Chapter 69 Part 2 - Enemies (1/2)

The group went into the carriages and proceeded to the examination place.

They finally arrived at the examination place after three sticks of incense.

The place that Ming Yi Hall used as the examination ground was the previous dynasty’s martial arts training area where they selected the martial top scorer. Later on, the former emperor, Zhong Ming emperor, succeeded to the throne and moved the imperial palace and this training area was abandoned for many years. Until the time after Hong Xiao emperor succeeded to the throne, did this place be turned into an examination place. Ming Yi Hall’s three examinations were all conducted in this place.

A vast crowd had, for a long time, been all around the public square. The best positions were reserved for the nobles, many of those who came today were the relatives of the noble young misses. There were also those that Jiang Jing Rui had mentioned, officials “taking a daughter-in-law for the merit of the younger generation”, there were even the younger generation from the royal families.

When Jiang Li arrived, many people had already arrived at the examination ground.

Liu Xu who was beside Madam Liu saw Jiang Li and immediately came over to greet. Jiang Li pulled her hand and went over together to salute Madam Liu. Madam Liu was very happy and said towards Jiang Li: “I know Jiang second miss achieved the top position in the first three tests, it’s still not too late to congratulate you. I hope today Jiang second miss can also be in first place.”

Jiang Li smiled and nodded: “Many thanks madam.”

Liu Xu whispered into Jiang Li’s ear: “Look, Meng Hong Jin.”

Jiang Li followed the direction where Liu Xu’s finger was pointing at and looked over. Sure enough, not too far away, she saw Meng Hong Jin was looking at her. If it was the previous Meng Hong Jin, she must have come over to give Jiang Li some cruel words. Yet today she didn’t come forward, merely gazing at her with bitter resentment. It seemed that the result of the first three tests had restrained Meng Hong Jin.

“How is your guqin?” Liu Xu spoke in a small voice: “Today the examiners for the guqin music exam are Xiao Deyin, Jing Hong fairy, Shi Yan, Mian Ju, then there’s Duke Su.”

“Duke Su?” Jiang Li was extremely astonished. Xiao Deyin, Jing Hong fairy, were reasonable. Shi Yan, Mian Ju, were also understandable. But why was there Duke Su, Ji Heng? She remembered hearing that Ji Heng loved watching plays, but guqin music was quite different from Chinese opera. What could Ji Heng do in coming over?

Jiang Li was puzzled.