My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 285 - 165: Do Your Best

Li Nuo took the book Li Anning had sent over and casually flipped through it.

Indeed, it housed the Compositions of the top scholars from the Book Department from previous Imperial Examinations.

However, such material was supposed to be confidential, at least it was beyond Li Nuo's reach.

As for the Court Painters, they weren't considered officials, nor did they belong to any department in the court. They were under the jurisdiction of the Inner Court and only members of the Imperial Family had the authority to dispatch them.

In the spring exam, Li Nuo's Composition and paintings were among the few that did not receive excellent marks in the six subjects of the Nine-Categorized Exams.

Li Anning had truly worried herself sick for his tests.

She had never been so concerned before.

Knowing her as well as he did, how could Li Nuo not see through her little schemes?

He set the book down and asked, "The Ministry of Justice must be quite backed up with case files by now, right?"

It had been a long time since he had gone to the Ministry of Justice.

With a frown marring her beautiful brows, Li Anning said, "There are only twenty days left until the Imperial Examination. If you still have the mind to look at case files, you should focus on preparing for the exams first. I'll keep those files for you. You can look at them after you've finished..."

Li Nuo stood up and replied, "Even if it's preparing for the Imperial Examination, one must balance work with rest. I've just finished the spring examination. Looking at some case files to change my thoughts is harmless..."

Of course, this was just an excuse. In reality, the exams of the past few days had taken too much of his life force, and he wanted to visit the Ministry of Justice to recuperate.

Seeing this, Li Anning said nothing more and accompanied Li Nuo to the Ministry of Justice.

On the way, after much hesitation, she finally couldn't help but ask, "Do you think, in the Imperial Examination, you can rank first in all six subjects like you did in the spring exam?"

Li Nuo shook his head and said, "Impossible."

Li Anning's expression changed, then she asked, "Why?"

Li Nuo honestly replied, "The difficulty of the spring exam doesn't even compare to half of the Imperial Examination, yet the people participating in the latter are much more formidable. How could securing first place in all six subjects be so easy?"

This was the truth; the current Li Nuo did not possess the strength to achieve top rank in all six subjects.

The hope that had just sparked in Li Anning's heart was cruelly extinguished once again.

The Sixth-Ranking Scholar title – missing any subject would not solve her troubles.

Li Nuo fell silent for a moment before he too couldn't resist asking, "Tell me the truth; if I become the top scholar of the Six Arts, will Your Majesty agree to let me marry you?"

Li Anning glanced at him, her heart stirred slightly.

She rolled her eyes at Li Nuo and countered, "A Princess cannot become a concubine. Would you bear the infamy and divorce your wife for my sake?"

Li Nuo said, "Of course not."

Li Anning then asked, "Do you think the court would allow a Princess to marry a man who already has a wife?"

Li Nuo pondered for a moment before replying, "They would not."

He had scored full marks in the Ritual Department. There was no precedent for such a thing in Daxia.

Li Anning sighed and kicked at the ground as she spoke, "There you have it. Ah, if only the top scholar of the Six Arts were already married, then divorcing to marry a Prince Consort would be considered unkind and unjust. Father Emperor would not let the Imperial Family bear such infamy. If they all had families, the Princess could not be made a concubine, and it would not be Father Emperor breaking his word. In this case, my marriage could be delayed for a while longer..."

Li Nuo murmured, "Is that so..."

In truth, he had not yet made up his mind either.

If becoming the top scholar in the Six Arts meant he had to divorce, then maybe he need not aim for that title.

But in his heart, Li Anning was indeed different from the others.

His own feelings were a mess.

He would simply get through the immediate hurdle before him.

In the Imperial Examination, there would be a gathering of masters, and it would not do to deliberately hold back.

If he held back too much and dropped out of the top ten, he would either be sent away or stay in a government office in Chang'an, running errands and watching over warehouses, and his cultivation would be wasted, wouldn't it?

Li Nuo found a good reason for himself, and then looking at Li Anning, he said, "Although it's difficult to rank first in the Six Arts, I'll do my best..."

Li Anning waved her hand nonchalantly and said, "It's alright. Don't feel too much pressure. If it really doesn't work out, I can still run. If Father Emperor truly wants me to marry someone I don't like, I'll escape from Chang'an and never come back..."

Compared to his wife, Li Anning clearly had her own ideas regarding her marriage.

Li Nuo spent some time at the Ministry of Justice, processing the case files Li Anning had saved up for him over the last few days, and essentially recuperated the life force he had consumed.

Early the next day, Li Anning actually invited three Court Painters over.

Among the three, one excelled in painting figures, another in objects, and the last in landscapes.

Generally, paintings for the Imperial Examination would test these three categories.

It seemed she was well-informed.

In reality, Li Nuo didn't need their teachings; finding a legitimate reason to apprehend them would suffice.

He had considered this before, but due to the special status of the Court Painters, who weren't considered external officials, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice couldn't interfere as long as they didn't commit any criminal offenses, so he was somewhat powerless against them.

Li Nuo had other plans for advancing his painting.

However, he shouldn't disregard Li Anning's kindness.

Li Nuo took out the previous painting he had made for his wife, and drew another landscape and still-life painting.

Three elderly men with white beards carefully examined each painting.

Li Anning paced nearby, and without waiting for him to speak, she eagerly asked, "How is his painting? Is there anything that can be improved?"

Not far away, Song Jiaren, holding a sword, leaned against the doorway, her gaze contemplative as she looked at her.

The three painters whispered among themselves for a while, and one of them nodded slightly. After stroking his beard, he spoke, "This young friend's skill in painting, as well as his use of color, are indeed exquisite. He is only a step away from being a great master of painting. What he lacks is the accumulation of time and personal insight. We can't teach him much; whether he can take this step depends on himself..."

For someone so young to possess such skill in painting was already quite remarkable.

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Even the disciples they taught with all their hearts could not compare to him.

Masters of the painting could not be created through teaching alone; given enough time to practice and accumulate experience, he was bound to take that step.

Li Anning nodded and said, "Teach him as much as you can..."

When the Princess spoke, no one dared to disobey. They each imparted their most proficient painting techniques. Afterward, the long-bearded painter said, "You can slowly comprehend these things, young friend. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask us again..."

Li Anning replied, "You all may go back for now, come again at this time tomorrow."

The three painters bid farewell and left. Li Anning originally wanted to stay a little longer, but she seemed to sense something and slowly turned her head, meeting the gaze of someone not far away.

Seeing Song Jiaren watching her made her feel a bit guilty. She dared not meet her gaze and said, "I... I won't disturb you any longer. You should concentrate on preparing for the Imperial Examination. I'm leaving..."

Once she finished speaking, she hurriedly turned and walked away.

Li Nuo observed the three paintings, thoroughly absorbing the guidance given by the three painters.

However, artistry like this could not be significantly improved with just a few words of advice.

These pointers were applicable to these specific paintings; in a different setting, they might not be useful.

Ultimately, he needed to improve his own skill.

A moment later, Li Nuo stored the paintings and entered the room.

His wife sat inside, meticulously cleaning the sword in her hands.

Li Nuo sat opposite her and suddenly said, "Wife?"

Song Jiaren replied softly, "Mm?"

Li Nuo thought for a moment and asked, "Do you hope for me to become the top scholar?"

Song Jiaren's movements paused, and after a moment of silence, she queried, "If I hope for you to become the top scholar, could you achieve it?"

Li Nuo said, "If you hope for me to become the top scholar, I will try my best. Perhaps there is a chance. After all, there are still twenty days, more than two hundred hours; anything is possible..."

Song Jiaren's eyelashes trembled lightly as she said, "It doesn't matter whether you become the top scholar or not, just do your best."

Li Nuo paused before adding, "But His Majesty said he wants to choose a top scholar to be the Prince Consort. What if I accidentally become the top scholar and he chooses me?"

"Aren't there other top scholars?"

"What if I accidentally become the top scholar in all Six Arts?"

...

Song Jiaren put away the sword and said firmly, "If you wish for a divorce, I agree."

Li Nuo asserted, "Then I won't take the exam."

If the condition for helping Li Anning was to give up his wife,

It would be better to let her run.

With her cultivation, no one could catch her if she did run.

It was no easy feat for he and his wife to become close after starting as strangers. Letting go of his wife was out of the question.

Li Nuo's response was decisive, and Song Jiaren's hand holding the sword trembled slightly.

When she lifted her head again, her gaze was gentle. Speaking softly, she said, "Do your best, it is good if you become the top scholar, and it's fine if not. Even if you become the top scholar in all Six Arts, it will still be due to your own ability..."

How could she not wish for her husband to become the top scholar?

Aunt Song Zhen always harbored a grudge for not becoming the wife of a top scholar.

She had listened to her talk about it her whole life.

Aunt Zhen said that the wife of a top scholar was the only woman who could ride through the streets with her husband on the day the results were announced.

At that time, almost everyone in Chang'an would witness the event.

Throughout her life, countless people said she would never marry off, and countless others mocked her husband for being a fool.

She wanted them to see with their own eyes.

To see the kind of man she married.

Li Nuo wasn't sure if his wife was being sarcastic and probed, "Do you truly hope for me to become the top scholar, even if it's in all Six Arts?"

Song Jiaren nodded.

His earlier statement was enough for her.

Li Nuo looked at her, thought for a moment, and said, "I don't believe it, unless..."

...

Moments later, Li Nuo exited the room.

A divorce was out of the question.

He also had to give his all in every subject of the Imperial Examination, striving to start as a sixth-rank official.

As for what should happen if he really became the top scholar in all Six Arts, that was for the court to consider.

His wife said to do his best.

So, he would do his best.

Li Nuo walked to the gatehouse of the Song Residence, where Housekeeper Wu glanced at him and pointed at his own cheek.

Ignoring the matter of the lipstick, Li Nuo asked, "How did the investigation I asked you about last time turn out?"

Housekeeper Wu smiled and replied, "Old Servant is handling the task; Young Master can be at ease. I have already found evidence of minor crimes for more than ten masters of painting; we just wait for Young Master's order..."

Li Nuo nodded and instructed, "Then let's close the net..."