The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 968 - 962

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.

He held the piece of calligraphy sent by Wan Decheng and addressed the ministers, "Just now, within the harem, ten exceptionally beautiful and talented ladies have been selected for their calligraphy. The Empress Dowager suggests that we should all help to examine these and pick out the top three as candidates for the top positions."

After saying this, he instructed the eunuchs to spread out the ten pieces of calligraphy for the ministers to appraise one by one.

The carefully selected ten pieces were all well-written, but two of them were particularly eye-catching.

Minister Jie immediately picked up one of them and said to the others, "This one is excellent. The brushwork is bold and imposing, on par with the vigor of a man, yet it possesses a softness of stroke that men lack. It is truly rare for a woman to write such characters, and from the strength of the brushwork, she must have at least twenty years of experience."

Twenty years? Aren’t the candidates under twenty and unmarried just one person? Many realized this instantly.

Everyone said that indeed, Lin Xingyi’s niece was extraordinary, with remarkable medical skills, and her calligraphy was also excellent.

There was no doubt about her calligraphy making it into the top three.

Some had already begun to congratulate Lin Xingyi in a roundabout way.

Lin Xingyi saw Gu Youyou’s handwriting for the first time and thought such writing was on par with those men who were accomplished in calligraphy, only comparable to the famous calligraphy experts.

Yet, he had not expected that Youyou possessed such talent.

The Emperor took the calligraphy and remarked, "Abundant harvest, reflecting the livelihood of the people, good, good."

Next was the second piece. "Peaceful state and safe people," he said, "Your Majesty, look at this one, such excellent writing is rare indeed."

Prime Minister Zhang knew well that these characters were written by his second daughter. Although it wouldn’t be proper for him to present them himself, the quality of the writing was obvious, and so he didn’t fear others failing to notice it.

His own daughter’s calligraphy was good too, but it paled in comparison to the ’Abundant Harvest’ written earlier. That was master-level while this was apprentice-level at best, perhaps an outstanding apprentice.

He couldn’t help frowning, realizing he had encountered a strong rival.

Prime Minister Zhang’s gaze met Lin Xingyi’s and he couldn’t help but snort coldly.

His eldest daughter had just lost to Lin Xingyi’s daughter and became a consort. Was his second daughter now going to lose to his niece?

These were his only two legitimate daughters that he could be proud of.

This Lin Xingyi was always clashing with him, whether in matters of state or otherwise. They truly did not get along.

The Emperor took the calligraphy piece and smiled, nodding, "Peaceful state and safe people are central to the nation’s well-being." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

With no other notably outstanding pieces, they chose one with a good message.

"Your Majesty, please look at this piece."

The Emperor took a look and said, "Upright and bright, also not bad. Good, since these have been chosen by the ministers, let them be the ones. Wan Decheng, personally deliver these."

Consort Sheng received the calligraphy and announced it herself.

"First place, Chen Qinglian."

A tall woman stood up happily and went to Consort Sheng to receive her nomination badge.

This young lady had not been outstanding before and had not drawn any attention; the Empress whispered to Mama Li, "Go check, who is this woman!"

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress."

"Second place, Zhang Shiyu."

Miss Zhang gracefully rose and walked toward Consort Sheng.

The Empress smiled contentedly; after all, Prime Minister Zhang and the Ducal Residence always saw eye to eye. Many things that could not be discussed with others were clear to them, and they knew well whom to support if both families were to continue to flourish. Previously, the main wife of King Jin, Madam Zhang, had already been displeased. This time, they definitely couldn’t let Madam Zhang down!