Chapter 92: The Nine Syllables
Xie Qiao was not scared to be stared at.
“Grading isn’t my responsibility. I’m just a student, so I shouldn’t be commenting on whether her grade should be lowered or not. Make your decision, teachers,” Xie Qiao said slowly.
They wanted to push the blame on her?
Impossible!
If she nodded and agreed to lower Xia Yayun’s grade, the people out there would think that she bullied Xia Yayun by relying on someone else whenever they talked about it.
If she shook her head and disagreed with lowering her grade, she would be throwing the Crown Prince a cold blanket.
Xie Qiao was not stupid, so she would not take the blame.
Xie Qiao calmed herself down after she was done speaking. She then took small sips of tea. She looked like she was scared and had to calm herself down.
Teacher Zhu, who taught Xie Qiao swordsmanship, asked, “Your Highness, what grade do you think she should get?”
Zhao Xuanjing looked relaxed as he casually said, “Choose the lowest grade among the few teachers and deduct one level from it.”
Teacher Zhu checked the teachers’ grades again.
The highest grade was Excellent/Intermediate, while the lowest was Intermediate/Intermediate. The difference was pretty big.
The teacher who had graded her with Intermediate/Intermediate was known to be strict. Perhaps he had never considered the duration those young ladies had taken to learn the Moon Dance. He graded them based on their performance.
It would be Intermediate/Low if the grade was lowered by one level.
The result was rather poor.
However, it was this girl who had been insensible. She had been whispering while the Crown Prince was around, embarrassing herself. It made sense that she should be punished.
Teacher Zhu amended the grade.
She then proceeded to draw the next person who would compete.
With the previous example, the young ladies were even more quiet and nervous now. They would try their best to achieve perfection in their expressions, smiles, and movements.
Suddenly, their performance was elevated.
“Next, Xie Qiao,” said Teacher Zhu. She was seemingly worried that the few teachers would be biased due to the outstanding students who had performed earlier, so she added, “Young Lady Xie has just enrolled in the academy. She has only watched the Moon Dance a few times today.”
Zhao Xuanjing said nothing. He looked like he did not know Xie Qiao.
Xie Qiao got up slowly and adjusted her clothing. She then walked up slowly.
Although she was not so weak that the wind would blow her away, she was clearly a person with a rather unhealthy body. The teachers could not help but frown.
‘Look at her skinny wrists. Can she really swing a spark from the sword?’
They were worried that she would hurt herself.
Xie Qiao picked up the sword.
She began…
The ribbon on her waist had intersecting lights flashing on the clothing she wore to the academy.
At that moment, she looked like she was holding a pentagram in her hand and walking on clouds.
The sword was flying and swinging like a wandering dragon in her hand. A light fragrance blew with the wind from her body. She was elegant and charismatic. All of a sudden, it was as if one saw a clear wind and bright moon. She looked out of this world.
Never had they thought Xie Qiao was secretly chanting…
“May the presiders over warriors be my vanguard…”
It was The Nine Syllables.
At the very end…
“Retrieve!”
She almost yelled that out.
Xie Qiao looked serious. She closed her performance while many watched with shocked expressions.
Xie Qiao sighed. It was exhausting to her.
She bowed at the teachers while feeling dizzy, and she walked down feeling numb. She sat at her seat immediately.
It was quiet around her.
Xia Yayun looked at her in disbelief.
‘Impossible! How is this possible!? The few teachers choreographed this Moon Dance for almost three months. The Peony Courtyard learned it first when the choreography was completed, and they were showing off during the last spar.
‘The Moon Dance became famous in the academy after their performance. Even if one was to learn it, they wouldn’t be able to master it within a few days!?
‘However, her performance was…’
Even Xia Yayun had to admit that Xie Qiao had done better than her. She had been extraordinarily majestic when she held the sword. Although she had performed a few parts differently from the original version, it was not awkward at all. Her entire movement was as smooth as flowing water.
She had actually danced as well as the teachers!