Chapter 317: Family Gifts

Chapter 317: A Gift from Family

He couldn't wait to see Ji Yuntang's design!

Fifteen minutes ago, Cheng Rushan had noticed that Ji Yuntang had already stopped writing.

She sat there listlessly, dozing off, completely out of place among the students who were earnestly working on their exams.

Cheng Rushan wasn't unfamiliar with students who finished quickly at Canglang Poetry Talk, but he had never seen anyone as fast as Ji Yuntang.

He was really curious about her and couldn't wait to see what she had designed.

But since the time wasn't up, he couldn't speak up, so he just had to wait.

Coincidentally, Ji Zihang brought it up. After exchanging glances with Mei Zhuyu, the two decided to go with the flow and let students who finished early turn in their papers.

Ji Zihang had no clue he was being used as a pawn; at the moment, he was thrilled that Director Mei and Headmaster Cheng changed the rules for him.

He figured that since they only glanced at his paper and changed the rules, even going against the Crown Prince, his design must be really great.

He definitely had first place in the woodworking competition locked up.

In contrast to Ji Zihang's arrogance, Ji Yuntang was calm and collected.

She looked up and met Headmaster Cheng's kind-looking face, his expression a mix of emotions.

It held anticipation, joy, and a little bit of pleading.

Ji Yuntang was a bit confused. What was that about?

She paused for a second, then got it, stood up, and handed her paper to the proctor nearby.

"I'll submit early too!"

The proctor handed the paper to Cheng Rushan, who was totally stunned when he saw it.

Mei Zhuyu came over too and looked just as stunned.

The two exchanged glances, both confused about what a washing machine was.

The longer they stared, the deeper their frowns became.

This round, clunky thing could actually replace people and wash clothes by itself?

Down on the arena floor, Ji Qingqing watched Mei Zhuyu and Headmaster Cheng with confused looks, and she was thrilled!

What kind of garbage did Ji Yuntang draw that left Headmaster Cheng and Director Mei at a loss for words?

It seemed that in this round, she was definitely done for!

Ji Yuntang turned in her paper and walked off the exam floor.

As it happened, Ji Zihang came down alongside her.

He looked down his nose at Ji Yuntang with an arrogant sneer.

"Do you think with your lousy knowledge you can impress Headmaster Cheng and Director Mei? You're delusional!"

Ji Yuntang looked at him, raised her middle finger, then turned it downward.

Ji Zihang was speechless at first, then furious.

If he didn't get the gesture before, he sure did now!

She was basically calling him a loser.

Ji Zihang's face twisted in anger. That bitch...

He was about to go argue with her when he saw Xie Liuzheng push through the crowd, carrying a bunch of bags, some still steaming.

Xie Liuzheng looked overjoyed. He presented a zongzi to Ji Yuntang like a precious gift, a big smile on his face.

"Sister Yuntang, you worked hard on the test. Mom made this zongzi for you today, wishing you good luck. It's still warm, try it."

Ji Yuntang felt a warm glow inside. She took the zongzi from Xie Liuzheng, tore open the lotus leaf wrapping, and took a bite.

The filling was glutinous rice and red beans—soft and sweet.

"It's delicious. Brother, please thank Mother for me."

Xie Liuzheng's face lit up. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a shiny gold horn-shaped teapot.

Ji Yuntang blinked, then blinked again.

After a double take, she was sure—it really was a teapot.

And it was solid gold, bright and flashy.

Xie Liuzheng then took out a golden goblet and poured tea into it.

He said, "Sister Yuntang, you must be thirsty after the zongzi. Dad specially prepared this golden bull-horn tea for you, symbolizing your success and victory in the competition."

"Dad also said that if you pass all five rounds, the solid gold bull-horn teapot is yours."

Ji Yuntang was speechless. Ji Yuntang was blown away!

Her dad was that generous?!

This teapot must be worth a fortune, top-notch quality, and it looks amazing too.

Xie Liuzheng's words immediately drew a wave of envious looks.

Among them was Ji Qingqing.

She was so jealous she nearly ground her teeth in jealousy.

Why did that bitch get such good stuff?

She had never even used a pure gold teapot herself; what gave Ji Yuntang the right to use one?

Ignoring Ji Qingqing's venomous glare, Ji Yuntang smiled lightly, took the goblet, and downed it in one gulp.

"Alright, I won't let Dad down."

Xie Liuzheng's eyes held a lazy smile, his demeanor idle and nonchalant with a touch of cynicism.

Actually, Xie Jinrong never said that.

His original words were: "Tang'er is attending the Canglang Poetry Talk today. No matter how many rounds she makes it through or what her results are, she will always be our most outstanding daughter."

"This golden ox-horn teapot is a treasure I, the Duke, happened upon. It has a really good omen. Once her competition is over, give it to her to lift her spirits and encourage her."

Xie Liuzheng agreed without a moment's hesitation!

He thought that sure, he had to give the gift, but he was more eager to see Ji Yuntang dominate the Canglang Poetry Talk.

Especially the look of frustration on certain people's faces—that, to him, was a truly delightful sight.

Using the gift his father had given him to motivate Ji Yuntang and encourage her to take first place—there was nothing wrong with that, was there?

After Ji Yuntang finished the zongzi and tea, Xie Liuzheng called Meng Fan over and gave him a few instructions.

Meng Fan nodded and left, soon returning with a red lacquered food box.

Opening the box, he pulled out a large array of dishes and brought a table down from the carriage.

Among them were seven-delicacy soup, clear-simmered golden shark fin, ginseng and silkie chicken soup, yam cakes, sautéed baby bok choy with fresh mushrooms, stir-fried crystal shrimp, and red-braised pigeon.

Xie Liuzheng said, "Little Sister Yuntang, just eating zongzi and drinking tea won't keep you full. This is food specially prepared by the chefs from the Shiding Tower for you. Come, sit down and try it—see if it's to your liking."

"Once you've eaten your fill, for the third round of the competition, your brother is hoping to see you score another perfect mark!"

Ji Yuntang's heart softened into a warm pool. Once again, she felt the warmth of family from the Duke of Rong's household.

With a gentle smile, she sat down and said to Xie Liuzheng, "Thanks, big brother."

Those words—"Thanks, big brother"—made Xie Liuzheng's heart leap with joy, nearly turning him into a fool from sheer happiness.

To have earned her approval, he felt that everything he had done was worth it!

With that thought, a vague plan started forming in Xie Liuzheng's mind.

He decided that for tomorrow's competition, he would give her another big surprise.

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