âItâs princess who let me do it!â
At this time, Yong er1 knelt.
âPrincess said to not let people participate in the tournament, so she let this slave use Croton powder! Itâs princess who let this slave do it!â
âYong er!â
Wanyan Bao Zhu never expected that Yong er would betray her so quickly.
âYong er, bengong2 doesnât treat you badly, so why do you frame bengong? If bengong let you do it, why would bengong have to bear with such pain?!â
Because she ate the breakfast this morning, Wanyan Bao Zhu also got diarrhea. Now, her face was terribly pale.
âServants, detain princess and the palace maid. Ji Xiang, let someone specially look after them. After the tournament is finished, benwang3 will re-trial this matter!â
Feng Cang didnât want to bother with this matter right now. Instead, he let Ji Xiang detain Wanyan Bao Zhu and Yong er separately. Now, he was most concerned about the health of the contestants. The tournament was imminent. The knockout competition would begin tomorrow. It would be very troublesome if the contestants couldnât participate.
âWangye4, Iâm afraid they canât participate in the tournament anymore!â
Jin Mo shook his head. He prescribed a medicine and let people go get the ingredients.
âThe drug is too heavy. Tomorrow, they wonât have any strength and thereâs no way they can participate in the tournament.â
This time, itâs big trouble. From all the contestants, only Wanyan Kang was fine. What should they do?!
At Meixiang yuan5, Feng Cang stood among the red plum flowers. With a lowered head, he thought about the knockout competition.
Feng Cang intended to take a few of his people along to participate in the knockout competition. Although this might expose a part of his power, but this was the only way out. If it was a normal tournament, then he wouldnât have minded the outcome of the competition. However, this was related to his future happiness. Let it all be exposed! After all, he had tolerated for so long. Itâs time to expose!
At this moment, Murong Qi Qi stepped onto the snow and moved towards Feng Cang. Out of habit, she nestled in his arms.
âWangye, let me participate in the tournament!â
âQing Qing?â
Feng Cang was somewhat surprised at Murong Qi Qiâs request. But aside from the surprise, he somewhat understood Murong Qi Qiâs idea.
âQing Qing, the tournament of the four countries is not a usual game. Hand this matter over to me. Donât worry, I will certainly get the first place of the tournament for you!â
âWangye!â
Murong Qi Qi held Feng Cangâs hand and looked at him seriously.
âWangye, I sincerely want to participate in the tournament of the four countries! Itâs not for getting glory for the country. This has nothing to do with honor. I just want to personally win my happiness!â
It took only a moment, before Su Mei and Su Yue knew that Murong Qi Qi wanted to participate in the tournament. Seeing that their miss wanted to participate, these two also wanted to participate, but they were stopped by Murong Qi Qi.
âWell, quietly wait for the results. Could it be that you doubt my ability?â
âMiss, subordinates donât dare. Itâs just that it has always been where miss goes, thatâs where weâll follow. This time, the tournament of the four countries is no joke. Subordinates are willing to follow at missâs side. Even if itâs one more person, one more face without having to do anything is also alright!â
Usually, Su Yue was calm and collected. What she usually said at key moments, would make people feel itâs right. However, Murong Qi Qi had already made her decision and would not tolerate Su Mei and Su Yueâs pleas.
âI already told wangye, if I win, he must give me the Wind Chase Cliff as a dowry. Wangye agreed!â
âMiss......â
Su Mei suddenly realized that this was the case, that Miss wanted to participate in the tournament for the Wind Chase Cliff.
âItâs fine, you donât need to worry. Nothing will happen to me!â
âNo!â
Although Murong Qi Qi said it like that and her ability was also not ordinary, but this time, Su Yue gritted her teeth and adhered to her thought.
âMiss, Su Mei has quick reaction. If you want to go, you must take Su Mei with you. This subordinate will stay outside as backup. If miss doesnât take Su Mei with you, then Su Yue doesnât agree! Presumably, the brothers of Moyu will also disagree!â
Having Su Yueâs words, Su Mei also insisted. In the end, Murong Qi Qi had no choice but to nod and take Su Mei with her.
Although Feng Cang agreed on Murong Qi Qi participating, but he was also very worried. Only Murong Qi Qi and Wanyan Kang were not enough. After thinking about it, he also let Ruyi go.
A day before the knockout competition, the contestants of Bei Zhou were finally set....... Murong Qi Qi, Su Mei, Wanyan Kang and Ruyi. This team was formed at the last moment. Really donât know what would happen.
âCousin brother, I know. Must certainly protect imperial sister-in-lawâs safety; donât let her lose even a strand of hair! I already know! Youâve said it a hundred of times already!â
The next day, on the way to the tournament, when Feng Cang was about to open his mouth, Wanyan Kang immediately expressed all that Feng Cang wished to say.
âMy good cousin brother, sheâs your wangfei6, but Iâm your little cousin brother, ah! Why donât you care a bit more about me, this little cousin brother, ah?!â
âYour life is lucky!â
One sentence from Feng Cang blocked Wanyan Kang deadly.
âRuyi, did you see?! He hasnât even married her yet and heâs already pampering her like this. In the future, if cousin-in-law enters the fu7, then wouldnât she be the biggest in wangfu8?â
Wanyan Kang put on a helpless expression. He shrugged his shoulders. His voice was exaggerated. His expression was even more exaggerated.
âWhat, is fifth highness feeling uncomfortable?â
Inside the carriage, Murong Qi Qi heard Wanyan Kangâs voice. She opened the curtain, revealing a lively small face.
âWangye, fifth highness is not young anymore and needs to get married. Itâs time to find someone to control him!â
The moment Murong Qi Qi said that, Feng Cang immediately pretended to ponder over it.
âQing Qing is right. When we go back, Iâll go look for uncle......â
âDonât, donât! I was wrong! I was wrong, alright?!â
Wanyan Kang immediately put on a bitter look.
âCousin-in-law, just now, itâs this little brotherâs head which went into water and became confused! This little brother was wrong! This time, this little brother will closely follow behind cousin-in-law and protect cousin-in-lawâs safety without taking a single step away! As for the marriage, letâs dismiss it. I havenât played enough yet!â
Since the time he had been scammed by Murong Qi Qi in the palace, Wanyan Kang knew that this cousin-in-law was someone who could con people without blinking an eye. In any case, if she whispers in Feng Cangâs ears and let him go ask Wanyan Lie to get a princess consort for him, then his free life would be gone! He didnât want to marry so early. He didnât want any women!
âPuchi......â
Hearing Wanyan Kang say that coupled with his current expression, Su Mei laughed out loud, attracting Wanyan Kangâs gaze.
Wanyan Kang also had seen Su Mei before. However, sheâs Murong Qi Qiâs maid. So, Wanyan Kang didnât carefully take note of her. Now looking at her, he discovered that this little girl was very lively and cute.
âWhat are you laughing at?â
Wanyan Kang let the horse go to Su Meiâs side.
âCould it be what I said was not right?!â
âHumph!â
Su Mei humphed lightly. She raised her chin.
âOur familyâs miss naturally has me to protect her. Fifth highness, if you donât meddle too much and provoke trouble, then we can thank the gods! How can we expect you to help?!â
The pride in Su Meiâs eyes made Wanyan Kang surprised for a moment. This girl was interesting. Obviously, sheâs a maid, but sheâs so bold and dared to speak to him like that. Sheâs more fun than those people from the palace.
âYou, this little girl, how come youâre so eloquent?! Could it be that if the master is like this, the slave is also like this?â
âOf course, my familyâs miss is the best. Although, Iâm not even a tenth of miss, but compared to fifth highness, Iâm more than enough.â
Su Mei wasnât modest. Every word she said, was a praise of Murong Qi Qi, making Wanyan Kang even more curious. Before, Murong Qi Qi beating Guli already made him very shocked. Now, whenever Su Mei mentioned Murong Qi Qi, sheâs so proud. What more did this pair of master and servant not shown yet?
Although in his heart, he was thinking that, but his mouth was saying otherwise: âTsk! Donât talk big! In the end, who is more powerful, weâll see at the knockout competition!
âCompete, then compete! Who is afraid of who?!â
Wanyan Kangâs provocation directly stimulated Su Meiâs desire to win.
âWhen a certain someone loses, donât come crying with snot in your nose! Otherwise, the dignified fifth prince will lose face till your grandmotherâs home!â
âYou!â
Wanyan Kang pointed at Su Mei. He âyou-edâ for a long time without saying any following words.
Heâs a prince. Who, when seeing him, was not respectful and licked his butt? This only happened when he encountered Murong Qi Qi and her servant. He can accept the master bullying him. After all, next to Murong Qi Qi, thereâs the big mountain Feng Cang. He couldnât afford to offend that mountain. However, why was Murong Qi Qiâs people also âbullyingâ him like this? Moreover, why was it, whenever he was bullied, he was still very happy? Could it be that he had the tendency to like being abused?
Seeing Wanyan Kang was no longer talking, Su Mei smiled proudly. Because of the cold weather, that pretty face was rosy. It looked more attractive. Coupled with that pair of shiny eyes, it made Wanyan Kang lose his soul.
âWhat are you looking at? Have you never seen a beauty?!â
Su Mei glared at him after seeing Wanyan Kang stare at her, making her look more beautiful.
âIâve seen beauties, but Iâve never seen such a small pepper like you!â
Even Wanyan Kang didnât notice that the sound of his voice had changed a bit. However, just because he didnât notice, doesnât mean that the others didnât hear the change.
âSmall pepper. Su Mei, this name matches you quite well!â
Murong Qi Qi had been looking at the two. Theyâve been bickering the whole way. How come she felt that the way Wanyan Kang looked at Su Mie was quite not right? Could it be that sheâs too sensitive?
âSu Mei? Su Mei......because of laziness, painting the eyebrow (mei). Good name. Good name!â
Hearing Wanyan Kang say that, Su Mei was so angry her face turned red. Why was it that whenever he said her name, it felt so weird? How come this man was such a smooth talker and at the first look, he looked like a player prince?! A young master who only knows to dally around?! It seems that she needs to give him a little lesson!
Thinking till here, Su Mei silently came to Wanyan Kangâs back. With a whip, she whipped Wanyan Kangâs horseâs butt. The war horse became frightened. It spread its hooves and rushed forward.
âAiya, small pepper, you want to murder, ah?!â
Wanyan Kang grabbed the reins tightly. Although he was shouting exaggeratedly, but the actions of his hands were not bad. In just a moment, he controlled the manic horse.
âNext time, if you want to murder, please say it in advance. Iâll clean my neck for you to cut it, ah!â
âPei!â
Su Meiâs face turned red.
âLecher! Ignoring you!â
Su Mei let the horse come next to the carriage. She talked with Murong Qi Qi in a low voice and didnât bother anymore with Wanyan Kang.
Seeing that little girlâs beautiful face and rosy cheeks, Wanyan Kang shook his head while smiling. In the end, sheâs just a little girl and couldnât stand provocation well. Interesting! Very interesting!
Wanyan Kang didnât know that unconsciously, on his mouth hung a naughty smile. And this smile, had been put into Murong Qi Qiâs eyes.
Without Su Meiâs bickering, Wanyan Kang was a lot quieter. He was somewhat not used to this quietness. From time to time, he would look back at Su Mei. However, the other party ignored him, making Wanyan Kang get the feeling that he had lost face for the first time. He was actually looked down upon by a small maid. It seems that he must show his talent at the knockout competition!
The venue of the knockout competition was at the pagoda that drove away evil spirits, located outside the city. Because the content was decided by Dong Lu, the location of the knockout competition was also selected by Dong Lu.
This pagoda that drove away evil spirits was in a Buddha temple. The Buddha temple was made in a golden period during the former Qin. Later, because of the war, the temple was destroyed, leaving only a lonely âdrive away evil spiritsâ pagoda, which towered in the clouds.
At this time, the contestants of the four countries have arrived.
Bei Zhou had two men and two women. Xi Qi had the same as Bei Zhou. Aside from Long Duo and Helan Lian Yi, Nan Feng had five more people. As for Dong Lu, it had the most people.
Dong Lu arrived last. Moreover, the contestants stayed at the house of embassy without revealing themselves. This time they came out, making Murong Qi Qi gain knowledge. Fifty people! A total of fifty people!
âDid cousin-in-law see? Dong Lu likes to use the tactic of a sea of people!â
Wanyan Kang sneered.
âEvery time, they are so shameless, wanting to tire people to death. Are the people of Dong Lu so cheap?â
âPuchi.......â
The moment Su Mei heard that, she laughed. This person really spoke interestingly!
âMei er, why are you laughing? Donât be afraid of them! Rest assured, when I take action in a moment, Iâll immediately take all of them down!â
Seeing Su Mei laugh like a flower, Wanyan Kang couldnât help himself from teasing her.
âHumph! Donât need! Itâll be fine if I only follow our miss! Also, youâre not allowed to call me Mei er. Did you hear?!â
Su Mei glared at Wanyan Kang once and stood behind Murong Qi Qi. Her mouth revealed a smile, completely not putting Wanyan Kang in her eyes.
âHeihei!â
Being looked down upon, Wanyan Kang still laughed, making Su Mei feel that this fifth princeâs mind was not so good.
âWangye, since the knockout competition is decided by Dong Lu, will they play favoritism?â
After Murong Qi Qi looked at Dong Luâs disposition of forces and then looked at the pagoda that drove away evil, she had some questions. Dong Lu had this many people. If they wanted to cheat, then wouldnât the other countries lose the decisive opportunity?
âPrincess Zhao Yang, please be assured. I can personally guarantee that the thing you worry about, wonât happen.â
Not waiting for Feng Cang to answer, a manâs voice, full of confidence, reached over. A man in blue walked over from not far away.
This man was wearing blue and liked blue like Jin Mo. However, Jin Moâs blue was the color of the sky and the blue on this man, was deep like the sea. On the blue clothes was waves embroidered with silver threads. There were also somersaulting koi. It looked very alive.
Murong Qi Qi raised her head and looked at the man. Long eyebrows, long and narrow phoenix eyes, tightly closed thin lips. He wasnât such a devilish beauty like Feng Cang and also didnât have Feng Cangâs cold proudness. Instead, he looked easy going with a warm smile. He looked someone you can get close to.
âIâm Jia Lan, the person who made the content of the knockout competition. The content of the knockout competition today is this pagoda that drives evil spirits away. Buddha has a seven level pagoda; humans have seven emotions and six desires. Each level of this pagoda has a different test. The ones who safely arrive at the top of the tower will be the finalists for the tournament.â
The seven emotions of human: joy, anger, anxiety, thought, grief, fear and fright.
âNo way!â
Immediately, there was someone who shouted.
âSeven level, is it then not seven rounds of test? Then, this knockout competition will be competing through seven games, ah?! In case no one passes, then what?â
âNo one passing?â
Jia Lan smiled. His smile was like a blooming Epiphyllum oxypetalum.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum
âNo one passed, then thereâs no winner. Everyone loses.â
âHow could it be like that?!â
Hearing Jia Lan say that, everyone began to talk about it. Form outside the pagoda, thereâs no way to see inside it. Really made people curious about what kind of competition it was.
âNo matter what method is used; no matter if you beat a friend or foe, as long as you can reach the top, then youâre the winner!â
Jia Lanâs voice was full of temptation. His âno matter if you beat a friend or foeâ made Murong Qi Qi frown.
âHearing your words, do you mean for us to massacre one another?â
âOh......â
Seeing that Murong Qi Qi quickly seized the meaning behind his words, Jia Lan couldnât help but have a deeper understanding of this little woman.
âPrincess, you canât always do as you like. Every secret is inside the pagoda and since princess is a contestant, why donât you go inside and give it a try?!â
âDonât need you to say that. Naturally, Iâll go!â
At this point, Murong Qi Qi had an inexplicable feeling towards this pagoda where the knockout competition was being held. This pagoda was emitting a dangerous aura. What was inside there? Aside from this Jia Lan, no one knew. Also, his words of just now, obviously had the feeling of wanting to watch a play. Could it be that he would also watch the contestants of Dong Lu go die?
âAfter entering the pagoda, the door will be locked. You can only wait till someone passes the seven levels test and appear at the top, before the door will be opened.â
While saying this, Jia Lan maintained a gentle smile on his face. The smile was like a spring breeze in May. Warm, making people get lost in that smile and almost forget the chill in his words.
What did this person mean with those words? Longze Jing Tian frowned. If no one passed, then didnât it mean that the door of this pagoda wouldnât be opened? Then wouldnât everyone be trapped inside and be starved to death? Is that what Jia Lan meant?
âThose who have regrets, thereâs still a chance to quit.â
Seeing that thereâs some hesitation, Jia Lan continued to smile.
âIf thereâs no one who will quit, then please enter!â