V2C43

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqi

Proofreader: Sal

The copper lock fell off instantly and the door opened slowly.

“Congratulations!”

It was Eunuch Mo’s voice.

In the courtyard, excluding the women who participated in the competition, the emperor, the empress, the crown prince along with Qiao Mei, the princes and some imperial officials, all looked at them in disbelief. They had won the first round!

Qiao Mei snuggled into the crown prince’s arms, she gave him a smile as the prince looked at her, “My sister is so smart.”

Qiao Chu’s heart ached when she heard that. She was not as happy as Qiao Rong. Not all the candidates were still trapped in the dark room, they hadn’t been the first ones to come out. A woman stood quietly beside the empress from the very beginning, she was the empress niece – Lang Linling.

Most importantly, she was on her own.

At this moment, Eunuch Mo’s voice was heard, “The first round is over.”

At the very same time, the sound of a door opening behind them was heard, a woman came out in a hurry, her hair slightly dishevelled. She was followed by Imperial Tutor Wang’s daughter, Wang Yuzhi, who was frowning.

Whether these two women were going to go to the second round or not – everyone looked at the emperor nervously. The emperor gave a light smile and said, “Congratulations!”

Imperial Tutor Wang and Wang Mang were overjoyed, both of them bowed, “Thank you Your Majesty for this blessing.”

The ceremonial officials led the women who were still trapped in the rooms outside. A lot of them still had tears streaming down their faces and were agitated. Qin Qiuyu, one of the four most popular candidates, looked pale. General Qin sighed, Qin Qiuyu gritted her teeth. She suddenly glanced at the crown prince quietly.

The emperor glanced around the crowd, “You would also like to know how the winners got here, right?”

Prince Xia smiled, “Wisdom, courage, and strategy, I’d like to hear the stories in detail.”

Qiao Mei immediately elbowed Qiao Rong, she understood and went out to salute to the emperor and the empress. Then she started narrating.

As she had heard all of Qiao Chu’s instructions and hints, she was able to recount it with no difficulty. In addition, she was very eloquent, so people listened to her.

Someone sighed slightly, the emperor couldn’t stop nodding his head and looking at her approvingly.

At this point, the crown prince looked at Qiao Chu and asked, “I wonder if the third princess has anything to add?”

Qiao Rong had exchanged their roles in the examination. She was taking all the credit. Qiao Chu’s body felt uncomfortable. Facing the crown prince, she felt pain and didn’t say much. “It happened just as Sister Qiao Rong said.”

The crowd already didn’t like her much, now, they looked down on her even more. On the inclined floor, someone was looking at her. Qiao Chu’s heart jumped slightly, it was Prince Xia.

The empress smiled and asked Wang Yuzhi. The woman who had come out first didn’t take the credit, she said it was all because of Wang Yuzhi’s intelligence and because of the Wang family. Among the two of them, Wang Yuzhi was the leader.

The emperor said a few words praising her and finally looked at Lang Linling who had been quiet. The crowd instantly looked at her.

Qiao Rong then realized that the woman had come on her own, not relying on anyone else’s help. How could that be possible?!