Chapter 162: Competition

Prime Minister Liang returned to the Prime Minister’s Residence and went to his eldest son’s room first. He was still unconscious.

Right now, Liang Liyuan’s life was only being sustained by a group of imperial physicians who had tried every method possible. The imperial physicians said that even thousand-year-old ginseng was no longer effective, unless they could get the Heart-Protecting Pill and Muscle-Regenerating Pill from the Zhao Kingdom Divine Doctor’s Family.

He recalled the words of the man in black: “Firstly, I want the life of that Master Shen. Secondly, just do as you did back then. If you, Prime Minister, can agree, I will invite Divine Doctor Zhao to treat your son. To be frank, Divine Doctor Zhao is currently in the Chu State as well. He came to Chu in search of the Soul-Soothing Herb to refine the Soul-Soothing Pill.”

Prime Minister Liang left and returned to his study. He wrote two letters and summoned a trusted aide, instructing him to deliver them.

Today was the grand day of the Chu State Youth Formation Master Competition. Waking up early, Xingnong applied a layer of rouge and powder to herself, making her skin appear fairer. She also added eyeshadow and drew her eyebrows thicker, then changed into a rain-washed azure brocade robe and a pair of shoes with hidden heels. She emerged with an appearance of excessive indulgence, completely different from her previous elegant young master’s demeanor.

Xingnong not only applied makeup to herself but also to Shen Nan’s expressionless face. She cleverly transformed his stoic features into those of a harsh old man, even dyeing his eyebrows and hair white.

Fortunately, Shen Nan had a good temperament and would carry out any instructions or requests from his master without hesitation or question!

Doing this could conceal Xingnong’s identity and make her safer, so of course, he was more than happy to comply.

Shen Nan glanced at himself in the mirror and praised, “Miss, you draw so well!”

He had thought he would have this same expression for the rest of his life, but unexpectedly, he could change his appearance. Not bad, not bad!

Xingnong was also satisfied: “Let’s go!”

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The Formation Master Competition was a major event, always held at the Heavenly Altar on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace was vast, and the Heavenly Altar was built on its periphery, a specially constructed venue for hosting various competitions.

Many years ago, all Four Kingdoms had such a venue outside their respective Imperial Palaces.

The purpose was to allow the emperor to watch the competition while ensuring his safety.

However, as no formation master from Chu had been selected for many years, the emperor had no desire to watch and did not attend. He only sent his sons to oversee the event.

After arriving, Xingnong looked around. There weren’t many people, only about forty or fifty.

Xingnong didn’t know if all of them were here to participate in the Formation Master Competition.

She saw Zhang Ruohua sitting at the front, dressed in red and looking confident.

Several people surrounded her, all seeking her guidance.

She enthusiastically discussed with them.

In the capital, her reputation had always been excellent.

Soon, Xingnong spotted Wen Yuanqian and Li Wenhao and walked over, sitting down behind them.

The two were talking with the people around them.

Wen Yuanqian sensed someone sitting behind him and turned to glance at Xingnong. Seeing her looking back, he politely nodded before turning back and asking Li Wenhao in a low voice, “Do you think he will come?”

The “he” he referred to was Old Master Tang’s disciple, which Li Wenhao understood.

“I don’t think so! He doesn’t need to participate in the preliminary selection and can directly enter the final competition.”

Wen Yuanqian’s eyes flashed with disappointment upon hearing this, “That’s true. I was hoping he could help me take a look at the formation I designed.”

Li Wenhao: “Me too, but since Old Master Tang’s disciple isn’t coming, Master Shen should be here, right? I think Master Shen is even more skilled than Old Master Tang’s disciple! Let’s ask for her guidance when we see her.”

The two had been trying to inquire about the whereabouts of Master Shen and Old Master Tang’s disciple these past two days, but unfortunately, they couldn’t find out anything.

Wen Yuanqian glanced around again: “But time is almost up, why hasn’t Master Shen arrived yet?”

There was about a quarter of an hour left before the competition began. Once the judges appeared, the palace gates would be closed, and no one would be allowed to enter.

A fellow disciple beside them said, “Don’t worry, master-level individuals usually arrive last! They’re calm and collected.”

“Right, there’s still a quarter of an hour left, they should appear soon.”

Xingnong came today precisely to offer them some guidance, so they could smoothly enter the final competition.

Xingnong had already learned from Chu Tiankuo that the Four Kingdoms Youth Formation Master Competition included both individual and team competitions.

Hearing this, she reached out and tapped Wen Yuanqian’s shoulder.

Wen Yuanqian turned to look.

Xingnong quickly opened her palm, revealing a jade pendant before closing it again.

However, the sharp-eyed Wen Yuanqian still saw it, and he was so excited that he almost cried out!

He reached out and tightly grasped Li Wenhao’s arm.

Li Wenhao looked at him in surprise, and he silently mouthed the word “Tang.”

Xingnong spoke, “Young masters, I’m a little nervous, how about we spar a bit?”

After saying that, she took out a formation diagram from her sleeve pocket and showed it to them.

Wen Yuanqian immediately took out his own designed formation diagram: “Alright! Please give me some feedback and guidance, young master.”

Li Wenhao also took out his.

Seeing this, the people around them also took out theirs.

The surrounding people looked at Wen Yuanqian and the others like they were idiots: Who would take out their formation diagrams that they were about to use in the competition?

They were probably trying to learn each other’s formations!

✿✿✿

Only fools like them would actually take them out and discuss them with a stranger.

Although the surrounding people were disdainful in their hearts, they all pricked up their ears to eavesdrop.

Xingnong glanced at the formations designed by the four and immediately understood their skill level.

She offered some slight modifications based on their respective strengths.

All four of their eyes lit up!

They looked at the formation Xingnong had designed, and she answered all their questions about the parts they didn’t understand.

As the surrounding people listened, they felt like it actually made sense.

Two or three people nearby couldn’t help but bring their own formation diagrams to Xingnong for discussion.

Zhang Ruohua also noticed the commotion around Xingnong. She glanced over and then looked away, disdainful in her heart. There were always people who loved to show off, no matter where they went.

However, she unconsciously became more gentle and patient with those who came to her for guidance, explaining everything without holding back!

After all, if they achieved good results, it would also enhance her reputation!

Anyway, she was confident that none of them could surpass her!

If they happened to pass and could participate in the final competition together, it would be good to have them in the team competition as well.

However, the quarter of an hour passed quickly.

The four judges appeared, and everyone quickly took their seats, the entire venue falling silent.

Xingnong saw Xu Yan leading the way, followed by three elders of similar age, who walked onto the judges’ platform and sat down.

Two of these elders were formation masters from Chu, and the other was from Yan.

As supervisors, Chu Tiankuo, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Heir Apparent of Zhao, and others were all present.

Chu Tiankuo recognized Xingnong and Shen Nan at a glance, and the corners of his eyes twitched involuntarily at the sight of their makeup.

Xingnong glanced at the two other princes beside Chu Tiankuo. She had met the Second Prince before, but not the Third. He was also a handsome man, refined and elegant, like a jade tree facing the wind!

The emperor was handsome, his consorts were all beautiful, and naturally, their children were not bad either.

The emperor of Chu had eight sons in total, and including the Third Prince who had just turned sixteen, only three were adults.

According to Songbai, the Third Prince was born to Pure Consort. Pure Consort came from a humble background as a palace maid and had no powerful family backing. She had previously been a maid serving Empress. Before the emperor ascended the throne, Empress had made her a “tongfang” （maid with whom the master has sexual relations）, and later, she gave birth to the Third Prince and was elevated to the rank of “yiniang” （concubine）. After the emperor’s ascension, all concubines who had borne princes were granted the title of “fei” （consort）, and she, because of Empress’s protection, was granted the title of Pure Consort.

When he was young, the Third Prince always liked to follow Chu Tiankuo around, calling him “Brother Crown Prince” this and “Brother Crown Prince” that.

Seven years ago, Pure Consort exposed Empress for having an affair with a man outside the palace. Empress was imprisoned in the Cold Palace, and the Third Prince felt embarrassed to approach the Crown Prince anymore.

However, he didn’t have the opportunity to do so either, as Chu Tiankuo left the capital for seven long years.

At this moment, if the emperor hadn’t summoned him to oversee the Formation Master Competition, he wouldn’t have had the face to come out and see “Brother Crown Prince.”

Xu Yan, with a stern face, announced the content and rules of the competition.

The competition consisted of two parts: first, to break a Chess Formation designed by a master within the time limit of half an incense stick. Second, to design a Chess Formation and have it evaluated by the judges, also within the time limit of half an incense stick.

Successfully breaking the formation would earn five points, while the designed formation would be scored by the judges based on its difficulty, with a maximum of five points.

As long as the total score reached seven points or above, one could then proceed to the Zhao Kingdom to participate in the Four Kingdoms Youth Formation Master Competition.

This competition was relatively simple, not as difficult as the final competition. However, in previous years, the formation masters from Chu had never been able to pass.

After announcing the competition rules, Xu Yan declared: “The Youth Formation Master Competition now begins! Participating formation masters can come up to the stage to challenge.”

Because there were so few participants from Chu, Xu Yan didn’t even bother to issue number plates or draw lots.

He simply let them volunteer to go on stage!

His attitude was very perfunctory and dismissive.

He probably would have been even more amused if everyone had rushed to the stage, creating chaos and a spectacle!

Soon, ten palace maids carried ten chessboards onto the stage and placed them on ten tables.

“The first group of ten people come up first, then the next group after they’re finished.”

Zhang Ruohua, being courteous, let others go on stage first, planning to make a grand entrance as the last one.

Soon, ten people went up to the stage.

When the time of half an incense stick was up, not a single person had managed to break the formation. Then they went to the other side to set up their own formations on the empty chessboards.

It was the next group of ten’s turn to go on stage.

After another half an incense stick, again, no one had successfully broken the formation.

However, the first group of ten had already finished setting up their formations. Xu Yan, along with the four judges, went to evaluate them. The highest score given was only three points, with the others receiving either two or one.

The first group of ten dejectedly stepped off the stage.

It was the third group of ten’s turn to go on stage, while the second group set up their formations.

This time, Zhang Ruohua also went up!

Upon stepping onto the stage, Zhang Ruohua discovered that this formation was somewhat similar to the one she had seen on the chessboard at Old Master Tang’s place, but much simpler. She thought back and suddenly had a slight epiphany. After pondering for a while, she successfully broke the formation just as the time was up!!!