Chapter 61

Yeyu finished speaking and then ignored everyone, taking the burning torch from She Tongcheng's hand. He was about to set the paper phoenix and birds on fire.

This action left everyone puzzled and regretful, thinking that even if the lanterns were not as good as the other two, there was no need to destroy them so recklessly. Wasn't it a waste to burn them to ashes?

Hun! Then everyone saw the paper birds and the phoenix on the branch surrounded by flames, turning the entire branch into a myriad of sparks.

Although the sparks, dancing with the breeze, were beautiful, they also made people feel regretful because once the flames died out, everything would turn to nothing.

"Why are you doing this? Isn't this...?"

Yue Lin could no longer contain his confusion. He didn't understand why Yeyu was doing this. Although he heard Yeyu's words clearly, the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes was just a metaphor.

Imagine, how could paper birds and a phoenix withstand the intense flames? After all, 'paper cannot contain fire' is an unchangeable fact.

"Please calm down, sir, and watch!"

Yeyu calmly reassured the puzzled Yue Lin, pointing to the 'fire tree starlight' where the flames were gradually diminishing. He then waved his wide sleeves, creating a gentle breeze that extinguished the flames on a few nearby birds.

Yue Lin, not understanding the meaning, looked in the direction Yeyu pointed and saw that the birds, now without flames, were unharmed. The painted birds seemed even more lively, and a faint fragrance wafted from them.

Yue Lin exclaimed in surprise, "The paper birds are unharmed!"

A murmur of excitement spread through the crowd. Regardless of the quality of the lanterns, the fact that the paper birds remained unharmed after the fire was enough to leave everyone speechless.

The four judges, also intrigued by this unexpected phenomenon, turned their gazes to the abandoned 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' lantern.

As the flames on the tree gradually died out, the 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' lantern was revealed to be unharmed. Not only that, but the candles inside the phoenix and the birds were lit, and the fragrance spread throughout the platform.

As the breeze blew, the fragrance spread further. One hundred and one candles flickered in the wind, like stars hanging from the branches. The phoenix and the birds, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared even more lively and vibrant.

"Sir, judges, does this lantern meet your standards?"

"This..."

One of the judges stood up, circled the lantern, and then sighed in admiration, "Indeed, it is the phoenix rising from the ashes. The fire not only smoothed out the rough spots but also made it come to life..."

"Indeed, the lingering fragrance is a unique blend of the distinctive scent of wutong wood and the intoxicating aroma of fine wine! Rare! Rare!"

"Agreed! A single flame igniting a myriad of sparks, a wutong branch attracting a hundred birds... Marvelous, truly marvelous!" Yue Lin stroked his beard and praised.

Yeyu couldn't help but smile at these words, thinking that scholars always loved poetic and exaggerated descriptions. Calling over a hundred candles 'a myriad of sparks' certainly added a poetic touch.

After analyzing the 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' lantern, everyone praised it without end. They all agreed that in terms of artistic conception and creativity, it surpassed Ye Mingzhi and Yue Sanlang.

"Sir, we four unanimously agree that this 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' lantern is truly impressive, fully embodying the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes. Its profound artistic conception is truly admirable!"

Yue Lin nodded in satisfaction and then looked around at the crowd. Seeing no objections, he turned to Ye Mingzhi and Yue Sanlang, "Do you two have any objections?"

After all, Yeyu's participation was somewhat irregular, like a surprise entrant. Therefore, for the final judgment, it was necessary to seek their opinions.

Ye Mingzhi glared at Yeyu fiercely. He had seen everything clearly and knew that Yeyu had once again stolen the spotlight.

This was infuriating for him, who was already the frontrunner. He wanted to use Yue Lin's question to challenge Yeyu's participation and reclaim the title. However, just as he was about to speak, Yue Sanlang spoke up.

"Convinced, no objections!"

"You..." Yue Sanlang's words left Ye Mingzhi feeling as if he had swallowed a fly. If even Yue Sanlang, who had a slight edge over him, admitted defeat, he would appear petty if he continued to object.

After some thought, he swallowed his words and responded, "I have no objections!"

"Good! Since neither of you have objections, I hereby announce that the winner of this lantern competition is Yeyu's 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'!"

Yue Lin's announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd. The continuous cheers confirmed the correctness of the judgment.

Yeyu, however, did not seem overly excited. Instead, he pushed his wheelchair to Yue Sanlang and asked solemnly, "Do you remember our bet?"

"Of course, I will honor the bet! What do you want, sir?" Yue Sanlang, though defeated, did not try to renege on the bet.

Yeyu looked up at Yue Sanlang, and their eyes met briefly, causing a blush to rise on her cheeks.

Yeyu pointed to the butterfly silver hairpin in Yue Sanlang's hair and said softly, "I want the hairpin in your hair!"

"You..." Hearing this, Yue Sanlang was stunned, her already flushed face turning even redder.

She, who had been able to face him directly, now averted her gaze.

Yeyu, not understanding her reaction, thought she might be reluctant to part with the hairpin.

Thinking this, he asked, "Are you unwilling to part with it?"

"This..."

Yue Sanlang hesitated for a moment, seeing that Yeyu was serious. She then said, "A bet is a bet, and one must keep their word. Since you like it, I will give it to you!" She then removed the hairpin from her hair and handed it to Yeyu.

Give? This was clearly something I won! However, since the hairpin was now in his possession, Yeyu didn't argue and smiled, "Thank you for your generosity!"

He then ignored Yue Sanlang and pushed his wheelchair towards Su Yueyun. This sudden coldness left Yue Sanlang feeling a sense of loss, but this was just the beginning.

When Yeyu returned to his original spot, he gestured for Su Yueyun to come closer. Confused, she bent down to listen to Yeyu.

However, this time Yeyu did not speak. Instead, he gently placed the butterfly silver hairpin in Su Yueyun's hair.

Seeing Su Yueyun's surprised expression, he smiled, "Yueyun, you have excellent taste. This hairpin truly complements your beauty!"

"Brother Yu, how did you get this hairpin?"

"Won it!" Yeyu replied casually.

Although Su Yueyun was delighted, she still remembered the original owner. When she turned to look at Yue Sanlang, she saw that Yue Sanlang was blushing with anger and had hurriedly left the platform.

Even Yue Lin's calls from behind did not stop her.

...

After Yeyu's victory, the grand and lively lantern competition came to an end. However, people continued to discuss the various highlights of the event.

Especially Yeyu's 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' lantern, which left a lasting impression.

On the way back, She Tongcheng and Su Yueyun asked about the secret of the lantern. Yeyu did not hide anything and explained everything.

In fact, the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes was just a gimmick to add meaning to the lantern.

The reason the paper birds and phoenix were not destroyed by the flames was that the paper had been soaked in strong alcohol.

High-proof alcohol is flammable, and when the paper soaked in alcohol is lit, the surface alcohol burns first. The water absorbs the heat released by the burning alcohol, preventing the temperature from reaching the ignition point of the paper.

Since the burning only consumes the alcohol and not the water in the alcohol solution, when the alcohol is burned out, only water remains on the paper, which is not flammable.

Moreover, the paper birds and phoenix were sprinkled with ground maple leaves, which release a faint wutong wood scent when heated, enhancing the 'phoenix perched on wutong' theme.

Combined with the lingering fragrance of the alcohol, it was no wonder people were enchanted. As Yue Lin praised, "A single flame igniting a myriad of sparks, a wutong branch attracting a hundred birds!" In terms of story and artistic conception, it far surpassed Ye Mingzhi and Yue Sanlang.

On the way back, Yeyu noticed that Su Yueyun seemed deep in thought and asked, "Why are you unhappy? Is the butterfly hairpin not to your liking?"

"No, it's not that..." Su Yueyun replied without hesitation.

"Then why?"

Su Yueyun hesitated for a moment and then said, "Brother Yu, you won this hairpin for me, and I am very happy, but did you know that the hairpin cannot be casually asked for..."

"What? There are rules for this?" Yeyu was surprised, thinking that asking for a hairpin could have rules.

Seeing that Yeyu really didn't understand, Su Yueyun felt a mix of emotions and said softly, "Of course there are rules. A hairpin can be a token of a woman's affection. If a man asks for it, it means he has feelings for her..."

"What!? Feelings for her?" Yeyu shivered, thinking about the rules. He then thought about Yue Sanlang on the platform and stammered, "That... that just now..."

Su Yueyun pouted and said, "I thought you knew."

"Um..."

Yeyu thought this was a big mistake. Imagining himself, a disabled young man, publicly expressing affection for the magistrate's niece, he realized this was a death sentence.

Recalling Yue Lin's strange look on the platform, Yeyu was speechless. It seemed that one should never seek death, and fortunately, he would leave the next day, hoping this matter would be forgotten.

At this moment, She Tongcheng laughed, "Miss Yueyun, you only said half of it! Giving a hairpin to a lady is also significant, almost like a token of love. Brother, your archery skills are truly remarkable. Others hit two birds with one arrow, but you won the hearts of two beauties with one hairpin!"

"Um..." Yeyu's expression turned even more awkward. Su Yueyun buried her head in her chest, her face flushed with embarrassment.