[Wuxia] The Number One Ding Under Heaven (Complete) - 22

Chapter 153 The Courtesan Contest, Humiliating Me? Teasing You!

Fourth Brother was verbally abused, publicly.
In broad daylight, in front of so many girls, he was called a dog slave.
It was an utter disgrace, simply intolerable!
However, as a cultured, well-mannered, and ethical servant, Fourth Brother's first reaction was to laugh.
Yes, laugh, at the young master.
To be precise, he laughed at the young master dressed as a girl.
The young master was at most thirteen or fourteen years old, with a face like jade, eyes like clear springs, and long black hair tied in a jade crescent crown, held up only by a silver hairpin. His skin was tender and fair, as if powdered, and he was dressed up as a pretty girl, even more delicate than a beautiful girl. So, he was undoubtedly a girl dressed as a boy.
"Oh dear, young master, what is your name? Why have you made two mistakes with just a few words?" Pang Yu clearly recognized the young master at a glance, but he still
pretended to be ignorant, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture and asking in a serious tone. "I...I...I..." When asked his name, the young master in brocade robes stammered. It seemed he had come out in a hurry and hadn't thought of a pseudonym yet. His delicate face flushed red, and he spoke hurriedly and somewhat flusteredly, "A...a true man doesn't change his name, I...I...I am...Zhao...Zhao Wu is me, I am Zhao Wu."
"Zhao Wu? Oh dear, I have a Long Wu here. Aren't you brothers before?" "Stop...stop talking nonsense, what...what mistake did I make?" The young master's face was still flushed, and he glared at him with bright, star-like eyes.
"First of all, I have never boasted about my literary talent." Pang Yu tried his best to remain humble, speaking in a gentle tone, but for some reason, his head was held very high. "Those claims of being learned, having unparalleled literary talent, or being the greatest talent in the world, oh, and being the number one scholar in the world, are all just people praising me."
"Secondly, I am not a lackey. You've got that wrong too." "
A servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion. What else is he but a lackey?" The young master spat. He raised his delicate eyebrows. His tender face was full of disdain.
A sly smile appeared on Pang Yu's lips. He deliberately asked him, "Brother, when you say 'lackey,' do you mean my master is a dog, and I am a dog's servant?"
"You... your wicked master is no different from a dog... no different from a dog."
"What!? Oh dear, brother. You... you... you've committed a heinous crime that will lead to the confiscation of your family's property and the extermination of your clan!" Pang Yu imitated his stuttering. He winked and made faces, deliberately trying to provoke him.
"What serious crime? You're talking nonsense! Nonsense!!!" The young master twisted his nose, baring his teeth fiercely at him. His eyes instantly turned vicious. It was truly terrifying. He casually glanced at the roadside, and immediately a chorus of gasps and shrinking back could be heard. There was even a sense that the wind and clouds were about to change color. Long Wu was even astonished. Unexpected, unexpected. Unbelievable. Such a small person. And a young lady at that. Yet she possessed such a terrifying aura!
Only Pang Yu remained fearless, laughing, "You... said my master is a dog?"
"Yes, a dog, a stupid dog, a dumb dog, a lecherous dog, and you're no better! A dog's servant, a dumb dog, a dumb dog, a super super super super super lecherous dog!!!" The young master's small, pink and white hands, which had been gripping the reins, clenched into fists and waved wildly in the air. It seemed he wished he could pounce on Pang Yu from his horse and give him a good beating.
Pang Yu still smiled at him: "Brother, do you not know? I am now a sixth-rank Heavenly Soldiers appointed by the Emperor?"
"Heavenly Soldiers, what's that? A Heavenly Soldiers is still a servant. A dog servant!"
"Yes, I am a servant, that's true, but..." Pang Yu deliberately dragged out his words.
"But my master, the one who appointed me a Heavenly Soldiers, seems to be the Emperor."
Instantly, silence fell. Pang Yu's words silenced all the noise and commotion in the room.
Some were shocked, some admired, some broke out in a cold sweat, some were dumbfounded, and of course, some wanted to curse him, give him the middle finger, and despise him to death!
This Pang Si is just too, too, too, too shameless! The young master originally cursed him, at most mentioning his master, Marquis Anle, but this damned servant deliberately led, guided, and misled him, turning it into an insult to the Emperor!
Insulting the Emperor, oh, a heinous crime punishable by beheading, dismemberment, and the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
"You, you, you dog...you dare to play tricks on me, you, you, you, you...you damned dog! Damned dog!! Damned dog!!!" The young master bit his lip hard, his eyes widening even more ferociously. His voice trembled, his hands moving before his mouth, his feet before his hands. He tightened the reins, stomped on the stirrups, and charged towards him. "
Come on then, who's afraid of who?"
Fourth Brother also pulled on the reins, ready to charge and confront him.
Behind him, Long Wu watched quietly, not even gripping his sword hilt, showing no intention of making a move.
As a professional, competent, and top-tier bodyguard, he knew very well when to intervene and when not to. In this situation, a young girl disguised as a boy, in a fit of rage, charging at the young master who possessed three divine weapons: silver bricks, lime powder, and the Fish Intestine Sword—even if her eyes were fierce and she exuded a murderous aura, could she possibly pose any threat to the valiant and strong young master?
The only ones to be wary of were the guards in their parrot-like green robes, red trousers, and black boots.
None of them had moved.
Just as the young master was about to rush towards Pang Yu, her horse would be sliced in two by Yu Chang's blade, and she would be seized and thoroughly ravaged by Pang Yu—offending Fourth Brother was punishable, especially for a woman.
Fourth Brother was about to punish her when the sound of hooves suddenly came from behind him. No, the sound of hooves came from behind, and a huge, lightning-fast horse had already blocked his path between him and the young master.
It was Zhao Yunbi.
"Ninth Brother, what are you doing?" The young master quickly pulled on the reins, almost colliding with him.
This shout of "Ninth Brother" made it clear who the young master was.
It was Zhao Yunbi, the White Tiger Princess, a combination of willfulness, capriciousness, irritability, ferocity, and arrogance. What other girl would dare to challenge Fourth Brother like that?
"Don't be ridiculous," Zhao Xuanhuang stopped her.
"I'm not messing around! Get out of my way! I'm going to kill this scoundrel! Tear him apart with five horses! Cut him into a thousand pieces!!!" Zhao roared furiously, her small, white hands flailing wildly, resembling the claws of an undeveloped tiger cub.
"Hey, hey, hey, I told you last time, a person can't be torn apart with five horses, how can you cut them into a thousand pieces? Show me how, show me how!" Pang Yu was afraid things wouldn't escalate. He stuck out his tongue and made faces, constantly trying to annoy her.
Zhao almost jumped off her horse—if Zhao Xuanhuang hadn't blocked her, she would have pounced on him, kicking him, grabbing him, biting him, and glaring at him until she was dead! In short, she would kill this audacious, shameless, and despicable servant a thousand times over!
Zhao Yunbi arrived at this moment. Seeing the girl's eyes red with anxiety, her hands and feet flailing wildly, as if she were about to go mad, he quickly grabbed her wrist and whispered, "This is the main street! How can a princess like you argue with a mere servant? What kind of behavior is this? You've completely disgraced the royal family!"
"So what if I disgrace myself! I'll just quit being a princess!" Unable to move her hand, Zhao's slender feet began to kick and thrash wildly, startling her mount into neighing repeatedly, accompanied by her tearful cries, "I don't care! I'm going to kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"
Whether it was Zhao Xuanhuang or Zhao Yunbi, their warnings were very soft, barely audible to someone like Pang Yu with naturally sharp ears. Anyone unaware of the situation would think Pang Si was incredibly powerful; someone had dared to offend him, and Prince Chen and Prince Anding had actually stepped in to stop him from attacking Lord Tian Ding.
Damn, Lord Tian Ding was just too, too, too awesome!
But once Zhao Huo got angry, she didn't care if the sky fell; as long as she could vent her anger, she shouted at the top of her lungs, as if afraid of failing to intimidate the other party and scare him into soiling himself. She yelled "Princess! Princess!" without restraint, and with her loud, clear voice, the whole street heard her.
"What? A princess!"
"This tomboy is a princess?"
"Wow, wow, wow, incredible! The princess is here for the courtesan competition!"
"Wow, wow, wow, even more incredible! Lord Tian Ding and the princess are having an affair!"
The scene erupted into chaos, with the common people whispering and gossiping amongst themselves. Zhao didn't care about any of that; all she wanted was to give Pang Yu a good beating—break his hands, break his legs, break his ribs, smash his head—just to vent the anger she'd been holding in!
Zhao Yunbi, being the shrewd and cunning man he was, knew that once his sister revealed her identity, this farce couldn't be covered up anymore. So he simply "let" his sister teach Pang Si a lesson. Cripple him, cripple him—that would be enough to vent his anger; kill him, and everyone would be happy, a cause for celebration!
Yes, that was just her personality; anyone who dared to provoke her would suffer an indescribable fate.
Zhao was still cursing and swearing, realizing she couldn't get past this "hurdle" and reach Pang Yu. Just as she was about to pull out her jade crown and silver hairpin and smash them down, Zhao Yunbi suddenly loosened his grip on her hand, pretending to be startled by a horse and intentionally or unintentionally moving aside to clear a path for her.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhao flung free from Zhao Xuanhuang's grip, spurred her horse, and galloped through the remaining gap. Raising her deer-tendon whip, she lashed out at Pang Yu's utterly detestable face.
This lash was delivered with all her might, her thought direct and her goal singular:
to kill Pang Si!

Chapter 154: The Courtesan Contest, Under the Gaze of the Crowd, Surrounded by Beauties.

"Crack!" The whip struck, but missed completely.
It wasn't that Fourth Brother dodged quickly—why would he need to? His Fish Intestine Sword would have been enough; it could cut through iron like mud, what difficulty was there in cutting a whip?
It was that Zhao, having just unleashed her full power, suddenly felt her body lighten, and someone had grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up a foot high, causing the whip to miss.
Who was so bold as to grab the princess?
Pang Yu? Fourth Brother was right in front of her, the whip aimed directly at her—how could he grab her?
It was Zhao Xuanhuang who grabbed her, lifting the willful little princess up and dragging her onto his Purple Dragon Steed. Without lingering, he spurred the horse, and the Purple Dragon Steed reared up, neighing loudly, its hooves flying, and it shot off like lightning. Each thud shoved an inch into the ground, kicking up clouds of yellow dust, and in the blink of an eye, it was over ten feet away, its sheer size and speed astonishing.
"Hey, hey, hey—why are you running? Fourth Brother hasn't teased you enough yet!" Pang Yu angrily stomped his stirrups and shouted at the top of his lungs as the Purple Dragon Steed and the little princess disappeared in an instant.
Zhao Yunbi angrily cracked his whip, making a feigned strike in the air with a "crack," expressing his dissatisfaction.
Pang Yu saw through his intentions, but he didn't have time to care, because he was more concerned about Zhao Xuanhuang.
Zhao Yunbi let go and made way, while Zhao Chuangguan lashed out with his whip. Everything happened in a flash, and he made the most correct response in an instant, directly leading Zhao away! Otherwise, even if he had stopped her whip, as long as Pang Yu was still around, the arrogant Zhao wouldn't have let it go, and the Song Dynasty's royal family would have been utterly disgraced by this girl in the street.
---- Such a short time, such correct judgment, and such speed, accuracy, and control in his actions—what a Zhao Xuanhuang! He doesn't act unless he's absolutely certain, but when he does, he's truly astounding!
After countless exchanges of glares with Zhao Yunbi,
finally, Pang Yu swaggered in, leading more than seven-tenths of the courtesans to the banks of Jinming Pond. This was originally the royal garden of the Song Dynasty. In the first year of the Taiping Xingguo era, Emperor Taizong of Song ordered 35,000 soldiers to dig the pond, drawing water from the Jinshui River. To the east were five palaces in the center of the pond, and to the south was a flying bridge extending several hundred paces, belonging to the Qionglin Garden. Every year in early March, the Imperial Guard and Tiger Wing Navy were ordered to train boatmen and practice water sports. To the west were training grounds and pavilions. Visitors might also have the opportunity to inspect cannons, stones, and crossbows. In February of the third year
of the Taiping Xingguo era, Emperor Taizong of Song personally inspected the construction of the pond and named it "Jinming Pond." During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, Jinming Pond was separated from the imperial gardens and opened to the common people. It gradually became the most famous tourist destination in the capital. At the right time of year, tourists flocked to the pond. At its peak, even in wind and rain, there were visitors, almost every day was bustling with activity.
After Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, a "Chongguang Tower" was specially built on the water's edge as a place for officials and wealthy families to welcome and entertain guests. From the tower, one could see the surrounding lake and mountain scenery, exquisite and beautiful, attracting countless literati and scholars from the capital to gather here, appreciating the scenery, composing poems, exchanging verses, and writing lyrics.
With the holding of the Flower Queen Contest and the construction of Fenglin Pavilion, this place became the venue for the annual grand event in the capital. Every year on this day, this area, located north of Shuntianmen Street, with a circumference of about nine li and thirty paces and a diameter of about seven li, would be packed with at least 300,000 people. A large number of imperial guards were also on hand to maintain order, joining high-ranking officials, nobles, and literati from across the city to enjoy the spectacle of the Flower Queen Contest.
It is no exaggeration to say that today, almost one in two people in Bianliang City was present!
Pang Yu led the girls of the Seven Show Pavilion through the temporary, brightly decorated gate of the venue. In the distance, they could see the vast expanse of Jinming Pond, with lush green grass covering the entire long embankment, willow branches swaying, and fragrant flowers blooming. Even before the mist had dissipated from the lake, painted boats were already sailing on the water, some slowly, some quickly, accompanied by the sounds of music and song.
As the convoy traveled along, the embankment was teeming with people. Fine carriages and jeweled horses sped along the road. Many ladies and noblewomen, usually confined to their secluded mansions, used their delicate hands to lift curtains, reveling in the springtime splendor. Even a gentleman like Pang Yu, watching this procession, felt an irresistible urge stir within him.
A hundred paces to the west lay the Fairy Bridge, stretching several hundred paces north to south. The bridge was adorned with three rainbow-like arches, vermilion railings, and rows of pillars, its central arch resembling a flying rainbow. Crossing the bridge led to a small island in the lake, the main venue for the competition: Phoenix Pavilion.
Pang Yu had initially assumed that all the participating courtesans would perform here, with judges scoring and ranking them on the spot. However, upon closer inspection, he realized something was amiss. While the area was large enough, there were already thousands of courtesans who had come with his entourage to compete, and even with the spectators, there was no way they could all fit.
"The final top ten selection and the crowning of the courtesan are decided here; the preliminary rounds were held on the lake," Zou Xiyun said leisurely as she walked up to him, having somehow gotten off the carriage.
"The lake?"
"Yes, each brothel's girls are called a flower boat. They play music and sing on this Jinming Pond, each showcasing their unique talents. The boats display the gold, silver, and precious jewelry donated by their patrons. After noon, the total amount of donations is tallied, and only the brothels ranking in the top twenty qualify to join our current location, Phoenix Continent."
"Is that how it's done? That's just throwing money around. What are the judges for?" Pang Yu asked in surprise.
"After the top twenty are selected, the most popular girls from each brothel will come to Phoenix Island to perform their unique skills, such as singing, dancing, playing instruments, or performing traditional arts. The judges will score them and select the top ten." Zou Xiyun glanced at the five-story building standing in the northwest corner of Phoenix Island, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "The girls who make it into the top ten will then enter the Phoenix Pavilion, where the judges will test them one by one to determine their ranking. The competition in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting is definitely indispensable. To win the top three, one must also be proficient in poetry, lyrics, and prose."
After hearing her explanation, Pang Yu finally understood the process of competing for the title of courtesan. However, a question arose immediately: "According to this, the first competition is based on the overall strength of each brothel. The Seven Beauties Brothel has nine beauties competing, which is enough to advance to the second round. Why did you come so early, sister, and expose your strength to everyone? You should know that the trump card to impress everyone should be saved for the last moment..."
"The top three in the preliminary selection can directly enter Fenglin Pavilion to participate in the final selection, which will give them an early advantage and allow them to use the time from the second selection to carefully observe the performances of other girls, making it easier to formulate strategies for the final. So from the very beginning, we must seize every opportunity and not be careless." "
Oh... then why aren't you on the flower boat, Xi Yun? What are you doing bringing everyone to Phoenix Island?"
"While we were talking, they were already on the other side of the shore, boarding the boat and starting their performance." Zou Xi Yun glared at him angrily, as if blaming him for being careless or for being too busy watching the girls. Forgetting about her own group, she glanced at the lakeside with her phoenix eyes, and sure enough, a large flower boat with the banners of the Seven Show Pavilion was slowly setting sail, heading into the lake. In that instant, a lot of gifts from the audience had already piled up around the flower boat.
"Then... Xi Yun, why aren't you performing on the boat? What are you doing bringing me here?" Pang Yu was even more confused.
"What are you doing?" Zou Xi Yun looked at him. Her beautiful eyes sparkled.
"Of course, I'll wait for Marquis Anle with you."
The audience for the Flower Queen Contest was, of course, divided into different classes. Ordinary people were only fit to watch from the shore; those of slightly higher status could go up the bridge or into the lakeside pavilions; those with even higher status could enjoy the view from the once-best vantage point, "Chongguang Tower"; and the most, most, most, most, most prestigious—the top young masters of the capital, high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and the contest judges…
Phoenix Island's seats were reserved exclusively for them!
Time passed slowly. More and more distinguished guests arrived, with the young nobles and playboys occupying most of the seats, clearly divided into two groups. At the east end was the Prince's faction led by Zhao Yunbi, while at the west end was the Crown Prince's faction, temporarily led by Gao Yanei and Qian Shicai. The seats in the middle were probably only occupied by Zhao Xuanhuang.
"Xi Yun, come, let's sit here. The view is clear from here, and we'll know as soon as the Marquis arrives," Pang Yu said casually, choosing the best seat in the middle. He turned and waved to Zou Xiyun.
Zou Xiyun was anxiously waiting for her "cowboy" brother. After hesitating for a moment, she still sat down as instructed, but deliberately kept a distance from Pang Yu.
Fourth Brother was so shameless. Ignoring the countless envious glances around him, he chuckled and forced his way to Zou Xiyun's table. He reached out and pulled his arm around the veiled beauty's slender waist. Zou Xiyun tried to dodge, but Pang Yu was just feinting. He suddenly changed direction, grabbed her soft, smooth hand, and squeezed it several times with a sly smile before reluctantly letting go amidst Zou Xiyun's pleading and protesting gaze.
Zhao Yunbi saw everything, and he was so angry that he almost wanted to grab a plate and smash it, but he couldn't do that, and he had no other way to vent his anger, because with his status and position, it was impossible for him to make things difficult for a mere servant in public!
Despite their mismatched social status, servants and men from other places would surely fear Zhao Yunbi's retaliation afterward. Even if nothing happened on the spot, they wouldn't dare to casually sit down. But Fourth Brother had nothing to fear. He was only afraid that Zhao Yunbi wouldn't bother him afterward, so he would have no reason to step on anyone.
Zhao Yunbi was waiting for his men to arrive so he could pick a relatively "humble" one to teach him a lesson. Sure enough, not long after, eight fully armed guards escorted a sedan chair, rushing from the bridge. Seated in the chair was a handsome, tall, and elegant young man, refined and refined, with an extraordinary air.
Zhao Yunbi was just about to give him a signal to get in when the young man, before even getting out of the chair, saw Pang Yu sitting with a beautiful woman, and instantly wilted. His face turned ashen, his expression haggard, and he looked utterly terrified. He lowered his head and hurriedly directed his men to take a detour, acting like a coward who wanted to avoid the situation at all costs.
This was none other than Zhao Zonghui, the one who boasted of his literary talent but lost miserably to his fourth brother in a couplet contest at the Green Jade Pavilion, and was even beaten up, vowing never to compose poems or flaunt his learning again.
Following in his footsteps was an elderly man with white hair, who also hurriedly arrived at Phoenix Island.
---- Pang Fu, the Grand Tutor's steward.
He walked to Pang Yu's side, his expression solemn, and said in a voice that wasn't too loud, but loud enough for everyone nearby to hear clearly, "The Marquis has suddenly fainted and cannot attend today's competition."

Chapter 155: The Flower Queen Competition, the New Marquis of Anle!

"What!? Big Brother isn't coming!!!" On the Crown Prince's side, Gao Ya Nei and Qian Shicai jumped up, exclaiming as if they had seen a ghost.
Zou Xiyun, who had initially turned her head away, disdainful of Pang Yu's shameless teasing, now turned to look at him, her beautiful eyes flashing with barely suppressed anger.
"A-Fu, how could this happen!?" Pang Yu seemed completely unaware, standing up abruptly and grabbing Zou Xiyun's hand, pulling her up with him.
Pang Fu was over sixty years old and the head steward of the Grand Tutor's mansion. Even the Eighth Prince and Prime Minister Lü would treat him with respect, unlike Pang Yu who addressed him as "A-Fu," treating the head steward, whose status was above his own, like a newly arrived lowly servant!
Pang Fu was furious, wishing he could grab Pang Yu's neck and strangle him to death, but there was nothing he could do. It was the Grand Tutor's order, a stern order, and even if he was unhappy, he could only obediently "cooperate."
"The Marquis was originally prepared to leave, but the wind made him dizzy, and he couldn't bear the bumpy journey, so he had to reluctantly withdraw from the competition and couldn't come." He spoke like a mantra, and everyone could tell that he had memorized the words beforehand. The meaning was clear: Marquis Anle had never intended to come; these were all pre-prepared excuses, a complete lie.
"Pang Si, you're lying to me!" Zou Xiyun shook off Pang Yu's mischievous hand. Her once bright and sparkling eyes instantly became misty, and the tears that were about to spill were filled with her shock, anger, resentment, annoyance, anxiety... and a whole host of complex emotions that were hard to describe.
Pang Yu stared at her face, which could break any man's heart, his expression unusually solemn.
"Is the empty title of courtesan really that important to you?"
"Yes!" she cried out.
Pang Yu suddenly reached out and pulled her, but not by the hand. Instead, he abruptly turned and wrapped his arm around Zou Xiyun's slender waist.
"What are you doing..." Zou Xiyun didn't have time to scream. He had already pulled her into his arms.
"I won't go back on my promise." Pang Yu held the beauty in his arms tightly, looking down at her delicate, beautiful face behind the thin veil, as pitiful as a peach blossom after the rain. His slightly flirtatious yet masculine voice slid along her beautiful hair, down her fair neck, and into her fragrant ear with his hot, masculine breath.
"Today, your gigolo is Marquis Anle."
Zou Xiyun looked up at Pang Yu with a face that could break any man's heart, unable to believe her eyes. The heat in her ear made her heart pound for some reason.
"Hahahahahaha----" Zhao Yunbi laughed loudly. "Steward Pang, you must be mistaken. How could such a grand event be complete without the number one playboy in the capital, Marquis Anle? Ahahahahaha----"
The leader took the lead, and the prince's party immediately began to take turns mocking and ridiculing.
"How could that be? Marquis Anle is so heroic, brimming with kingly aura, how could he be unable to come because of a little dizziness? Could it be that just thinking about all those pretty girls here made him shudder, spill all over the place, and then his back aches so badly he can't ride the carriage?"
"Oh. It seems Marquis Anle's kingly aura is diluted. So diluted it's all over the place, a yellowish-white mess."
"That's for sure. Maybe after that shudder, even his treasure in his crotch has shortened by a few inches. He won't be able to be kingly anymore when he gets to some pretty girl's bed, hahahahaha." Gao Yanei
and Qian Shicai were both pale, dizzy, weak, and trembling, on the verge of collapse.
Without their elder brother, without their leader, how could they fight against the Prince's Party?
With them? Impossible!
It's over, this time, the Prince's Party is destined to be utterly defeated in the competition, and they'll be too ashamed to show their faces.
With Third Brother and Fourth Prince subdued, the rest of the Crown Prince's faction was even more speechless, allowing Zhao Yunbi's cronies to freely slander them. The atmosphere became heavy and oppressive, as if a storm was brewing.
The Prince's faction, seizing the opportunity, roared and howled like mad dogs, spewing out all sorts of vicious and filthy words. They were hardly behaving like noble imperial relatives; they were more like shrewish women ranting in the street.
Only Prince Zhao Zonghui of Jiangxia remained silent, head bowed. He was usually the most eloquent among the Prince's faction, and his ability to insult others was second to none. Yet now he didn't utter a word, still displaying the same dejected and listless appearance he had when he arrived—in terms of eloquence and literary talent, Pang Siwu was a thousand times better than him; it was best not to humiliate himself further.
While the audience area was in an uproar, the other guests wisely pretended nothing was happening—unless they were tired of living, who would bother interfering in the conflict between the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince's faction? That would be suicide. As for the Jiaofangsi, which nominally "organized" the competition, and the few judges who had already arrived… humph, the same goes for them. The Eighth Prince hadn't arrived, and Bao Zheng was still on his way; who else in the world would dare to interfere?
Gao Yanei and Qian Shicai panicked upon learning that their elder brother couldn't come, and for a moment, they even forgot to retort. Although many of the others were arrogant and lawless young masters who ran rampant in the capital, they were clearly inferior in weight compared to the Prince's faction, which was complete except for Zhao Shiqing. They had already lost the battle of momentum, and the outcome was predictable: they gritted their teeth in humiliation, revealing expressions of bitter indignation.
Seeing the chaos in the arena, Zou Xiyun grew anxious. She reached forward with her slender hands, trying to push Pang Yu away—the judges hadn't all arrived yet, and there was still time to replace the "gigolo."
"Don't move, trust me," Pang Yu said with a gentle smile, lowering his head to whisper in her ear.
Feeling the intense masculine scent emanating from him, Zou Xiyun felt a surge of inexplicable shyness, forgetting even to struggle. She simply let him hold her, a delicate blush spreading across her face, utterly captivating.
"You!" Pang Yu roared, waving his hand.
His voice was loud and powerful, instantly silencing the commotion on both sides, and everyone turned to look at him.
"You bastard..." someone protested, wanting to curse, but a sharp glare from him silenced them. Their hearts pounded, cold sweat poured down their backs, and the other members of the Prince's faction were also startled. They had retreated from their seats, some even standing up, but were so frightened they sat back down.
Pang Yu gently released Zou Xiyun, stepped down from his seat, and stood firm like a towering mountain.
"Hey, stop making a fuss. At least let Afu finish what he has to say." His posture was imposing, with the air of "Who dares to stand against me? Only my servant Pang Si!" But his tone was like that of a thug, clearly showing he didn't take the group of princes opposite him seriously.
These little bastards were used to running rampant, but this time they'd met their match. They were all immediately put on the defensive. They wanted to fight? Heh heh, with Zhao Shiqing and Zhao Zonghui as examples, anyone who wanted to be castrated and beaten was welcome to come at them.
Thinking of Zhao Shiqing's miserable state after losing his manhood, and even having his title of Prince revoked, and looking at Zhao Zonghui, pale-faced and still shaken... no one wanted to end up like them. So no one dared to speak again.
Pang Yu's tiger-like eyes swept over them, instantly taking in their reactions. He thought to himself, "What a bunch of useless bastards! They're utterly pathetic. So many scumbags and
good-for-nothings; if it weren't for Afu's help, Long Wu alone could have dealt with them all." "Hmph, even the Marquis of Anle can't come, what else is there to say?" Suddenly, a richly dressed young man sitting next to Zhao Yunbi stood up, meeting Pang Yu's gaze without fear.
"Who are you?"
"Prince Zhao Shikai of Kuaiji."
Pang Yu vaguely remembered hearing about this man from Gao Ya Nei; he seemed to have been mentioned alongside Zhao Shiqing. Hmm, it seemed this guy was a bit more assertive than Zhao Shiqing.
"Is that what Your Highness thinks? Tsk tsk tsk, you're so stupid—" Pang Yu shook his finger at him, looking disdainful, as if talking to a mentally challenged child.
Zhao Shikai was too lazy to argue; manners, manners, with so many people watching, getting angry with a lowly servant would be beneath him. Since the Marquis of Anle wasn't coming, they were guaranteed to win. Why waste words on a servant? He shrugged, about to laugh it off, when suddenly Pang Yu's gaze sharpened, becoming menacing, like a sword piercing his eyes and skull, even causing a throbbing pain in the back of his head. He shuddered, barely managing to steady himself by gripping the table.
"Your head steward of the Pang family said the Marquis of Anle isn't coming. What other changes could there be?" he forced a hum.
Judging from Zhao Shikai's tone, Pang Yu knew he was being intimidated by his imposing presence. Amused, he shouted, "Did you hear that? Afu hasn't finished speaking yet, has he? Afu—"
Pang Fu was so angry he felt like vomiting blood, but could only obediently reply, "Yes, the old man hasn't finished speaking."
"If you haven't finished, then say it!" Zhao Yunbi slammed his fist on the table, shouting impatiently. Of the prince's party members, only he and Zhao Zonghui, who was too frightened to stand, remained seated.
"My master is incredibly astute; he foresaw that the young master's illness was not yet fully recovered and he feared he would be unable to attend. Last night, he rushed to the palace to request an imperial decree, to report to His Majesty..." Pang Fu, being an old fox, deliberately dragged out his words.
"Report what?" Zhao Yunbi impatiently urged again.
"The Prince of Beihai can see for himself." Pang Fu reached into his robes.
"How dare you!" Zhao Yunbi's personal servant seized the opportunity, pointing a halberd and shouting sharply, trying to impress his master. "What kind of status do you have that you dare call my prince..." As soon as
Pang Fu pulled out the item, the servant immediately fell silent, not only speechless but also as if he had been slapped hard across the face, standing there dumbfounded, clutching his bleeding face.
An imperial decree! What Pang Fu held in his hand was an imperial decree, and the scroll was made of jade, symbolizing the highest rank, usually only used when issuing decrees to high-ranking officials or princes and dukes.
"This... what does the imperial edict say? What does it say?!" Even with Zhao Yunbi's composure, he couldn't remain calm at this moment, and stood up, asking in a trembling voice.
"Grand Tutor said that Your Highness should see it for yourself." Pang Fu handed over the imperial edict with neither servility nor arrogance.
Zhao Yunbi bowed three times and eagerly opened it to read. What he saw almost made him fall over in shock.
"This... how is this possible... how is this possible!!! He, a mere servant, how could he possibly be so?"
"How could His Majesty possibly want him to be the Marquis of Anle!"

Chapter 156 The Flower Queen Competition, Grand Tutor Pang's Scheme

"He, he, a mere servant, is being made the Marquis of Anle, how is this possible! How is this possible!! How is this possible!!!" Zhao Yunbi was almost going crazy, his trembling hand pointing at Pang Yu, his face filled with disbelief and utter horror.
Not only him, but the entire audience was stunned.
Pang Si, he's just a servant, a lowly servant worse than a pig or a dog, how did he become the Marquis of Anle? This guy's meteoric rise is unbelievable!
"Your Highness, look carefully." Pang Fu, as expected of Pang Fu, hadn't wasted his years as steward of the Grand Tutor's mansion. He was far more composed than the "former" Prefect of Kaifeng, Wu Gongzheng, and could speak calmly to the head of the Prince's faction, the arrogant Prince of Beihai. But thinking about it, it makes sense. He'd served the most powerful man in the court, the ruthless and cunning Grand Tutor Pang, for decades; why would he care about a mere, insignificant prince?
"Your Highness, please see clearly." Pang Fu calmly faced the stunned and dumbfounded scene that almost everyone in Phoenix Continent was witnessing, and said unhurriedly, "The imperial edict states that the title will be transferred in one day, one day at a time. Today, at the time of the Flower Queen Competition, the title of Marquis of Anle will be transferred from the young master to Pang Si."
"How can a servant be a marquis? Not even for a day!" Zhao Shikai roared in fury.
"Hmph! The emperor's servant, is he really a servant? If so, then all the civil and military officials in the court are servants! You bunch of good-for-nothing playboys who only know how to eat, drink, gamble, and whore, you can't even dream of being ordered around by the emperor." A sarcastic voice rang out at just the right moment, it was actually Young Master Qian who had a sudden inspiration and burst out.
Zhao Shikai was speechless.
"Furthermore, the Marquis also asked me to pass on a message," Pang Fu continued, giving the Prince's faction no chance to react. "Young Master Gao, Young Master Qian, and all the other young masters who have followed my Marquis all this time, the Marquis wants me to tell you that from this moment on, Pang Si's will is his will. Pang Si's instructions are his instructions. Whatever Pang Si says, you must do. Everyone who follows the Marquis will follow Pang Si's lead in this competition!" With that, he held up a gleaming golden object and handed it to Pang Yu.
"A thumb ring! A thumb ring! It's Big Brother's token, a jade thumb ring!!!" Gao Yanei, who had seen it clearly, was the first to shout, followed by Qian Shicai, and then all the Prince's faction members.
It was a frenzy, a frenzy; Phoenix Island was in an uproar.
Not only the Prince's faction, but also other distinguished guests belonging to Grand Tutor Pang's faction, as if they had planned it beforehand, all rose up to cheer and shout their approval. This created a bizarre scene: a large group of middle-aged and even white-bearded officials, along with their wives and subordinates, joined by a group of young masters and nobles in a celebratory chorus.
—It wasn't just a coincidence; it was pre-arranged.
Pang Yu, surrounded by the crowd, received congratulations from this motley crew of disparate "members" of the Crown Prince's faction. Inwardly, he marveled at
his ruthless father's masterful manipulation of the situation. First, he deliberately spread rumors that the Marquis of Anle would definitely come. Then, just as both sides were gearing up for battle, he suddenly announced that the Marquis wouldn't be coming. This instantly shattered the morale and confidence of the Crown Prince's faction, creating an atmosphere of utter peril. Then, just as things seemed to be collapsing, he ostentatiously produced an imperial edict, announcing a "transfer of fiefdom," appointing him as the "temporary" Marquis of Anle for one day. He also produced the Marquis's personal token, instantly boosting the Crown Prince's confidence to its peak!
The Crown Prince's faction had gone from despair to a dramatic turnaround. How exhilarating! How exhilarating!
The Prince's Party, from feeling certain of victory to utterly devastated. How dejected! How frustrated!
The two sides were initially evenly matched. This "operation" immediately determined the winner. Otherwise, according to Pang Yu's original plan, announcing the "transfer of fiefdom" much earlier would have only ensured that the Crown Prince's Party didn't lose too much in terms of morale—without the real leader present, even if everyone obeyed a servant, the overall momentum wouldn't be strong, right? This would only guarantee that the Crown Prince's Party wouldn't be too overwhelmed at the beginning, and then rely on the extraordinary mind and eloquence of the "new leader" to gradually turn the tide.
But Grand Tutor Pang's move deliberately gave the other side the opportunity to push the Crown Prince's Party's morale to its lowest point, then suddenly a savior appeared. Who cared if he was a servant or a lowly person? The Emperor acknowledged him, and the one-day conferment of a marquisate was enough! Besides, there was also the token from the leader! The situation instantly reversed, and they took control. Before the competition even started, they had already won half the battle. Brilliant! Damn, brilliant
! That ruthless old man, he's truly a master strategist !
"Someone, bring the Marquis's robes and crown." Pang Fu waved his hand.
Everything that happened here in Phoenix Continent was prepared well in advance by Pang Yu and the ruthless old man. As soon as Pang Fu finished speaking, someone brought up the Marquis of Anle's magnificent robes and crown on a golden tray.
"Xi Yun, come on, come with me to change clothes." The spirited fourth brother spoke louder than ever before, and his courage was boundless. He walked over and grabbed Zou Xi Yun's hand in public, his warm smile seeming to say: How about that? I didn't lie to you, did I? The Marquis of Anle will be your gigolo. I wouldn't let anyone else have such a good job.
Zou Xiyun was both surprised and delighted, completely forgetting her ladylike reserve, and followed him into Fenglin Pavilion. Those watching were both astonished and envious, thinking, "Good heavens! The competition hasn't even started yet, and one of the favorites to win has already been chosen by the 'New Marquis of Anle'!"
After a chorus of sighs and burning jealous glances, Zou Xiyun, having already walked more than ten steps, finally reacted, shaking off Pang Yu's arm. "You...you change your clothes...you can go change yourself, I...I need to go to the flower boat...the competition is about to begin." Through the gossamer-thin white veil covering her face, one could vaguely see her gently biting her pearly teeth, her fairy-like face flushed crimson.
Pang Yu laughed heartily, giving her a handsome, unparalleled glance, grabbed his robes and sash, and headed into Fenglin Pavilion, leaving Zou Xiyun standing there, staring blankly at his retreating figure, lost in thought.
Pang Yu emerged, now dressed in the magnificent attire of the Marquis of Anle. The guests and judges were nearly all present, and upon seeing him in his newest attire, they were all momentarily stunned.
Fourth Brother was undeniably handsome; having shed his blue robes and hat for a magnificent silver-red robe, and adding a jade crown adorned with a large, lychee-like pearl, his powerful, muscular physique, like a cheetah, and the masculine aura emanating from him… truly, the men were so ashamed they wanted to bang their heads against the wall, and the women were mesmerized by his adoration.
Before Zhao Xuanhuang arrived, Fourth Brother was undoubtedly the most handsome man in the entire hall; even with Zhao Xuanhuang present, Zhao Yunbi, the second most handsome, was merely pushed aside, continuing to look up to Fourth Brother.
"Brother Pang, oh no, today I should call you Marquis Anle, hahaha, you're too polite, brother." Ouyang Xiu greeted him, cupping his hands in a salute. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Pang Yu noticed a handsome, refined young man with clear features following behind him, whose demeanor was extraordinary. He couldn't help but ask, "And this gentleman is?"
"I am Fan Xiwen, greetings... Marquis Anle."
Fan Zhongyan!
Pang Yu immediately grabbed the editor-in-chief of the "Great Song Dynasty Weekly," whom he had reserved. The three of them sat down in the seats between the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince's faction—no, at this moment, the seats in the middle belonged to the Crown Prince's faction. His fourth brother, when he made a move, occupied a large territory, and incidentally recruited two of the future great civil officials of the Great Song Dynasty as his underlings. Gao Yanei and Qian Shicai watched, feeling triumphant and exhilarated.
At this moment, a scream rang out in the distance.
It was Liu Yong who arrived, dressed in white, riding a white horse, traveling along the Immortal Bridge towards Phoenix Island. The man and horse were of the same color, exuding an indescribable elegance and grace, truly deserving of the title "White-Robed Minister." Beside him was Zhao Xuanhuang, the two walking side by side. One was exceptionally refined, the other ethereal and otherworldly, stealing at least half the fiery glances from the young women and wives around Pang Yu (well, only half). Zhao Xuanhuang was still riding that swift and powerful Purple Dragon Steed, but the spoiled little princess Zhao was nowhere to be seen.
Upon seeing Pang Yu, dressed in the robes of a marquis, both were slightly startled. Before Liu Yong could ask, Pang Yu spoke first: "Brother Liu, aren't you the gigolo of Green Jade Pavilion? Why didn't you come with Lady Nangong?" "
Miss Qin Yi arrived first and has already boarded the painted boat."
Good heavens, last time he called her "Lady Nangong," how did he suddenly become "Miss Qin Yi"?
Pang Yu's face darkened, clearly displeased.
"Come, come, Brother Sanbian, Brother Pang, everyone, please sit down. The competition is about to begin. We can talk about this another time. If you miss the excitement, you won't get another chance to see it." Zhao Xuanhuang stepped in to smooth things over, his gentle smile making it difficult for Pang Yu to remain angry. Then, this group completely "occupied" the best seats in the middle. Zhao Yunbi and his men had lost face, but they had nowhere to vent their anger... how could they? The one they were most likely to bully was Fan Zhongyan, but he was also the emperor's literary attendant, with plenty of opportunities to meet the emperor. Anyone who dared to touch him would be asking for a lawsuit.
Soon after, Bao Heizi arrived with several men from Kaifeng Prefecture. Rather than being judges, they seemed to be there to cause trouble, to pick on the Crown Prince's faction and the princes' faction. As soon as they entered, their eyes darted around, as if they had extra beds in the prison and wanted to arrest more people to fill them.
After waiting for about an hour, a huge, luxurious carriage stopped at the edge of Parrot Island. It was obvious that the cunning uncle was inside, but no one would have guessed that he would get off the carriage and, instead of heading towards the judges' table or to chat with the guests, go straight to Pang Yu.
The cunning uncle stopped beside Pang Yu as expected, lowered his voice, and coldly snorted, "Well, you've got yourself on three boats at once. Aren't you afraid of capsizing?"
"This… ah, I didn't mean to," Pang Yu quickly explained. "Father-in-law, you have to understand your son-in-law. My charm is just too strong. Even if I don't go out and seduce women, there are always girls coming to me…"
The cunning uncle, annoyed, simply retorted.
"Listen, if Qin Yi doesn't win the title of courtesan today, I'll take your head!"

Chapter 157 Courtesan Contest, Prince's Party, Royalist Party, Gift Competition

, Threats, Threats from the Road, Eighth Uncle, you're shameless! It was clearly your daughter who didn't come to me first!
Fourth Brother was furious.
"Eighth Uncle, your son-in-law..." He cleared his throat and shouted "son-in-law" loudly—damn it, threatening me? Well then I'll expose the truth and shock everyone first!
But he only managed to shout "son-in-law," before the word "son-in-law" even left his mouth, when Eighth Uncle slapped him hard on the shoulder. Good heavens, that was strong, almost knocking him to the ground. Half his body went numb, and the remaining "son-in-law" stuck in his throat, unable to come out for a moment.
"Young man, not bad! You've already made it to the rank of a one-day official. You've got a bright future, a very bright future! Grand Tutor Pang even personally went to the palace to invite you back. Hmm, hmm, I have high hopes for you!" Uncle Ba's tone changed three or four times in one sentence: first a threat, then a smile, a smile hiding a knife, and finally, that last sentence... Holy crap, why does he sound like the detective from "My Own Swordsman"?! Holy crap
, what kind of informant is Uncle Ba?!
Fourth Brother cursed twice in a row, which was unprecedented, because the transfer of the title was kept strictly secret from beginning to end. Even the heartless old man had to secretly contact the Emperor to request the decree. Even Pang Fu only found out right before he left. No one else had received a heads-up before the announcement! Why did Uncle Ba know as soon as he arrived? Uncle Ba had just arrived in his carriage and jumped off to come here; I didn't see him ask anyone!
Damn it, could it be that Uncle Ba already knew about yesterday's fight with the judges?!
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, a chill running down his spine.
"There's very little I don't know about things in the capital, so… young man, you'd better watch yourself." Uncle Ba saw right through Fourth Brother's thoughts, smiling yet seemingly lightly but actually quite heavily, he patted his shoulder twice—no, that wasn't a smile, but a threat and pressure, a warning to keep him quiet!
Uncle Ba tossed out those words and left without hesitation or lingering, as if it were just a casual remark. But Pang Yu knew that this cunning uncle, whom even his father couldn't handle, forced to resort to such underhanded tactics—sacrificing his son's innocence to vent his anger on his precious daughter—once he truly unleashed his fury, was absolutely beyond what he, now a "one-day marquis," could withstand!
Fourth Brother was helpless. Utterly helpless. And completely bewildered. Ugh! He couldn't even decide between two options. Now it was a three-way dilemma!
Who to support? Who to support? Who to support? Who should be chosen as the courtesan queen?!
The moment the Eighth Prince arrived, the Fourth Prince was immediately speechless, his head spinning. Zhao Yunbi, Zhao Shikai, and their ilk didn't dare utter a sound. The previously chaotic Phoenix Island instantly fell silent.
The Eighth Prince sat down on the judging panel. Seeing that the distinguished guests were almost all present, he announced loudly, "Where is the head of the Music Bureau? What time is it?"
Hao Se, the head of the Music Bureau, quickly stepped forward: "Your Highness, it's 8:45 AM."
"Good. Let the competition begin!"
The officials of the Music Bureau immediately ordered the signal cannons to be fired, and the much-anticipated courtesan queen competition finally began!
At this time, the mist on the lake had gradually dissipated, and the water shimmered under the sunlight. At least forty or fifty painted boats glided back and forth on the lake. The sounds of string and wind instruments rose and fell, filling the air. Jinming Pond was ablaze with music and dance, a scene of unparalleled prosperity and enchanting beauty. Hundreds of pleasure boats crisscrossed the area, carrying wealthy patrons and gossipy young men, each pointing and commenting on the beauty of the women and the quality of the various pleasure boats.
However, the true elite gentlemen and top-tier playboys remained comfortably seated on Phoenix Island. Two three-arched wooden bridges, spanning the water like rainbows, divided the island in two. The bridges stretched across the azure water, with a central section at least seven or eight zhang wide enough for three pleasure boats to pass side by side. The judges' seats and the best spectator seating were located on a viewing platform erected between the two bridges. Want a good ranking? Then pass through here as often as possible.
Although it was only the first round, the impression score for the second preliminary round and the final competition was already being determined from this moment on!
Bianliang was renowned for its prosperity, and this annual flower selection event drew the attention of wealthy young men and powerful merchants from across the city. Scholars and literati from as far away as Jingdong, Hebei, Hedong, Shaanxi, and Huainan also flocked to the Jinming Pond, displaying their refined tastes or extravagant wealth. In an instant, gifts were showered upon the brothels, piling up on the selections, especially at the Green Jade Pavilion, Seven Show Pavilion, and Fluttering Pavilion.
To complement the atmosphere of the event, the Imperial Music Bureau arranged a nearly hundred-strong band at Phoenix Island, exceeding the size of a large orchestra. This impressive ensemble, playing decadent music, surprisingly possessed a unique and enchanting charm, prompting Pang Yu to exclaim: "Talent truly is everywhere! Forget about apprenticeships or learning to play instruments; spend three years in a brothel, put in some effort, and you'll surely learn to play instruments and sing!"
As the band finished playing the tune of "Joyful Nightingale," suddenly, all the painted boats simultaneously drew their curtains, revealing a beautifully dressed young woman seated on each boat. These women were all top courtesans from various brothels and entertainment venues, and cheers erupted throughout the lake, its shores, and its heart. Here on Phoenix Isle, the Imperial Music Bureau had already arranged for beautiful maids and servants to attend to each table, serving fresh fruits, dishes, and fine wines in a continuous stream for the distinguished guests to enjoy.
The painted boats passed one by one under the arched bridge in the center of Phoenix Isle. On each boat, the girls played instruments, sang melodiously, performed dances, or showcased other talents, all vying for the favor of the judges and the guests.
At this moment, Jinming Pond was no longer just Jinming Pond; it had become a fairyland on earth, a paradise on earth. Golden pavilions and terraces stood side by side, painted boats gliding on the water, the sound of oars and the shadows of the boats creating a dreamlike and wondrous spectacle!
As the painted boats passed by, countless beauties dazzled the eye. It was as if one had arrived at the Jade Pool Heaven, where every glance revealed celestial maidens.
Fourth Brother possessed several terabytes of collectibles and had seen countless beauties, but at this moment, amidst the shimmering lake, the sounds of oars, and the fragrant scents of perfume, with numerous classical beauties moving about, the scene was a completely different kind of splendor compared to his previous experiences with beauty (cough, he hadn't seen many of those... well, you know, those ancient costume beauties'... erotic art films, had he?). He couldn't help but be captivated.
Damn it, who says the elegance of Jiangnan can't compare to that of the North? This scene is far superior to even the Qinhuai River, known as "the land of six dynasties, a gathering of gold and powder," or Yangzhou, where "on the moonlit night of the Twenty-Four Bridges, jade maidens play the flute everywhere"!
Hmph, no wonder everyone's been waiting for the competition like wolves! Fourth Brother glanced at Gao Ya Nei, Qian Shi Cai, and Chui Xue, who had rushed to the railing to look down early in the morning, drooling as they mingled among the princelings' servants (VIPs can bring one servant). His contempt was palpable.
"I present Miss Xiang Rong with fifty taels of gold!"
"I present Lady Nan Gong with a pair of East Sea luminous pearls."
"I present Miss Zou with a Hetian jade hairpin."
Here they come, here they come. The extravagance contest has begun. Giving money here is beneath one's dignity. It's asking for trouble. Don't even stand up if you don't spend at least a hundred strings of cash at once.
Pang Yu watched the show while sipping his finest pre-rain Longjing tea.
The Prince's faction, having just been outmaneuvered, was determined to retaliate, showering the arena with lavish gifts. This was a common sight at the annual competition. The guests were used to it. Unlike their gifts, the Prince's and Crown Prince's factions piled their offerings on the spot, each labeled with the name of the brothel and girl they were gifting to. The gifts were appraised, priced, and ranked on the spot!
Gradually, the gifts piled up into a small mountain—no, it should be said that the gold dust alone was as high as a small mountain. Looking around, there were coral trees as tall as a person. Countless jade artifacts of all kinds were displayed: rubies, sapphires, emeralds, cat's-eye gems, jadeite, Lantian jade, and bloodstone. There were also large, translucent pearls, like dragon's eyes, mixed among necklaces and bracelets, emitting a dazzling, alluring light.
But this was just the beginning. As the preliminary selection drew to a close, the various pleasure boats gathered around Phoenix Island. After a preliminary count, the eight young ladies qualified to compete for the top three were invited to the judges' table. The princelings and noblemen's factions continued their fierce competition, flaunting their wealth and status.
Moreover, because the ladies were present, gifts could be handed to them, and if they were jewelry, they could even be worn on the spot. The spoiled young men on both sides became increasingly ruthless, their rivalry escalating rapidly.
Zhao Zonghui presented a cat's-eye stone, slightly larger than a luminous pearl, its colors vibrant and its emerald light shimmering. It was held in Hua Xiangrong's delicate and indescribably gentle hands, reflecting the midday sun streaming in through the window. The seven colors swirled and danced, a dazzling spectacle, as if it were a celestial object.
The pair of jade bracelets inside the high cliff were also rare treasures, with a warm and smooth texture, crystal clear, and blood-like patterns that were both stunning and elegant. They were perfectly matched with Zou Xiyun's slender wrists and her delicate, fair skin, creating a natural and indescribable beauty.
At this moment, Zhao Shikai took out a pair of blood-red, translucent agate bracelets. Cheng Yi, a renowned expert in appraising antiques, was immediately moved upon seeing them and exclaimed, "What a fine pair of bracelets! This agate is also known as red jade, jadeite, or crimson jade, with red being the most authentic. There's a saying in the jewelry trade: 'Without red agate, one will be poor for life.'" He called for someone to bring one of the bracelets, held it up, and showed it to all the guests. "Gentlemen," he said, "this agate bracelet possesses a serene elegance amidst its vibrant beauty. Its texture is warm and smooth, like the oily luster of Hetian jade. It shines brilliantly from the inside out. Wearing it on a fair chest, it exudes a natural charm, truly enhancing one's beauty." His two sons were close associates of Zhao Yunbi, and naturally, they sided with the prince's faction.
"Bring up the gift that Young Master Qian gave to the Nangong family!" Sensing something was amiss, the eldest son of the Prince's faction (and, of course, the one who paid for it) waved his hand magnanimously. His attendants immediately presented a beautifully bound rosewood box, which was opened before everyone's eyes, eliciting gasps of astonishment!
Inside was a seemingly ordinary pearl necklace, but to the eye, it was far from ordinary. One hundred, a full one hundred dazzling pearls strung together, each unique in size and shape, crystal clear, lustrous, and smooth, with a delicate and rich texture—it was as if they had been carved from the same mold!
Two pearls of such perfect uniformity in shape and quality are rare enough, let alone a hundred!!!
"Oh my!" Qian Weiyan took the string of pearls, praising it endlessly. "I have been appreciating jewelry for many years, but this is the first time I have ever seen such a string of pearls of the same size. If I am not mistaken, these must be the world-famous Hepu South Sea pearls from Hepu County on the western coast of Lingnan. The four major pearl-producing areas in our country are all in the south: Hepu, the South China Sea, Dongting Lake, and Taihu Lake. South China Sea pearls are famous for their iridescence, Dongting Lake pearls are prized for their size, and Taihu Lake pearls are unique for their lack of a nucleus. Only Hepu South Sea pearls are considered to be of superior quality and silvery white. Every single pearl on this string is a top-grade Hepu South Sea pearl. Individually, they are already very valuable, and a hundred of them together are worth more than a thousand gold pieces!"
Most of the guests were also connoisseurs, and hearing his words, they were even more convinced of the preciousness of the string of pearls. Immediately, they began to praise it one after another.
Zhao Yunbi was humiliated. Qian Shicai, as expected of the beloved son of the wealthy Qian, had instantly overshadowed all the gifts presented, completely eclipsing the Prince's faction's momentum. If he, as the leader, didn't intervene, the defeat would be inevitable!
"Master Nangong, I also have a gift to present!" He stood up, his presence even more imposing than Gao Yanei and Qian Shicai. After all, he was the leader of the Prince's faction, and without the Marquis of Anle's intervention, the Crown Prince's faction couldn't suppress him.
Zhao Yunbi clapped his hands, and two burly men carefully carried an object covered by red silk to the judges' table. They carefully placed it down, and even before it was unveiled, everyone could sense a subtle radiance emanating from it.
Zhao Yunbi smiled with extreme confidence. Coupled with his handsome face and tall, upright figure, at least four of the eight young ladies wore infatuated expressions, their hearts pounding, hoping to be chosen by this promising young prince.
"A small gift, nothing more than a token of my respect, offered to Lady Nangong." Zhao Yunbi lifted the red silk
. A fleeting, dazzling light filled the hall, instantly filling it with a crimson glow.
"Blood...blood coral!?" Of the eight judges on the stage, six, excluding the Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng, stood up simultaneously, exclaiming in disbelief.
"Yes, it is indeed the unparalleled treasure of blood coral from the East Sea." Zhao Yunbi smiled confidently and said loudly, "This thing is named for its blood-red color. It is naturally formed, uniformly colored throughout, and possesses the divine power to ward
off evil. A single tree about a foot in size is already worth over a thousand gold pieces, and it is priceless!" He walked to the blood coral and pointed to the symmetrical, full, and beautifully colored branches, saying, "This one is six feet tall, priceless. There is no other like it in the world. Young Master Qian, I think even if your father is as rich as a country, he can't find such a rare masterpiece!"
"You, you, you—" Qian Shicai pointed at him with trembling hands, unable to utter any rebuttal. His family also had blood coral, three and a half feet tall. He originally wanted to use it to show off, but his father treasured it and refused to let him have it. Three and a half feet? That's real! Zhao Yunbi's is a full six feet tall. Even if he had it, it wouldn't compare!
"This...isn't this the treasure that Japan...presented as tribute last year?" Ouyang Xiu suddenly exclaimed.
"Indeed!" Zhao Yunbi swept his sleeves and said proudly, "This year at the Lantern Festival, His Majesty bestowed this item upon me, and today I present the blood coral to Lady Nangong. My sincerity is as
clear as the sun and moon!" He laughed, a laugh of unparalleled arrogance and conceit, and amidst the countless envious gazes of the audience, he turned to look at Pang Yu, his eyes conveying a clear meaning.
Marquis Anle, it's your turn.
Japan's tribute, the Emperor's gift, let's see what you can compare with!

Chapter 158: The Courtesan Contest, the Debut of Perfume, Fourth Brother's Counterattack

Japan's tribute, the Emperor's gift, what else can compare with!
All the members of the Crown Prince Party looked at Pang Yu with doubt. They hoped that this "successor" designated by their elder brother, this new boss who had just saved them from danger, could stage another wonderful reversal, and what treasure he would use to overwhelm Zhao Yunbi, turn defeat into victory, and help the Crown Prince Party completely crush their opponent!
Everyone in the room looked at Pang Yu with doubt. They wanted to know if this man, who had just created a miracle (wasn't it a miracle that his servant was made a marquis), and who had created countless miracles before (wasn't it a miracle that he was castrated and left unharmed? Wasn't it a miracle that his servant trampled on Liu Yong?), could create another miracle!
"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, is it all gone already?" Pang Yu chuckled, rubbing his eyes as he looked up. He had actually been sleeping during the most intense part of the "battle" between the two sides!
"Yes, this blood coral was a gift from me to Lady Nangong." Zhao Yunbi suppressed his anger and snorted.
"Oh, not bad." Pang Yu glanced at the blood coral, just once, then sighed, "Oh dear, six-foot-long coral is hard to find. Even a mixed-color one costs over ten strings of cash, and if you dye it red, it would cost at least twenty strings to pass it off as tribute blood coral—otherwise, Your Highness, you're just giving away the Emperor's gift so casually, especially a national gift from a vassal state. It's an insult to the dignity of the Celestial Empire! If this news gets out, I think... the officials will definitely have something to say, won't they?" Zhao Yunbi was about to explode, but Pang Yu's last sentence left him speechless. This kid is too vicious. Not only did he slander his sincerity, but he also threatened him!
"Then what is it that Marquis Anle is sending?" Zhao Shikai asked coldly from the side.
"Me? Oh, oh, oh, there's something!" Pang Yu seemed to have just remembered, reaching into his robes and pulling out a transparent glass bottle.
No, glass didn't exist in those days; this was a very precious crystal bottle.
"This? At most a crystal bottle worth a hundred strings of cash, hahahahaha----" Zhao Yunbi burst into laughter, and his lackeys immediately joined in the jeers.
Gao Ya Nei and Qian Shicai were also puzzled. What was Pang Si up to? His famous elder brother should have given him a treasure that could overwhelm Zhao Yunbi and turn the tide of battle! How could it be just a bottle!?
"Look carefully. Please. There's something in the bottle. Don't lie through your teeth. Okay?" Pang Yu shrugged. He was very unconvinced by the Prince's party's mockery.
Something? What was it?
Zhao Yunbi looked closely and found that the bottle contained a semi-transparent liquid.
"What is this? Even the finest nectar cannot compare to my blood coral!" He remained confident.
Pang Yu didn't even bother to pay him any attention. He glanced at the Eighth Prince on the platform. She smiled and said, "Xi Yun, this is for you. Here. Open it and see. Use it as I told you in the carriage before we came." She handed the bottle to a maidservant who was serving her.
Zou Xi Yun took the bottle and gently opened the cork stopper. A rich fragrance immediately wafted out of the bottle. The fragrance was strong but not cloying, alluring but not vulgar. It was intoxicating.
Following Pang Yu's instructions, she applied a tiny drop of the pale red liquid to her crystal-clear wrist. Instantly, the fragrance filled the air, even reaching Nangong Qin Yi, who was sitting across from her.
"What is this fragrance? It's so special! It's even more fragrant than flowers!" She rarely showed surprise, and the slight change in her pretty face made her even more captivating. The hearts of the guests pounded. They even held their breath.
"Sister, try it." Zou Xi Yun handed over the crystal bottle, which Nangong Qin Yi took with her slender hands. She brought it to her nose, smelled it, and took a deep breath. After a long pause, she finally exhaled, covering her mouth in disbelief, and said, "So fragrant! This scent is pure and lingering, like a distant fragrance, or a hidden fragrance, rich and fragrant, strong but not overpowering, simply irresistible." Given her status, she had used countless fine cosmetics, but she had never smelled anything like this before. The pale red liquid seemed to be specially brewed for women; the fragrance was intoxicating, even she, with her refined and otherworldly nature, couldn't bear to let go of it.
"Yes, this is the perfume I, the Marquis, have meticulously crafted over a full ninety-nine eighty-one days using my exclusive secret method, with one hundred and eighty-eight ingredients including lavender, rosemary, pine, coriander, parsley, bergamot, bitter almond, laurel, rose, mint, and olive oil, along with flowers and leaves personally selected by me." Pang Yu seemed to be adapting very well to his new role, referring to himself as "this Marquis" with great fluency.
"Perfume?" Nangong Qinyi was curious about this novel name.
"Yes, perfume. As the name suggests, it's fragrant water, and I prepared it especially for Miss Zou." Pang Yu explained, shaking his head. "Don't underestimate this small bottle; it contains a full nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine lilies, known as the 'Cloud Dress Fairy,' symbolizing that Miss Zou is as elegant and noble as the Cloud Dress Fairy."
Zou Xiyun's pink face behind the veil flushed again. Indeed, that little rascal, that little devil Pang Si, compared her to a fairy in front of so many people and even gave her a treasure that even Nangong Qinyi was amazed by.
Pang Yu was very proud, thinking, "I secretly researched this thing at home, keeping it a secret until today, not telling anyone, just so I could use it to 'instantly kill' pretty girls at the Flower Queen Competition! Hmph, women, they may not like jewelry, they may not be interested in ornaments, but for perfume, absolutely none can resist!"
He spoke in a louder voice than Zhao Yunbi, saying, "Gentlemen, there are plenty of blood corals, perhaps even lots in Japan. Anyone could get their hands on one by making a trip across the ocean. But there's only one bottle of perfume in the world. No one but me could make it. You can imagine how precious it is."
As he spoke, he reached into his robes and pulled out two crystal bottles. "Come, come, Qin Yi, Xiang Rong, you both have one. Take it. We're all family, don't be shy."
"Hey, didn't you say there was only one bottle?" Zhao Shikai shouted.
"Yes, there's only one bottle of each fragrance. Xi Yun's is orchid, a secluded orchid in a secluded valley; Xiang Rong's is rose, fiery and beautiful; plus Xi Yun's bottle of lily, and lavender (if I'm not mistaken about the origin, it's from the northern foothills of the ancient Tianshan Mountains).
"These are four bottles, but you only brought out three!"
"Oh, and one bottle was given to the Imperial Concubine." "Pang Yu shouted loudly to the entire audience in his booming voice, "The Imperial Concubine said that this is the most precious gift she has ever received. After applying it, she let the Emperor smell it when she served him at night, and even the Emperor praised it highly. The Emperor said that this perfume is a good thing, a really good thing, and he likes it very much. Even if, even if, even if it costs ten thousand taels of gold, he will get another bottle for the Imperial Concubine!"
Shameless!
Zhao Yunbi was so angry that he almost fainted.
***There's a limit to shamelessness! How could this be?!
This damned, despicable servant actually used the Emperor to pressure him! Good heavens, who knows if the Emperor actually said that? But who has the guts to ask the Emperor and Consort Pang about their intimate secrets?!
Afraid to ask? Then let him spout nonsense!
He tells everyone the Emperor "said" perfume is worth a fortune, so perfume is worth a fortune! Who dares to refute him? Who dares to investigate? And when the calculations are done, who dares to underestimate the value?!
Blood coral? Hmph, a bottle of flower petal infusion is enough to put you down!

Chapter 159: The Flower Queen Competition, the top ten belong to

perfume—truly something women can't resist.
When Pang Yu announced that he had brought three bottles, and that Nangong Qinyi and Hua Xiangrong also had some, the two women's pretty faces simultaneously lit up with a look of delight that captivated everyone.
Zhao Yunbi, on the other hand, was ashen-faced. Three bottles of perfume, thirty thousand taels of gold—this price was "ordered" by the Emperor himself! What could he possibly compete with? What could the Prince's faction possibly compete with?
Playing mind games with Fourth Brother would only lead to defeat.
Nangong Qinyi received her orchid perfume, and upon smelling it, she found it indeed elegant and refined, like the fragrance of orchids and musk, lingering and warm. She loved it so much that she almost couldn't bear to use it, even reluctant to hand it to her maid. She gracefully rose, presented half of it to Pang Yu, and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, young master. Qinyi will accept it."
On the judging panel, the cunning Eighth Prince stroked his beard, somewhat surprised as he looked at the unprecedented joy on his daughter's face. Those who haven't smelled it wouldn't know the allure of perfume; even the Eighth Prince himself didn't know. He only knew that his ethereal daughter, like a fairy, would never be captivated by worldly things, whether precious jewels, antiques, jewelry, or jade—none of them could ever move her heart. He simply couldn't believe that this little bottle of "perfume" could be more precious than all the gifts he had prepared for his daughter over the past three years. The boundless joy his daughter showed, and her unprecedented acceptance of it… there could only be one explanation:
----This was a gift from her beloved!
In the eyes of a lover, even Xi Shi (a legendary beauty) could be more beautiful; what perfume in this broken bottle could certainly surpass Blood Coral!
Hua Xiangrong took the bottle of rose perfume, opened it, and smelled it—the fragrance was delightful. The lingering fragrance was intoxicating, and the name "rose" came from the ancient Chinese dictionary, "Mei, a beautiful stone. Gui, a round and beautiful pearl," symbolizing "love, passion, and the hope of igniting passion with you." Sima Xiangru's "Zixu Fu" also mentions "its stones are red rose, jade rose, rose, and gui," referring to him as a renowned romantic and skilled womanizer. Pang Yu's act of gifting her rose perfume, following in the footsteps of his "predecessors," clearly revealed his meaning.
Thinking this, a blush crept onto her beautiful face, a hint of shyness appearing on her cheeks.
A small bottle of perfume had captivated three famous courtesans, and all the young masters and nobles who had painstakingly prepared gifts hoping to win her favor were consumed with envy, wishing Pang Yu dead! The princelings, though also resentful that Pang Yu, a mere "acting marquis," had overshadowed all the guests, including themselves, they knew he was only an "acting" and would revert to his servant status after this day. The lowly servants could never even dream of touching the three beauties present; they posed absolutely no threat to them. Why not cheer and jeer loudly?
Brothers united can move mountains. Although the Crown Prince's faction is full of wastrels, good-for-nothings, and scoundrels, this time they are more united than ever, and their fighting strength should not be underestimated.
Ouyang Xiu patted Pang Yu on the shoulder, exclaiming, "Brother Pang, you're something else! Truly something else! If I remember correctly, this is the only gift that Master Nangong has personally accepted in the four consecutive Flower Queen Contests—hey, do you still have any perfume? Get me a bottle privately, brother? The fourth-place winner on stage, Chen Shishi from Huaiyue Tower, is my lover…hey, her birthday is in a month, and I want to give her a surprise."
Wow, who knew the talented Ouyang was such a sentimental person.
Pang Yu smiled knowingly, glancing at Chen Shishi. Indeed, she was a beauty, her looks exquisite and elegant, surpassing even the most beautiful of the four fairies. When she noticed him looking at her, her pretty face flushed slightly, but instead of lowering her head, she shyly looked back at Ouyang Xiu beside him, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection. It was clear they had been intimate for a long time.
"Brother Ouyang, you have excellent eyesight and skill! Hahaha—" he laughed heartily.
Ouyang Xiu, his face still tender, tugged at Pang Yu's clothes: "Brother Pang, you...you keep your voice down."
"Oh dear, a young man who isn't a bit of a playboy is wasting his youth! Brother Ouyang, you're fortunate to have such a woman, it's an honor, why hide it?" Pang Yu was determined to drag Ouyang Xiu into the world of prostitution to hone his skills, and he shouted it out loud. From then on, Ouyang Xiu, the seemingly abstinent young man and disciple of Prime Minister Lü in the eyes of the world, became, in the gossip of the common people, a playboy who, like Liu Yong, had fallen into boundless debauchery and indulged in sensual pleasures. Since
Pang Yu had developed the perfume, he was planning to mass-produce it and launch it on the market to make a fortune. Now, with the advertising effect of the three most famous courtesans in the capital, was he afraid it wouldn't sell like hotcakes?
Their crystal-packaged deluxe flagship "First Love (Refined)" limited edition, with the Emperor's golden words declaring it worth ten thousand taels of gold per bottle, even the diluted and diluted regular version would cost at least a thousand strings of cash—not a penny less! Of course, since Brother Ouyang had spoken, he should at least get a bottle of his own. After all, he's Fourth Brother's right-hand man, confidant, brother, and best friend, so it's only right to take care of him.
Following past practice, after presenting the jewels and treasures, the scholars and gentlemen present would compose poems, lyrics, or even create calligraphy or paintings on the spot to give to the girls they liked. When the final ranking of the top twenty was determined, the value of these items would be converted into cash and included in the total amount.
Typically, calligraphy and paintings by famous figures, such as Li Dai, Guo Xi, Zhou Yue, and Wang Zhu, can fetch a hundred strings of cash per piece. Ouyang Xiu's works are likely similarly valuable; as a protégé of Lü Bu, his future was limitless, and his potential value was immense. The works of Lin Bu, a renowned recluse poet well into his fifties, and Fan Kuan, the foremost master of landscape painting, can be worth nearly a thousand strings of cash. As for Liu Yong's poems, if composed and written on the spot and given to a popular courtesan, they would be worth even more. For example, a single poem by a courtesan like Nangong Qinyi, Hua Xiangrong, or Zou Xiyun (no wonder, their most famous works are their erotic poems) would be worth at least three thousand strings of cash. This would put aside all other gifts, except for Zhao Shikai's agate and blood jade bracelet, Qian Shicai's Hepu pearl necklace, and Zhao Yunbi's six-foot-long tribute blood coral. Considering Liu Yong's superstar status among courtesans, there were undoubtedly many who hoped he would inscribe a poem rather than accept the blood coral!
But Liu Yong didn't write. The others were the same; none of the scholars present could muster any poetic or literary talent—this was originally the second major event of each year's courtesan competition. After the princes and nobles had their "battle," it was the scholars' turn to challenge the纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who indulged in extravagant lifestyles). They would strive to accumulate more gifts than the two factions had given them, proving that talent was the most valuable thing in the world!
In the past, without a truly "weighty" literary talent to preside over the competition, they always lost. This time, Liu Yong, "the most valuable writer in the world," arrived, along with the newly graduated and rising star Ouyang Xiu. All the scholars were eager to give it their all, but then Fourth Brother made a move, donating 30,000 taels of gold worth of perfume.
What's the point of competing then?! What's the point of competing at all?!
Besides, this little servant—no, wait, he's now the Marquis of Anle. Even if it's only for a day, he's still the Marquis of Anle. The Marquis of Anle's literary talent far surpasses that of these so-called "literary talents." The legendary poem from the Green Jade Pavilion has long been known throughout the capital's literary circles. Yet, to this day, no one has been able to match him. Even Liu Yong, in front of the Nangong family, nearly lost a poetry contest against him.
Everyone remained silent, afraid to speak! Because they knew that showing off their literary talents in front of Marquis Anle would only lead to humiliation. Liu Yong, watching Nangong Qinyi's unprecedented joy upon receiving the perfume, suddenly dimmed his gaze. He sat there blankly, as if lost in thought, remaining silent for a long time.
The people from the Jiaofangsi were dumbfounded, unsure what to do next.
"Since all the distinguished guests have presented their gifts, let's begin the inventory," Uncle Ba spoke, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally sweeping across Pang Yu's face. He probably originally wanted to chop off this three-timing scoundrel on the spot, but seeing his daughter's reaction to his gift, he hesitated whether to be ruthless.
The inventory of gifts, in the context of the courtesan competition, was akin to the announcement of the winners in the imperial examinations. Not only were the courtesans anxious, but the guests and the people around the lake were also very concerned.
After a count, the officials of the Jiaofangsi began to report the numbers.
"Baihua Pavilion, 7,200 strings of cash, top courtesan Yunshuang, 2,700 strings of cash."
"Mianyue Pavilion, 11,500 strings of cash, top courtesan Minmin, 5,100 strings of cash."
"Hongxiufang, 9,400 strings of cash, top courtesan Tianxiang, 4,900 strings of cash."
Just announcing the purchase amounts of each brothel took almost half an hour. Sure enough, the good brothels and the bad brothels, the popular girls and the not-so-popular girls immediately came out. The most shabby Yihong Courtyard only collected a little over 1,000 strings of cash, and the top courtesan Cuihua only received a little over 200. Meanwhile, Chen Shishi, Ouyang Xiu's lover who was currently ranked first, raked in a whopping 70,000 strings of cash, making Ouyang Xiu beam with joy and his face beam with pride.
"The price for Pianxian Pavilion is 499,000 strings of cash plus 100,000 taels of gold. This includes 300,000 strings of cash plus 100,000 taels of gold for Miss Xiangrong (the perfume is valued at 10,000 taels of gold and listed separately, not converted to strings of cash and added to the total), 44,000 strings for Miss Wenrou, 39,000 strings for Miss Qing'er, 35,000 strings for Miss Chuchu, and 30,000 strings for Miss Huaiyu!"
This announcement caused an immediate uproar, especially among the Prince's faction, who shouted the loudest. Zhao Yunbi was to become the Cowherd's Pianxian Pavilion... The Piange Pavilion not only surpassed all other brothels in total revenue, but Hua Xiangrong also became the top courtesan with nearly three times the amount of Chen Shishi's offerings. Meanwhile, the four beauties of Piange – Wenrou, Qing'er, Chuchu, and Huaiyu – all made it into the top ten. Add to that Zhao Shikai's acquisition of the top courtesan of Lan Gui Fang, Fengxian, who earned 52,000 guan, and Zhao Zonghui's acquisition of the top courtesan of Li Hong Yuan, Mo Qing, who earned
49,000 guan, and the remaining top ten courtesans were practically down to just Zou Xiyun. "Qixiu Pavilion, 350,000 guan, Miss Zou Xiyun 202,000 guan plus 10,000 taels of gold."
"Hahahaha----" Hearing that Qixiu Pavilion's "results" were 30% worse than Piange Pavilion's, and that Zou Xiyun had lost to Hua Xiangrong, they laughed even more wildly, thinking victory was assured.
Victory assured?
Hmph, Pang Yu sneered.
"Lanxiang Garden, 68,000 strings of cash, top courtesan Piaorou, 48,000 strings of cash."
"Shuiyue Tower, 67,000 strings of cash, top courtesan Yujie, 47,000 strings of cash." "Yuanyang Pavilion, 66,000 strings of cash, top courtesan Yuting, 46,000 strings of cash."
"Luoshui Lane, 65,000 strings of cash, top courtesan Zhilan, 45,000 strings of cash."
Stunned, completely stunned. This string of numbers left the Prince's faction members wide-eyed, utterly dumbfounded.
What perfectly aligned the numbers! Each was only a thousand strings of cash different from the others, just enough to knock out all four beauties. This meant that after excluding Nangong Qinyi and Chen Shishi, who didn't belong to either faction, the remaining top eight were dominated by the Crown Prince's faction, with five spots occupied and the Prince's faction pitifully only getting three.
"How is this possible!" Zhao Shikai jumped up, roaring, "How can Yujie of Shuiyue Tower, Yuting of Yuanyang Pavilion, and Zhilan of Luoshui Lane compare to Wenrou, Qing'er, Chuchu, and Huaiyu!" "
Incomparable, of course not."
Pang Yu glanced at him with a look of pity for a fool, thinking: Yes, there's no comparison. Yu Jie, Yu Ting, and Zhi Lan are clearly priced at five or six hundred strings of cash a night. These four beauties aren't people you can just sleep with if you have money. If we really compare, they're a cut above. But, humph, do you think my Zou Xiyun lost to the Flower Fairy for ten thousand strings of cash for no reason? It's because I'm a master strategist, planning ahead and saving those ten thousand strings to support Yu Jie and Yu Ting!
"Under the watchful eyes of so many judges and supervisors, does the Prince of Kuaiji want to deny it?" " Who do
you think you are, judges..." Zhao Shikai blurted out, then suddenly remembered that the Eighth Prince was sitting on the stage. Startled, he quickly swallowed his words, his handsome face turning as red as a monkey's bottom.
The prince's faction was furious and erupted in a cacophony of curses.
The guests and most of the judges dared not intervene, but the Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng frowned simultaneously. The Eighth Prince, in particular, wanted to immediately find the loudest voices and punish them severely! What good were these worthless scoundrels besides causing trouble? They had utterly disgraced the royal family!
"Enough! Shut up!" Zhao Yunbi waved his hand, stopping their commotion. He was an extremely shrewd man; he could tell at a glance that the Eighth Prince was displeased. If they continued arguing, they would truly anger the Imperial Uncle, and a single golden whip would be enough to break them up. Moreover, he knew exactly what tricks Pang Yu was playing. He coldly snorted, "Your inferior horse is compared to their superior horse; your superior horse is compared to their middle horse; your middle horse is compared to their inferior horse. Marquis Anle, you've truly mastered the art of horse racing, abandoning the fight for second place to secure a top-ten finish."
"Hahaha, Your Highness understands me perfectly!" Pang Yu laughed loudly, determined to infuriate him.
At this moment, the official in charge of counting from the Imperial Music Bureau shouted loudly,
"Green Jade Pavilion, Grand Master Nangong, total number of items collected: one hundred..."

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