The two days before the official start of the Flower - Pinning Festival passed by quickly as they ate and strolled around.
Chu Qing looked at her increasingly clumsy body and felt a bit moody. Fortunately, the snacks in Beijin City were quite sumptuous. Since her stomach was content, she managed to hold back her temper.
So, on the day before the festival, she began to reflect.
When she calmed down, Chu Qing thought this wasn't like her at all. The feeling of being unable to control her emotions was truly awful. She remembered... in her previous life, she had never been like this.
Could it be... because she had a new body?
Or perhaps... because she was spoiled by Wei Ying?
Yes! It must be because of Wei Ying!
Thinking of this, Chu Qing pursed her lips and buried her head in Wei Ying's arms.
Wei Ying, who was in a deep sleep, seemed to feel the softness in his arms. In a daze, he adjusted his posture to make Chu Qing more comfortable.
Chu Qing unconsciously curved her lips and closed her eyes.
...
The next day, since the Flower - Pinning Festival would start at the third hour of the day, Chu Qing got up early. She simply tidied herself up and ate a little to fill her stomach.
When the time came, Chu Qing excitedly dragged Wei Ying to the venue of the festival.
At first, Chu Qing thought she had come quite early. But when she saw the bustling crowd, she frowned impatiently and rubbed the space between her eyebrows.
With people coming and going, she couldn't squeeze to the front. Not only was her pregnant belly a hindrance, but it would also be unfair to those who had gotten up early to secure their spots.
Seeing this, Wei Ying smiled and led her into a nearby teahouse. Then he took her directly to the second floor and sat down at a window seat.
"Did you reserve this seat in advance?" Chu Qing asked in surprise.
After all, at this time, such a seat would surely come at a high price.
Wei Ying smiled and nodded in agreement.
Chu Qing's heart fluttered. She wished she could cling to Wei Ying.
This stinky boy Wei Ying was just too good!
She didn't think she had done many good deeds in her previous life. Why was she blessed with Wei Ying in this life?
She knew that Wei Ying's actions could make countless young girls fall head - over - heels for him!
Seeing Chu Qing's excited face, Wei Ying smiled faintly. Then he secretly put his hand behind his back and gave a thumbs - up to Wei Er.
Yes, Wei Ying's actions were completely due to Wei Er's reminder.
Lü Luo, who was also standing behind, naturally saw their actions. To avoid ruining the relationship between the prince and the princess, Lü Luo silently shifted her gaze elsewhere, pretending not to see.
Of course, Chu Qing didn't notice Wei Ying's little gesture. She was now leaning on the window railing, looking out.
From this seat, she could clearly see the stage of the Flower - Pinning Festival! And with her excellent hearing, she could also hear the voices from afar.
However, since the festival hadn't started yet, the surrounding voices were noisy. But there was no sign of annoyance on Chu Qing's face. Instead, she enjoyed this time close to the common people's lives.
Wei Ying ordered a pot of chrysanthemum tea to reduce internal heat for Chu Qing, and then a whole table full of snacks and pastries.
Just as Chu Qing was enjoying her food, she heard the noise outside suddenly quiet down. It should be starting, right?
So... Chu Qing picked up a plate of red - date glutinous rice cakes and stood by the window.
She was going to watch while eating.
...
On the other side, on the stage of the Flower - Pinning Festival, a middle - aged man in a blue robe first bowed to the crowd below. Then, with dignity, he loudly announced:
"Esteemed heroes and talented scholars, welcome to this Flower - Pinning Festival. As usual, I'll briefly explain the rules. In this festival, there are no restrictions on the form of competition. As long as you think it can be presented on a grand occasion, you can step onto the stage to compete with the current stage - master. The one who can defend the stage until the end will be the champion of this Flower - Pinning Festival. Then he will compete with last year's champion. I won't say any more nonsense. The Flower - Pinning Festival officially begins. I wonder who would like to be the first stage - master?"
After the man finished speaking, the crowd, who had been chatting animatedly just now, suddenly fell silent. Then they started to size each other up.
After all, the person standing beside them might be the one who would knock them off the stage.
Chu Qing squinted her eyes and guessed with Wei Ying who might be the first to step onto the stage.
Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long. An unremarkable man leaped onto the stage.
After he bowed his hands, he remained silent.
Judging from his actions, his martial arts skills must be decent. But it was unknown about other aspects...
The crowd fell silent again, carefully considering whether they should step onto the stage. After all, the one who dared to be the first to step onto the stage must have some skills. Without knowing anything yet, it was indeed necessary to think carefully about whether they were capable of competing.
Just as some people were hesitating, someone boldly climbed onto the stage...
Yes, they just climbed up.
The first challenger was a somewhat thin - looking scholar. He bowed to the other man and said, "I'd like to compete with you in chess skills."
The first man on the stage visibly stiffened. But since he couldn't refuse, he reluctantly agreed with a gloomy face.
The people below also looked a bit dejected. After all, the first competition was about chess, and those who didn't understand chess found it boring.
Finally, as expected, the unremarkable man lost. The thin scholar bowed and smiled shyly.
Seeing this, Chu Qing turned to Wei Ying and asked, "Does the loser still have the right to step onto the stage again?"
"No," Wei Ying replied. "If they still had the right, it would easily lead to trouble. Two people might keep challenging each other with their strengths out of unwillingness. This would not only cause grudges but also waste a lot of time."
Chu Qing nodded and continued to watch.
After the unremarkable man stepped off the stage with a gloomy face, a burly man immediately jumped onto the stage. His voice thundered: "Pretty boy, I want to compete with you in martial arts. Do you dare?"
Chu Qing: "???"
Wasn't this burly man being a bit of a bully?
Not only did he call the other person a pretty boy, but he also wanted to compete in martial arts?
This scholar looked so gentle and weak, as if the burly man could knock him down with one punch. And he still asked if the scholar dared?
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Chu Qing frowned.
Wei Ying stroked her head and gently said, "Qingqing, just watch patiently."
Chu Qing pursed her lips and continued to look at the stage.
The thin scholar slightly frowned, seemingly annoyed by the man's way of addressing him.
Then...
He casually rolled up his sleeves...
And then, he took a step forward and said in a deep voice:
"Let's start, brother with well - developed limbs."