Chapter 316: Early Submission

Chapter 316 Turning In Early

Chen Hu was about to agree when he heard Luo Junhe continued, "Even if you do it, you must discuss it with her first to avoid causing her trouble."

Chen Hu instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

So what did the prince mean? Did he want him to do it or not?

Luo Junhe knew that Chen Hu's mind wouldn't grasp this logic, so he patiently explained it to him.

"Having been around the princess for so long, you've naturally picked up some of her habits and mannerisms. It's normal to want to follow her example and try a clever little trick."

"But have you ever thought that the princess's brain works differently from yours?"

Luo Junhe fixed him with a deep, intense gaze from his peach-blossom eyes, his voice low and calm.

"Chen Hu, your intentions were good—you wanted to cheat someone out of some silver. But if you betray the princess's trust and make her doubt you, five thousand taels might not be enough to save your skin."

Hearing this, Chen Hu broke out in a cold sweat and his teeth chattered.

He never expected that a small clever trick he occasionally pulled could almost cost him his life.

Chen Hu immediately said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have learned my lesson this time. I will never pull clever tricks again, and I will discuss things with the princess beforehand."

Luo Junhe didn't think it was a huge deal, but he figured Chen Hu needed to spend five thousand taels to learn his lesson.

Although he hadn't leaked any important information, what if someone used it against Ji Yuntang?

Before anything happens, anything is possible. By the time it does, it'll be too late!

Chen Hu stood there awkwardly. Seeing the lingering fear on Chen Hu's face, Luo Junhe asked him,

"Who was that maid? What did she look like? Do you still remember?"

Chen Hu shook his head. "She was wearing makeup and a veil. But if I see her again, I think I'd recognize her voice."

Luo Junhe narrowed his eyes dangerously. If he guessed correctly, this person was probably connected to whoever signed Ji Yuntang up.

Chances are she was a maid from the Yongning Marquis estate.

He would wait and see.

On the competition field, the incense stick had only burned halfway down, and Ji Yuntang had already finished her design sketch!

After checking it several times, she nodded with satisfaction.

With time to spare, Ji Yuntang began to doze off again, just like before.

Seeing this, the gentleness in Ji Qingqing's eyes froze. Frowning, she asked,

"Everyone else is still busy drawing. Why is she starting to doze off again?"

From the beginning of the woodworking competition, Ji Qingqing's eyes had been fixed on Ji Yuntang, never looking away.

She really wanted to catch Ji Yuntang cheating and expose her publicly.

Unfortunately, Ji Yuntang had followed all the rules throughout, with no suspicious little moves.

This made Ji Qingqing very unhappy!

Cui Liu ingratiatingly said from the side, "Second Miss, there's no need to worry. The woodworking competition isn't just ordinary drawing. She can't just get by with a random drawing of a cat or dog. It requires exceptional design inspiration."

"Even I don't know much about these things, but I know that even the master craftsmen at Jiangxin Pavilion take several days to settle their minds and think before they can sketch a simple draft, then slowly refine it before finalizing."

"In just fifteen minutes, what decent design could Ji Yuntang come up with? She probably just scribbled a few lines to go through the motions and will be eliminated soon!"

Ji Qingqing thought Cui Liu made a valid point, but still said hatefully, "You'd better make sure she gets eliminated. Otherwise, even if we sell you, you couldn't cover those five thousand taels!"

Cui Liu immediately fell silent.

She had only helped Ji Qingqing gather information, but she hadn't taken a single tael of that five thousand.

Not only were her efforts unappreciated, but Ji Qingqing also wanted to pin this debt on her?

What kind of rotten luck was this, to end up with a mistress like that?

Upset, Cui Liu turned and saw Ji Zihang stand up on the competition field.

He said politely, "Headmaster Cheng, Director Mei, Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have finished my design sketch. May I submit it early?"

Almost instantly, Ji Yuntang straightened up from her dozing posture, her eyes wide open.

It was so boring sitting there; she also wanted to know if she could turn in early.

Luo Jingshen frowned. He felt that Ji Qingqing's third brother was really clueless about the situation.

What kind of occasion was this?

Even he couldn't move around freely or make noise, and Ji Zihang actually wanted to turn in early?

Did he have no respect for him, for Headmaster Cheng, or for Director Mei?

Thinking of this, Luo Jingshen asserted his authority as the crown prince and said coldly, "The Canglang Poetry Contest has strict rules. Turning in early is really inappropriate. There's still half an incense stick left before the competition ends. Third Young Master Ji, please return to your seat and wait."

Luo Jingshen thought his move was very smart.

As the rule-makers, Cheng Rushan and Mei Zhuyu would surely appreciate him upholding their regulations and think highly of him.

He could hardly wait to see their approving looks!

But as soon as he turned his head, he saw Mei Zhuyu take Ji Zihang's answer sheet. A bad feeling immediately rose in his chest.

Sure enough, the next moment he heard Mei Zhuyu say,

"What the Crown Prince says is reasonable. But rules are rigid; people are flexible. Rules are meant to guide people, but they're never set in stone."

"Earlier, Director Mei and I were careless and didn't consider that some examinees work quickly. That was our oversight."

"In the remaining three rounds, any candidate who finishes their work may turn in early and have free time."

Luo Jingshen: "..."

Luo Jingshen: "!!!"

He felt that Mei Zhuyu's words were like a slap to his face, making him feel completely humiliated.

He is a man who cares a lot about saving face, and at this moment, he's losing face, his face going extremely dark.

Cheng Rushan arched an eyebrow and asked him gently.

"Your Highness, if you have any objections to Director Mei's words, please feel free to say so."

"Today, you represent the imperial court. If there is anything inappropriate, you may discuss it with us."

Luo Jingshen: "..."

He wanted to discuss it, but did they give him the opportunity?

He felt like a pathetic tool.

Suppressing his emotions, Luo Jingshen took a deep breath and put on an awkward but polite smile.

"I have no objections. Director Mei and Headmaster Cheng, you may decide as you wish."

Cheng Rushan smiled and said, "Since Your Highness agrees, then anyone who's finished the test can turn in their paper early!"

With that, he immediately looked over at Ji Yuntang, silently hoping that she would come forward to turn in her paper.

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