TN | The Malicious Empress

Chapter 39: Provoking

In the academy examinations, 'drawing lots' was a category that all students had to participate. As for the 'selection' category, it was of one's wishes and if one did not want to, they need not participate. Thus in the 'selection' category of the academy examinations, it was a category that could easily show one's abilities. If one has an area that was naturally good at then it can also be performed in this 'selection' category. Thus in the 'selection' category, the crowd would have a higher level of enthusiasm.

Because the performance from 'selection' was the one in which they felt more confident . If it was the previous Jennie that had no strength, she would not have participated in the 'selection' category as she would only make a fool of herself if she went up.

"Why?" Rose was somewhat disappointed and she said, "Currently your painting is good, so there should also be improvements on the other categories. Why not simply show it off?"

"There is no need." Jennie started fiddling with the chest game on the table again and replied Rose without even lifting her head, "There is no difference to me between being in the limelight or not. Moreover, I am not knowledgeable in the four scholarly arts and was only lucky just now."

"You..." Rose was flustered and exasperated, "How can anyone say that of themselves?"

"Fifth Younger Sister." A voice interrupted their conversation. They did not know when Shen Yue stood in front of them with a worried expression on her face, "Fifth Younger Sister, in the next round of 'selection', you would really not participate?"

"Could it be that Second Elder Sister wish for me to participate?" Jennie answered the question with another question.

Shen Yue was choked by her words. She did not know for why Jennie seemed to be bent on shedding all pretense of cordiality with recently and it was making Shen Yue to become really puzzled. Was it possible that after the accident of falling into the water this had made her lash out on Second and Third Household? Although she was doubtful, Jennie had been undiscriminating her in quick succession, accumulating anger in her heart. Shen Yue bit her lips and seemed to be somewhat aggrieved as she softly said, "I naturally hope that Fifth Younger Sister would participate. Just now that painting was extremely done well, so since Fifth Younger Sister possess such great skills, why not continue to choose the topic 'painting' since everyone is still talking behind your back. If the next painting is drawn well, the rumors will be discredited."

Shen Yue's voice was not soft and since she was surrounded by young ladies and Furen, naturally they clearly heard every single word. These words seemed to be nothing but it voiced out the suspicions that everyone had in their heart. Even though Jennie's drawing of the white Chrysanthemum had gotten the first rank, she has been an idiot for so many years. The perception in people's heart would not change easily, thus they did not believe that the painting came out from her and thought that there was someone at her side giving her pointers.

Shen Yue also thought so in her heart, so she was thinking that as long as in the second round when Jennie draws another painting, without any helpful pointers, she would not be able to draw a good painting and would definitely make a fool of herself.

Rose heard the knack of it and immediately ridiculed, "Second Shen Young Lady spoke as if it is very easy. Painting pays particular attention to the desire of composition. Even if it was Second Young Lady, it would not be possible to draw two paintings continuously." Jenniewas only a student and not a master in painting and calligraphy.

"I only asked that after seeing Fifth Younger Sister's improvement in skills." Shen Yue smiled gently, "Just now such a good painting was able to be drawn, so why is it not possible to draw another one?

Jennie did not raised her head from beginning to end and only placed a chess piece in the middle of the chess game before saying, "Not interested. You have worried."

Shen Yue did not expected that Jennie would give such a lukewarm reply in front of so many people and was embarrassed for a moment. In this world the most annoying thing was to dig a trap but the other party chose not to fall into it.

As Jennie was not even willing to accept her provocation in front of everyone's suspicions, this made Shen Yue think that the intention behind that painting came not from Jennie. Thus the thought of watching Jennie making a fool of herself ingrained deeply into her heart and she continued laughing after a pause, "Since Fifth Younger Sister insist, then I would not say more." She then turned around and returned to her seat.

Over at the male side of the banquet, Cai Lin had been secretly watching Shen Yue when he suddenly saw Shen Yue looking over from afar and seemingly smiled at him gently.

Cai Lin was startled following that, he was somewhat excited. But he saw Shen Yue bowing her head as if she was somewhat upset.

He suddenly felt anxious.

CHAPTER COMPLETED & EDITED