Li Yuexian quickly chimed in, "Yes, why not have a competition."
"No! Absolutely not! My sister, she, she's different now, but she's never learned. Please don't make things difficult for her," Yun Ying stood up as if making a show and pleaded with everyone. She appeared so kind and pure.
Geng Yuyue chuckled at this. Since even Yun Ying said so, it seemed that although Yun Shu was no longer foolish, she was still useless. Today, she would shatter Yun Shu's dreams! Did she think that now that she wasn't foolish, she could make men infatuated with just her looks? That was just a fantasy in Yun Shu's dreams.
For a moment, no one spoke up for Yun Shu.
Yun Changfeng was extremely furious, unable to even contemplate it. In the years he was away from the capital, had these people been bullying his daughter so brazenly?!
"Father, let's not leave the palace just yet. They've so warmly invited me to a competition. If I refuse, it would be too cruel. I'll compete with Miss Geng the Second," Yun Shu said nonchalantly. Her words showed no hint of backing down. She secretly winked at Yun Changfeng twice, playfully signaling that this little situation was child's play to her.
Yun Changfeng understood. He also knew that his daughter would make those who mocked her regret it.
"Miss Mu the Second, you truly have courage. I admire you!" Geng Yuyue said with a feigned compliment.
Someone couldn't help but snicker. They said to Geng Yuyue, "Miss Geng the Second, please be merciful! Regardless, Miss Yun the Second is the daughter of the Great General of Zhennan. Moreover, the people she liked five years ago are mostly here. If she loses face, she might start crying again."
"Yes, if she cries, we won't be able to comfort her, and it might offend His Majesty and the Empress."
Upon hearing their words, Geng Yuyue nodded and replied, "Alright, don't worry. I'll listen to you and will only exert half my strength today."
Zhan Xiaoli suddenly said to Zhan Tianye, "They are so annoying."
Zhan Tianye's brows furrowed slightly, and he looked down at Zhan Xiaoli. "Because they are making things difficult for others?"
"They are ugly inside and out!" Zhan Xiaoli said indignantly. For some reason, he felt strange. Seeing others bully that Aunt Yun Shu made him uncomfortable.
"Xiaoli, you're still young, you wouldn't understand," Zhan Tianye said, glancing at Yun Shu from the corner of his eye. He suddenly felt a peculiar sensation. This woman was not the same as the one from five years ago! However, the way she had looked at him several times just now conveyed affection, so this strange feeling was irrelevant.
"You asked to compete with me. Shouldn't you show some sincerity?" a gleam flashed in Yun Shu's eyes.
"Oh? You want to bet with me, is that it?" Geng Yuyue almost couldn't contain herself, nearly bursting into laughter. She still dared to propose stakes!
Yun Shu lowered her gaze. "If I win, will you kneel on the ground and let me slap you ten times?"
"What? Yun Shu, don't be too much!" Geng Yuyue said angrily.
"What, are you scared? If you're scared, why did you proactively suggest competing with me?" Yun Shu smiled charmingly.
Seeing Yun Shu's captivating smile, and noticing Yi Zixing staring at Yun Shu again out of the corner of her eye, she was consumed by jealousy. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Fine! I've always been a good sport. So, if you win, you'll slap me ten times, and if I win, I'll slap you ten times."
"Alright."
Soon.
They decided what to compete in. It was music. Back then, the original owner was egged on by many and forced to sit before the Guqin. Her hands, which had never touched a Guqin, trembled uncontrollably when they brushed against the strings. Accidentally, with a gentle pluck, all the strings snapped. She was immediately chosen as one of the worst musicians. This incident caused many to laugh for a very long time. So long that the original owner dared not leave her room for two months and broke out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of the word 'qin.'
Yun Shu snapped back from her memories.
"I'll go first," Geng Yuyue said, immediately sitting down before the Guqin. Her slender fingers danced across the strings. Instantly, melodious notes filled the air. Her skill was almost on par with the palace musicians, eliciting gasps of admiration.
"Miss Geng the Second is even better than she was a few years ago!"
"Too amazing!"
"Will Yun Shu be so scared that she won't dare to sit down now?"
"Then Miss Geng the Second will slap her ten times!"
Zhan Xiaoli's small brows were tightly knitted.
Because Yun Shu had stepped forward and walked to the center, facing Geng Yuyue directly, she happened to be standing about a meter away from Zhan Xiaoli. Her heart fluttered with joy. This was the second time she was this close to her son. She bent down, looked at Zhan Xiaoli, and smiled with her eyes crinkling, looking gentle and tender.
Zhan Xiaoli was stunned. She looked just like his mother in his dreams! In that moment, he almost couldn't resist rushing forward to hug her! Why did he feel as if she was his mother? The two, one big and one small, gazed at each other.
Some people noticed this scene. Yun Shu was no longer foolish and was even smarter than before. She knew to start by targeting a child! Seeing that Prince Ye didn't even spare her a glance, she began trying to curry favor with his son!
"Scram!" Zhan Tianye uttered the word through gritted teeth. It was a word that instilled fear and made one involuntarily retreat.
Yun Shu sensed Zhan Tianye's killing intent and his disgust towards her. "Are you talking to me, Prince Ye?" she asked knowingly, her tone cold.
Zhan Tianye roared, "Don't make me say it a second time! If you dare to look at me again today, or even harbor any other thoughts, I will absolutely not spare you!"
"Daddy, don't say any more!" Zhan Xiaoli intervened. He felt that Aunt Yun Shu didn't seem to like Daddy very much, but Daddy seemed to think she did.
Yun Shu was speechless and quickly defended herself, "Prince Ye, please rest assured, I gave up on you long ago. There are countless good men in the world. It's been five years, and my heart has long since changed."
"I saw you staring at Prince Ye just now. Don't be stubborn," someone nearby reminded Yun Shu, utterly exasperated. They thought Yun Shu was treating everyone like fools.
Zhan Tianye's expression was extremely grim, making him even more convinced that Yun Shu had ulterior motives. He believed she was using the tactic of playing hard to get.
Yun Shu looked at them as if they were idiots. If Zhan Xiaoli weren't present, and she didn't want to frighten him, she would have treated their brains and eyes right then and there.
"I'll say it again, if I still like Prince Ye, then let me lose today, how about it?" Yun Shu made an oath.
Zhan Tianye couldn't be bothered to look at Yun Shu again. If she lost, she would admit to liking him? Was she doing this on purpose? With her foolishness, how could she compare to Geng Yuyue?
Those who heard her oath couldn't help but suppress their laughter. They thought she was trying to use this opportunity to confess her feelings to Prince Ye! My, she had become more cunning than before.
"Miss Yun the Second, it's your turn," Geng Yuyue said, lifting a finger and standing up. She looked down at Yun Shu with disdain.
Yun Shu walked over and sat down.