Kiyomi Tsuki et son renard

Chapitre 52

Fu Jin's desperate struggle.

At dawn, before daybreak, the four of them changed their clothes and were ready to set off.

Minglu, Fu Jin, and Nalan rode ahead on horseback, while Li Yu rode in a carriage, escorted by two guards, and followed.

After agreeing that everything would proceed as planned, they split up and headed towards Qiong County.

Upon arriving in Qiong County, Xiri, escorted by two attendants, checked into the Binyue Inn, which had been booked in advance. Xiri rested at the inn, but we will leave that aside for now.

To put it simply, how many people are truly on the right path?

They first contacted Xi'en to confirm that all preparations for the competition were complete and that the preliminary rounds would begin that afternoon. They also explained in detail to Xi'en the strategies for coordinating with Li Yu.

Xi En was in charge of secretly directing operations, while Ming Lu was responsible for providing on-site support.

In the afternoon, the sky was a bit overcast, and the sun was obscured by the clouds, only showing a faint halo. Although the weather was a bit muggy, it was still relatively comfortable because of the heavy rain that had fallen in Qiong County the night before.

The competition venue was set up at Xilelou in the east of the city. Xilelou was originally a stage, but it had been set up as a competition venue. The stage was covered with brightly colored ribbons, which inevitably looked a bit tacky, but it was actually very suitable for today's event and for the people present. It was a perfect match.

The Joyful Pavilion had been packed with people since morning, and now it was even more difficult to move. The surrounding area was filled with noise. It wasn't just men who came, but also many women, including young ladies from wealthy families. After all, it was a contest to select the most handsome man in the world, so how could it be without women?

Inside the hall, shouts could be heard intermittently: "I'm betting 50 taels on the Little Phoenix... I'm betting 100 taels on Xitian! ... I'm betting 200 taels on Baiyu!"

Looking around, the walls of the Joyful Pavilion were covered with portraits of all kinds of contestants. The people in the portraits were all posing and looking very different. Some were delicate and handsome, some were rugged and unrestrained, some had clear and bright eyes, some were elegant and graceful, and some were gentle and refined. They were all handsome men. It was a dazzling array of beauties.

There was a table in each of the four corners, with two people at each table: one to collect the silver and the other to keep records. The records included: Little Phoenix 50 taels of silver, Xitian 100 taels of silver, and so on.

Minglu and the others had already arrived.

The three of them pretended to be just there for the fun and mingled among the crowd.

But Minglu and the others were aware of all the details.

Ming Lu put a lot of thought into this competition. Although the event was Fu Jin's idea, Fu Jin's original intention was just for fun and excitement. As for the implementation and details of the entire plan, it was all designed by Ming Lu. However, since he had a special identity, he could not show his face as the organizer, which would expose the entire plan.

Everyone present was either rich or noble; ordinary people couldn't get into the Joyful Pavilion.

These people were already itching to see so many portraits of handsome men, not to mention the thrill of high-stakes gambling; they were all as excited as wolves.

The group of people present were so engrossed in gambling that they had completely forgotten everything else. Even if their second uncle came, he would probably have to step aside.

Of all the portraits, two people are missing: Ye Piaopiao, who was the most popular contestant before the competition, and a mysterious person who was rumored to have just signed up for the competition.

Many people present were shouting that they wanted to see Ye Piaopiao's portrait. They had heard that a portrait of Ye Piaopiao had once appeared and was immediately bought for a high price of a thousand taels of silver. They also heard that Ye Piaopiao was so beautiful that she could topple kingdoms, and that her appearance surpassed that of Pan An and Song Yu. She was said to have a fairy-like figure and be a peerless beauty.

Even though there was no portrait of Ye Piaopiao at the scene, many people still risked placing heavy bets on him to win.

Minglu, Fujin, and Nalan also pretended to bet wildly, behaving like typical spoiled brats. In fact, in the eyes of many who knew them, they were indeed a group of spoiled brats. Just as Xi Ri once thought they were self-proclaimed unrestrained and dashing, but in reality, they were just decadent, arrogant, and self-centered playboys.

The competition hadn't started yet, but some exciting games began early in the afternoon.

The first step is to tossing the embroidered ball.

What is the "throwing the embroidered ball" game? It's certainly not the old-fashioned scene of a young lady choosing a husband. Instead, thirty-six contestants take turns walking onto the stage, each holding an embroidered ball, and toss it towards the audience. Whoever catches a ball gains the status of a public judge, having the right to cast a vote for their favorite man. Therefore, although it's just an opening game, it's also a crucial part. And since it's handsome men throwing the embroidered balls, it's not only entertaining but also ignites the competitive spirit of everyone in the audience. For a moment, the hall is in chaos. Some young masters and ladies even bring a group of servants to occupy advantageous positions, all vying to catch an embroidered ball so they can cast their crucial vote for the man they've bet on. Not only can they win big money, but they can also win the favor of a handsome man.

Before the ball-throwing ceremony even began, the audience was already packed with people.

Looking at the chaos below the stage, Nalan sneered, "Even the scene of Tian Xiri, the most beautiful woman in the capital, throwing her embroidered ball to choose a husband, is no more than this."

Minglu smiled calmly, his gaze still fixed on the chaotic crowd. He said, "Shouldn't women be scrambling to catch her embroidered ball?"

Nalan laughed heartily.

At that moment, Fu Jin suddenly thought of something, and his eyes lit up! He rolled up his sleeves, looking eager to try, and suddenly said, "Brother Yu threw the embroidered ball, I want to go and grab it too!" He was about to plunge into the crowd.

But Minglu stopped him, scolding, "Fu Jin, you mustn't go. You'll only cause trouble if you go."

Fu Jin said urgently, "No, you've already arranged so many people to snatch the embroidered ball, one more won't make a difference. I must get Yu's embroidered ball, I must!" After saying that, he shook off Ming Lu and, ignoring Nalan's attempts to stop him, plunged into the crowd. However, he was outnumbered and pushed out of the crowd. Surprisingly, the pampered young man was not discouraged. He cursed his grandparents and the fact that he hadn't brought his tiger-like helpers, and kept trying his best to squeeze in.

Minglu, Nalan could only worry about him from the outside.

At that moment, a gong sounded, and the contestants began to take the stage.

The first one came on stage holding an embroidered ball, coldly looking at the crowd below.

To everyone's surprise, the first person was exceptionally handsome, possessing both delicate and feminine beauty, and exuding an air of arrogance in every gesture. The audience was initially silent before dawn, then erupted in cheers, "Jade Boy, throw it to me... throw it to me... here! Here! Jade Boy!" Upon seeing the newcomer, everyone immediately recognized him as the Jade Boy from the portrait.

Yu Lang coldly looked at the crowd below the stage, and slapped the embroidered ball outwards. Unexpectedly, he had a lot of strength (like a spike in volleyball?), and the embroidered ball was thrown far away. Those who thought they had good positions below the stage did not catch the embroidered ball. The embroidered ball playfully flew over the heads of the crowd and shot outwards instead.

Just then, a disheveled man was desperately stabbing his head into the air, his hair contorted into a sharp point. A bridal ball came hurtling through the air and struck him squarely on the head, making him dizzy and causing him to fall backward to the ground. The ball rolled down his face and onto his chest. He grimaced and instinctively clutched the ball, murmuring, "The bridal ball... Yu-di's bridal ball..."

Minglu and Nalan couldn't bear to look at Fu Jin's miserable state. Turning their heads, they inadvertently saw a woman beside them pointing at the fallen Fu Jin and saying to another person, "Look, this is what they call being a fool with good fortune."

In short, Minglu and Nalan were left speechless, both amused and exasperated. They dared not offer Fu Jin a helping hand; to have a friend like this was truly shameful!

…………

Fu Jin, Fu Jin, don't blame me... for portraying you as a crazy fan of Li Yu.

I've seen more than one friend suggest I write a fictional story. If I were to change it, I'd probably have to make some major changes, at least altering the identities of princes like Sog. What do you all think? Should it be modified? If so, which dynasty would be a good model? Yuan Dynasty? Ming Dynasty? Song Dynasty? Tang Dynasty would be nice too. Please share your thoughts; I'm still undecided about whether to change it or not.

Actually, although I was thinking of the Qing Dynasty, I didn't say it aloud. But the thought of having a bald head is unbearable. It diminishes my handsomeness. I don't know what I was thinking back then. Sigh, now it's become a problem. Hehe~~~~~I wonder if there's any way to make up for it?

Yotsuba is hesitant about this matter...

Who's crazy for you?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I read all your comments, and the consensus is that bald men, on the one hand, find it harder to dress up in the past, and on the other hand, the thought that their good looks are diminished is psychologically unbearable. I can't bear it either, haha.