Qin Zhao's dazzling figure immediately attracted everyone's attention!
But when people saw who she was, they all scoffed at her.
Yet they did not dare to show it too overtly, so the atmosphere at the scene was rather weird.
Qin Zhao said to Qin Zheng: "Father, you said everyone present could participate, with no gender specified. Your daughter also wants to try."
The imperial censor Zhang Huan was the first to object. He said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoyang is a woman. How can she compete with men for another woman on the same stage? This is not proper!"
Immediately someone echoed, "Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoyang's behavior is simply improper!
We can't lose face for Yue Kingdom in front of foreign guests!"
The Fourth Prince Qin Su suddenly felt this scene seemed somewhat familiar...
He abruptly remembered that at the House of Spring Breeze, a similar figure had also appeared!
What a coincidence, the person on stage at that time was Huo Chengjin.
Looking closely, the person back then wore a black eye mask. If it was changed to a golden mask, wouldn't it be Zhaoyang!
Moreover, Zhaoyang had defeated Huo Chengjin at that time. It seemed that Zhaoyang was quite skilled!
Qin Su could not bear to be defeated by Zhaoyang in front of so many nobles and royals.
He also spoke to stop it, "Father, Zhaoyang has been spoiled since childhood. She must not be Huo's opponent.
Although it's just a contest to determine the winner, there are still risks of injury.
Father dotes on Zhaoyang. I believe you don't want her to take risks either."
The Seventh Prince Qin Zhan's request for a painting was declined, so he was unhappy with Qin Zhao.
He said, "Father, a lady of noble birth like my sister should have zither, chess, books and painting as companions. Her conduct and manners should be proper and virtuous!
How could she do such uncouth things?"
Everyone babbled on, voicing their own opinions. Not one person supported Qin Zhao.
Qin Zheng raised his hand to signal for quiet. He asked, "Zhaoyang, do you have anything to say?"
Qin Zhao said, "Father once promised to grant your daughter a reward.
Your daughter has decided what she wants—please grant your daughter permission to join the competition this time."
Qin Zheng: "I permit it."
With the emperor's word, no one else dared to raise any more objections. They turned their attention to the contest between Qin Zhao and Huo Chengjin.
Looking at Qin Zhao, who was half a head shorter than Huo Chengjin, they lit incense sticks in their hearts for her.
Princess Qin Yu couldn't bear to watch Qin Zhao lose to Huo Chengjin. She turned her head away.
Qi Yan Su Luo gazed at Qin Zhao, wanting her to win yet also hoping she would lose.
No matter the outcome, it would not satisfy her.
Huo Chengjin turned to face Qin Zhao, his thoughts complicated.
He had doubted that Princess Zhaoyang no longer liked him, but now he finally understood that Zhaoyang's feelings for him remained as deep as before!
At the House of Spring Breeze that time, Zhaoyang didn't want him to become the courtesan's patron. So she went on stage to compete with him.
This time was a similar situation. Zhaoyang didn't want him to get entangled with Qi Yan Su Luo, so despite such great pressure she still wanted to stop him!
Huo Chengjin was very moved. Fortunately, Yue Kingdom allowed men to take concubines. In the future...
Thinking of this, Huo Chengjin's face revealed a smile. He said, "I see Your Highness came up empty-handed. Were you too rushed?
Since Your Highness has no weapon, I can also put down my sword and wrestle with you bare-handed."
Hearing these somewhat strange words, Qin Zhao didn't know what this person was fantasizing about. She just said, "This palace has a weapon."
She pulled out a horsewhip from behind her back. She had asked Cong Han to get it from the groom.
Snap!
Qin Zhao casually flicked her wrist. The horsewhip cracked through the air.
The corner of Huo Chengjin's mouth twitched. He thought to himself: Zhaoyang knew he wouldn't hurt her, that's why she dared to be so bold!
Seeing the crude weapon in Princess Zhaoyang's hands, there was another wave of sighs from below the stage.
Huo Chengjin drew out his longsword and said, "My weapon has an advantage. For fairness, I'll let Your Highness have three moves first."
Qin Zhao didn't stand on ceremony with him either. She brandished the horsewhip and charged at him!
Huo Chengjin nimbly dodged, avoiding Qin Zhao's first attack!
But the next second, accompanied by a snap, he felt a sharp pain on his body!
A whip broke Huo Chengjin's shirt!
His chest robe now had a long tear, vaguely revealing the bloody wound underneath!
Huo Chengjin lost his composure and hurriedly counterattacked with his sword!
Qin Zhao laughed. "That was just the second move. Why aren't you letting me attack anymore? Weren't you very arrogant just now!"
This scene caused quite a stir among the crowd!
They had never seen Huo Chengjin look so miserable before. They couldn't believe their eyes.
The emperor was also a bit surprised.
But everyone quickly adjusted their minds, attributing this situation to Huo Chengjin's carelessness or deliberately going easy.
Firmly believing he would regain control of the situation later!
Only Qin Su knew Qin Zhao really had skills.
He grew more and more nervous, only hoping Huo Chengjin would do his best and definitely not lose to Qin Zhao like last time!
Huo Chengjin retreated several steps to get out of Qin Zhao's attack range. He said, "I underestimated Your Highness. That was my negligence.
So next, I will formally accept Your Highness's challenge!"
After he spoke, he slashed at Qin Zhao with his sword using extremely fast movements!
The sword strokes were so fast that the crowd could only see the afterimages of the blade!
Someone couldn't help but stand up and clap, cheering Huo Chengjin on: "General Huo is truly heroic and extraordinary!"
This prompted others to follow suit. For a time, the venue was like Huo Chengjin's cheer squad.
But the speed Huo Chengjin thought was fast appeared slow in Qin Zhao's eyes. She effortlessly dodged the sword's edge!
When Huo Chengjin was focused on attacking and his defense was relaxed, she lashed her whip to entangle his legs and jerked hard. Huo Chengjin lost his balance and fell backward!
He instinctively looked back, trying to steady himself with his hands.
Qin Zhao seized the opportunity and kicked out, striking his wrist!
Huo Chengjin's sword flew from his hand. Qin Zhao used the horsewhip to coil around the hilt and snatched it over!
By the time Huo Chengjin barely braced himself, when he looked again, the sword tip hovered right before his eyes!
The situation had turned sharply. Those who had stood up to cheer Huo Chengjin on still hadn't sat back down when Huo Chengjin on the stage had already lost!
They were like encountering thunder on a sunny day, unsteady on their feet and tottering!
At this point, Huo Chengjin was still thinking that Zhaoyang publicly shamed him. Wasn't she afraid he'd be angry with her?
Qin Zhao looked down on him from above and said, "Remember, you are this palace's defeated opponent. You have no right to compete with this palace for a woman!"
Cracks appeared in Huo Chengjin's previously composed face. He asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean?
You like me. Aren't you afraid of disgusting me by saying such things?"
Qin Zhao snorted out a laugh, finally understanding why this person had said those words earlier.
She said, "Mr. Huo, times have changed!"
Qin Zhao threw away the sword. The metallic sound echoed in the quiet venue, but no one cheered for Qin Zhao's victory.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Abrupt clapping suddenly rang out!
