Chapter 20: Yizui Pavilion
Mu Bai’s eye twitched slightly as he took the bowl, blowing on it perfunctorily. “It’s scalding; I’ll let it cool a bit before drinking.”
He then walked over to a chair, sat down, and placed the bowl beside him.
Jiang Cijing followed closely, hesitated for a moment, and asked, “Miss Xiao, have you made arrangements to meet someone today? I was wondering…”
“I have an appointment with Young Master Su.”
“Ah.” Jiang Cijing opened his mouth, then finally said, “Alright.”
He walked out of the hall dejectedly. Huamei leaned in and asked, “Xiao Bai, when did you make plans with Young Master Su? I didn’t know about this.”
“We arranged it that day when we returned to the teahouse.”
“Did Master Su invite you?”
“I invited him.”
“And you still claim you don’t like Master Su, when you’re the one who sought him out for the Qiqiao Festival.”
“…Isn’t it just to view the lanterns? If Senior Sister wishes to see them too, she’s welcome to join us.”
Huamei smiled and shook her head. “Keep pretending to be stubborn; I’m not going anyway. I wouldn’t want to spoil your fun for nothing.”
Not long after Jiang Cijing departed, Luo Ziyi and Sect Master Luo stepped into the hall.
Seeing them, Huamei asked, “Brother Ziyi, Sect Master Luo, do you have any plans for tonight’s Qiqiao Festival?”
Luo Ziyi’s eyes lit up immediately as he replied, “I heard that Lingyun Ferry has prepared an magnificent lantern display for tonight, with lights strung along the entire street. We can even set off fireworks by the river… Master, shall we go take a look?”
Luo Wangchuan glanced at him. “Have you mastered the sword techniques I taught you yesterday?”
“…”
“Over the past two days, have you practiced swordplay for a total of twelve hours?” Luo Wangchuan frowned. “All you think about is going out to play; I doubt you could even defeat Miss Qin now.”
Luo Ziyi pouted and murmured softly, “It’s not just Miss Qin; I couldn’t even beat Miss Ling.”
Luo Wangchuan’s brows darkened, and he fell silent.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Huamei spoke up, “I heard that since noon today, the young lady of the Li family has set up an arena outside the Yizui Pavilion for a martial arts contest to choose a husband, and it will continue until nightfall.”
Mu Bai asked, “A martial arts tournament for marriage?”
“Yes. The Li family is wealthier than any nation, and their only daughter is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Every year, so many suitors come to propose that they nearly wear down the doorstep.”
Mu Bai raised an eyebrow, recalling that the threshold of her room still hadn’t been repaired; every night, when the wind blew, it creaked and groaned.
“Since there are so many suitors, why still hold a martial arts contest to choose a husband?”
Huamei replied, “Though many admire Miss Li, none have caught her eye. She lacks neither wealth nor fame; she reserves her favor only for those of exceptional martial prowess. The contest serves both to select a suitable husband and to inform others that she is already betrothed, thus ending their pursuits.”
“I see,” Mu Bai murmured, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the table, lost in thought.
Luo Ziyi said, “Two days ago, a friend came to Lingyun Ferry and asked me to arrange lodging for two nights. When I inquired, it turned out this was precisely the reason.”
“This time, the Li family is seeking a son-in-law; I fear many chivalrous heroes from the jianghu will come drawn by their reputation, and we may witness numerous masters crossing swords.” His mischievous intent undimmed, he gently nudged Luo Wangchuan’s sleeve again. “Master, are you truly not going to take a look?”
Luo Wangchuan cast him a sidelong glance.
“My friend mentioned that Elder White Crane might also appear.”
“Nonsense.” Luo Wangchuan waved his hand dismissively. “That old man White Crane is well advanced in years; why would he involve himself in such affairs?… Very well, let us go and see.”
Mu Bai felt like laughing.
It seemed that Sect Master Luo still harbored a deep obsession with the White Crane Elder.
Ever since hearing Jiang Cijing speak about Luo Wangchuan, Mu Bai had found something odd whenever he saw the two of them together. Thus, after exchanging only a few words, he rose to leave: “I have an appointment; I must take my leave.”
He and Su Mo had agreed to meet at the entrance of the teahouse at sunset, and it was not yet noon.
Mu Bai paced outside Su Mo’s room, noticing disciples of Lingyun Palace near and far stealing glances at him; in the end, he didn’t dare enter.
He descended the mountain alone, took a carriage to Lingyun Ferry, casually found a small stall to eat a bowl of plain noodle soup, then strolled through the streets until noon.
Yi Zui Xuan, a restaurant owned by the Li family, was renowned throughout the Lingyun Ferry area; hosting a banquet there for an elder’s birthday or a child’s full-month celebration brought considerable prestige to one’s family.
Before the martial arts tournament had even begun, a dense crowd already packed the area outside Yi Zui Xuan; Mu Bai, observing from afar, felt his scalp tingle.
Just as she was about to turn back, a voice called out beside her ear: “Xiao Bai.”
Turning around, she saw Su Mo standing behind her. He wasn’t in his wheelchair but wore only a black veil hanging before his face.
His raven-black hair fell neatly down his back; holding a folding fan in hand, his brows and eyes curved with laughter, every inch the picture of an elegant young nobleman.
“What are you doing here?” Mu Bai exclaimed in surprise, reaching up to lift his veil. “Wearing a veil like this—afraid someone might recognize you?”
Su Mo raised his fan to stop Mu Bai’s hand: “You’re the only one here who knows I’m feigning disability; naturally, I must guard against others.”
Mu Bai withdrew his hand: “How do you know that I know you’re pretending?”
“Didn’t you mention it back in Qinglian Valley?”
“Oh, I remember now.” Mu Bai arched an eyebrow. “Back then, you wouldn’t admit it.”
Just thinking about it makes him angry.
“You clearly have hands and feet and can walk just fine, yet you insist on ordering me around. What exactly are you plotting?”
Su Mo smiled, placed a hand on Mu Bai’s shoulder, and turned him around to guide him into the crowd. “Let’s go. I had Jinyi and Yexing secure a spot for us in advance.”
Once Mu Bai entered the throng, he forgot all about settling accounts. The two of them slipped through the masses like fish, weaving their way to the very front.
Jinyi and Yexing had secured a corner with an excellent view right before the stage. They yielded the spot to the pair and then turned to leave.
“How did you know I wanted to watch this?”
“Guessed.” Su Mo’s hands remained on his shoulders, and after weaving through the crowd, he had nearly embraced Mu Bai entirely.
Mu Bai felt awkward and patted his hand. “We’re already inside; why haven’t you let go yet?”
Not patting him would have been better; with that single pat, Su Mo ended up sprawled entirely on top of him.
The black veil drifted lightly past her ear: “Xiao Bai, let me hang on for a bit; it’s so crowded.”
“…How can you be like this?” Mu Bai hopped twice on the spot, failing to shake the person off.
Just then, the sound of gongs and drums erupted on the arena.
Seemingly aware that too many people had come drawn by reputation, the Li family sent a burly servant onto the stage. Without any unnecessary words, he delivered a brief opening remark and immediately left the arena to the competitors.
Mu Bai’s attention was captivated by the fighting, so he no longer paid heed to Su Mo.
The rules of the contest were simple: the first one to step onto the arena became the defending champion. Challengers from below could directly ascend to fight, with the loser descending. If a defending champion managed to remain undefeated on the stage for the duration of one incense stick, a Li family servant would time him until he was finally defeated and forced to leave the arena.
When the martial arts contest concludes, the one who has defended the arena the longest shall be declared the victor.
“This rule is unfair,” Mu Bai murmured. “If someone gets lucky and faces only weak opponents while defending the arena, wouldn’t they be guaranteed to win?”
“Indeed,” Su Mo replied calmly. “Then, if Lady Xiao were to set these rules herself, what would you propose?”
Mu Bai actually pondered for a moment before answering thoughtfully, “Two competitors per round, with the winner advancing. Thirty-two down to sixteen, sixteen to eight, and so on, until the final champion is decided. Within the time it takes one stick of incense to burn, if the defender is defeated, another takes their place; but if they still stand upon the platform when the incense burns out, they are the victor…”
As he spoke, Mu Bai suddenly realized that he could also organize a martial arts tournament to choose a spouse.
At that time, appearing in his original form, neither the disciples of Shang Palace nor Jiang Cijing would be his match.
As for figures like Luo Wangchuan and the White Crane Elder, they would never even consider participating.
In this way, once everyone knew that Qin Mubai was betrothed, no one would bother him again.
Mu Bai clapped his hands.
To come up with the idea of me marrying myself, he truly is a little genius.
“What has you so happy?”
Hearing Su Mo speak, Mu Bai’s heart gave a sudden jolt.
I almost forgot about this one.
However, he usually sits in a wheelchair and even wears a veil when going out; he must be terribly afraid of being discovered as faking his disability.
Surely he wouldn’t interfere?
Mu Bai thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “Do you want to go up on stage and spar?”
“Compete with whom?” Su Mo chuckled. “I have no interest in a martial arts tournament for marriage.”
“Oh.” Mu Bai felt relieved and turned his gaze back to the stage.
The duel continued late into the night.
Mu Bai, utterly famished, didn’t wait to see the outcome; instead, he tugged Su Mo away from the crowd.
“Hungry?” Su Mo asked softly. “How about we go to Yizui Xuan…”
“Hey, the teahouse is still open? That’s unusual; it normally closes at sunset.” Mu Bai tugged at Su Mo’s sleeve. “Those meat buns last time were delicious. Shall we go get some?”
Su Mo: “…”
Seeing him remain silent, Mu Bai turned around and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like meat buns?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then let’s go quickly; they’ll close soon.”
Mu Bai pulled Su Mo toward the teahouse, saying as they walked, “If you don’t like meat-filled buns, you can order two vegetable ones instead, or perhaps some soup dumplings…”
“…Do you really like buns that much?”
“It’s not just buns I enjoy; I also love steamed mantou, flower rolls, shumai, swallow dumplings, fish balls, jianbing guozi…”
“Alright, alright.” Su Mo quickly cut him off. “I get it.”
Upon entering the teahouse, Mu Bai first called for the waiter to bring a steamer basket of meat buns.
She placed three into Su Mo’s bowl, saying, “Eat more; make sure you finish them all. Don’t waste food.”
Su Mo: “…”
“What’s wrong? No appetite?”
Su Mo shook his head, grabbed a steamed bun, and took a small bite.
Mu Bai nibbled on his own bun while watching Su Mo chew slowly and deliberately, like a foreman observing laborers moving bricks.
Su Mo grew uneasy under his gaze: “Why are you staring at me?”
Mu Bai smiled gently and said, “Dear brother, you’re so handsome; can’t I steal a few extra glances?”
Su Mo: “…I’ve never seen you pay much attention to me on ordinary days.”
Mu Bai laughed aloud, reached out to take Su Mo’s bowl, and pushed the menu toward him. “If you don’t like it, then don’t eat it. Order something else.”
“…Oh, so you did know.”
“Jin Yi mentioned it last time; although she didn’t say everything, I could guess **pretty accurately.” Mu Bai picked up a meat bun, tapped it against the edge of the bowl, and said, “Who told you to pretend to be lame? Next time you try to order me around, I’ll feed you nothing but meat buns.”
His tone was extremely fierce: “Eat a hundred!”
Su Mo raised his hands in surrender. “I’ll never dare again, Miss Xiaobai. Please spare me.”
“Are you that afraid?”
Su Mo said indifferently, “I’m not accustomed to that noodle skin; it tastes like chewing wax.”
“So does that mean you can eat the meat filling?”
“Mm.”
Mu Bai used her chopsticks to separate the bun’s wrapper from the filling, placing the meat into Su Mo’s bowl. “Then you eat this,” she said, “and I’ll have the wrapper.”