Chapter 327: First Place Again

Chapter 327: Another First Place

The people's power can lift a boat or capsize it, and can also overthrow the dynasty of the entire Dongchen Kingdom.

If he gave Ji Yuntang a low score, wouldn't that mean he was unwilling to seek welfare for the people?

On the contrary, Luo Feizhou gave her ninety-nine points, which amounts to endorsing Ji Yuntang's views, inevitably making the people feel that Prince Qi stood with them, thereby stealing away a portion of the people's support.

Once this thought entered his mind, it refused to leave.

Luo Jingshen was torn.

On one hand, he didn't want Ji Yuntang to pass the competition.

On the other hand, he wanted to win over the people's hearts.

Seeing that Luo Jingshen was slow to make up his mind, Luo Sinian took the answer sheet and directly gave her a perfect score of one hundred.

Luo Jingshen: "..."

Luo Jingshen: "!!!"

His eyes widened, utterly incredulous.

"Eighth brother, are you insane? He didn't even look at it, and gave Princess Ye full marks?"

Luo Sinian glanced at him and said calmly, "What Third Sister-in-law wrote, I don't need to examine closely. I just need to see the reactions of Headmaster Cheng, Director Mei, and Fifth Brother to know the gist of it!"

"Her proposed laws are quite controversial, but people who aren't on the same intellectual level can hardly appreciate her good intentions."

"Second Brother probably hasn't experienced the people being hungry and cold, having their grain stolen and their fertile land seized. That's only natural, since you are the Crown Prince, have been exalted since birth, your status was never meant to be ordinary."

"But I am different. I was once sent by Father Emperor to manage the flood relief in Pan County, where I witnessed these human sufferings firsthand. Third Sister-in-law lived in the countryside for fifteen years, she's endured every kind of hardship and toil. It's precisely because she witnessed these hardships that she can better empathize with the common people's feelings."

"What she wrote is just the norm in this world. There's much she didn't write down. Second Brother only sees the surface; in reality, the common people's lives are far more impoverished and destitute than we imagine."

"I think her ideas are worth a try. Only when the people live well will the entire Dongchen Kingdom be stable and prosperous. Then how could our country fail to be strong?"

Luo Jingshen looked at Luo Sinian with a complicated expression.

This was the first time he had heard from this taciturn eighth brother of his speak so many words at once.

To have such insights showed that Luo Sinian had truly matured a lot.

Luo Sinian's words won the support and approval of all the judges, who all felt that Prince Chen's words were absolutely right.

Luo Jingshen then knew that if he gave Ji Yuntang a low score at this point, it would be equivalent to going against everyone and slapping himself in the face.

He clenched his fists and said with a chuckle, "Eighth brother speaks sense. It's truly impressive that you thought of so much, and it makes me see you in a new light."

"After careful consideration, I also feel that Princess Ye's laws are very comprehensive. If they can be implemented in our kingdom, they will undoubtedly advance our legal system by a great step."

"I am willing to give Princess Ye full marks, hoping she will continue to strive for better and come up with even better legal provisions for the benefit of our people."

After saying this, he wrote a large perfect score of one hundred on the paper.

Mei Zhuyu and Cheng Rushan exchanged glances, both seeing the smiles in each other's eyes.

They knew full well that Luo Jingshen had been forced into a dilemma by Prince Qi and Prince Chen.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, he had no choice but to give Ji Yuntang full marks.

However, this also confirmed a fact: the Crown Prince of Dongchen Kingdom was indeed selfish and short-sighted, with his own interests weighing more heavily in his mind.

The law round competition concluded, and surprisingly few remained.

Fortunately, Ji Zihang was lucky enough to barely pass with a score of eighty-one.

He ranked fifteenth, the last place in the law round.

Compared to Ji Yuntang, who had effortlessly taken first place again, Ji Zihang's teeth chattered with rage.

Now he understood clearly: he had no chance of winning the laureate!

Even if he barely passed the fourth and fifth rounds, he would still be overshadowed by Ji Yuntang.

Wherever he went from now on, he would be known as the one defeated by Ji Yuntang.

Ji Zihang, once arrogant and proud, truly felt the blow this time.

And the one who dealt it was the sister he despised and looked down upon the most.

Ji Zihang couldn't understand. Ji Yuntang, a village girl raised in the countryside who had barely read a few books, how could she actually write something so profound?

Was there a master helping her, or was she not the real Ji Yuntang at all?

And if so, where had the real Ji Yuntang gone?

This thought sent a cold sweat down his spine.

Even his gaze toward Ji Yuntang was now filled with fear.

Ji Yuntang met Ji Zihang's eyes and looked utterly puzzled.

He seemed... afraid of her?

The sound of Mu Rongyue's sobbing next to him pulled Ji Zihang back to his senses.

Turning around, he realized that Mu Rongyue had been eliminated in this round!

He feigned a few words of comfort, then used the excuse of needing to check on Ji Qingqing and strode away.

The day's competition was over. Ji Yuntang, with three first-place finishes and two perfect scores, successfully advanced to the next round.

She also changed everyone's perception of women.

Xie Liuzheng was even more excited than Ji Yuntang. After the competition, he didn't leave but waited below for her.

When Ji Yuntang came down, he immediately rushed over, gesturing excitedly, "Sister Yuntang, your performance today was absolutely amazing! You are the pride of our Duke Rong's mansion. Let's see who still dares to say that the children of Duke Rong's mansion only cause trouble and never bring honor!"

Even though the honor wasn't his, Xie Liuzheng still felt very proud. He said to Ji Yuntang, "You said you wanted to eat braised pigeon earlier, right? I've already booked the entire Shiding Restaurant. How about coming with me to celebrate?"

Ji Yuntang silently cursed Xie Liuzheng for being such a spendthrift. She raised an eyebrow and teased him, "Brother, aren't you afraid of spending the Duke Rong's mansion into poverty by spending so lavishly?"

Xie Liuzheng waved his hand, "No, no. Our Duke Rong's mansion has a vast estate and many businesses. Even if we had to support another you, it wouldn't go broke."

"Besides, isn't the money my father earns meant for us children to spend? I'm not spending it on anything crooked, so he won't interfere with me."

Ji Yuntang thought that since he had already spent the money, it would be a waste not to eat, so she decided to go with Xie Liuzheng.

"Alright then, since I happen to be a bit hungry, let's go together!"

But before they had walked far, Chen Hu came over and blocked her path.

He first glanced at Xie Liuzheng, then said sheepishly, "Princess, the Prince is waiting at the residence for you to return and dine together. I've already prepared the carriage!"

Ji Yuntang was still upset about Luo Junhe's behavior today. Hearing Chen Hu's words, she said almost without thinking:

"Go back and tell the Prince he doesn't need to wait for me for dinner. I've already made plans with my brother to go feast at Shiding Tower!"

Xie Liuzheng's heart gave a sudden lurch — he would never dare to steal anyone's thunder, let alone Prince Ye's!

If he really took Ji Yuntang away from right under Chen Hu's nose today, he'd probably never even be able to set foot in Prince Ye's residence again!

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