Duan Yu spoke casually, his gaze falling on Wang Yuyan sitting next to Murong Fu.
She had originally opposed Murong Fu's application to become the son-in-law of the Western Xia, and was heartbroken and disappointed by it.
But how could Wang Yuyan not understand Murong Fu's "indirect approach" plan and intentions?
Driven by curiosity, Wang Yuyan followed Murong Fu to the scene where a prince consort was being recruited.
However, Wang Yuyan dressed as a man, disguised as a scholar.
Besides Wang Yuyan, Azhu, Abi, Mu Wanqing, and Zhong Ling also dressed as men.
Li Huan looked at Abi and thought that she looked particularly pretty as a scholar, with a touch of heroic spirit in her beauty, which was quite charming.
At this moment, the palace maid in green announced: "All the young ladies dressed as men and the male guests over forty years of age, please remain in the hall. All other guests, please follow me to the study to admire the calligraphy and paintings."
Li Huan looked at Murong Fu, who had a look of delight on his face.
Clearly, Murong Fu thought that the Western Xia princess had invited everyone to appreciate calligraphy and paintings to test their literary skills.
Prince Zongzan, on the other hand, looked displeased and impatient, muttering to himself, and had no interest in appreciating the calligraphy and paintings.
Suddenly, Bao Butong raised his head and shouted, "No, no!"
The palace maid in green hurriedly asked, "Sir, what insightful opinion do you have?"
Li Huan spoke first: "This Mr. Bao Butong is over forty years old. He regrets that his parents didn't have him a few years earlier!"
Hahaha... Everyone laughed.
Bao Butong, fanning himself with a folding fan, said, “No, no! How could I decide when my parents gave birth to me? And why would I regret it? I believe that the princess should not restrict the age of her guests!”
The palace maid in green said, "You all are requested to obey the princess's decree."
Bao Butong said, "You have all traveled thousands of miles to Lingzhou, enduring all kinds of hardships. Some of you died on the way, and some were killed by Prince Zongzan of Tibet..."
"Shut up!" Prince Zongzan shouted angrily. "What nonsense are you spouting! Don't slander the young king!"
Bao Butong said, "Everyone has seen the bad things you've done, I'm too lazy to argue with you!"
"You have all come to Lingzhou hoping to catch a glimpse of the princess's beauty. Even if you don't become her consort, you'll still have fulfilled your wish. It's truly regrettable that the princess doesn't allow distinguished guests over forty years old into her study!"
Bao's words resonated with more than a dozen older people, who all expressed their protest.
Li Huan knew that Princess Li Qinglu of Western Xia was conducting a selection process.
She spent three days in the ice cave with her "dream lover." Although she couldn't see his face clearly, she could tell that he was a young man.
Therefore, Li Qinglu deliberately set up a threshold to prevent guests over forty years old from entering the study.
After complaining, Bao Butong went straight to the inner hall.
Princess Green wanted to stop Bao Butong, but she was too shy to reach out.
Seeing this, the other elders seized the opportunity to rush into the inner hall, disregarding the princess's instructions.
Azhu, Abi, Mu Wanqing, and Zhong Ling mingled in the crowd and entered the inner hall with their heads down.
Seeing this, Wang Yuyan disregarded the rules and followed Murong Fu into the inner hall.
The group passed through the passageway and arrived at Youlan Stream.
To cross the Youlan Stream, one must walk across a steel wire to reach the other side.
All the guests who participated in the recruitment ceremony for the prince consort were skilled in martial arts.
The group successfully reached the other side by following the steel wire.
Murong Fu took Wang Yuyan's hand and walked over easily.
Afterwards, the group followed the green-clad palace maid through the pine forest, into the cave, and arrived at a more spacious hall.
The stone walls of the hall are covered with calligraphy and paintings.
Li Huan knew that behind the calligraphy and painting were engraved many martial arts diagrams, which were the martial arts secrets of the Xiaoyao Sect.
In the original novel "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", when Duan Yu was admiring the painting "Sword Dance by the Lake", he accidentally discovered the martial arts diagrams in the background, which aroused the curiosity of everyone, who all went to look at it, leading to him going into a state of demonic possession.
Therefore, Li Huan reminded Duan Yu: "Fourth brother, these paintings and calligraphy are very valuable, don't touch them!"
Duan Yu was engrossed in the painting and wanted to touch the "Sword Dance by the Lake" when he suddenly heard Li Huan's reminder. He then regained his senses and put his right hand down.
In this way, the martial arts diagrams on the stone wall behind the calligraphy and painting went unnoticed.
Prince Zongzan shouted, "I have no interest in appreciating calligraphy and painting. Please invite the princess out!"
The palace maid in green said, "Since you have come from afar, Her Highness the Princess is afraid that we may not be able to entertain you properly, so she has specially prepared various paintings and calligraphy to present to you! When you leave later, you may freely take any paintings or calligraphy you like!"
Li Huan deliberately said, "I have no interest in calligraphy and painting, only in the princess. I am eager to acquire this exquisite calligraphy and painting by the princess!"
Hahaha... Everyone laughed.
"Her Highness the Princess has arrived!"
Another palace maid's clear and melodious voice came from inside the main hall.
Suddenly, all the lights in the hall went out!
The crowd gasped in surprise.
Xiao Feng hurriedly said, "Oh no! There's an ambush!"
A palace maid in the inner hall said, "Please don't panic! The princess has three questions. Please answer them in turn. If you satisfy the princess, you may meet her!"
Prince Zongzan said, "What tricks is the princess playing? Why did she turn off the lights?"
The palace maid said, "Those who answer the question do not please the princess and will have no chance to see her. Therefore, the lamp is extinguished."
Prince Zongzan said, "Alliance Leader Li's divination skills are indeed exquisite. Princess, you really have a question to ask!"
Li Huan said, "I do business with integrity; how could I possibly cheat you?"
The palace maid asked, "Which gentleman would like to answer the question first?"
Prince Zongzan shouted, "I will answer first! I am a prince of the Tubo Kingdom. I have long admired the princess and have come to Lingzhou in Xixia to propose to her!"
This guy may be rude, but he's not stupid.
In the darkness, he first introduced himself, mentioning his illustrious family background, in order to win the princess's favor.
The palace maid said, "Is the prince sure he wants to answer first? Please remind him that the one who answers first will be at a disadvantage."
Upon hearing this, Prince Zongzan hesitated.
"Hahaha..." Murong Fu laughed loudly: "To tell you the truth, the princess and I are of one mind, and I already knew the first question she would ask!"
Holy crap, Murong Fu is such a show-off.
The palace maid asked, "Who are you, sir?"
Murong Fu replied, "I am Murong Fu of the Murong Clan of Gusu! It is widely known in the martial arts world as—'Northern Xiao Feng, Southern Murong!'"
The palace maid said, "So it's Young Master Murong of Gusu who uses their own methods against them! My apologies! I heard that Prince Xiao Feng is also here to participate in the recruitment conference for the imperial son-in-law?"
Murong Fu remained silent.
Duan Yu said, "That's right! Xiao Feng, the Southern King of Liao, is also here!"
The palace maid suddenly raised her voice: "I have long admired the illustrious name of King Xiao. I am so sorry for not welcoming you sooner! Please forgive me, King Xiao!"
The palace maid's voice trembled slightly, sounding excited.
Xiao Feng said, "I came to Lingzhou to taste the fine wine, not to apply for the position of Prince Consort of Xixia. Besides, I am already married."
The palace maid responded with an "oh," revealing her disappointment.
Li Huan urged, "Stop dawdling and hurry up and ask Young Master Murong the first test question!"
The palace maid asked, "Who are you, sir?"
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