hey, Hanwen, don't turn your head or stare blankly, I'm reading what you wrote." It was Pan Yu's voice.

  Xu Xian was taken aback, but he didn't disappoint the nine years of compulsory education in China. At this time, he wouldn't be foolish enough to look around, his face unchanged, and he picked up his pen as if he had an idea. The "Cheating Little Prince" of the Jianghu world wasn't joking. Since there are gods and monsters in this world, it's not surprising that there's a secret transmission method. Pan Yu's martial arts skills were not ordinary.

  Pan Yu wrote with her red lips slightly trembling, and Xu Xian followed suit, writing quickly. Thanks to the training of more than a decade in his past life, he didn't feel any guilt about cheating on the exam at all.

  Think slowly, write quickly.

  It wasn't long before the book was finished. Pan Yu got up, and Xu Xian naturally wouldn't get up with her, waiting a while longer before getting up to hand in his paper. By this time, the incense had only just started to burn slightly.

  In the high hall, the chief examiner was reviewing Pan Yu's test paper, with ink marks still wet. The paper read:

  The wild bird sings, and when it sings, it often thinks.

  With thoughts of spring, peach blossoms bloom, Spring air and peach blossoms fill the branches.

  The branches are full of birds calling each other, and the birds are calling each other on the rocky shore.

  The rock face is red like a brocade screen, the flower is red like a brocade screen, worth seeing.

  The mountains look beautiful, with mist rising in front of them.

  Misty vapors rise in front of the mountain, clear and floating, with waves rippling on the limpid water.

  The rippling waves wash against the shore, a secluded and deep scenic spot, where one can chase after the beauty of nature.

  Strolling by the water flowers, the water flowers resemble snow.

  Like snow pear flower light is clean and bright, pear flower light is clean and bright and beautiful.

  Delicate as a silver flower falling, the best is like a silver flower falling.

  The soft grass by the creek is best, the soft grass by the creek is green and green.

  A pair of butterflies fly in, flying to the fallen flowers.

  The flowers fall in the forest, and the birds chirp and call without stopping.

  Never tire of remembering the beauty of spring, for remembering the beauty of spring is willow.

  Willows' branches are slender and beautiful, often drinking together at the same time.

  Often drinking strong spring wine together, the strong spring wine seems intoxicating.

  Strolling leisurely as if drunk, meeting each other in a leisurely stroll.

  Encountering each other in memories of traveling through mountains and waters, memories of traveling through mountains and waters are in my heart.

  The heart is at ease, coming and going, coming and going, resting and working.

  After reading it, it was indeed the meaning that should be in the title. Several examiners even showed an expression of "so that's how it is", and they quickly put it away, making a gesture of approval. Li Si Ming smiled: "Dean Yin, your question is clever, but my student isn't bad either!"

  Yin Hongxiu, despite wearing a thin veil, smiled and said: "As expected of the leader of Jin Tian Book Academy, you are indeed a first-rate figure in this world. But who is that Xu Xian? I must say, this question isn't something an ordinary person can answer easily."

  "Do you know Wang Xuezheng? This Xu Xian is his acknowledged disciple."

  "King Wen Hui? When I was in Beijing, people often mentioned his name, how did he end up being demoted to this place?"

  Li Si Ming had some regrets in his heart, Wang Xue Zheng was also at the right age, with a better status and position than himself. If Yin Hong Xiu fell in love, he would be left empty-handed. He didn't know that Wang Xue Zheng was filled with national hatred and family resentment, almost to the point of saying "the world's worries are my worries, the world's joys are my joys". However, he wouldn't compete with him for fame or fortune. But Yin Hong Xiu was indeed the goddess in the dreams of Jiangnan's famous scholars and officials, whoever could marry her would be able to rise to prominence easily, without having to struggle for decades. It was also because of these advantages that Red Sleeve Academy was forced into this year's First Snow Exam.

  The third one to come out was indeed her student, the famous courtesan Cai Feng. Xu Xian handed over his paper and turned around, bumping into her face-to-face. Xu Xian smiled politely, and she slightly bowed her head, though wearing a veil, but still showing a hint of a smile in the corner of her eyes.

  Although there's no ulterior motive, being able to exchange smiles with such a beauty is also an extremely pleasant encounter. It's something that wouldn't even be thought of in past lives.

  However, this exam was indeed used by the examiner to show off his power, and there wasn't a fourth person who could answer it. Fortunately, there are still four exams left, but the number of people eliminated in the first round this year is also the highest ever.

  In the following four exams, Pan Yu and Xu Xian killed all the way, no matter what classics, history, poetry or profound meanings, they couldn't withstand Pan Yu's thoughts. And Xu Xian finally understood that cheating could be so cool. It's really "I regret not meeting you during the college entrance exam"!

  Two sessions in the morning, three sessions in the afternoon. The first day's exam didn't end until dusk. It wasn't until then that the snow still hadn't fallen, no matter how gloomy Li Si Ming's face looked, Pan Yu felt this was her happiest day in over a dozen days.

  Two people were walking back while chatting and laughing, when a figure blocked their way.

  "You cheated!"

  Xu Xian was shocked, looked up and saw that in front of him was an extremely delicate woman, who was now clenching her waist, glaring at the two with anger, and added: "I've figured it out, I didn't expect Jitian Academy to be so shameless."

  Xu Xian was about to deny it, but Pan Yudan calmly asked: "Miss, you also know martial arts?"

  The woman replied bluntly, "Who can't do such a small trick as transmitting sound in secret? Don't worry, I won't expose you. I just came to tell you that my family's young lady will definitely win over yours. Even the famous Pan Gongzi of Hangzhou is nothing more than this."

  Xu Xian asked: "Who is your family's young lady?"

  "My family's young lady is Cai Feng, and I am Qing Luan." Qing Luan had a proud look on her face; after all, her family's young lady was her idol, who knew so much.

  Pan Yu stood with his hands behind his back and sneered: "A song girl's maid also dares to come and chatter with me."

  "You!" Qing Luan clenched her fists, her delicate face flushing with a layer of red.

  Xu Xian intervened, mediating the situation, "Alright, alright, you hurry back now. Let's go, Ming Yu, we're going to eat." Pan Yu's martial arts skills he had seen before, not to mention her identity. A little girl like this was completely no match for him.

  Qing Luan let out a cold hum and turned to leave.

  Xu Xian turned back, bitterly smiling at Pan Yu, "Why must you not let go of a little maid, besides, it was indeed our fault for cheating first." Pan Yu's usual gentle demeanor made him almost forget her identity. She wasn't the kind of delicate and refined young master, but rather a ruthless and decisive noble son who showed no mercy. Even her usual gentle and approachable manner was just a tactic; only those who didn't show respect to her would see her ferocity.

  Pan Yudan said faintly: "I cheated, and even Li Siming can't teach me a lesson." But he was secretly observing Xu Xian's reaction.

  Xu Xian smiled: "Let's continue tomorrow!" Everyone has their own standards, and this era also has its own ideas. Xu Xian is not someone who likes to use his own standards to evaluate others. The kind of person who travels back in time, looking down on feudalism and old-fashioned things, as if only they are the most advanced, wise, and enlightened, is a big joke.

  Pan Yu secretly let out a sigh of relief. I wanted to show you this side of me, hoping that you wouldn't dislike this real me! It's just that I don't want to wear a mask in front of you anymore.

  ;