Chapter 877: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 877: Aiming for the Zhuangyuan (Part 1)
The final round of the palace examination had only thirty participants. Like before, they were required to write an essay within half an hour, but this time the results would directly determine the rankings for the first and second tiers. The ten scholars who failed to make it into the top two tiers would join the seventy who had failed the second round, collectively ranked in the third tier.
Future prospects hinged entirely on today’s performance. Consequently, the atmosphere in the Baohe Hall was far tenser than during the second round. In addition to the usual examiners, the presence of Emperor Hui'an seated on the dragon throne added immense pressure to the room.
When Emperor Hui'an announced the essay topic, some less composed scholars trembled as they lifted their brushes. However, the majority maintained their focus and began writing as if nothing could distract them.
Emperor Hui'an observed the thirty participants keenly, comparing their current performance to the essays they had submitted during the preliminary and second rounds. His gaze lingered briefly on several diligent candidates before finally settling on Mo Qingze. He watched Mo Qingze intently for an extended moment before shifting his attention back to the mountain of memorials piled on the desk before him.
Mo Qingze was wholly absorbed in his writing and oblivious to the emperor’s scrutiny. Within the allotted half hour, he completed the first draft of his essay. The remaining time was spent refining and transcribing it neatly.
Outside the palace, Mo Yan sat inside the carriage, avoiding the increasingly scorching sunlight. She had no interest in wandering around the streets, but staying idle alone was equally boring. With the carriage’s windows and doors closed, she let Mao Tuan out of her spatial space to keep her company.
The moment Mao Tuan sprawled out in the carriage, he took up most of the space. Mo Yan, his owner, had to sit straight against the carriage wall, unable even to stretch her legs.
“Mao Tuan, don’t you think it’s time to go on a diet?” Mo Yan teased as she pinched one of his fluffy ears and sighed. “Being overweight isn’t good for you. Just look at yourself! You’ve put on more weight recently. If you keep this up, you won’t be able to find a mate.”
Mao Tuan’s ears twitched. He wanted to retort but was bound by his promise not to speak freely. All he could do was stare at her with his round, expressive eyes, conveying his determination not to diet.
Seeing his reaction, Mo Yan chuckled lightly. “Don’t give me that look. Who told you to overeat and get so chubby? This is for your own good!”
Despite Mao Tuan’s frequent trips up and down the mountains, his voracious appetite meant he consumed far more than he burned. With a never-ending supply of food from the spatial space, his indulgence had no limits, and his growing size was becoming a concern for Mo Yan.
Mao Tuan, however, couldn’t grasp his owner’s well-meaning intentions. When he realized she was serious about reducing his meals, he panicked and rested his massive head on her lap, letting out pitiful whines to appeal for mercy.
At over a thousand pounds, Mao Tuan was a full-grown adult tiger. His enormous head resting on her lap felt as heavy as a millstone, and Mo Yan’s legs felt like they were being crushed.
“You big rascal, get off me!” Mo Yan scolded playfully, pushing his head away.
Mao Tuan refused to budge, rubbing his head against her persistently. He showed none of the majesty of a king of the forest.
Frustrated yet amused, Mo Yan didn’t give in. She decreed that his daily “rations” would be reduced by a third and assigned Xue Tuanzi from the spatial space to supervise him.
Just as they were playfully arguing, there was a sudden knock on the carriage window. Startled, Mo Yan quickly turned her palm and returned Mao Tuan to the spatial space. Before she could ask who it was, a familiar voice came through the wooden carriage walls.
“Yan’er, it’s me!”
Mo Yan immediately opened the door. Against the backdrop of the dazzling sunlight, she clearly saw the face of the man standing outside.
It was none other than Xiao Ruiyuan.
[End of Chapter]
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