V2C46

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqich

Proofreader: Ani

Si Da’s fingers trembled as she pointed at Qiao Chu, “Master, zither-playing, chess, calligraphy and painting are all necessary skills for a concubine candidate, yet you somehow cannot paint!”

Meiren frowned, “Come to speak of it, from what I can recall, after we started following Master, we’ve never seen her play the zither or chess.”

Si Da covered her eyes with her hands, “Goodness! Master, you’re not qualified to be a candidate. We should go back.”

Qiao Chu let out a laugh, “I said I can’t paint well, but it’s not like it’s impossible for me to paint. What are you so worried about?”

Si Da and Meiren were taken aback. Si Da said angrily, “Master, if everything’s alright then don’t frighten us like that.”

Meiren was not as optimistic as Si Da. Although the five women were treading different paths, they were all in the same garden; separated only by a few rows of trees, flowers and plants. Anyone could tell how the others were faring with just a glance.

It could be seen that, with the exception of the woman in Wang Yuzhi’s group, their own group was lagging behind. The other three groups were advancing at an extremely fast pace. In other words, the people that came along with them were making a great effort to help solve the riddles.

Among them, Lang Linling’s group was temporarily at the forefront, Wang Yuzhi’s was second and Qiao Rong’s group was third.

On the contrary, their group was good with martial arts but ignorant when it came to riddles. Si Da was unable to comprehend them, so Qiao Chu was the only one looking at the riddle scrolls, pondering over them and writing the answer down, which finally allowed them to advance forward.

From afar, the princes and court officials that watched the competition didn’t pay attention to the other groups. Instead, their sights were on them. They talked amongst themselves, keeping their eyes on the competition. Prince Xia and Prince Ning stood together, slightly watching them while laughing and whispering.

Meiren’s chest constricted and she said hoarsely, “Master, Si Da’s words are reasonable. If we fall behind when solving the riddles, we’ll undoubtedly lose.”

Si Da glanced at the people around them, the rims of her eyes slightly red. She said aggrievedly, “Everyone’s watching and mocking us. What will we do now?”

Qiao Chu gazed into the distance and said quietly, “Stupid girl, you’re mistaken. The trick to winning this round is not in the speed in which we solve the riddles.”

“Why do you think the Crown Prince’s group is in third place? Qiao Rong is a blockhead, but with the Crown Prince and Qiao Mei, the riddles are nothing to them! Although Young Miss Lang is intelligent and has the assistance of the Empress and Prince Xian, it’s not an easy feat to win against the Crown Prince.”

“What master means is—”

Meiren was stunned. Si Da tightly grasped at Qiao Chu’s clothes.

Qiao Chu gently closed her eyes, and after a while she said, “In order to win, we must figure out what Prince Rui was thinking.”

Si Da and Meiren were shocked. Si Da hurriedly said, “What does this have to do with Prince Rui?”

Qiao Chu looked deep in thought. “That night, Prince Rui also needed to draw soldiers in to obtain the support of the military. In such a short period of time, he was able to draw 100,000 troops. How could he have possibly done this? Prince Rui’s strategy is the most important thing we need to figure out.”

Meiren frowned and said in a low voice, “Master, I understand. The Crown Prince hasn’t been solving the riddles that quickly because he’s been trying to think of the method Prince Rui used that night.”

TL: Guyssss, what do you think was Prince Rui’s method? I’ve an idea, just one…

Comment if you have any others’ I’ll say mine next chapter. BTW, I’m not cheating!! The method hasn’t been revealed yet!