The palace maid replied, "Her Highness the princess invites all esteemed guests to proceed to the inner study and admire the calligraphy and paintings."
Gusiluo said angrily from the side, "This princess certainly puts on airs. First she had us feast, then drink tea, and now she wants us to admire some calligraphy and paintings. She simply refuses to come out and meet us. Does she not hold the heroes of the realm in any regard?"
Gusiluo had fought Western Xia for many years. Knowing that, given the enmity between them, Western Xia would most likely never choose him as Imperial Son-in-Law, he was not afraid of offending the princess.
Once he took the lead, many young masters who had long been dissatisfied began clamoring as well.
"Please do not misunderstand, young masters. Our princess has absolutely no intention of slighting anyone..." The palace maid was nearly in tears from anxiety, but no matter how she explained, the crowd did not believe her.
Duan Yu could not bear to see a young girl blush with panic, so he stepped forward and said, "prince, you are mistaken. Her Highness first had us feast, then invited us to tea, and now wishes for us to admire calligraphy and paintings. Clearly, she intends to assess our character and literary talent. Perhaps she has been recording every word and action of ours since earlier. That would reveal everyone's truest self. We should not disappoint the princess's kind intentions."
"Ah~" After hearing his analysis, everyone found it quite reasonable. They had all been anxious over why the literary examination had yet to begin, but the princess had never said how it would be conducted. Perhaps the test had already begun the moment they entered the main hall.
Thinking of this, everyone regretted not realizing it