The day of the competition was clear and sunny, with clusters of white clouds drifting slowly across the azure sky, mixed with the fragrant breeze that gently brushed by.
Due to the high betting odds for the women’s group, and everyone having placed their bets, the Dongchu Capital actually saw streets emptied of people.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress came dressed in their finest to watch the event.
Long Xuanmo, Grand Prince, and others, as well as several people from Qing’an Country, were seated right in front of the main stage, while Lady Hua and others sat in the women’s viewing area. Even Old Lady Luo and several children were there, with the children loudly cheering for Yang Mengchen, whereas Yang Chengyou and others were seated in the men’s viewing area. frёeweɓηovel_coɱ
Seeing them, Yang Mengchen smiled brightly, like the warm sun at that moment, shining so brilliantly that it was extremely comfortable to behold.
Everyone returned the sincere smile, especially Long Xuanmo, who smiled bewitchingly and was full of doting, making all the young ladies immensely envious.
Qi Qiuxin, however, was gritting her teeth in hatred, "Bitch, today will be a day you’ll never forget!"
Upon looking at Long Xuanmo and then at the composed Yang Mengchen, Xiahou Muyang and Wu Zhenglie silently sighed: It seemed their sister had encountered a formidable rival.
Gazing intently at Yang Mengchen, Qi Zonghao’s eyes were dark and inscrutable, his expression so profound that it was impossible to discern what he was thinking.
The first competition was also a poetry contest, with the old and familiar topic "Peony".
"The topic has been announced, time limit is one stick of incense. If any participant cannot complete their poem within the allotted time, please voluntarily forfeit." Old Hai surveyed the crowd, and seeing no one forfeited, raised his voice and said, "The competition..."
"Wait a moment, this princess has something to say." Just as Old Hai was about to say the word ’begin,’ Yang Mengchen suddenly spoke up and interrupted him.
The judges from the various countries were unhappy, as Princess Chen really had a knack for causing a stir, but upon encountering the sombre gaze of Prince Chen, all of them shut their mouths, daring to be angry but not to speak.
Old Hai, however, asked with a smile, "May I ask what Princess Chen would like to say?"
"May I have a few more sheets of paper (the competition rules stipulate writing two pieces of poetry)?" Yang Mengchen asked with a smile in return.
Old Hai was curious, but his expression didn’t show it. He had someone bring a stack of paper to Yang Mengchen, "Princess Chen, may we begin now?"
Yang Mengchen nodded.
"Light the incense." Old Hai nodded at the judges and then announced the start of the competition.
Without hesitation, Yang Mengchen picked up the brush and began to write furiously. While the other participants were still pondering, she had already written several pages, a speed that was truly astonishing.
Hearing the whispers and laughter from below, the expressions of people like the Emperor became quite unsightly. Their eyes thinly swept across the source of the noises, spreading a chill through the air, immediately silencing those who had been mocking.
Seeing his beloved wife buried in swift writing, Long Xuanmo’s eyes remained gentle and his smile doting, utterly indifferent to the prospect of losing face.
As for Chu Dieyi, the thought of earning nearly ten million taels of silver from this single round alone made her grin from ear to ear.
"Time is up." With Old Hai’s declaration, all the participants put down their brushes.
Yang Mengchen lamented, "What a pity I haven’t finished." She seemed reluctant to put down her brush, implying she still had more to offer.
The crowd, seeing Yang Mengchen had used up all the paper and still claimed not to be finished, provoked laughter from those bold enough to jeer. Indeed, the country girl was just a bumpkin who knew nothing of poetry.
The Emperor was eager to see Jiujiu’s work but, seeing the Empress Dowager’s composed demeanor beside him, he could only suppress his anxiety and sit upright.
Qi Qiuxin was the only one in the entire venue laughing openly and unreservedly, thoroughly smug and triumphant.
Bitch, your end is ensured today!
Subconsciously turning towards Long Xuanmo seated at the front of the main stage, she saw him continuously gazing at this wretch with tenderness and indulgence, utterly unaffected, and Qi Qiuxin felt an agonizing envy: What kind of sleep medicine had this bitch administered to Prince Chen to make him so infatuated with her?
"Time is up, the judges should collect the papers." Qi Qiuxin loudly reminded the judges, then turned to glare at Yang Mengchen with a tone of feigned consolation laced with clear malice: "Princess Chen, these are the rules. You can’t cheat just because you haven’t figured it out, right? After all, everyone is watching."
"Then I shall stop writing." Yang Mengchen put down her brush decisively.
Sun Chuanmao prayed silently: Princess Chen must succeed; I have gambled all my assets on you. Don’t let me lose everything.
The officials who had bet on Yang Mengchen to win, at the behest of Long Xuanmo, watched her and sighed inwardly, fearing their silver had been thrown away.
Soon, someone came to collect the participants’ papers.
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