"Is Sister Yun here?" A gentle voice carried through Jade Hall. Yin Quanyin came out to look and saw an Ice-Jade Cloud Carriage parked at the entrance. He recognized it as Hua Shiwei's carriage and hurriedly bowed. "My wife hasn't arrived yet. I'm here with a friend."
Hua Shiwei stepped down from the carriage and smiled at him. "Sister Yun has a good eye. She chose herself a fine husband." Yin Quanyin replied modestly, "You flatter me, Senior." Hua Shiwei glanced at the lustrous Jade Hall. "There are tiresome people everywhere outside. It's quite vexing." Catching her meaning, Yin Quanyin said at once, "If you don't mind, Senior, there are plenty of empty rooms inside. You're welcome to stay." Hua Shiwei needed no second invitation. Her arrival saved Duan Yehu: Yin Quanyin could hardly torment his former rival in front of her. He even had to put on a show of magnanimity, much to the brooding man's frustration.
The third day after everyone registered was the official start of the Heavenly Lake Contest. Before dawn, members of the Turbulent Aristocratic Clan released floating orbs into the sky around Heaven Lake. The orbs shone in vivid colors, guiding the contestants along the proper "course."
The four in Jade Hall rose early. Hua Shiwei suddenly laughed. "Who would have thought four of this year's five favorites would all be staying in your Jade Hall?" Yin Quanyin could only say, "The honor is mine, Senior." Hua Shiwei glanced at Luo Qian. "I'd never heard of you before, but judging by what you did the day before yesterday, you're far stronger than that boy from the Qian Household."
The four did not linger. They left Jade Hall and headed for the assembly point. It was Luo Qian and the other two men's first contest,