Hunting system, and I ended up becoming the empress!

A tavern in Shengjing.

"Oh, did Qian Juzi really say that?"

"Yes, he had been keeping it a secret, but he didn't expect that he would tell it out when he was drunk."

"But that's not right. How can he get in touch with that person? Is he just daydreaming?"

"Well, I heard someone went to his house to ask, and it's true. Neighbors have seen it several times, with carts of good things being moved into that house. Some people have even seen that man go to Qian's house."

"Tsk, could it be another girl, who would like him? Be careful with your mouth, it's impossible to think about it, who would have such low standards?"

"Hey, brother, you are too harsh. Mr. Qian is also a young talent."

"Listen to me, everyone didn't believe it at first, but Qian did get the exam questions. Who else could have gotten them except that person? She's the deputy examiner!"

Everyone shut up.

Someone angrily asked: "Is this true?"

"It's absolutely true. Qian Fen confessed everything when he was drunk. Many of his classmates were there to testify. Many candidates in the next room also heard it clearly!"

The scene was dead silent.

Suddenly someone seemed to remember something, "Last year, there were rumors that she was looking for a son-in-law, and she might look for a scholar from a humble family. Wouldn't Qian Fen be a perfect match?"

Almost in an instant, news about cheating in the Spring Examination swept across Shengjing.

The sword is pointed at Xiao Zhixing.

The preliminary division of the Imperial Examination Hall has been completed, and the first few hundred papers have been selected.

Now it was their turn to work hard. They had to look at more than just these few hundred papers. The first thousand papers needed to be reviewed again to avoid any mistakes or omissions.

Xiao Zhixing took the role of a serious examiner.

She observed Duke Li again and wanted to laugh when she saw him squinting his eyes and struggling to read the papers.

She understood this feeling. People with severe myopia wanted to put their faces on the words when looking at things. It was so uncomfortable.

He also has to pretend to be normal to cover it up, it's really hard, haha.

After three cross-scorings by the three persons, the number and ranking were finally determined based on the total quota for each state.

Next, the original test paper would be opened according to the number, the two test papers would be checked once more, the list would be copied, and sent to the palace overnight for the emperor to review and stamp his confirmation.

Xiao Zhixing saw Ji Bai, Li Jun, Jiang Tan, Xiong Chumo, Mu Ziqi, Lin Muzhen, Zhang Zhong, Qi Wuyi, Liu Zizai, Li Zheng, Qi Mengli, Lin Ruyi, Feng Min and others at a glance.

These people can be ranked anywhere, and the last one is Qian Fen.

"Your Majesty, proofread it again. If there are no mistakes, you can present it to His Majesty."

"That's right, thank you both for your hard work."

The list and their papers were finally escorted into the palace by Zhang Shanhai himself. The emperor would determine the top three places in the examination, and he generally would not make major changes to the rest.

Nian Changling complimented Duke Li, "Prince Li is worthy of his name. With such a son, the Duke will have someone to carry on his legacy."

Duke Li was modest, but his lips curled up high, "It can be considered as worthy of her mother's hard work over the years. The road ahead is long and more experience is needed."

Logically, Duke Li should have avoided suspicion, but he was chosen by the emperor and his son was so ambitious and well-known that he could ignore the suspicion.

Li Jun's literary talent is obvious to all, and there is no need for Duke Li to cheat.

Xiao Zhixing looked at his expression of uncontrollable joy and said with a smile: "Duke Li must be very happy now. Having a son like this should make things clear."

Forget it, since he’s happy, I won’t point out the fact that he is nearsighted for the time being. I have to find a more formal occasion.

She is just so evil.

Duke Li stopped laughing and bowed repeatedly, "Your Majesty, please stop teasing me. In terms of literary talent, you are the leader of the younger generation in Shengjing."

The emperor would show them the examination papers of the Gentlemen's Academy every time. From the initial shock to the final habit, all the civil and military officials in the court had reached a consensus that Xiao Zhixing's literary talent was not inferior to her martial arts.

Sometimes his perspective and vision on things even surpass those old guys.

It was precisely because of this that she was able to pass the position of deputy examiner, and the one-third of people who chose to support her also had their reasons.

Xiao Zhixing smiled, "Duke Li, please don't be so modest. I also need to learn from Brother Wenxiu in some areas."

After complimenting each other, they also instruct everyone to file the papers.

Not long after, the emperor's edict arrived, naming Ji Bai as the top scorer, Li Jun as the second, and Lin Muzhen as the third.

The palace examination will be held seven days later, and those who qualify will be Jinshi. The top three candidates, the top two and the top three, will also be determined.

"The list will be posted tomorrow. Work harder to get it right!"

Nian Changling said directly: "We are too old to do this job. Your Majesty, please help me."

This can be written by other officials who mark the papers, but the chief and deputy examiners can also do it if you are willing.

After all, this thing cannot be altered and needs to be written in one breath. It is impossible to do this job without some skills.

Xiao Zhixing didn't want to ask for trouble, but then he thought, "Okay, I'll take this job reluctantly."

The blank board was spread out, Xiao Zhixing picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write.

"Oh, Your Highness, this word, this word?" Nian Changling was a word maniac. He couldn't help being dazzled by the font he had never seen before.

Xiao Zhixing raised his pen and dipped it in ink again, then said with a smile, "Sorry to make you laugh, Master Nian. This is the font I wrote for fun. I can't use the same font as before for the list of candidates."

It is a combination of regular script and cursive script, which is a bit too bold to use it to write a list.

The elder's face was almost stuck to the list, his eyes staring at it with fascination, and he kept exclaiming, "Your Majesty is too modest. This word is worthy of everyone. I wonder if it has been named?"

Duke Li was also knowledgeable. He would bend over and study the new characters just like his elder brother. "The circle is square and the arc is straight. The characters are flat and square, spreading out to the left and right. They are majestic like a king, with a silkworm head and a swallow tail. It's wonderful."

Xiao Zhixing smiled, "My Lord, your comments are brilliant. I haven't figured out these characteristics yet. You've helped me a lot."

Nian Changling became more and more excited as he read, repeating Duke Li's comments, "Silkworm head and swallow tail, round and square, straight and curved, wonderful, Your Majesty, did you name it?"

Xiao Zhixing was waiting for a long time. She pretended to recall and said, "Lishu."

"Lishu? Why is it named this?"

Of course it is because it was once a font commonly used by minor officials in the Qin Dynasty. It is said that the founder was an official, and the name was used like this. Later, after thousands of years of improvement and evolution, it became a widely used font.

Xiao Zhixing explained, "This is what my teacher taught me. He also learned it from his predecessors, and the person who taught him gave him this name."

Nian Changling sighed, "It's a pity that I can't see the style of the Hengqu masters!"

The two of them didn't even take a break. They watched her finish writing the list in official script, marveling at her the whole time.

The elders praised and clapped their hands, "This official script will surely shine!"

Xiao Zhixing smiled and said, "Then I will borrow Master Nian's good words, and I can also comfort the spirit of my teacher in heaven and not bring shame to him."

On the second day, early in the morning, the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall was filled with candidates, people who were helping their masters check the list, and servants lurking among them, preparing to catch a son-in-law from under the list.

Pairs of anxious eyes stared at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall.

After much anticipation, at 3:30 pm, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall opened, and a team of clerks came out, escorted by the Imperial Guards, beating gongs and shouting, "The results are out..."

The list was quickly unfolded and posted on the exhibition wall.

"The results are out. Don't push. Stand back."

"Hurry up, find our Master!"

“Ahhh, I got it, I got it, hahahahahaha, I got it!”

"Ah, Prince No. 2!"

"Master Ji won the first prize!"

"Where did Lin Muzhen come from?"

“Wuwuwu, I missed it, and I missed it again—”

It is sad to see all kinds of different joys and sorrows in the world before the imperial edict.

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out, "Qian Fen won?! He really won?!!"

Suddenly, many people remembered the rumors outside in the past few days, and this unknown person named Qian Fen immediately attracted people's attention.

"Qian Fen can win, why can't I?!"

Some people couldn't help but roar out.