Her already frail face now appears even weaker with her eyes closed and head lowered.
Xuanyuan Yonghao rested on her shoulder, his lips couldn’t help but curl up.
Of course, if the smile could be a little less conspicuous, it might seem more genuine.
Alas, Su Yan couldn’t see it.
Su Yan’s move not only shocked everyone, but Ouyang Ling, after the surprise, was itching with hatred.
This maid, having committed an offense previously and not pleading guilty with death, now even dares to injure her beloved tiger?
If she doesn’t kill her today, she won’t be at peace!
Ouyang Ling’s gaze fluctuated several times, eventually, she calmed down, her face once again wearing a smiling expression
"Xuanyuan Country truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers; even a maid possesses such skill, admirable, admirable."
Then the conversation took a turn
"I wonder if this young lady would dare to come up for a challenge? If the Princess loses, there will be no further words, and I will sincerely admire the expanse of Xuanyuan Country. But if you lose... you must pay a price for injuring my beloved tiger."
It was clear that she herself did not manage the Fierce Tiger properly, letting it attack people rashly, yet now, she subtly implies that it was the maid’s fault.
Truly arrogant!
However..., Xuanyuan Honghua seated on the Dragon Chair doesn’t seem to think so.
Because he was still mindful of the loss of face just a moment ago.
Now having finally seen an opportunity to regain face, how could he give it up?
He patted the armrest of the Dragon Chair heavily, declared loudly
"Good! Since the Princess sincerely invites, then let it be..."
He did not recognize Su Yan, but he saw Su Yan standing next to Xuanyuan Yonghao, seemingly protecting him.
He paused, then said
"Let’s have a contest then."
When the Emperor has spoken, who dares to disobey?
Yet Xuanyuan Yonghao did not loosen his hold on her waist.
His voice was soothing,
"If you’re unwilling, then don’t compete."
He seemed to disregard the Emperor’s orders and didn’t even flutter his eyelids.
This maid of his is a bit foolish; if bullied, even carving that Princess into thousands of pieces wouldn’t make up for it.
If she’s unwilling, he naturally wants to protect her.
Su Yan looked at the Princess on the stage, then glanced at all the focused gazes cast her way, she softly said
"It’s alright, I’m not afraid of her."
Hearing her words, Xuanyuan Yonghao slightly hesitated to let go.
She stood up, lifting her dress hem and walked towards the stage.
The sky was already pitch dark, lit only by torches, with the firelight on the stage flickering bright and dim.
Ouyang Ling stroked the White Tiger by her side, smoothing its fur, soothing its mood.
Her steps swayed, the sound of the golden bells crisp under the night sky.
Then, raising her hand, she pointed towards the distant array of weapons
"Swords, spears, sticks, maces, axes, halberds, hooks, forks, choose one."
Su Yan turned to look, then silently walked down the stage, heading towards the weapons rack.
She stood by the weapons rack, hesitating there for a long while.
Xiao Hua spoke
"Host? Pick something you’re best with."
Su Yan looked over them from start to finish,
"I don’t know how to use any."
"Huh? What?? Host, you’ve never used any?"
"No"
She honestly admitted.
She hadn’t wandered around much; how could she know about this?
While she dilly-dallied, her gaze suddenly fell on a certain whip.
They varied in thickness and style.
Almost encompassing all kinds of long whips.
Then, looking at a black and red flower pattern, as thick as a man’s arm hanging there, dazzling to the eyes, if it weren’t for the serpent head hissing and spitting out a red tongue there, she would have thought it was just another whip.