C47 Chosen 1

Xing Ning was thoroughly convinced of his defeat.

At that moment, two voices simultaneously declared, "The battle is over."

One belonged to Gu Ruochen, and the other to Jun Wushang. Feng Tiange knew Gu Ruochen, so she turned her gaze to the other person.

With jet-black hair and eyes that shone like stars, Jun Wushang stood on the opposite side of the arena. Despite his black attire, his noble and refined demeanor was unmistakable, and his elegant features seemed out of place in the bustling martial arts venue.

Jun Wushang, the grandson of Marquis Jun Mu, was as outstanding as Gu Ruochen in his generation. Feng Tiange had him listed among her top five potential opponents.

As Feng Tiange noticed him, Jun Wushang also looked her way. Their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment.

After the second round of the martial arts exam, only thirty-three candidates remained, and Feng Tiange was undoubtedly among them. In the viewing area, Empress Dowager Chu was so excited she could hardly contain herself, and even Feng Qing found it hard to believe that his daughter's martial skills had reached such heights!

At this moment, Feng Tiange had already jumped off the platform. The third round of the written exam was about to start, and she needed to hurry over.

"Hey!" A clear voice called out. Feng Tiange looked up, slightly surprised.

In front of her stood a young man with lightly tanned skin. His hair was loosely pinned up with a wooden hairpin, and his features were sharp and defined. His thick eyebrows arched slightly upward, giving him a rebellious look, and beneath his lashes, his eyes shone as brightly as the morning sun.

"Do you need something?" Tiange asked softly, not recalling ever meeting the man before her.

"My name is Su Hu, like the fox," he replied with a smile, his natural charm putting Tiange at ease.

Tiange nodded without saying more.

"Han Ke and Xing Ning are my people," Su Hu said, gesturing to himself with his thumb. "Thank you for looking out for them."

Han Ke? Tiange suddenly remembered the one who was knocked out of the ring by Xie Ruxuan earlier. "It was nothing."

Pressed for time, Tiange gave a polite nod and moved past Su Hu to leave the Martial Academy.

"A small favor deserves a big return! Don't worry, I'll repay this debt!" Su Hu called out as Tiange walked away, causing her to nearly stumble.

Clearly, someone had read too little and thought too much!

Tiange ignored Su Hu and continued on her way out of the academy.

Rong Qi, however, remained, silently watching Su Hu for a while.

"A big return, huh? You better hope you don't faint when you see Tiange's true face..."

When Tiange appeared in the hall for the third time, the expressions on everyone's faces shifted—some with joy, others with disdain.

Xueyao sat to Tiange's left and slightly behind, her eyes practically blazing as she stared at the upright figure.

How did that eyesore even get in here?

The bell tolled, signaling the start of the third exam. Unlike the previous two, this time, several esteemed instructors from the Mansion would directly review the papers and decide who advances.

Thankfully, the third exam at the Martial Academy wouldn't start for another hour, so Feng Tiange wasn't too worried.

"Finished!"

Another half-hour passed!

If Feng Tiange could advance, she would set a new record for the fastest completion and successful advancement in the Mansion's exams.

As the examiner collected the papers, Feng Tiange sat silently, waiting. She knew all too well how stubborn those old relics at the Mansion could be. They never cared about the influence of powerful ministers or even the Emperor himself, so she wasn't concerned about a situation like what happened at the Martial Academy with Xie Ruxuan.

Time dragged on painfully slow. As more and more examinees finished, the remaining ones grew increasingly anxious until the bell tolled again.

"When will the results be announced?" Empress Dowager Chu, unable to wait any longer, urgently asked Nanny Sunn.

Beiming Yuan, observing the scene, politely replied, "After the incense burns out following the bell, the examiner will bring out the list of those admitted to the Imperial Academy's Mansion and announce it on the spot."

Seeing that Empress Dowager Chu had no further questions, Beiming Yuan returned to his seat, occasionally glancing down at Feng Tiange. Though her face was veiled, the light in her eyes shone with unwavering determination.

"Can she really get into the Imperial Academy?"

After a short wait, the examiner returned to the hall. "The students admitted to the Imperial Academy this year are: Xueyao Feng, Siyan Tang, Chuyan Xia, Yue'e Lin, Rulan Miao..."

As per tradition, the first name announced is the top scorer of the year. Xueyao Feng was thrilled but kept her excitement in check.

She silently counted, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen...

No Tiange Feng!

She knew Tiange Feng wouldn't make it!

"Congratulations, Xueyao!" A fellow candidate approached Xueyao Feng, brimming with excitement.

"As expected, nothing to really congratulate," Xueyao Feng glanced at Rulan Miao beside her and smiled slightly, "You did well too."

Just as Xueyao Feng was basking in the envious glances from the crowd, the examiner suddenly turned and knelt towards Beiming Yuan, "Your Highness, among this year's candidates, two have identical scores. The Director requests that Your Highness provide an additional question to determine the top spot."

The examiner's words caused a stir throughout the hall!

Determine the top spot?

That meant the two candidates with identical scores were above Xueyao Feng!

Xueyao Feng felt her mind buzzing. So, she wasn't first; there were actually two candidates ahead of her?

On stage, Beiming Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, "Which two candidates?"

"Feng Tiange, Ye Zhixi."

The room fell silent.

"What... what did you say? Who?" Empress Dowager Chu suddenly stood up, disbelief shining in her eyes.

When the examiner announced the candidates' names earlier, Empress Dowager Chu hadn't dared to hope for much. The fact that Feng Tiange had made it to the third round of the literary exam was already a great comfort to her.

"Your Majesty, it's Feng Tiange and Ye Zhixi," the examiner repeated.

On the viewing platform, Feng Qing seemed to finally grasp the situation, his eyes wide with shock. His daughter not only passed the exam but might even be the top candidate!

Equally stunned was Rong Qi, sitting at the back of the platform. Did Silver Mask really study for this? Did he?

By now, Feng Tiange and Ye Zhixi had stepped onto the high platform.

Facing Beiming Yuan once more, Feng Tiange had learned to control her emotions well. As for Dugu Rou, the betrayal and that bowl of soup would be repaid in kind.

"Tiange!" Empress Dowager Chu called out as Feng Tiange approached, trying to move toward her but was stopped by Nanny Sunn.

Feng Tiange nodded respectfully to Empress Dowager Chu, then stood alongside Ye Zhixi in front of Beiming Yuan.

"Since the Director wants me to add a question, tell me your views on the Corrupt Concubine case," Beiming Yuan said casually, yet his words brought the entire hall back to silence.

On the observation platform, Rong Qi thought he had seen shameless people before, but never anyone quite this shameless. Dugu Yan was dead, yet someone was still using his name to gauge the attitudes of court officials and the loyalties of new scholars. Didn't their conscience hurt?

On the platform, Feng Tiange frowned slightly. She hadn't expected an additional test, and there was less than ten minutes left before the third exam at the Martial Academy...