The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1381 - 1381 671 second watch

Chapter 1381: 671 second watch Chapter 1381: 671 second watch Yuan Xiao looked at the three of them and said, “We’re quite packed together, aren’t we? The street is only this wide, and there are so many people. It’s only right that we’re squeezed in.”

Zhao Wei retorted, “Our kind of squeezing is different from theirs!”

Yuan Xiao, with his usual naïveté, asked, “How is it different?”

Zhao Wei scratched his head, “Well… if I could explain it, would I be asking you?”

“Forget it.” Zhao Wei sighed.

Although Zhao Wei tended to be more thoughtful, he couldn’t overcome the simplicity of Mu Chuan and Yuan Xiao.

Compared to observing whether three grown men were squeezed in or not, the two were more interested in looking at the lanterns on the street.

In Yan Country, which had relatively liberal customs among the six nations, it was common to see women strolling and admiring the lanterns. However, it was rare for men to carry lanterns, as it was considered somewhat uncoordinated, but Xiao Hen and Gu Jiao were the exceptions.

The sight of them holding lanterns together was as beautiful as a mural painting.

The group arrived at the poetry event site, which should be the largest poetry gathering on the entire street, organized by a restaurant. There were not only poetry competitions but also lantern riddles, couplet matching, and eight-part essays.

Lantern riddles were the simplest part of the event, and the prizes were the most common types of lanterns.

The prize for the first place was a golden gourd lantern made of gold foil with real gold wire for tendrils, valuable and exquisitely crafted.

This lantern was not for sale; one could only take it home by presenting the best eight-part essay.

Gu Jiao’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the gourd lantern.

All shiny, Jingkong would definitely like it.

“Do you want it?” Xiao Hen whispered in her ear.

The warmth of his breath made her earlobe itch slightly; she fiddled with her little ear and nodded, “Mm-hmm.”

Xiao Hen went straight to a corner table inside the Grand Hall, where all the scholars were busy composing eight-part essays.

“Eh? How did Long Yi get inside?” Mu Chuan asked.

Solving lantern riddles and writing poems or matching couplets could be done outside, and Mu Chuan only wanted to solve a few riddles.

Soon, Mu Qingchen also entered the building.

“Fourth brother?” Mu Chuan stared in astonishment, glancing at the golden gourd lantern hanging at the entrance. He thought to himself, seriously? Is that lantern really so attractive that even fourth brother wants it?

Mu Qingchen didn’t sit with Xiao Hen; he deliberately chose a table three or four seats away from him.

The two composed their essays with ease.

Before long, they caught the attention of everyone around.

A scholar who was writing his essay by a window tapped his companion in front of him and asked, “Look, isn’t that Young Master Qingchen over there?”

At these words, not only did the two companions in front of him stop writing, but others also turned their gazes in the direction he was pointing.

Another recognized Mu Qingchen and said in a low voice, “That really does seem to be him!”

“Really? Why would Young Master Qingchen be here too? Is he in need of lanterns?”

“He must be here to stir up trouble!”

“Exactly, he is the foremost amongst the four Young Masters. If he is here to write an eight-part essay, what chance do any of us have?”

Originally, others who were diligently writing their essays, at least half of them put down their pens.

The mere title of Young Master Qingchen was enough to snuff out their fighting spirit, wasn’t it?

As Gu Jiao and friends were waiting outside, they also guessed quite a few lantern riddles, winning many lanterns, which they gave to passing girls.

The news of Mu Qingchen’s presence gradually spread, and more and more onlookers started to gather.

Finally, after the striking of a gong, the Shopkeeper of the Restaurant emerged, grinning as he took down the golden gourd lantern.

“Someone won the first place! Who is it, who is it!”

“Don’t know!”

“It must be Young Master Qingchen!”

The Shopkeeper swept his gaze across the crowd and, holding the lantern, walked towards Gu Jiao, and politely said, “May I ask if you are Young Master Xiao Liulang?”

“I am,” Gu Jiao said.

The Shopkeeper presented the lantern with both hands, “Congratulations to Young Master Xiao for winning the lantern.”

Someone in the crowd said dissatisfiedly, “But he didn’t even go inside to write!”

The Shopkeeper smiled and looked at Gu Jiao, “Young Master Xiao’s friend produced an essay that has earned the praise of the Prestigious Guest Yang, and it is truly the best of the night. Young Master Xiao’s friend instructed that the lantern be given to Young Master Xiao, please accept it with our compliments.”

Gu Jiao received the lantern.

It was only then that the crowd realized what the Shopkeeper had mentioned—the Prestigious Guest Yang.

“Good heavens! The Prestigious Guest Yang actually came!”

“Had I known the Prestigious Guest Yang was here, I would have gone inside to write! A single piece of advice from him would make my life worthwhile!”

The Prestigious Guest Yang was a pillar of literature in Yan Country, and everyone who came to Shengdu to study wished to become his student, but unfortunately, he seldom took private students.

Soon after, Xiao Hen and Mu Qingchen came out.

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