May the Examination Papers Be Posted?

Grand Princess Shangde didn't think much of it. Although she also hoped that Zhao Ruxi Zhao Ruxi would come in first place in every exam, the competition was too fierce, and the Prefect of the Capital was a royalist who did not belong to any of the princes' factions. She felt that Zhao Ruxi's level in policy essays or poetry might not be good enough, or perhaps it didn't suit the Prefect of the Capital's taste.

Although the final rankings haven't been announced yet, Zhao Ruxi's ranking will definitely be good, within the top five. Grand Princess Shangde is quite satisfied with this.

Not to mention Beining Women's Academy, even students from the Capital Women's Academy have never achieved such excellent results.

Therefore, on the day the rankings for the third round were announced, Grand Princess Shangde had the calligraphy copybook delivered to the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

To show their appreciation and respect for Zhao Ruxi, the invitation was sent by Matron Yin, Grand Princess Shangde's personal nanny and one of her most trusted confidantes.

"The Princess Gao Xing to hear that Miss Zhiwei had done well in her exams. She said that the girl had brought honor to the academy, and that keeping this calligraphy copybook by her side was a waste. Since the girl enjoys calligraphy, she would give the copybook to her as a reward, and also to ensure that good things find their proper place, so that a pearl does not go to waste."

Zhao Ruxi was immediately captivated by the calligraphy copybook.

After she became wealthy, she asked people to search everywhere for a copy of Master Mingcang's calligraphy. Unfortunately Master Mingcang's calligraphy was not given away; it was only available to his close disciples, family, and friends.

So she could only occasionally sneak a peek at Xiao Ruotong's calligraphy.

Xiao Ruotong treasured that calligraphy copybook. Even though she and Zhao Ruxi were as close as sisters, she never lent it out. She would only show it to Zhao Ruxi when Zhao Ruxi visited her.

Xiao Ruotong had subtly mentioned that if Zhao Ruxi wanted her master's calligraphy copybook, she could try to get it for Zhao Ruxi.

With such a masterpiece preceding him, Qin Zhe, though also hailed as a national master, did not surpass his teacher; his calligraphy was still slightly inferior to that of Master Mingcang. Zhao Ruxi desired Master Mingcang's calligraphy copybook more than settling for something less.

Furthermore, Zhao Ruxi knew that Kang Shilin and Qin Zhe disliked each other. If she went to ask Qin Zhe for help, and Qin Zhe refused because of Kang Shilin, wouldn't she make her master lose face in front of Qin Zhe for no reason?

So at the time, she pretended not to understand what Xiao Ruotong was saying, which was a veiled way of rejecting Xiao Ruotong's suggestion.

Xiao Ruotong never brought it up again after that.

Now that Grand Princess Shangde is giving her Master Mingcang's calligraphy as a reward, Zhao Ruxi is naturally Gao Xing.

She bowed in the direction of Beining and said to Matron Yin, "This gift is truly precious, and I feel unworthy of it. However, it is something I have always longed for but could not obtain, and I really desire it, so I will not be pretentious in refusing. Please thank the Princess for me. In a couple of days, after the results of the county examination are announced, I will also visit the Princess in person to express my gratitude."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Matron Yin took her leave.

Led by Matron Ruan, the head maid of the Earl of Suiping's Residence, the group was heading towards the hanging flower gate when a maid came over and said to Matron Yin, "My mistress invites you to the inner hall for a talk."

Matron Yin assumed that the Wife of the Earl of Suiping wanted to express her gratitude to the Princess, so she went with the servants.

Upon arriving at the inner hall, Lady Zhu greeted them at the door.

After Matron Yin greeted her, Lady Zhu said, "Granny, if you're not in a particular hurry to get back, please have a seat. I have something to say to you."

Matron Yin was puzzled, so she sat down at the lower end of the table and said to Lady Zhu, "Please speak, Madam."

After a moment's thought, Lady Zhu said, "I've heard that the teachers at the Beining Academy who teach the Four Books and Five Classics are also great Confucian scholars. I wonder what their opinions are on my Miss Xi's past essays and poems?"

Grand Princess Shangde only held a nominal position at the Beining Women's Academy and did not actually manage its affairs. If you asked Madam Cui or her maids and nannies, they would know this. But Matron Yin did not.

Matron Yin told Lady Zhu Lady Zhu about the situation and said, "I'm so sorry. If Madam wants to know, this old servant will have Madam Cui's people come and report back to you when I get back."

Lady Zhu waved her hand. "That's unnecessary. I'm just puzzled. I've heard that my Miss Xi's essays and poems are always praised by the teachers at the academy, who say she has a broad vision and a sharp pen, no less than a man. But in this county examination, she only got seventh place in the third round. I don't know if it's because she doesn't suit the taste of the prefect of the capital, or if the prefect thinks she's a woman and shouldn't be ranked higher than the men, so he deliberately moved her ranking down to prevent her from being the top scholar."

"She came in first place in the first exam, but many candidates were dissatisfied and demanded to see the exam papers. Later, the authorities posted the papers out, and everyone was convinced. I was thinking, if that's the case, why not be completely fair and post the papers from the second and third exams to show that it was just?"

At this point, Lady Zhu looked intently at Matron Yin.

Matron Yin understood Lady Zhu's intention and, while shocked, admired Lady Zhu greatly.

Lady Zhu's ability to see this and to make this suggestion tactfully demonstrates her remarkable talent. What's even more commendable is her unwavering protection of her daughter, daring to boldly make such a request to Grand Princess Shangde.

Interfering in the imperial examinations was a major taboo, especially for a member of the royal family like Grand Princess Shangde. However, Lady Zhu's suggestion was extremely reasonable, and others would have no grounds to criticize Grand Princess Shangde.

She said, "I understand what you mean, Madam. I will report your words to the Princess."

She stood up. "If Madam has nothing else to say, then this old servant will take her leave."

"Thank you very much, Granny Zhou. You've gone to so much trouble." Lady Zhu gestured to Matron Zhou.

Matron Zhou handed Matron Yin a purse and said with a smile, "I'll see you out, Granny."

Matron Yin if Lady Zhu gave too valuable a gift, Grand Princess Shangde would not be willing to get involved in the matter in the end, and she would not be able to explain it to Lady Zhu. After leaving the hall with Matron Zhou, she took a special look at the contents of her purse.

Seeing that it contained a jade pendant, which was of good quality but not so valuable as to be unaffordable, she pondered for a moment and then decided not to return it to Matron Zhou.

Based on her understanding of Grand Princess Shangde and Madam Cui, she knew they would still get involved in this matter.

As expected, when she returned to Beining and told Grand Princess Shangde what had happened, Grand Princess Shangde frowned and ordered her servants, "Go and invite Madam Cui over."

After Madam Cui arrived, Grand Princess Shangde had Matron Yin repeat Lady Zhu's words again, and asked, "Do you think this is possible? Could it be that they really suppressed Zhiwei? How did the teachers evaluate Zhiwei's usual writings and poems?"