NOVEL NEXT Chapter 571 - 558: He Who Stays near Ink Gets Black
Chapter 571: Chapter 558: He Who Stays near Ink Gets Black
This mountain, with its water and lush trees, imbues one with a sense of vitality.
Zhuang Qingning remarked, “The scenery on this mountain is wonderful, it’s a place where talent can certainly flourish.”
“When we originally chose this location for the academy, we were very meticulous about it. Naturally, we wouldn’t settle for anything less,” Fan Wenxuan replied.
“You guys didn’t know that?”
A disdainful voice of a young woman suddenly drifted in from the side.
Zhuang Qingning and the others turned their heads and saw a young lady in red clothes surrounded by people.
The lady appeared to be three or four years older than Zhuang Qingsui, and even taller. She had rather delicate features, but her face exuded utter arrogance. Upon seeing the surprised expressions of Zhuang Qingning and others, she lifted her chin and said, “This women’s academy was originally established when the Empress passed by this place, noticed its beautiful views, and stayed here for two days.”
“During her stay, she noticed that most of the women here didn’t study, they only did needlework. Feeling regretful, she ordered the establishment of this women’s academy, so that intelligent women could also have books to read. The local officials were instructed to choose the location and build this academy.”
“If you don’t even know these facts, do you really want to take the exam? I suggest you save your energy and stop embarrassing yourselves. You should head home early.”
After stating this, the lady in red sneered at Zhuang Qingsui and the others.
It is common for those who come to take the exam, all competitors, to size each other up in secret. Yet seeing such blatant aggression from the woman in red was a first for Zhuang Qingning.
“Sister here is so knowledgeable, you must be incredibly well-read and cultured,” Zhuang Qingsui laughed.
“Obviously. While I can’t claim to have endless wisdom, I’m certainly well-educated,” the lady in red glanced down at Zhuang Qingsui, “Books, they cost a lot of silver. You, who seems so scantily attended, probably can’t afford many.”
At this, Banqing who was next to them flushed green with anger. As she opened her mouth to retort, Zhuang Qingsui laughed heartily, “Then, sister who is well-educated, should know where this phrase comes from: ‘The lights suddenly brighten as the village grows nearer, with a sudden gust of evening wind the music starts to flutter’?”
Faced with Zhuang Qingsui’s question, the red-clothed woman was taken aback. It was obvious she didn’t know where the phrase came from. Her lips, tightly pressed together, gradually turned a pale white.
Zhuang Qingsui simply gave a small laugh and remained silent, grabbing Zhuang Qingning’s hand to continue walking uphill.
Fan Wenxuan and the others hurriedly followed.
“Sister Sui, who is the author of these two lines and where do they come from?” Chu Jinzhou rubbed his ears, “I have never read this, please enlighten me.”
“Well…” Zhuang Qingsui blinked, “I made up these two lines just now; they come from here.”
As she spoke, Zhuang Qingsui pointed at her forehead, chuckling.
“I knew it.” Fan Wenxuan started laughing too, he reached out to tap Zhuang Qingsui’s forehead, “You’re getting more and more cunning.”
“It’s just a countermeasure for desperate situations,” Zhuang Qingsui stuck out her tongue, mimicking a funny face.
It is said that one reflects their company, the similarities with her sister Zhuang Qingning are unmistakable.
Firstly, Zhuang Qingning would never let herself be treated unfairly without reason. Secondly, she would never let her rivals get the upper hand. Thirdly, she would never go head-to-head in a confrontation.
In other words, she is as crafty as a little fox, pulling the wool over others’ eyes.
Fan Wenxuan stroked his beard and chuckled.
The group continued uphill while the lady in red paused, gritting her teeth for a while before glaring fiercely at Zhuang Qingsui and then proceeding once more with quick steps, surpassing the group.
Zhuang Qingning and the others didn’t pay any attention and just continued their ascent to the women’s academy.
At this time, the gates of the academy had not yet been opened. It was attended by several individuals, resembling teachers, who were welcoming the students at the door and guiding them to queue up for a minor test before admission.
The test consisted of three parts. The first required the students to write any five-character quatrain from memory, the second was to recite any seven-line poem and present their personal interpretation of it, and the third…
The third part required the students to present a gift for their teachers and explain why they chose it.
The first two parts were unquestionable, but the third…
Zhuang Qingning looked surprised, “Mr. Fan, wasn’t the women’s academy known for not accepting gifts and renowned for its integrity and honesty? Why then, do the students have to give gifts to the teachers?”
“That is a rule set by the mountain chief,” Mr. Fan answered, “It is meant to make the students respect their teachers and understand the difficulties they face in teaching. Regarding what they present, anything is acceptable.”
“I have already prepared something for Qingsui.”
While speaking, Mr. Fan took out a simple scroll and opened it for Zhuang Qingning to see.
It was a calligraphy piece, which from its style, appeared to have been written personally by Fan Wenxuan. It was a seven-line poem, but without a signature.
“Sir, your characters don’t seem to be signed…” Chu Jinzhou leaned in to take a closer look.
Zhuang Qingning retrieved her probing gaze and chuckled, “If the sir hasn’t signed it, there must be a reason.”
The poem written just now was an acrostic, the first character of each line when combined together implied an apology. It was evident from the chars who wrote it, and naturally Fan Wenxuan would be too embarrassed to append his signature.
But in order for Zhuang Qingsui to gain admission into the women’s academy, Fan Wenxuan has indeed invested a lot of effort.
Zhuang Qingning felt touched and resolved to cook more dishes that Fan Wenxuan loved as a token of gratitude when she returned.
The three tests, along with the verification of each applicant’s name deemed qualified, they left behind their gifts, received a pass, and queued up to the side; the ones who didn’t qualify got their gifts returned and were asked to leave.
As for the reasons for disqualification, Zhuang Qingning observed that it could be because of poor handwriting or an inability to explain the theme of the recited poem clearly. Very few failed due to the gift for the instructor not being adequate which indicated that, as Mr. Fan had said, it was more of a formality than anything else and any gift given with sincerity sufficed.
Zhuang Qingsui soon reached her turn in the queue. For the first test, she wrote Li Bai’s “Thoughts on a Quiet Night”.
After she finished writing, she handed it to the teacher in charge of the test.
The teacher was a middle-aged woman with a fair face and, short stature. Her smile radiated warmth and kindness. When she saw the poem Zhuang Qingsui had written, her smile widened, “Your handwriting is quite good.”
“Thank you for your compliment, ma’am,” Zhuang Qingsui responded neatly.
“When people write poems, they usually choose obscure ones to show their broad knowledge. But you chose a poem that even a three-year-old child could recite. Why?” The teacher asked, “Could you enlighten us about your reasons?”