Chapter 68: Little Goofball’s Grand Entrance
“Just tell me already. How exactly did you persuade these students?” Chen Bai continued asking while the grand competition had yet to begin.
His heart was itching with curiosity.
Qi Zheng’s originally expressionless face twitched under Chen Bai’s relentless questioning. He had never seen someone so persistent. At this rate, Chen Bai was probably about to stretch a foot out of the carriage and kick him.
Today, Chen Bai was sitting in the carriage in Mountain Lord’s image. If people saw him acting so disgracefully, how would that look? Qi Zheng still had to protect his friend’s image and could not let Chen Zixu ruin it.
“It does not hurt to tell you.”
Chen Bai perked up his ears.
“I promised them the internet would not be cut off all night from now on.”
Chen Bai was stunned. “That’s it?”
He knew that ever since he had issued the student watches, those students could actually chat until the middle of the night without sleeping. The contents of their chats were so childish they were painful to look at. It was probably also their first time experiencing the charm of confiding in “online friends,” though these online friends were all people they knew in real life.
Youth. They really were a bit childish. It looked extremely hard to understand, but thinking about it, in modern times, when streamers went live, there were people who could watch all night without any interaction. So the students’ behavior seemed understandable after all.
Chen Bai thought for a moment, then smiled. Whether the internet was cut off or not was up to him, right? No, he had to use this to squeeze some benefits out of Qi Zheng.
Just as he was about to speak, deafening drums suddenly sounded, and horns blared through the camp.
Rows of drums were arranged on all four sides. When they were struck at the same time, the sound was extremely shocking. Together with the high, bright sound of the horns, they forcibly quieted the sea of people who had been discussing things.
After a burst of dense drumming, a sharp and piercing human voice rang out. “The Great Qian heir-selection grand competition officially begins.”
One voice followed another, spreading from near to far. Was it an echo?
No. At fixed intervals, someone was standing there. When the previous voice came, the next person repeated the words, passing them down one after another.
So although there were many spectators, there was no need to worry too much about missing important information. This could perhaps be counted as the simplest wisdom of ancient people.
Not just anyone could serve as these human speaking tubes. First, their voices had to be sharp and loud. Second, their pronunciation had to be clear and standard so people could easily hear them. Third, they had to have an extremely strong ability to repeat other people’s words.
Every trade had its own specialty. In this regard, these people were the professionals.
When the words were passed down one after another like this, it was rather magnificent. As long as the spectators did not speak and did not create a commotion, no matter how far away one was, one could still hear clearly.
Whenever noise rose, or whenever something important was announced, the drums would sound. This reminded everyone to be quiet and also reminded everyone that something important was about to happen.
For example, now, the heavenly sacrifice had begun. This was almost a necessary procedure for any major event.
The sacrificial text was transmitted into the distance, voice by voice.
It was also Chen Bai’s first time participating in such a grand ancient ceremony. To be honest, it was quite shocking. He kept wanting to peek through the curtain and see what was going on outside.
It was just that the sacrificial text was a little too long. It took ages to finish reciting.
After that came the King’s speech. It was roughly about selecting the most outstanding prince to become the crown heir for the sake of Great Qian’s land and society. That was also the purpose of this grand competition.
The wording was extremely official, but the commoners listened with great enthusiasm. In principle, establishing an heir was the King’s own matter, yet now it was being done openly, using this method to choose the most outstanding crown heir.
In a certain sense, this crown heir would be very special. Under the witness of all officials and commoners, he would become Great Qian’s crown heir in the most excellent and most satisfying manner.
In the past, they would merely be informed that so-and-so had become the crown heir. Now things were different. They had to personally witness it, as though they themselves had participated in it. How could that not make these commoners excited?
After the speech, the grand competition began.
The drums thundered again, followed by the announcing voice.
“The first round of the grand competition: martial contest. Princes, please submit the name plaques of the retainers who will fight.”
Inside the carriage, Chen Bai listened carefully. Sure enough, the appetizer would definitely begin with literary and martial contests.
These were the most common categories, perfect as opening rounds to warm things up before the important parts came later.
Although ordinary, that did not mean they were not taken seriously. Winning one round was naturally a good thing.
Qi Zheng had already sent someone to hand in his retainer’s name plaque.
The eunuch who received the plaques immediately read aloud the names of the retainers on them. The names were passed into the distance one voice after another, ensuring everyone could hear clearly.
Retainers served in different residences, and this could also be considered a good opportunity for those residences to spread their names.
They were all famous swordsmen of Great Qian. So each time a name was announced, a burst of noise was unavoidable. Great Qian’s swordsmen were famous throughout the world. Usually, where could one see so many famous swordsmen at once? Just these names alone had already stirred up the atmosphere of the grand competition.
But when the eunuch received the retainer plaque sent up by Qi Zheng’s people, he actually froze. He did not even dare continue reading the name on the plaque. Instead, he looked uncertainly toward Qi Zheng’s direction.
Only after seeing Qi Zheng nod did he put away the shock on his face, straighten himself, and continue in an unusually sharp voice, “Martial contest list: retainer of Prince Zheng’s residence, Great Qian’s Eldest Princess Lexun!”
What?
The moment the voice rang out, the entire venue was stunned.
A retainer of Prince Zheng’s residence—their Great Qian’s Eldest Princess Lexun?
Had the Eldest Princess not shut herself away for many years? How had she suddenly become a retainer of Prince Zheng’s residence? Moreover, for an eldest princess to fight in the capacity of a retainer—was that not strange?
And when a carriage behind Qi Zheng suddenly lifted its curtain and a proud, aloof woman carrying twin swords on her back stepped down, people could not help drawing in a cold breath.
The rumored Eldest Princess Lexun, harmed by scandal, shut away year after year, indecisive and hidden in gloom—yet the woman before them was full of confidence, exuding a unique beauty unlike any ordinary woman. Where was the slightest trace of those negative rumors?
Someone among the commoners cried out in surprise. “It’s her? Isn’t she a student of Cloudtop Academy? She often wanders the streets with a group of female students carrying drawing boards.”
“I know her too. During Cloudtop Academy’s loom presentation, when she wore that incomparably noble palace dress, she was truly unforgettable. So she was Great Qian’s Eldest Princess Lexun. No wonder she looked so elegant and noble. So this is what Great Qian’s eldest princess is like. Those people before were simply talking nonsense…”
“She also appeared at the lettuce presentation. At that time… she was pushing a cart and peeling lettuce for people. Who would have thought she was Great Qian’s eldest princess? So noble, yet so close to the people…”
It truly made people sigh. It was also truly hard to imagine. The first noblewoman of Great Qian had actually been so close to them. That sudden realization was honestly hard to describe.
At this moment, those old rumors seemed to drift far away. In the hearts of these commoners, the eldest princess they saw was the goddess-like figure who had descended like a celestial maiden at the loom presentation, and also the female student at the lettuce presentation who had quietly peeled lettuce for people and silently contributed to Great Qian.
Seeing was believing. How could past rumors compare to a living, breathing person who appeared on the streets every day and lived among them?
The corners of Lexun’s lips lifted coldly. In the past, had she truly not cared about those rumors?
She actually did not know either. But at least now, she indeed no longer kept other people’s comments in her heart. Those were merely the past. She was herself, living firmly and steadily.
Chen Bai also looked at Lexun through the carriage curtain.
These female students were very quiet in the academy. If one did not pay attention, one might even overlook them.
They liked this quietness and enjoyed it. Life in the academy had given them unimaginable brilliance, and they were especially satisfied. As female students standing on the edge of public scrutiny, they did not want to cause trouble, so they quietly enjoyed this peace.
To be honest, these female students were much more reassuring than Chen Bai’s group of little fools.
But they also knew clearly that this peace was too easily broken. For example, once a new emperor ascended the throne, would he still tolerate something that went against convention in the eyes of the world, like female students entering an academy? The possibility was far too great. They might even be used as a breakthrough point to attack Prince Zheng.
They treasured their current academy life more than anyone. So they dared not gamble. That was why they had all come today. At least if Prince Zheng won and became the crown heir, they could continue to maintain their current lives and remain in the academy they loved. Prince Zheng was the academy’s teaching assistant. He usually distributed teaching tools to them. They had all seen how he treated them. At the very least, they could be sure that Prince Zheng did not reject them staying in the academy.
Chen Bai watched as Lexun walked straight onto the platform. Even facing such a grand scene, she was neither startled nor delighted. It seemed she had truly returned to a normal state of mind.
The past had passed. Chen Bai also hoped his students could live a little more easily and not have to carry so many painful things.
Even the King seated above could not help asking, “Lexun, what are you doing?”
Lexun raised her head and did not avoid him in the slightest. “Today, I fight as a retainer of Prince Zheng’s residence.”
After speaking, she glanced at the other retainers. “Everyone, there is no need to take my status into consideration. Victory and defeat will each depend on skill.”
“…”
Simple words, yet they already made clear where she stood.
The status of a legitimate eldest princess was not something ordinary princesses could compare to. Her taking a side carried considerable weight.
Nearby, a princess who was close to another prince could not help interjecting, “As a princess of Great Qian, isn’t this somewhat improper? Aren’t you afraid of disgracing the face of the Great Qian imperial family?”
Lexun looked over. “I am Great Qian’s eldest princess. My words and actions are the example for Great Qian’s imperial women. You only need to follow my example. If there is truly anything improper, the King and the Empress Dowager will discipline me. It is not your place to gossip here.”
After saying that, she lifted her head. “Great Qian’s princesses can not only step onto this arena, so what if we step onto the battlefield? Sharpening weapons and training horses, protecting the family and defending the country—every son of Great Qian bears this responsibility. Why should Great Qian’s princesses be exceptions?”
Her voice was firm and resonant. What a woman who yielded nothing to men.
This Great Qian eldest princess seemed different from other women, yet every sentence made people’s blood boil and filled them with sincere admiration.
Yes, admiration. How many men could be this free, heroic, and brave?
No one knew who shouted, “Great Qian’s princesses should be just like this! Though born a daughter, she can still defend the country for Great Qian. Such loyalty and courage truly make her a model for imperial women.”
The corner of Qi Zheng’s mouth twitched upward as he glanced at Chen Bai’s carriage.
In the high seat, Empress Dowager Zhaosheng was also looking at Lexun. She could not help recalling when these women had wanted to enter the academy but could not, and had come to ask her to speak for them. She had also sent someone to ask Mountain Lord why he allowed women to enter the academy.
Mountain Lord’s answer had been that the academy would cultivate a second Zhaosheng, even a third and fourth Zhaosheng, turning women into a force that could not be ignored, a force that could defend Great Qian’s borders.
Now, looking at Lexun before her, was this not exactly like her younger self?
Cloudtop Academy was indeed a miraculous place.
The King opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing. He only said, “Begin.”
As for the impact of Lexun’s stance, that would depend on whether Qi Zheng could really win the grand competition.
Only then did the official presiding over the contest loudly announce, “The contest begins.”
The rule of the contest was a chaotic free-for-all. Regardless of the reason, the last person standing on the platform would be the winner of this round. The process did not matter.
It might not seem fair, but since this condition applied to all participants, it was also fair.
Lexun, who had just been righteous and loyal, drew the twin swords on her back and pointed at several people. “You, you, and you. Let’s ally first, knock the others off, and then compete fairly among ourselves.”
She was not stupid. Fighting so many famous swordsmen alone would put her at far too much of a disadvantage.
The others could not help exchanging glances. No one had expected Prince Zheng’s retainer to be Eldest Princess Lexun. Although Princess Lexun had said there was no need to consider her status and that everyone could rely on their own skill…
If you really dared to injure the eldest princess, try and see what happened. This world was just like that. Equality for all? Impossible.
The few of them exchanged looks. This was fine too. Rather than each fighting alone, they might as well first work together to deal with the others.
They could fight fairly afterward. In the end, this martial contest would still rely on skill, not status.
The fight on the field looked chaotic, yet it also seemed to have a certain pattern.
Chen Bai watched with great interest. He rarely came into contact with famous swordsmen, and deep down, he still felt a certain yearning for ancient swordsmen.
In fact, it was not just him. The commoners were watching with great excitement too. Famous swordsmen from all over the land had gathered in one place to fight. This was not something one could see whenever one wished.
As discussions rose and time dragged on, the fight on the field grew more and more intense.
It was also Chen Bai’s first time seeing how spectacular a battle with cold weapons could be. He muttered, “It’s like watching a movie, just far more brutal and cold.”
Every saber and sword striking toward a person’s body was real. The blood flowing was no prop used in a performance.
Blades and swords had no eyes. The danger was extreme. If Chen Bai had started out watching for fun, now his heart was already in his throat.
Like an ordinary spectator, he nervously asked Qi Zheng beside the carriage from time to time, “Who’s going to win?”
Qi Zheng did not even know how many times he had answered. “Unless something unexpected happens, no one can beat Lexun. Empress Dowager Zhaosheng’s Eight-Direction Sword Form is not something ordinary people can withstand. Lexun is the only one who has truly grasped the essence of the Eight-Direction Sword Form.”
During all those years when Lexun shut herself behind closed doors, she practiced the sword every day and ignored worldly affairs. In a way, that had also been her fortune. In this chaotic secular world, how many people could calm their hearts, pay no attention to the outside world, and focus only on the sword in their hands?
She had a famous master, she had talent, and she could also quiet her mind and go into seclusion. It could be said that Lexun possessed all the conditions needed to become a famous sword. As for the other swordsmen, since they had entered various residences as retainers, they must have had concerns weighing on their hearts.
The Eight-Direction Sword Form was broad and powerful.
The field had almost become Lexun’s stage alone. The twin swords in her hands surged like rushing rivers, making Chen Bai nearly want to change careers and become a swordsman.
“So this is the Eight-Direction Sword Form that Empress Dowager Zhaosheng once used to dominate the world. Truly impressive.”
“I’d say in this world, apart from Sword Saint Cao Qiu, there is probably no one who can match our Empress Dowager Zhaosheng’s Eight-Direction Sword Form.”
The commoners were also discussing it animatedly.
Qi Zheng said, “It’s settled. The first point is ours.”
The contest on the field did not change in the slightest because of the heated discussions below. Chen Bai’s palms were sweating from tension.
Fortunately, Lexun took a sword wound to the shoulder as the price and swept the last opponent off the platform.
The drums thundered like lightning.
“First round of the imperial grand competition: Eldest Princess Lexun wins. Prince Zheng gains one point.”
The sound was passed into the distance, one voice after another.
Chen Bai looked at the sky. Before he knew it, an hour had actually passed.
When Lexun came down, Qi Zheng stood up and said, “Many thanks.”
If Lexun had not been willing to fight this round, the retainers in his residence probably would not have been able to win. After all, in a swordsmen’s contest, real skill was tested. There was no faking it.
Lexun only nodded lightly. “No need. I simply want to continue staying in the academy. I don’t want any other changes to arise.”
That was all. It was that simple. If she had not been willing, no one could have forced her.
To her, the academy was a paradise beyond the mortal world. She liked that carefree life. She liked the students rubbing their little hands and asking her for food. She liked holding a cat and basking in the sun… She liked too many things there. So this was not for anyone else. It was for herself.
Chen Bai reached a hand out from the carriage and handed over some ointment. “This is ointment specially for external wounds. Go bandage it.”
Before they even had time to celebrate their victory in the first match, the host on the field had already continued, “Second round of the imperial grand competition: literary contest. Princes, please submit the name plaques of the participating retainers.”
One round followed another, with almost no time for rest.
When Qi Zheng had someone hand in the retainer’s name plaque, the eunuch who read the names could not help freezing again.
“Second round, literary contest: retainer of Prince Zheng’s residence, the world’s finest confidant, Meng Huanchao.”
As soon as the voice rang out, the crowd was just as surprised as when Eldest Princess Lexun had participated in the martial contest as a retainer.
Meng Huanchao had once been the first retainer of Crown Prince Jiao’s residence. Everyone knew that Crown Prince Jiao and Prince Zheng were like fire and water.
Although the retainers in Crown Prince Jiao’s residence had mostly scattered now, each finding their own way, and although Meng Huanchao was called the world’s finest confidant and was kind to everyone, did Prince Zheng truly have no misgivings at all?
And on such an important occasion, he was actually letting Meng Huanchao fight on his behalf.
They had originally thought that apart from Mountain Lord, Prince Zheng’s residence had no one presentable. Yet once these people appeared, they were unexpectedly shocking.
Some could not help looking toward the remaining carriages. Could there also be some extraordinary figures inside?
Above, the King also frowned. His Plum Guard, Mei Che—why was he participating in this contest as Qi Zheng’s retainer?
Right. Since falling ill, how long had it been since he summoned Mei Che? Could it be that because he had not given Mei Che any new instructions…
Inside the carriage, Chen Bai’s eyes curved with laughter. Who asked Meng Huanchao to have a personality that could not refuse others? If he did not drag him in as free labor, who else would he drag in?
Actually, although Chen Bai knew Meng Huanchao had some ability in literature, he truly was not especially clear on exactly how much ability he had.
But there was no way around it. He had asked all the retainers in Qi Zheng’s residence, and none of them had any chance of winning. So he simply placed his hopes on Meng Huanchao. In any case, he was a famous scholar known throughout the world.
Not to mention, Chen Bai had really bet correctly. The man was, after all, the direct disciple of a saint.
When Meng Huanchao passed by Chen Bai’s carriage, Chen Bai even said, “You are only allowed to win, not lose. When you come back, I’ll have Chen Zixu give you an exotic beast too.”
Meng Huanchao clearly paused for a moment, then cupped his hands. “Since my lord has a wish, I dare not refuse.”
Chen Bai: “…”
All that refined classical phrasing. Not bad, not bad.
Compared to the martial contest, the literary contest was much quieter, even somewhat dull, but that did not affect everyone’s anticipation at all.
The examiner gave a topic. To prevent cheating in advance, there were many topics, and one was ultimately drawn by lot.
It was roughly a prompt for the contestants to compose an elegant essay.
Chen Bai thought to himself that even if he had gone up, he would not have been fully confident that he could search up an article capable of overwhelming the whole field. Fortunately, there was Meng Huanchao.
Time passed bit by bit. Chen Bai stretched his neck out anxiously.
Qi Zheng beside him, however, looked rather relaxed. “No matter how long you stretch your neck, you still won’t be able to see.”
This Chen Zixu was sometimes terrifyingly clever, and sometimes childish to a ridiculous degree.
Chen Bai replied, “I’m nervous, okay?”
“Being nervous won’t change the result.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Fine. Your mentality is good.
Fortunately, amid the waiting, the exam time finally ended.
When the papers were handed in, there were quite a few civil officials grading them. This was to ensure fairness.
In truth, under so many watching eyes, it would not be easy to announce a result that did not match reality.
Chen Bai actually could not be certain of the result, which was why he was so nervous.
At this moment, an inner attendant walked out and raised his voice. “Second round of the imperial grand competition: Meng Huanchao wins. Prince Zheng gains one point.”
Only then did Chen Bai let out a breath. His face immediately bloomed with joy. “Meng Huanchao is really impressive. Just what kind of dazzling essay did he write to beat so many famous scholars?”
Time was tight, so the essay would definitely be made public later, but the third round was about to begin immediately. There was no time to read it now.
Above, the King looked at Meng Huanchao with a frown.
Meng Huanchao seemed to sense the gaze and bowed toward the upper seat, neither humble nor arrogant.
If the King had told him not to win, he would not have won. But the King had not said so, had he?
The King’s gaze did not linger long, because the third round had begun.
When Meng Huanchao passed Chen Bai’s carriage, Chen Bai said, “Thank you for your hard work.”
Meng Huanchao smiled. “It was not hard. In fact, I won without spending much effort.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Fine, you may show off. Who asked you to win? In truth, Meng Huanchao was not really boasting. Given Great Qian’s current state of literary education, he truly had not expended much effort.
“Third round of the imperial grand competition: hunting. Each residence shall send one retainer into the imperial hunting grounds. Within the allotted time, the one who hunts the most prey wins.”
Chen Bai froze. Yesterday, someone had ordered a large number of live rabbits from them, and at the time, he had found it strange that someone would order so many at once. Now, it seemed he more or less knew where they had gone.
So far, the contest categories were still fairly conventional, but the later rounds would definitely grow increasingly difficult.
However, the people standing out from the various residences were all divine archers with arms as thick as stone pillars.
On Qi Zheng’s side, the style suddenly changed.
A tiny radish-head, only as tall as someone else’s waist, stepped forward, forming a sharp contrast. Although he stood very straight and carried himself like an adult, his small stature made the difference far too obvious. He stretched out his little face, smiling so hard he could not stop, and even lifted his head to look at the divine archers beside him, putting on an expression as if he were just as tall and mighty as they were.
This was the retainer Prince Zheng’s residence was sending into the competition this time?
Even if they had no presentable divine archer, they did not need to… did not need to…
“This… this…” The inner attendant responsible for loudly reading the retainer plaques was stunned for a moment.
By this point, the grand competition was clearly starting to feel different.
