Nalan Yan'er looked at the exam paper, which Dongfang Jin had brought to the Imperial Academy to select students, and by some twist of fate, Dugu Xiaojin had also done it, and in his answers, he had gotten ninety percent correct, outperforming the students of the Imperial Academy by far.

The best among these students had only managed to get seventy percent correct.

When Dongfang Jin saw this exam paper, he knew that Dugu Xiaojin was far superior to him. All that talk about not being able to answer the questions and being lectured by Sacrificial Officer Guo was a sham.

Dugu Xiaojin, too cunning by far.

Having seen this exam paper, Sacrificial Officer Guo, who was previously hesitant, finally gave in and allowed Dugu Xiaojin to be released from confinement.

"Jinjin, what's going on with you, always going against the grain?"

Nalan Yan'er was full of frustration, while Dongfang Jin bit his lip and said nothing.

After he had formed his Wenhua Seal, he had convinced himself that Dugu Xiaojin was only better than him in martial arts, but now it seemed that Xiaojin also surpassed him in literary grace.

He was no match for Dugu Xiaojin at all.

"Crown Princess Consort, there's no need to be angry. What's done is done, and we still need to prepare for the future. Besides, it's just a child; no matter how clever they are, they can't stir up too much trouble. We should focus our attention on the other countries and Dugu Wu."

Hua Wushang noticed Dongfang Jin's discomfort; this child had a strong sense of pride and had grown somewhat aloof since forming the Wenhua Seal.

Nalan Yan'er, as his mother, had failed to notice this.

"What more preparations can we make? The Competition Among Ten Countries is only a few days away. Unless you have a method to enhance our Wenhua Seal."

Nalan Yan'er said this with hopeful eyes, looking at Hua Wushang.

She had not seen Lady Dugu's painting to this day, and perhaps Hua Wushang had a method.

After Emperor Yongye had recovered from a severe illness, Hua Wushang had always been by his side, and he was the only one who might have had the chance to see that painting.

"Forget about the painting, Emperor Yongye almost never lets it leave his side. However, I do have a method that might be able to help you," Hua Wushang said meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yan'er couldn't help but rejoice.

But Dongfang Jin couldn't help but frown.

He thought of the medicine he had taken earlier and the deaths that occurred without cause in the Crown Prince Mansion.

He wanted to warn his mother, but seeing her fervent eyes, he swallowed his words.

"Tomorrow, you will come with me to Dacang Mountain," Hua Wushang did not elaborate.

After leaving the Imperial Academy, Feng Bailing took Feng Xiaoli and Dugu Xiaojin back to Prince Shun's Mansion by carriage.

"Sacrificial Officer Guo said that Brother got ninety percent of the questions right. Brother is only four years old, and this performance must have dumbfounded the people of the Imperial Academy," Feng Xiaoli chatted away as soon as she saw Feng Bailing.

Dugu Xiaojin felt somewhat embarrassed and didn't say a word.

If it weren't for his recent outings and failing to study properly in the Imperial Academy, he should have been able to get them all right.

"Ninety percent is very impressive already; excess leads to deficiency, if Xiaojin had answered all of them correctly, I'm afraid it might kill some people with anger. But have you looked over the materials I prepared for you?" Feng Bailing asked with a smile.

Dugu Xiaojin felt troubled. If the Queen Mother knew he hadn't been studying properly and had instead experienced life as a mercenary, she might not like him anymore.

But Dugu Xiaojin didn't want to deceive the Queen Mother. Just as he was undecided, Feng Xiaoli suddenly said.

"Your Majesty, can I also participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries?"

Saying this, the little guy fumbled in his chest for a moment and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.

Feng Bailing stared intently and was amused by Feng Xiaoli.

It turned out to be a set of test questions, with answers scrawled all over the place, exactly the ones that Feng Xiaoli had previously taken from Dongfang Jin for Dugu Xiaojin.

While Dugu Xiaojin was answering the questions on his side, Feng Xiaoli secretly wrote a set as well.

However, given her short time learning to write, Feng Bailing had a hard time making out the text.

"Wow, our little Xiaoli is quite impressive, getting seventy percent correct. Too bad you're not a student from the Imperial Academy."

Feng Bailing was somewhat surprised.

"Mr. Su taught a lot of things, it's all there. Xiaoli wants to go with Her Majesty, daddy, and Brother Xiaojin."

Feng Xiaoli didn't know about the Competition Among Ten Countries, only that her mother and brother were going, and she wanted to go too.

Feng Bailing gently pinched Feng Xiaoli's nose, half serious, half joking.

"The Competition Among Ten Countries is a very far away place, it's a long journey with no good food, and nothing fun, it's better for you to stay in the mansion obediently. If you have time, you should visit grandma and Princess Consort Guo more often. When mother and brother come back from the competition, they will bring you delicious and fun things."

With Princess Yong'an and Princess Mingxia around, Feng Bailing wasn't worried about Feng Xiaoli, but she was a bit concerned about Princess Consort Guo.

Princess Consort Guo was pregnant, and the first three months were still quite risky.

Feng Xiaoli blinked, somewhat understanding.

Since Her Majesty didn't allow her to go, she decided to stay in the mansion obediently.

It was a good opportunity since she also missed the elderly grandfather in the Imperial Palace, whom she found to be very lonely. Next time, she would sneak in to see him.

The family returned to Prince Shun's Mansion.

Dugu Wu didn't mention anything about the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in front of Feng Bailing.

However, the next day, Feng Bailing had to bring Dugu Xiaojin to Dacang Mountain.

According to Dugu Wu, the dean would train them intensively in the coming days.

Feng Bailing didn't yet know what the special training would entail.

Around noon, Feng Bailing and Dugu Xiaojin, arrived at the foot of Dacang Mountain in a horse carriage.

Baishan also came along with them.

The dean was already waiting at the foothills.

To Feng Bailing's surprise, Hong Xuan, Feng Luochen, and Dongfang Yong were also there.

"It was Dugu Wu who asked us to come."

As soon as Hong Xuan finished speaking, the dean waved his hand.

"You all should know that the Competition Among Ten Countries will be full of masters, including some geniuses. None of you have much actual combat experience, so Dugu Wu wants me to teach you some practical fighting skills. We have five days, and the training will be carried out in the Dacang Mountain. The reason for choosing Dacang Mountain is because the terrain here is complex, with both mountains and water. The mountain top has high altitude, and there was snow recently, the temperature is very low. Only under extreme conditions can your potential be fully utilized. I will conduct different training based on your different situations."

While the dean was speaking, another horse carriage stopped at the middle of Dacang Mountain.

Nalan Yan'er, on her own, had a hard time finding Hua Wushang.

"Jinjin caught a cold last night and is unwell, so I had to come alone."

A flash of displeasure crossed Nalan Yan'er's pretty face.

Jinjin was becoming lazier and lazier, unwilling to participate in the training.

Hua Wushang, however, appeared unsurprised.

"No matter, he's just Wenhua Earth Seal, he might not be able to learn anyway."

With that, Hua Wushang took out a jade flute and blew a note.

Sounds of rumbling echoed through Dacang Mountain.

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