The thirteenth of the twelfth lunar month was the Rong Clan's' God Worshipping Day '.
According to tradition, it was a day for the Rong Clan to worship the gods. They would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, take a bath, make rakes, worship the gods, go out to party, and hold a series of activities such as archery competitions and wrestling. At night, they would light up a huge bonfire, where the young men and women would display their talents and express their feelings to each other.
Meng Fuyao squatted in her seat and looked at the thick invitation list, muttering under her breath, "I'm having a seizure! With so many invitations, I won't be able to get all of them even if I break my legs. "
"If you miss out on any one of them," Yuan Zhaoxu said without raising his head as he sat by the side feeding Yuan Bao, "you'll have to explain yourself for despising the dignity of the noble Rong Clan people under the rule of the great Ge Ri God. If I'm not wrong, according to the Rong people's habits, they usually seek an explanation with swords or blood. "
Meng Fuyao glared at him. "Why do I feel like you're gloating?"
Yuan Zhaoxu turned to look at her with a smile. "Am I?" He stood up and stroked her cheek with his slender fingers. "I'm just very confident in our great and wise city lord, who is good at handling all kinds of crises."
Meng Fuyao tilted her head to look at him. She had a feeling that Yuan Zhaoxu was acting weird today. Was it because she was watching him bathe?
Or was it because she wasn't watching him bathe?
Based on his character, the latter was more likely.
Meng Fuyao laughed wretchedly and pushed the invitation card forward. "The previous city lord, Ashina, has already been stripped of his position by His Highness King De due to his incompetence. They're not convinced and want to make things difficult for me. There's bound to be a lot of things going on today. If one fails, there'll be another."
"I'll deal with whatever comes my way. When the enemy comes, I'll beat them all up." She stretched and stood up, her eyes shining as she shouted, "I've always been imitated, but never surpassed. Trying to make things difficult for me? Go back to your mother's womb and start all over again! "
Ever since Meng Fuyao's arrival, the seven heads of the Yao City Rong Clan, who had always been held back in all aspects, had originally planned to make things difficult for the new city lord today. All seven families had sent invitations to the city lord, asking him to 'condescend and share in the joy of the people'. All seven families had set the time at noon and prepared a sumptuous festive banquet. They had opened their main doors wide and were dressed in splendid attire. All seven families had made the occasion as grand as they could be, hoping that the whole world would know that they had invited the city lord to a banquet with great hospitality.
In this way, if the pretty boy and his family did not arrive, they would have a reason to stir up trouble. The banquet of the 'Festival of Worship' represented the gift of God. Once it was rejected, it would be the greatest contempt to God.
Since there was an archery competition during the festival, they had already applied for weapons in advance. When the time came, they would fan the flames and incite the anger of all the Rong people in the city. Even if they did not kill the pretty boy, they could help Ashina return to his position and restore the Rong people of Yao City to their previous state of dominance.
With such a plan in mind, the heads of the seven families calmly sat on the fishing platform. They had even thought of how to express their grief and indignation at having their 'dignity trampled' if Lord Meng did not show up. They even practiced in front of the mirror for half a day.
The servants of the seven families scurried around to report the news. At five o 'clock … the city lord did not show up. At seven o' clock, the doors of the county government were tightly shut. At seven o 'clock, the city lord still did not show up.
The heads of the seven families began to feel restless. Not a single one of the city lord's family went? Was he crazy?
It was better if he didn't go! Just wait and see!
When it was close to noon, the tightly closed gate of the county government suddenly opened under everyone's anxious and expectant gazes. A group of energetic young runners walked out of the gate, mounted their horses, and headed in different directions in the city.
After a quarter of an hour, the heads of the seven families received a gilded invitation from the county government at the same time.
The wording of the invitation was polite. It said that it was the first time for a young man to come to this noble place and that he did not dare to accept the grand invitation of all the old people. Therefore, it was reasonable for the younger generation to be the host. Since it was a festival, we would like to prepare some wine and delicacies at the 'Thousand Gold' Restaurant in the east of the city and respectfully invite all the heads to come.
The invitation also expressed its respect for the Great Ge Ri God. It hoped that the heads who were familiar with the miracles of the Great Ge Ri God would fulfill his desire to come to the 'Thousand Gold' Restaurant 'and give him, a devout person from outside the sect, a chance to understand the honorable Ge Ri God.
Before this invitation was delivered to the heads, the bailiffs who delivered the letter had already read it out loud in front of the main gate. Everyone on the streets could hear it. The common people all praised the new City Lord for being humble and courteous. When the people of Rong heard that the City Lord also respected Ge Ri Shen very much, they also revealed a satisfied expression. Even if the seven heads wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't be able to.
On the other hand, the city lord had turned from a guest to a host and invited Ge Ri God. If they did not go, it would be them in the wrong.
At noon, the doors of the county government opened again. A young man in plain clothes walked out with a smile. Today, he was dressed simply. His white robe was spotless, and his light purple belt had a soft luster. It complemented his high eyebrows, bright eyes, and pearl-like aptitude.
Beside him was a man in a light purple robe. He wore a loose robe with big sleeves and a mask covering half of his face. His exposed eyebrows were still bright and dazzling.
They were Meng Fuyao and Yuan Zhaoxu.
Meng Fuyao did not care about the people on the streets. As she walked, she threw a tantrum with Yuan Zhaoxu. "Hey, I'm going to drink. Why are you following me? It's not like there's no wine for you to drink in the county government."
"I'm following you precisely because you're drinking," Yuan Zhaoxu answered leisurely.
"Why are you so concerned about me?" Meng Fuyao wrinkled her nose. "It's fine. I know what I'm doing. I won't get drunk."
"I'm not afraid of you getting drunk." Yuan Zhaoxu smiled. "I'm just afraid that you won't get drunk."
"Huh?" Meng Fuyao turned to look at him in shock. Did this guy have a problem with his conscience?
Yuan Zhaoxu bent down slightly and moved closer to her ear. As he spoke, his warm breath tickled her. Meng Fuyao could not help but laugh. She remembered that they were on the streets and tried her best to hold it in.
"… You always try to take advantage of me when you're drunk. The first time, you kissed me. The second time, you slept with me. I really want to see what the third time will be like …"
"Go to hell!"
A furious roar with astonishing lung capacity suddenly burst out on the street, startling all the people who were staring at this side and causing them to jump in unison.
They saw the young man in white get on a horse like a gust of wind. The man in the light purple robe smiled faintly and followed.
The people looked at each other in dismay. After a while, realization dawned on them.
'So he's gay!'
*****
"Please, please, don't stand on ceremony, headmasters." Meng Fuyao raised her wine glass and walked between the tables. Every time she downed the wine, she would smile slyly. From time to time, she would stop at a certain table and start boasting. "… Miss Xiang 'er from Charming Doll Pavilion, how are you! Soft as cotton, soft as boneless. Does the big-headed man like it? Don't you like it? Oh, what a pity! I've always wanted to buy this girl as a gift to you … Oh, you actually like her? Why didn't you say so earlier? After I redeemed her, I had nowhere to send her, so I sent her back to her hometown … "
"What happened to that scar on your face, Tie Eared Man? Oh, your cat is wild. Oh, that's right, Tie Eared Man. Once cats are raised in the backyard, it'll be troublesome if they get jealous … It's rare for your 17th concubine to have a cat. It's not easy, not easy … "
"Bi Li Head, how's your father? How's your father? How's your father's father? How's your father's number one husband? How's your second husband? How's your third husband? … "
"Si Lei Head …"
"Mu Dang Head …"
She toasted them, her eyebrows beaming with joy and gossip flying everywhere. The faces of the seven heads turned green and their backs were drenched in sweat.
This brat, how could he even know the most secretive secrets of the various families that were most unwilling to be revealed to outsiders?
Meng Fuyao smiled. Her eyes shone craftily under the candlelight, like a cunning fox that was running as fast as lightning.
Zong Yue was a physician, but he didn't act like one. He had people by his side at all times and could report news from every country. He didn't hide it from Meng Fuyao and even told her about it sometimes. Meng Fuyao took the opportunity to ask him to find out more about the influential people in Yao City. Zong Yue was generous enough to give her an intelligence line. Meng Fuyao handed it over to Yao Xun, who was good at gathering information and frequented the streets. At first, Yao Xun didn't understand why he was even interested in the jealousy of his 17 concubines and the cheating of his great-grandmother. However, Meng Fuyao knew that the Rong Tribe's headmen valued their reputation more than their lives.
'Provoke me? I'll expose your family's fig leaf! Even the fabric of your underwear, I'll remember it! '
The headmen were sweating profusely as they tried their best to entertain the guests. Deep down, they were scheming against the new city lord. He didn't seem to have any sense of shame … It was obvious that he had seen through their intentions to make trouble for him and was about to take revenge. Although the city lord was unimaginably young, he was someone who could even make a toilet bowl of the Ge Ri God Statue. He even knew that the Bi Li family's great-grandmother had three lovers. What else would he not dare to do?
The headmen were all tensed up, waiting for Meng Fuyao's next move.
Yuan Zhaoxu was the only one who had been drinking leisurely. His light smile was reflected in the clear liquid of the wine. 'This girl has been rolling around in the world of mortals and has been stained with the aura of a ruffian. Who was the one who led her astray …'
After three rounds of wine, Meng Fuyao put down her glass and cleared her throat.
The headmen's hearts tightened. 'Here it comes!' They subconsciously put down their glasses and sat up straight.
"Big-headed Si Lei." The moment Meng Fuyao stopped smiling, a vicious and disdainful look appeared between her brows. She was no longer as slippery and flirtatious as before. Instead, she was naturally domineering and noble, causing the headmen to be speechless.
She sat steadily on the main seat and cast a sidelong glance at the person she had called out.
Big-headed Si Lei, who had been called out, had a purplish-red face and a pair of sharp eyes. He had been silent since he had entered the banquet, but when he heard Meng Fuyao's call, he slowly pressed his hand on the table and raised his head. "Hmm?"
Meng Fuyao stared at the real decision-maker among the big heads of Yao City. He must have been the mastermind behind the banquet.
"Big-headed Si Lei, are you busy?" Meng Fuyao smiled faintly. "Did you sleep well last night?"
The headmen looked at each other in dismay. They had no idea why the city lord would suddenly ask such an irrelevant question. Si Lei's expression changed immediately.
His eyes flickered, and after a while, he said carefully, "Not bad."
"Hmm." Meng Fuyao nodded. "I've heard from Lord Ashina that Chief Si Lei suffers from insomnia. It seems that he has recovered."
Si Lei was startled, but he seemed to let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your concern."
"Lord Ashina misses you a lot," Meng Fuyao said indifferently. "He's feeling much better today and will be attending the celebration later. He asked me to bring a message to Big-headed Si Lei and invite him to the city lord's mansion for a chat."
She extended her hand with a smile. "Big-headed Si Lei, hurry up. I'll be waiting for you to attend the celebration together."
Si Lei's expression changed again and again, and a pale green color appeared between his brows. After a while, he said carefully, "Since Lord Ashina will be attending the celebration later, I'd better wait until the celebration to visit Lord."
"That's not good, is it?"
"What's not good about it?" Si Lei sneered arrogantly, not hiding his contempt for Meng Fuyao. "Since I'll be able to see him later, why must I make this trip?"
"Alright." Meng Fuyao waved her hand carelessly, not minding the topic at all. She picked up her glass drunkenly and staggered over to Big-headed Bi Li. She raised her glass and smiled. "Come … everyone, let's have a toast to the glory and dignity of Ge Ri God!"
Everyone, including the sneering Si Lei, raised their glasses one after another.
Meng Fuyao raised her glass halfway. Suddenly, her wrist shook, and with a buzzing sound, the glass turned into a golden ray of light and shot out.
Si Lei had just raised his wine glass to his lips when his vision suddenly darkened. Something flashed like lightning, rapidly enlarging in his field of vision. He subconsciously wanted to dodge, but it was already too late. He suddenly heard a "pa" sound, as crisp as a piece of jade being smashed in half, and then everything in front of him suddenly turned into a brilliant blood red.
That blood-red color expanded infinitely, drilling into his brain along with the bone-piercing pain. His consciousness felt as if it had been struck by a heavy blow, suddenly scattering like a star, continuously collapsing. In that kind of splitting pain, he cried out in despair.
"Ah!"
Howls of pain reverberated throughout the silent restaurant. All the headmen froze in shock at the sudden and unexpected attack. Only Yuan Zhaoxu continued to pour himself a cup of wine, while Meng Fuyao laughed.
Her laughter was not in her eyes, but in between her brows. Her words were as sharp as a knife. "Big-headed Si Lei, is it because you can't sleep well at night because of insomnia? Is it because you discussed it too late with Rong Jun's spy? "
All the headmen looked at each other with a loud bang. Si Lei and Rong Jun had contacted each other?
Meng Fuyao had been sneering as she observed everyone's expressions. She had not actually found out which of the seven headmen had colluded with Rong Jun's spy. Thus, she had purposely tested the waters during the toast. She had even made a few harmless jokes at Ashina's expense. While everyone else was nervous about their secret being exposed, only Si Lei showed a look of anger.
Why was he angry? Was it out of respect, or was it because he knew that Ashina was dead and felt that it was a blasphemy?
Ashina's death was the biggest secret in Yao City. Apart from Meng Fuyao and a few others, only the spy who had assassinated Ashina knew about it.
Thus, Meng Fuyao singled out Si Lei and pretended that he had been summoned by the former city lord. If Si Lei really knew about Ashina's death, he would definitely suspect that the meeting at the city lord's residence was an ambush and would definitely reject it. His reaction confirmed Meng Fuyao's suspicions.
After confirming Si Lei's identity, Meng Fuyao no longer hesitated and sent him on his way with a glass of wine.
Yuan Zhaoxu smiled as he watched Meng Fuyao kill. He seemed to be thinking about something from the past, and a strange expression appeared on his face. Then, he flicked his finger and sent out a secret signal.
The secret guard who had always been lurking around him immediately received the order and went to Si Lei's residence to wait for the hare.
Si Lei's blood slowly splattered on the floor. The Rong chieftains gradually recovered from their shock. Some of them looked angry and were about to speak up when Meng Fuyao suddenly smiled and raised her glass again.
"Everyone," Meng Fuyao said without even looking at the corpse on the floor, "I have good news for everyone. A few days ago, I reported to the imperial court that the chieftains of the Yao City Rong Tribe have been diligent in their work and have made contributions to Yao City for many years. Therefore, the imperial court has specially approved a portion of the taxes paid by the Rong Tribe to be used as a 'service award' for the chieftains. From today onwards, the chieftains of the Yao City Rong Tribe can, according to the imperial court's decree, keep the taxes after they have completed their duties … Oh, Si Lei's share. I believe that everyone will give me a satisfactory answer. "
There was another uproar. This time, it was not a wave of anger, but a surge of surprise. Yao City was a small city on the border. The Rong people and the Han people farmed together, which was different from the Rong people who lived in the wilderness and hunted. Therefore, the chieftains did not get to share any spoils of war and lived ordinary lives. This so-called 'service award' was equivalent to the imperial court giving them the power to collect taxes from their own tribe! Moreover, there was still the share of the most powerful chieftain, Si Lei!
The rough and dark faces immediately lit up. In an instant, their faces were brimming with excitement and longing. Meng Fuyao, the City Lord who had first used the stick and then handed out the candy, watched calmly with a trace of mockery in her eyes.
'Only when there is profit can there be conflict. Throughout history, haven't those who have fought for supremacy all been because of profit?' Now that the seven chieftains lived in the city, there was no clear division of clansmen. Their powers intertwined with each other, and with Si Lei's share, she deliberately did not choose a replacement … 'Fight! Fight until you all lose your footing and destroy your own prestige, so that I don't have to worry! '
*****
Meng Fuyao sat high up on the plaza that was specially used for celebrations. She looked down at the crowd, feeling good about herself.
She was a little drunk again. She loved to drink and get drunk. She would drink whenever there was wine and get drunk whenever there was one.
However, she was not that drunk today, so she still remembered her identity and mission. During the celebration, there would be a competition of archery and horsemanship. She wanted to congratulate the most outstanding young man and the most beautiful lady.
The City Lord, Ashina, had already been helped out by Yao Xun to meet the crowd. He had suddenly contracted a serious illness and had been demoted, so he was in low spirits. Meng Fuyao welcomed him politely, putting on a show of the City Lord's friendship and harmony in front of the people of Yao City.
While acting, she praised in her heart that a certain Yuan was really awesome. Even a human skin mask could not be more realistic. It was a pity that the person himself was not so real.
The 'former City Lord' was not in good spirits. The six heads were busy digesting the good news and thinking about how to fight for their own benefits. No one paid attention to the person on the stage, so the matter was easily brushed off.
Meng Fuyao was in a good mood. She felt that her luck was not bad. Yuan Zhaoxu was indeed a good product that had been delivered to her doorstep for free. She squinted her eyes and looked at Yuan Zhaoxu lecherously, her buttocks shifting outwards.
Yuan Zhaoxu leaned lazily on his chair and looked at her with interest. "City Lord."
Meng Fuyao beamed at him. "Master Yuan."
"Why do I feel that you've been avoiding me lately, intentionally or otherwise?" Yuan Zhaoxu went straight to the point without looking at her expression. "Have you fallen in love with someone else?"
"Uh …" She was tongue-tied and confused about the answer. After thinking for a long time, she said, "You've guessed correctly. I've met a good man recently and want to marry him."
"Oh?" Yuan Zhaoxu's expression was emotionless. He leaned in and looked at her. His long eyelashes were like feathers, almost touching her smooth cheeks. "Who? Zhan Beiye? Zong Yue? Yun Hen? "
Meng Fuyao glared at him. Could this person not be so scary? Was there anything in this world that he didn't know? He knew the first two, but the last one was an adopted son of some aristocratic family in Taiyuan Kingdom. How did he know about it?
But that wasn't the main problem. The main problem was the question he was asking now.
"That's right …" She turned around and beamed at Yuan Zhaoxu. "All three of them are not bad. I'm still debating who to choose. Sigh, Master Yuan, what do you think?"
"They're not bad." Yuan Zhaoxu looked into her eyes without blinking. "King Lie is brave and a hero. Mr. Zong is a physician and is very suitable for a woman with a lot of problems like you. As for the boy from the Yun family, he's a little complicated, but he treats you well. In short, they're all good."
She lifted her eyes to look at him. For a moment, she couldn't tell what expression he had in his deep eyes. She opened her mouth and suddenly felt a little bitter in her throat. The bitter taste in her mouth was even more bitter than the taste of the wine.
She smiled even more radiantly and leaned in to put her hand on Yuan Zhaoxu's arm. "I can't tell that you're so considerate of me."
"If your heart isn't with me, what's the point of begging?" Yuan Zhaoxu drank his tea calmly. There was no sign of 'begging'. "If I had to cross half of Limitless Nation from Zhongzhou to Yao City only to hear a few words from you, what could I do if I didn't give up?"
She was speechless. She stared at him like a dead fish. 'Is … is he angry?'
She stood there in a daze, and Yuan Zhaoxu didn't say anything either. The silence between them gave rise to a suffocating feeling.
Yuan Zhaoxu's fingers lightly played on the armrest. Listening carefully, the rhythm sounded like a song. He raised his chin slightly and looked at the golden and red clouds floating in the sky. He thought about a song he had played many, many years ago. He had only played that song once in his life, but he didn't know if he would ever have the chance to play it again.
He smiled slightly, but his eyes gradually turned cold. His gaze had a jade-like texture, and there was a hint of coldness in his determination.
That gaze made Meng Fuyao feel a little guilty, and she turned away in embarrassment. Suddenly, she heard a cheer from below. She saw a black shadow on a horse galloping around the arena. The rider nocked his bow and arrow, and kept shooting in all kinds of rapid patterns. Straight, side, upside down, flipping over the horse's belly, jumping on the horse's head … He had so many tricks and skills that no matter how odd the angle, every arrow would hit the bull's eye, drawing cheers from the crowd.
After ten arrows were shot, the rider proudly stopped his horse and turned around. He was a burly young man with heroic features. He raised the bow in his hand and waved it at Meng Fuyao.
Meng Fuyao thought that he was saluting her and waved her hand with a big smile.
He waved it again.
Meng Fuyao waved her hand again, but this time it was a little strange. 'Sigh, isn't he too attentive? Also, why is his gaze so strange? '
The young man raised his eyebrows and snorted heavily. He raised the bow in his hand high and waved it at Meng Fuyao for the third time.
Meng Fuyao finally realized that something was wrong. 'This doesn't look like a salute …'
Beside her, Yuan Zhaoxu suddenly said lazily, "This is a challenge from the people of Rong."
Meng Fuyao glared at Yuan Zhaoxu and stood up in a bad mood. "F * ck, who dares to challenge me?!"
She strode down the stage without even looking at the arrogant young man and went straight to the center of the square. The commoners immediately became excited. This young man, Tie Cheng, was the number one godly archer in Yao City. He was known to be invincible in shooting and was highly respected by the people of Yao City. The people of Rong looked at the skinny Meng Fuyao with disdain. Such a skinny, weak, pretty boy who relied on the imperial court to become the city lord, how dare he overestimate himself and accept the challenge of their godly archers!
Thinking that the pretty boy was about to throw away his bow and admit defeat in front of their godly archer and lose face, the people of Rong got excited and squeezed forward to humiliate Meng Fuyao at the first possible moment.
Tie Cheng stared at Meng Fuyao, not bothering to hide the interest and contempt in his eyes. "Esteemed City Lord, I, Tie Cheng, have never lost since participating in the God's Worship Festival. If you can make me lose just once, my life and soul will belong to you!"
Bah, bah, who cares about your life and your soul! ' Meng Fuyao ignored him and went straight to the center of the crowd. On the stage, Yuan Zhaoxu looked down and gestured with his hand. Immediately, a few men dressed in ordinary clothes mixed into the crowd to protect her.
Meng Fuyao strode to the young man and snatched the bow from his hand without saying a word. There was still one arrow left in the quiver. She nocked it and stood on the ground, taking aim.
Immediately, some people started snickering. Tie Cheng was shooting while moving, which was a hundred times more difficult than shooting from a standing position. This weak Han city lord had already lost with just one posture.
Meng Fuyao turned a deaf ear to them. At that moment, she was depressed and inexplicably irritated. The melancholy of Yongsai seemed to have turned into a sharp arrow, blocking her heart. She laughed coldly and slowly pulled the bow, aiming at the bull's eye amidst the snickering and clamoring.
The iron-embedded arrowhead formed a straight line in front of her. The tiny bull's eye grew larger and larger. At the end of the straight line, Meng Fuyao focused her gaze and suddenly, her mind slightly scattered.
Life was like an arrow in the sky. It could pierce through the wind, the blades, the frost, and the attacks of rumors, but it could not pierce through the mountain rock of fate that lay in front of it.
How could the heavens play with people like this?
Then, shoot! Shoot away all hesitation, shoot away all the helplessness in life, and shoot away the huge rock that was blocking her heart. There were some things that she would not allow to change. There was one person that she would not allow to be weak, and that person was Meng Fuyao!
"Whoosh!"
The arrow was released!
That was an extremely ferocious arrow. When the arrow was shot, the air around it sizzled, and the hair of the nearby commoners flew straight up. A slender arrow actually swept up a fierce gust of wind!
The arrow was like the fastest stream of light, shooting towards the bullseye like a bolt of lightning that couldn't be followed by the naked eye. The bullseye that was as big as a palm had already been squeezed full by the previous ten arrows. There was no way for any more arrows to be inserted into the bullseye. Only half a pinky nail was left in the center of the bullseye, which was about the size of a baby's finger.
But Meng Fuyao's arrow had already reached that spot in an instant.
"Pow!"
The arrow had already shot into that tiny spot. Everyone's mouth was agape, but before they could let out a cry of surprise, the arrow suddenly bounced out.
Did she miss?
Tie Cheng, who had originally thought that he would be able to witness a magical archery technique, revealed a look of disappointment and disdain.
Amidst the crowd's cries of disappointment and relief, Meng Fuyao's arrow suddenly bounced out after entering the bull's eye. However, it did not fall as everyone had expected. Instead, it suddenly retreated like a bolt of lightning.
The arrow that was originally stuck in the bull's eye was immediately smashed by Meng Fuyao's arrow and fell to the ground.
"Thud thud thud thud thud …"
The arrow seemed to have a life of its own as it darted in and out of the bull's eye. Iron Cheng's arrows fell to the ground one after another, and in the blink of an eye, ten arrows disappeared from the bull's eye. Meng Fuyao's arrow bounced straight into the bull's eye!
"Cleaving the Nine Heavens" technique, the third stage, Whirlwind!
The square was deathly silent. Meng Fuyao threw her bow in the midst of the shocked silence and strode back.
Behind her, a loud shout rang out.
"Alright!"
Meng Fuyao shook her head without turning back.
"I like it!"
Meng Fuyao froze for a moment before consoling herself. To this boorish fellow, it was probably a neutral expression with no other meaning.
"I have to marry you!"
Amid the uproar, Meng Fuyao turned around fiercely and cursed with her hands on her hips. "Motherf * cker, do you have eyes? I'm a man, a man! "
"They say you're a … cut sleeve!"
'Cut sleeve?' 'Which world did this gossip come from?' 'Moreover, aren't heroes subdued in novels always willing to be loyal subordinates forever?' 'Why is this person so special?'
"I won't look for you even if my sleeve is cut!" Meng Fuyao roared. "Losers are only fit to be subordinates!"
"I won't be your subordinate!" Tie Cheng roared even louder. "I liked you the moment I saw you. You can beat me, so of course you're more worthy. A man who can't get what he wants isn't a real man!"
"I'm not a thing!" Roar!
"I want you even if you're not a thing!" Tie Cheng roared back.
"Say that after you beat me!" He continued.
"I'll beat you, but before that, you have to promise me!"
"Bah!"
"No bah!"
…
A serious archery competition ended with a verbal exchange. The confessor and the confessor were like fighting cocks, their eyes bloodshot and their claws bared. They were just short of biting each other's throats.
Meng Fuyao finally lost — she couldn't shout anymore.
Clutching her bloodshot throat, she ran back to the platform, waving her hands as she ran. "Stop him! Stop him! "
The bailiffs and guards raised their spears to stop Tie Cheng from chasing after her. Tie Cheng didn't try to force his way through. Instead, he found a seat closest to her and sat down, glaring at her.
Meng Fuyao had nowhere to vent her grievances. After thinking about it for a long time, she realized that it had something to do with Yuan Zhaoxu. She couldn't help but glare at him hatefully. Yuan Zhaoxu was still leisurely sipping his tea. He smiled and said, "Master Castellan, you have a lot of peach blossoms."
"Can't you comfort me?" Meng Fuyao snapped. "It's not like they're the peach blossoms I want."
Yuan Zhaoxu raised his eyebrows. "Actually, I think there's something he said that's pretty good."
"Oh?"
"A man who can't get what he wants isn't a real man."
Meng Fuyao immediately fell silent. She cleared her throat and sat back down, waiting for the selection of the most beautiful lady below.
The selection wasn't as uncontroversial as the archery competition. Everyone had their eyes on the flowers and were ready to vote. It wasn't until Meng Fuyao was about to doze off that someone came up to report that the most beautiful lady had been selected.
Meng Fuyao's interest was piqued. She was indeed a beautiful woman with a slender figure and a pair of rippling eyes. She had a natural charm about her as she walked, but she still had the innocence and shyness of a young girl. When the evening sun shone on her face, it was a delicate and bright pink. She was a rare beauty in the making.
The chosen lady would be the goddess of tonight's bonfire party. Outstanding men from all over the world would gather, waiting for her to hold hands and achieve the most beautiful marriage.
Meng Fuyao looked at her with a smile. She had heard that the ratio of the most outstanding archer and the most beautiful lady getting married was very high in the past. It was true that heroes were paired with beauties. Sigh, Miss Hu Sang would definitely fall for that silly Tie Cheng. With such a peerless beauty, that hot-blooded brat wouldn't be able to reject her. When the time comes, hahaha, that clingy fellow would be gone.
Meng Fuyao was so happy with her wishful thinking that she didn't notice the shy and timid look in Miss Hu Sang's eyes. She kept glancing at the stage.
*****
As night fell, bonfires were lit in the square. The dancing crimson flames reflected the glossy faces of the revelers. All kinds of wild game were being roasted on the bonfires. From time to time, large droplets of fat would drip down, making a sizzling sound.
Young girls in the most complicated flowery dresses and bare-chested boys in colorful robes danced in a circle. Their dance steps were simple but cheerful. They sang praises of God's mercy and blessings, praying for God's continued protection in the coming year.
Meng Fuyao sat by the bonfire and gently clapped her hands to the rhythm. "The songs and dances of ethnic minorities are always simple and sincere. That's why they're so moving."
Yuan Zhaoxu hugged his knees as he watched the performance. "What's an ethnic minority?"
Meng Fuyao replied with an "uh" and rolled her eyes. "It's a minority with a small population."
"Fuyao, you always say weird things." Yuan Zhaoxu turned to look at her. "It doesn't sound like the language of the Five Continents."
"I created it myself," Meng Fuyao boasted shamelessly. "I'm more intelligent and different from others."
"You've always been like this …" Yuan Zhaoxu's voice was so soft that Meng Fuyao didn't hear him. Suddenly, she became interested and said, "Do you want to learn the dance I created? It's very elegant. I think it suits your temperament …" Before she could finish, she heard cheers and saw the beautiful girl, Hu Sang, walking over with a silk handkerchief in her hand and a shy smile on her face.
Meng Fuyao stared at her. She didn't know why, but she felt that something was wrong.
Hu Sang didn't look at anyone. With a dreamy look on her face, she walked to Meng Fuyao's … side under the expectant gazes of the crowd.
She smiled shyly, bowed slightly, and threw the silk handkerchief into Yuan Zhaoxu's arms.
Cheers rang out. In an instant, even the noisy fire trembled. Hu Sang smiled shyly and blissfully as she reached out to hold Yuan Zhaoxu's hand.
Her fingers were stretched out in front of Yuan Zhaoxu, each of them sparkling like jade.
Meng Fuyao stared at those fingers. Her throat felt so dry that smoke was coming out. She gulped.
Her gaze subconsciously swept over Yuan Zhaoxu's face. His brows, which were exposed under the mask, were still calm. He didn't seem surprised or shocked, and even carried a faint smile.
In front of the bonfire, under the moonlight and starlight, the beautiful man and woman looking at each other was truly a beautiful scene. The cheers from all sides gradually quieted down. The crowd stared at the beautiful couple with a little fascination.
Meng Fuyao averted her gaze. She didn't look at Yuan Zhaoxu or the silk handkerchief. She knew that as long as Yuan Zhaoxu accepted the handkerchief and danced with her, the marriage would be settled.
'This … is pretty good, isn't it?'
Meng Fuyao sat there, feeling hot and cold at the same time. Even her fingers were trembling. In the midst of her chaotic thoughts, a bold and crazy idea suddenly emerged. She resisted the idea, but it was like a demon that kept haunting her.
'If he accepts … If he accepts …'
Beside her, Yuan Zhaoxu slowly swept over the girl's fingertips. Her fingers seemed to have been extended for a long time, yet she still maintained that position shyly but firmly. It was as if she would continue waiting as long as Yuan Zhaoxu didn't respond.
The girl revealed a slightly embarrassed expression. Her face was flushed red from the firelight, but the redness was intoxicating. She slightly lowered her eyes, which were sparkling and sparkling due to the long wait. She stared at Yuan Zhaoxu in an almost infatuated manner. This God-like man had a noble and elegant temperament. She believed that she wasn't mistaken.
Yuan Zhaoxu finally moved, but he didn't take the hand. Instead, he slowly picked up the silk handkerchief. Everyone stared at his hand nervously, guessing whether he would accept the handkerchief or throw it away.
However, a hand suddenly reached out.
Someone spoke in a clear and crisp voice.
"Ah, what a beautiful girl. My big brother will definitely like her. Don't be shy, big brother. I know what you mean. Come, accept it."
The one who spoke was naturally Meng Fuyao. She casually grabbed the handkerchief and stuffed it into Yuan Zhaoxu's arms without even looking.
The cheers were thunderous, and Miss Hu Sang's eyes immediately shone with ecstasy.
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