During the zither competition, everyone was feeling nervous because they had praised Bai Di's zither - playing skills before. And since they knew Bai Zheng couldn't play the zither, no one dared to show off their own skills in this regard.
Only Feng Linyuan played a very simple tune casually and easily took the first place.
During the chess competition, the young master of the Duke of Chen's Mansion, who was well - known for his chess skills, was defeated by Feng Linyuan in just half an incense - burning time. What really shocked everyone was that after withdrawing from the game, Feng Linyuan led Bai Zheng over and showed off that the black pieces he had played on the chessboard formed the Chinese character "Zheng" (Zheng is Bai Zheng's name).
Afterwards, the young master of the Chen family sighed that this Marquis of Dingyuan was so unpredictable during the game that he couldn't figure out his moves at all. It was only after he lost that he realized that the other party wasn't really playing chess with him but just focusing on forming the character "Zheng".
That's all.
During the archery competition, Feng Jingyi shot three arrows in a row, all hitting the bull's - eye, which caused a burst of cheers from the crowd. When Feng Linyuan picked up an arrow and was about to shoot, a pebble suddenly flew out of nowhere and grazed his arm. The arrow flew into the sky directly.
Everyone thought that this time Feng Jingyi would surely take the first place.
Unexpectedly, the arrow that flew into the sky grazed a passing sparrow. The timid sparrow was so scared that it fainted and fell down. Its fat body knocked off the arrow that Feng Jingyi had shot and even knocked down the target. And the sparrow landed right in the center of the target.
By this time, Feng Jingye's face had turned green, then purple, and then red. It could be said to be a riot of colors.
He knew all too well about Feng Linyuan's glorious past of hitting a target a hundred paces away. So this time he deliberately sent someone to sabotage Feng Linyuan's archery in order to ensure that Feng Jingyi could win the championship. Who would have thought that a bird would pop up at this critical moment!
"I wonder which master is giving me a hand here. I was still worried that my archery skills had declined since I haven't practiced for a long time. Unexpectedly, I still won." Feng Linyuan picked up the pebble on the ground and said with a half - smile.
Feng Jingye looked at Feng Linyuan, who was "gratefully" thanking someone with a smug look on his face, and was so angry that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
Bai Zheng lowered her head and suddenly began to tremble all over.
Lady Lin asked worriedly, "Zheng'er, what's wrong with you?"
Bai Zheng raised her head. After holding back for a long time, she stammered out a few words, "I... I'm fine... Hahaha... This Marquis of Dingyuan... is really a genius..."
Feng Jingxuan's face turned ashen. He stared at Feng Linyuan for a while and said, "I didn't expect that after hiding for six years, the Marquis of Dingyuan is still as outstanding as before. It's our underestimation of you, Your Highness the Crown Prince and I."
Feng Linyuan smiled gently and said, "Your Highness the Third Prince is overpraising me. But I am really satisfied with today's results."
Feng Jingxuan snorted coldly, "Marquis of Gaochang, isn't there still a horsemanship competition? Hurry up and start it. I'd like to see if the Marquis of Dingyuan can win every event!"
Hearing this, the Marquis of Gaochang replied, "All the young masters have been competing for so long. They must be tired. Let's finish this competition earlier. For the horsemanship event, all the young masters need to move to my marquis's mansion's drill ground..."
Before he could finish his words, a servant rushed forward and whispered something in the Marquis of Gaochang's ear. The Marquis of Gaochang frowned tightly. After lowering his eyes and thinking for a moment, he walked up to Feng Jingye.
Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what had happened.
Seeing this scene, Bai Zheng felt a strange feeling welling up in her heart. She subconsciously glanced at Feng Linyuan and saw that he was idly swirling the cup in his hand.
Although she didn't know what had happened, Bai Zheng had a hunch that this matter was related to Feng Linyuan.
Since Feng Linyuan had arrived today, he had been confined to the competition site and hadn't left for a single step. No guard had come to report the whereabouts of the bone - penetrating herb to him.
That is to say, the bone - penetrating herb might not have been found yet.
Now there was only one competition left. If they couldn't find a chance to escape, all their efforts today would be in vain.
"Minister Bai, Lady Bai, Miss Bai."
While Bai Zheng was deep in thought, the Marquis of Gaochang walked up to them.
Bai Yinan bowed and said, "Your Lordship."
The Marquis of Gaochang nodded and said with a troubled look on his face, "Minister Bai, I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Your Lordship, please feel free to speak."
The Marquis of Gaochang glanced at Bai Zheng and said, "According to the previous discussion with Minister Bai, there is only one horsemanship competition left today. It was originally planned that all the young masters would move to my marquis's mansion's drill ground to compete on horseback. But just now my servant reported that the horses in the stable..."
At this point, the Marquis of Gaochang showed a look of embarrassment on his face. "It's also my poor management. The horses in the drill ground ate the wrong thing and have been having diarrhea non - stop. As a result, the competition can't be carried out as planned."
Hearing this, Bai Zheng suddenly curled her lips into a smile.
Bai Yinan and Lady Lin looked worried. "This... If the competition can't be carried out, what should we do next?"
The Marquis of Gaochang sighed and turned to look at Bai Zheng. "Today is Miss Bai's marriage - selection event, which is related to Miss Bai's whole life. Now that such a thing has happened, it's my responsibility. Miss Bai, no matter what you think, I will definitely make up for it with all my strength."
Bai Zheng pretended to be in a difficult situation and lowered her head. She kept wringing the handkerchief in her hands and didn't look up for a long time. The Marquis of Gaochang waited quietly without urging her.
Just when she was about to wring the handkerchief to pieces, Bai Zheng finally raised her head and gave the Marquis of Gaochang a charming smile. "Your Lordship, I have an idea."
The Marquis of Gaochang quickly nodded and said, "Please tell me, Miss Bai."
But Bai Zheng first glanced at Bai Yinan. Seeing him nod, she then said out her idea.
But as soon as Bai Zheng finished speaking, Bai Yinan scolded her softly, "Zheng'er, don't be rude."
The Marquis of Gaochang also looked embarrassed. "This may be..."
Bai Zheng bit her lip uneasily and looked at the Marquis of Gaochang with a wronged look. "It's my thoughtlessness. I was only thinking about how to conduct the test to find my ideal husband, but I forgot that this is in your marquis's mansion. Then let's just call it off today. Let these young masters come to our Bai Mansion another time..."
The Marquis of Gaochang's face changed. How could today's event be called off? Feng Linche had told him that he must settle Bai Zheng's marriage as soon as possible!
Moreover, Bai Zheng's meaning was very clear. She was determined to do it this way. If he didn't agree, the event would be moved to the Bai Mansion.
But since Feng Linche had assigned the marriage - selection event to him, failing to complete it would be a dereliction of duty. If it was really moved to the Bai Mansion as Bai Zheng said, wouldn't it prove that he, the Marquis of Gaochang, was incompetent in handling things?
Moreover, when he reported the horses' diarrhea to Feng Jingye just now, that man's face had already looked very bad.
He didn't know what was wrong with these people. They all seemed to value Bai Zheng so much.
I'm afraid that if he didn't agree today, he would be severely criticized by them later.
Thinking of this, the Marquis of Gaochang quickly made a decision. "Since I said just now that I would make up for it with all my strength, I will surely keep my promise. Miss Bai, please wait a moment. I'll give the order to make preparations right away."
"Thank you, Your Lordship."
The Marquis of Gaochang walked back to Feng Jingye's side. After reporting to him, he turned around and announced to the crowd, "Gentlemen, due to a problem with the horses, the originally scheduled horsemanship competition has to be cancelled. After discussing with His Highnesses and Miss Bai San, we have now decided to change the horsemanship competition to a competition of searching for the pearl."
Searching for the pearl?
Everyone looked at the Marquis of Gaochang, obviously not understanding what kind of competition this was.