Chapter 313: Full Marks in Math

Chapter 313: Perfect Score in Arithmetic

"Others filled an entire answer sheet to get the answer, but she solved it with just a few strokes, simplifying the process by at least twenty steps."

"That proves Miss Ji's method is undoubtedly practical. The process is important, but we value the result even more, don't we?"

Luo Jingshen was rendered speechless.

He wanted to say more, but Cheng Rushan interjected, "Time is running out, Your Highness. Please review the other examinees' papers first."

With that, he pulled Ji Yuntang's paper from Luo Jingshen's hands and handed it to Luo Feizhou.

Luo Feizhou had initially doubted the paper, but after hearing Cheng Rushan rebuke Luo Jingshen, he picked up his brush and gave it a perfect score.

After marking it, he turned to look at Luo Jingshen and asked him from across Headmaster Cheng.

"Second Brother, what score do you plan to give Third Sister-in-law's paper?"

Luo Jingshen: "..."

He turned and met Luo Feizhou's amused gaze and Cheng Rushan's piercing stare.

The joy he had felt moments before vanished, and he cursed Luo Feizhou for meddling. If he didn't give a score, it would mean one judge didn't score, and Ji Yuntang would be eliminated this round.

But with Luo Feizhou asking, he had no choice but to score it.

"I've thought it over and agree with Headmaster Cheng's reasoning. I'll give it a perfect score, just like Fifth Brother."

He uttered "perfect score" with extreme reluctance.

All he wanted was to see Ji Yuntang out, not her getting high marks.

Cheng Rushan patted his shoulder. "Your Highness, Canglang Poetry Talk has always been fair and just. If you have any personal grudges, it's best to set them aside. You must not abuse your power for private gain."

"After all, whether the examinees can contribute to the Dongchen Kingdom depends on your decision. You wouldn't want to eliminate truly talented individuals, would you?"

Luo Jingshen: "..."

He understood that Cheng Rushan was warning him in a roundabout way.

Furious inside, he forced a smile and replied amiably, "Headmaster Cheng is absolutely right. As the Crown Prince of this dynasty, I naturally cherish every talented scholar. There will be no such situation as you described."

"With Your Highness's words, I am reassured." Cheng Rushan glanced at him.

He wasn't speaking up for Ji Yuntang.

He had read Ji Yuntang's poems earlier and thought she was very talented.

Today's arithmetic problem wasn't overly complicated, but it would certainly stump a large number of examinees.

Yet Ji Yuntang's unconventional approach to solving it only confirmed Cheng Rushan's speculation.

She was even more outstanding than he had imagined.

If Ji Yuntang were eliminated due to personal grudges, wouldn't the Dongchen Kingdom be losing a talent in vain?

He wanted to see her performance in the following rounds.

When the scoring round ended, an official came out an hour later to announce the results.

He announced them in an interesting way, listing scores from low to high. Those whose names weren't called had all failed.

Ji Qingqing pricked up her ears, sitting on the spectator stand and listening intently. After hearing nothing about Ji Yuntang for a long time, she couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"Pfft, I thought she was so amazing. Turns out she couldn't even pass the first round of arithmetic. How embarrassing!"

Cui Liu chimed in, saying, "Exactly. Canglang Poetry Talk managed to open only three spots for women, and she snagged one. If she can't even get past the first round, the women who didn't get a spot might be cursing her behind her back!"

Ji Qingqing took a leisurely sip of tea. This was exactly what she had planned.

After all, registration for Canglang Poetry Talk had to be done in person.

Who would have guessed that she had registered for Ji Yuntang?

Others would only think that Ji Yuntang lacked ability and still took up a spot, making them hate her even more.

Gradually, Jiang Yunhang's, Song Weilan's, and Murong Yue's names were all called.

The three all did well, scoring over ninety.

Just then, Cui Liu exclaimed, "Second Miss, listen! Third Young Master, it's Third Young Master's name!"

"He scored ninety-six!"

Cui Liu was so excited, as if she herself had scored high.

Ji Qingqing took a calm sip of tea and said nonchalantly, "What's there to be surprised about? That's just Third Brother's usual performance. With his knowledge, even a perfect score is not surprising."

Even so, the slight curl of her lips betrayed Ji Qingqing's pride.

At that moment, Ji Qingqing straightened her back.

She believed that Ji Zihang was the shoo-in for the laurel.

Unexpectedly, a humble scholar named Zhao Qian scored an impressive ninety-eight.

Ji Qingqing's face instantly fell.

"Who is this person, scoring even higher than my third brother?"

Cui Liu replied, "Just some nobody who popped up out of nowhere. Probably just lucky."

"Second Miss, don't be upset. He surely won't have such good luck in the next round."

Ji Qingqing looked away disdainfully and took another sip of tea.

But the next moment, she sprayed the tea out of her mouth.

Because the official called out a name she had never expected.

"The top scorer in this round of arithmetic is—Ji Yuntang, with a perfect score of one hundred!"

The words left the entire venue dead silent, as if time had frozen.

Everyone looked stunned.

Xie Liuzheng was the first to react, standing up and applauding.

"Good! Yuntang, well done!"

"You are my sky, my earth, my light, my stars, sun, and moon, the only god in my heart. I'm cheering for you!"

"Come on, Yuntang! You are the best!"

As soon as he finished, Luo Junhe's face in the teahouse visibly darkened.

Veins bulged on his wrist, and he squeezed the armrests of the wheelchair until they creaked.

Chen Hu knew this was bad and quickly stepped forward to explain: "Your Highness, what Master Xie means is that the princess is his everything... no, that's not right. What Master Xie means is... the princess is his heaven, earth, sun, and moon... oh, that's not right either..."

Luo Junhe's face was cold as ice, and he said icily: "That's enough. You don't need to say more."

Chen Hu sheepishly turned around and slapped his own mouth hard, feeling very annoyed.

How could his mouth be so stupid? It disobeys him at the worst times.

He didn't mean it that way at all. He wanted to say that Master Xie was praising the princess for being awesome.

But it came out wrong.

Chen Hu could clearly feel that the chill from Luo Junhe was even colder than his ice bath.

He covered his mouth, deciding not to speak anymore.

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