Quick Transmigration: My First Female Skill Takes Effect

Mr. Shi's cough was not loud, but the surroundings were so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

The composed candidates paid no heed, only paused for a moment, and then picked up their pens to write their answers.

An unsteady person's hand trembles; one can only hope they haven't made a mistake.

Gu Qi was even bolder. She first looked up at Shi Xiangong's cold face, then turned to look at the Emperor.

"Don't bother me," her eyes clearly conveyed the meaning. Luo Sheng raised an eyebrow, then saw Gu Qi's hand pointing at Master Shi.

Luo Sheng pretended nothing had happened and went to inspect the others, including Cui Chang, who came from a noble family and was highly regarded by Master Shi.

Hmm, he has a handsome face and good handwriting, but it doesn't look like he practiced it from a young age; it seems like he switched to it later in life.

After a few seconds, Luo Sheng lifted his foot and looked at the others again. Cui Chang breathed a deep sigh of relief; he didn't need the saint's attention.

I fear the emperor might recall Cui Jue, a notorious figure from the Cui family.

If Luo Sheng knew what he was thinking, she would definitely tell him that she was neither so petty nor so idle.

As long as the Cui family doesn't come up to her and let her see a face that resembles Cui Jue, that's fine.

This is already a huge blow to the Cui family, because there is no place for them in high-ranking official positions.

However, Luo Sheng didn't care. She was already being lenient enough by allowing a branch of the Cui family to continue serving as officials instead of being demoted to the lowest level.

Time passed slowly, the incense burned out, and it was time to hand in the paper.

Gu Qi followed the people out of the main hall. When she looked up, the sun in the sky was warm, and she even felt that the winter wind was warm.

"...Gu Qi was the first place winner in this imperial examination."

One by one, those who had sung the praises of their achievements passed on their voices, and Gu Qi stepped forward according to the rules.

She achieved the highest score in the imperial examination.

Gu Qi tried her best to keep a straight face, afraid that she would burst out laughing on the spot.

She had no interest in listening to the second and third place rankings.

"Scholar, this white horse was specially given to you by the Sage, who also said that you can ride it directly home."

"A gift from the sage to you."

Gu Qi, without any formality, thanked Ningxia, the person serving him, expressing his gratitude to the Sage and hoping she could convey it to him.

Dressed in a red robe and riding a black horse, he exuded a spirited and confident aura.

Starting from the main gate of the palace, she was at the forefront, leading the newly appointed scholars on a tour.

As Gu Qi walked into an inn, she heard a familiar voice. She looked up and saw her mother, father, and grandmother waving at her.

He was still calling her name.

Gu Qi smiled and waved towards their location. As she smiled, even more flowers appeared on her.

They could only dodge in a somewhat disheveled manner.

She heard the people surrounding her shouting, "This top scholar is so beautiful, even more beautiful than the third-ranked scholar!"

"Looks don't matter, he's the top student."

"Why did you choose the wrong person?" a woman who wanted to find a husband asked her daughter.

The daughter blushed and said, "Mom, it's because she's so pretty, prettier than any of them. I couldn't resist."

Moreover, seeing a girl of similar age achieve the top score inevitably stirred some excitement within her.

The more she looked, the more envious she became. The girl made a decision: "I will not seek a husband. I will also take the imperial examination and become a Jinshi."

It's so glamorous, she wants it too.

Woman: "..."

Her eyes lit up as she looked at her salted fish daughter, and she would take her back to find the teacher.

I'd rather have what others have than what I have. I'd be happier if my daughter could pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) than if she married a Jinshi (another scholar who passed the highest level of the imperial examinations).

Gu Qi was unaware that her success could inspire students to study.

If she had known, she would have given the girl a smug smile to give her more motivation.

At the Qionglin Banquet.

Gu Qi began to get to know fellow students outside of his hometown. When interacting with people and drinking together, he was quite gentle and did not have any airs of superiority.

The rumors that she was cold-hearted and looked down on people were thus disproven.

Half an hour later, Minister Shi appeared with court officials dressed in purple and red.

The students returned to their seats and listened to their seniors' words.

Gu Qi was no exception. Although she disliked Mr. Shi, she did not dislike his experience.

First, Master Shi offered words of encouragement, congratulating them on their arduous journey to their current position. Then, he admonished them to serve the country and its people and not to ruin their future.

After he finished speaking, the others also said a few words, each with a different personality, so their words were naturally different.

However, the same words can be said in different ways; words can easily be used to flatter and manipulate.

Next came the poetry writing. Instead of calling Gu Qi, Shi Xiangong called Cui Chang, the third-ranked scholar, to show off and leave a good impression on everyone.

Cui Chang was skilled in poetry and composed a beautiful and evocative poem on the spot, using the banquet as a theme.

This drew applause from many people.

Shi Xiangong looked at Gu Qi and saw that she was also clapping her hands. There was no resentment on her face. She even looked at Cui Chang, who was shining brightly, with admiration.

Really that generous? Master Shi didn't believe it at all.

After Cui Chang sat down, the Minister of Rites called on Gu Qi as the second person to perform.

After all, Gu Qi is the apple of the eye of the emperor.

Gu Qi immediately composed a poem of gratitude to the sage, which resonated with many people. The title of "student of the emperor" was one they had earned through years of hard work.

She also gave color to her fellow villagers and clever people.

Therefore, starting with Gu Qi, all the remaining poets were grateful to the sage and thankful for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Cui Chang, who wrote the first poem, seemed embarrassed, but this had nothing to do with Gu Qi.

She picked up the silver wine cup on the table, took a sip, and found the wine to be sweet, like fruit juice.

She looked at the palace servant behind her, who stepped forward and explained, "The Emperor said that you are still young and must drink alcohol until you are eighteen."

Gu Qi could only drink a few more glasses of wine, since she wouldn't get drunk anyway.

Even though he wasn't drunk, Mr. Shi was genuinely angry when he saw Gu Qi acting as if it had nothing to do with him; he had seen it all.

Gu Qi gave others a threatening look, making Cui Chang's path to advancement even more difficult.

"That's so stingy."

After the banquet, Gu Qi did not go home, but instead went to see the Emperor. She happened to be traveling the same way as the Minister of Rites and others, and she muttered something to the Minister of Rites.

The Minister of Rites wished he could cover his ears. "Lord Zhou, you are favored by the Emperor, but I am not."

Hearing others speak ill of Shangguan is truly painful.

"Oh, we've arrived. Alright, Mr. Shi isn't your direct superior, so why be so afraid?"

The Minister of Rites: "..." The Emperor did not hide his dislike for Prime Minister Shi, yet Prime Minister Shi still sat on the throne and did not step down.

Of course he was afraid.

After Gu Qi and the other sages finished discussing important matters, they whispered among themselves to Luo Sheng about how Minister Shi was biased towards Cui Chang.

"He just doesn't like me," Gu Qi concluded.

As Luo Sheng listened to her complaints, she felt much of her frustration over the memorial requesting the establishment of a crown prince dissipate.

"It's alright, I like Aqi, Minister Shi is not important," Luo Sheng comforted her.

Plum Blossom: "..." You have to complain to a saint about such a trivial matter.

She never complained.

"Who doesn't matter?" A young voice came from outside, and the curtain was lifted.

A girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old walked ahead, and she had a face that resembled the saint by about six-tenths.