eurekapd Chapter 55: Pot-tossing Competition
Chapter 55: Pot-tossing Competition
The mansion was decorated with lights and flowers, filled with fragrance, and filled with guests. However, in this lively occasion, there was one place that seemed a little deserted, and that was the corner where the Lu family lived.
Mrs. Lu sat there, looking a little embarrassed. She looked around from time to time and secretly glanced at Lu Yundi beside her. However, Lu Yundi seemed as if nothing had happened and was talking to others with a smile on her face. Mrs. Lu sighed in her heart that her daughter's heart was as unpredictable as a needle in the sea.
At this time, a young man in gorgeous clothes came over. He bowed to Madam Lu and said with a smile, "Madam, congratulations on your birthday. I'd like to toast you." Madam Lu smiled slightly, took the glass, and said softly, "Thank you, Mr. Li."
Master Li looked at Madam Lu and suddenly changed the subject, saying, "I heard that Madam has an eldest daughter named Wanqing, who is talented and beautiful. I wonder if I can see her today?" Madam Lu's face froze. She was about to answer when she heard Lu Yundi say with a sweet smile, "Master Li, my sister is not feeling well today and cannot come."
Master Li showed a look of disappointment, but he still maintained his composure and said, "It turns out that Miss Wanqing is not feeling well. I will definitely visit the Lu Mansion another day to see her in all her glory."
The banquet continued, but Mrs. Lu felt increasingly heavy-hearted. This matter could not be concealed after all, and she only hoped that her daughter could face it with strength.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess is here!" The voice of Mrs. Xu, the Minister's wife, was particularly clear amid the hustle and bustle of the birthday banquet.
The female relatives all stepped forward with smiles on their faces and a respectful attitude. Lu Yundi followed closely behind, feeling both excited and nervous.
The arrival of the eldest princess undoubtedly added a lot of dignity and liveliness to the birthday banquet.
The eldest princess slowly walked into the banquet hall. She was wearing a crimson phoenix-embroidered robe and a golden crown on her head. She walked lightly and gracefully. Her eyes and eyebrows were majestic, yet gentle. People dared not look directly at her, but could not help wanting to take a few more glances.
"Welcome Her Royal Highness the Princess!" The Minister's wife, Mrs. Xu, led all the female relatives in congratulating in unison.
The princess smiled and nodded slightly, her eyes swept over everyone, and finally landed on Lu Yundi. A trace of approval flashed in her eyes, and then she said: "This is the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, right? She is indeed a lady from a famous family, with a graceful demeanor."
Lu Yundi was delighted and hurriedly stepped forward, bowing respectfully: "Your Highness, thank you for your compliment. I am able to be where I am today thanks to the protection of my family. For your birthday, Lu Yundi has specially prepared a small gift. It is not a token of respect, but I hope Your Highness will accept it."
The princess smiled slightly, took the gift from Lu Yundi, and opened it to see that it was an exquisite embroidery. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she smiled and said, "This gift is very thoughtful, I accept it."
At this time, the atmosphere in the banquet hall became more and more heated. The women gathered around the eldest princess, vying to flatter her and trying to please her. The eldest princess seemed to be at ease, chatting and laughing, and from time to time she would comment on everyone's gifts, which made people respect her.
Mrs. Xu, the Shangshu's wife, looked at this scene and felt secretly proud.
The arrival of the eldest princess not only raised the level of the birthday banquet, but also was a recognition of her status. She secretly made up her mind to seize this opportunity to make the eldest princess look at her with new eyes.
However, at this moment, a guard rushed in with a panicked look. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.
"Your Highness, news has come from the palace that the Queen Mother suddenly fainted and is now bedridden. Her condition is critical!" the guard said breathlessly.
The eldest princess's face changed, and she stood up immediately: "The Queen Mother's health is urgent, I will return to the palace immediately. The banquet here ends here, ladies, you all go back and take care of your families."
The women all responded in agreement. Although they felt sorry, they did not dare to disobey the princess's order. Lu Yundi looked at the princess's departing back and secretly sighed in her heart that this princess was indeed extraordinary. Her majesty and kindness made people respect her.
After the banquet, people in the Shangshu Mansion dispersed. Xu looked at the empty banquet hall and felt a little disappointed. But when she thought of the princess's praise for Lu Yundi, she felt much more comforted.
When Lu Yundi returned home, she still had endless aftertastes of the scenes at the princess' banquet. Although the banquet was short, it allowed her to stand out in front of everyone and win a reputation for herself.
At the banquet, the lights were bright and there was laughter and chatter.
The birthday banquet of the old lady in the Minister of War's mansion attracted many officials and their families. The scene was grand and lively. In the spacious courtyard of the mansion, there was an exquisite pitching pot, and Cheng Qian and Yan Canglan were preparing to start a fierce pitching pot competition.
Cheng Qian was dressed in brocade and looked very energetic, while Yan Canglan was dressed in black and looked very heroic. Although they were the same age, Cheng Qian was cheerful while Yan Canglan was calm and reserved. They stood in front of the pot, ready to show their skills.
"Brother Cheng, today is the old lady's birthday banquet, how about we try a lucky draw?" Yan Canglan suggested with a smile.
"That's exactly what I mean, Brother Yan. Let's make the result of today's game of throwing pots as a bet to see who is better." Cheng Qian also responded.
With a command, the pot-tossing competition officially began. Cheng Qian picked up an arrow, aimed at the pot, and swung his arm. The arrow flew out like an arrow from a bow and hit the center of the pot. Everyone present cheered in unison. Cheng Qian smiled and said to Yan Canglan: "Brother Yan, be careful, I am not that easy to deal with."
Yan Canglan smiled lightly, picked up the arrow, and looked calm. He aimed at the pot, shook his arm, and the arrow went into the pot. Everyone applauded again, and Cheng Qian couldn't help but sigh: "Brother Yan is really worthy of his reputation. It seems that I have to be careful."
The competition became more intense, with both players going back and forth, with gains and losses. Cheng Qian once took the lead with his excellent skills. However, Yan Canglan was not to be outdone and gradually caught up. Under the tense gaze of the crowd, the competition entered a white-hot stage.
Just when everyone thought Cheng Qian was about to win, Yan Canglan suddenly exerted his strength and hit three prizes in a row, overtaking the score. Cheng Qian widened his eyes and sighed at Yan Canglan's strength. But he was not discouraged, but adjusted his mentality and challenged again.
At this time, the host of the banquet, the Minister of War, Old Lady Cheng, came over and said to the two with a smile: "You two young people are really good. This pitching pot game makes my blood boil. How about this, I will add a prize for you. Whoever wins this pitching pot game will be given a gift by me."
Hearing this, Cheng Qian and Yan Canglan became even more motivated. They tried their best to win. In the end, in front of everyone's surprised eyes, Yan Canglan defeated Cheng Qian by a single arrow.
Old Lady Cheng smiled and patted Yan Canglan on the shoulder: "Young man, your skills are truly admirable. You deserve this gift."
Yan Canglan responded modestly: "Old Lady, you are too kind. Brother Cheng is also very powerful. I have benefited a lot from today's battle."