Hearing the recent discussions among classmates about this Ren Character 13, Li Xueyou, who often enjoys remaining unnoticed in a crowd, couldn't help but actively recall the situation in the Ren Character Examination Room.

Unfortunately, after thinking for a while, she gave up. She has a bit of face blindness and can't remember people at all.

During the three days of exams, Li Xueyou in the examination room only remembered Brother Ziyu, Brother Lin, and a pesky examinee at the next seat who frequently sneaked a look at her paper, the appearances of these three people.

This impressive Ren Character 13 must have been overlooked by her. At that time, she couldn't have imagined that there were hidden talents here, and so impressive at that, capable of alarming two Art Studies teachers... Li Xueyou speculated that once the grading dispute spread out, and the truth was revealed, Hongyu would likely take her to another academy to witness Ren Character 13 with the curious Six Halls students.

After all, they are still young, attending a Confucian academy that focuses on academics. The youths are fascinated by excellence; a student who scores high and is praised by the teachers becomes the center of attention for classmates wherever they go, and their every move is watched by others...

The fragmented discussions in Jingchen Hall paused, and as the sun outside gradually climbed higher, nearing the end of grading, just as the storm surrounding Ren Character 13 began to calm, several more Art Studies teachers arrived at Jingchen Hall.

"These are the graded Music Art exam papers."

The blind Teacher Si entered with the help of an Attendant Student and placed the Music Art exam papers on Meng Zhengjun's desk...

"Teacher Si, sending them through an Attendant Student would've sufficed; you didn't need to come personally." At the door, Meng Zhengjun corrected his demeanor and stood up to assist Si Wuxie.

The blind Music Master smiled and waved his hand, speaking warmly, "It's fine. Sitting too long, I find it good to get up and walk around a bit. I plan to visit Spirit Realm Pavilion outside the city with friends later today, so I won't stay to accompany everyone, please excuse me."

"No worries. Just leave the graded scores for the students, no need to worry yourself, Teacher Si." Meng Zhengjun shook his head, stood up and saw Si Wuxie to the door.

At the doorway, this well-respected Music Master suddenly stopped and turned back, "By the way."

He raised a hand to point at the Music Art exam papers on the desk. The familiar prelude made everyone anticipate something, their hearts instantly raised, and the memory of a certain examinee number resurfaced. Could it be...

"There is a paper I gave full marks; I simply couldn't resist. Previously, I heard from Teacher Meng that giving full marks should be done with caution. It should be alright, shouldn't it..." Teacher Si asked softly.

Meng Zhengjun shook his head, "It's fine, I trust Teacher Si's judgment."

Teacher Si laughed, "That's good to hear. In fact, it's the only paper that received full marks; I truly liked it."

The female student named Yue Shu couldn't help interjecting, "Teacher Si, may I ask which examination room the full mark paper came from?" Her tone was expectant.

In fact, she was voicing the anticipation of students like Duan Jiuling, Su Changfeng, and Xiao Hongyu.

Unbothered by the interruption, Si Wuxie turned and smiled, giving an answer, "Geng Field. If my guess is correct, it should be Senior Yu's playing style and musical habits from Shuaixing Hall. Once again, he has taken the lead in the big exam; you all need to work hard."

After speaking, the blind Music Master waited for a moment, but since no one responded, he found it odd yet did not show any sign of blame, offering a courteous farewell, then turned and left.

After he left, the people in the academy came back to their senses, some of the female students shook their heads with a smile, amused by their own naive thoughts. How could it be such a coincidence, the same Ren Character 13 who had already secured perfect scores in two Art Studies? If another Music Art perfect score were added, it would be quite alarming.

It should be known that Yu Huaijin, who has consistently held the top spot in the whole academy, only achieved three perfect scores in Art Studies at best. For the other four, the scores were near-perfect, and teachers are stringent in their grading. Getting full marks is truly at a hellish level of difficulty; besides absolute skill, a bit of luck is needed, such as aligning with the graders' taste.

Meng Zhengjun glanced at the now relaxed crowd, didn't say much, walked back to the desk, and directed Li Xueyou, Xiao Hongyu, and several other female students to record the Music Art scores.

"I told you, in Music Art, Huaijin is at a dominant level. Ask who in the whole academy doesn't know? How could this Ren Character 13 be so formidable as to match Huaijin at his peak with three perfect scores..." Xiao Hongyu said, while sorting the exam papers, smiling at the female students from other academies. After being stifled for so long, she finally regained some face for her Shuaixing Hall.

Just as Li Xueyou and a few other girls were about to respond, a dashing and unrestrained middle-aged Confucian Scholar appeared in the hall, hair all silver, wearing a black Confucian cap. It was unclear how he had reached the doorway without a sound, and by the time some in the hall reacted, the silver-haired Confucian Scholar had already strode up to the table where Li Xueyou and the other female students sat.

"Finished grading. Xueyou, help me record a score; I have matters to attend to and must leave." He casually tossed a pile of Chess Skill exam papers onto the table, ignoring the others, and pointed only at the papers towards Li Xueyou.

"Oh, alright, Uncle Qi... Teacher Qi." Li Xueyou was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly took hold of the neatly graded papers.

Busy, yet finding a moment, Teacher Qi directly asked, "Are you from the Ren Character Examination Room?"

Li Xueyou nodded, "Yes, how did the teacher know?"

The hall was crowded, so Teacher Qi refrained from tapping the forehead of the clueless girl, instead tapping his Confucian cap with his index finger, "Out of over three hundred Chess Skill papers, only two achieved full marks, both from Ren Character Field, specifically Ren Character 7 and Ren Character 13."

Li Xueyou whispered, "I'm Ren Character 7."

Teacher Qi nodded, "Then this Ren Character 13 is quite impressive; you couldn't have possibly expected it to not be you standing out this time. Besides, others don't have your advantage of proximity to the proverbial 'moon.' Hmm, Ren Character 13... we'll get to know each other in the next class."

After saying this, the silver-haired teacher turned, gave a slight bow to his colleagues, and left like the wind.

However, his rapid departure left the hall in silence.

No one spoke.

Another perfect score, indeed.

Xiao Hongyu murmured softly, "Ren Character 13... three perfect scores now." Other female students also exchanged surprised glances with her.

Many teachers shared a knowing smile, feeling increasingly intrigued and curious about the identity of Ren Character 13.

Yet, contrary to others, Zhu Yourong had already lost interest, merely listening to the heated discussions around her without joining in. Her mood felt inexplicably low.

Because of comparison.

As the saying goes, happiness comes from comparison, and so does unhappiness.

If only there wasn't this unrivaled Ren Character 13 appearing... things would be better...

"All these exams are taken in the Ren Character Examination Room..." Looking absentmindedly out the window for too long, her dark hair slid down her temples, covering half of her jade-like face.

After all, no matter how much one tries to appear aloof and serene, indifferent to fame.

No matter how much confidence one has in providing more for him, needing no return.

Which woman in the world wouldn't wish for her own... her "little junior brother" to stand out peerlessly, stunning all around, becoming the most dazzling one in the crowd, turning back to smile at her?

Although most women only think of such things...

Zhu Yourong, rubbing her cheeks, regained her smile once more.

...

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PS: Ahem, the three extra chapters of May have been completed~ Just as the month begins, how about a little pledge from Xiaorong:

If Sword Lady receives 800 monthly tickets by the twelfth, there will be three more extra chapters!

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