Chapter 110: Announcing the Correct Respondents

On the deck of the benefactor's grand vessel, a song and dance performance was underway. The pieces were all currently popular hits, and the dancers, with their graceful postures, blended perfectly with the music, creating a truly delightful spectacle.

As the drum music gradually faded, someone on the grand vessel intoned, "Ten breaths remain until the answer is revealed..."

Then, a clear, rhythmic countdown began.

Xue Fanzhi and Xiao Yi stood by the side railing, gazing at the grand vessel. Suddenly, Xiao Yi’s cold gaze shifted to a spot not far behind their own boat. On the colorful, shimmering surface of the lake, a vessel similar in size to his own was quietly approaching.

Three men stood on that boat.

One of them was dressed in striking attire, a red robe gently fluttering in the breeze, making his handsome, youthful features appear as if a celestial child had descended to the mortal realm—a sight that made one forget the mundane world.

This man was Wang Yunzhi.

To Wang Yunzhi’s left was a person dressed as a servant, whose name was unknown. To his right stood a tall man wearing a silver mask that obscured his features; however, the deep, clear, and bright eyes visible beneath the mask made one yearn to tear it off and see the truth underneath.

Xiao Yi sensed that this must be the foreigner kept by Wang Yunzhi.

It was truly audacious of Wang Yunzhi to bring that foreigner along in such a setting. Was he not afraid of being discovered, now that both he and the Wang family had become targets of the Southern faction’s crusade? One had to remember that the North and South were irreconcilable, and the Hu and Han peoples were not unified.

Of course, Xiao Yi felt that Wang Yunzhi was even more daring for approaching him. Do not think he was unaware of Wang Yunzhi’s growing interest in Xue Fanzhi. Since Wang knew that Xiao Yi was his savior and understood his true background, yet still dared to try and snatch his woman, it seemed the man simply had a death wish.

Of course, if Wang Yunzhi did not go out of his way to antagonize him, Xiao Yi would not make things difficult for him. After all, if Wang were to expose him as the murderer of Prince Shou, even if Xiao Yi were to counter-accuse—since he was, in fact, the true killer of Prince Shou—he believed Wang Yunzhi, a skilled archer, would know whether he had hit his mark.

Wang Yunzhi had indeed spotted Xiao Yi and Xue Fanzhi long ago. He had hired the most expensive boatman, who caught up to them in a flash.

Seeing the two of them standing amidst the bustle like a perfect pair, Wang Yunzhi’s face darkened. He called out, "What a coincidence, Your Ninth Highness is here too!" He did not greet Xue Fanzhi, acting as if they were strangers to avoid having to explain how they knew each other.

Xiao Yi replied with a smirk, "Indeed, what a coincidence. You are a man, too!"

Wang Yunzhi: "..."

True, his own words seemed much like Xiao Yi’s—nothing more than polite, empty drivel.

Wang Yunzhi was not annoyed. He glanced at Xue Fanzhi and said, "Let’s tether our boats together!"

"Quiet!" Xue Fanzhi suddenly turned toward Wang Yunzhi. "They are counting down. Didn't you hear, sir?"

Yes, he was deaf—or perhaps he just hoped for more contact with her, this heartless woman.

Wang Yunzhi did not lose his temper. If she enjoyed the suspense of waiting for the answer, he would indulge her. After all, she was the woman he had set his sights on.

Seeing that Wang Yunzhi had quieted down, Xue Fanzhi looked earnestly at the grand vessel. Her gaze was so focused and intent that it left Xiao Yi yearning for her adorable expression. Thinking of how Xue Fanzhi had just scolded Wang Yunzhi, his anxious heart felt reassured; A-Zhi was still on his side.

However, A-Zhi did not have this temperament in his previous life. How could she have been so sharp-tongued in front of a noble scion like Wang Yunzhi back then? In fact, she had never behaved that way in front of anyone!

Hmm, Xiao Yi felt himself beginning to grow suspicious again.

By then, the countdown had reached three.

Xue Fanzhi listened with rapt attention. In truth, it was not just her; Xiao Jian was also listening with great agitation. He had submitted a makeshift answer—the birthday of a Western Region Buddha worshipped by his Imperial Father. He did not know if the benefactor believed in Buddha, but since the Emperor himself led the faith, surely the benefactor would, too?

Suddenly, a gust of wind stirred behind him. He turned to see Xue Jiaoyue walking toward him, looking shy. She was naturally slender, and as she moved across the swaying boat, she looked like a goddess walking on waves—truly beautiful. Xiao Jian forgot her stupidity and asked with a smile, "Why has the Seventh Lady come out?"

Xue Jiaoyue said softly, "Since Your Highness wrote down the Seventh Lady’s birthday, the Seventh Lady naturally had to come and listen in person, so as not to waste Your Highness’s intentions!"

Xiao Jian: "..."

He really didn't need that. He had no such intentions. Hmm, he was starting to dwell on her stupidity again.

Three breaths passed in the blink of an eye. The many small boats and pleasure crafts surrounding the grand vessel fell into absolute silence. The vast Qinhuai River felt as if it were devoid of people; it seemed that even an imperial decree could not have achieved such uniformity.

"Which two are the Jiangling Knight-Errant and the Grass-Dwelling Old Man? Please, come aboard!"

It seemed these two had answered correctly. A search began among the crowd.

"Who is the Jiangling Knight-Errant and the Grass-Dwelling Old Man?"

"It must be a knight and an old man!"

"How do you know it’s an old man?"

"If it says 'Old Man,' what else could it be?"

The person who spoke was left speechless.

But there was no helping it; they truly did not know these two people and had never even heard of them.

When the names were called, Xiao Yi gave Xue Fanzhi a gentle smile. Their eyes met, and they shared an unspoken understanding.

They were the Jiangling Knight-Errant and the Grass-Dwelling Old Man.

Xiao Yi’s mother’s fief had once been Jiangling; he had adopted the title to honor his mother, a name he had been using quietly for some time. As for the "Grass-Dwelling Old Man," Xue Fanzhi had played in a courtyard at her home called "Grass Dwelling" when she was a child. She loved the name, so she had chosen it as her elegant pseudonym.

As the servants on the grand vessel called the names again, the two of them waved at the ship without haste... they were right here.

Xiao Jian had not yet seen Xiao Yi and Xue Fanzhi’s boat approach the grand vessel. When he heard the names, he was deeply disappointed; it wasn't him after all.

Xiao Jian said to his guards, "Go and ask who these two are and which household they belong to."

In truth, if he hadn't answered it, he hadn't. If he could just win over the people who had answered correctly, he wouldn't need to worry about failing to secure the Thousand-Mountain Snow Lotus. As for the wager, since Xiao Yi couldn't have answered it either, it would be a draw.

Ultimately, he felt satisfied, because his large entourage had infuriated Xiao Yi earlier.

Thinking this, he scanned his surroundings and realized Xiao Yi’s boat was gone. He was stunned. Looking ahead, he saw that Xiao Yi had already reached the base of the grand vessel, and the crew was actually lowering a ladder for him to board.

What on earth was going on? How could such a strange thing happen in the world? Why was Xiao Yi going to join in the fun?!

Just then, he heard a guard report, "Your Highness, it seems the Ninth Highness and the lady with him are the ones who answered correctly!"

So he had lost?

That was impossible. If he himself couldn't answer it, by what right could Xiao Yi? No matter how talented he was, he would not believe it.

"Until the benefactor announces the answer, anything is possible!" Xiao Jian said, his heart bleeding with resentment.

What nonsense. If anything were possible, why would he be asking around? Lin Lin and the others were highly critical of Xiao Jian's words.

Only Xue Jiaoyue, unwilling to accept that she hadn't been in the spotlight, was about to sneer and say something when she saw Xue Fanzhi climbing the ladder: "Why is she here?"