Delicate Young Girl (1)

"So, Your Majesty, who do you favor now? Is it perhaps..." the previous minister spoke again, naming his granddaughter.

"While your granddaughter is good, my daughter has a better chance! My daughter is proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting..." another minister chimed in.

"What's so great about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? It's too common. My daughter is different; she once apprenticed under the Dance Queen and has truly mastered the essence of her art!"

"Is being able to dance impressive? My granddaughter..."

And so began the first debate in the imperial court that day, perhaps the initial competition of the "Talented Women Unrivaled" event, an off-stage contest.

"Ahem!!" The Emperor coughed, interrupting their "competition," and then said something that surprised them all—

"Your daughters and granddaughters are all excellent, truly the talented women of the empire. If it were any other time, I would certainly choose one of you. However, this time, I will still choose Zhen Xiaoyan!"

"Why? If the conditions are fair, she could never win."

"You don't need to worry about fairness. If I say it's fair, it's fair. Although you might think it impossible, since Ye Lang bet on Zhen Xiaoyan, the outcome is hard to predict." The Emperor knew they still harbored doubts about fairness, so he clarified and guaranteed once more.

"Why? Are you saying, Your Majesty, that you believe Ye Lang has the ability to change the outcome, allowing Zhen Xiaoyan, that girl as fat as a pig and utterly useless, to defeat so many beautiful and lovely maidens under completely impossible fair conditions?"

"No, I don't believe he has that ability!" The Emperor immediately shook his head. Ye Chengtian, standing nearby, seemed to agree, as Zhen Xiaoyan's condition was simply too unbelievable; even a god couldn't change it, let alone Ye Lang, that perpetually muddled little idiot.

"Then..." Before the ministers could finish speaking, the Emperor, with a solemn and serious demeanor, uttered something incredible.

"But, I believe in his luck!"

"..." Everyone fell silent.

"You can question his ability, but you absolutely cannot question his luck! Lady Luck has always favored him dearly, it's truly enviable!" The Emperor said with deep emotion, a hint of jealousy perhaps showing through.

"..."

With that, the ministers had nothing more to say. They had all heard a little about Ye Lang's astonishing luck; his prodigal spending often led to good fortune in the end, the kind others couldn't even wish for.

In truth, many of them didn't realize his luck extended beyond his wasteful habits. It manifested in everyday matters too. The fact that he had never been injured by accident was proof. Otherwise, with his somewhat dazed way of walking, he should have been injured countless times.

In the past, with Tiger Girl around, it wasn't strange. But over the last five years, when he walked alone, sometimes he'd walk right over the edge of a pit he didn't see, or something falling from above on the street that should have hit him would, for some strange reason, land either in front of him or behind him, always to the side. He would only glance back curiously afterward and then walk away...

This situation could only be described by the Emperor's words: Lady Luck favored him too much, unwilling to let even the slightest harm befall him!

"But he isn't always that lucky. Many times he truly is a spendthrift. How can you be so sure he'll succeed this time?" someone questioned. This statement was also true; otherwise, if he wanted to buy something, others would eagerly follow suit.

"It's not about success, it's about failure! His goal is to be a spendthrift!" Ye Chengtian corrected, adding, "We're just making a small bet; winning or losing depends on fate!"

"Indeed. His bet is to make something impossible possible. This doesn't mean it's guaranteed, so if you follow us in betting, be prepared to lose money!" the Emperor said with a smile.

Although the Emperor explained the risks involved, and everyone understood the principle, they didn't favor Zhen Xiaoyan. Yet, many people placed their bets on her, making the previously extremely unpopular choice begin to gain some traction.

The reason was simple: the Emperor had placed his bet. These people, wanting to curry favor with him, also placed their bets, more or less. This could be considered a form of social networking expense rather than a mere wager.

However, this topic wasn't the main focus of everyone's attention. The spotlight remained on Ye Lang: where he was, what he was preparing to do, and how he intended to handle this competition.

Initially, many were waiting for Ye Lang to do something foolish, or rather, something outrageous. They wanted to witness this madness, believing that was the only way to make it exciting.

Many believed that Ye Lang's method for ensuring Zhen Xiaoyan's victory would be to cripple all her opponents one by one. This was the only plausible scenario. Given her current condition, no amount of effort could transform her overnight from a swan into a phoenix.

If there were a few months, it might be possible, but even then, the chances would be slim. Now, with only about twenty days left, it was virtually impossible for any mortal, unless a deity descended.

However, everyone was ultimately disappointed. Ye Lang made no move until the very end; everything remained calm and peaceful!

Could this be merely the calm before the storm?

The anxious talented women and their families couldn't relax. Until the very last moment, they couldn't let their guard down. Because of this, as the competition began, the entire scene felt as if it were about to erupt into battle. Groups of fully armed guards, mercenaries, and city guards created an intensely tense atmosphere!

"What's going on? Did we come to the wrong place? Is this the Talented Women Unrivaled competition, or a martial arts tournament?" some uninformed spectators asked.

"No, you're in the right place. This is the preliminary round of the Talented Women Unrivaled competition!" someone replied.

"Then why..."

"You want to know why there's such a grand display, right? It's because someone has threatened the safety of these talented women, so many people are nervously protecting them."

"What?! Someone intends to harm these talented women? Who is it? Tell me, I'll destroy him!!" one person declared arrogantly, seemingly a person of considerable status.

He assumed his words would garner widespread support, as everyone present was there for the talented women. Naturally, no one would want anything to happen to them.

However, he was wrong, terribly wrong. He didn't receive support; instead, he was met with ridicule and contempt from some!