Chapter 60

Yeyu turned around and saw Su Yueyun staring intently at the high platform, thinking she was captivated by the lanterns on the stage, he teased, "In comparison, this lotus lantern is much less impressive..."

"Um, Brother Yu, you misunderstood. Yueyun really likes this lotus lantern!"

Realizing Yeyu's meaning, Su Yueyun, who had just come to her senses, explained, "Yueyun was actually looking at the woman on the platform. The silver butterfly hairpin in her hair looks very beautiful under the light..."

"Oh? Is that so..."

Yeyu's eyebrows slightly raised, and he looked up at the woman on the high platform. Although they were quite far apart and he couldn't see her face clearly, the silver butterfly hairpin in her hair was fluttering slightly with her movements, shimmering in the light.

Seeing Yueyun's fondness for the hairpin, Yeyu lowered his head and thought for a moment.

At this time, the results of the lantern competition among the five people on the platform were gradually becoming clear. The four judges unanimously agreed that only Ye Mingzhi's 'Flying Horse Lantern with Four Hooves in the Wind' and another girl's 'Phoenix Piercing Peony Lantern' were of the highest quality. As for which of the two was the best, it was difficult to decide.

Ye Mingzhi glanced at the girl in front of him and thought that if it were any other day, he might give her a slight advantage due to her beauty, but today, he was determined to win the first place in this lantern competition.

He first bowed to Yue Lin and the four judges, then said confidently, "This lantern still has a hidden feature that hasn't been revealed. Please watch!"

As Ye Mingzhi fiddled with the lantern, everyone saw the flying horse lantern suddenly surrounded by mist, as if it were riding the clouds.

This indeed matched the name of the lantern, with its four hooves flying as if riding the clouds, making people marvel at its ingenuity.

One of the judges stood up, stroked his beard, and praised, "Indeed, there is more to it than meets the eye. The smoke generated by the lantern light swirls inside, and the thin, translucent paper at the bottom perfectly captures the misty effect. Truly ingenious! Ingenious!"

Another judge also stood up, nodding in agreement, "Indeed! I suggest we select this lantern as the champion of this year. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement. However, at this moment, the girl who had been silent for a long time spoke up, "Wait a moment!"

Ye Mingzhi's eyebrows raised, and he smiled lightly, "Oh? Do you have a hidden trick as well?"

"You're right, gentlemen. This 'Phoenix Piercing Peony Lantern' is not as simple as it looks!"

The girl placed the lantern on a nearby table, gently twisted it, and then everyone's attention turned to the 'Phoenix Piercing Peony Lantern.'

They saw that after the girl's hand left, the peony, which had been closed, gradually opened. As the peony bloomed, a faint fragrance filled the entire platform. Under the light, the blooming peony looked even more beautiful and captivating.

"This..."

Both had shown the unique features of their lanterns, and it was now difficult to decide. After all, both had their own merits in innovation. At this moment, Yue Lin first glanced at the girl and then said, "I believe the 'Flying Horse Lantern with Four Hooves in the Wind' should be the first place!"

"Thank you, sir!" Ye Mingzhi's tense heart relaxed, and he bowed gratefully to Yue Lin.

However, the girl was very dissatisfied, her almond eyes wide with indignation, and she huffed, "Uncle, your judgment to avoid favoritism is commendable, but it lacks fairness and impartiality!"

"Um..." The girl's words caused a stir, and only then did everyone realize that the girl was the magistrate's niece.

"Third Sister, don't cause trouble!" Yue Lin's face turned cold, a mix of authority and helplessness. He was truly at a loss with this niece.

Yue Lin's niece, however, refused to back down, insisting, "Uncle, please judge fairly, or I will not accept it!"

"You!..."

"Sir, after much discussion, the four of us judges believe that both lanterns are equally ingenious and cannot be distinguished. Therefore, we unanimously agree that both should be the champions of this year!"

Since the four judges had spoken, Yue Lin could not say anything more and had to let his niece win the championship.

Below the platform, Yeyu saw this result and stroked his chin, thinking for a moment. He then whispered a few words to She Tongcheng, who hurriedly left.

At this moment, the judges were about to announce the results when Yeyu spoke up loudly, "Sir, I have come to participate in the lantern competition. Have I arrived too late?"

The crowd parted to let Su Yueyun push Yeyu to the front of the platform. Yue Lin had not expected Yeyu to come, but he then instructed the guards to lead Yeyu to the high platform. This was not because Yeyu had a high status, but because, with his disability, he could not get up there without help.

"Your humble servant greets you, sir!" Yeyu bowed respectfully to Yue Lin after ascending the platform.

Yue Lin smiled kindly, "I thought you had returned to Qingliu County. Why, are you also participating in this lantern competition?"

"Since this is for the enjoyment of the people, how can I not join in the fun? But I wonder what the rewards are for the winners?"

"Although I am the host of this competition, it is organized by the four major lantern shop owners of this state. The winner will receive a large sum of money and can choose any lantern from the shops for free for a year!"

After hearing Yue Lin's explanation, Yeyu understood the rules of the competition. He thought the four major lantern shops were quite generous. No wonder so many people participated with such tempting rewards.

"Your humble servant would like to participate in this competition. Could the sir and the judges wait a moment?"

"Do you really want to participate?"

"Indeed!" Yeyu said solemnly.

Behind him, Su Yueyun tugged at Yeyu's sleeve with a complicated expression, whispering, "We don't have a lantern..."

Yeyu patted Yueyun's hand and smiled mysteriously, "We don't have one now, but we will soon."

Ignoring Yueyun's confusion, Yeyu turned to Yue Lin and said respectfully, "Although the four judges have unanimously decided that these two are the co-champions, I believe these two lanterns are not the best!"

Sigh!

The entire venue fell silent at his words, and the four judges all turned their gaze to Yeyu. Even Ye Mingzhi, who had always been at odds with Yeyu, was taken aback by his words.

"Arrogant! Presumptuous!" Yue Lin's niece shot Yeyu a glance and then showed a look of disdain.

Yue Lin's niece's words echoed the thoughts of Ye Mingzhi and everyone else present. They all sneered at Yeyu's arrogance. One of the judges, looking displeased, said, "What do you consider to be the best, then?"

Yeyu's words had clearly slapped the four judges in the face, making them look grim.

However, Yue Lin showed great interest. Although he had not known Yeyu for long, he found him to be intelligent and steady. If Yeyu had made such a bold claim, he must have been well-prepared.

"Whether it is the best depends on whether the judges will give me a chance."

"Fine! We want to see what you consider the best!" the four judges said in unison.

At this moment, She Tongcheng returned with several people, all carrying materials for making lanterns. Yeyu then instructed everyone to work together, each responsible for a part of the lantern.

"Miss, you said I was arrogant. How about we make a bet?" Yeyu took the opportunity to approach Yue Lin's niece.

Yue Lin's niece frowned, wary, "What kind of bet?"

"Simple. If my lantern is not as good as your 'Phoenix Piercing Peony,' I will apologize to you for my arrogance."

"Oh?" Yue Lin's niece's eyes lit up at this.

Yeyu paused for a moment and then continued, "If I win, I will take a piece of jewelry from you. Don't worry, it won't be something that will make you uncomfortable."

"Fine! I accept!" Yue Lin's niece agreed readily. She was dressed simply today and had no valuable jewelry.

With many hands, the lantern took shape in just a short while. Yeyu then directed She Tongcheng and others to form a small mountain with bamboo strips, while he pasted brown paper on the mountain-shaped frame.

He then made over sixty small birds out of paper, and Su Yueyun, who was skilled at drawing birds and insects, helped with the details, while Yeyu carefully outlined the shape of the mountain.

After about half an hour, a large lantern appeared before everyone:

A paper mountain with a bare tree, and a hundred birds perched on the branches, with a phoenix standing in the middle.

The hundred birds were in various poses—some with open beaks, some flapping their wings, some turning their heads, some raising their tails. Each bird was attached to a fine string, and a copper coin was tied to the end of the string. The slightest breeze would make the birds move, as if they were alive.

Inside each bird, supported by bamboo strips, was a small candle, but they were not lit yet.

Once everything was ready, Yeyu said to the crowd and the four judges, "This lantern is called 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.' What do you think?"

"Although it is lifelike, it is not much better than the previous two lanterns..."

"True, although the idea is unique, it was made hastily and has flaws."

"Not only is it not on par with the previous two lanterns, but it is slightly inferior..."

"..."

The judges' evaluations were low, and the crowd did not see anything special, so they began to criticize Yeyu for his arrogance.

Ye Mingzhi stood to the side, smirking as if watching a show, "Yeyu, you are only embarrassing yourself. Why bother?"

"Sir, you should admit defeat!" Yue Lin's niece, who had a cold expression, now showed a mocking smile.

Faced with the disdainful looks of the crowd, Yeyu laughed heartily, "Do you all know the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes? To make such a hasty judgment is too rash, don't you think?"

(I always like to be innovative. While others write about lantern riddles and couplets, I'll make a lantern! No clichés! If you find it interesting, please follow and vote, as it is my motivation to write! The story will get even more exciting...)

Page break for ads

Page break for ads end