The Marquis of Gaochang cast a glance at Bai Zheng. Understanding his meaning, Bai Zheng rose gracefully and walked to the center. She bowed to everyone and said, "Greetings, gentlemen. I, Bai Zheng, am truly honored today to witness your remarkable skills. You gentlemen are all blessed with both literary and military talents, which is a great fortune for our Great Zhou."
Hearing this, everyone smiled. Zhou Chao even said straightforwardly, "You're too kind, Miss Bai."
A smile played on Bai Zheng's lips as her eyes sparkled. "However, a true soulmate is more precious than a hero. I'm just an ordinary young lady in the boudoir. For my ideal husband, I don't require him to be fully versed in both literature and martial arts. All I need is someone who can understand a girl's heart."
"Miss Bai, are you testing to see who among us understands you best?" Zhou Chao frowned and asked.
Bai Zheng just smiled but didn't answer. Instead, she took a pearl pendant from her hairpin. Pinching the pearl with her slender fingers, she showed it to everyone before saying, "Young Master Zhou is right. I'll hide the three pearls that were in my hair today in various corners of the Marquis of Gaochang's Mansion. The first gentleman to find one of them will be the winner."
Song Yiqing was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Then Miss Bai, just wait. I, Song, will search every inch of the place if I have to and find all three pearls you've hidden!"
As soon as he said this, the previously quiet crowd began to shout eagerly, "Don't mention three. We can find thirty if there are!"
Song Yiqing waved his fan, and the smile on his face as he looked at Bai Zheng grew even broader.
Don't be fooled by his carefree and smiling appearance today. In fact, he was more anxious than anyone else. Just when he was worried about how to slip out, the opportunity presented itself.
This girl is really too smart!
Bai Zheng exchanged a smile with Feng Linyuan, then bowed again and said, "Gentlemen, you're joking. Three pearls are more than enough. Please wait a moment while I go and hide the pearls."
After Bai Zheng finished speaking, a maid stepped forward and led her away.
Not long after, she returned to her seat.
After Bai Zheng was seated, the Marquis of Gaochang said in a loud voice, "Miss Bai has hidden the three pearls in various corners of my mansion. The first gentleman to find one of them will be the champion. But let me make it clear in advance. You gentlemen can search everywhere in the Marquis of Gaochang's Mansion, except for the back courtyard. You're not allowed to set foot there."
The back courtyard was where their bedrooms were located, especially Zheng Yan's boudoir. It was understandable that outsiders were not allowed in.
Everyone nodded and got ready with eager anticipation. Some impatient ones even stood up, just waiting for the Marquis of Gaochang's order to dash out.
The Marquis of Gaochang didn't delay any longer. With Feng Jingye's permission, he gave the order, "Gentlemen, go!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Bai Zheng only felt a blur in front of her eyes. In an instant, the garden that had been full of people was empty.
Feng Linyuan put down his teacup, smiled faintly, and got up to walk outside.
Seeing Feng Linyuan get up, the Fifth Prince, Feng Jingyi, quickly stood up too. He stepped forward quickly and said, "Marquis of Dingyuan, could you wait for me?"
Feng Linyuan looked back at him and stretched out his hand. "Your Highness the Fifth Prince, please."
"Please." Feng Jingyi caught up with him, and the two of them walked out of the garden side by side.
Watching their departing figures, the Third Prince, Feng Jingxuan, sneered. "The Fifth Brother is really smart. He knows to follow that Feng Linyuan."
Feng Jingye glanced at him and said indifferently, "Compared to those ordinary people sitting below, the Fifth Brother is always a bit smarter. Otherwise, how could he be worthy of Miss Bai?"
Feng Jingxuan's face stiffened. "It's a pity that no matter how smart the Fifth Brother is, he has never won the first place so far. It's really a waste of Father's teachings."
"Third Brother, how do you know that the Fifth Brother won't win this time?"
"Regarding the matter of finding the pearls, I think Young Master Qin from the Prefectural Magistrate's Mansion is the most skilled. I'm afraid Second Brother will be disappointed this time."
As the people on the scene exchanged barbed words, Bai Zheng leisurely munched on an apple. With Feng Linyuan taking action himself, the matter of the Sarcandra Glabra was surely a success.
She didn't know why, but she just had full confidence in this Marquis of Dingyuan who seemed weak and sickly. All the competitions today seemed that this guy had won unexpectedly and luckily, but she always felt that as long as Feng Linyuan wanted to, he could win in any way.
Thinking of this, Bai Zheng smiled slightly and continued to lower her head to bite the apple.
"Uncle, Aunt." At this time, there were not many people left in the garden. This not very loud voice that could be clearly heard by everyone made Bai Zheng raise her eyebrows.
It was actually Su Muxiao, holding a cup of tea, who came in front of her.
Su Muxiao had an apologetic smile on her face. "Zheng'er, just now your cousin was too impulsive and said something inappropriate. Now that I think about it, I really regret it. So I've come here specially to offer you this cup of tea to apologize."
Bai Zheng squinted her eyes. What was wrong with Su Muxiao? How could she apologize to her?
This girl who usually couldn't wait to tear her apart and always felt that she hadn't scolded her enough actually had a conscience and realized that she had been "rude"?
Su Muxiao lowered her head, and a blush crept onto her face. "It was my fault before. Please forgive me, Zheng'er."
Bai Zheng looked at her with a smile but didn't say a word.
"Zheng'er, are you still not willing to forgive your cousin?"
Seeing that Bai Zheng remained unmoved, Su Muxiao asked carefully.
At this time, everyone looked in Bai Zheng's direction following the sound. Zheng Yan said loudly, "Miss Bai is really vindictive. Miss Su has already been so humble, yet she still refuses to forgive her own cousin."
"Zheng'er." Hearing Zheng Yan's words, Lin Shi, who was always kind - hearted, nudged Bai Zheng's arm. "Forgive Xiao'er quickly."
Bai Zheng hooked her lips into a smile and then said, "Cousin, what are you saying? We're all sisters. Blood is thicker than water. How could I bear a grudge? If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten long ago."
Hearing this, Su Muxiao smiled happily. She quickly handed over the tea in her hand and said, "If you forgive your cousin, Zheng'er, then drink this cup of tea that your cousin brewed herself to show that our sisterly bond is as good as ever."
Bai Zheng looked at the tea in Su Muxiao's hand. In the clear, slightly green water, there were a few slightly curled tea leaves floating. The steam was rising, giving it a dreamy feeling.
Bai Zheng smiled slightly and subtly pushed the teacup away. "Cousin, you just need to know my feelings. There's no need for such formalities between us sisters."
"If you don't drink, Zheng'er, it means you still haven't forgiven your cousin! Your cousin will feel uneasy..."
I'll feel uneasy if I drink it!
Bai Zheng thought to herself, but her expression remained unchanged. She just smiled and said, "An elder sister is like a mother. There's no reason for an elder sister to offer tea to a younger sister. I know that you care about me, cousin."
"Sister Xiao has brought the tea here. Zheng'er, you should take at least a sip. Don't let her carry this full cup of tea all the way so carefully without spilling a single drop." Bai Di also said.
"Yes, Zheng'er..." Su Muxiao looked at Bai Zheng pitifully and pushed the teacup in front of her again.
A flash of light passed through Bai Zheng's eyes. She reached out her hand and gently blocked it.
With a "clang", the teacup in Su Muxiao's hand lost its balance. The whole cup of tea fell to the ground, splashing both Bai Zheng and Su Muxiao.