What an Audacious and Sly Servant! Chapter 101

Ahahaha, finally an update after like what, a month? To think I stopped updating around the same time as the author did in the past lol. I'll try to make the update back on track.

Chapter 101 – All Stars Gathering (First Half)

Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator's hard work. Don't think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)

Three days later.

The banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager at the Imperial Garden.

This could be considered as the first time the ladies for the selection appeared collectively.

Her Majesty Empress Dowager personally arranged the seating: The Emperor and Empress Dowager together at the seat of honour, the seat nearest to the Emperor's side was arranged for Zhao Shu Ran with Qian Qian next; beside the Empress Dowager's seat was the Po Ye country's female emperor Yu Qing Ruo followed by Xiang Xiang. Further away were those who we didn't have the need to remember their names.

Mei Qian Deng silently stood beside Chu Xun to serve him.

She heard the Empress Dowager said, "Aijia understands, Your Majesty priorities the national issues and hence have not much chance to interact with everyone here. So, aijia host the banquet in hope that you all can know each other and become closer. Although all of you are here for the Empress selection, your age are about the same and are of noble and virtuous generation. Surely you have lots of common things to say. All of you should cherish each other." It was obvious the deal was impossible if the goodwill existed!

Everyone saluted and agreed with Empress Dowager.

Her Majesty Empress Dowager then beamingly looked at her own son, "Xun er, everyone here are girls so they may be quite shy. In this stage, you're the master. You're also the Emperor, quickly pick a topic to heat up the atmosphere. After a while, everyone will be less tense."

Awkward was largely written on Chu Xun's beautiful face. He first looked up the scene. The girls were staring closely at him. Even if he was used being stared, currently the scheming Emperor still experienced the 'everyone as the knives, I as the fish' feeling.

Zhao Shu Ran wore a pink clothes today. The Martial Arts Alliance Leader's daughter had some appearance like the daughters from the capital's distinguished families; Qian Qian in deep green dress with unisex appearance made her looked handsome yet not losing to the other beauties; that female emperor from Po Ye country had fluttering white clothes, with otherworldly aura and extremely cold……as for Princess Xiang Xiang……

"The clothes Princess Xiang Xiang wears today is extremely cute." Chu Xun calmed himself and finally found a topic. He was very grateful of Xiang Xiang. He pointed at Xiang Xiang's head, "Especially these two little buns hairstyle."

Xiang Xiang smiled. She was about to slap the table and praised Chu Xun had good eyes but she suddenly remembered Mei gonggong's reminder to try her best to change her image. She forcefully changed that fist, her wrist turned and her finger curled to push away the hair to her left ear as she lowered her head to answer, "Many thanks for Emperor Chu's praise."

Princess Xiang Xiang who came riding on a horse from the prairie, to make her turn into an elegant lady in a whoosh, this was absolutely impossible. Furthermore, what not lacking the most in here was elegant lady. Mei Qian Deng sized up Xiang Xiang three times and gave an idea in the end, "Princess, you can——act cute!"

And the situation right now clearly proved Mei gonggong's idea was right. Right after the Emperor talked, everyone in the scene had their first conversation with her. It was not really that stormy. Ever since she came to this big imperial palace and met this narcissist Emperor for many days, it was the first time Chu Xun praised her.

"Zhen heard the northern region's ladies are the daughters of the War God and Moon Goddess, brave and battle-wise as well as proficient in singing and dancing, naturally will be different with the ladies from Jiangnan. Zhen had meet with Princess Xiang Xiang for many days and believed Princess is very cheerful and easy-going, a model of a highly capable person. Why don't you reveal your talent and skill to everyone first?" The scheming Emperor looked natural.

Again, Xiang Xiang wished to slap the table and praised Emperor Chu had finally saw her talent when her sight captured Mei gonggong standing beside Chu Xun. Being stared by the gonggong's calm yet powerful eyes, she pushed away the strand of hair on her right ear. She said with a smile, "Emperor Chu, it's not that I'm boasting to you but I learnt riding horses by three years old. Not just normal horse riding, I can sing, dance and play while on horseback, these are nothing. But this place is too small, I can't show it. Why not——I sing a song for everyone!"

Xiang Xiang proudly smoothed her dress. She stood up, cleared her throat and started singing. Actually she was not really interested in singing usually. It just that every night outside the tent she slept there would always be some men around suddenly singing love songs. After hearing them for a long time, she had memorised them in her heart.

"Princess, do you want nucai to bring over the gudi[1] now?" Mei Qian Deng's words and her martial arts similarly had a weird power. Her strength was just right to cut Xiang Xiang's song.

Xiang Xiang suddenly remembered. Mei Qian Deng when discussing with her last time had guessed there would be a talent competition. Even if Chu Xun didn't ask for it, Mei Qian Deng reminded her to find a chance to do it. Mei Qian Deng had checked Xiang Xiang's skills. The only one that could be revealed, could be performed on stage, wouldn't destroy her image was only gudi.

There was no such instrument in Chu Empire. Two days ago, Xiang Xiang told someone to specially make one. Gudi was a combination of a drum and bamboo flute but for a person to perform with it, it would test that person's mind and ability. While blowing, one had to beat the drum and danced. The flute was sharp and sonorous. This would make her looked cheerful and cute.

"Oh, right, right. I almost forgot about it. I have to trouble Mei gonggong to transport it here for me."

Mei Qian Deng under the continuous stare disappeared suddenly and reappeared in a flash. Xiang Xiang secretly gave her a thumb up. Later when this Princess returns, this gentleman will be well rewarded!

It was only a song but it was very splendid.

Even the Empress Dowager was smiling.

Chu Xun clapped his hand while glancing at Mei Qian Deng.

Seriously, although the cunning Emperor was very shocked by how hardworking Mei Qian Deng was planning for these beauties, his gonggong was really amazing. Just look at this Xiang Xiang, under a few pointers from her, she changed into someone who matched the 'looking at someone with new eyes after parting for three days'!

Mei Qian Deng silently received Chu Xun's 'tender and loving' eyes and stood much relaxed.

The Empress Dowager motioned Chang Xiao gonggong to carry a tray to Princess Xiang Xiang's table and said, "Aijia knows young ladies love accessories and asked the artisan to make a set of nine rotating tinkling pendants to gift to everyone to play. Princess Xiang Xiang, since you stand up first, you can pick one first."

Everyone was curious, stretching their necks to look at that nine rotating tinkling pendant. That pendant was indeed very special, made from different materials to form a ring shape. Around it were different flower patterns crafted. At the empty space in the middle a small round cage, inside the little round cage was a small silver bell. When wore on the body, a detailed look and one would be able to see that round cage rotating and the little silver bell inside would make clear chiming sound.

Princess Xiang Xiang picked the red coral with phoenix pattern tinkling pendant and thanked the Empress Dowager. She played with it a bit on her hands and was very pleased with it.

Further down away, a girl softly discussed, "Yi, she really knows how to choose."

The neighbouring table was cracking seeds watching the show. She leaned forward and said with a smile, "The others have yet to come forward, this little prairie princess is just throwing out a brick to get a jade thrown back[2]."

The girl glanced the talking person, "Elder sister looks unfamiliar. I don't think I have ever seen you in these few days."

That person threw away the seeds and casually wiped her skirt. Then she pulled out another seed, "Hello this little sister, I have just entered the palace today for the banquet. My name is Xie Yun." (From afar, Mei Qian Deng sent a glare. Eldest Sister-in-Law, please don't stir up trouble!)

It was just as Xie Yun the Sister-in-Law said, it was no doubt that Xiang Xiang crosswise had won over her old self but lengthwise the other ladies were calmly sitting in their places, completely disregarding the fact Xiang Xiang had taken the lead.

Seeing the time was ripe, the wealthiest man's daughter Qian Qian stood up from her seat, sending beaming smile while looking at Chu Xun.

"This commoner miss salutes Your Majesty and Empress Dowager."

"You may forego the formalities."

"This commoner miss is lacking in studies. Only my pair sword dance can be considered as good enough. I heard Your Majesty is one who practises martial arts too. Today is such a rare occurrence, this commoner miss has to ask Your Majesty to exchange some moves with this commoner miss. Hoping Your Majesty will allow it."

Qian Qian is a merchant's daughter. It was not for scheming others, it was only to get a chance of victory for herself. The Emperor picking Xiang Xiang from the start was out of everyone's expectation but Qian Qian had quickly understood the situation. Comparing in terms of ranking, Yu Qing Ruo and Xiang Xiang were princesses from other countries so they were comparably far stronger; while she and the Martial Arts Alliance Leader Zhao's daughter were both women from jianghu, there was more similarities between them. Such as their strong points were also martial arts. Qian Qian planned in her heart, if they truly exchanged martial moves, she should not be weaker than the Martial Arts Alliance Leader's daughter no matter what. She could only make the first move.

Chu Xun shot a look at Mei Qian Deng: It can't be this move is also taught by you?

Mei Qian Deng had a dumbfounded look: Your Majesty, that person wants to exchange moves with you, why are you looking at nucai for? It can't be you want nucai to go in your stead?

Chu Xun opened his mouth, "It's been said that the tip of the sword has no eye. What if it injures……" What if it injures zhen's unparalleled face? Even if it was the wealthiest family in the country, even after using all the wealth in your Qian family, sadly it was still not enough as compensation.

Who would have guess Chu Xun's words have yet to finish when a soft yet sluggish voice coincidently interjected, "Your Majesty says it right. The swords have no eyes. What to do if Young Miss Qian is injured? Why don't I change the method for Young Miss Qian?"

"Young Miss Zhao." Qian Qian looked in shock at Zhao Shu Ran sitting beside her.

Zhao Shu Ran and Zhao Mo Ran was fraternal twins but their personality was different. A few years ago when Chu Xun went to Zhao family, he had a chance meeting Zhao Shu Ran once. At that time, she performed a dance. In Chu Xun's perspective, this girl was an obedient one and disliked talking. Seeing her again today, probably because they had grew up, that figure heavily revealed her normally hidden heedlessness.

She didn't wait for Qian Qian's agreement as Zhao Shu Ran twirled around a pair of chopsticks in her hands. "Young Miss Qian is adept in dual-swords. Why don't we just compete with these chopsticks as the swords? I'll use this wine cup as the weapon. We'll just use this table as the arena. Both of us are to remain sitting without moving. If the weapon in our hands is pushed down or out of the arena, that person will be considered as lost. What do you think?"

Zhao Shu Ran this person was quite not likeable. Although all her sentences ended with a questioning tone, she never give any chance for the others to reply. To say she was disrespectful, she had an innocent and harmless face. It was a little special. Chu Xun suddenly felt this young miss and him were birds of a feather. He didn't know if it was just his imagination. He assumed the reason Zhao Shu Ran had yet to marry until now was probably "you all lowly men, how can you possibly match this immortal" while standing high up there.

Qian Qian had a stupefied look.

"Look, cup[3] is bēi zi, homophone of a lifetime[4] (yí bèi zi). Chopsticks[5] is kuài zi, homophone of having children quick[6] (kuài dé zǐ). Zhao Shu Ran wishes Your Majesty and future Empress to everlasting love and blessed with many children." Saying so, she raised up her cup and raised a toast for Chu Xun. She drank it all in one go.

"Young Miss Qian, come quick!"

Qian Qian, "……"

The crowd had never see such a new competition, naturally they waited expectantly. Qian Qian didn't make a sound, Chu Xun praised 'good' three times and called the young eunuchs to arrange a clean table and two seats in the middle. The two ladies sat facing each other. Zhao Shu Ran with her usual nonchalant look. Qian Qian only gave a calm smile at her, it didn't seem like she was upset.

Zhao Shu Ran, "Please."

Qian Qian, "Please kindly give advice."

Upon saying, the two of them moved at the same time. They competed in speed. Their moves gradually fascinated the others. For a while, only the clashing sounds of chopsticks hitting the cup could be heard in the whole garden. By right, Zhao Shu Ran was from a distinguished family in jianghu, an eminent leader's daughter. Everyone believed she could win against this wealthiest man's daughter who changed her profession. Yet they never thought, the swords in both Qian Qian's hands had changed into chopsticks yet its offensive capability was not weak. They were mutually strong, unable to see who was losing.

Chu Xun glanced at his side and noticed Mei Qian Deng was watching with deep focus. He felt like talking to her, "Xiao Mei Zi, who do you think will win?"

Mei Qian Deng's eyes didn't look away as she replied, "Probably a draw."

Fighting too many times was similar to studying. Seeing a move, one could then know which martial arts style it was. Zhao family's martial arts, Mei Qian Deng had exchanged moves regularly with Zhao Mo Ran. She was very used to it. On the other hand, Qian Qian's martial arts was accumulation of various encounters in jianghu, complicated and varied. It was hard to guess which family's martial arts she would use next.

Zhao Shu Ran probably realised she had underestimated Qian Qian's ability. She appeared to have no change on the surface but her originally slacking eyes had brightened up. The edge of her lips were twitching slightly. She was getting interested with this competition. That cup of hers seemed to have a mysterious sucking power, Qian Qian's chopsticks would be wrapped inside if she was not careful. But Qian Qian's chopsticks were as if they could bend around. They would always escape Zhao Shu Ran's attacks at unbelievable curves and counterattack. They had fought for half an incense already yet there was no sign of anyone winning.

"As zhen sees this……" Chu Xun saw the time was late now. If he let them two to continue fighting with cup and chopsticks in the imperial banquet, it was inappropriate. He directly became the middleman and according to Mei Qian Deng's words he would announce a draw for them. With this, none of them would lose face.

It was at this moment, Zhao Shu Ran made a difficult move. Seeing one of the chopsticks was about to fall into the cup, she suddenly pushed forward to make that chopstick to fly upward from Qian Qian's thumb to her little finger. Both Qian Qian's hands had a half of the chopsticks. At the right timing, she unleashed a sudden attack. Zhao Shu Ran couldn't react in time. Due to her short surprise, the fighting above the cup turned messy.

In the end, they could hear 'bada[7]' and 'kacha[8]' sounds at the same time.

One half of the chopsticks had fell onto the ground while a cup broke in the hand.

Chu Xun was dumbfounded. He secretly thought to himself that women were very scary when they turned violent. With this comparison, his Mei gonggong was actually compassionate and polite.

"As zhen sees this, the chopstick had fell and the cup had break too. This is a draw."

The two ladies saluted. Both smiled of what just past.

The Empress Dowager signalled Xiao gonggong to come over and pass the prizes. Zhao Shu Ran picked the peach wood core with auspicious cloud pattern carved on it while Qian Qian picked the pure gold with jade lines carved on it.

When Xiao gonggong returned, he saw the Empress Dowager seemed to be slightly unhappy, "Your Majesty, why do you look worried suddenly?"

The Empress Dowager was one who believed in superstition. Her phoenix shaped eyes glanced sideways at that chopsticks and broken cup, "The cup is broken, the chopstick is fallen. Aijia just feels this is not a good sign……"

Author has some words to say: I must correct my errors and make a fresh start, no more stopping the update! Fellow fathers, please love me again!

[1] An instrument.

[2] A self-deprecating idiom. Means, to attract others' interest by putting forward one's modest ideas to get the ball rolling.

[3] 杯子

[4] 一辈子

[5] 筷子

[6] 快得子

[7] Onomatopoeia. Patter sound of the cup.

[8] Onomatopoeia. Cracking sound of the chopstick.

Chapter end

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