Jun Hua returned back home late and slept. Since tomorrow was going to be their test day, she will try to at least achieve a bit. The test only includes painting or music, so she doesn't really have much chance since her ability in music was low. As for painting, she doesn't want them to know about her real ability so she might just make a few mistakes then.
The next day, Jun Hua arrived at the hall early. She chose one corner to sit and wait patiently. It was then that she saw a person coming, Lin San. After the incident with her mother, Lin San was still the brilliant girl of the academy, but she became quieter and rarely talked with others. Today, that girl came with her heads up, looking confident.
With Lin San's talent, she indeed poses more of a chance than the other students to pass the test with high scores. Given that she had been learning from young, there was no way she can lose to those who only have good enough skill. The number of talented people in the academy was low and Lin San will surely shine with her brilliant talent.
After looking around for some more, Jun Hua found a familiar face, Fan Lanying. That girl seemed to not care about what other people thought. Since she already has the skill to pass the test, Fan Lanying didn't care about what other people think. She never strived to achieve the best because her real interest was becoming a general.
"You are early today, Jun Hua. What are you looking at?" Fan Lanying followed her gaze.
"I'm looking at the people who came here. There are a lot of them," Jun Hua answered honestly.
Fan Lanying nodded. "This is the test for all the girls and boys. Their criteria are different. I hope that I could get music since my playing has become better after that time in the palace."
Jun Hua nodded. She remembered that during that time, Fan Lanying was the only who didn't learn the etiquette and instead, learnt music with Ming Hui. Because of that time, Fan Lanying has been learning about music more in the hopes that she could perform better. Last time, she didn't have the chance to play for Ming Hui due to some incident. Because of that, she has been learning even more diligently.
"Will the imperial family come?"
"Yes, they will come here."
Jun Hua has never attended the test before so it was normal that she doesn't know about the things here. She remembered Ming Hui that she had just met yesterday. If Fan Lanying knows that she had been meeting Ming Hui every week, what will her reaction be? Hopefully, she won't get angry at her because it's not like she specifically wanted to meet her.
While she chatted with Fan Lanying, the number of the girls and the boys increased. They kept on coming in one by one. The place for the test was the same, it's in this hall so they have to come here. The hall was big enough for all the students and their parents.
"Are your parents coming?"
"Yes, but they are busy talking with their friends. The test hasn't started yet, so I don't think they would want to sit idly and do nothing."
Jun Hua nodded. The nobles all have connections here and there. During parties or maybe other occasions, they will gather together and talk about many things. There are many other nobles coming so they have a lot of friends they can talk with.
As they were talking, they heard the cheer of the girls. Jun Hua turned around and she felt her body stiffen a bit. The person who had come is Nanglong Soujin. Normally, he wouldn't come to this kind of event and didn't bother with them. But now he had suddenly came. Many girls who are his fans were already whispering among one another and trying to look their best.
Jun Hua didn't want to see him as herself. If Nanglong Soujin were to find out about her real identity, it will be something highly troublesome. She doesn't have the will to tell him the reason, that is, if he did not get angry at her for concealing it. Or maybe, he has found out already?
Nanglong Soujin's eyes swept the hall once. He found out that his friends haven't arrived yet so he chose to take a seat. When he looked at the hall, he had noticed that Jun Hua was among them. Given her highly conspicuous features, it will be a miracle if he didn't find her among the crowd. Even when she dressed low-key, she still looked very beautiful.
Not long after that, the imperial family members came. Aside from Yan, the first prince, Ming Kui, and the second prince, Ming Gong, also arrived. Ming Hui was also there which made Fan Lanying excited.
"She's here, Jun Hua! I will be able to play a song for her."
"That is if you got music."
Fan Lanying pouted. "Come on, pray for your best friend to get the music one."
Jun Hua laughed and nodded. She did indeed wish for Fan Lanying to get music, so she can show them that she was no longer the second worst in music anymore.
The imperial family members all sat at a different place. Their relation was not really harmonious as they were competing against one another to get the throne. The emperor has not picked the crown prince, meaning their chances were more or less the same.
Yan and Ming Hui arrived at Soujin's side.
"I would never think that you would be interested in this kind of event. What made you come here?" Yan asked.
"Jun Min."
"That boy will only arrive later on during the test for the boys. Did you forget that he said he was busy so he can't watch his sister?" Yan asked.
"I know," Soujin answered.
Yan shrugged and pick a seat near the general. Ming Hui sat down beside her brother.
"How do you think Jun Hua will perform? I heard that she was the worst among the girls."
Ming Hui recalled the time when she called the noble girls to the palace. Jun Hua was indeed the worst when she first arrived, but she learned quickly. If Jun Hua wanted to, she might not be too bad on the test.
"Yes, that is true," Soujin answered. Ming Hui stared in disbelief, does this man truly think she cannot learn? "Besides, her skill is indeed bad."
"How do you know?" Yan asked.
"Jun Min told me."
"..."
