The first challenge was announced three days later during the daily court meeting. The emperor with JiDan walked out from the palace to which the people chanted their praises and greetings. After a few words, Yu XueQin sat on his throne and beside him stands the prince. JiDan should be sitting in one of the chairs beside the Emperor. However, due to not having Lang Yuan as the Empress, he must remain standing with some of the closer officials behind. Even though everyone already knows JiDan is already promoted as the crowned prince as long as there's no formal introduction then things should stay as how it was in tradition.
On the square ground right just before the flight of stairs, the harem and the lower officials kneeled with their heads bowed low to the ground. From afar, one can easily see the beautiful robes of the ladies as it was spread out around them when kneeling. They are truly the flowers on the Emperor's garden, each holding their own way of beauty making everyone mesmerized.
On the other hand, Lang Yuan is also kneeling on the same platform but in a rather obvious distance. He only has himself kneeling that made him look pitiful than the harem that was clumped in one side. Though, nobody underestimated the youth's beauty. His hair was tied in beautiful locks ornamented with the finest comb and pins partnered with a white robe with pink petals design. His face was only painted thinly, the artist saying that Lang Yuan already has a beautiful face and only added a few pink blushes and eye lines to emphasize its shape.
Lang Yuan is feeling a bit down when they told him he's beautiful. He's rather accept the term 'average' than to be called beautiful. If ever they really wanted to compliment him, at least say that he is handsome.
The first part of the court meeting would be the discussion about the World's affair. During this time, the ministers will start reporting about the progress of their works or voicing out some concerns about the Human Realm and their own. The emperor would listen to their problems and the possible answers and solution. Though, it is still up to the emperor to approve such actions, or if there are alternatives that could be done.
None of the concubines showed interest to the political affairs. Rather, some of them did not understand the terms and trends the men are discussing. Lou MuLan can be said as an elite when it comes to her strong will power but her strength only comes to action and not thinking. That's why she did not comprehend the solutions Yu XueQin gave out after hearing the problems.
The other concubines share the same thought. After all, even though they are intelligent, the scope is only up to literature and performing arts. There might be a little knowledge about basic combat but that is only for pure defense. There are men inside the palace. They are responsible for these affairs while women would often stay in the house to take good care of the children and the household.
On the other hand, Lang Yuan listened intently while thinking how the management in this world is full of holes compared to the world he is from. When it comes to agriculture, this world did not about circulating the crops to maintain the nutrients of the soil, or about cutting some trees to protect forest areas. They also don't have the idea of irrigation and slope farming to use mountains to its maximum. Lang Yuan is not a farmer and did not have the experience at hand but this is common knowledge taught in middle school.
That's why he is so itchy to raise his hand up like a student to answer the best solutions that he can bring to make this place more harmonious. It's just that this thought was quickly blocked by his status in this world. What the emperor knows about him is that he is an orphan who never even once went to any school to study. To say these magnanimous ideas, will not the emperor question his credibility? Yu XueQin is already suspecting him. He didn't want to put more fuel to the fire.
The 'boring' discussion ended after an hour. The next topic would be about the competition of getting the Empress position. Everyone's attention shifted automatically showing interest to this awaited event than the political talk. Most of the people, aside from the scholars, are either only knows how to fight or farm so there's no question if they did understand the reports.
Zhong Song who is clad in his formal green scholar robes embroidered with the imperial emblem stepped up whilst holding a scroll. He opens it up in front of the people and clearly announced what is written on the text.
"Greetings to the Emperor and to the Imperial Court," Zhong Song said. "In this script, what is written are the abiding rules concerning the competition for the Empress position. Any form of misbehavior against the rules will be punished by the heavens. The punishment will be dependent to the severity of the misdeed, ten lashes of the whip being the lowest punishment and eviction from the Imperial Harem would be the maximum. This decision was approved by the Imperial Court, the Empress Dowager, and the Lord Emperor."
"The challenges are hence decided by the Imperial Harem with the Empress Candidate's permission. Five challenges are listed, with the first three that will be announced for today's meeting and the following two to the succeeding days. The candidate that will receive the highest possible score from the respected individuals will be crowned as the Empress. Any objections will be nullified once the competition starts."
Everyone can feel the tense emotions wavering from the harem's point of view and the singled out Lang Yuan. This competition will surely become wild. Of all, Lang Yuan is the only one human in this realm. It only made him feel more pressured by the intense gazes of the dragon kin. He wanted to wipe the invisible sweat out from his forehead but he can no longer move from being stiff for so long.
"After the first three challenges, only five candidates can proceed to the fourth and fifth challenge. Any eliminated member will still remain inside the harem as long as no rules are violated. Objections will be accepted..."
Nobody spoke. It seems that everyone is agreeing. Zhong Song looked over the ministers to see some reactions but the old men only nodded at him. There are twenty concubines inside the harem. It would be a lot of hassle if all of them will stay until the next round. By doing the elimination, the ladies will do their best to continue.
"I will now announce the first three challenges," Zhong Song cleared his throat. "First Challenge, Flower arrangement. Second challenge, arithmetic competition. Third Challenge, performing talents."
The following challenges are common amongst the concubines. After all, they have a lot of free time on their hands. The thousand years of living did no go to waste. Some of them had already mastered the art of flower arrangement, or has the talent of singing and dancing. As for the arithmetic competition, they can at least know the basics and can handles problem solving cases. The concubines secretly peaked on the side where Lang Yuan is listening still with a poker face.
Outwardly, Lang Yuan might look calm and composed ba. But inwardly, the adorable modern youth is screaming wanting to just stand up, give up his position, snatch JiDan, and ran away as fast as he can and as far as he could get.
What flower arranging ba? What performing talent? Whose mother is it to place such challenges to the court? Aside from the second task, he has no idea how to do the others. Even though he's happy that it's not some brawl competition but the challenges are too much. He can't read, what's more of having a talent?
But this panic-stricken thought was covered by a calm facade so everyone thought that Lang Yuan is not worried. Actually, some of the concubines felt fear knowing how Lang Yuan simply defeated Sun Shuang and her thousand years of knowledge in tea making.
Maybe he is skilled?
After all, the emperor chose him out from nowhere. He must have something great by himself that he was even brought to the palace to become an Empress.
Looks are very deceiving ba.
Zhong Song added some information about the judges and the guests that will come to the day of competition. Three days from now, the first challenge will happen. During the three-day span, some visitors from the other realms will come. Zhong Song warned the people about these people concerning that the nine realms is still on stalemate with The World leading a bit ahead due to JiDan's existence.
With no further ado, Zhong Song closed the discussion. The Imperial Court meeting has ended as well. The emperor exited the scene first. Then, all the concubines marched in an orderly fashion going towards the Western Palace. Lang Yuan still stayed on his position wondering how these ladies can last kneeling for many hours without killing their legs.
Lang Yuan is actually afraid to feel that needle-like pain on his legs once he stands up. When almost everyone is gone, he decided to stand up. But his sudden action made him feel dizzy as his legs turned wobbly. He stumbled on his own robes ready to fall until someone caught him on his hips pulling him into an embrace.
He thought that it was Zhong Song, or at least the emperor. So he looked up with a smile plastered on his face just to meet a complete stranger wearing a mask covering only half of its face. Lang Yuan stood frozen, his eyes asking a single question repeatedly.
"Who are you?" Though, Lang Yuan actually mouthed out the words.
The stranger, despite the mask, showed a pleasant smile as he helped Lang Yuan to stand up. He straightened some strand of his (LY) hair down with a gentle touch. Lang Yuan did no reaction but stared at this unknown man. He should be feeling scared but somehow this person made him feel comfortable. The feeling of familiarization is too much that he almost wanted to remove the mask to know who this man is.
But the stranger did not allow him and retreated a few steps. He saw Zhong Song coming with a dark glare so the stranger only bowed once, reaching for Lang Yuan's hand and kissed the back of his palm. The stranger still has that pleasant smile that could kill a thousand of love words into a one kiss.
"By fate, we will meet again. Good Luck with your competition," the stranger said, his eyes showing happiness.
He lets go of Lang Yuan's hand and quickly ran away. Lang Yuan remained standing, wanted to reach out for that person but Zhong Song just arrived on time to block that person's image. The Imperial Scholar faced Lang Yuan with a worried expression.
"Did that person do something to you?" He asked.
Lang Yuan stared at the place where the stranger left and shifted his eyes to the scholar. He only shook his head sideways saying that there's no problem. Zhong Song heaved a sigh.
"You should be careful with your surroundings. Don't trust people easily. Some of them might have a bad intention towards you," he said.
Lang Yuan only nodded. Zhong Song escorted the Empress Candidate back to his room. He told Lang Yuan that his lessons would start the next day. However, even though Lang Yuan always nods on his words, his thoughts are still on that stranger with the mask.
"Where did I meet him before?" He asked, feeling his heart beating abnormally more than what it should have.
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The Author Has Something to say:
Author: Oh no, a new character!
Lang Yuan: Who is he? Why is he familiar?
Stranger: Actually... I am...
Lang Yuan: You are...?
Stranger: I AM YOUR FATHER *background music*
Lang Yuan: ...
Author: ...
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Ha ha ha, just posted this picture for the joke.
Yay! Another Update!