“Haha, our Xiao Liu is just straightforward and adorable,” Fang Yuanzheng chuckled dryly.
“Talented people, it’s normal to have some arrogance,” Chen Zhifu laughed, not forgetting to tease Fang Yuanzheng, “It wouldn’t be good if everyone was as upright and modest as you, Old Brother Fang; people wouldn’t notice you!”
“Alas, I am just a humble person, only knowing how to bury my head in work. How can I compare to you, Lord Zhifu, who shines brightly just by standing there? In matters of officialdom, I still need to learn more from Old Brother Chen.”
“Hahahaha, I was worried that Old Brother Fang was too honest and low-key, but it seems you’re also quite the smooth talker.”
Fang Yuanzheng quickly said a few words of humility.
“It seems Miss Liu has something to discuss with Yuan Zheng, so we won’t see you off. Anyway, you’ve become quite familiar with our government office recently, Old Brother.” Chen Zhifu could also sense the strange atmosphere between Fang Yuanzheng and Liu Sheng, so he tactfully spoke up.
“Indeed, these past few days, it’s almost like my own home.”
“Then Old Brother Fang must come often. We will prepare the best tea to welcome your esteemed presence.”
“Go, go, go. If I had time, I’d rather go home and accompany my wife. It’s tiring discussing matters here every day.”
The two exchanged a few jokes, and the other officials also laughed along.
After the pleasantries, everyone dispersed.
Fang Yuanzheng then turned to Liu Sheng and asked, “How is it? Have you made a decision in your heart, that you came to find me so eagerly?”
【Who came to find you? How presumptuous.】
With the self-awareness of an office worker, Liu Sheng didn’t dare to say that, only stating, “Yes, I have decided not to participate in the Honghu Plan.”
Fang Yuanzheng stroked his beard and exchanged a smile with Liao Yuanpan.
“Those who know current affairs…”
Before Fang Yuanzheng could finish, Liu Sheng added, “Because I’m going to take the imperial examination.”
Saying that, she held up the examination permit she had just received.
“Haha, good news, this is good news.” Fang Yuanzheng was embarrassed and tried hard to force out a more benevolent smile.
“Initial Realm Six? I remember when you entered the Qinghe Weaving Institute, you hadn’t even reached the Initial Realm yet, had you?” Liao Yuanpan had understood Liu Sheng well, which was why he remembered clearly.
“In just two months, from having no cultivation to Six—Liu Menshi’s breakthrough speed is astonishing.”
Liu Sheng had guessed it would arouse suspicion, but there was truly no other way.
She didn’t want to wait any longer.
A strange sense of urgency had caught up to her.
“Perhaps it’s because my Comprehension Ability is as high as ninety-two points. Once I started to Cultivate, understanding the Cultivation Technique was particularly smooth.”
“Indeed, truly a heaven-blessed genius!” Liao Yuanpan suddenly understood. This reason was plausible.
After all, throughout the Tang Country, there were very few whose Cultivation three-dimensional score could exceed ninety points, so everyone didn’t know if there would be a miraculous effect once that threshold was reached. Anything was possible.
“Then I wish you success in the imperial examination.”
“Thank you, Yuanpan.”
Liu Sheng then looked up at Fang Yuanzheng: “I wanted to ask, is the commendation you promised still valid? After all, it’s the reward for my article appearing in ‘Cultivation Theory,’ so it shouldn’t be affected by other matters.”
“Yes, of course it’s not affected.” Fang Yuanzheng said with a smile, his teeth somewhat gritted.
…
After taking her leave, Liu Sheng bid farewell to the Ten Thousand Affairs Hall amidst Su Yanjun’s reluctant tears.
“It’s alright, if you don’t pass, just come back. The doors of Ten Thousand Affairs Hall will always be open for you,” Su Yanjun said somewhat sentimentally.
“Mm…”
【I thank you, oh.】
【I am confident I won’t be back.】
A thousand words finally condensed into one sentence: “Take care.”
Oh, and a second sentence: “Don’t eat too much sugar, you’ll get cavities.”
Su Yanjun’s expression instantly twisted.
…
Returning home early after work, she finally saw Wen Weilan, whom she hadn’t seen in almost two days, and Cui Cui, whom she hadn’t seen in many days.
The two were drinking tea and chatting in the flower hall.
With a whoosh, Liu Sheng poured out a pile of books from her Storage Pouch, stacking them in front of the two.
The two curiously leaned in and flipped through them.
“‘Three Years of Imperial Exams, Five Years of Mock Tests’?”,
“‘Complete Solutions to Past Imperial Exam Questions’?”,
“‘Arithmetic’?” Cui Cui looked up and said to Wen Weilan, “Young Miss, these books look so familiar.”
“Naturally, these are all books for preparing for the imperial examination.”
“So you’re going to take the imperial examination?” Wen Weilan looked up and asked.
“Of course!”
Liu Sheng then took out her examination permit and showed it to them.
“Initial Realm Six?” Wen Weilan frowned, looking at the cultivation written on it.
“You didn’t cheat, did you?”
“Tsk, genuine talent, why would I need to cheat!”
“Your Cultivation Technique, so incredibly fast, is truly a bit frightening.” Wen Weilan was a little worried; she still felt it was somewhat unreliable.
“After Professor Tang’s incident, do you still not believe in the existence of aliens?” Liu Sheng knew Wen Weilan always had concerns, “Since there are aliens, there are alien planets. It’s not strange that each planet has its own Cultivation Technique, right?”
“Aliens?” Cui Cui didn’t understand.
“I’m an alien!” Ling Xiaoshu appeared from nowhere.
“Ah ah ah ah!”
All three were startled by her and shrieked.
“Whew, Xiao Shu.” Wen Weilan patted her chest.
“I’m sad. Why do you always not see me!”
“This… it’s not our fault, is it…” Liu Sheng mumbled softly.
“Forget it, Big Sister, give me some rain to comfort me.” Ling Xiaoshu was already used to this routine and said directly.
Liu Sheng had no choice but to conjure a small cloud, which floated over her head and began to drizzle.
She also conveniently added a Sunlight spell, which hung beside it, creating a small rainbow above her head.
“Beautiful, truly beautiful.” Wen Weilan praised, taking out a mirror for Ling Xiaoshu.
Ling Xiaoshu shrieked with joy immediately upon seeing the mirror.
“This little sister, is she?” Cui Cui’s eyes sparkled, and she reached out to touch Xiao Shu’s face, but hesitated.
“Liu Sheng’s newly recognized younger sister. She is a top-grade spiritual plant called Ling Xiaoshu,” Wen Weilan introduced.
“A spiritual plant that can walk? Then she must be very valuable, right?” Cui Cui had recently become addicted to being a shopkeeper, and her mind was filled with thoughts of money.
“She should be quite valuable.”
“Hey, hey, hey, you’re talking about my sister, my sister from a different race, a different father, and a different mother!”
Ling Xiaoshu didn’t know what everyone was talking about, only giggling foolishly at the mirror.
“Alright, less idle talk. In short, cultivation is secondary; safety is still paramount.” Wen Weilan was uncharacteristically concerned.
“Don’t worry, your Cultivation Technique should be even more unsafe.”
“Still, it’s thanks to your gift, you civilian scientist.”
With the abilities bestowed by Liu Sheng, Wen Weilan’s strength had steadily increased. As long as she continuously absorbed the power of those weird objects, and once it was stable, she could use that as a foundation to absorb more weird objects and advance further.
“What’s wrong? Has something changed with the Honghu Plan?”
Wen Weilan was intelligent and immediately thought that there must have been a change. Otherwise, why would she abandon the Honghu Plan, which was already halfway into the National Academy, and instead seek an unknown official position through the imperial examination?
I’ve been a bit busy recently, so I’m rushing to write!