Creating a New Painting Style

She put down her pen and asked the system, "What's going on?" Why did it suddenly give her extra points? And a hundred points at that! When did points become so easy to earn?

The system seemed a bit confused, uttering only two words: "Wait a moment," before falling silent.

After Xu Xi wrote two more characters, it spoke up, "Host, it's painting. Your painting was deemed a new style by Master Kang and the other two gentlemen, which is why you received additional Wisdom Points."

Xu Xi stroked her chin, frowned, and asked, "How exactly are these Wisdom Points added? I didn't get any points when I finished drawing them. I didn't get any points when I drew portraits of Matron Zhou and the midwife either."

She knew that the so-called "Wisdom Points" wasn't about increasing her intelligence, but rather a euphemism for points. Because it was a "wisdom-driven happy life (with some obstacles) system," every point she earned was euphemistically called "Wisdom Points." But exactly under what circumstances she would receive points remained a mystery to her.

The system has only just figured this out itself.

It said, "The skills you brought from the original world won't add to your Wisdom Points if they aren't improved. For example, the jewelry designs you drew, the portraits of Master Kang, Matron Zhou, and the midwife you drew yesterday, and your memory and comprehension abilities used to study the Four Books and Five Classics—all of these came from the original world and didn't add any points. The reason you added points just now is because Master Kang and several famous painting masters appraised your work and felt that you had created a new painting style, so the system specially rewarded you with one hundred points."

Xu Xi pouted, "Only a hundred points for creating a new painting style? Are you kidding me?" After complaining, she asked, "Will I get any more points for painting in the future?"

"From now on, you can use your painting skills to compete with others. As long as you win, you'll earn points. The higher the level of the competition, the more points you'll get, just like studying the Four Books and Five Classics. Of course, if you combine modern and ancient painting techniques, you can also earn points for each painting you create. The greater your progress, the more points you'll get."

"That's alright, I guess." Xu Xi was fairly satisfied with this. Sustainable development is the key.

Putting everything else aside, just when it comes to drawing portraits, no one in this world is better than her, right? Assimilating them shouldn't be difficult. It's just...

"Are there really painting competitions like this in the world?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes." The system must have checked, as the answer was very certain. "This was originally established by Empress Shengyao, and it later became a tradition to hold a calligraphy and painting competition every year at the end of the year. Madam Xiao and Master Kang made their names in the competition."

Xu Xi's eyes lit up, and she immediately clenched her fist. "I must make a name for myself like them." That way, each piece of calligraphy and painting can get more points.

She now vaguely understood. Whether one was a beginner or a master in calligraphy and painting, or even in terms of mastery of the Four Books and Five Classics, was determined by the world's standards, and the system assigned points accordingly.

"Then you'll have to work hard, host. Participating in the imperial examinations and practicing calligraphy and painting will require a lot of effort," the system said, seizing the opportunity to offer encouragement. "But if you work hard for a while, once your levels improve, the day when you get a hundred points for every painting you draw will be just around the corner."

"Just wait, I can do it." Xu Xi said confidently.

In her past life, she was never afraid of anyone when it came to academics. With the foundation from her previous life, if she still couldn't succeed in this one, she might as well unbind herself from the system and reincarnate as soon as possible. She could be reborn into a family with a fortune, where she wouldn't have to work hard.

She practiced calligraphy diligently for two more sessions, earning eight points. Seeing that time was almost up, she didn't pack her things, put down her pen, and was about to leave when she almost bumped into someone at the door.

"You..." Xu Xi took a step back, and when she saw who it was, her eyes widened in surprise.

The other party showed no surprise whatsoever, as if they had known Xu Xi would be there all along. A slight smile curved their usually indifferent face as they nodded slightly to Xu Xi: "Miss Xu."

Xu Xi glanced outside. "Where's your cousin?"

The person who arrived was Mu Qingqiang. However, it seemed that she was alone; Mu Qinglian had not come with her.

"She wasn't a good student and didn't get into this school," Mu Qingqiang said, then went straight into the classroom. After glancing around the room, she sat down at a table next to Xu Xi.

Because there are fewer people and the room is spacious, with ten tables but only six people, there's no need to squeeze in like over there; each person can sit at a table.

Xu Xi glanced at her, said nothing more, turned and went out towards the original teaching building.

There was a separate door at the back of this small courtyard, allowing access without having to pass through the courtyard where Madam Cui and the others lived. This was probably for the convenience of the male teachers coming to give lectures. And going out through this door, it wasn't far from the original teaching building.

Xu Xi stepped into Class Ding's classroom, only to find that the usual quiet reading and calligraphy practice was gone. Now, the classroom resembled a marketplace, with everyone gathered together chattering away. Xu Xue was among them, her expression grave and a hint of worry on her face.

"Xiaoxue," Xu Xi called out to her.

Xu Xue turned around, saw Xu Xi, and ran over with a look of surprise and joy. "Sister, why are you so late today? I thought..."

Hearing the whispers, Xu Xi understood what was going on, but still casually asked, "What do you think?"

"I thought you went to take the imperial examination too," Xu Xue said. "You usually arrive early, but I didn't see you when I came today. Just now, Madam Cui came and took a few others away, saying they were going to take the imperial examination and would be receiving separate lessons in the North Academy, not with us. I thought you were the same."

"That's true." Xu Xi nodded. "I also want to participate in the imperial examination."

"What?" Xu Xue looked at her in astonishment.

"I won't be attending classes with you in the mornings anymore, but I'll still be here in the afternoons. Please save this seat for me. It doesn't matter if it's in the morning, but no one is allowed to sit here in the afternoon," Xu Xi said, pointing to her seat.

Xu Xue has certainly experienced what it's like to have your mood fluctuate like a rollercoaster.

She had been with Xu Xi ever since she came to the Women's Academy and was very dependent on Xu Xi. When Xu Xi suddenly said she was going to leave her for the North Academy, she immediately felt uneasy. Now that Xu Xi said she would be back in the afternoon, her heart was at peace again.

A half-day separation is nothing. Xu Xue has become familiar with her classmates and no longer feels the anxiety she had when she first arrived.

"What? You're going to take the imperial examination too?" A girl next to Xu Xi exclaimed in surprise upon hearing her words, causing everyone to fall silent and turn to look at them.