CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: QINGXIANG GARDEN

Qingxiang Garden occupies a vast area; as you enter from the gate, there are towering green trees on both sides, with Wu Kang Stone Slab in the middle, trees beside it, and then a verdant patch of grass.

The students of the Imperial College possess excellent qualities and did not casually trample the grass.

A lush green area, with many little sparrows hopping around, foraging.

Miraculously.

There are squirrels on the trees beside them, planted with pine trees.

Between every few trees, there are arrow signs attached, guiding the direction to the next examination site.

By the time they reached the test site, Tan Huanhuan and Ji Changzhou had already finished their exams, successfully clearing the stage. Just about to proceed to the next test site, they greeted each other before heading to their destinations.

Second stage.

You have to step on the stones over a lake in front, with the rule being that your shoes cannot touch the water. As long as you pass over the water surface, you can clear the stage.

A circular lake surface that appears quite deep, not friendly to those with a fear of deep water.

This lake is at least ten meters deep.

There are square stones arranged in an orderly fashion on the surface; indeed, candidates must jump across. Those who choose not to participate can opt to forfeit, which will be marked as failure. There are three more exams left, if confident, you can tackle today’s exam.

Beside the lake, the college has prepared female and male lifeguards, ready to rescue anyone who falls in the water immediately.

In the Daqing Dynasty, women can attend school, but the rules of gender separation remain quite distinct.

Thus, the presence of male and female lifeguards is very necessary.

At this moment, a young woman has been rescued, her face pale with a mixture of lake water and tears in her eyes — whether due to exam failure or being startled by falling in the water, she was taken to change clothes.

The next candidate is a man, standing by the lake preparing, eager to try.

At the command, he agilely leaps like a monkey, his feet deftly and accurately landing on the stones, finally crossing safely.

"Shen Chen, are you confident you can pass?" As Ye Zhi spoke, she began stretching, hoping to leap across like a fish jumping over a dragon gate.

"No problem, I can pass."

"That’s good, do some stretches to warm up, it will be our turn soon."

A young girl, dressed in a purple outfit, with skin like condensed cream, alluring eyes, her steps graceful as she stretches, drawing the attention of many male students causing them to repeatedly turn their heads. Yet she remains unaware, smiling friendly at those who look back.

A stern, resonant male voice rang out: "Next, Ye Zhi."

"Present, Teacher, I’m here." Ye Zhi hastily responded loudly, then turned her head to say softly to Shen Chen: "I’m going first, I’ll wait for you after I finish before heading to the next examination site."

Not waiting for his reply, she hurriedly walked off with small swift steps.

Handing the passing paper to the Teacher, she moved forward towards the lake with a resolute face.

The stone slabs were neither too far nor too close. Ye Zhi ran a little distance, dashed across in one move, leaping the first step. The passing tiles were twelve meters long, and there were many pupils to come after—speed was essential, otherwise, they’d rely on the remaining three stages.

Summoning courage, she imitated the man’s motion she watched earlier, sprinting and leaping, several times nearly falling into the lake, but she managed to pull herself back fiercely.

Finally, the last jump.

"Ah." A cry of surprise.

She stands firmly on the ground, having made it through.

Suppressing the excitement within, as many others were present, she felt a bit shy to express too much joy, yet she believed she was indeed a bit remarkable.

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