Jing Wan smilingly looked to the Grand Elder Princess, “Grand Elder Princess, let’s continue the game, else that side will get impatient.” Jing Wan raised her chin towards the male guest side.
Towards these words of hers, the Grand Elder Princess was similarly deeply moved. This girl really was impressive, making one love even more. If she were to marry into the imperial family……..never mind, it’s best to not think about these meaningless things.
Because of those ten rewards, there was somewhat of a difference from when the female guest side played previously. That is, the person that gets picked, their name plaque won’t be put back. Otherwise, it would be like Jing Wan previously, having such ‘good luck’, one person occupying several chances. It would be fine if they didn’t take away a prize, but if one person were to obtain several, then the others would definitely feel unsettled inside, and give birth to resentment.
Speaking of which, up until now, it can be said that Jing Wan stood in the limelight alone, so naturally her words and actions were paid close attention to by the crowd. These words of hers, how was it just the madams and young ladies that were influenced; the influence towards the male guests was even greater.
Those that originally were always getting bullied, feeling inferior and timid, all couldn’t help but straighten their chest. And those that originally were arrogant and conceited also couldn’t help but restrain themselves a little. Also those elderly officials, quite a few all carried a bit of contemplation, recalling the distant past.
Li Hong Yuan softly laughed out loud. Then, his laughter got increasingly louder, making each and every one all feel their blood run cold. Even the servant girl that came carrying another wooden plaque was trembling as she withdrew her head, not daring to make a sound.
Once he had laughed enough, he lifted his head and looked to the crowd, still carrying a smile on his lips, “Say, twenty years later, would this prince be gone without even one’s bones left, or still like this right now?”
At least half of the people all believed it was the former. In their eyes, Le Cheng Emperor can’t live for another twenty years, and regardless which of the other princes ascend the throne, the first to be killed off would be Li Hong Yuan. However, people such as Qin Tian Ming all mocked in their hearts, in twenty years, this one that will have become the Emperor will no longer have anyone that can restrain him anymore, and will most likely be even more insolent than now. Of course, by that time, he will no longer be young, and moreover, as the Emperor, one more or less need to have some misgivings, so perhaps he might even restrain himself some.
What will Li Hong Yuan be like twenty years later? Others might not know, but he himself was very aware. However, that was his past life. He who was in his early forties had a body that was long ruined. If not for wanting to wait for his only son to grow up a little more, he perhaps might not have even been able to endure to that point. This lifetime around, he naturally won’t let the same thing play out again. In twenty years, other things, he was uncertain of, but there was one thing he was sure of, that is having Wan Wan in his arms, teasing her however he wanted!
Li Hong Yuan beckoned the little servant girl holding the wooden plaque, “Bring it here.”
The little servant girl tremblingly went forward, having the wooden plaque handed over.
Li Hong Yuan swept a glance and effortlessly passed it to Li Hong Ming, “Better not embarrass yourself too much.”
Li Hong Ming took the wooden plaque. On it was indeed his own name. “Really did get picked, hope my luck is good.” He was a prince, so naturally he didn’t need that prize, but if he was to get penalized, he’ll lose enormous face. Of course, it would also be pretty good if he can get that prize to give to the people below him. For that imperial aunt of theirs to be able to decide on the prize without even asking their old man’s opinion, having the person directly sent before Le Cheng Emperor, this was something no one else was able to do.
This time, quite a few people all stood up first to greet him. On the female guest side, there weren’t many that was able to receive a bow from Rui Qinwang.
Towards Li Hong Ming, the Grand Elder Princess naturally was amicable. Her elder brother’s children, she tried to treat them all in the same manner as much as possible. “You better work hard, if you embarrass yourself, it won’t just be a problem of face.”
Li Hong Ming bitterly laughed, “Imperial aunt, this isn’t something this nephew has a say in, how about sparing this nephew this time?”
The Grand Elder Princess immediately ‘changed face’, “In the future, do you want others to call you the cowardly qinwang?”
Li Hong Ming’s complexion went pale, clenching his teeth as he drew an embroidered pouch for the challenge, not giving to the servant girl either as he opened it himself. It wasn’t considered satisfying, but he still somewhat relaxed. Although it wasn’t something he was very good at, he could still complete it.
Composing a piece of poetry for the scenery before him, no set format, so it can be either simple or complicated.
One incense stick worth of time was given to think it over, though Li Hong Ming didn’t spend that much time.
As expected, it wasn’t considered brilliant. The Grand Elder Princess dully muttered, “Say, is this considered passing or not?”
“Pass?” Someone weakly opened their mouth, and then more and more people echoed in agreement.
“Fine, forcibly consider it passing then.” The Grand Elder Princess waved her hand. This level of poetry naturally didn’t get rewarded. Letting him pass was mostly because of not wanting him to lose face. Who was the first person that spoke up, there was actually no need to think too much.
Li Hong Ming ‘sincerely’ smiled, and left very elegantly.
After returning, the others all didn’t say anything. Just, he suffered from Li Hong Yuan’s poisonous mouth again.
Li Hong Ming didn’t even dare to retort a single word. Once in his youth, more or less for the same matter, he’d once straightened his neck and said: ‘If you have the ability, why don’t you try composing one?’
‘You want to compare with me, this ignorant and incompetent one?’ Li Hong Yuan has always been this ‘magnanimous’.
“If sixth brother you get picked, third brother will wish for your success in advance.”
“Actually, this prince further want to have a try at all the penalties.”
To be shameless to this level, he naturally was unrivaled.
Even those stubborn old men could only just sigh at Li Hong Yuan’s words.
After Rui Qinwang’s ‘depressing departure’, the next few people, some got punished, while some passed, but there weren’t anyone that stood out. The most entertaining was probably one of the ones that got punished drawing the ‘belly dance’. Don’t know how? Doesn’t matter. The Grand Elder Princess directly called for a dancer from the manor to teach him on the spot. That appearance directly overturned the entire crowd in laughter. Speaking of which, this was also some junwang family’s young master. Towards the end, he just went all out, and deliberately messed around. Even the most dignified noble madams on normal days all fell over laughing.
“If it goes on like this, merely ten embroidered pouches, all won’t be able to be given away.”
Have to say, if they were to let them display what they were good at, then it would actually be very easy to have these ten embroidered pouches given away. But, using the lot drawing method, no matter how capable one was, if one draws something that one was the most inept at, it would still be game over. That’s why, one still has to depend on luck.
Jing Wan however didn’t think this, “Luck is also part of one’s strength.”
“Luck is also part of one’s strength?” The Grand Elder Princess contemplated over these words, “These words are well said. Luo girl, this time, you draw a name then.”
“Alright.” Jing Wan nodded, not shrinking away.
After Jing Wan drew a name, her expression was a little peculiar. Sun Yi Jia leaned over, her complexion similarly changing. Seeing them like this, the people beside them all stretched their necks over, “Oh my, it’s Jin Qinwang.” This voice was very exaggerated.
There were also a few others that voiced their ‘surprise’ one after the other.
The Grand Elder Princess immediately blanked, following which she began laughing instead. “What were we saying just now, ‘luck is also part of one’s strength’, just look at this luck of yours.” Her voice clearly carrying three part teasing.
Jing Wan stared at the three characters on the wooden plaque for a while and slowly placed it down. “To be able to draw out Jin Qinwang, doesn’t it precisely mean that this subject’s strength is abnormally strong?”
Earlier when the words ‘Jin Qinwang’ were shouted out, the other side had already vaguely heard it. Li Hong Yuan was very self-aware, using this time to slowly walk over. His hearing ability was already beyond normal, so even though Jing Wan’s voice was small, her words still clearly entered his ears. Clapping his hands, he approached. “These words, this prince likes to hear.” His left hand grabbed a performance category and directly threw it to Jing Wan, while his right hand picked up an embroidered pouch with the penalty inside, “Since you drew this prince’s name, then will just have you perform for this prince.”
That’s why, encountering this one, one’s luck did defy the heavens, but it wasn’t good luck, but rather bad luck.
And he won’t cause trouble after the matter either, instead he’ll immediately look for trouble.
Some of these challenges were specifically prepared for men. Although quite a few overlapped with with the ones for women, but what if she were to draw one that she couldn’t complete?
Quite a few people were taking pleasure in the misfortune. They all saw Li Hong Yuan picking a penalty pouch already. Of course, if it was something like crossdressing, it didn’t matter, but the other ones might really make him suffer. Aiyaa, she’d previously came up with quite a few ideas herself, what was this called, picking up a rock and smashing one’s own foot?
Can one reject Li Hong Yuan’s request? Of course not. Jing Wan pulled open the embroidered pouch………
“If you can perform and perform well, the prize will go to you; if you can’t perform, this prince will bear the punishment. Also, if you were to get rewarded, you can also decide whether or not this prince needs to receive the punishment. After all, according to the rules, one that don’t perform should be punished.” Li Hong Yuan nonchalantly tossed around the penalty pouch in hand.
Everyone all looked to one another in surprise. Today’s Jin Qinwang was this nice? Did he eat the wrong medicine?
“Just based on those words of yours earlier, this prince will let you become ‘abnormally strong’ for once, how about it?”
This was all because of a few words that pleased this living Enma, putting the living Enma in a good mood, thus he wanted to be a ‘gentleman’ for once?
Actually, this was essentially being narcissistic to no end!
T/N: I really want to draw fanart for this novel but I haven’t touched my drawing tablet in so long ??? gonna end up drawing a bunch of dorito faces.
